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CHALLIS PLAN AMENDMENT AND WILDERNESS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
FINAL .
Associate State Director
PREPARED BY DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
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CHALLIS PLAN AMENDMENT AND
WILDERNESS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
( ) Draft (X) Final Environmental Impact Statement Type of Action ( ) Administrative (X) Legislative
Responsible Agencies:
a. Lead Agency: Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management
b. Cooperating Agencies: None
Abstract: The Challis Plan Amendment and Wilderness Environmental Impact Statement analyzes three Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) in the Challis Planning Unit, Salmon District, Idaho, to determine resource impacts which could result from designation or nondesignation of these WSAs as wilderness. The Corral-Horse Basin WSA, 48,500 acres, the Jerry Peak West WSA, 13,530 acres, and a portion of the Jerry Peak WSA, 19,400 acres are recommended for nonwilder- ness. A portion of the Jerry Peak WSA, 26,750 acres is recommen- ded for wilderness designation.
Comments have been requested and received from:
See page 72 for a listing of persons and/or agencies commenting.
Date draft statement made available to EPA and the public. May 21, 1982
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF MAPS
SUMMARY
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION AND PLANNING PROCESS
Purpose and Need
Location
Environmental Issue Identification and Scoping
The Planning Process and Selection of the Proposed Action Alternatives to the Proposed Action Selected for Analysis Alternatives Considered but Dropped from Further Analysis
CHAPTER 2. PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES Corral-Horse Basin WSA
Proposed Action - No Wilderness (No Action) Alternative All Wilderness Alternative Partial Wilderness Alternative
Jerry Peak WSA
Proposed Action - Partial Preferred Alternative No Wilderness (No Action) Alternative
All Wilderness Alternative
Partial Protection Alternative
Partial Balance Alternative
Partial Production Alternative
Jerry Peak West WSA
Proposed Action - No Wilderness (No Action) Alternative All Wilderness Alternative
CHAPTER 3. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT Corral-Horse Basin WSA
General Description of the WSA Land Status
Wilderness Values
Recreation
Geology
Energy and Mineral Resources Forest Resources
Soils
Water Quality
Wildlife
Jerry Peak WSA
General Description of the WSA Land Status
Wilderness Values
Recreation
Geology
Energy and Mineral Resources Forest Resources
Soils
Water Quality
Wildlife
Jerry Peak West WSA
General Description of the WSA Land Status
Wilderness Values
Recreation
Geology
Energy and Mineral Resources Soils
Water Quality
Wildlife
CHAPTER 4. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES Corral-Horse Basin WSA
Proposed Action - No Wilderness (No Action) Alternative
All Wilderness Alternative Partial Wilderness Alternative
Jerry Peak WSA
Proposed Action - Partial Preferred Alternative No Wilderness (No Action) Alternative
All Wilderness Alternative Partial Protection Alternative Partial Balance Alternative Partial Production Alternative
it
Jerry Peak West WSA
Proposed Action —- No Wilderness (No Action) Alternative All Wilderness Alternative
Relationship Between Short-Term Use of the Environment and the Maintenance and Enchancement of Long-Term Productivity
Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources CHAPTER 5. CONSULTATION, COORDINATION, AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Environmental Impact Statement Review
List of Preparers
Agencies, Persons, and Organizations Reviewing Draft
List of Commentors and Testifiers
Comments and Responses
Hearing Record
GLOSSARY
INDEX
celal
LIST OF TABLES
List of Wilderness Study Areas Planned Livestock Grazing Levels, Corral-Horse Basin WSA
Existing Range Improvements and New Construction Actions, Corral-Horse Basin WSA
Planned Livestock Grazing Levels, Jerry Peak WSA Existing Range Improvements, Jerry Peak WSA
Planned Livestock Grazing Levels, Jerry Peak West WSA Existing Range Improvements, Jerry Peak West WSA
Comparative Impact Summary
LIST OF MAPS
General Location
Location of WSAs Within the Study Area Proposed Action
Corral-Horse Basin WSA Map and Alternatives Challis ORV Plan
Jerry Peak WSA Map and Alternatives
Jerry Peak West WSA Map and Alternatives
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SUMMARY
The Challis Plan Amendment and Wilderness Environmental Impact State- ment analyzes three Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) in the Challis Planning Unit, Salmon District, Idaho, to determine resource impacts which could result from designation or non-designation of these WSAs as wilderness. The three WSAs are Corral-Horse Basin (46-11), Jerry Peak (46-14), and Jerry Peak West (46-14a).
The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976 requires the Secretary of the Interior to inventory public lands and to identify those areas possessing wilderness characteristics as defined in the Wil- derness Act of 1964. Thus, the inventory provided the basis for the Idaho State Director's Final Inventory Decision of January 1980 in which the three units under discussion were identified as WSAs.
The Proposed Action recommends 26,750 acres for wilderness designation and 81,430 acres for nonwilderness management. A portion of the Jerry Peak WSA of 26,750 acres is recommended for wilderness. All of the Corral-Horse Basin and Jerry Peak West WSAs, and a 19,400 portion of the Jerry Peak WSA are recommended for nonwilderness use.
The Proposed Action in the Final EIS differs from the Draft EIS Pro- posed Action for both the Jerry Peak and the Jerry Peak West WSAs. The recommendation for the Jerry Peak WSA was changed from 46,150 acres re- commended for wilderness (All Wilderness Alternative) to 26,750 acres recommended for wilderness and 19,400 acres recommended for nonwilderness use (Partial, Preferred Alternative [New alternative in Final EIS]). The recommendation for the Jerry Peak West WSA, 13,530 acres, was changed from All Wilderness to No Wilderness.
Alternatives considered for each of the WSAs were No Wilderness, No Action, Partial Wilderness, and All Wilderness. The No Action and No Wilderness Alternatives are combined because there is no measurable dif- ference between the possible impacts of either. A Partial Wilderness Alternative for the Jerry Peak West WSA was not analyzed because size adjustments would not significantly improve manageability, balance re- source uses, or reduce conflicts.
The significant environmental issues developed in the study process were: 1) impacts on wilderness values; 2) impacts on the development of energy and mineral resources; 3) impacts on forest management in the Corral-Horse Basin and Jerry Peak WSAs; 4) impacts on water quality in the East Fork of the Salmon River; 5) impacts on the East Fork of the Salmon River Anadromous Fishery, and 6) impacts on recreational off-road vehicle use. Livestock grazing, which is recognized by Congress as an acceptable activity within wilderness areas, would continue under exist- ing plans and was not an issue analyzed. Subject to valid existing rights, present law would withdraw any designated wilderness from appro- priation under the mining and mineral leasing laws effective the date of designation.
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION AND PLANNING PROCESS
Purpose and Need
The purpose of the proposed action is to manage and preserve the wil- derness characteristics on 26,750 acres in one wilderness study area (WS- A) and manage 81,430 acres in three WSAs for uses other than wilderness. This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) assess the environmental conse- quences of managing these areas as wilderness or nonwilderness, and of managing only a portion of one WSA as wilderness.
The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) mandates the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to manage the public lands and re- sources under the principles of multiple use and sustained yield. Wild- erness values are identified as part of the spectrum of multiple land use values to be considered in BLM inventory, planning, and management. Sec- tion 603 of FLPMA requires a wilderness review of BLM roadless areas of 5,000 or more acres and roadless islands. The BLM inventory process id- entified wilderness study areas which have the mandatory wilderness characteristics (size; naturalness; solitude and/or primitive recreation opportunities). Suitable or nonsuitable wilderness recommendations for each WSA will be presented to the President of the United States by the Secretary of the Interior. The President will then make recommendations to the Congress. Areas can be designated wilderness only by an act of the Congress. If designated as wilderness, an area would be managed in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964.
This EIS is part of the amendment process required to update the Challis Management Framework Plan (MFP) which was written prior to comp- letion of the wilderness inventory and did not consider potential wild- erness designations.
The three WSAs being studied in this EIS are listed in Table 1 below. Each WSA is individually analyzed in this EIS.
Table 1 List of Wilderness Study Areas Name Acreage Number Corral-Horse Basin 48 ,500 46-11 Jerry Peak 46,150 46-14 Jerry Peak West 13,530 46-14a Location
The WSAs are located in east central Idaho (Map 1). The WSAs are all within Custer County and lie in the East Fork of the Salmon River drain- age approximately 20 miles south of Challis, Idaho. All three WSAs are located within the Challis Resource Area of the Salmon District, Bureau of Land Management (Map 2).
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Lewiston P 3} (95) Grangeville (933 Salmon CHALLIS PLANNING UNIT McCall y
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BOISE (263 Swan 20} Valley Idaho Falls Blackfoot
Mountain Home
Puvatello
Twin Falls Burley
GENERAL LOCATION MAP MAP 1
S-Ellis
@ Challis
46-11 Goldburg °
CORRAL-HORSE BASIN
46-14a JERRY PEAK WEST
46-14 JERRY PEAK
e Mackay
Location of Wilderness Study Areas within the Challis Resource Area
MAP 2
Environmental Issue Identification and Scoping
The scoping process for the Challis Wilderness EIS/MFP Amendment en- compassed issues identified by the BLM staff, by the public during a for- mal scoping comment period (April 1981), at an issues workshop (May 1981), and from comments on the draft EIS by the public and by federal, state and local agencies. During the scoping period there was consultation with the Idaho State Historic Preservation Officer, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Salmon District Multiple Use Advisory Council, the Salmon District Grazing Advisory Board, and the Challis National Forest among others. The environmental issues selected for analysis in this EIS follow.
1. Impacts on Wilderness Values - The wilderness values of
naturalness, solitude, and primitive recreation could benefit from wilderness designation. The same values may be adversely affected by uses and actions that would occur should the WSA not be designated wilderness. The significance of these beneficial or adverse impacts is an issue for analysis in the EIS.
2. Impacts on the Development of Ener and Mineral Resources - Wilderness designation could affect the ability to explore for and develop undiscovered energy and mineral resources by withdrawing de- signated lands from mineral entry. The impact of wilderness desig- nation on the development of energy and mineral resources is an issue for analysis in the EIS.
mh Impacts on Timber Harvesting in the Corral-Horse Basin and
Jerry Peak WSAs — Wilderness designation would preclude future timber harvest. The impact of wilderness designation on potential timber harvests in two WSAs is an issue for analysis in this EIS. No timber sale activity is anticipated in the Jerry Peak West WSA.
“ay Impacts on Water Quality in the East Fork of the Salmon River
- The issue of how water quality would be affected by wilderness de- signation or nondesignation was identified by the Idaho Department of Health.and Welfare. Analysis of this issue is focused on minerals actions in all three WSAs and forest management in the Jerry Peak WSA. Forest resources in the Corral-Horse Basin WSA occur in drain- ages with no influence on the East Fork. Livestock's influence on water quality would not vary sufficiently from the existing situation with or without wilderness designation and is not analyzed.
5. Impacts on the East Fork of the Salmon River Anadromous Fish- Cerys Considerable attention and funding has been devoted to re- taining the remnants of the historic chinook salmon and steelhead runs on the East Fork of the Salmon River. Road, Lake and Herd creeks | are major tributaries to the East Fork and are located within the WSAs in this EIS. Since the draft EIS was published, the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers has constructed a satellite chinook salmon facility on the East Fork. The impact of wilderness desig- nation or nondesignation, mineral development, and forest management (WSA 46-14) on anadromous fish is an issue for analysis in this EIS.
6. Impacts on Recreational Off-Road Vehicle Use - Wilderness designation would close areas to recreational off-road vehicle (ORV)
use. Eliminating this use could affect the availability of oppor- tunities for ORV recreation. The impact of wilderness designation on recreational ORV use in the WSAs is an issue for analysis in this EIS.
The following issues were identified in scoping, but were not select- ed for detailed analysis in this final EIS. The reasons for setting the issues aside are discussed below.
1. Impact _on Livestock Operations - Concerns were raised that livestock operators could be required to modify their operations
within designated wilderness in a manner that would have significant adverse economic impact on their business. This issue was considered in the draft EIS primarily due to the implementation of the Challis Grazing EIS which proposed a large number of new range improvements. While a few improvements remain to be constructed, most of the im- provements have been constructed or eliminated. All activities have complied with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Interim Management Policy (IMP) and all of the WSAs retain their existing characteris-— tics.
Although the management practices of livestock operators in the WSA would be more closely regulated, they would continue as they did prior to wilderness designations, subject to reasonable regulations. The few proposed range improvements are small scale and similar to existing improvements. The wilderness management policy allows these types of improvements in order to continue the existing livestock program. While this issue has been dropped from analysis, a brief description of the planned livestock program has been included be- cause this is a significant nonconforming use which is specifically allowed by Congress and which includes lands in all three of the WSAs. All three WSAs are currently utilized at (or within 2 percent of) the maximum level of livestock use planned.
The impact of wilderness designation on livestock operations was dropped from analysis in the final EIS because the BLM's wilderness management policy provides for the continued use of wilderness areas for livestock operations at historic levels. Also, range activities in the past three years have shown that intensive range management can occur within a wilderness setting.
2. Impact on Wild Horse Management —- The Challis wild horse herd
is managed to maintain a herd size not to exceed 340 head. Periodic roundups are conducted to remove excess animals. The capture facility and corrals are located adjacent to but outside of the Corral-Horse Basin WSA. All census work and capture activities are done with air- craft and management of the herd has been detailed in a Herd Manage- ment Plan. This issue was not analyzed since existing herd management requires no on-the-ground actions and the Herd Management Plan pro- vides adequate protection for the existing environment. Wilderness designation would not affect herd management.
3. Impact on Cultural Resources - In response to implementation of the Challis Grazing EIS, the Challis Spring District was created in 1981 and added to the National Register of Historic Places. Five of the spring sites in this district lie within the WSAs. Further consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) has not revealed any additional sites eligible for nomination to the re- gister. The archaeological sites that exist in the WSAs would be (are being) protected with or without wilderness designation.
Since the management of cultural resource values would not vary significantly, with or without wilderness designation, the issue of impact to cultural resources was dropped from further analysis.
4. Impacts on Wildlife - An issue dealing with wildlife in gen- eral was considered, but not included in this EIS because no specific population, habitat or other environmental issue involving any speci- fic species was identified. Based on projections of development in the WSAs, little or no change in wildlife populations or habitat is anticipated with wilderness designation or nondesignation. This in- cludes the local bighorn sheep herd which has experienced significant population growth in the last decade and was mentioned by several commentors. The Idaho Fish and Game Department is reviewing several areas adjacent to the Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West WSAs for rein- troduction of bighorn sheep. Reintroduction of native species is allowed by the BIM's wilderness management policy and was not con- sidered an issue for analysis in this EIS.
5. Impacts on Endangered Species - Wildlife and vegetation in-
ventories and consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identified only one endangered plant species, Thelopodium repandum (Idaho thelopody), in the WSAs. This plant was found to be more wide- spread than previously estimated and not subject to extinction due to any anticipated action. Therefore, this issue was dropped from fur- ther consideration.
6. Impact of Wilderness Designation on Predator Control - The
Idaho Woolgrowers Association identified predator control as an issue. This issue was not analyzed in detail because the BLM's wild- erness management policy provides for predator control within desig- nated wilderness areas.
7. Impacts on State and Private Inholdings - The impact of wild-
erness designation or nondesignation on state or private land in- holdings in WSAs was identified as an issue by the State of Idaho during scoping. This issue was dropped from further consideration because the uses on these lands would not change as a result of de- signation or nondesignation. An additional consideration in dropping this issue is the intention of the BIM, at the request of the State of Idaho, to exchange for state land inholdings in designated wild- erness areas. Similar exchanges would be attempted for private land inholdings in the Corral-Horse Basin WSA. For management purposes, the BLM would also attempt to exchange state lands nearly surrounded by the outside edge of wilderness areas for BLM lands located else- where.
The Planning Process and Selection of the Proposed Action
Development of the proposed action is guided by requirements of the Bureau's Planning Regulations, 43 CFR Part 1600. The BLM's Wilderness Study Policy (published February 3, 1982, in the Federal Register) sup- plements the planning regulations by providing the specific factors to be considered during the planning sequence in developing suitability re- commendations. Implementation of any alternative or resource action which could violate the Interim Management Policy will be delayed until Congress makes a final wilderness decision.
The proposed action recommends for wilderness designation 26,750 acres of the Jerry Peak WSA (Map 3). In addition, the proposed action recommends nonwilderness designation for 81,430 acres including the Cor- ral-Horse Basin WSA, the Jerry Peak West WSA and 19,400 acres in the Jerry Peak WSA. These lands would be managed for uses other than wild- erness.
The proposed action detailed above differs from the draft EIS's pro- posed action for both the Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West WSAs. The re- commendation for the Jerry Peak WSA was changed from 46,150 acres re- commended for wilderness (All Wilderness Alternative) to 26,750 acres recommended for wilderness and 19,400 acres recommended for nonwilderness uses (Partial, Preferred Alternative (new alternative in final EIS)). The recommendation for the Jerry Peak West WSA, 13,530 acres, was changed from All Wilderness to No Wilderness.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action Selected for Analysis
A range of alternatives from resource protection to resource prod- uction was formulated and evaluated for each of the WSAs. The alterna- tives assessed in this EIS include: 1) a no wilderness alternative for each WSA; 2) an all wilderness alternative for each WSA; and 3) partial wilderness alternatives for both the Corral-Horse Basin WSA (one) and the Jerry Peak WSA (four).
In this document, the no action alternative, as required by National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the no wilderness/development alter- native are equivalent. Both alternatives advocate continuation of man- agement as outlined in the Challis MFP and assume long-term nonwilderness uses of the subject lands. .
The all wilderness alternative represents the maximum possible acre- age that could be recommended for wilderness designation.
Partial wilderness alternatives can make recommendations ranging be- tween the all wilderness and no wilderness alternatives. All of the par- tial wilderness alternatives recommend something less than the entire acreage of their respective WSAs for wilderness designation and the re- mainder of the WSA for nonwilderness uses. All of the partial wilderness alternatives in this EIS were developed by utilizing "“cherrystemmed" roads as wilderness/nonwilderness divisions within WSAs rather than leav- ing them as intrusions into the WSAs.
Alternatives Considered but Dropped from Further Analysis Jerry Peak West (ID-46-14a)
A partial wilderness alternative that would recommend for wilderness something less than the entire acreage of this WSA was considered but dropped because no boundary was found that would improve the quality of the wilderness values. .
Jerry Peak (ID-46-14) and Jerry Peak West (ID-46-14a)
Several commentors recommended a combined study of these two WSAs and roadless Forest Service lands adjoining the WSAs to the south. This al- ternative was not pursued since previous Forest Service land use plans have designated these lands for nonwilderness use.
All WSAs
One commentor recommended closing the roads between the WSAs and creating one large wilderness area. This alternative was not pursued since these constructed and maintained roads would be virtually impossible to obli- terate, this action would be contrary to BLM's policy towards existing roads and access to private lands needs to be maintained in Herd Creek.
(Note: The roads mentioned above are maintained for passenger car use and should not be confused with the numerous four-wheel drive. vehicle ways in the WSA's. The local naming of one of these vehicle ways as the “Broken Wagon Road" has caused some confusion).
CHAPTER 2
PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES
Since the pattern of future actions within the WSAs can not be pre- dicted with certainty, assumptions were made to allow the analysis of impacts under the proposed action and alternatives. These assumptions are the basis of the impacts identified in this environmental impact statement (EIS). They are not management plans or proposals, but repre- sent feasible patterns of activities which could occur under the alterna- tives analyzed.
Corral-Horse Basin (ID-46-11)
Proposed Action - No Wilderness (No Action) Alternative
None of the 48,500 acres of public land in the Corral-Horse Basin WSA would be recommended for wilderness designation (Map 4). These lands would be open for multiple use management and nonwilderness uses and de- velopment.
Recreation Management Actions
In the WSA 44,595 acres would be designated as open to ORV use. The remaining 3,905 acres, located in Sand Hollow, are closed year-round to all motorized vehicles due to fragile soils (Map 5). Recreational ORV use is projected to remain below 500 visitor days annually for the next 5 to 10 years. Projections beyond the existing planning cycle (beyond 15 to 20 years) indicate that it is reasonable to expect that recreational ORV use would increase but would remain below 800 visitor days annually.
The entire WSA would be open for other recreation activities includ- ing hunting, horseback riding, camping, photography and sightseeing. Recreational use for these activities would remain below 500 visitor days for the next ten years. Projections beyond existing planning estimates (beyond 15 to 20 year planning cycle) indicate that it is reasonable to expect that recreational use for these activities would increase, but would remain below 1,000 visitor days annually for the foreseeable fu- ture. No recreation facilities or developed trails exist in the WSA and none are planned.
.
Energy and Mineral Resources Development Actions
It is assumed that the lode claims in T.11N., 19E., Sections 31, 32 and 33 would be developed. This would result in 100 acres of surface disturbance associated with the claims and an additional 30 acres assoc~ jated with construction of access roads. It is also possible that de- velopment of these lode claims would generate interest in the remainder
of the WSA, which as yet has no recorded mining claims and no evidence of mineral exploration. No location or size estimate for this activity has been made since it is entirely speculative in nature.
It is further assumed that one oil and gas exploratory well would be drilled near the center of the WSA. This would result in ten acres of surface disturbance for a five acre drill pad and three miles of access road. This assumption is made since 99 percent of the WSA is leased for oil and gas.
Timber Harvesting Actions
It is assumed that 40 percent of the commercial timber (660 acres) would be included in timber sales or commercial thinnings within the next twenty years. This would require construction of five miles of new haul road and two miles of spur roads (15 acres).
Livestock Grazing and Range Management
Livestock grazing would continue in the portions of the Warm Springs and San Felipe allotments located in the WSA. Both allotments would be managed under rest-rotation grazing systems.
Table 2 summarizes the acreages, management treatments, seasons of use, and the livestock animal unit months (AUMs) in these allotments. Both allotments are now (1985) being grazed at their planned maximum AUM levels.
Table 2
Planned Livestock Grazing Levels, Corral-Horse Basin WSA
Acres in Management Season AUMs in Planned Maximum Allotment WSA 46-11 #£Treatment of Use WSA AUMs in WSA Warm Springs 17,000 Rest-Rotation» 05/16=10/317 )15070 1,070 San Felipe 27,600 Rest-Rotation 05/11-10/15 2,882 2,882 Ungrazed 3,900 N/A None 0 0 48,500 3 ole 319952
The Challis Grazing EIS and the subsequent Allotment Management Plans (AMP) detailed specific management actions and range improvements to be installed and maintained to manage use of rangelands for the protection, maintenance and improved condition of the basic vegetation. Table 3 sun- marizes the existing improvements which would be maintained and the new improvements which would be proposed in accordance with the AMPs.
10
Table 3 Existing Range Improvements and New Construction Actions Corral-Horse Basin WSA
Pipeline Fence Allotment Springs Waterholes Miles Miles Reservoirs
Warm Springs
Existing 7 4 5) 19 0
New Construction 2 0 2D 0 0 San Felipe
Existing 6) 17 i 16 2
New Construction 0 0 ih uf 0 Total In WSA
Existing 13 Dash 10 35 2
New Construction 2 0 3 ih 0
All Wilderness Alternative
All 48,500 acres of public land in the Corral-Horse Basin WSA would be recommended for wilderness designation (Map 4).
Recreation Management Actions
The WSA would be closed to recreational ORV use. Approximately 500 visitor days of recreational ORV use, estimated to presently occur an- nually in the area, would be displaced.
The entire WSA would be open for other recreation activities includ- ing hunting, horseback riding, camping, photography and sightseeing. Recreational use for these activities would remain below 300 visitor days for the next ten years. Projections beyond existing planning estimates (beyond 15 to 20 year planning cycle) indicate that it is reasonable to expect that recreational use for these activities would increase slight- ly, but would remain below 600 visitor days annually for the foreseeable future.
No recreation facilities or developed trails exist in the WSA and none are planned. Energy and Mineral Resources Development Actions
The lands in the WSA would be withdrawn, subject to valid existing rights, from all forms of appropriation under the mining laws.
Le
Timber Harvesting Actions
No timber sales, commercial thinnings or woodland product sales would occur.
Livestock Grazing and Range Management
See Proposed Action - Livestock Grazing.
Management Actions to Acquire State and Private Inholdings
Action would be initiated to acquire all or portions of seven state sections (2,895 acres) and three private parcels (102 acres).
Partial Wilderness Alternative
This alternative uses the Broken Wagon Road (primitive way) as the northeast boundary of the area recommended for wilderness designation. The area recommended for wilderness designation includes 42,225 acres while the area recommended for nonwilderness uses includes 6,275 acres.
Recreation Management Actions
Within the WSA, 6,275 acres would be open to off-road vehicles (ORV) use while 43,225 acres would be closed to vehicle use. Recreational ORV use is projected to remain below 50 visitor days annually for the next 5 to 10 years. Existing use, totaling 450 visitor days, would be displaced. Projections beyond the existing planning cycle (beyond 15 to 20 years) indicate that it is reasonable to expect that recreational ORV use would increase but would remain below 100 visitor days annually.
The entire WSA would be open for other recreation activities includ- ing hunting, horseback riding, camping, photography and sightseeing. Recreational use for these activities would remain below 400 visitor days for the next ten years. Projections beyond existing planning estimates (beyond 15 to 20 year planning cycle) indicate that it is reasonable to expect that recreational use for these activities would increase, but would remain below 700 visitor days annually for the foreseeable future. Future recreational use would be expected to be oriented towards the de- signated wilderness area rather than the lands managed for nonwilderness uses. No recreation facilities or developed trails exist in the WSA and none are planned.
Energy and Minerals Resources Development Actions The 42,225 acres recommended for wilderness would be withdrawn, sub-
ject to valid existing rights, from all forms of appropriation under the mining laws upon designation by Congress.
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It is assumed that one oil and gas exploratory well would be drilled in the nonwilderness portion resulting in eight acres of surface dis- turbance.
Timber Harvesting Actions
No timber sales, commercial thinnings, or woodland product sales would occur within the area recommended for wilderness. The timber re- sources located in the nonwilderness area are insufficient to support timber sale activity but could be used for woodland product sales (fire- wood).
Livestock Grazing and Range Management
See Proposed Action - Livestock Grazing.
Management Actions to Acquire State and Private Inholdings
Actions would be initiated to acquire all or portions of six state sections (2,595 acres) and two private parcels (56 acres).
Jerry Peak (ID-46-14 )
Proposed Action - Partial Preferred Alternative
This alternative recommends 26,750 acres for wilderness designation and 19,400 acres for nonwilderness uses. The alternative delineates the "cherrystemmed" Road Creek, North Fork Sage Creek, and Mosquito Creek roads as boundaries in the east and northwestern sections respectively. In the southwest corner of the WSA, 2,140 acres located outside of the WSA's main drainage (Lake Creek) are recommended for nonwilderness be- cause the ridge line between the Lake and Herd creek drainages would be a natural and more manageable wilderness boundary. An additional 210 acres in the southeastern corner was deleted to correct a mapping error. (This correction is common to all partial alternatives. )
This alternative was developed following publication of the draft Challis Wilderness EIS in response to additional field review. It differs from the partial balance alternative of the draft EIS in the 2,140 acre deletion and in the 210 acre correction.
Recreation Management Actions Following Congressional wilderness designation, 26,750 acres would be closed to recreational ORV use while 19,400 acres would be open to ORV
use. Of the open lands, 2,140 acres would be inaccessible to ORV users as it would be surrounded by lands managed as roadless by either the BLM
a
or Forest Service. No recreational ORV use takes place on this piece of land and none is anticipated due to steep slopes and lack of access.
Recreational ORV use is projected to remain below 150 visitor days annually for the next 5 to 10 years. Fifty visitor days of use would be displaced. Projections beyond the existing planning cycle (beyond 15 to 20 years) indicate that it is reasonable to expect that recreational ORV use would increase but would remain below 200 visitor days annually.
The entire WSA would be open for other recreation activities includ- ing hunting, horseback riding, camping, photography and sightseeing. Recreational use for these activities would be around 700 visitor days annually for the next ten years. Projections beyond existing planning estimates (beyond the 15 to 20 year planning cycle) indicate that it is reasonable to expect that recreational use for these activities would increase to a level of 1,000 visitor days annually attracted by both Herd Lake and the designated wilderness area.
The small campground, hiking trail, and scenic overlook at Herd Lake would be maintained as would the campsite at the end of the old Upper Lake Creek Road. The portion of the Upper Lake Creek Road, above Herd Lake, closed following the 1983 earthquake and would remain closed. The Herd Lake improvements are contiguous to the WSA along the "cherry- stemmed" Lake Creek Road.
Energy and Mineral Resources Development Actions
The 26,750 acres recommended for wilderness would be withdrawn, sub- ject to valid existing rights, from all forms of appropriation under the mining and mineral leasing laws upon designation by Congress.
It is assumed that one oil and gas exploratory well would be drilled in the area not recommended for wilderness resulting in surface dis- turbance of eight to ten acres. This assumption is made since 99 percent of the WSA is leased for oil and gas. It is not anticipated that any lode claims would be developed in this WSA since no claims exist within or nearby the WSA, no evidence of past prospecting is visible and the BLM has had no contacts with individuals expressing an interest in developing claims in this area.
Timber Harvesting Actions
No timber sales, commercial thinnings or woodland product sales would occur because the timber resources are located in the 26,750 acres re- commended for wilderness. Livestock Grazing and Range Management
Livestock grazing would continue in the portions of four grazing al-
lotments in the WSA; San Felipe, Warm Springs, Road Creek and Herd Creek. All four allotments would be managed under rest-rotation grazing systems.
14
Table 4 summarizes the acreage, management treatment, season of use, and the livestock AUMs in these allotments.
Table 4
Planned Livestock Grazing Levels, Jerry Peak WSA
Acres in Management Season AUMs in Planned Maximum Allotment WSA 46-14 Treatment of Use WSA AUMs in WSA San Felipe 22,850 Rest-Rotation 05/11-10/15 2,389 23839 Warm Springs 1,700 Rest-Rotation 05/16-10/31 107 107 Herd Creek 13,600 Rest-Rotation 06/16-10/31 640 hit Road Creek 8,000 Rest-Rotation 05/16-06/15 215 205 46,150 B55 1 3,428
The Challis Grazing EIS and the subsequent AMPs detailed specific management actions and range improvements to be installed and maintained to manage use of rangelands for the protection, maintenance and improved condition of the basic vegetation. Table 5 summarizes the existing im- provements which would be maintained (no new improvements planned) in accordance with the allotment management plan.
Table 5 Existing Range Improvements
Jerry Peak WSA
Pipeline Fence
Allotment springs Waterholes Miles Miles Reservoirs San Felipe 4 1 = $3 - Warm Springs = = 10 = Herd Creek ae = 6 3 = Road Creek nS a nis _4 S
Totals 8 3 6 30 0
Management Actions to Acquire State Inholdings
Action would be initiated to acquire all or portions of three state sections (1,600 acres). No Wilderness (No Action) Alternative
None of the 46,150 acres of public land in the Jerry Peak WSA would
be recommended for wilderness designation. These lands would be open for multiple use management and nonwilderness uses and development.
eS
Recreation Management Actions
All 46,150 acres in the WSA would be designated as open to ORV use. Recreational ORV use is projected to remain below 200 visitor days an- nually for the next 5 to 10 years. Projections beyond the existing plan- ning cycle (beyond 15 to 20 years) indicate that it is reasonable to ex- pect that recreational ORV use would increase but would remain below 300 visitor days annually. ;
The entire WSA would be open for other recreation activities includ- ing hunting, horseback riding, fishing, camping, photography and sight- seeing. Recreational use for these activities would remain at around 700 visitor days for the next ten years. Projections beyond existing plan- ning estimates (beyond the 15 to 20 year planning cycle) indicate that it is reasonable to expect that recreational use for these activities would increase slightly, but would remain below 900 visitor days annually for the foreseeable future.
The small campground, hiking trail and scenic overlook at Herd Lake would be maintained as would the campsite at the end of the old Upper Lake Creek Road. The portion of the Upper Lake Creek Road closed follow- ing the 1983 earthquake would remain closed. The Herd Lake improvements are contiguous to the WSA along the “cherrystemmed" Lake Creek Road. Energy and Mineral Resources Development Actions
It is assumed that one oil and gas exploratory well would be drilled in the WSA resulting in eight to ten acres of surface disturbance. It is not anticipated that any lode claims would be developed in the WSA.
Timber Harvesting Actions
It is assumed that 40 percent of the commercial timber (1,550 acres) would be included in timber sales or commercial thinnings within the next 20 years. This would require construction of 10 miles of new haul road and 3 to 5 miles of spur roads.
Livestock Grazing and Range Management
See Proposed Action - Livestock Grazing. All Wilderness Alternative
All 46,150 acres of public land in the Jerry Peak WSA would be recom- mended for wilderness designation.
16
Recreation Management Actions
The area would be closed to recreational ORV use. Approximately 200 visitor days of ORV use currently occurring in the WSA annually would be displaced. —
“The entire WSA would be open for other recreation activities includ- ing hunting, horseback riding, camping, photography and sightseeing. Recreational use for these activities would remain at around 700 visitor days for the next ten years. Projections beyond existing planning esti- mates (beyond the 15 to 20 year planning cycle) indicate that it is rea- sonable to expect that recreational use for these activities would in- crease slightly, but would approach 1,000 visitor days annually for the foreseeable future.
The small campground, hiking trail and scenic overlook at Herd Lake would be maintained as would the campsite at the end of the old Upper Lake Creek Road. The portion of the Upper Lake Creek Road closed follow- ing the 1983 earthquake would remain closed. The Herd Lake improvements are contiguous to the WSA along the “cherrystemmed" Lake Creek Road. The Mosquito Creek Road would be closed to vehicle use.
Energy and Mineral Resources Development Actions
Subject to valid existing rights, the Jerry Peak WSA would be with- drawn from all forms of appropriation under the mining and mineral leas- ing laws. Timber Harvesting Actions
No timber sale activities would occur because all of the commercial timber would be included in the wilderness area. Livestock Grazing and Range Management
See Proposed Action - Livestock Grazing.
Management Actions to Acquire State Inholdings
Actions would be initiated to acquire all or portions of six state sections (3,701 acres).
-
Partial Protection Alternative
This alternative recommends 41,690 acres for wilderness designation and 4,460 acres for nonwilderness uses. The Road Creek-North Fork Sage Creek road is used as eastern boundary rather than leave it as a “cherry- stem" road within a wilderness area.
17
Recreation Management Actions
Following Congressional wilderness designation, 41,690 acres would be closed to recreational ORV use while 4,460 acres would be open to ORV use.
Recreational ORV use is projected to remain below 25 visitor days annually for the next 5 to 10 years. Existing use of 175 visitor days would be displaced. Projections beyond the existing planning cycle (be- yond 15 to 20 years) indicate that it is reasonable to expect that re- creational ORV use would increase slightly but would remain below 50 visitor days annually.
The entire WSA would be open for other recreation activities includ- ing hunting, horseback riding, camping, fishing, photography and sight- seeing. Recreational use for these activities would be around 700 visitor days for the next ten years. Projections beyond existing planning esti- mates (beyond the 15 to 20 year planning cycle) indicate that it is rea- sonable to expect that recreational use for these activities would sth ae crease to 1,000 visitor days annually attracted by both Herd Lake and the designated wilderness area.
The small campground, hiking trail and scenic overlook at Herd Lake would be maintained as would the campsite at the end of the old Upper Lake Creek Road. The portion of the Upper Lake Creek Road closed follow- ing the 1983 earthquake would remain closed. The Herd Lake improvements are contiguous to the WSA along the “cherrystemmed" Lake Creek Road. The Mosquito Creek Road would be closed to vehicle use.
Energy and Mineral Resources Development Actions
Subject to valid existing rights, 41,690 acres in the Jerry Peak WSA would be withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the mining and mineral leasing laws. The remaining 4,460 acres would be open to mineral exploration and development.
It is not anticipated that an oil and gas exploratory well would be drilled in the nonwilderness area. Adjacent areas also under oil and gas lease are lower in elevation with less of a lava cap to penetrate and would be expected to be more attractive to drillers. No lode claim deve- lopment is anticipated since no claims exist within miles of the nonwild- erness lands and no history of exploration is evidenced.
Timber Harvesting Actions
No timber sale activities would occur because all of the commercial
timber would be included in the wilderness area.
Livestock Grazing and Range Management
See Proposed Action - Livestock Grazing.
18
Management Actions to Acquire State Inholdings
Actions would be initiated to acquire all or portions of five state sections (2,623 acres).
Partial Balance Alternative
This alternative recommends 28,890 acres for wilderness designation and 17,260 acres for nonwilderness uses. The alternative delineates the "cherrystemmed" Road Creek-North Fork Sage Creek and Mosquito Creek roads as boundaries in the east and northwestern sections respectively.
The only difference between this alternative and the proposed action is an additional 2,140 acres in the area recommended for wilderness which would increase the ORV closure and mineral withdrawal to 28,890 acres. Please refer to the proposed action for a description of management ac- tions.
Partial Production Alternative
This alternative recommends 9,500 acres for wilderness designation and 36,650 acres for nonwilderness uses. This alternative uses the two dead-end roads, Upper Lake Creek and Sawmill Canyon, and the section line between them as the wilderness/nonwilderness dividing line.
Recreation Management Actions
Following Congressional wilderness designation, 9,500 acres would be closed to recreational ORV use and 36,650 acres would be open to ORV use.
Recreational ORV use is projected to remain at the existing level of 200 visitor days annually for the next 5 to 10 years. Projections beyond the existing planning cycle (beyond 15 to 20 years) indicate that it is reasonable to expect that recreational ORV use would increase sii— ghtly but would remain below 300 visitor days annually.
The entire WSA would be open for other recreation activities includ- ing hunting, horseback riding, camping, fishing, photography and sight- seeing. Recreational use for these activities would be around 700 visit- or days for the next ten years. Projections beyond existing planning estimates (beyond the 15 to 20 year planning cycle) indicate that it is reasonable to expect that recreational use for these activities would increase slightly, but would remain below 1,000 visitor days annually for the foreseeable future.
The small campground, hiking trail and scenic overlook at Herd Lake would be maintained as would the campsite at the end of the old Upper Lake Creek Road. The portion of the Upper Lake Creek Road closed follow- ing the 1983 earthquake would remain closed. The Herd Lake improvements are contiguous to the WSA along the “cherrystemmed” Lake Creek Road.
19
Energy and Mineral Resources Development Actions
The 9,500 acres recommended for wilderness would be withdrawn, sub- ject to valid existing rights, from all forms of appropriation under the mining and mineral leasing laws upon designation by Congress.
It is assumed that one oil and gas exploratory well would be drilled in the area not recommended for wilderness resulting in surface disturb- ance of eight to ten acres. This assumption is made since 99 percent of the WSA is leased for oil and gas. It is not anticipated that any lode claims would be developed in this WSA since no claims exist within or nearby the WSA, no evidence of past prospecting is visible and the BIM has had no contacts with individuals expressing an interest in developing claims in this area.
a
Timber Harvesting Actions
It is assumed that 26 percent (1000 acres) of the commercial timber would be included in timber sales or commercial thinnings in the next twenty years. This would require construction of seven miles of new haul road and two to four miles of spur roads. Thirty-five percent of the conm- mercial timber would be included in the wilderness area.
Livestock Grazing and Range Management
See Proposed Action - Livestock Grazing.
Management Actions to Acquire State Inholdings
Actions would be initiated to acquire one state section (640 acres).
Jerry Peak West (ID-46-14a)
Proposed Action - No Wilderness (No Action) Alternative
None of the 13,530 acres of public land in the Jerry Peak West WSA would be recommended for wilderness designation. These lands would be open for multiple use management and nonwilderness uses and development.
Recreation Management Actions
All 13,530 acres in the WSA would be designated as open to recrea- tional ORV use. Recreational ORV use is projected to remain below 15 visitor days annually for the next 5 to 10 years. Projections beyond the existing planning cycle (beyond 15 to 20 years) indicate that it is rea- sonable to expect that recreational ORV use would increase slightly but would remain below 25 visitor days annually.
20
The entire WSA would be open for other recreation activities includ- ing hunting, horseback riding, camping, photography, and sightseeing. Recreational use for these activities would remain below 25 visitor days for the next ten years. Projections beyond existing planning estimates (beyond 15 to 20 year planning cycle) indicate that it is reasonable to expect that recreational use for these activities would increase slight- ly, but would remain below 50 visitor days annually for the foreseeable future.
Access to this WSA is severely limited by bordering private lands. No recreation facilities or developed trails exist in the WSA and none are planned.
Energy and Mineral Resources Development Actions
It is anticipated that one oil and gas exploratory well would be drilled in the eastern end of the WSA (1,900 acres of existing leases) resulting in ten acres of surface disturbance. It is also assumed that one mining claim will be developed in T.9N., R.18E., Section 7, which is adjacent to claims on the Challis National Forest. Surface disturbance associated with this claim is estimated at 25 acres for the claim site and 10 acres for an access road off the East Fork road.
Livestock Grazing and Range Management
Livestock grazing would continue in the portions of the three grazing allotments in the WSA; East Fork, Herd Creek, and Pine Creek. The East Fork and Herd Creek allotments are managed under rest-rotation grazing systems while the Pine Creek Allotment has a deferred rotation systen.
Table 6 summarizes the acreages, management treatments, seasons of use, and the livestock animal unit months (AUMs) in these allotments.
Table 6 Planned Livestock Grazing Levels, Jerry Peak West WSA Acres in Management Season AUMs in Planned Maximum Allotment WSA 46-11 ‘Treatment of Use WSA AUMs in WSA East Fork 1R790 Rest-Rotation 05/21-06/15 415 415 Pine Creek 5,400 Def. Rotation 06/05-07/18 220 220 Herd Creek 6 , 340 Rest-Rotation 06/16-10/31 1,366 1,366 134530 2,001 2,001
The Challis Grazing EIS and the subsequent Allotment Management Plans (AMP) detailed specific management actions and range improvements to be installed and maintained to manage use of rangelands for the protection, maintenance and improved condition of the basic vegetation. Table 7 sum- marizes the existing improvements which would be maintained (no new im- provements proposed) in accordance with the AMPs.
a
Table 7 Existing Range Improvements
Jerry Peak West WSA Pipeline Fence
Allotment Springs Waterholes Miles Miles Reservoirs
East Fork Existing = - - = a Pine Creek Existing 3 = Vi 1 =
Herd Creek Existing oS - - = ~
=) be j=)
WSA Totals 3 All Wilderness Alternative
All 13,530 acres of public land in the Jerry Peak West WSA would be recommended for wilderness.
Recreation Management Actions
The WSA would be closed to recreational ORV use. Approximately 15 visitor days of recreational ORV use, estimated to presently occur in the area annually, would be displaced.
The entire WSA would be open for other recreation activities includ- ing hunting, horseback riding, camping, photography, and sightseeing. Recreational use for these activities would remain below 25 visitor days for the next ten years. Projections beyond existing planning estimates (beyond 15 to 20 year planning cycle) indicate that it is reasonable to expect that recreational use for these activities would increase slight- ly, but would remain below 50 visitor days annually for the foreseeable future.
No recreation facilities or developed trails exist in the WSA and none are planned. Energy and Mineral Resources Development Actions
The lands in the WSA would be withdrawn, subject to valid existing rights, from all forms of appropriation under the mining laws. Management Actions to Acquire State Inholdings
Actions would be initiated to acquire all of one state section (640 acres).
ae
TABLE 8 COMPARATIVE IMPACT SUMMARY Corral—-Horse Basin WSA
a ———
PROPOSED ACTION
IMPACT TOPIC NO WILDERNESS ALL WILDERNESS PARTIAL WILDERNESS Wilderness Values Loss of wilderness values on Wilderness Values would be main- Wilderness values would be main- 4,365 acres (9% of WSA); 44,135 tained on all 48,500 acres. tained on 34,225 acres, lost on acres subject to loss of values 8,010 acres and subject to loss on but no adverse activities are 6,265 acres. anticipated within the next 10 years. ee ee ee Development of Energy 48,500 acres open to mineral 48,500 acres closed to mineral en- 6,275 acres open and 42,225 acres and Mineral Resources entry and leasing, 140 acres try and leasing. No surface acres closed to mineral entry or leas- would be disturbed due to min- disturbed due to formal withdrawal ing. No surface disturbance of ing claim and/or oil and gas from entry. open areas anticipated for the lease development. next 20 years. ee Ee eee Timber Harvesting Harvest of 4.9 MMBF of commer- Harvest of 4.9 MMBF of commercial Same as All Wilderness Alternative cial timber could occur requir- timber would be foregone. Heavier De ing seven miles of new road and use of other lands would be required disturbing 675 acres. to meet allowable cut goals. pe eee ee _ _ eeere Water Quality in the 2% degradation in water qual- Minimal (less than 1%) benefit Same as All Wilderness Alternative Bast) Fork or the ity due to increased sedi- through revegetation of jeep trails Salmon River mentation. and elimination of vehicle use. ES a ee ne Fast Fork of the Salmon 2% reduction tied to reduced Slight improvement (less than 12) Slight improvement (less than 1% Anadromous Fishery water quality to 100 % reduction in vehicle due to 80% reduction in vehicle use. use. a Recreational Off-Road No displacement of ORV users 100% reduction in use. 500 vis- 80% reduction in potential use. Vehicle Use itor days displaced annually by 400 visitor days displaced an- closure to vehicle use. This use nually by closure to vehicle use. can easily transfer to other areas; This use can easily transfer to not a significant impact. other areas; not a signifi-
ficant impact.
ee eee
TABLE 8 (Continued)
COMPARATIVE IMPACT SUMMARY
Jerry Peak WSA
SaaS SS a a ee ee ee ee ee eee
IMPACT TOPIC
Wilderness Values
PROPOSED ACTION PARTIAL PREFERRED ALT.
Loss of wilderness val- ues on 450 acres (1%). Retention of wilderness values on 26,750 acres (55%). Wilderness values subject to loss on 18,950 acres (41%) but no adverse activities anticipated in next 10 years.
NO WILDERNESS ALT. ALL WILDERNESS ALT. Loss of wilderness values on 12,000 acres.
Wilderness values on all 46,150 acres would be retained.
PARTIAL PROTECTION ALT.
Wilderness values retained on 41,690 acres. Wilderness values subject to loss on 4,460 acres but no adverse activities anti- cipated in next 10 years.
PARTIAL BALANCE ALT.
Loss of wilderness val- ues on 450 acres (1%). Retention of wilderness values on 28,890 acres (63%). Wilderness values subject to loss on 16,810 acres (31%) but no adverse activities anticipated in next 10 years.
PARTIAL PRODUCTION ALT.
Loss of wilderness values on 8,010 acres (17%). Re- tention of wilder- ness values on 9,500 acres (21%). Wil- derness values sub- ject to loss on 21,190 acres (624)
but no adverse activities anticl=— ticipated in next 10 years.
Sa ee a ee
Development of Energy and Min- eral Resources
19,400 acres open to mineral entry and leas- ing. 26,750 acres closed to mineral entry and leasing. 10 acres of surface disturbance due to oil and gas lease development.
46,150 acres open to mineral entry and leasing. 10 acres of surface disturbance due to oil and gas lease development.
46,150 acres closed to mineral entry and leasing. No surface acres disturbed due to formal withdrawal from entry.
4,460 acres open to mineral entry and leasing. 41,690 acres closed to miner- al entry and leasing. No sur- face disturbance anticipated.
17,260 acres open to mineral entry and leasing. 28,890 acres closed to mineral entry and leasing. 10 acres of surface disturbance due to oil and gas lease development.
36,650 acres open to mineral entry and leasing. 9,500 acres closed to min- eral entry and leas- ing. 10 acres of surface disturbance due to oil and gas lease development.
DM EAT AL. i. LET TELE. AL Callie Oe EL,” een
Timber Harvest
Harvest of 11.5 MMBF would be foregone. No surface disturbance. Heavier utilization of other lands would be re- quired to meet allowable cut.
Harvest of 11.5 MMBF could occur. 1,550 acres of sur- face disturbance. 15 miles of new road.
Harvest of 11.5 MMBF would be foregone.
No surface distur- bance. Heavier uti- lization of other lands would be re- quired to meet allow- able cut.
See Proposed Ac- tion.
See Proposed Action.
Harvest of 4 MMBF would be foregone. Harvest of 7.5 MMBF couldoccurs, W000 acres of surface disturbance. 11 miles of new road.
TABLE 8 (Continued)
Jerry Peak WSA
COMPARATIVE IMPACT SUMMARY
PARTIAL
PROPOSED ACTION ARTIAL PREFERRED ALT.
NO WILDERNESS ALT.
ALL WILDERNESS ALT.
PARTIAL PROTECTION ALT.
PARTIAL BALANCE ALT.
PRODUCTION ALT.
IMPACT TOPIC P
Water Quality in Minimal benefit (less the East Fork of
the Salmon River tation of jeep trails.
than 1%) through revege-
Increase in sedi-
ment load of 10% or
less during active
logging operations.
Sediment load in the East Fork could be reduced 4% due to re- duced road usage; 10% increase would not occur.
Minimal benefit (less than 2%) through revegeta- tion of jeep trails.
See Proposed Action.
Increase in sedi-
ment load of 10% or less during active logging operations.
a ee ee le ee ee a eee
East Fork of the Salmon River Anadromous Fish- ery
Slight improvement (less than 1%) due to better water quality
10% reduction in number of salmon and steelhead fry during logging op- erations.
4% improvement due to water quality; 10% loss of fry would not occur.
Slight improve- ment (less than 2%) due to better water quality.
See Proposed Action.
10% reduction in number of salmon and steelhead fry during logging op- erations.
Dee wee eB ————e———————— eee
25% reduction potential in use. Displacement of 50 visitor days an- nually. Use can be ab- sorbed by other areas with negligible impact.
Recreational Off- Road Vehicle Use
No displacement of use.
100% reduction in use.
Displacement of 150 visitor days annual- ly. Use can be ab- sorbed by other areas with negligible im- pact.
82.5% reduction potential in use. Displacement of 175 visitor days annually. Use can be absorbed by other areas with
negligible impact.
See Proposed Action.
5% reduction poten- tial in use. Displacement of 10 visitor days annual- ly. Use can be ab- sorbed by other areas with negligi- ble impact.
etn ne tetas Rho Syl err ey sheet ee Serene Ae ee pe eS a Se eS See ee
TABLE 8 (Concluded) COMPARATIVE IMPACT SUMMARY
Jerry Peak West WSA
ee a a a aa re en wea ee a IMPACT TOPIC PROPOSED ACTION: NO WILDERNESS ALTERNATIVE ALL WILDERNESS ALTERNATIVE Wilderness Values Loss of wilderness values on 495 acres. Wilderness values Wilderness values on all 13,530 acres would
on 13,035 acres subject to loss but no adverse activities be retained. anticipated in next 20 years.
I
Development of Energy 13,530 acres open to mineral entry and leasing. 45 acres All 13,530 acres closed to mineral entry and
and Mineral Resources of surface disturbance. leasing. No surface disturbance. a a a a ee er ee Water Quality in the Negligible (less than 1%) increase in sediment. No change.
East Fork of the Salmon
River ee eee East Fork of the Salmon Potential reduction (less than 1%) in number of salmon No Change.
River and Anadromous and steelhead fry.
Fishery ee eee Recreational Off-Road No displacement of users. “ 100% reduction in use.
Vehicle Use Displacement of 15 visitor days. Impact of
shifting this use to other public lands would be negligible,
i
o¢
CHAPTER 3
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
Corral-Horse Basin WSA (ID-46-11)
General Description of the WSA
The Corral-Horse Basin WSA is dominated by two large open basins (Corral and Horse) which are separated by encircling hills from the roads bordering the WSA. A smaller basin, Sand Hollow (or the Paint Pots) oc- cupies the west end of the WSA. All the basins drain into Road Creek which is the southern border of the WSA. The highest points in the WSA are Anderson Mountain (9,340 feet) and Spar Mountain (8,605 feet). These are both more like high rocky knobs on a ridgeline than true mountains.
The WSA is dominated by sagebrush/grass vegetation types and willow filled creek bottoms. Most of the timbered lands are located north and east of Anderson Peak on the eastern edge of the WSA. Small stringers of timber occur throughout the WSA. These are insignificant in terms of forest management but are valuable for wildlife cover in an otherwise open environment.
The WSA is the central home range of the Challis wild horse herd. Approximately two hundred and sixty head of horses utilize the WSA.
Land Status
The Corral-Horse Basin WSA contains 48,500 acres of public land. Within the WSA are two sections of state land and 40 acres of private land which are not included in the WSA acreage. The WSA also borders or nearly surrounds five other state sections.
The Shoshone and Bannock Indians of the Fort Hall Reservation, Idaho, through the treaty of Fort Bridger, on July 3, 1868 and ratified by the United States Senate on February 16, 1869, ceded lands to the United States. A follow up agreement with the Shoshone and Bannock Indians, concluded February 5, 1898, ratified June 6, 1900 Giles taten6/2)5 1 neALrt— icle IV of the act to ratify the agreement (31 Stat. 674), states as fol- lows:
'So long as any of the lands ceded, granted, and relinquish- ed under this treaty remain part of the public domain, Indians belonging to the above mentioned tribes, and living on the re- duced reservation, shall have the right, without any charge th- erefore to cut timber for their own use, but not for sale, and to pasture their livestock on said public lands, and to hunt thereon and fish in the streams thereof.'
4 CFD 19 10RQF 27 ‘ SEP LY igsbd
XQ r Po j Me LIBRARY e
¥ i” ‘ ad
These rights continue to exist on all of WSA 46-11.
Wilderness Values Naturalness
The WSA presents the visitor with a general appearance of natural- ness. As a whole the area is not particularly distinguishable from the lands around it; however, on the lands to the north, east and west the imprints of man are more noticeable than in the Corral-Horse Basin WSA (the Jerry Peak WSA is to the south).
The majority of the human imprints are fences and waterholes assoc- iated with range management activities. The fences tend to blend into the natural landscape when viewed from more than one-half mile. They present a minor barrier and an obvious human imprint when contacted di- rectly.
Most of the waterholes and spring developments are so old they appear to be natural features. Imprints exist in the form of jeep trails used as access to springs, water troughs and pipelines for maintenance checks. The Broken Wagon Road (actually an unimproved vehicle way) is the most significant single impact.
The horse trap at Anderson Ranch is the only significant outside ac- tivity which impacts the WSA. The wing fences and runways extend from the trap into the WSA.
No particular area in the WSA is subject to a concentration of im- prints as they are dispersed throughout. The partial alternative recog- nizes the Broken Wagon Road as an impact which could be used as a wild- erness boundary.
All of the existing impacts, including the Broken Wagon Road, would rehabilitate themselves naturally if vehicles were removed from the area. The overall influence of human imprints on the naturalness of the area, as perceived by the average visitor, is minimal due to the wide dispersal of low impact developments.
Solitude
The intensive inventory determined that the WSA offered solitude pri- marily due to its large size. The solitude offered was not rated out- standing.
The unit's topography is characterized by low rolling ridges separa- ting wide interior basins. Vegetation is primarily sagebrush and grass; therefore, topographic and vegetative screening is not of particularly good quality.
28
Outside sights and sounds are present in the form of bordering roads and private ranches. These are not significantly imposing but they do lessen the feeling of solitude.
Primitive and Unconfined Recreation
The intensive inventory identified this WSA as possessing outstanding opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation due to its size, a lack of man-made or natural barriers and the absence of developments in or near the area. Possible activities include hiking, backpacking, fish- ing, hunting, horseback riding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, photo- graphy, bird watching or sightseeing.
The WSA lacks any significant feature which could be called a focal or destination point for visitors.
Quality of the Area's Optional Wilderness Characteristics
The WSA is part of the Challis wild horse range and offers excellent wild horse viewing. The wild horses are an introduced element in the WSA whose status is determined more by legislation or court decree than by management direction. They presently add to a feeling of "wildness" of the area.
Recreation General
Recreational use in the WSA is dispersed throughout the unit with no identified concentrated use areas. Dispersed recreation use includes sightseeing (principally along Spar Canyon Road), rockhounding, wildlife viewing (including wild horses) and hunting.
Presently, visitor use is estimated to be 1,000 visitor days annually for all types of recreation. Large increases in visitor use which were anticipated following the opening of the Cyprus Mine have not occurred nor are they now expected to occur since far fewer new mine employees have moved to Challis than was originally estimated.
Off-Road Vehicle Use
Most ORV use in the WSA occurs as the result of other activities - hunting, livestock management, or public lands administration. ORV use is estimated to be 500 visitor days annually at present. The Challis ORV management plan currently restricts vehicle use to existing roads and trails because of the WSA status. In Sand Hollow 3,905 acres are closed to ORV use due to fragile soils.
Developed Sites
There are no developed recreation sites in the WSA.
Hunting and Fishing
The Corral-Horse Basin WSA lies within the State of Idaho's Game Man- agement Unit 36A. Big game species hunted in the unit include deer (ant- lered only), black bear, mountain lion and antelope. The WSA does not contribute significantly to the big game season as most animals are on the higher adjacent hills until later in the year. The area is quite popular for upland bird hunting. Fishing is limited to small areas along Road Creek.
Geology
Geologically, this area is underlain by a faulted and deformed se- quence of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks of Paleozoic age. Felsitic tuff, lava, and ash of the Challis volcanics as deep as 1,300 feet and thought to originate from the Twin Peaks Caldera, cover much of the older rock in this area. Because the Challis volcanics cover and mask prospec- tive mineral bearing rock types, the EIS area has had very little mineral exploration in the past. No minerals listed in the National Defense Stockpile Inventory of Strategic and Critical Minerals have been located in the WSA. A mineral survey and report prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Bureau of Mines will accompany the final EIS if this WSA is recommended for wilderness designation.
Energy and Mineral Resources
Locatable Minerals
Presently (July 1985) only one lode claim group has been staked in the WSA. It is located in the northwestern portion of the WSA in T.1I1N., R.LIE., Section 32. According to the Challis URA, portions of sections 32 and 33 have potential uranium resources. The Atlantic Richfield Conm- pany, in comments on the draft EIS, indicated their belief that the Cor- ral-Horse Basin WSA has potential for the discovery of copper, gold, mo- lybdenum and uranium.
Also in the WSA is a deposit of travertine located in Section 6, T.10N., R.21E. No current mining claims are staked on this area even though travertine has shown to be valuable in the past. The quality of this deposit is not known, but it was of sufficient grade to be quarried for flux at the Clayton smelter sometime between 1880 and 1902.
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Salable Minerals
Salable minerals include sand and gravel, borrow and fill and build- ing stone. The area has very little high quality sand and gravel. The best gravels occur in stream channels of Spar Canyon, Road Creek and the East Fork of the Salmon River.
Challis volcanics can be used as borrow and fill, but because of little demand for this product, no foreseeable need for this material is anticipated. Challis volcanics that possess special fracturing traits have been used as building stone. Because the Challis volcanic unit is so common in Custer County, no foreseeable shortage of building stone is anticipated.
Leasable Minerals
According to the USGS the area has no value for geothermal resources. It is not included in the "lands valuable prospectively for geothermal resources” as depicted on the USGS geothermal resources map (February 1977 update). The BLM's URA indicates the area within Ranges 20 tands21 East may have undiscovered oil and gas resources. Geologically this area is underlain by thick sediments that could contain oil and gas. All but about 400 acres of the WSA are covered by oil and gas leases. One lessee has indicated that vibroeseis seismic work in areas adjacent to the WSA indicated that conditions exist for the possible accumulation of hydro- carbons.
Forest Resources
Approximately 3.4 percent (1,648 acres) of the WSA contains com- mercial timber resources. Additionally, 370 acres are rated as non- commercial and 181 acres are withdrawn due to the adverse location. The volume of commercial timber available is estimated to be 12.36 MMBF (mil- lion board feet).
Most of the commercial timber is located north and east of Anderson Peak and is suitable for logging. Ninety-five percent of the timber is Douglas-fir with the remainder consisting of lodgepole pine, subalpine fir and whitebark pine. For the most part the timber consists of mediun sawtimber (approximately 16 inches diameter base height (DBH)). Slopes vary from 15 to 65 percent with an average of 35 percent.
The current annual timber harvest planned for the Salmon District is 2.4 MMBF. The Challis Resource Area accounts for approximately half of this (1.2 MMBF).
The adjacent Challis National Forest contains 95,916 acres Ofgstit—
able forest land with a volume of 557 MMBF. Their yearly allowable cut is 3 MMBF.
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Soils
There are two parent materials responsible for soil formation in the wilderness study area. Some of the foothills and mountain slopes on the eastern edge of the WSA are limestone and dolomite. The rest of the area is dominated by volcanic material including andesite, rhyolite and ba- salt. Both have developed gravelly and very gravelly soils on slopes from 0 to 60 percent. Erosion hazard in the eastern area is higher than in the rest of the WSA and the soils throughout the WSA are moderately deep to deep. Some of the volcanic soil in the northwestern corner are silty and clayey on or near the surface and these will erode easily. The WSA does not exhibit any erosional features associated with excessive or inappropriate ORV use.
Water Quality
Good water quality (as per Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Standards) is characteristic of all perennial stream reaches within the WSA. Negative impacts on water quality at present are the result of live- stock use. Increases in non-point sedimentation and coliform bacteria are livestock-induced parameters affecting water quality. These impacts are localized and, at this time, are within acceptable levels.
Wildlife Aquatic
Sport fishes present include rainbow and cutthroat trout, Dolly Var- den, whitefish, steelhead and chinook salmon. The last two species are anadromous and are essentially restricted to the East Fork of the Salmon River. Juveniles of these two species undoubtedly use some tributaries to the East Fork. The chinook salmon is on the state sensitive species list and is directly or indirectly involved with the area. The chinook salmon is particularly sensitive to stream quality and sedimentation levels.
Since the draft EIS was published, the Corps of Engineers has con- structed a facility for trapping and releasing of chinook salmon on the East Fork upstream from the WSA. This facility is partial compensation for fish losses due to the Lower Snake River dams. The cost of this fac- ility was approximately $2,000,000.
Terrestrial
Antelope are common from spring through fall, deer utilize the area during the winter and spring and elk use the eastern edge of the area winter and spring. Coyotes and golden eagles are the most common pred- ators. The WSA contains historic bighorn sheep winter range. While sheep do not now use the WSA, the effect of increased sheep numbers on lands adjacent to the WSA combined with a reduction of wild horse numbers with- in the WSA should eventually lead to reuse of the WSA by expanding sheep populations. No introductions are planned.
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Sage grouse are abundant, particularly in Corral Basin. Chukars are common and blue grouse can be found along most streams, particularly those near or in timber stands. Non-game species are typical for the elevations and vegetation types present.
Jerry Peak WSA (ID-46-14)
General Description of the WSA
The Jerry Peak WSA is located in Custer County, Idaho, 25 miles south of Challis in the East Fork of the Salmon River drainage. The area is bordered by the Road Creek, Herd Creek, and Pecks Canyon roads and the Challis National Forest (Map 6).
The Jerry Peak WSA represents a transition from a low elevation sage- brush/grass ecosystem to a high elevation conifer forest. The northern and western edges of the WSA are characterized by sagebrush and grass covered hills disected by numerous small unnamed drainages. Three small named creeks, Mosquito, Bear and Chicken, flow out of the northern half of the WSA into Road Creek. The southern and eastern edges of the WSA are characterized by steeper slopes, rocky terrain and forested areas. Sage Creek drains all of the eastern edge of the WSA while Lake and Herd creeks drain the southern area. Jerry Peak, the high point in the WSA at 10,010 feet, is an indistinct knob on a long grass covered ridge which divides Sage and Lake creeks.
Camping, fishing and picnicking associated with Herd Lake generates most of the recreational use in the WSA. The road above Herd Lake was closed following the 1983 earthquake. Some wild horses do cross Road Creek and enter the WSA but management efforts and past roundups have attempted to remove the horses located south of Road Creek.
Land Status
The Jerry Peak WSA contains 46,150 acres of public land. Within the WSA boundary is one section of State of Idaho land which is not included in the above acreage. The WSA also borders six other state sections.
The Shoshone and Bannock Indians of the Fort Hall Reservation, Idaho, through the treaty of Fort Bridger, on July 3, 1868 and ratified by the United States Senate on February 16, 1869, ceded lands to the United States. A follow up agreement with the Shoshone and Bannock Indians, concluded February 5, 1898, ratified June 6, 1900 (31 Stat. 672), in Art- icle IV of the act to ratify the agreement (31 Stat. 574), states as fol- lows:
"So long as any of the lands ceded, granted, and relinquish- ed under this treaty remain part of the public domain, Indians
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belonging to the above mentioned tribes, and living on the re- duced reservation, shall have the right, without any charge th- erefore to cut timber for their own use, but not for sale, and to pasture their livestock on said public lands, and to hunt thereon and fish in the streams thereof.'
These rights continue to exist on all of WSA 46-14.
Wilderness Values Naturalness The WSA presents the visitor with a general appearance of naturalness.
Imprints exist due to fences and spring developments associated with range management activities, access roads and jeep trails. The range improvements tend to be small scale, blending into the natural landscape. The four roads which deadend in the unit (the Herd Lake, Mosquito Creek, Sage Creek and Bradshaw Creek roads) while technically not a part of the WSA do influence the naturalness of the WSA immediately adjacent to the roads.
No particular area in the WSA contains a concentration of imprints as they are dispersed throughout the WSA. The center of the WSA between the North Fork of Sage Creek and Mosquito Creek roads contains fewer imprints than do the eastern and western edges of the WSA. All of the existing imprints could rehabilitate naturally if vehicles were removed from the area.
The overall influence of human imprints on the naturalness of the area, as perceived by the visitor, is minimal due to the wide dispersal of low impact developments.
Solitude
The area presents an outstanding opportunity for solitude especially in the Bear Creek and Lake Creek drainages. Topography of these areas is characterized by numerous steep canyons and creek drainages. Vegetative screening, especially in the eastern half of the WSA, further enhances the opportunities for solitude. Other than the boundary gravel roads and one small ranch, the sights and sounds of man are not evident.
Large tracts of undeveloped BLM lands to the north and USFS lands to the south enhance the solitude.
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Primitive and Unconfined Recreation
The intensive inventory identified this WSA as possessing outstanding opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation due to the area's size, a lack of man-made or natural barriers and the absence of develop- ments in or near the area. Possible activities include hiking, backpack- ing, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, cross country skiing, snowshoe- ing, photography, bird watching and sightseeing.
Herd Lake is a destination point for many visitors.
Quality of the Area's Optional Wilderness Characteristics
Part of the WSA is in the Challis wild horse range. The wild horses are an introduced element in the WSA. Their status is determined more by legislation or court decree than by management direction. They do how- ever, add to the feeling of "wildness" in the area.
The large landslide which created Herd Lake is an unusual geologic feature which could add to visitors' appreciation of the area if inter- preted.
Recreation General
Recreation use in the WSA is concentrated around Herd Lake. This is the only lake in the area accessible by vehicle and it receives moderate use year-round by sightseers, picnickers, hunters and fishermen. Low levels of dispersed use occur along Road Creek and in Sawmill Canyon.
Presently, visitor use is estimated to be 850 visitor days annually for all types of recreation. Large increases in use which were antici- pated following the opening of the Cyprus Mine have not occurred nor are they now expected to occur.
Off-Road Vehicle Use
Most ORV use in the WSA occurs as the result of other activities - hunting, livestock management or public lands administration. ORV use as a principal activity is estimated to be 150 visitor days annually at pre- sent. The Challis ORV management plan currently restricts vehicle use to existing roads and trails because of the WSA status.
Developed Sites
There are three developed sites contiguous to the WSA - Herd Lake Overlook, Herd Lake Campground, and Upper Lake Creek Campground. The
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Herd Lake sites receive moderate use while the Upper Lake Creek site re- ceives low usage. The road which provided access to the Upper Lake Creek site was closed following the 1983 earthquake.
Hunting and Fishing
The WSA lies with the State of Idaho Game Management Unit 36A. Big game species hunted in the unit include deer (antlered only), elk, black bear, mountain lion and antelope.
The area receives a significant portion of its yearly visitor use during the hunting season. Herd Lake and Lake Creek are popular fishing areas. Herd Lake is popular as an ice fishing site.
Geology
Geologically, this area is underlain by a faulted and deformed se- quence of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks of Paleozoic age. Felsitic tuff, lava, and ash of the Challis volcanics as deep as 1,300 feet and thought to originate from the Twin Peaks Caldera, cover much of the older rock in this area. Because the Challis volcanics cover and mask pro- spective mineral bearing rock types, the EIS area has had very little mineral exploration in the past. No minerals listed in the National De- fense Stockpile Inventory of Strategic and Critical Minerals have been located in the WSA. A mineral survey and report prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Bureau of Mines will accompany the final EIS if this WSA is recommended for wilderness designation.
Energy and Mineral Resources
Locatable Minerals
No mining claims are located within or adjacent to the WSA. The At- lantic Richfield Company, in comments on the draft EIS, indicated their belief that the Jerry Peak WSA has potential for discovery of copper, gold, molybdenum and uraniun.
Salable Minerals
Salable minerals include sand and gravel, borrow and fill and build- ing stone. The area has very little high quality sand and gravel. The best gravels occur in the stream channels of Road Creek and the East Fork of the Salmon River.
Challis volcanics can be used as borrow and fill, but because of little demand for this product, no foreseeable need for this material is anticipated. Challis volcanics that possess special fracturing traits have been used as building stone. Because the Challis volcanic unit is so common in Custer County, no foreseeable shortage of building stone is anticipated.
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Leasable Minerals
According to the USGS the WSA has no value for geothermal resources. It is not included in the "lands valuable prospectively for geothermal resources" as depicted on the USGS geothermal resources map (February 1977 update).
The BLM's URA shows that areas within Range 20 and 21 East may have undiscovered oil and gas resources. Geologically, this area is underlain by thick sediments that could contain oil and gas. All but the very western edge of the WSA is covered by oil and gas leases. One lessee has indicated that vibroeseis seismic work in areas adjacent to the WSA shows that conditions exist for the possible accumulation of hydrocarbons.
Forest Resources
Approximately 8.3 percent (3,843 acres) of the WSA contains com- mercial timber resources. Additionally, 1,605 acres are rated as non- commercial and 1,091 acres are withdrawn due to an adverse location and fragile sites. The volume of commercial timber available is estimated to be 28.8 MMBF (million board feet).
Most of the commercial timber is located between Herd Lake and Sage Creek and is suitable for logging. Ninety percent of the timber is Doug- las-fir with the remainder consisting of limber pine, subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce. For the most part the timber consists of medium saw- timber (approximately 16 inches DBH). Slopes vary from 15 to 80 percent with an average of 45 percent.
The current annual timber harvest planned for the Salmon District is 2.4 MMBF. The Challis Resource Area accounts for approximately half of this (1.2 MMBF).
The adjacent Challis National Forest contains 95,916 acres of suit- able forest land with a volume of 557 MMBF. Their allowable cut is 3 MMBF.
Soils
There are two parent materials responsible for the soil formation in the wilderness study area. Some of the foothills and mountain slopes on the eastern edge of the WSA are limestone and dolomite. The rest of the area is dominated by volcanic material including andesite, rhyolite and basalt. Both have developed gravelly and very gravelly soils on slopes from 0 to 60 percent. Erosion hazard in the eastern area is higher than in the rest of the WSA and the soils throughout the WSA are moderately deep to deep. The WSA does not exhibit any erosional features associated with excessive or inappropriate ORV use.
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Water Quality
Good water quality (as per Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Standards) is characteristic of all perennial stream reaches within the WSA. Negative impacts on water quality at present are the result of live- stock use. Increases in non-point sedimentation and coliform bacteria are livestock-induced parameters affecting water quality. These impacts are localized and, at this time, are within acceptable levels.
Wildlife Aquatic
Sport fishes present include rainbow and cutthroat trout, Dolly Var- den, whitefish, steelhead and chinook salmon. The last two species are anadromous and are essentially restricted to the East Fork of the Salmon River. Juveniles of these two species undoubtedly use some tributaries to the East Fork. The chinook salmon is on the state sensitive species list and is directly or indirectly involved with the area. The chinook salmon is particularly sensitive to stream quality and sedimentation levels. Herd Creek may be the highest quality tributary of the East Fork in terms of the chinook salmon fishery (BLM fisheries biologist). One mile of Herd Creek was fenced in 1982 to protect the riparian area from the affects of livestock use.
Since the draft EIS was published, the Corps of Engineers has con- structed a facility for trapping and releasing of chinook salmon on the East Fork upstream from the WSA. This facility is partial compensation for fish losses due to the Lower Snake River dams. The cost of this fac- ility was approximately $2,000,000.
Terrestrial
Antelope are common from spring through fall, deer utilize the area during the winter and spring and elk use the eastern edge of the area winter and spring. Coyotes and golden eagles are the most common pred- ators.
The WSA contains historic bighorn sheep winter range. While sheep do not now use the WSA, the effect of increased sheep numbers on lands ad- jacent to the WSA combined with a reduction of wild horse numbers within the WSA should eventually lead to reuse of the WSA by expanding sheep populations. No introductions are planned.
Sage grouse and chukars are common. Blue grouse can be found along most streams especially those near or in timber stands.
Jerry Peak West WSA (ID-46-14a)
General Description of the WSA
The Jerry Peak West WSA is a thin strip of land located between the East Fork of the Salmon River and the Challis National Forest. The WSA is bounded by land ownership lines rather than geographical landmarks and
is thus difficult to locate on the ground. 38
Vegetation in the WSA varies from riparian willow bottoms to sage- brush and grass covered foothills to small forested areas at the edge of the Challis National Forest. The WSA is disected by numerous small drain- ages. Herd Creek is located in the eastern edge of the WSA.
Land Status
The Jerry Peak WSA contains 13,530 acres of public land. The WSA borders but does not include three state sections.
The Shoshone and Bannock Indians of the Fort Hall Reservation, Idaho, through the treaty of Fort Bridger, on July 3, 1868 and ratified by the United States Senate on February 16, 1869, ceded lands to the United States. A follow up agreement with the Shoshone and Bannock Indians, concluded February 5, 1898, ratified June 6, 1900 (31 Stat. 672), in Art- icle IV of the act to ratify the agreement (31 Stat. 674), states as fol- lows:
"So long as any of the lands ceded, granted, and relinquish- ed under this treaty remain part of the public domain, Indians belonging to the above mentioned tribes, and living on the re- duced reservation, shall have the right, without any charge therefore to cut timber for their own use, but not for sale, and to pasture their livestock on said public lands, and to hunt thereon and fish in the streams thereof.'
These rights continue to exist on all of WSA 46-14a east of McDonald Creek.
Wilderness Values Naturalness
The WSA presents a visitor with a general appearance of naturalness. The WSA represents a transition from lower elevation sagebrush/grass eco- systems to high elevation conifer forest ecosystems.
Minor imprints exist due to one mile of fence, one mile of water pi- peline and three spring developments associated with range management activities. The range improvements tend to be small scale, blending into the natural landscape. No particular area in the WSA is subject to a concentration of imprints as they are dispersed throughout the WSA.
The overall influence of human imprints on the naturalness of the
area, as perceived by visitors, is minimal due to the wide dispersal of low impact developments.
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Solitude
The WSA presents an outstanding opportunity for solitude. Topography of the area is characterized by numerous canyons and creek drainages. Vegetative screening further enhances the opportunities for solitude.
Other than the boundary gravel roads and small ranches, the sights and sounds of man are not evident. These outside sights and sounds are not significantly imposing but they do lessen the feeling of solitude. Activities on surrounding nonwilderness lands could lessen solitude val- ues if use of these lands increases in the future.
Primitive and Unconfined Recreation
The inventory identified this WSA as possessing outstanding oppor- tunities for primitive and unconfined recreation due to its lack of man- -made or natural barriers, and the absence of developments in or near the area. Possible activities include hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, photography, bird watching or sightseeing.
The WSA lacks any significant feature which could be called a focal or destination point for visitors.
Quality of the Area's Optional Wilderness Characteristics
None have been identified.
Recreation General
Recreation use in the WSA is low. Presently, visitor use is estimat- ed to be 40 visitor days annually for all types of recreation. The ter- rain is steep and most access points are controlled by private land- owners. A Forest Service trail up the Herd Creek drainage from its con- fluence with Lake Creek is the major public access point to that area. Off-Road Vehicle Use
ORV use is virtually nonexistent. Existing use is estimated to be 15 visitor days annually. The Challis ORV management plan currently res- tricts vehicle use to existing roads and trails because of the WSA status.
Developed Sites
There are no developed sites in the WSA.
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Hunting and Fishing
The WSA lies within the State Game Management Unit 36A. Big game species hunted in the unit include deer (antlered only), elk, black bear and mountain lion. Hunting use is limited by access problems.
Geology
Geologically, this area is underlain by a faulted and deformed se- quence of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks of Paleozoic age. Felsitic tuff, lava, and ash of the Challis volcanics as deep as 1,300 feet and thought to originate from the Twin Peaks Caldera, cover much of the older rock in this area. Because the Challis volcanics cover and mask prospec- tive mineral bearing rock types, the EIS area has had very little mineral exploration in the past. No minerals listed in the National Defense St- ockpile Inventory of Strategic and Critical Minerals have been located in the WSA. A mineral survey and report prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Bureau of Mines will accompany the final EIS if this WSA is recommended for wilderness designation.
Energy and Mineral Resources
Locatable Minerals
No mining claims are located in the WSA. There are claims to the south on the Challis National Forest. The Atlantic Richfield Company, in their comments on the draft EIS, indicated their belief that the Jerry Peak West WSA has potential for discovery of copper, gold, molybdenum and uraniun.
Salable Minerals
Salable minerals include sand and gravel, borrow and fill and build- ing stone. The area has very little high quality sand and gravel.
Challis volcanics can be used as borrow and fill, but because of little demand for this product, no foreseeable need for this material is anticipated. Challis volcanics that possess special fracturing traits have been used as building stone. Because the Challis volcanic unit is so common in Custer County, no foreseeable shortage of building stone is anticipated.
Leasable Minerals
Approximately 2,840 acres in the west end of the WSA (T.9N., R.17E.) are located in the "lands valuable prospectively for geothermal resourc- es" as depicted on the USGS geothermal resources map (February 1977 up- date). In the eastern end of the WSA 1,900 acres are covered by oil and
Al
gas leases. One lessee has indicated that vibroeseis seismic work in areas adjacent to the WSA shows that conditions exist for the Dees accumulation of hydrocarbons.
Soils
The WSA is dominated by volcanic material including andesite, rhyo- lite and basalt with gravelly and very gravelly soils on slopes from 0 to 60 percent. Soils are moderately deep to deep. The WSA does not exhibit any erosional features associated with excessive or inappropriate ORV use.
Water Quality
Good water quality (as per Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Standards) is characteristic of all perennial stream reaches within the WSA. Negative impacts on water quality at present are the result of live- stock use. Increases in non-point sedimentation and coliform bacteria are livestock-induced parameters affecting water quality. These impacts are localized and, at this time, are within acceptable levels.
Wildlife Aquatic
Sport fishes present include rainbow and cutthroat trout, Dolly Var- den, whitefish, steelhead and chinook salmon. The last two species are anadromous and are essentially restricted to the East Fork of the Salmon River. Juveniles of these two species undoubtedly use some tributaries to the East Fork. The chinook salmon is on the state sensitive species list and is directly or indirectly involved with the area. The chinook salmon is particularly sensitive to stream quality and sedimentation levels. Herd Creek may be the highest quality tributary of the East Fork in terms of the chinook salmon fishery (BLM fisheries biologist). One mile of Herd Creek was fenced in 1982 to protect the riparian area from the affects of livestock use.
Since the draft EIS was published, the Corps of Engineers has con- structed a facility for trapping and releasing of chinook salmon on the East Fork upstream from the WSA. This facility is partial compensation for fish losses due to the Lower Snake River dams. The cost of this facility was approximately $2,000,000.
Terrestrial Deer utilize the area during the winter and spring, and elk utilize
the eastern third of the area winter and spring. Coyotes and golden eagles are the most common predators.
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The WSA contains historic bighorn sheep winter range. While sheep do not now use the WSA, the expanding sheep populations on lands adjacent to
the WSA should eventually lead to reuse of the WSA by bighorn sheep. No introductions are planned. .
Sage grouse and chukars are common. Blue grouse can be found along most streams especially those near or in timber stands.
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CHAPTER 4
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
CORRAL-HORSE BASIN WSA (ID-46-11)
Proposed Action - No Wilderness (No Action) Alternative
Under the proposed action, the entire 48,500 acres of the Corral-Horse Basin Wilderness Study Area would be recommended for nonwil- derness management.
The primary impacts under this alternative relate to the development of forest resources, existing mining claims and oil and gas leases and the resulting impacts on wilderness values.
Impacts on Wilderness Values
None of the wilderness values on 48,500 acres would receive special legislative protection provided by wilderness designation. The short-term impact of this action would be negligible since a minimum of development activity is anticipated in the next five years.
In the long-term (beyond five years), wilderness values are expected to suffer adverse impacts or be lost due to development of forest and mineral resources. Naturalness would be lost on 675 acres due to timber harvesting and on 140 acres due to development of mining claims and an oil and gas well.
In addition to naturalness, the activities detailed above would ad- versely impact the wilderness values of solitude and primitive or uncon- fined recreation. Sights, sounds and the lasting visual evidence of tim- ber sale activities would cause the loss of these values on 2,500 acres surrounding the sale areas. Development of mining claims in the north- western corner of the WSA would impact an additional 600 acres.
The short-term impact (during and immediately following drilling) of an oil and gas exploratory well would involve 20,000 acres. An operating lighted well rig would be quite obvious and destroy any feeling of sol- itude. Recreational use would remain unconfined but hardly primitive in nature. The long-term impact (permanent facilities after drilling) of a successful well (pump and storage facility) would impact 450 acres assun- ing that small, noiseless, and natural colored facilities are used.
Conclusion: A long-term adverse impact to or loss of wilderness values would occur on nine percent (4,365 acres) of the WSA. A short-term loss of wilderness values would occur on an additional forty percent (19,550 acres) of the WSA during oil and gas well drilling activities. An additional 44,135 acres would be subject to long-term loss of wilder- ness values but no adverse activities are now anticipated in the next ten years.
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Impacts on the Development of Energy and Mineral Resources
All lands within the WSA would remain open for mineral leasing and for appropriation of minerals under the general mining laws. The poten- tial development of energy or mineral resources would not be foregone with this alternative. 140 acres could be disturbed due to mining claims or oil and gas lease development.
Conclusion: Potential energy and mineral resources could be develop- ed fully. 140 acres could be disturbed.
Impacts on Timber Harvesting
All commercial forest lands would be available for timber sale plan- ning and the harvest of 4.9 MMBF of commercial timber.
Conclusion: Commercial forest lands (1,648 acres) available for use. Harvest of 4.9 MMBF of commercial timber could occur.
Impacts on Water Quality in the East Fork of the Salmon River
Development of existing mining claims in the northwestern corner of the WSA could deposit material in Spar Canyon which in turn could be transported into the East Fork. Since Spar Canyon rarely has a flow of water sufficient to reach the East Fork, this possibility would only occur during flash floods when natural sediment levels probably already exceed EPA standards.
Anticipated disturbance of 815 acres due to timber harvesting, oil and gas development and increased ORV use could have a negative impact on water quality by increasing sediment levels by 22.
Conclusion: Water quality in the East Fork could be degraded due to increased sediment loading by 2% due to development of existing mining claims, oil and gas leases, future timber harvesting, and increased ORV use.
Impacts on the East Fork of the Salmon River Anadromous Fishery
Increased sediment loads in the lower six miles of the East Fork, below Road Creek, estimated at less than 2 percent of existing loading would reduce the survival of salmon and steelhead fry. Siltation of gravel interspaces would reduce habitat critical to their survival and reduce oxygen gradients within the gravels. Fry numbers could potential- ly be reduced by 2 percent.
Conclusion: Potential reduction of salmon and steelhead fry by 2 percent in the lower six miles of the East Fork.
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Impacts on Recreational Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Use
All 48,500 acres of the WSA would be open to ORV use. Three miles of access road would be constructed within the WSA making the central por- tion of the WSA more accessible to ORV use. Recreational. ORV use would remain below 500 visitor days annually over the next ten years and below 800 visitor days after 20 years.
Conclusion: Although the area would be more accessible, recreational ORV use would remain below 800 visitor days annually. There would be no impact on recreational ORV use.
All Wilderness Alternative
Under the All Wilderness Alternative, the entire 48,500 acres of pub- lic land in the Corral-Horse Basin WSA would be recommended for wilder- ness designation.
The primary impacts under this alternative relate to the mineral withdrawal, ORV closure and designation as wilderness. This would result in effects on mineral development and recreational ORV use and the pro- tection of wilderness values.
Impacts on Wilderness Values
Under the All Wilderness Alternative, all 48,500 acres of the WSA would be recommended for wilderness designation and all wilderness values would be protected by legislative mandate. However, valid existing mining claims in the WSA could be fully developed even if the wilderness values would be impaired. Mining claims are currently located in the north- western corner of the WSA.
For purposes of analysis, it is assumed that these claims would not prove valid.
The estimated 500 visitor days annually of ORV use in the WSA would be foregone annually by wilderness designation. Although encounters be- tween ORV users and others are infrequent at the current use levels, the elimination of ORV use would enhance opportunities for solitude. The effects on the area's naturalness as a result of an ORV closure would be negligible since the existing level of use is not causing naturalness impacts.
The successful outcome of management actions to acquire private and state inholdings and adjacent state sections would affect the wilderness values of naturalness and solitude by eliminating the possibility of non- wilderness uses. If the parcels are not acquired, adjacent nonwilderness uses could reduce the area's naturalness and opportunities for solitude.
Conclusion: Wilderness values would be maintained on all 48,500 acres of the Corral-Horse Basin WSA.
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Impacts on the Development of Energy and Mineral Resources
Wilderness designation would withdraw all 48,500 acres of public land for all forms of mineral entry and mineral leasing, subject to valid rights existing at the time of designation. Since no known discovery has been made on the existing claims in the WSA, this alternative assumes that they would not be developed after wilderness designation. However, the BLM would conduct a formal validity examination of the claims to de- termine their actual status. Approximately 48,100 acres of oil and gas leases would not be able to be developed.
Conclusion: The potential for exploration for and development of energy and mineral resources on 48,500 acres would be foregone.
Impacts on Timber Harvesting
All forested lands would be set aside from use as a result of wilder- ness designation. No commercial timber sales or woodland product sales (firewood) would occur. Anticipated harvest of 4.9 MMBF (.247 MMBF/year for 20 years) would not occur.
Conclusion: Harvest of 4.9 MMBF would be foregone. Heavier and pos- sibly detrimental utilization of other commercial stands would be requir- ed to meet allowable cut goals.
Impacts on Water Quality in the East Fork of the Salmon River
While existing ORV use does not appear to have a significant impact on water quality, the closure of the WSA to vehicles would benefit water quality by allowing jeep trails to revegetate and by preventing the pos- sibility of future damaging use. Withdrawal of the WSA from mineral entry and leasing would eliminate any possible impacts to water quality due to potential exploration or development activities.
Conclusion: Water quality would be minimally (less than 1 percent) benefited through revegetation of jeep trails and elimination of vehicle use.
Impacts on the East Fork of the Salmon River Anadromous Fishery
Any benefits to water quality, however minimal, would be directly passed on to the anadromous fishery. While not observable, or even easily measured, the slight benefit to water quality through jeep trail revege-
tation would improve anadromous fish habitat.
Conclusion: Anadromous fish habitat would be slightly improved (less than 1%) through better water quality.
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Impacts on Recreational Off-Road Vehicle Use
Wilderness designation would close the entire 48,500 acre Corral-Horse Basin WSA to all forms of recreational ORV use. Recreational ORV use, of approximately 500 visitor days annually, would be displaced. Public land that offers similar or superior opportunities for recreation- al ORV use is located throughout the region. Therefore, recreational ORV use, foregone in the WSA, would be absorbed on surrounding public lands.
Conclusion: Recreational ORV use of 500 visitor days annually would be foregone. The impacts of shifting this use to other public lands would be negligible.
Partial Wilderness Alternative
Under this Alternative, 42,225 acres would be recommended for wilder- ness and 6,275 acres would be recommended for nonwilderness uses.
The primary impacts under this alternative relate to the mineral withdrawal, ORV closure and designated wilderness and the resulting effects on mineral development and recreational ORV use and the protec- tion of wilderness values.
Impacts on Wilderness Values
Under the Partial Wilderness Alternative, 42,225 acres of the WSA would be recommended for wilderness designation and the wilderness values would be protected by legislative mandate. However,valid, existing mining claims in the WSA could be fully developed even if the wilderness values would be impaired. Mining claims are currently located in the north- western corner of the WSA. For purposes of analysis it is assumed that these claims would not prove valid.
ORV use of the Broken Wagon Road (unimproved way) while not signifi- cant in terms of numbers (estimate of 100 visitor days per year), would be visible to any visitor within Corral-Horse Basin and would eliminate feelings of solitude on 8,000 acres in the wilderness area. The effects of an ORV closure in the wilderness area would be negligible since the existing level of use is not causing any impacts to naturalness. An es- timated 400 visitor days annually of ORV use would be foregone.
None of the wilderness values on 6,275 acres would receive special legislative protection provided by wilderness designation. The short-term impact of this action would be negligible since a minimum of development is anticipated in the next five years.
In the long term (following completion of exploratory drilling), wil- derness values are expected to suffer adverse impacts or be lost due to oil and gas development activities. Road construction and drilling ac- tivities would eliminate solitude and primitive recreation values on ten acres. A short-term impact on 1,500 acres would occur during the pre- sence of a working oil rig.
48
The successful outcome of management actions to acquire private and state inholdings and adjacent state lands would affect the wilderness values of naturalness and solitude by eliminating the possibility of ad- jacent nonwilderness uses. If the parcels are not acquired, adjacent nonwilderness uses could reduce the area's naturalness and opportunities for solitude.
Conclusion: Wilderness values would be maintained on 34,225 acres of the Corral-Horse Basin WSA and lost on 8,010 acres. Wilderness values on 6,265 would be subject to loss but no adverse activities are anticipated.
Impacts on the Development of Energy and Mineral Resources
Wilderness ‘designation would withdraw 42,225 acres of public land from all forms of mineral entry and mineral leasing, subject to valid rights existing at the time of designation. Since no known discovery has been made on the existing claims in the WSA, this alternative assumes that they would not be developed after wilderness designation. However, the BLM would conduct a validity examination of the claims to determine their actual status. Approximately 41,825 acres of oil and gas leases would not be able to be developed.
The remaining 6,275 acres would be open for mineral entry and deve- lopment of existing oil and gas leases which is not anticipated to occur in the next 20 years.
Conclusion: The potential for exploration for and development of energy and mineral resources on 42,225 acres would be foregone. The re- maining 6,275 acres would remain open to energy and mineral uses.
Impacts on Timber Harvesting
The majority of the commercial forest lands would be set aside from use as a result of wilderness designation. Forested lands in the non- wilderness area are not sufficient in size to justify or expect con- mercial sales. Anticipated harvest of 4.9 MMBF (.247 MMBF per year for 20 years) would not occur.
Conclusion: Harvest of 4.9 MMBF would be foregone. Heavier and pos- sibly detrimental utilization of other commercial stands would be re- quired to meet allowable cut goals.
Impacts on Water Quality in the East Fork of the Salmon River
While existing ORV use does not appear to have a significant impact on water quality, the closure of a portion of the WSA to vehicles would benefit water quality by allowing jeep trails to revegetate and by pre- venting the possibility of future damaging use. Withdrawal of a portion of the WSA from mineral entry and leasing would eliminate any possible impacts to water quality due to potential exploration or development ac- tivities.
49
Uses in the nonwilderness area would have no impact on the water quality in the East Fork.
Conclusion: Water quality would be minimally (less than 1 percent) benefited through revegetation of jeep trails and elimination of vehicle use.
Impacts on the East Fork of the Salmon River Anadromous Fishery
Any benefits to water quality, however minimal, would be directly passed on to the anadromous fishery. While not observable or even easily measured, the slight benefit to water quality through jeep trail revege- tation would improve anadromous fish habitat.
Conclusion: Anadromous fish habitat would be slightly improved (less than 1%) through better water quality.
Impacts on Recreational Off-Road Vehicle Use
Wilderness designation would close 42,225 acres in the WSA to all forms of recreational ORV use. Recreational ORV use of approximately 400 visitor days annually would be displaced. Public land that offers similar or superior opportunities for recreational ORV use is located throughout the region. Therefore, recreational ORV use foregone in the WSA would be absorbed on surrounding public lands.
Conclusion: Recreational ORV use of 400 visitor days annually would be displaced. The impacts of shifting this use to other public lands would be negligible.
JERRY PEAK WSA (ID-46-14)
Proposed Action — Partial Preferred Alternative
Under the proposed action 26,750 acres would be recommended for wild- erness and 19,400 acres would be recommended for nonwilderness uses.
The primary impact producing factor for the lands not recommended for wilderness in this alternative relates to the development of an oil and gas lease and the resulting impacts on wilderness values. The primary impact producing factor on the lands recommended for wilderness is wild- erness designation and the subsequent mineral withdrawal and forest re- sources set-aside.
Impacts on Wilderness Values Wilderness values on the 26,750 acres recommended for designation
would be protected by legislative mandate. No loss of naturalness, soli- tude or primitive recreation would occur.
50
None of the wilderness values on 19,400 acres would receive special legislative protection provided by wilderness designation. The short-term impact of this action would be negligible since little development act- ivity is anticipated in the next five years.
In the long term (sometime in the next 20 years), wilderness values are expected to suffer adverse impacts or be lost due to exploration and development on at least one oil and gas lease. Naturalness would be lost on ten acres due to access road and drill pad construction.
In addition to affecting naturalness, the activities detailed above would adversely impact the wilderness values of solitude and primitive or unconfined recreation. The short-term impact (during drilling) of an oil and gas exploratory well would involve 2,000 acres. An operating, light- ed well rig would be quite obvious and destroy any feeling of solitude. Recreational use would remain unconfined but hardly primitive in nature. The long-term impact (permanent facilities remaining after exploration) of a successful well (pump and storage facility) would impact 450 acres assuming small, noiseless and natural colored facilities are used.
Conclusion: A long-term adverse impact to or loss of wilderness val- ues would occur on one percent (450 acres) of the WSA. A short-term loss of wilderness values would occur on an additional three percent (1,550 acres) of the WSA during oil and gas well drilling activities. Wilder- ness values on 26,750 acres would be retained by wilderness designation.
Impacts on the Development of Energy and Mineral Resources
Wilderness designation would withdraw 26,750 acres of public land from all forms of mineral entry and mineral leasing, subject to valid rights existing at the time of designation. No mining claims exist in these acres and none are anticipated. Oil and gas leases covering the withdrawn lands would not be able to be developed.
The remaining 19,400 acres would be open for mineral entry and deve- lopment of existing oil and gas leases.
Conclusion: The potential for exploration for and development of energy and mineral resources on 26,750 acres would be foregone. The re- maining 19,400 acres would remain open to energy and mineral uses.
Impacts on Timber Harvesting
All of the commercial forest lands would beset aside from use as a result of wilderness designation. Forested lands in the nonwilderness area are not sufficient in size to justify or expect commercial sales. Anticipated harvest of 11.5 MMBF (.576 MMBF per year for 20 years) would not occur. To meet the resource area's allowable cut, other commercial timber stands outside the WSA would be utilized more heavily.
51
Conclusion: Harvest of 11.5 MMBF would be foregone. Heavier and possibly detrimental utilization of other commercial timber lands would be required to meet the area's allowable cut. No surface disturbance would occur.
Impacts on Water Quality in the East Fork of the Salmon River
The water courses of the principle creeks in the WSA; Lake, Mosquito, Bear and Sage, would be included in the WSA. Closure of a portion of the WSA to vehicle use and a set-aside from timber sales would allow three miles of jeep trail to revegetate and eliminate the potential for six new miles of timber sale roads. This would provide a minimal (less than 1 percent) benefit to the East Fork's water quality Withdrawal of the WSA from mineral entry and leasing activities would eliminate any possible impacts to water quality due to exploration or development activities. This would in turn improve (or avoid damaging) the water quality in Road and Herd creeks which empty directly into the East Fork.
Uses in the nonwilderness areas would not be expected to impact water quality in the East Fork.
Conclusion: Water quality would be minimally (less than 1 percent) benefited on 26,750 acres through revegetation of jeep trails and elimi- nation of vehicle use.
Impacts on the East Fork of the Salmon River Anadromous Fishery
Any benefits to water quality, however minimal, would be directly passed on to the anadromous fishery. While not observable or even easily | measured, the slight benefit to water quality through jeep trail revege- tation would improve anadromous fish habitat.
Conclusion: Anadromous fish habitat would be slightly improved (less than 1%) through better water quality.
Impacts on Recreational Off-Road Vehicle Use
Wilderness designation would close 26,750 acres in the WSA to recrea- tional ORV use. All of the cherrystemmed roads would remain open to use as would most of the WSA's jeep trails. There would be 50 visitor days of use displaced annually from the WSA. Closure of the Upper Lake Creek Road for public safety, following the 1983 earthquake, eliminated ORV access to the center of the WSA.
Recreational ORV use in the nonwilderness areas is expected to in- crease from 100 to 200 visitor days annually over the next 20 years.
Conclusion: Recreational ORV use of 50 visitor days would be fore-
gone annually. The impacts of shifting this use to other public lands would be negligible.
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No Wilderness (No Action) Alternative
Under this alternative none of the 46,150 acres in the WSA would be recommended for wilderness.
The primary impact producing factor for this alternative is the deve- lopment of forest resources and the resulting impacts on wilderness val- ues, water quality and the anadromous fishery.
Impact on Wilderness Values
None of the wilderness values on 46,150 acres would receive special legislative protection provided by wilderness designation. The short-term impact of this action would be negligible since a minimum of development activity is anticipated in the next five years.
In the long term (beyond the next five years), wilderness values are expected to suffer adverse impacts or be lost due to development of forest and mineral resources. Naturalness would be lost on 1,550 acres due to timber harvest and on ten acres due to development of an oil and gas well.
In addition to naturalness, the activities detailed above would ad- versely impact the wilderness values of solitude and primitive or uncon- fined recreation. Sights, sounds and the lasting visual evidence of timber sale activities would cause the loss of these values on 10,000 acres surrounding the sale area. The short-term impact during drilling of an oil and gas exploratory well would involve 2,000 acres. An operat- ing, lighted well rig would be quite obvious and destroy any feeling of solitude. Recreational use would remain unconfined but hardly primitive in nature. The long-term impact (permanent facilities) of a successful well (pump and storage facility) would impact 450 acres assuming small, noiseless and natural colored facilities are used.
Conclusion: A long-term adverse impact to or loss of wilderness val- ues would occur on twenty-six percent (12,000 acres) of the WSA. A short-term loss of wilderness values would occur on an additional three percent (1,550 acres) of the WSA during oil and gas well drilling activi- ties.
Impacts on the Development of Energy and Mineral Resources All lands within the WSA would remain open for mineral leasing and appropriation of minerals under the general mining laws. Energy and min-
eral development potential would not be foregone with this alternative.
Conclusion: Development of potential energy and mineral resources would not be foregone.
a0
Impacts on Timber Harvesting
All commercial forest lands would be available for timber sale plan- ning and the harvest of 11.5 MMBF could occur. 1,550 acres would be dis- turbed. 15 miles of road would be built.
Conclusion: Commercial forest lands (3,843 acres) would be available for use. Harvest of 11.5 MMBF could occur. 1,550 acres would be disturb- ed. 15 miles of new road.
Impacts on Water Quality in the East Fork of the Salmon River
Development of forty percent of the commercial forest lands could increase sediment loads in the East Fork. Existing sediment loading is minimal as it is caused by natural processes and livestock grazing. Timber sales in upper Lake Creek would necessitate reopening the Upper Lake Creek Road and construction of new roads across the upper drainages. Most of the sediment generated from these activities would be deposited in Herd Lake. Water quality below the lake would remain largely unchanged but siltation and eutrophication of the lake would be accelerated.
Timber sales in Mosquito and Bear creeks would have a greater potent- ial for direct transmittal of sediments to the East Fork via Road Creek. Based on the miles of new road (7) as compared to existing miles of road along Road Creek (24), an increase in sediment load of 25 percent is pre- dicted during active logging operations. Following logging this would diminish to three to five percent assuming that all roads would be closed and successfully revegetated.
Conclusion: Sediment loads in Road Creek would increase by 25 percent during active logging operations. The volume of the East Fork would dilute this impact substantially resulting in a low (less than 10 per- cent) increase in sediment in the East Fork.
Impacts on the East Fork of the Salmon River Anadromous Fishery
Increased sediment loads in the lower six miles of the East Fork, below Road Creek, estimated at less than 10 percent of existing loading would reduce the survival of salmon and steelhead fry. Siltation of gravel interspaces would reduce habitat critical to their survival and reduce oxygen gradients within the gravels. Fry numbers could potentially be reduced by 10 percent.
Conclusion: Potential reduction of salmon and steelhead fry by 10 percent in the lower six miles of the East Fork. Impacts on Recreational Off-Road Vehicle Use
The WSA would be open to ORV use. Seventeen miles of access road would be constructed within the WSA making the central portion of the WSA
54
more accessible to ORV use. Recreational ORV use would remain below 200 visitor days annually over the next ten years and below 300 user days annually after 20 years.
Conclusion: Although the area would be more accessible, recreational ORV use would remain below 300 visitor days annually. There would be no impact on recreational ORV use.
All Wilderness Alternative
Under the All Wilderness Alternative, the entire 46,150 acres of pub- lic land in the Jerry Peak WSA would be recommended for wilderness de- signation.
The primary impacts under this alternative relate to the mineral withdrawal, ORV closure, and designated wilderness and the resulting ef- fects on mineral development and recreational ORV use and the protection of wilderness values.
Impacts on Wilderness Values
Under the All Wilderness Alternative, all 46,150 acres of the WSA would be recommended for wilderness designation and all wilderness values would be protected by legislative mandate. Wilderness values of natural- ness and solitude would benefit from this action because approximately 12,010 acres of the WSA would not be impacted by development of forest or oil and gas resources.
An estimated 200 visitor days annually of ORV use would be eliminated from the WSA by wilderness designation. Although encounters between ORVs and other users are infrequent with current levels of use, the elimina- tion of ORV use would benefit the wilderness value of solitude because visitors would not encounter or hear ORV users in the area. Beneficial effects to naturalness due to an elimination of ORV use would occur as jeep trails revegetate.
Conclusion: Wilderness values would be maintained on all 46,150 acres of the WSA. Since development of forest and potential mineral re- sources would be foregone, impacts to naturalness and solitude would not occur on 12,010 acres that would otherwise be disturbed.
Impacts on the Development of Energy and Mineral Resources
Wilderness designation would withdraw all 46,150 acres of public land from all forms of mineral entry and mineral leasing, subject to valid rights existing at the time of designation. No mining claims exist on these acres and none are anticipated. Oil and gas leases covering lands in the WSA would not be able to be developed.
2),
Conclusion: The potential for exploration for and development of energy and mineral resources on 46,150 acres would be foregone.
Impacts on Timber Harvesting
All forested lands would be set-aside from use as a result of wilder- ness designation. This includes 3,843 acres of commercial forest land. Harvest of 11.5 MMBF over the next 20 years could not occur.
Conclusion: Harvest of 11.5 MMBF would be foregone.
Impacts on Water Quality in the East Fork of the Salmon River
Closure of the WSA to vehicle use would benefit water quality by closing and revegetating jeep trails. ORV use of the cherrystemmed roads (except Mosquito Creek which would be closed) would be allowable but use would be expected to drop since these roads would no longer provide ac- cess to additional jeep trails as they now do. This would also contribute to soil stability and reduced soil loss. It is estimated that the closure of roads and jeep trails adjacent to Road Creek could reduce sediment in Road Creek by 10 percent and in the East Fork by four percent.
Withdrawal of the WSA from mineral entry and leasing and a set-aside from timber harvest would eliminate any possibility of impacts to water quality from these activities.
Conclusion: Sediment load in the East Fork could be reduced four percent due to reduced road usage.
Impacts on the East Fork of the Salmon River Anadromous Fishery
Any benefits to water quality, would be directly passed on to the anadromous fishery. While not observable or even easily measured, the four percent benefit to water quality, through jeep trail revegetation and reduced vehicle use, would improve anadromous fish habitat.
Conclusion: Anadromous fish habitat would be improved through better water quality. An estimated 4 percent increase in salmon and steelhead fry survival (as influenced by sedimentation) could occur.
Impacts on Recreational Off-Road Vehicle Use
Wilderness designation would close the entire 46,150 acre Jerry Peak WSA to all forms of recreational ORV use. Recreational ORV use of ap- proximately 200 visitor days would be eliminated annually from the WSA. Public land that offers similar or superior opportunities for recreational ORV use is located throughout the region. Therefore, re- creational ORV use foregone in the WSA would be absorbed on surrounding public lands.
56
Conclusion: Recreational ORV use of 200 visitor days annually would be foregone. The impacts of shifting this use to other public lands would be negligible.
Partial Protection Alternative
Under this alternative 41,690 acres would be recommended for wilder- ness and 4,460 acres would be recommended for nonwilderness uses.
No significant impact producing factor(s) has been identified for the lands not recommended for wilderness. The primary impact producing factor on the lands recommended for wilderness is wilderness designation and the subsequent mineral withdrawal and forest resources set-aside.
Impacts on Wilderness Values
Wilderness values on the 41,690 acres recommended for designation would be protected by legislative mandate. No loss of naturalness, soli- tude or primitive recreation would occur.
None of the wilderness values on 4,460 acres would receive special legislative protection provided by wilderness designation. The short-term impact of this action would be negligible since little activity is anti- cipated in the next five years. The growth of recreational ORV use from 25 to 50 visitor days over the next 20 years could cause a minimal loss (less than 10 percent) of naturalness due to new jeep trails.
Conclusion: Wilderness values on 41,690 acres would be retained by wilderness designation. Wilderness values, particularly naturalness, would be subject to loss on 4,460 acres.
Impacts on the Development of Energy and Mineral Resources
Wilderness designation would withdraw 41,690 acres of public land from all forms of mineral entry and mineral leasing, subject to valid rights existing at the time of designation. No mining claims exist in these acres and none are anticipated. Oil and gas leases covering the withdrawn lands would not be able to be developed.
The remaining 4,460 acres would be open for mineral entry and deve- lopment of existing oil and gas leases.
Conclusion: The potential for exploration for and development of energy and mineral resources on 41,690 acres would be foregone. 4,460 acres remain open to energy and mineral uses.
Impacts on Timber Harvesting
od
See Proposed Action.
Impacts on Water Quality in the East Fork of the Salmon River
The water courses of the principle creeks in the WSA; Lake, Mosquito, Bear and Sage, would be included in the WSA. Closure of a portion of the WSA to vehicle use and a set-aside from timber sales would allow five miles of road and jeep trail to revegetate and eliminate the potential for six new miles of timber sale roads. This would provide a minimal (less than two percent) benefit to the East Fork's water quality. With- drawal of the WSA from mineral entry and leasing activities would elimi- nate any possible impacts to water quality due to exploration or develop- ment activities. This would in turn improve (or avoid damaging) the water quality in Road and Herd creeks which empty directly into the East Fork.
Uses in the nonwilderness areas would have no impact on the East Fork.
Conclusion: Water quality would be minimally (less than two percent) benefited through revegetation of jeep trails and elimination of vehicle use.
Impacts on the East Fork of the Salmon River Anadromous Fishery
Any benefits to water quality, however minimal, would be directly passed on to the anadromous fishery. While not observable or even easily measured, the slight benefit to water quality, through jeep trail revege- tation, would improve anadromous fish habitat.
Conclusion: Anadromous fish habitat would be slightly improved (less than 2 percent) through better water quality.
Impacts on Recreational Off-Road Vehicle Use
Wilderness designation would close 41,690 acres in the WSA to all forms of recreational ORV use. Recreational ORV use of approximately 175 visitor days annually would be displaced from the WSA. Public land that offers similar or superior opportunities for recreational ORV use is lo- cated throughout the region. Therefore, recreational ORV use foregone in the WSA would be absorbed on surrounding public lands.
Conclusion: Recreational ORV use of 175 visitor days would be fore- gone annually. The impacts of shifting this use to other public lands would be negligible.
Partial Balance Alternative
Under this alternative 28,890 acres would be recommended for wilder- ness and 17,260 acres would be recommended for nonwilderness uses.
58
The primary impact producing factor for the land not recommended for wilderness in this alternative relates to the development of an oil and gas lease(s) and the resulting impacts on wilderness values. The primary impact producing factor on the lands recommended for wilderness is wild- erness designation and the subsequent mineral withdrawal and forest re- sources set-aside.
Impacts on Wilderness Values
Wilderness values on the 28,890 acres recommended for designation would be protected by legislative mandate. No loss of naturalness, soli- tude or primitive recreation would occur.
None of the wilderness values on 17,260 acres would receive special legislative protection provided by wilderness designation. The short-term impact of this action would be negligible since a minimum of development activity is anticipated in the next five years.
In the long term (beyond the next five years), wilderness values are expected to suffer adverse impacts or be lost due to exploration and dev- elopment on at least one oil and gas lease. Naturalness would be lost on ten acres due to access road and drill pad construction.
In addition to affecting naturalness, the activities detailed above would adversely impact the wilderness values of solitude and primitive or unconfined recreation. The short-term impact of an oil and gas explora- tory well would involve 2,000 acres. An operating, lighted well rig would be quite obvious and destroy any feeling of solitude. Recreational use would remain unconfined but hardly primitive in nature. The long-term impact (permanent facilities) of a successful well (pump and storage fac- ility)would impact 450 acres assuming small, noiseless and natural color- ed facilities are used.
Conclusion: A long-term adverse impact to or loss of wilderness val- ues would occur on one percent (450 acres) of the WSA. A short-term loss of wilderness values would occur on an additional three percent (1,550 acres) of the WSA during oil and gas well drilling activities. Wilder- ness values on 28,890 acres would be retained by wilderness designation.
Impacts on the Development of Energy and Mineral Resources
Wilderness designation would withdraw 28,890 acres of public land from all forms of mineral entry and mineral leasing, subject to valid rights existing at the time of designation. No mining claims exist in these acres and none are anticipated. Oil and gas leases covering the withdrawn lands would not be able to be developed.
The remaining 17,260 acres would be open for mineral entry and deve- lopment of existing oil and gas leases.
Sy,
Conclusion: The potential for exploration for and development of energy and mineral resources on 28,890 acres would be foregone. The re- maining 17,260 acres would remain open to energy and mineral uses.
Impacts on Timber Harvesting
See Proposed Action.
Impacts on Water Quality in the East Fork of the Salmon River
See Proposed Action.
Impacts on the East Fork of the Salmon River Anadromous Fishery See Proposed Action. Impacts on Recreational Off-Road Vehicle Use
Wilderness designation would close 28,890 acres in the WSA to recrea- tional ORV use. All of the cherrystemmed roads would remain open to use as would most of the WSA's jeep trails. There would be 50 visitor days of use displaced from the WSA. Closure of the Upper Lake Creek Road, for public safety following the 1983 earthquake, eliminated ORV access to the center of the WSA.
Recreational ORV use in the nonwilderness areas is expected to in- crease from 150 to 200 visitor days annually over the next 20 years.
Conclusion: Recreational ORV use of 50 visitor days would be fore- gone annually. The impacts of shifting this use to other public lands would be negligible.
Partial Production Alternative
Under this alternative 9,500 acres would be recommended for wilder- ness and 36,650 acres would be recommended for nonwilderness uses.
The primary impact producing factors for the lands not recommended for wilderness relate to the development of forest resources and an oil and gas lease and the resulting impacts on wilderness values. The primary impact producing factor on the lands recommended for wilderness is wild- erness designation and the subsequent mineral withdrawal and forest re- sources set-aside.
Impact on Wilderness Values Wilderness values on the 9,500 acres recommended for designation
would be protected by legislative mandate. No loss of naturalness, soli- tude or primitive recreation would occur.
60
None of the wilderness values on 36,650 acres would receive special legislative protection provided by wilderness designation. The short-term impact of this action would be negligible since little development act- ivity is anticipated in the next five years.
In the long term (beyond the next five years), wilderness values are expected to suffer adverse impacts or be lost due to development of forest and mineral resources. Naturalness would be lost on 1,000 acres due to timber harvest and on ten acres due to development of an oil and gas well.
In addition to naturalness, the activities detailed above would ad- versely impact the wilderness values of solitude and primitive or uncon- fined recreation. Sights, sounds and the lasting visual evidence of timber sale activities would cause the loss of these values on 6,000 acres surrounding the sale area. The short-term impact of an oil and gas exploratory well would involve 2,000 acres. An operating, lighted well rig would be quite obvious and destroy any feeling of solitude. Recrea- tional use would remain unconfined but hardly primitive in nature. The long-term impact (permanent facilities) of a successful well (pump and storage facility) would impact 450 acres assuming small, noiseless and natural colored facilities are used.
Conclusion: A long-term adverse impact to or loss of wilderness val- ues would occur on seventeen percent (8,010 acres) of the WSA. A short-term loss of wilderness values would occur on an additional three percent (1,550 acres) of the WSA during oil and gas well drilling activi- ties.
Impacts on the Development of Energy and Mineral Resources
Wilderness designation would withdraw 9,500 acres of public land from all forms of mineral entry and mineral leasing, subject to valid rights existing at the time of designation. No mining claims exist in these acres and none are anticipated. Oil and gas leases covering the with- drawn lands would not be able to be developed.
The remaining 36,650 acres would be open for mineral entry and deve- lopment of existing oil and gas leases.
Conclusion: The potential for exploration for and development of energy and mineral resources on 9,500 acres would be foregone. The re- maining 36,650 acres would remain open to energy and mineral uses.
Impacts on Timber Harvesting
Thirty-five percent of the commercial timber would be set aside from use by wilderness designation. This would reduce the timber harvest in the next twenty years by 4 MMBF (from 11.5 to 7.5). The remaining sixty- five percent of the commercial timber would be available for harvest. 1000 acres would be disturbed. 11 miles of new road would be built.
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Conclusion: Potential harvest of 4 MMBF of commercial timber would be foregone.
Impacts on Water Quality in the East Fork of the Salmon River
Development of twenty-six percent of the commercial forest lands could increase sediment loads in the East Fork. Existing sediment load- ing is minimal as it is caused by natural processes and livestock graz- ing. Timber sales would not occur in the Lake Creek drainage so no im- pact would occur to Herd Creek.
Timber sales in Mosquito and Bear creeks would have a greater potent- ial for direct transmittal of sediments to the East Fork via Road Creek. Based on the miles of new road (7) as compared to existing miles of road along Road Creek (24) an increase of sediment load of 25 percent is pre- dicted during active logging operations. Following logging, this would diminish to three to five percent assuming that all roads would be closed and successfully revegetated.
Conclusion: Sediment loads in Road Creek would increase by 25 per- cent during active logging operations. The volume of the East Fork would dilute this impact substantially resulting in a low (less than 10 per- cent) increase in sediment in the East Fork.
Impacts on the East Fork of the Salmon River Anadromous Fishery
Increased sediment loads in the lower six miles of the East Fork, below Road Creek, estimated at less than 10 percent of existing loading would reduce the survival of salmon and steelhead fry. Siltation of gra- vel interspaces would reduce habitat critical to their survival and re- duce oxygen gradients within the gravels. Fry numbers could potentially be reduced by 10 percent.
Conclusion: Potential reduction of salmon and steelhead fry by 10 percent in the lower six miles of the East Fork. Impacts on Recreational Off-Road Vehicle Use
The 9,500 acres which would be closed to ORV use do not provide more than 10 visitor days annually of recreational vehicle use. This use could be easily absorbed elsewhere.
Within the nonwilderness area new roads would make the center portion of the WSA more accessible. Recreational ORV use would be equal to the
nonwilderness alternative.
Conclusion: Ten visitor days of use would be displaced. Adjacent areas could easily absorb this use.
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JERRY PEAK WEST (ID-46-14a)
Proposed Action - No Wilderness (No Action) Alternative
Under the proposed action none of the 13,530 acres in the Jerry Peak West WSA would be recommended for wilderness.
The primary impacts under this alternative relate to the development of energy and mineral resources and the resulting impacts on wilderness values, water quality and the anadromous fishery.
Impacts on Wilderness Values
None of the wilderness values on 13,530 acres would receive special legislative protection provided by wilderness designation. The short-term impact of this action would be negligible since a minimum of development activity is anticipated in the next five years.
In the long term(beyond the next five years), wilderness values are expected to suffer adverse impacts or be lost due to development of oil and gas and mineral resources. Naturalness would be lost on ten acres due to an oil and gas well and on thirty-five acres due to development of a mining clain.
The short-term impact of an oil and gas exploratory well would in- volve 2,000 acres. An operating, lighted well rig would be quite obvious and destroy any feeling of solitude. Recreational use would remain un- confined but hardly primitive in nature. The long-term (permanent facil- ities) impact of a successful well (pump and storage facility) would im- pact 450 acres assuming small, noiseless and natural colored facilities are used.
Conclusion: A long-term adverse impact to or loss of wilderness val- ues would occur on four percent (495 acres) of the WSA. A _ short-term loss of wilderness values would occur on an additional 15 percent (2,000 acres) of the WSA during oil and gas well drilling activities.
Impacts on the Development of Energy and Mineral Resources
All lands within the WSA would remain open for mineral leasing and appropriation of minerals under the general mining laws as well as other pertinent laws and regulations. There would be no potential development of energy or mineral resources foregone with this alternative. Surface disturbance would occur on 45 acres.
Conclusion: Development of potential energy and mineral resources would not be foregone. 45 surface acres of disturbance.
63
Impacts on Water Quality in the East Fork of the Salmon River
Development of a mining claim and oil and gas well on 45 acres would disturb ground cover and soils and increase potential sediment loading in the East Fork. In relation to all other uses in this drainage the impact of this would be negligible (less than one percent).
Conclusion: Negligible increase (less than one percent) in sediment load in the East Fork.
Impacts on the East Fork of the Salmon River Anadromous Fishery
An impact to water quality would directly relate to an impact on an- adromous fish. A loss of less than one percent in the number of salmon and steelhead fry would be anticipated due to siltation of critical hab- Ltat.
Conclusion: Potential reduction (less than one percent) of salmon and steelhead fry.
Impacts on Recreational Off-Road Vehicle Use
All lands would remain open to use. Visitation would increase from 15 to 25 visitor days over the next 20 years.
Conclusion: No impact on recreational ORV use. No displacement of users.
All Wilderness Alternative
Under the All Wilderness Alternative the entire 13,530 acres of pub- lic land in the Jerry Peak West WSA would be recommended for wilderness designation.
The primary impacts under this alternative relate to the mineral withdrawal and ORV closure in designated wilderness the resulting effects on mineral development and recreational ORV use and the protection of wilderness values.
Impacts on Wilderness Values
Under the All Wilderness Alternative, all 9,773 acres of the WSA would be recommended suitable for wilderness designation and all wilder- ness values would be protected by legislative mandate. Short-term im-— pacts to solitude (2,000 acres) and long term impacts to naturalness and solitude (495 acres) due to mining and oil and gas activities would not OCCUr.
64
The estimated 15 visitor days annually of ORV use in the Jerry Peak West WSA would be foregone by wilderness designation. Although encounters between ORV users and others are infrequent at the current use levels, the elimination of ORV use would enhance opportunities for solitude. The effects on the area's naturalness as a result of ORV closure would be negligible since the existing level of use is quite low.
The outcome of management actions to acquire an adjacent 640 acre parcel of state land would affect the wilderness values of naturalness and solitude by eliminating the possibility of nonwilderness uses. If the parcel is not acquired, nonwilderness uses could reduced the area's naturalness and opportunities for solitude.
Conclusion: Wilderness values would be maintained on all 13,530 acres of the Jerry Peak West WSA.
Impacts on the Development of Energy and Mineral Resources
Wilderness designation would withdraw all 9,773 acres of public land from all forms of mineral entry and mineral leasing, subject to valid rights existing at -the time of designation. No mining claims are pre- sently located in the WSA. Oil and gas leases covering 1,900 acres could not be developed.
Conclusion: Opportunities to explore for and develop energy and min- eral resources would be foregone.
Impacts on Water Quality in the East Fork of the Salmon River
The only existing use affecting water quality which would be curtail- ed by wilderness designation would be ORV use. The present use of 15 visitor days annually is insignificant and probably has no impact on water quality.
Conclusion: No change from existing water quality.
Impacts on the East Fork of the Salmon River Anadromous Fishery
Since there would be no impact to water quality, there would be no impact to the anadromous fishery.
Impacts on Recreational Off-Road Vehicle Use
Wilderness designation would close the entire 13,530 acre Jerry Peak West WSA to all forms of recreational ORV use. Recreational ORV use of approximately 15 visitor days would be eliminated annually from the WSA. Public land that offers similar or superior opportunities for recreation- al ORV use is located throughout the region. Therefore, recreational ORV use foregone in the WSA would be absorbed on surrounding public lands.
65
Conclusion: Recreational ORV use of 15 visitor days would be fore- gone annually. The impacts of shifting this use to other public lands would be negligible.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHORT-TERM USE OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY
If a WSA is not designated wilderness, all present uses would con- tinue. Off-road vehicle use, mining, and mineral leasing activities could reduce the wilderness values over time.
If an area is designated wilderness, it would ensure the long-term productivity of ecosystems and would maintain or enhance present wilder- ness values. Motorized vehicles could no longer be used except where prescribed by an area's wilderness management plan. Mineral resources would not be available for location and development after December 31, 1983.
IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES
Activities such as mining, mineral leasing, and material sales, could create an irreversible commitment of the wilderness resource in part or all of a WSA, if not designated as wilderness. Wilderness designation would not create an irretrievable or irreversible commitment of resources with a WSA. Designation would restrict or stop development activities and maintain an area's natural condition. If, in the future, Congress decides it would be in the national interest to develop certain resources within a wilderness, they can modify the law to allow it.
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CHAPTER 5
CONSULTATION, COORDINATION, AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Development of the environmental issue/impact topics and recommenda- tions for the Challis Wilderness Plan Amendment/Environmental Impact Statement has included an on-going coordination and public participation effort. Federal Register notices and news releases have announced all steps of the process to date, including the study schedule, notices of intent for preparation of the amendment/EIS, notice of availability of the amendment/EIS, notice of public hearing, and public comment periods.
Throughout the study, consultation and coordination has occurred with other federal agencies; state, county, and local governments; and the public. At this time, recommendations as to suitability or nonsuitability of WSAs for wilderness designation are not inconsistent with officially approved and adopted resource-related plans of these agencies and govern- ments.
Additional consultation and coordination took place with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), the U.S. Geologic Service (USGS), and Bureau of Mines.
Environmental Impact Statement Review
During the comment period thirty-two written comments were received. Comments were received from fifteen individuals, four energy and/or min- eral companies, three conservation organization, seven federal agencies and three Idaho State agencies. No comment was received from the Governor's office, Congressional representatives, State legislators or local officials.
At the formal public hearing on June 30, 1982, seven persons offered oral testimony. All seven testifiers expressed a preference for no wil- derness for any of the WSAs. No persons testified in favor of wilderness designation. One person offered written testimony only.
All written comments and a transcript of the hearing are included in the final EIS.
67
List of Preparers
Loren Anderson assisted with preparation of the fishery and wildlife material for the EIS. He has been a wildlife biologist for fourteen years and was a range conservationist for three years. Loren has a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University. He worked on the Challis Grazing EIS.
James Behm handled the soils section of the EIS. Jim is the Salmon District Soils Scientist. He has been with the BLM for seven years. Jim has a B.S. in Soils from the University of Minnesota.
Rick Colvin, Outdoor Recreation Planner, assisted in preparing the recreation section of the EIS. Prior to coming to the BLM in October 1980, Rick worked for three years as a graduate research assistant at Oregon State University. Rick has a B.S. in Resource Recreation Manage- ment and a M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Oregon State University.
Dave Douglas was a Geologist on the Salmon District Resources staff. He prepared parts of the geology and minerals sections. Dave was with the BLM for one year. Dave has a B.S. in Geology from Idaho State Uni- versity.
Ben Garechana was the Challis-Mackay Resource Area Wild Horse .Specia- list. He wrote parts of the range management and wild horse sections. Ben was with the BLM for five years. He has both a B.S. and M.S. in Range Management from the University of Idaho.
Brad Keller was the Challis-Mackay Resource Area Wildlife Biologist. He assisted with preparing the wildlife sections. Brad has been with the BLM for five years. He has a B.S. in Wildlife Management from the Uni- versity of Nebraska.
Chuck Keller prepared the aquatic wildlife portion of the EIS. Chuck was the Fisheries Biologist at the Salmon District Office. Prior to coming to the BLM ten years ago, Chuck worked for five years with the Indiana Fish and Game Department. Chuck had input to the Challis Supple- mental EIS. He graduated with a B.S. in Fisheries from Humboldt State University.
Paul Krupin was the Salmon District Hydrologist who was responsible for part of the soil and water section of the EIS. After six months with the Forest Service as Hydrologist, Paul came to the BLM. He has a B.A. in Environmental Biology from the University of Colorado and a M.S. in Physical Geography, Hydrology, Water Quality from Oregon State University.
Lyle Lewis is the Salmon District Hydrologist. He wrote parts of the
water quality sections. Lyle has been with BLM for six years. He has a B.S. in Range Land Resources from Oregon State University.
68
Bill Osborne is a Range Conservationist with the Challis-Mackay Resource Area. He wrote part of the range management section. Bill has been with the BLM for six years and has a B.S. in Wildlife Management from Colorado State University.
Don Simpson was a Realty Specialist on the Salmon District Resources staff and prepared the land status data. Don has been with the BLM for nine years and has a B.S. in Forest Management from Colorado State Uni- versity.
Gene Terland was the Salmon District Range Conservationist on the Resources staff. He wrote parts of the range management section. Gene has been with the BLM for nine years. He has a B.S.in Range Management from Montana State University.
Michael Vallance was the Challis-Mackay Resource Area Forester. He wrote the forestry resources section of the EIS. Mike has a B.S. in Forestry from Purdue University.
Nancy Vaughan is the Salmon District Archaeologist who was respon- sible for the preparation of the cultural resources data in this EIS. Nancy has been with the BLM for nine years. She has a B.A. in anthropol- ogy and Archaeology from the University of South Florida.
George Weiskircher was the Idaho State Office Wilderness Coordinator and also served as State Office liason for this EIS. George has been with the BLM for twelve years, the past seven in Boise. He has a B.S. in Earth Science from New Mexico State University.
Dave Wolf was the team leader for this EIS. He directed the prepara- tion of this EIS and prepared several sections. Dave has been with the BLM for eight years. He has a B.S. in Wildlife Management and a B.S. in Outdoor Recreation both from Colorado State University.
69
Agencies, Persons, Organizations Receiving Draft
The following list includes government agencies, organizations, and individuals potentially affected by land use decisions in the Challis area.
Elected Officials
Federal Senator Steve Symms Senator James McClure Congressman Richard Stallings Congressman Larry Craig
State Governor John Evans Representative Ray Infanger Representative Wayne Tibbets Senator Vearl Crystal
Federal Agencies
Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs Fish and Wildlife Service Bureau of Mines Bureau of Reclamation Minerals Management Service Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service Forest Service Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Office of Economics Department of the Air Force
State of Idaho Agencies
Department of Fish and Game
Department of Health, Welfare and Environmental Services Department of Lands
Department of Water Resources
Historic Preservation Officer
University of Idaho Extension Service
Idaho State Clearinghouse
Department of Transportation
Idaho Air National Guard
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Local Agencies
Mayor, Challis Custer County Planning Commission Custer County Commissioners
Advisory Councils and Boards
Salmon District Advisory Council Salmon District Grazing Advisory Board
Organizations
Wild Horse Organized Assistance Idaho Humane Society
American Humane Society
Idaho Wildlife Federation
Trout Unlimited
Idaho Cattle Feeders Association, Inc. Tri-County Cattlemen's Association Idaho Archaeological Society, Inc. Idaho Conservation League
Northwest Steelheaders Association Challis Snowmobile Club
Natural Resources Defense Council Western Environmental Trade
League of Women Voters of Idaho Northern Rockies Chapter Sierra Club The Institute of Ecology
Idaho Cattlemen's Association Committee for Idaho's High Desert
Individuals
Grazing Permittees District Mailing List (on file)
fia
TABLE 9 LIST OF COMMENTORS AND TESTIFIERS
Written Comments
Name Representin 1. Bruce R. Boccard Committee for Idaho's High Desert PAs wet Ae Wyle i sfol eS Lah Atlantic Richfield Company 3. John D. Wells Minerals Exploration Coalition 4. E. Fred Birdsall Conoco Inc. 5. Dave Foreman EARTH FIRST! 6. L.D. Benedick State of Idaho, Dept. of Lands 7. Andrew V. Bailey Minerals Management Service 8. Bill Cunningham Wilderness Society 9. Bruce Hayse Self 10. Syl & Carolyn Menichetti Selves 11. David H. Swaney Bureau of Indian Affairs 12. Lee W. Stokes State of Idaho, Dept. of Health & Welfare 13. Jess Rankin Self 14. Ames I. Garrison Soil Conservation Service 15. Paul E. Fredericks Noranda Exploration, Inc. 16. Joe & Fran Tonsmeire Selves 17. Kent Cantlin Self 18. John R. Spencer Environmental Protection Agency 19. Dennis Baird Self 20. Daryl Romeyn Self 21... Erank]S. Lisella Dept. of Health & Human Services 22. Bruce Bowler Self 23. John R. Swanson Self 24. Jerry Jayne Self 25. Richard L. Winters National Park Service 26. Michael Baldwin Self 7 27. Larry Jackson Self 28. John Lamborn Self 29. Morgan Persons Self 30. George Wuerthner Self
Federal Aviation Administration Idaho Air National Guard
31. Joseph W. Harrell 52 mGOl. snobenter mcorpo leer. EL
Hearing Testifiers
Ronan, Inc., Sante Fe Minerals, Murphy Minerals
Self, Idaho Farm Bureau, Custer Co. Farm Bureau
Self, Idaho Cattelmen's Assoc., Tri-Co. Cattlemen Challis Soil Conservation District
1. Fred Brinkman 2. Gary Ingram 3. Garth Chivers
4. Calvin Helm Self 5. Tom Chivers Self 6. Ben Howard Self 7. Betty Baker Self
Written Testimony Submitted*
Ronan, Inc., Sante Fe Minerals, Murphy Minerals Idaho Cattlemen's Association Self
1. Fred Brinkman 2. Mike Mogensen 3. Garth Chivers
*Included as part of the Hearing Record.
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WRITTEN COMMENTS
AND
RESPONSES
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1-1 Challis National Forest Timber data has been added to the Final EIS
ieys
(pages 31 and 37).
The discussions directly relating to the planning criteria and quality standards have been removed for the Final EIS (DEIS pages 5-6 ,28-32, 47-49 and 64-65). It was felt that the discussions on diversity, ecosystem representation, the regional supply of wilder- ness, etc. were of a more planning nature and should be separated from the actual environmental impacts of the various alternatives. Comments on the planning criteria will be discussed and responded to in a separate document.
74
-¢- »
ae Gy eee o Sa pes COMMITTEE FOR IDAHOS
baad
inten». P.O. BOX 463 BOISE.IDAHO 83701
HURE ee Pe eme.. SS rly es ae oN ni gh by BN. ea Teed trey Fetal ce e is eae te weg te BO, OSPF i: ener Saati os Tyee 7 en OS, TOTO Ne ed ee RT DPS olny eee, Elo PENS fe sats : si regs ie
August 2, 1982
Mr. Jerry Goodman,
Acting District Manager Bureau of Land Management Box 430
Salmon, Idaho 83467
Dear Mr. Goodman:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft Challis Plan Amendment and Wilderness Environmental Impact Statement for four Wilderness Study Areas in the Challis Planning Unit, Salmon District. On behalf of the Committee for Idaho's High Desert and its members Statewide, I would like to make the following comments.
1. Preferred Alternative: We support the BLM decision to recommend as Suitable for Wilderness Units 46-14, Jerry Peak, and 46-14a, Jerry Peak West. These two units more than meet the criteria for Wilderness, offering outstanding opportunities for solitude, out- Standing primitive and unconfined recreation opportunities, and other Supplemental values. Wilderness designation for these two units will protect their irreplaceble wilderness characteristics, protect wild- life and watershed values, and other uses, while having no adverse impact on grazing, minerals, energy, or other resources. The minor amount of timber foregone is more than compensated by the economic and other values which wilderness protection would provide. Given the large volume of old-growth timber standing on the Challis National Forest and the limited market demand for that timber, Wilderness Opportunity costs are minimal. The final EIS should include the most recent figures from the Challis Forest regarding the standing volumes of timber available for harvest and the expected market demand for timber within the local area, and the latest figures for sold but uncut Challis National Forest timber.
We are disappointed with the BLM decision not to designate at least part of Unit 46-11, Corral-Horse Basin, as Wilderness. We believe that the unit does indeed offer outstanding opportunities for Solitude, particularly in the timbered regions in the eastern portion of the unit. Wilderness designation would offer protection for wild- life and endangered plant species, and would improve water quality. The Committee supports Alternative P, Partial Protection, for the unit, and urges you to adopt this in your final alternative.
2. Ecosystem Representation. The DEIS does not adequately
describe the current representation of the Sagebrush-Steppe Ecosystem type in the National Wilderness Preservation System, nor detail how the proposed action would help round out representation of this eco- system type in the NWPS (our rough estimate is that the Proposed Action would more than double the ecosystem representation of this type). This should also be included in the discussion of existing
18S
The section on threatened and endangered plants was reviewed and rewritten to make a clearer statement on federally classified plants and their status (FEIS page 6). The 12 plant species referred to were looked for in the original Challis Grazing vegetation in- ventories. Of the twelve species, four were located with only one in a WSA.
76
Wilderness areas available to Boise SMSA residents; although there is a considerable amount of Wilderness available to them, there is little Or no designated Sagebrush Steppe Wilderness within a days drive of Boise.
3. Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Plant Species. Although the DEIS mentions on page 22 that there are 12 plant species
found in the units that are given special emphasis due to their threatened or endangered status, they are not listed, nor are the benefits or disadvantages of Wilderness designation to their survival explained.
We are pleased to see BLM recognize that the two Jerry Peak units could be part of an expanded Boulder-White Clouds Wilderness Area. This would enhance the management of the BLMunits, and protect the complete Boulder-White Clouds ecosystem and the critical headwaters of the East Fork of the Salmon River.
Overall, we believe the DEIS is well-done, with the exception of the comments above. We urge you to recommend Wilderness designation for the portion of Corral-Horse Basin included in Alternative P, and look foreward to receiving the Final EIS in the near future.
Sincerely, COMMITTEE FOR IDAHO'S HIGH DESERT
DY EE Ak ; Bruce R. Boccard, Chairman
ra
2-1 Discussions on the Wilderness Study Policy criteria have been re- moved (see response 1-2). The energy and mineral resources sections (FEIS pages 20, 36, and 41) have been revised to include the mineral estimates made here and in Arco's August 5, 1981 letter page 3. The FEIS now notes the portion of Jerry Peak West overlying the area U.S.G.S. has classified as being prospectively valuable for geothermal resources (FEIS page 42).
78
‘NanticRichfield Company
2-1
555 Seventeenth Street Denver, Colorado 80217
Telephone 303 575 7577 Xx
J. R. Mitchell Public Lands Coordinator
AUGUSt 2 » 1982
Mr. Dave Wolf
Bureau of Land Management Salmon District
P. O. Box 430
Salmon, ID 83467
Re: Challis Management Framework Plan Amendment Draft EIS
Dear Mr. Wolf:
Atlantic Richfield Company appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Challis Management Framework Plan Amendment for Wilderness and Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Atlantic Richfield believes it is the Bureau of Land Management's responsibility to determine whether mineral usesS or nonmineral uses are the highest and best use of the public lands as evidenced by public interest. Therefore, we are concerned that energy and mineral resources have not received the same full consideration during the wilderness study as was afforded wilderness values. The BLM's Wilderness Study Policy, Criterion No. 2; Standard No. 1, Energy and Mineral Resource Values, states, "Recommendations as to an area's suitability or nonsuitability for wilderness designation will reflect a thorough consideration of any identified or potential energy and mineral resource values." In other words, the study process requires full consideration of resources and an assessment of impacts to their use and management.
We submitted comments to the BLM on August 5, 1981, (attached) regarding the mineral potential (copper, gold, molybdenum, and uranium) existing in the WSA's under study. In addition, we submitted comments dated February 17, 1982, (attached) on the Challis/McKay RMP in which we pointed out that the planning area may be included in the Overthrust Belt and that the planning area, including the WSA's, contains favorable structural features for the trapping of hydrocarbons. We pointed out that Jerry Peak West (46-14a) overlaps with a large area that the U.S.G.S. has classified as being valuable
49
2-2 An impact topic specific to energy and mineral resources is included in the Final EIS ((pagés: 4945,) 476349. 35153, 55.3575 59586) sO ceandeo ya
80
2-1
2-2
Mt. Dave Wolf August 2, 1982 Page 2
prospectively for geothermal resources. (Yet the DEIS states that the U.S.G.S. indicates there is no value for geothermal resources in the area.) This WSA is situated along the east fork of the Salmon River (within the Idaho batholith) where there are several thermal springs in the vicinity ranging in temperature from 419°C to 550C. Therefore, we believe that this WSA, and possibly the other WSA's, are very promising for the development of geothermal resources. Needless to say, we were extremely alarmed to read in the DEIS that no locatable minerals or geothermal resources have been identified in Jerry Peak (46-14 and 46-14a) .
In addition to totally disregarding our comments on the energy and mineral potential of the WSA's, BLM ignored the issues we identified in our letter of August 5, 1981. No public issues regarding energy and mineral resources were included in the DEIS. We are exceedingly concerned with the way BLM has conducted its wilderness study and recommend that BLM conduct a new study which takes our comments, and possibly others, into consideration during the decision-making process.
We believe that it is essential that the BLM develop an energy and mineral wilderness alternative in order to comply with the Wilderness Study Policy directive. The energy and mineral alternative would place emphasis on resource development by providing opportunities for commodity production in areas having significant potential for resource development. This would mean that areas with good or high mineral potential would be recommended for a nonwilderness designation. The remaining areas which are void of other conflicts and which still possess wilderness values and are capable of being managed as wilderness could be recommended as suitable for wilderness designation.
In order to prepare an energy and mineral alternative, BLM would utilize the energy and mineral inventory data which has been gathered during the study process, including public comments. This information would provide the basis for boundary adjustments on areas where such an approach is feasible or would provide the basis for a
8]
2-3 It is felt that the No Wilderness Alternatives meet the need for a scenario in which energy and mineral resources could be fully devel- oped.
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Mt. Dave Wolf August 2, 1982 Page 3
nonwilderness recommendation. In addition, such an approach would ensure that potential energy and mineral resources are given appropriate consideration during the entire study process.
As a result of the information we have compiled on the WSA's in question, we believe that none of them should be recommended for wilderness designation. It is our contention that the potential energy and mineral values more than outweigh the wilderness values of the Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West WSA's. This is especially true of Jerry Peak in which there is good potential for gold/silver mineralization in the Germer tuffaceous member of the Challis volcanics. Zones of mineralization occur in the Germer, 80 to 100 miles to the northwest in the Yankee Fork Mining District. Many of Idaho's gold/silver deposits have been found in the Challis volcanics, At the very least, a boundary change, as indicated on the attached map, should be implemented on Jerry Peak.
In conclusion, we recommend that the BLM conduct a new wilderness study of the Corral Horse Basin, Jerry Peak, and Jerry Peak West WSA's in order to give full and appropriate consideration to the energy and mineral potential of these areas as required by law. We believe this is essential due to the fact that BLM failed to adequately consider and utilize our comments pertaining to these areas.
We appreciate this opportunity to present our comments to the BLM and are available to discuss them with you. You will note that we are sending copies of our comments to Sandy Blackstone, Deputy Director, Energy and Mineral Resources, BLM; and Bob Burford, Director, BLM.
Sincerely, ee safe
R. Mitchell Attachments
cc: Sandy Blackstone, Deputy Director, BLM Bob Burford, Director, BLM
83
Atlantic® chticld Company 555 Seventecnth Street ‘ Denver, Colorado 80217 Peet Telephone 303 575 7577 TR
J.R. PAlichell Public Lands Coordinator
August 5, 1981
Mr. Harry R. Finlayson District Manager Salmon District Office P.O. Box 430
Salmon, Idaho 83467
Re: Challis Management Framework Plan - Amencment Dear Mr. Finlayson:
Atlantic Richfield Company appreciates the opportunity to present its comments to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on issues which we believe should be recognized and included in the Challis Management Framework Plan (MFP) Amendment in Idaho.
We support effective plans and actions that provide for the necessary protection of the environment, while at the same time, provide for the development of the nation's natural resources. The development of uniform, workable, and effective multiple-use management standards and guidelines for public lands under the BLM's jurisdiction is important. Accordingly, we believe that the mineral resource potential of the planning area should be recognized as a major issue throughout the amendment process. Land management standards should be developed and incorporated in the MFP that will accommodate activities to thoroughly explore and develop the area's resource potential.
Inflexible environmental laws and regulations have often characterized the manner in which the government has constrained the search for and development of additional energy and mineral supplies. Such constraintsshave severely Jimicedathe accessibility and utilization of energy and mineral resources vitally needed to add stability to the nation's economy and to reduce its dependence on insecure foreign imports. However, the BLM is not required to continue in this mode of operation. It has an opportunity to develop land management standards and guidelines along the multiple-use concept that will help remedy the situation.
84
Mr. Harry R. Finlayson August 5, 1981 Page 2
We have identified the following as being our major concerns and feel they should be specifically addressed during the amendment process for the BLMs
ISSUE $1
"In what way will the BLM gather information in order to adequately evaluate the energy and mineral resource potential within the Wilderness Study Areas."
ISSUE #2
"In areas where there is potential for deposits of energy or minerals, how is the BLM going to Gevelop land use allocations which will be compatible with possible exploration for and Gevelopment of these resources,”
" Wilderness Study Areas which contain these resource values should be allocated to land uses which would minimize the restrictions placed on exploration and development of these recources and should not be recommended for wilderness,"
We believe that the above issues are valid and should receive thorough consideration in view of the nation's urgent need to increase its domestic energy and mineral supplies. It is imperative that the BLM gather the appropriate energy and mineral resource potential information in order to make an informed decision on which WSA‘'s should be recommended for wilderness or non-wilderness.
The BLM notice of intent states that the p.aanning criteria tentatively being considered for the Challis MFP amendment proceeding will be the same as those presented in the Draft Environmental Wilderness Study Policy published in the Federal Register Vol 45, No. 246, dated December 19, 1980. We feel that this proposed Study Policy is decidedly lacking with regard to energy and mineral considerations. We are attaching a copy of Atlantic Richfield Company's comments on the proposed study policy which supports our belief of this deficiency. We hope that they will be of assistance during BLM's deliberations on the decision criteria objectives. If there are any questions concerning our study policy submittal, we
85
2-4 BLM will gather in-house information, geology, energy and mineral
Zo
assessments prepared by a contractor, reports from both USGS and Bureau of Mines and information provided by the public.
Land use allocations will be developed thru the existing BLM planning system which takes into account all resources, develops alternative use scenarios and results in the selection of a preferred land use plan.
86
Mr. Harry R. Finlayson Augusts5,51981 Page 3
will be happy to meet at any time and discuss it in Getail. Also, we have met with Mr. Jack White, Associate Director for Minerals, BLM Washington Office, regarding the study policy and he has verbally agreed to use an energy and mineral rating system as part of the Wilderness Study Process,
Minerals
Anaconda Copper Company, a subsidiary of Atlantic
. Richfield, maintains no claims in proximity of the four Wilderness Study Areas; however, the four WSA's have mineral potential for the commodities gold, copper, molybdenum, and uranium. A description of the WSA's and their mineral deposits are listed below and shown on the attached map.
ID-046-11 Corral-Horse Basin - Potential for copper, gold, molybdenum, and uranium.
Geology: Tertiary Challis volcanics and associated rocks, mostly of intermediate composition, but rhyolite and basalt are included, moderately consolidated tuff and sediments with variable tuff content.
Quaternary alluvial deposits (unconsolidated and poorly consolidated sand, silt, and gravel mainly in flood plains, fans, etc.).
ID 046-14 Jerry Peak - Potential for copper, gold,
molybdenum, and uranium,
Geology: Tertiary Challis volcanics and associated rocks, mostly of intermediate composition, but rhyolite and basalt are included, moderately consolidated tuff and sediments with variable tuff. content. 3)
ID-046-14A Jerry Peak West - Potential for gold, copper, molybdenum and uranium.
Geology: Tertiary Challis volcanics and associated rocks, mostly of intermediate composition, but rhyolite and basalt are incuded, moderately consolidated tuff and sediments with variable tuff content.
87
Mr. ‘Harry R. Finlayson AUGUSTE 257 oor Page 4
Quaternary alluvial deposits (unconsolidated and poorly consolidated sand, silt, and gravel mainly in flood plains ,etaus, e|cc. i.
Ordovician sedimentary rocks. Marine beds in which Guartzite and argillaceous rocks are plentiful; some calcareous beds included.
ID 046-13 Boulder Creek - Potential for gold, copper, molybdenum, and uranium.
Geology: Tertiary Challis volcanics and associated rocks, mostly of intermediate composition, but rhyolite and basalt are included, moderately consolidated tuff and sediments with variable tuff content. Quaternary glacial deposits (gravel, boulders, and sand).
Again, we appreciate the opportunity to provide our comments to the BLM on this important issue.
ieee
DK Dretesalf R. Mitchell
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J.R. Mitchell Public Lands Coordinator
February 17, 1982
Mr. Don Smith Challis/Mackay Resource Area P.O. Box 430.
Salmon, Idaho 83467
RE: Challis/Mackay Management Framework Plan Dear Mr. Smiths
Atlantic Richfield Company appreciates the opportunity to present comments to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on land use and resource potential which we believe should receive full consideration Guring the preparation of the Challis/Mackay Resource Management Framework Plan (MFP) in Idaho.
Atlantic Richfield Company is concerned with inflexible environmental laws and regulations which have often characterized the manner in which the government has constrained the search for and development of additional energy supplies. Such constraints have severely limited the accessibility and utilization of energy and mineral resources vitally needed to add stability to the nation's economy and to reduce its dependence on insecure foreign imports. The nation cannot afford a land management policy that denies the public the right to seek energy and mineral resources. The BLM has the opportunity and responsibility to develop multiple- use management guidelines for the public lands under its jurisdiction that will not only contain reasonable guidelines to protect the environment but will also contain the necessary encouragement to explore for and develop the resource potential of the area. Accordingly, we recommend that the BLM give full consideration to the area's resource potential during the development of the MFP. Further, we recommend that the BLM include in its final plan for the Challis/Mackay Resource Area the necessary provisions to encourage the eee eon for and appropriate development of the area's energy and mineral resource potential.
Geothermal
We believe the Mackay Planning Unit, Challis/Mackay Resource Area in south central Idaho has geothermal
90
Mr. Don Smith February 17, 1982 Page. 2
energy resource potential. The five WSA's contained in this area are outlined on the attached map (Geothermal Energy Resources of the Western United States, Paul J. Grim, 1977).
Two Of the WSA‘'s (46-13 Boulder Creek and 46-14a Jerry Peak West) overlap with a large area that the U.S. Geological Survey has classified as being valuable prospectivley for geothermal resources. Also, these two WSA's are situated along the east fork of the Salmon River (within the Idaho batholith) where there are several thermal springs in the vicinity ranging in temperature from 419°C to 55°C, We believe these two WSA's are very promising for development of geothermal energy resources. The other three WSA's are located a few miles east of these two.
The Challis/Mackay Resource Area is characterized by high heat flow values ranging between 60 and 180 milliwatts per square meter and geothermal gradients between 30°C per kilometer and, locally, up to 70°C per kilometer. Extrapolating these gradients to Gepth indicates that temperatures sufficient for electric power generation should be encountered between 13,000 to 30,000 feet. Temperatures satisfactory for direct use would be encountered at significantly lesser depths,
We believe the BLM's MFP for this area should recognize the potential for both present and future exploration and development of geothermal resources. Specifically, we recommend that the MFP provide for the opportunity to explore, lease, and appropriately develop this energy resource,
Oil and Gas
The Challis/Mackay area of Idaho may be {included in the Overthrust Belt Province. This province is highly productive in the Idaho-Wyoming border region, the most recent area to contribute to the huge reserves of a belt that trends far into Canada.
The Challis/Mackay area has just recently gained the interest of ARCO Exploration. AS a result of some recent geologic field work, it has been established that the area contains potential source and reservoir
9]
Mr. Don Smith February 17, 1982 Page 3
rocks, and that favorable structural features are present for the trapping of hydrocarbons, Although Atlantic Richfield Company holds no leases in the area at present, initial land work has commenced.
One major government-related problem has already been encountered —- the Challis National Forest in the Lost River Range is closed to exploration until an Environmental Assessment has been completed. This could take years and will severely handicap an exploration effort in this area. We have decided that our strategy to deal with this problem will be to explore on BLM rather than Forest Service lands. Therefore, it is essential that we not be locked out of BLM land also,
It must be emphasized that the Challis/Mackay area and its 5 WSA's have high petroleum potential but are unexplored. Intensive exploration must be performed to gain adequate understanding of geology; and it is, therefore, essential that exploration teams have access to the area. Exploration activities may include geologic field reconnaissance and sampling, seismic, and potential field survey crews, and well Grilling.
Minerals
Anaconda Minerals Company, a division of Atlantic Richfield Company, has no properties in this resource area. However, the presence of several historic mining districts in the Challis and Mackay Planning Units indicate significant mineral potent{ial and may be of future interest to Anaconda. At present, however, we have found little mineralization associated with the five WSA's. The information used in the following evaluation is from the USGS Mineral and Water Resources of Idaho, 1964, and the Idaho Bureau Of Mines and Geology Mineral Resource Map, Loo
Occurrences of copper, gold, lead, silver, zinc, molybdenite, and flurospar have been reported from the Bayhorse and Boulder mining district. Copper occurs as replacement of galena tetrahedrite and other sulfides along shears in Paleozoic dolonite, intruded by granodiorite. Gold occurs as shallow silver-—-gold veins in Tertiary volcanic rocks and as
92
Mr. Don Smith February 17,1982 Page 4
placers in gravels along the tributaries of the Salmon River. Lead, zinc, and silver are replacements in veins in Paleozoic dolomitic rocks and slates. Molybdenite is seen in Scattered quartz veinlets as disseminated grains in quartzite near its contact with granite at the Boulder Creek prospect.
The Mackay or Alder Creek mining district has produced varying amounts of copper, fluorspar, and molybdenite. Copper occurs as a contact deposit with chalcopyrite in skarn in Brazier limestone, intruded by tranite. Fluorspar and molybdenite occur in association with the copper minerals.
In summary, Atlantic Richfield Company supports multiple-use management of the public lands and believes that such management is in the best interest of the nation. The nation has the right to know what resource potential exists on public lands prior to the imposition of far reaching land allocation decisions. Impediments to multiple-use activities on public lands should be removed and additional constraints should not be imposed. Accordingly, we recommend that the final MFP for the Challis/Mackay Resource Area include provisions that encourage exploration and appropriate development of the energy and mineral resource potential throughout the entire planning area.
Again, we appreciate the opportunity to comment to the BLM on this important issue.
Sincerely,
OK. 7nchihell J. R. Mitchell JRM:drm
Attachment
23
reais Vea Cecil ics cru ces, GN aoe 4 so i (HGRA. eae Pa ie Crosse Lalk oe Tail erate a SiC iNeed ee White, h.p.P. Matfler, and ROG. Waytand, “Classification of Public tands Valuable for Geothermal Steam and Associated Geo- thermal Resources,” Geological Survey Cir- cular O47 (1971). Data tehen from U.S. J; Geological Survey Conservation Division Ff maps (Scale 1:500,000). tn general, bound- aies shown are’ those in existence ino mid- 1976 and wre subject to change.
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geothermal steam) and as- sochiled peothermal resources. — Reference and source of data same as for KGRA's, ahove, Likewise, in) peneral, boundaries Shawn awe those in caistence in mid-1976 wd are subject to change,
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3-1 We have reviewed the new U.S.G.S. maps. New data has been added to the FEIS on energy and mineral resources (see responses 1-2 and 2-1). No GEM assessment was conducted for these WSAs.
96
3-1]
G)
mes PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS:
MINERALS EXPLORATION P. O. Box 15638
COALITION ; Denver, Colorado 80215
August 4, 1982
Mr. Dave Wolf - Team Leader Bureau of Land Management P.O. Box, 430
Salmon, Idaho 83467
Dear Sirs:
This letter constitutes the written comments of the Minerals Exploration Coalition (MEC) on the Challis Wilderness Plan Amendment/Environmental Impact Statement Draft. The MEC represents mineral exploration companies and individuals conducting hard mineral exploration on federal land.
The geology and minerals information is rather sketchy. As you probably know, the U. S. Geological Survey is currently conducting a thorough mineral assessment of the Challis 1° by 2° quadrangle under the CUSMAP program. This has been underway for a year or two, and includes collecting new geologic, geochemical, and geophysical data. If these data are not available to you now, they should be soon. The individuals doing the work are probably available to you for consultation now. These data, plus the information prepared for the Bureau of Land Management under contract as part of its Geological, Energy, Minerals (GEM) resource assessments program now underway, should provide much more good information. The best geologic and mineral information available should be used in this important wilderness review.
In view of the fact that wilderness areas designated after December 31, 1983 will be withdrawn from appropriation under the mining and leasing laws, we believe that all areas with mineral potential should be excluded from wilderness designation, even though no economic deposit is now known. Fhe withdrawal limitations will preclude collection of new data and new areas of mineral potential will not be found. With new discoveries effectively stopped, the policy of excluding all currently known mineral potential from
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wilderness should be followed, so that exploration of these areaS will not be restricted and minerals might yet be produced. Explorationists tend to look at the long term because the lead time of discovery may be ten to fifteen years. The impact of wilderness on minerals should be assessed over the long term (a century or more). We believe that land use decisions should be in conformity with the policies statements made in the National Minerals Program Plan and Report to Congress released by the President in April.
Corral - Horse Basin
The MEC favors the preferred alternative of no wilderness.
While it is stated on page 39 that energy and minerals were not a factor in this decision, the potential for discovery
of oil and gas cited on page 25 should not be preempted by
wilderness designation.
Jerry Peak East and Jerry Peak West
These WSA's contain potential for the discovery of oil and gas, and should remain open for exploration. The studies mentioned earlier may provide more information on the resource potential of the locatable minerals. The MEC believes that these WSA's should not be recommended for wilderness designation.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this draft environmental impact statement.
Sincerely, MINERALS EXPLORATION COALITION
OWL
John D. Wells Managing Director
JDW/mh
99
4-1
The energy and mineral resource sections throughout the EIS have been reviewed and supplemented (see response 2-1) with new informa- tion. We agree that the overlying volcanics do prevent as complete an analysis as the BLM or the mineral industry would like.
The BLM feels that it can and must make recommendations based on the information available. Recommendations can be revised if new and pertinent information surfaces.
The State of Idaho has indicated an intent to exchange state lands included in any future wilderness areas. The BLM supports this view and would work to effect exchanges of each value lands with no federal expenditures required.
100
CONOCO
E. Fred Birdsall Conoco Ine.
Director Administration and Personnel 555 17th Street Denver, CO 80202 (303) 575-6123
June 15, 1982
Dave Wolf, Team Leader Bureau of Land Management Box 430 Salmon, Idaho 83467
Dear Mr. Wolf:
] EIS quality standards are to include, among other criteria, a thorough
consideration of identified or potential energy and mineral resource values. The Challis Plan Amendment is presented with a difficult enigma. The
4-] area is overlaid with volcanics which have thus far shielded underlying Paleozoics from investigation. Even though you acknowledge that these underlying sediments could contain oil and gas, you cannot (nor can anyone at present) meet the mandated quality standard of "thorough consideration of...potential energy and mineral resource values."
It, therefore, follows that a "No action" alternative is the only viable p= 2 | option at this point, since you can justify neither all wilderness, partial wilderness, nor no wilderness. Given a limited federal treasury plus the other priorities for federal 4-3 | monies demanding our national attention, I am unalterably opposed to the acquisition of inheld state or private acreage in order to create wilderness manageability.
Very truly yours, Ll bidit! Ao, Gf
E. Fred Birdsall
ae
cc: An orrelLl
101
5-1 Boulder Creek will be evaluated in a future study.
5-2 This is contrary to BIM policy regarding constructed roads (see FEIS page 8). :
102
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Julye-21.92 1982
Dave Wolf =- Team Leader BLM
PO Box 430
Salmon, ID 83467
Dear Mr, Wolf
On behalf of EARTH FIRST!, a national environmental group, I'd like to offer the following recommendations on the Challis Wilderness Plan Amendment. I am personally quite interested in these areas since I own property in the Salmon National Forest and will be moving there next yeare
1. Boulder Creek (46-13) - Wilderness designation for the 1,930 acres as part of a White Cloud-Boulder Wilderness with the adjacent NF lands.
2. Corral-Horse Basin (46-119, Jerry Peak (46-14), and Jerry Peak West (46-144) - Close the roads and vehicle ways dividing these areas and within these areas and combine them in a single Wilderness recommendation of approximately 110,000 acres.
Sincerely
ee Lease an Dave Foreman
Issues Coordinator EARTH FIRST!
PO Box 235
Ely, NV ~89301
103
e
6-1 This has been noted in the FEIS (page 7).
6-2
6-3
These areas and acreages are noted for each WSA in the FEIS (pages 129513, 15, 17, 195 20 feande22)-
See page 5, Issue #1, for a discussion of livestock grazing and range management and pages 10, 15, and 21 for a detailed discussion of this program specific to each WSA. None of the alternatives would negate the work of the Challis Range Stewardship Steering Group.
104
STATE OF IDAHO
DEPARTMENT OF LANDS
Eastern Idaho Area Office Route 1, Box 400 (Beeches Corner) Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401 July 27, 1982
Dave Wolf, Team Leader Bureau of Land Management P20 Boxe 430
Salmon, ID 83467
Dear Mr. Wolf:
The "Challis Plan Amendment and Wilderness Environmental Impact Statement Draft" has been reviewed by this office. We make the following comments relative to this proposal.
1. The Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners has stated previously in a letter to prior BLM Idaho State Director William L. Matthews their concerns with impacts to State Endowment Lands from any BLM wilderness classifications. They state that "should any wilderness classification of BLM lands restrict income-producing abilities of any state lands, the State insists upon assurances of prompt and equitable land exchange." They are very explicit in this statement.
2. The boundaries of WSA 46-14 Jerry Peak and WSA 46-14A Jerry Peak West adjoin, but do not include, some sections of state land that will probably have to be exchanged with the BLM if the mandate of the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners is followed as outlined in No. 1.
3. These two wilderness study areas encompass some grazing allotments receiving considerable study and attention from the Challis Range Stew- ardship Steering Group. This group was specifically set up and com- posed of members of all concerned government agencies, private groups and grazing permittees to foster, develop and enhance cooperative man- agement and use of this range land. Any wilderness requirements now that would negate any worthwhile accomplishments of this group would be a terrible waste of manpower, hours and money. The impact to this cooperative management program should be considered carefully by the wilderness review committee.
Sincerely yours,
Ler DeeBENEDICK Area Supervisor LDB:1w
105 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
7-1 It is our feeling that with the recent completion of the Corps of Engineers Satellite chinook salmon facility whose sole purpose is to mitigate fish loss due to downstream dams that these potential sites will never be developed. Therefore, while we note these possibili- ties, they have not been included in the alternative scenarios.
106
United States Department of the Interior
MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE RESTON, VA. 2209]
In Reply Refer To: MMS-Mail Stop 650
Memorandum
To: District Manager, Bureau of Land Management Salmon, Idaho
From: Acting Associate Director, Onshore Minerals Operations
Subject: Challis Wilderness Plan Amendment/Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Idaho
We have reviewed the subject plan amendment and draft environmental impact Statement. The Minerals Management Service has no lands withdrawn for water- power and water storage purposes in the--units which are designated as “with wilderness characteristics." However, there are two potential sites located
on the East Fork Salmon River that would be affected by the wilderness proposal, although we are not aware of any active plans for development. These sites are briefly described as follows.
Little Wickiup diversion dam would be located in sec. 4, T. 8 N., R. 17 Eo A 5-mile diversion to a powerhouse site in sec. 11, T. 9 N., Re 17 E., would peee toe a gross head of 4/70 feet. This head and an estimated mean flow of 210 ft’/s would produce 4.8 MW of water at 100 percent efficiency.
The Fox Creek diversion damsite is in sec. 3, T. 9 N., R. 18 Ej~j A 200-foot- high dam would BRIG te a storage reservoir of 103,000 acre-feet and regulate a mean flow of 225 ft/s. A gross head of 550 feet could be developed by divert- ing water 8 miles downstream to a powerhouse in sec. 35, T. 11 N., R. 18 E., for a power potential of 10.5 MW at 100 percent efficiency.
The Road Creek damsite in sec. 24, T. 10 N., R. 18 E., would be an alternative to the Fox Creek site as a low dam development. A 135-foot-high dam in sec. 24, T. 10 N., Rw 18 E.~, would develop a reservoir with a storage capacity of 22,800 acre-feet.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this document.
[) Sous v Bike
Andrew V. Bailey j
107
THE WILDERNESS se lei
Northem Rockics Regional Office 107 West Lawrence, P. O. Box 1184, Helena, Montana 59601 (406}443-7350
May 27, 1982
Dave Wolf, Team Leader. Bureau of Land Management P.O. Box 430
Salmon, ID 83467
Dear Dave,
I enjoyed our visit in your office on May 19. Our meeting was especially timely given the fact that you were in the process of mailing out the draft EIS for the four WSA's south of Challis. I have briefly reviewed the draft and it strikes me that the wilderness recommendations for the Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West Units are well founded Indeed these areas far exceed the minimm requirements for wilderness as defined by (: Congress in the 1964 Wilderness Act.
During my drive from Salmon to Boise on May 20 I had a chance to travel up Broken Wagon Creek for a quick look at the Corral/Horse Basin Unit (46-11). This large unit (48,500 acres) appears to contain at least some land that should be reconmended for wilderness.
I am not prepared at this time to submit final comments. However, the quick look I had at the Corral/Horse Basin area in the vicinity of Broken Wagon Creek indicated much more diversity than you led us to believe during our meeting. I had the impression that the unit was nothing more than rolling sagebrush country when in fact the portion of the area I saw contains stringers of timber, high ridges, heavily disected draws and some interesting geologic formations. In addition, the scenery from various points in the unit is spectacular, with views of the Lost River Range, the Lemhi and other central Idaho high mountain ranges. It also seems to me that opportunities for solitude in
this unit are outstanding. The other characteristics also appear to be present.
I will read the EIS in more detail,and, if possible, I will join you on a field trip before the end of the August 2 conment deadline on the draft,
Again thanks for a good meeting. Sincerely, 00 Bill Cumningham Regional Representative COW Eide eri crkson Karen Mazzola
Bruce Boccard Chris Yoder
“In wildness is the preservation of the world.” - Thorcau Y
108 KH
Dave Wolf
During my trip through Challis on May 20 I stopped and visited with Jack Bills, Supervisor of the Challis Forest. I asked him about the Challis Forest land
south of the recommended wildernesses located between the further planning area and the BIM WSA's. I indicated that we would like to see a cooperative recommenda- tion between both agencies:for a physiographic boundary rather than the arbitrary
‘Section line boundary proposed in the draft. He was not receptive to the idea but
I did make a strong case that the Forest Service should at least consider it. Enclosed please find a copy of my follow-up letters to Jack and Clair Whitlock. Jack said that he would be willing to take me on an overflight in order to get a view of the entire area. Please let me know what happens on this from your end.
109
TE VV ERIN nes ©. Ciera.
Northern Rockies Regional Office 107 West Lawrence, P. O. Box 1184, Helena, Montana 59601 (406)}443-7350
May e2ife0 doSZ
Jack Bills, Forest Supervisor Challis National Forest Forest Service Building Challis, ID 83226
Dear Jack,
I very much enjoyed our visit in your office on May 20. I'm glad that you were able to take time for a wide-ranging discussion on a variety of issues. I especially appreciate the update on.the Cyprus Thompson Creek project.
During my drive from Challis to Boise I decided to take Highway 93 via Arco. I was able to get a quick look at the Corral/Horse Basin Wilderness Study Area which has been recommended as unsuitable for wilderness by the BLM. I drove a few miles up the Broken Wagon Road and took a hike along a juniper-covered ridge. Frankly, I was impressed by
the wilderness characteristics of the area. I realize that I've seen only a small portion of the unit but it does appear natural while possessing the other characteristics defined by the 1964 Wilderness Act. I haven't yet seen the Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West WSA's Which are proposed for wilderness by the BLM. I really appreciate your offer to take an aerial tour of the area in June or July. I'11 let you know as soon as I can pin down
my Schedule.
I do understand your’ reasons for not wanting to recommend for wilderness the strip of undeveloped national forest land Between the BLM recommended wilderness and further Planning area boundary. From a wilderness management and designation standpoint it makes little logical sense to draw the boundary along the arbitrary jurisdictional section lines separating the public domain from the national forest. If it's wilderness north of the line on the BIM then certainly it's wilderness south of the line as well. If there is an error as to wilderness suitability we would prefer to err on the side of wilderness since wilderness decisions are reversible. On the other hand, development decisions are irreversible in terms of the wilderness resource. Again, my somewhat quick view of the country indicates that the land possesses the characteristics of wilderness. ~
We definitely believe that wilderness management dnd livestock management in the area c be compatible as BLM indicates in the draft EIS. A couple of years ago I spoke to the Owyhee Cattlemen's Association concerning livestock grazing in wilderness. I am enclos- ing a copy of the paper which I presented at that time. The recommendations in this paper were well received by the cattlemen and have since been formally adopted in the Conference Conmittee Report for the River of No Return Wilderness. Making livestock management compatible with wilderness management objectives presents an important challenge to the Forest Service. From what I know of the agency, it 1S capable wor meeting this challenge.
| “In wildness is the preservation of the world.” -
S10
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Norther Rockies Regional Office | 07 West Lawrence, P. O. Box 1184, Helena, Montana 09601 (406)443-7350 | May 27, 1982
| | \ | \
Clair Whitlock, State Director Bureau of Land Management Federal Building, Box 042
550 W. Fort Street
Boise, ID 83724
Dear Clair,
It was a real pleasure to at last meet in Boise at the Sheep Producers/Environmental- ists Committee meeting on May 21. We had an excellent session and I certainly appreciate your active participation in the meeting. In particular, it was good to get your insight into the land sales program advocated by the Reagan Administration. I am hopeful that our committee resolution calling for public disclosure of the inventory data will be honored by the Administration and that we will soon have a complete listing of areas identified by the Bureau for possible sale within the State of Idaho.
You might recall that we briefly discussed the BLM Wilderness Review Program in Idaho. I mentioned that I toured the WSA's on the Salmon District south of Challis. I am pleased to see the Bureau recommend wilderness designation for Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West. I took a brief hike into the Corral/Horse Basin unit which has been recommended as unsuitable for wilderness. My quick look at this area indicates that it does indeed possess: high wilderness values. We may be making a wilderness recommend: ation after I've had a chance to study the EIS and perhaps look at the area on the ground in more detail.
With. regard to the Jerry Peak Units, I feel strongly that the southern portion of the boundary should not be the arbitrary section line between the public domain and the national forest. Rather, we should include within a potential Jerry Peak Wilderness qualified. contiguous National Forest land to the south. TI mentioned to you that I discussed this possibility with Jack Bills, Supervisor of the Challis National Forest during my visit in the area on May 20. Jack was not receptive to the idea but I believe that more conservationists are going to recognize the opportunity of a jointly: administered BIM/Forest Service wilderness in this area. You may see recommendations from Salmon-area conservationists to this effect in the near future.
Again, it.was a pleasure to visit with you. I wish you every success in your adninis— tration as Idaho State Director.
| _—~incerely,
“In wildness is the preservation of the world.” - na
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Claiy Whitlock, State Director, Bureau of Land Management
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11-1 Consultation and coordination has included the State Historic Preservation Officer and the Bureau of Indian Affairs
114
UNITED CIAIES GOVERNMENT | memorandum PATE: JUN 0.8 1982 |
| | tin or:Branch of Land Services - Portland Area Office
lumect:Review of Challis Wilderness Plan Amendment/EIS
:
ro:Bureau of Land Management, P.0. Box 430 Salmon, Idaho 83467 | Attention: Dave Wolf, Team Leader * As requested)we have reviewed the subject statement and provide the following comments:
We note reference to the Treaty Rights of the Shoshone and Bannock Indians of the Fort Hall Reservation, Idaho.
We find.no reference to consultation with representatives of Indian tribes of | Idaho in regard to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 (PL | 95-341). Wilderness designations are compatible with the intent of the | Religious Freedom Act. We recommend that consultation be initiated with tribal representatives to determine applicability of the Act in relation to the areas of concern. Contacts for such consultation ares
Mr. Duane Thompson, Superintendent Fort Hall Agency
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Fort Hall, Idaho 83203
Mr. R. Willis Dixey, Chairman Fort Hall Business Council Fort Hall, Idaho 83201
Mr. Wyman McDonald, Superintendent Northern Idaho Agency
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Lapwai, Idaho 83540
Mr. Bernard J. LaSarte, Chairman Coeur d' Alene Tribal Council Plummer, Idaho 83851
Mr. Wilfred A. Scott, Chairman
Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee P.O. Box 305
Lapwai, Idaho 83540
es ES Acting Assistant Area Director (Economic Development)
(OF7 ONAL FORM NO. 10 (Pav. 1-60)
145 Gea Pr MR (41 CFR) 103-11.6 PASTY
®© Gro 1 1981 O - 341-526 (7008)
12-1 This comment is correct (see Impacts on Water Quality pages
52,54, 56,58 ,60;62 ,64;andi 465) In the Jerry Peak WSA the All Wilderness Alternative reduces sediment loads in the East Fork 4% while the No Wilderness Alternative increases sediment by 10%. In the Jerry Peak West WSA the All Wilderness Alternative would have no change on water quality while the No Wilderness Alternative could increase sediment by 1%.
116
LER 12 GS\STATE OF IDAHO
LOB EHS,
2° DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DIVISION GEENINGUNENT AND WELFARE hat hire
June 17, 1982
Mr. Jerry Goodman, Acting District Manager Bureau of Land Management
P.O. Box 430
Salmon, ID 83647
Dear Mr. Goodman:
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare - Division of Environment has reviewed the Challis Wilderness Plan Amendment - Draft EIS, and wishes to submit the following comments.
The DEIS indicates that designation of wilderness status will serve to increase soil stability and decrease erosion (due to elimination of off-road vehicle use), thereby improving water quality. A non- 12-1 wilderness designation (no action alternative) will have negative impacts on soil stability and water quality. On the basis of water quality impacts to tributaries of a special resource water, the Division concurs with the proposal to designate the Jerry Peak (46-14) and Jerry Peak West (46-14a) areas as wilderness areas,
| . | |
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this draft EIS.
Sincerety,
Lee W. Stokes, Ph.D. Administrator
LWS/kks
cc: Dick Thiel, EPA - Region X EPA - Idaho Operations Office
bE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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14-1
Vehicle use and its impacts on wilderness values was only one factor; in the recommendations. While vehicle restrictions are on effect of wilderness designation, the justifications for the proposed action do not rely on vehicle restrictions. On page 45 of the EIS it indicates that ORV use in WSA 46-14 is minor and on page 62 it is indicated that ORV use in WSA 46-14a is virtually non-existent. In the final EIS notation is made for both WSA 46-14 (pg. 38) and WSA 46-14a (pg. 42 ) that erosional features associated with excessive or inappropriate ORV use are not evident.
120
14
ae States Soil Room 345 epartment of Conservation Aeacaittire Sone 304 North 8th Street
Boise, Idaho 83702 July 7, 1982
Dave Wolf
Team Leader
Bureau of Land Management Pe 0. 80x5430
Salmon, Idaho 83467
Dear Mr. Wolf:
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the draft Challis Wilderness Plan Amendment/Environmental Impact Statement. We have the following comments:
19) WSA 46-11 - Corral - Horse Basin -- We agree with the preferred altern- ative N.
2) WSA 46-14 - Jerry Peak -- We disagree with the preferred alternative - Alternative W.
It appears the principal reason for placing this area in a wilderness designation is vehicle use restriction. This is not sufficient cause
to off-set the cost of implementing the wilderness restrictions, i.e. land purchase, fence construction, patrolling, etc., or loss of the
use of a resource (commercial timber harvest) which will be lost due to current mistletoe infestation and ultimate spread throughout the forest.
Perhaps a multiple use plan could be developed which can include ORV management, forest resource management, grazing management and other essential actions necessary to preserve the basic resources in a natural state.
3) WSA 46-14a -- Jerry Peak West -- We disagree with the preferred alterm- ative — Alternative W.
The same reasoning applies to this unit as stated for WSA 46-14. As stated on page 69 of the draft EIS, under preferred alternatives, "Multiple resource benefits which could occur upon wilderness designa- tion could also be realized by management actions instituted under no wilderness management."
None of these three areas are contiguous to any other designated wilderness with the exception of a 0.75 mile section of the southwest corner of WSA 46-l4a which joins the proposed wildermess area WSA 46-13. Also, the south boundaries of both WSA 46-14 and 46-14a are adjacent to USFS land which apparently did not qualify for wilderness designation under the RARE II inventory
GAD ym: At (Acting)
Amos ve b...Garrison,..Jr.
State Conservationist 121 The Soil Conservation Service SCS-AS-1 1S an agency of the 10-79 Department of Agriculture
15
Noranda Exploration, Inc. 2436 West Central Avenue Missoula, Montano 59801
noranaa
July 15, 1982
MR. DAVE WOLF, Team Leader Bureau of Land Management P.O. Box 430
Salmon, ID 83467
Dear Mr. Wolf:
I offer the following comments on the Challis Wilderness Planning Amendment Draft E.1I.S. for your consideration.
I agree with the no wilderness recommendation for Corral - Horse Basin W.S.A. (46-11)... However, I disagree with the wilderness recommendation of Jerry Peak W.S.A. (46-14) and Jerry Peak West W.S.A. (46-14a).
The Draft E.I.S. does not do an adequate job of stating why additional wilderness is needed in this area. Boise is the only "standard metropolitan statistical area", as defined by the Bureau of the Census, within five hours of the W.S.A. However,. within five hours of Boise there already exists 20 wilderness areas (3,941,553 acres) and an additional 144 Study areas (4,419,707 acres).
It appears that this area already has unusually rich wilder- ness opportunities to offer the State of Idaho. In order to maintain the multiple-use ethic of our public lands, I pro- pose that each study area be rigorously evaluated to see if other public land users might be able to benefit more from a non-wilderness classification. I believe this is the case with the Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West W.S.A.
Sincerely,
NORANDA apshve pwei INC.
fail EE Pee
Paul E. Fredericks Geologist
PEF/sg
ez
16
IN REPLY REFER TO
United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Salmon District Office 20m DOxXea80 Salmon, Idaho 83467 (208) 756-2201
May 18, 1982
Greetings:
As I think you are aware the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Salmon District has been conducting a wilderness study of four areas south of Challis, Idaho. We have just completed and released a Draft Challis Plan Amendment and Wilderness Environmental Impact Statement for public review and comment.
The comment period lasts until August 2, 1982. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 30, 1982, to receive oral and written testimony. The hearing will be held at the Northgate Inn in Challis, Idaho. In order for us to prepare a preliminary list of testifiers, please contact the Salmon District office by June 28, 1982. If you have any further questions about the hearing, please call Dave Wolf, EIS team leader, at (208) 756-2201.
The four Wilderness Study Areas are shown on the attached map. Utilizing existing inventory data and identified significant issues, a team of resource specialists has identified and analyzed impacts which could result if the lands involved were designated by Congress as wilderness and the impacts if Congress decided against a wilderness designation. Also considered are several alternatives which would divide two of the WSAs into areas with some wilderness and some non-wilderness.
Qur preliminary recommendations are: Vio Meek 3 1) Non-suitable for wilderness 4 S Ipey
WSA 46-11, Corral-Horse Basin
2) Suitable for wilderness Joy Peak tty
WSA 46-14, Jerry Peak
WSA 46-14a, Jerry Pea Wouesa~ Crk ONLAT
3) Recommendation Deferred ass WSA 46-13, Boulder Creek (WSA ¥*S being studied with adjatent
USFS RARE II Area.) lhe
We had only a limited number of draft EISs printed. If you would like a copy of the completed document please let us know and we will get one to
you.
eas)
aes Tee
17-1 The BLM's Salmon District has four other WSA's under study: 45-1 Goldburg, 45-12 Burnt. Creek and 47-4 Borah Peak.
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124
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18
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
500 Say REGION X 2 % 1200 SIXTH AVENUE < ge 3 WZ: | SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98101 Zz Reo 74 ppore™
on Mis e443
Jerry Goodman
Acting District Manager Salmon Dictrict Office Bureau of Land Management Poo. “Box t430
Salmon, Idaho 83467
RE: Challis Plan Amendment and Wilderness Study Areas
Dear Mr. Goodman:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed review of the Challis Plan Amendment and Wilderness Draft Environmental Impact Statement. We have no comments at this time and look forward to receiving the Final Environmental Impact Statement.
EPA has rated this EIS LO-1 [LO -- Lack of Objection; 1 -- Sufficient Information]. We appreciate the opportunity to review this report.
Sincerely,
Ket ATG 8 Lb
John R. Spencer Regional Adminstrator
125
Eocene eox O727 Moscow, ID 32423 2e.July 1982
Dist. Manager, BLM
P.O. Box 430
Salmon, ID 83467 CHALLIS WILDSRN&SS SIS
DeEGS STaeS
T have read your proposed) EIS on Wilderness in andsgaround Cah.
You have, with one exception, done a thoughtful job on this; SIS and certainly did not deserve the poor, miserable comments reported by the
press at the meeting in Challis. Fortunatdty, the folks in Challis do not have much corner on wisdom and have never been noted for thinking muck about future genrrations.
In any event, the two Jerry Peak WSA's, both of which have amazingly high Scenic and wildlife values, received the proper recommendation in the HIS. However, much the same terrain and wildlife concerns are at issue in the Corral-Horse Basin WSA. The role of this area in bighorn restoration is crucial and it deserves the fullest protection possible--that of Wilderness. I hope that you will add this area to the recommendation for the other two areaS.
Sincerely,
Ne Bee
Dennis Baird
126
19
20
District Manager 3808 Andrews koad Bureau of Land Management Medford, Oregon 97501 Box 430 Julyaeo,. 1902
Salmon, Idaho 83467
Deateol ys
I would like to take tnis opportunity to comment on the Draft Cnallis Wilderness Plan Amendment/EIS. After reviewing the document I support the proposed action which I understand to recommend as suitable for wilderness 46,150 acres of Jerry Peak and 14550 acres of Jerry Feak West. I base my views supporting Wilderness designation on the overall multiple-use benefits of preservation and the specifics of each area's managability and Wilderness characteristics. Designation of Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West as Wilderness would have little effect on the timber situation as planned in the existing MFP. Roughly 2400 acres would have to be deleted from the timber base as stated in the EIS. This small resource conflict is heavily outweighed by the specific benefits of preservation including tne boost to the Chinook Salmon fishery. Additionally, designation would definetly enhance tne National Wilderness Preservation System's diversity and keep in tact the primitive routes of travel. through the White Cloud Mountain Country. I urge Wilderness suitable designation for the entire Jerry Peak and
Jerry Peak West areas.
sincerely,
Devge vt Pd ice Daryl Komeyn
Vai
Rope a: Atfae Co. 80883
(404) 262-6649
July 26, 1982
Mr. Jerry Goodman
Acting District Manager Bureau of Land Management Box 430
Salmon, Idaho 83467
Dear Mr. Goodman:
We have reviewed the Draft Challis Wilderness Plan Amendment/Environmental Impact Statement, Salmon District, Idaho. We are responding on behalf of the U.S. Public Health Service.
Implementation of the preferred alternative would not involve losses to the long-term productivity of the environment, and would not adversely impact the health and safety of people in or around the area. Therefore, we have no specific comments regarding the proposed wilderness designation.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this draft statement. Please send us a copy of the final document when it becomes available.
Sincerely yours,
; : feet it
Ce oe
Frank S. Lisella, Ph.D.
Chief, Environmentai Affairs Group
Environmental Health Services Division
Center for Environmental Health
128
22
BRUCE BOWLER LAWYER
244 SONNA BUILDING BOISE,IDAHO 83702
PHONE 343-6072
July 29, 1982
District Manager
Bureau of Land Management Pa ae DO Xe OU
Salmon, Idaho 83467
Re: Draft Challis Plan Amendment and Wilderness Environmental Impact Statement
Dear Sars
This comment is in support of your recommendations for Jerry Peak, WSA 46-14, and Jerry Peak West, WSA 46-14a, as shown by your Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
These areas have high wildlife values that need the protection of wilderness status administration. I know this from having, in past years, hunted antelope, deer, and Sage hens in the vicinity. We can also hope for re- establishment of the historic big horn sheep that used to range in these areas.
The Jerry Peak Wilderness study areas have too high publicsinterest, to be used. for‘cattle grazing, and you.are comménded for recommending their suitability for wilderness Status.
Many thanks.
Sincerely yours,
Bruce Bowler
BB/kmk
129
JOEN R. SWANSON Po OF Box 922 23
Berreley. Calif. 94701
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24
July 31, 19&2
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2 Support your ‘ilderness recommendation for the Jerry Freak and Jerry Peek wilderness Ctucy Areas. in addition to high recreational values, these ‘/SA'! have high wilalire values, including habitat for antelope, deer, elk, coyote, golden eagle, and grouse.
It eppeats to me that these 2 SA's should be 2 part of the much larger complex eventually designated as ‘iilderness, including also the “White Cloud- Boulder Roadiess Area and the strip of Challis !l.ational Forest between that R.A. and the 2 BLN ViSA's. A number of years ago, I spent several days hiking in that area. ‘Je started in N. Fork Big Lost xiver and went down Hast Pass Creek, climbing Howrey Peak (just S. of Sheep iit.), down to Herd Creek, and back up its East Fork. The country was beautiful
end little used by hikers. There was heavy cattle use by the creeks in some places, out no other apparent human impacts. It certainly appeared to qualify as i’ilderness. if you havenYt already done so, 2 ee you coordinate with the Forest Service on the possibility of one ler Wilderness recomnendation.
tou heard a lot of old anti-wilderness ergunents at the Challis public hearing apparently. JI hope you're not weighting local opinion any heavier than distant opinion, since the public lands belong to all of us.
Some argue thet many wilderness areas are "underused". It's true that sone arepiative weed ibys mansedixectiy jsuchyas) forsrecreation.., This: isn't, highly relemant, as use has been on the increase and is expected to be. Also,
we preserve wilderness for other reasons than just recreational potential;
for esample, also for habitat oretection rezsons.
‘thers argue that giving an area a wilderness designation attracts rore
Dee Cae msevanc slesds vo. inereased Cceradation.= A> ain, partly cree in Some cases; mowever, it seens to be increa oe publicity over an are2 that increases he NSesinenany cases, ald notes §. Miverncess cesizenation., and’ of COUTSE, sunmermast.LO Try anc minimize —— smeetete On Four Henasnane wale. ands is not by wermcing them in esctent, which a failure to designate as Wilcemess Wil!) tend te lead to.
is 1562 ma a ok ace nOm idles, Tdaho 53462 CGip Cheese POnal. Oreste DET LOCUL sw tiCnal acrest
god
United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Pacific Northwest Region Westin Building, Room 1920
IN REPLY REFER TO: 2001 Sixth Avenue Seattle. Washington 98121 1202-03 3
DESSozied (PNR-RE)
July 28, 1982
Memorandum Tot Acting District Manager, Salmon District, Bureau of Land Management From: Associate Regional Director, Recreation Resources and Professional
Services
Subject: Draft Challis Plan Amendment and Wilderness Environmental Impact Statement
We have received and reviewed the Draft Challis Plan Amendment and Wilderness Environmental Impact Statement and have the following comments:
There is no disagreement with the Plan Amendment’ or the EIS. The decisions reached and the reasons for the decisions appear reasonable. Wilderness designation would also protect recreation and cultural resources.
A common technique used to assess alternatives involves comparing them point by point. The material on pages 10 through 19 could be compared in this way. (Pages 10, 11, 14, 15, 18, and 19 are blank; we lack whatever information was presented on those pages.) When the final EIS is printed, those pages should be included. If the omission occurred on all copies
of the DES distributed, and significant material was excluded, it should be circulated to all who received the draft EIS.
jee bach alii
Richard L. Winters
132
|
26
2420 Sunset Boise, Idaho 83702 RUGUSt (25 7[982
Mr. Jerry Goodman,
Acting District Manager Bureau of Land Management Box 430
Salmon, Idaho 83467
Dear Mr. Goodman:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft Challis Plan Amendment and Wilderness EIS. I Support the BLM proposal to recommend for Wilderness Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West (Units 46-14 and 46-14A). Wilderness designation will protect the recreational, wildlife, wilderness, watershed and other values of the area and enhance water quality and fisheries in the East Fork of the Salmon River and its tributaries. I am glad to see that this can be done with no adverse impact on grazing, minerals, or other uses.
I would like you to reconsider your decision not to designate at least part of Unit 46-11, Corral-Horse Basin, as Wilderness. Wilder- ness designation would protect wildlife and recreation values, as well as enhancing water quality and fisheries. I believe that the unit does offer outstanding opportunities for solitude, especially in the timbered eastern portion.
Please keep me informed of your final decision regarding Wilderness designation for these areas.
Mychael W. Baldwin
133
2/
120 West Main St. Boise, Idaho 83702 August))2,, 1962
Mr. Jerry Goodman,
Acting District Manager Bureau of Land Management Box 430
Salmon, Idaho 83467
Dear Mr. Goodman:
I would like to congratulate you for a good job on the Draft Challis Plan Amendment and Wilderness EIS. I support the BLM proposal to recommend for Wilderness Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West (Units 46-14 and 46-14A). Wilderness designation will protect the recreational, wildlife, wilderness, and watershed values of the area, and enhance water quality and fisheries in the East Fork of the Salmon River and its tributaries. I am very pleasedthat this can be done with no adverse impact on grazing, minerals, or other uses.
I would like you to reconsider your decision not to designate at least part of Unit 46-11, Corral-Horse Basin, as Wilderness. Wilder- ness designation would protect wildlife and recreation values, as well as enhancing water quality and fisheries.
Thank you for this opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
DANA \ Larry Gave
CK
; nee
134
28
120 West Main St. Boise, Idaho 83702 August. 2, 1982
Mr. Jerry Goodman,
Acting District Manager Bureau of Land Management Box 430
Salmon, Idaho 83467
Dear Mr. Goodman:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft Challis Plan Amendment and Wilderness EIS. I support the BLM proposal to recommend for Wilderness Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West (Units 46-14 and 46-14A). Wilderness designation will protect the recreational, wildlife, wilderness, and watershed values of the area and enhance water quality and fisheries in the East Fork of the Salmon River and its tributaries. I am very pleased that this can be done with no adverse impact on grazing, minerals, or other uses.
I would like you to reconsider your decision not to designate at least part of Unit 46-11, Corral-Horse Basin, as Wilderness. Wilder- ness designation would protect wildlife and recreation values, as well as enhancing water quality and fisheries. I believe that the unit does offer outstanding opportunities for solitude, especially in the timbered eastern portion.
Sincerely,
ran Aime
John Lamborn
135
NO (©
a mer ae a
605 Logan Boise, Idaho 83702 August 2, 1982
Mr. Jerry Goodman,
Acting District Manager Bureau of Land Management Box 430
Salmon, Idaho 83467
Dear Mr. Goodman:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft Challis Plan Amendment and Wilderness EIS. I support the BLM proposal to recommend for Wilderness Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West (Units 46-14 and 46-14A). Wilderness designation will protect the recreational, wildlife, wilderness, watershed and other values of the area and enhance water quality and fisheries in the East Fork of the Salmon River and its tributaries. It is important to note that this can be done with no adverse impact on grazing, minerals, or other uses.
I would like you to reconsider your decision not to designate at least part of Unit 46-11, Corral-Horse Basin, as Wilderness. Wilder- ness designation would protect wildlife and recreation values, as well | as enhancing water quality and fisheries. I believe that the unit does offer outstanding opportunities for solitude, especially in the timbered eastern portion.
ee eee ed eee oe
na
VANE ae Apia soe
Sincerely,
Morgan/Persons
finecied, bieiSinprsae 1h 6
136
30
George Wuerthner Box 7192 Missoula, Mt. 59807
BLM Salmon District Office Oct. 16, 1982 Sarmon, dais
Dear BLM:
I hope you will include my comments in the public record regarding wilderness suitability for the Challis Plam. I know the deadline for comment is over, but I was working in Alaska for the summer and unaware that you were soliciting comments.
- I have reviewed the Draft EIS on the areas and agree with the BLM proposals. I.e. no wilderness for the Corral-Horse Basin area and wilderness designation for Jerry Peak, Jerry Peak West and Boulder Creck.
I used to live along the East Fork of the Big Lost River and freguently hiked, skiied and camped in the Jerry Peak areas. These canyons and ridges offer solitude and beauty both. Range improvements blend with the landscape and do not detract from the feelings of wildness.
These sreas of sage covered slopes and tree covered north slopes and canyons would make a fine contribution to the diversity aspect of the Wilderne-s Preservation System.
As pointed out in the EIS, grazing is permitted within wilderness and should not be adversely affected. One of the fond memories I have of autumn is the local cowboys riding up the draws and valleys look ng for stray cattle in this region. Obviously, cattle can still be managed without use of motor vehicles.
Finally, the proximity of other F.S. roadless areas makes these areas inportant for their island refuge aptect.m ,6sethnewabil ty. of habitat to support populations of any species is directly proporticznal to the volume of habitat available. Thus species which need wilderness habitat would benefit significantly from a larger area of protected habitat than a smaller area.
137.
Wuerthner Page 2
I hone you will consider my comments. Basically, I feel the BLM did a good jot on its evaluation and I support their proposed actisn which “ould designate wilderness status for 46-13, 46-14, 46-l4a. Please keep me informed of .your final decisions.
Sincerelys
George Wuerthp@r
138
37
@
JS. Deparment Norhwest M Sas cf Transpertation Gps ane See parce R. Feceral Aviation ee er iis Administration — - =
Mr. Kenneth Walker District Manager
Bureau of Land Management P20. Box -430
Salmon, Idaho 83467
Dear Mr. Walker:
We have reviewed your draft Environmental Impact Statements on the Big Lost/Pahsimero Wilderness and the. Challis Wilderness Plan Amendment and do not foresee any impact on aviation or its activities.
Thank you for the opportunity to review your proposed actions.
Sincerely,
e ~ Harré yl olicy & Planning Officer
32-1 There: is no specific prohibition of.overflight. of .wilderness. by aircraft. Low-flying aircraft cause disturbance of the solitude of an area. Except. in bona fide emergencies, search-and rescue efforts and essential military: missions such-as-training. flights, low flight would be discouraged. Where low overflight is a prob- lem, or expected to become a problem, wilderness management plans will provide for liaison with proper.military authorities (inclu- ding the Idaho Air National Guard), the Federal Aviation Admin- istration, and pilets in the general area in an effort to reduce Lowe. Tene io ata ll’ possible.
139g
Sige
IDAHO AIR NATIONAL GUARD 124TH TACTICAL RECONNAISSANCE GROUP BOISE AIR TERMINAL (GOWEN FIELD) P.O. BOX 45, BOISE. IDAHO 83707
Bureau of Land Management 18 June 1985 Challis/EIS
District Manager
1. Of the four Wilderness Study Areas (WSA's), WSA 46-11 and 46-14 underline segments of two military training routes (MIR's) designated IR 302 and IR 301/307. Both MTR's have vertical limits of 100 feet above ground level (AGL) to approximately 6,500 foot AGL and aircraft are authorized ground speeds in excess of 540 knots. These MTR's are scheduled by the 124TRG/DO (124 Tactical Reconnaissance Group) Boise, ID. They are used by numerous Air Force, Navy, Marine, National Guard and Reserve Units. Last year 1368 missions were conducted in IR 302 which overflys the southern half of WSA46-14. 425 missions were conducted last year in IR 301/307 which overflys the northern boundary of WSA 46-11. These MTR's were established in 1979 and have experienced a continual increase in missions flown.
2. When MTR's are established, noise sensitive areas and low altitude
civil activity are considered and avoided to the maximum possible extent.
For these reasons many remote and sparsely populated areas administered
by National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and or U.S. Forest Service become optimum low altitude flight training areas. Department of Defense (DOD) policy as stated in a
circular from the Federal Aviation Administration (AC No 91-36A) specifically advises, "military aircraft may at times overfly areas managed by the Depart- ment of the Interior at altitudes lower than the recommended 2,000 foot minimum, but in compliance with the minimum safe altitudes prescribed in
FAR 91-79. Such deviations will occur only when essential to the mission being conducted." Use of this airspace down to the minimum published altitude and at maximum ground speeds is essential in accomplishment of
our tactical flight training mission and is in compliance with FAR 91-79
and DOD policy.
3. Therefore, the 124TRG strongly objects to the proposed establishment
of Wilderness Areas 46-11, 46-13, 46-14 and 46-14a because of the direct conflict of the tactical flight training mission and the wilderness charac- teristic of solitude. We cannot subject our current airspace to possible reduction because of noise complaints generated by military aircraft per- forming their mission over conservationists and recreationalists located in the proposed wilderness areas. Although WSA's 46-13 and 46-l4a are not currently within an established 124TRG MIR, we periodically restructure
the MTR's to enhance aircrew training. If IR 302 were moved 10 nautical miles (NM) north or IR 301/307 10 NM south the aforementioned conflict
Teepene
32
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atts ast
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RECORD OF PUBLIC HEARING
CHALLIS WILDERNESS STUDY
AREAS SUITABILITY
June 30, 1982
and
Written Testimony
Included as Part of the
Hearing Record
14]
I certify that the following is a true and accurate transcript of the public
hearing held June 30, 1982 at the Northgate Inn, Challis, Idaho.
Recorder Ey Date
f_odige A. Severson,
I certify that the hearing record contains all written comments received during the draft EIS review period which requested inclusion in the record or
which were received in addition to verbal testimony.
Vda 3 £-6-83
Go¢gdman, Acting District Manager Date
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CHALLIS WILDERNESS EIS HEARING
TRANSCRIPT
I would like to welcome you to the Challis Public hearing on behalf of the United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management. 1 am Joe Zimmer, District Manager for the BLM in Boise, and I have been designated by the Idaho State Director to chair this meeting-this hearing. The tembers of this panel representing the Bureau of Land Management are Jerry Goudman, acting Salmon District Manager; Don Smith, Challis Area Manager; and Weve
Wolf, on my right here, the Wilderness Coordinator.
The purpose of this meeting: Pursuant to the Wilderness Act of 1964, the purpose of this hearing is to obtain public comment and suggestions concerning the suitability or non-suitability of the four Wilderness Study Areas discussed in the Challis Draft Wilderness Plan Amendment Environm:ntal Impact Statement. The Wilderness Study Areas involved are in the Challis Re ource Area, and include Corral-Horse Basin, Boulder Creek, Jerry Peak, and Jerry
Peak West.
I'l] just go through the procedures: There are essentially two way» available to provide the comments concerning this Draft Environmental Staterwnt. You may offer verbal comment tonight which will be recorded verbatum anc transcribed or you can respond in writing to the District Manager at Hox 430, Salmon, Idaho. If you have a written statement you are not required to take an oral statement here tonight. It is important to understand thot all comments are treated equally, whether verbal or written. I encourage you to
take advantage of either method to make your comments.
143
Only one person may speak at a time and no one will be recognized to speak
other than the parties presenting their statements.
It would be helpful to the recorder if we could obtain any written copies or prepared statements that you are going to deliver. If you have an extra copy,
would you please present it to the recorder just prior to your presentation.
Comments received tonight plus all the written statements from those unable to attend or from those wishing to supplement their oral presentations will be considered. All written statements are to be submitted to the District Manager, Salmon District Office, by August 2 at the close of business.
Written statements must indicate that comments are intended for this hearing record.
Anyone who desires a personal copy of the transcript should make his or her personal arrangement with the recorder. There will be copies of the transcript available for public inspection by August 6, at the Salmon District
Office.
There is a ten minute time limitation for each presentation und that will apply even though you represent more than one party. If you wish to give Supplemental statements and don't have the time in your oral presentation, you can submit them later in the written form. If later in the evening after al} the persons who have requested to speak have finished and if time is available I will consider requests for supplementary oral statements. J will also limit
these presentations to ten minutes each per person.
There will be no interrogation of the speakers nor will the speakers be placed
144
under oath. However, the panel members are permitted to eth question. for
chariiiircation:
I will first call on those who have preregistered and then on those who have registered tonight at the door. When you come to the podium, which is right in front of me here, will you please give your name and who you represent. If you wish to submit additional written testimony, you should hand it to the recorder and she will mark it as an exhibit. We will notify you when you have one minute remaining of your ten minutes so you can begin to sumiarize at that
point, if you wish to.
If you wish to present oral testimony you must have registered at the door or Submitted a prior request. I will have a ten minute break at the end of each
hour if it goes that long.
One final announcement, this is a public meeting and state law prohibits
smoking in a public meeting, and I suggest you honor that.
Our first speaker then is Fred Brinkman. Is Fred here? I'm here. Pardon me?
Yes, I'm here.
Gentlemen, I would like to speak to the Wilderness Study Areas 46-1), Corral- Horse Basin; and 46-14, Jerry Peak. As we first mentioned, tiy nore: it Fred Brinkman, I am with Ronan Incorporated out of Billings, Montana. J alo
represent it's partners, Sante Fe Minerals, Dallas, Texas, and Murphy Minerals
145
of Roswell, New Mexico and we would like to submit the following Comments
concerning the subject Wilderness Study Areas.
Prior to 1981, oil and gas exploration in or near the subject's lands had been very limited. During 1981, Ronan Inc. began an intensive evaluation proyram to evaluate the area for the potential of oi] and gas. This evaluation included siesmic work, gravity evaluation, and geological field <tudies. The gravity work included 60 miles of vibroeseis siesmic and it was also completed in adjacent areas next to the Wilderness Study Areas. In addition, over 250 miles of gravity evaluation was completed throughout the entire adjacent subject area and with geological field work various samples were collected and analyzed. Then in March of this year, 1982, the three preliminary ¢valustion methods were combined into a final report. The findings of this evoluation program indicate that conditions are prevalent for the possible eccurulation
of hydrocarbons in the area.
At this time our companies feel it is urgent and necessary thet the bureau of Land Management take into account the known possible accumulation of
hydrocarbons in the subject study areas.
Therefore, referring to the Federal Register dated Wednesdsy Feb. 3, J572, and specifically to page 5108 and 5109, Standard No. 1 Energy and Minerels Resource values so states: that the Dept. of Interior and the BLM ort mandated by the President and the Congress that all Bureau proyram be geared toward meeting the national goal of decreasing reliance on forvegn production
through increased domestic energy production.
Since the energy and minerals resource values and potentials are to be
146
identified by the BLM mineral resource specialist for the wilderne.. study areas through the use of the BLM established geology, energy, mineral assessment procedure it is requested by Ronan Inc. that the mineral resource
specialist be informed as to potential for oil and gas in the subject area.
In conclusion Ronan Inc., Sante Fe Minerals, and Murphy Minerals have completed an intensive preliminary evaluation for oi] and gas potential in parts of Custer and Butte Counties. This evaluation includes the two wilderness study areas in the subject caption and adjacent areas. Due to the positive nature of our intitial findings for possible accumulation of hydrocarbons we recommend that the above mentioned wilderness study areas be designated as non-wilderness. On behalf of Ronan Inc., Sante Fe Minerals, Murphy Minerals, I wish to thank you for the opportunity to be able to come
and testify. Thank you very much. (written statement submitted)
Are there any questions by the panel for varification? Jerry Goodman-Mr. Brinkman, do your comments, they only refer to 46-]4 and 46-11.
Correct.
Thank yous. The next speaker Mike Mogenson, I don't see Mike here. 6 onyone
speaking for Mike?
Uh, yes, Mike called me just a while ago and said he couldn't take it and that they would have written testimony to the BLM the fact that they did nut want any BLM wilderness for the ICA, Idaho Cattlemen's Association.
Could you tell me your name please?
Garth Chivers, Director of the Idaho Cattlemen's in Challis.
147
Thank you Garth. Gary Ingram.
My name's Gary Ingram, I'm a rancher, uh I'm also authorized to speak for the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, and Custer County Farm Bureau Fed-or-Custer County Farm Bureau. Uh, we oppose more wilderness in Idaho, we fec] that there's more than enough wilderness, uh, we feel that there should be more multiple-use management of our Federal lands. A wilderness designation of Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West would be in direct conflict with the Challis Forest Pioneer Mountains land use plan it classifies areas of the same peak drainages as non-wilderness multiple-use. Uh, in going through this document I disagree with some of the comments on page 47. They say that existing range improvements tend to be small scale, blending into the natural lendscape there is more than 3 miles of fence in Herd Creek and numerous water developments, there is almost 4 miles of fence on Road Creek. I feel that these do not blend into the natural landscape and the extent of these are not small] scale. I guess no one knows what the date of the final action is, but uh, this document will lead you to believe that all new improvements will be constructed prior to final action, but I have been told by BLM that uh, range improvements will be done as their funding becomes available. The BLM is very Slow in their funding, so I suggest in your final draft you need to mention that range improvements may be constructed after final action. Uh, in reading this document I feel that it is biased, uh, on page 50 under the horse heading it states that existing herd management plans would continue for the horse herd-If-this is under the non-wilderness designation-if the horse management plan is not followed and the herd is allowed to increase unchecked os in the mid 1970's horse overgrazing could significantly alter the area vegetation
composition and natural aspect. While under the wildhorses on poqe 4) as the
148
wilderness designation it states that existing herd management plans would continue. I assume that these herd management plans are the same, but under the wilderness designation it says that horse overgrazing would avoided. So in one place it says- and this is following the same plan - that Overyrazing would be avoided and in another part it says that overgrazing could Significantly alter the areas vegetation and they're suppose to be following the same plan. So we feel that, that uh, 7% of the State of Idaho is in
Wilderness already and that we don't need or want any more wilderness.
Any questions from the panel? Referring to horses Gary, are you just referring to 46-11 and 14?
Let's see, that would be the Road Creek part of it. Yea.
Thank you Gary. Is there anyone else who would like to be heard from tonight?
Anybody else who would like to testify?
I'm Garth Chivers, rancher from Challis. I represent the Idaho Cattlenien's, Tri-County Cattlemen, and the Soil Conservation District here in Challis. Uh, We had a meeting, oh, last year at one time, on what local comment was on Wilderness for the Bureau of Land Management. We was divided up into groups of 5 or 6, was it Don? When uh, one BLM man headed it all, and when we got through one of the first criteria that we all agreed on was there wus no more wilderness in Idaho, now that was the very first thing on every group. 1 say this, when those comments came back to us from the Bureau of Land Management that wasn't the statement at all. We got something far fetched from whet we had timed at that meeting and there's several people here that was there that
can testify to that fact. I say lets get these things down to the grats roots
149
of management like we been planning on doing here all the time. Lets get the local range con., uh, ranchers out here to manage these things. Lets don’t leave it up to everybody else to tell us how to operate these things. We do the best we-better than what anybody else do. We don't need to have Chena always include everybody else anyway to, to an extreme, so we need to do this stuff down on a local level. I'm-I'm sure that uh, those three oryanizuetions will back me up 100% on no more wilderness in Idaho, and that's wnat everybody
agrees on. Thank you. Thank you Garth. Is there anyone else who would like to testify?
I'm Calvin Helm, a rancher here in Challis, and I guess I'm not representing anybody but myself, but personally I don't want no more wilderness anywhere. My feeling that somebody can go somewhere an' make a living an’ the way it is today where they need to should be open so they can. That's about all I have
COT SaV«
Would you repeat your name. Could we have your name again please, sir? Calvin Helm, Challis.
Thank you. Is there anyone else?
Yea well, I would like to ask a few questions if I may. Uh, my nane is Tom Chivers, a local rancher in Challis. A few years ago, Tri-County Cattlemen's hired a lawyer, by the name o' O'Rearden and we uh, did a lot of uh, asking around the old timers and uh a lot of people that new this area that we're
talking about, Jerry Peak Eas-ur Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West, and we got
150
a lot of comments from people why these areas should not be included in wilderness, and they were submitted to the BLM and I've never yet seen any answers to or any word that those things have been considered. Now these are people that are really familiar with the area and have lived Ona te fortthe last oh, 60, 70 years, some of these people are even up in their wU's that answered-that made these statements and uh, I uh, I myself don't have a copy of them but there should be somewhere in our lawyers office or the BLM office, that stated them, I'm sure the BLM ought to be considered exactly what was said in those briefs and uh, I felt when I read that Horse Basin and Corral Basin were decided to be not-suitable that maybe they had paid attention to
what we said, but I not so sure. Thank you.
Thank you Tom. Is there anyone else who would like to testify this evening?
I would. Ben Howard, Challis. I don't run my cattle right up there, but ] run pretty close to that country and I've done a lot of hunting in that immediate area we're talking about and uh, I see Will's cattle in there all the time and it's one of the best cattle ranges I've been on in this whole area, far as I'm concerned. I can't see why should take the best Cattle range that we got and make us run rocks down in this country an’ tuke the best cattle range an’ put it into another park. We got parks running out our ears everywhere. I like to do a lot of packing in the back country an’ | know more about the back country probably than anybody in this room an’ uh, you people want more country but you don't even use what you got. Uns far anstuhees last year I packed the other side of the Middle Fork 15 miles on the other side of the Middle Fork and I went in from this side an' I went on the 14 day of
October, which should have a lot of people in the woods at that tine. You
15)
know how many people I seen in 5 days? I traveled somethin’ like /0 miles. Seen 5 different people, and they belonged to an outfitter down there of lynn Creek. So you people ain't usin’ the country you got. And why you want to tie up more of this country I don't understand it. I peeved up in the Selway, the same way up there, travel, travel for days and coy noe see a couple hippies with a pack on their back. I, I don't get what's all goin’ on, ‘Ss all
J- got) torsay: Thank you. Is there anyone else who would like to testify?
I'm Betty Baker a ranchers wife, on the East Fork Salmon River. 1 wasn't going to say anything tonight, but after uh reading this I, I uh, well completely disagree with what it says in here that their uh, the evidence of man iS minimal in these areas, especially in Jerry Peak West, and well all four of them really, because the Bakers have been on the East Fork for-since 1880's. Practically everyone of those canyons that drain into the Lust fork, which this-have evidence of man in them and HerAMareen for sure. “Dicks great-uncle herded sheep in there and cattle in there all summer and a1] winter and there's dugouts and cabins and uh different uh-there's evidence of man and I'm quite sure they didn't look to hard to find them when they said
they were minimal. I, I throughly disagree with that sentence. Another thing
I can't understand where the wilderness characteristics come from when so tiuch of the land borders a major gravel road or some of it borders our reich along the East Fork or borders Dick's brother's ranch along the East Fork. ‘out
any part of that uh, Jerry Peak West you can look down on the Latt Fort and
see uS mowing hay or see his brother mowing hay. I can't understand where
they got that it was wilderness characteristics there because thot it wrong,
12
As far as Horse and Corral Basin, especially Corral Basin, I think you could see someone coming for miles if you wanted to look and numerous accesses in there. I can't see where that would be what they would want, would be solitude. I can't see that being classified as sOlitude, and I just think that we have enough wilderness in Idaho and I think we've had enough hassel here in the Challis area to do us all a lifetime and then some. I don't think we need any more of this and so I think, as I probably-Don has heard sie «cay before, leave the area as it is because any time you tack wilderness to anything you draw people like bees to honey and if you don't think thot people destroy the resource you want to go up in the Boulder/White Cloud area this Summer, in the first part of September and see what the people have dune to that area. We hadn't been up there for about 8 or 10 years and we went last year, four or five days. Well the trails, the dust was six-four to six inches deep and most of the campsites, the tourists they holler about laying their Sleeping bays down in cow manure, well if you laid your sleeping bag down you would have been laying it down in 2, or 3, or 4 inches of dust and if thot’s what wilderness is all about is letting the people destroy the resource which they are doing in the Boulder/White Cloud, I uh, I don't think we need any
more wilderness. Thank you.
Thank you Betty.
Is there anyone else who would like to testify?
As a reminder then, all written statements (which) should be included a+ part of this hearing record must be received by the Salmon District Manager, by the close of business on August 2. I would like to thank you for coming and for
your input and attention. This meeting is now officially adjourned.
153
FONAN, INC.
(406) 245-6248 1242 NORTH 28TH STREET P.O BOX 1354
BILLINGS. MONTANA 598101 eae
June 30, 1982
RE: Wilderness Study Areas #46-11 Corral-Horse Ssar:in #46-14 Jerry Peak
Gentlemen:
Ronan, Inc., an oil and gas company located in Billings, Montana, and its partners, Santa Fe Minerals of Dallas, Texas, and Murphy Minerals of Roswell, New Mexico, would like to submit the following
comments concerning the subject Wilderness Study areas.
Prior to 1981,,o0i1 and gas exploration in or near the subject lands had been very limited. During 1981 Ronan, Inc. began an intensive evaluation program to evaluate the area for the potential Gi Ol)
and gas. This evaluation included seismic work, gravity ‘-valuation, and geological field study work. The gravity work included 60
miles of Vibroeseis seismic in various parts adjacent to the subject
areas. In addition, over 250 miles of gravity evaluation was com- pleted throughout the entire adjacent subject area, and with geo-
logical field work, various samples were collected and analyzed.
In March of 1982, the three preliminary evaluation method:. were combined in a final report. The findings of this evaluation program indicate that conditions were prevalent for the possible: accumulations
|
Ofshydrocarbonc en etnewakeca.
At this time, our companies feel it is urgent and necesst.ary that
the Bureau of Land Management take into account the known possible
accumulation of hydrocarbons in the subject Wilderness: Gtudy areas.
Therefore, referring to the Federal Register dated Wednesday,
February 3, 1982, and specifically to page 5,108 and 5,105,
154
ue. SO Ise Page 2
Standard #1 Energy and Mineral Resource Values, #o states that "the Department of the Interior and the BLM are mandated by
the President and the Congress that all Bureau provrams be geared toward meeting the national goal of decreasing reliance on
Foreign production through increased domestic CNGri vey COUUC ULON ''.
Since the energy and mineral resource values and DOten lakhs ware to be identified by the BLM Mineral Resource Specinulist for the Wilderness Study areas through the use of the BLM established Geology-Energy-Mineral Assessment Procedure, it is requested by Ronan, Inc., that the Mineral Resource Snecialist be informed
ase toe lhe potent taleror"oid “and gas tin the subjcetoarcas.
In conclusion, Ronan, Inc., Santa Fe Minerals, and Murphy Mincrals have completed an intensive preliminary evaluation for oil and gas votential in parts ofeCusters andeBut tesCounticmsy sPhis evaluation includes the two Wilderness Study areas in the subject captioned and adjacent areas. Due to the positive nature of our initial findings for possible accumulation of hydrocarbons, we recommend that the above mentioned Wilderness Study areas be
designated as "Non-Wilderness".
199
IDAHO CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION
MIKE MOGENSEN, Executive Vice President
OFFICERS PRESIDENT ‘David Bivens Payette VICE PRESIDENTS Tom Prescott Jerome July 8, 1982 Blair Fisher Rerburg
Mr. Dave Wolf - Team Leader Bureau of Land Management P.0. Box 430
Salmon, ID 83467
Dear Dave;
On behalf of the Idaho Cattlemen's Association and Idaho Public Land Users we submit the following comments relative to the draft Challis BLM Wilderness Plan Amendment - Environmental Impact Statement.
The policy of the Idaho Cattlemen's Association and Public Land Users for the past several years has been opposition to establishing any BLM Wilderness Study Areas or Wilderness Areas in Idaho. Through this policy we support the proposed action recommending WSA unit 47-11, Corall - Horse Basin, 48,500 acres as non suitable for wilderness. On the other, hand we strongly oppose the action classifying 46-14, Jerry Peak, 46,150 acres; and unit 46-14A Jerry Peak West, 15,530 acres as suitable for BLM wilderness designation.
As you may know, the Idaho Cattlemen's Association and Tri-County Cattlemen's Association have jointly appealed these wilderness study areas during the past two years. Our opposition remains firm and we will strongly oppose any wilderness designation in the Challis BLM area. Comments forwarded in our previous statements and appeals have shown historic multiple use of Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West for livestock grazing, recreation and other uses.
It would be a grave mistake to designate these units as suftable for wilderness designation. Idaho currently has the largest amount of wilderness area in any of the lower 48 continguous states. We have our share of the national wilderness system and we can i11 afford anymore. Previous comments on these WSAs show roads, fences, and other developments proving that man has used these areas for food and fiber production and recreation for many years. We strongly oppose designation of any wilderness in these ares which have been historically used for multiple use.
We strongly encourage the BLM to change their recommendation showing Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West as non suitable for wilderness, to match the recommendation on Coral Horse Basin. We offer our total assistance to you in achieving a final decision of no wilderness in the Challis area.
156 2120 AIRPORT WAY ¢ BOISE, IDAHO 83705 ¢ PHONE (208) 344-9482
Mr. Dave Wolf - Team Leader PAGE 2 July 8, 1982
The cattle industry is the largest in Idaho, generating 625 million dollar gross taxable revenue in 1981. The cattle industry is the foundation of the economy in Custer, Lemhi and surrounding counties. Local businesses depend upon the industry for jobs and financial Support. For these reasons the cattlemen in the affected area deserve a voice in this final decision.
Garth Chivers, Challis, a director of the Idaho Cattlemen's Association testified at the Challis hearing on this document stating Our opposition to any proposed wilderness in Challis. These written comments are submitted in addition to Mr. Chivers' comments.
Please let us know if we can provide further assistance to you on this issue.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mike Mogensen Executive Vice President
MM/Tke
Dz
Challis, Icaho H/C 63 Box 1771 FUL ye oe 11982
Mr. Cave wolf - [Team Leader Bureau of Land Manacement POs eos O
Salmon, lIaaho &€3467
Dear Lave;
Iwish to Express amy Opposition tosestabilishi no wanve i Wilderness Study Areas or Wilderness Areas in Idaho.
I Support the proposed action TECoOmMentIinosewss sunit 47 )e) Corall-Horse 2asin, 48,500 acres non suitable for wildernece anc oppose very strongly the action Glassisyinge4e—14) Base, Peak, 46,150 acres: and unit 46-14A Jarry Peak West, 19,530 acres recommnenced by "LM suitable for Wilderness adesiaqnat ton. Historicaly Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West has had multiple
use for livestock grazing, recreation and other uses and itt should remain that way.
It would be a mistake to designate these units as suitdle
for wilderness. Idaho currently has the largest amount of wild'erness area in any of the lower 48 states. We have our share of the national wilderness system and we can not afford anymore.
Previous comnents on these WSA's show roads, fences, and other developments proving that iran has used these areas for food, fiber and other developments as well as recreation itor many years and it should be allowed to continue.
I strongly encourage the BLM to change their recommendation Showing Jerry Peak and Jerry Peak West as non suitable for wild- erness, to match the recommendation on Corall Horse ‘ain, Please NO MORE WILDERNESS IN THE CHALLIS AREA,
VOUP Set EU lve, Ce ae Cave Chey 0 9 Garth Chivers
158
GLOSSARY
Cherrystemmed Road: A dead-end road which penetrates a WSA. Lands on both sides of the road are included in the WSA but the road itself is not.
Commercial Forest Land: Forest land that is capable of yielding at least 20 cubic feet of wood per acre per year of commercial coniferous tree species.
Crucial Winter Range: that habitat which is absolutely basic to main- taining a viable wildlife population.
Eutrophication: The process by which shallow bodies of water become rich in dissolved nutrients but seasonally deficient in oxygen.
FLPMA: The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. FLPMA pro- vides guidelines for the administration, management, protection, develop- ment, and enhancement of the public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management.
Interim Management Policy (IMP): BLM guidance which details how WSAs
will be managed and what activities are allowable prior to Congress's final wilderness decision.
Management Framework Plan (MFP): The Bureau's basic planning decision
document prior to the adoption of a new planning process in 1979.
MBF: The abbreviation used by foresters to indicate a volume of one thousand board feet of timber. A board foot on timber is a piece of woody material with the dimension of 12" x 12" x 1".
MFP Amendment: An amendment to a Management Framework Plan is initiated by the need to consider monitoring and evaluation findings, new data, new or revised policy, a change in circumstances, or an applicant's proposed action which may result in a significant change in a portion of the ap- proved plan.
MMBF: The abbreviation used by foresters to indicate a volume of one million board feet.
Multiple Use: "... the management of the public lands and their various resource values so that they are utilized in the combination that will best meet the present and future needs of the American people; making the most judicious use of the land for some or all of these resources or re- lated services over areas large enough to provide sufficient latitude for periodic adjustments in use to conform to changing needs and conditions; the use of some lands for less than all of the resources; a combination of balanced and diverse resource uses that take into account the long term needs but not limited to recreation, range, timber, minerals, water- shed, wildlife and fish, and natural scenic, scientific and historical
159
values; and harmonious and coordinated management of the various resour- ces without permanent impairment of the productivity of the land and the quality of the environment with consideration being given to the relative values of the resources and not necessarily to the combination of uses that will give the greatest economic return or the greatest unit output. (From Section 103, FLPMA.)
Naturalness: Refers to an area which “generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable." (From Section 2(c), Wilderness Act.)
Outstanding: 1. Standing out among others of its kind; conspicuous; prominent. 2. Superior to others of its kind; distinguished; excellent.
Planning Area: The area for which management framework plans are pre- pared and maintained. In most instances, it is the same as the resource area, which is a geographic portion of a BLM district, under supervision of an area manager.
Post-FLPMA Leases: Leases issued after October 21, 1976, the date of passage of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.
Preliminary Wilderness Recommendations: Refers to a wilderness recommen-—-
dation at any stage prior to the time when the Secretary of the Interior reports his recommendation to the President. Until the Secretary acts, the recommendation is "preliminary" because it is subject to change dur- ing administrative review.
Primitive and Unconfined Recreation: Nonmotorized and nondeveloped types of outdoor recreational activities.
Solitude: 1. The state of being alone or remote from habitations; iso- lation. 2. A lonely, unfrequented, or secluded place.
Substantially Unnoticeable: Refers to something that either is so insig- nificant as to be only a very minor feature of the overall area or is not distinctly recognizable by the visitor as being man-made or man-caused, because of age, weathering, or biological change.
Suitability: As used in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, re- fers to a recommendation by the Secretary of the Interior that certain federal lands satisfy the definition of wilderness in the Wilderness Act and have been found appropriate for designation as wilderness on the basis of an analysis of the existing and potential uses of the land.
Vehicle Way: A travel route maintained solely by the passage of vehicles.
Wilderness: The definition contained in Section 2(c) of the Wilderness Act of 1964.
Wilderness Area: An area formally designated by Act of Congress as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Wilderness Inventory: An evaluation of the public lands in the form of a written description and map showing those lands that meet the wilderness criteria as established under Section 603(a) of FLPMA and Section 2(c) of the Wilderness Act, which are referred to as Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs).
Wilderness Management: The management of human use and influence on lands which have been designated by Congress as wilderness area.
Wilderness Recommendation: A recommendation by the Bureau of Land Man- agement, the Secretary of the Interior, or the President, with respect to an area's suitability or nonsuitability for preservation as wilderness.
Wilderness Reporting: The process of preparing the reports containing wilderness recommendations on wilderness study areas and transmitting those reports to the Secretary of the Interior, the President, and Con- gress.
Wilderness Review: The term used to cover the wilderness inventory, study, and reporting phases of the wilderness program of the Bureau of Land Management.
Wilderness Study: The process which specifies how each wilderness study area must be studied through the BLM planning system, analyzing all re- sources, values and uses within the WSA to determine whether the area will be recommended as suitable or nonsuitable for wilderness designation.
Wilderness Study Area (WSA): A roadless area or island that has been
inventoried and found to have wilderness characteristics as described in Section 603 of FLPMA and Section 2(c) of the Wilderness Act of 1964.
161
INDEX
Anadromous fishery 5°44, 465 495051-53,.55,; 57 5.59,. 61-64
Bighorn sheep 6
Chinook salmon 5316 37 e4 he 42 0
Cultural resources 6, 68
Energy and mineral resources 4g D geeky 132515, 216 5.419-21 929593559 S06 R444 0.e Go eos So Doe 59-04 samo
Forest resources 4, 30, 36, 43, 52, 56, 60
Geology 295 35ee 40 en eb7,
Inholdings Ve ph2551354 162316 9545448
Interim management policy Oy hy tale,
Issues 4 eae 5
Livestock grazing LOGg1 2-166018-20-8 53,875
Naturalness LT, 4, ts, 3390585959, 4304554 7 0450 2, 546. 36,00 se O2e 64, 81
Off-road vehicles ie
Planning process L/w)
Primitive recreation IB TN Lio NORA Malar, wici, (ale
Private land TES, ls tes «SHS
162
Range improvements LO relies 4 ee 1am 39
Recreation NBS Sy dale ote lla Ba bel ae BSE 20 eed 28 e294 34 DO), aoe Jism 50: De Os D4 005 40/.,706.. 5U .8oL
Set-aside 465,48, °49%-.517,° 55-58 . 60, 61
Size WES ein HR PAT alot oe CIEE
Solitude ta eco. O OO 45 0R4 5% Heh 4O U1 2), 946 sre (lly ed ya tl
State lands 7,449,070
Steelhead Sry Si SHEA Ths SiS aby ai cah oi e¥s
Threatened and endangered species 6
Water quality 4, 31, 37, 41, 44, 46, 48, 49, 51-53, 55, D109 01-64 50.07
Wild horses Peres ‘oWarg BYE
Wilderness values USN CR VAS Slory ately CSIP 458 4/=D0, 052,804 800. 58, 60, 62-65
Wildlife 456, 26, 28, 31, 375841, 66-70,"80
vv U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1986—693-057/42,004 REGION NO. 10 163
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Scale in Miles
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CLOSED TO ALL MOTOR VEHICLES ALL MOTOR VEHICLES RESTRICTED
YEARLONG TO EXISTING ROADS AND TRAILS A2 Sand Hollow C1 Wilderness Study Area 46-11 A3 Herd Lake Trail C2 Wilderness Study Area 46-13 (less than 5,000 acre area) Heer PP eer C3. Wilderness Study Area 46-14 L C4 Wilderness Study Area 46-14a st B1 Willow Creek Summit
ped CLOSED TO FOUR—WHEELED VEHICLES YEARLONG, BUT OPEN TO DIRT BIKES AND SNOWMOBILES bite Di French Creek Road D2 Bluett Creek Road
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STE R.18E. R.19E. R.20E. R.21E.
) 2 i 2 3 MAP 5 CLOSED TO ALL MOTOR VEHICLES ALL MOTOR VEHICLES RESTRICTED | -—) BLM land open to all vehicle use ORV MANAGEMENT YEARLONG TO EXISTING ROADS AND TRAILS
7772 BLM land closed to all motorized vehicles CHALLIS ORV PLAN A2 Sand Hollow C1 Wilderness Study Area 46-11 f= BLM land with motor vehicle use restricted BLM A3_ Herd Lake Trail C2 Wilderness Study Area 46-13
er vods —— All weather road fyiee) Ali es pre eat mes Road or trail with pest C Olle St eee EE OR raya as te A Reference letter for restriction type
=== Primitive road @— Private NOVEMBER 1 10 MAY 1 SSA neat eayt oS eh
Scale in Miles
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Developed Fy. Semi—developed CLOSED TO FOUR—WHEELED VEHICLES YEARLONG, BUT OPEN TO DIRT BIKES AND SNOWMOBILES D1 French Creek Road D2 Bluett Creek Road
—— WSA Boundary
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Private Land Eo Recommended Suitable Ee National Forest Land
Scale in Miles
PARTIAL PRODUCTION ALTERNATIVE PARTIAL PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE PROPOSED ACTION
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JERRY PEAK WEST WSA ID-46-14a
j ce Ze : Vi val \ iw é oa ( [Roe ot] : 1 ea 19 20 21 / (a 22 AI 2al = S| ag JA. | ef pry 2a = 5 \ Ny == : | NF___|NE One . ONE at k v | | gj 2 MV. : asl t 1—- = T. 7 \ : pane A isosrin a | 10 N|] A TYI XO INVA [EL me) | | wen 30 ae 2G | 2 } <2 : ) —- : =o = (se ie 4, = J Vex = Selle Shy pie 2 ae de | by ye J Jv Es ; ae aN 41- tiollow = | dps ‘se = f/\: ia eet aS oe EX i = / 6 i = 31 E : Zi ; \Ox6 \ \ 32 | | 33 ) 34 ; 3 N= bers ; {M.. five cae met \ \ lv | j P P —— Heel se lye = STEERER eee « S } p W/ re) a 22 Railroag” ‘ ! a £ < Z 6 "\ 4 ea 5) 4 } 3 { 2 f 3, 4 a + ¢ F as . ye os je Vi Spting notes /| fr 7 Py, a % 3 a vie NF Vai = aN al MS v j at y Le of + i js ‘ “ I 3 — wi : oe Tre 2 t FS ee 9 10 , 11 fo | 12 “4 a .\ , 5 or + § NEN ies i“ si id lV ; N aa We }. WUE ae Fe | N 4 oe * Mg vans 17 13 8 T OMe oa 2 =4 . NO WILDERNESS (NO ACTION) ALTERNATIV i coe ee 6 ee Ae } rN aL oy show J 1 f Red Riso Wack 1 : 3 ‘ : E of ‘ E ; . Es =| a = =e PROPOSED ACTION ee as: (Ree Pale me? Shae Ving v or eres war ts 8 ea iS i 1 a f og ee ones 24/7 | : . oa = / ae (a ‘es 7 19 leenaes 23\ rs si — oe a 19 | N. 26 / 25. 7 ~~ — 5 = |} i ee KE 4 & 35 | sr— ar > pes A yp ta ee iby (| aA g NDARD PARATLEL” ' _@ Fleas EO ts te Ts ; ae ye «| ge LAE yor Gnd tot NY ¥ Ry &~ ” Bowery Soe — ee! ie os ie » mt SF Peak ( ie ly ee INF N Jone |p = : ite. eS oe {NF 4 eal ft x Ak ag ; | seen FN : " = aa LD Ae NN i Tee ORS | Ole am Ey C = 4, a a= | | CRRA UL Lh “7 N10 40 11 Lae 7 ( DNS MAP 7 VAM, eee a 4 d . JERRY PEAK WEST ALTERNATIVES wT es. Set pe EN Aa S f. a By ws f = 5 2 ' / 4 ¢,097 —>t i . — aN S| M / <—— , = Sa Public Land Naas) [15 10 x A be { 8 8) N {| aaa \ 4 ALL WILDERNESS ALTERNATIVE State Land 5 WSA Boundary — ie Sg Sa ES Oe i = i 7 3 5 j > . Private Land Pp] Recommended Suitable Ea we IG 3 | wees : = a “| ee 23 | fap a= iC) National Forest Land We Recommended Nonsuitable (—) Veik ™ a lie i
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Scale in Miles
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