River of No Return Wilderness Part B

              1) Priva~e inholdings in t~e Wilderness are, or
may potentially be, dev~loped adversely ~o
wilderness yalues and objectives, as defined in
the Wilderness Act of 1964.
2) Lands .owned by. the State of Idaho, or its
agencies, are or may be developed adversely to
wildernes~ values and objective~, as defined in
the Wi~derness Act of 1964.
'3) Wilderness management of the public domain
lands (BLM) would be facilitated if admin~s-·
tered by the u.s. ·Forest Service.
4) Trail access across State and pr;Lvat;e ·lands is
not assured without· established rights-of~ay.
c. Direction
1) Non-federal lands in the Wilderness will be
acquired, when and where poss~ble, on a willing
buyer ~ willing seller basis. Use land
exchange authorit.ies; when possi~le, rather
than direct purch~se.
2) Evaluate ·and respond .to offers from .willing
sellers, and .make ·periodic .contacts to identify
them. · ·
3) G\'ndemnation authority will b.e ·u.sed, as nec(l,~­sary,
'to acquire scenic easements• on pri~ate
f&:()ds in the National Wi1d and· scenic Rivers
System.
4} Scenic easement provisions·will include identi­fication,
protection, and interpretation or'
significant ·cultural resources~
5) The Forest Service will cooperate with. and
assist county officials in·d~vel9ping zoning
ord~n~nc(ls cQ.mpatible with wilderness. and Wild
11rid Scenic ]Cl.iv~r System· \)bj ectiveE;.
6)' Remove improvements and restore natural~near
natural conditions on all acquired lands;
excep~ a& provided elsewhere, see pages 81
~nd JOB. , .
7) . Acquire .. rights-o(-way ·for trail access, both
within and· to the Wilderness, ·across State and
private .lands. · · .
51
;'
f.
I
8) Develop an Inter-Agency Agreement with the
Bureau of Land Management assigning· adm~nistra­tion
of public domain lands to the U.S. Fores~
Service, pending a more permanent transfer of
j urisdicti,on.
9) Where private landowners are unwilling to sell t
in fee, investigate willingness to sell partial
·interest (conservation easements) .to reduce
current or potential adverse development.
10) Work with State agencies to promote management
:practices that are in keeping with wilderness
concepts on State lands.
11) Acquire scenic easements on all private lands
in the Salmon and Middle Fork Salmon Wild
rivers that are not available in fee from
willing sellers, using the following guide­lines:
a) Permit no new habitations.
b) Permit new structures essential for
continuance of existing land uses. Such
structures must be out of sight from the
river and in harmony with surroundings.
c) Encourage alteration of existing improve­ments
to cure adverse effects.
d) Permit no reflective roofs on new build­ings;
convert existing ones to shingle,
shake, or earth-toned composition.
e~ Permit signs only if harmonious and
unobtrusive.
f) Prepare "as built" site plans, including
phQtographs, for each parcel.
12) The following minimum guidelines will be used
in develdping scenic easement stipulations in
the Salmon Recreational River. Exceptions and
variances may be adopted or approved when
screening, terrain, or other factors protect
scenic and riparian values.
a) Except for range improvements and trails,
new developments will be limited to
alluvial slopes of less than thirty
percent slope.
b) Permit no new structur~s within 200 feet
of high waterline, or within floodplain.
52
•
•
•
•
•
•
c) Subdivisions will have minimum lot size of
four acres.
d)
e)
Minimum river frontage; 400 feet per lot •
Permit one single-family residence ;per
lot.
f) .Require new structures to harmonize with
the environment.
(1) Maximum dwelling'height, 30 feet.
(2) Minimum dwelling size, 750 square
feet .i n- terior floor space.
(3) All new 'building architecture to be
rustic, harmoniously colored wood or
wo.od.:.substitute, with non-reflective
roofs and sidings.
(4) No more t4an two outbuildings per
dwelling; maximum (total) 500 square
feet.
(5) Mobile/semi~obile homes permitted
during construction of permanent
dwelling - maximum one year •
(6) Foundation pillars or stilts; maximum
36 inches high above ground level.
(7) All new fences must be of wood, no
wire.
(8) Generators, antennas, transmission
lines to be screened from travel
routes and public use a~eas.
g) Encourage, new commercial facilities
necessary for serving the recreationist at
one or two selected areas; harmonious with
the environment, Follow guidelines of ~)
above.
h) Residential owner, sale, or rental signs
not to exceed four square feet. Commer­cial
signs; maximum 30 square feet,
harmonious '.in' design and color with
surroundings. No flashing lights or neon
tube •
53
. 3. Withdrawals
Objectives: Withdraw from mineral entry any areas
identified as necessary for public and administrative
purposes.
a. Situation
~ithin the Frank Church--River of No Return Wilder­ness
and the associated Wild and Scenic river·s,
approximately 177,084 acres of withdrawals are
presently established by administrative designation.
These include power site classifications, which have
only limited withdrawal effect, and were established
in the 1920's due to.potential for hydro-power
development. In the 1950'!! and early 1960's, areas
which had actual or potential use for administrative
sites (e.g., fire lookouts, Ranger Stations, air­fields)
or recreation sites (e.g., campgrounds) were
withdrawn according to Presidential Executive Order
10355. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968
withdrew Wild River areas and "study" rivers pending
th~ir stuay and Congressional consider~tion.
Pate~ted lands which have since been purchased by
the Forest Service are not open to' mineral entry.
Lands for which withdrawal application has been
filed have the same effect. This applies to the
Salmon Wild and Scenic River, since a withdrawal was
•
requested when the expiration qf the statutory •
"study river" withdrawal·was imm~nent.
The Wilderness Act of 1964 established that, effec­tive
January 1, [984, a statutory withdrawal is
applied to wilderness. The Central Idaho Wilderness
Act of 1980 exempts the Special Mining Management
Zone from that withdrawal as to its effect on
exploration and development of cobalt and associated
minerals. The ,Central Idaho Wilderness Act of 1980
prohibits ~redge and placer mining in the Salmon and
Middle' Fork Salmon Wild and Scenic rivers and in the
tributaries to the Middle Fork Salmon River.
The total withdrawal acreage of 177,084 acres
mentioned above is misleading. There are many
overlapping withdrawals. The overlapping acreages
have not· been precisely determined, but it appears
most of ~he power site classification is overlapped
by the statutory Wild River withdrawals. Approxi­mately
1,000 acres of the administrative·and recrea­tion
site withdrawals also occur in the Wild River
corridors.
There are administrative sites established which
have not been wit~drawn. Examples are: Little
54 •
•
! }
•
•
Soldier Lookout, Loon Creek Point Lookout, and
Sleeping Deer ~ookout •
There are withdrawals for potential administrative
or recreation sites whicn have not been developed
and which will not be. Examples are: Hida Landing
Strip, Red Top Meadows"•Landing Strip, Phantom
Meadows Landing Strip, Camas Creek Administrative
Site, Waterfall Administrative Site, and Sheep Creek
Administrative Site.
There are also withdrawals for administrative sites
which have been discontinued from use; i.e., are no
longer needed. Examples are: West Horse Lookout,
Nolan Point Lookout, Lake Creek Patrol Station, and
Risley Administrative Site. Again, some of these
occur in ~reas covered by other withdrawals and some
overlap each other.
The Federal Land Policy and Management Act provides
for review of all existing administrative with­drawals
by October, 1991, with stringent require­ments
for justifying establishment or continuation
of withdrawals. Forest Service Manual direction is
pending, which will provide policy and ~riteria for
determining withdrawal needs.
h. Assumptions
1) Administrative withdrawals that overlap stat­utory
withdrawals are redundant and unneces­s~
ry.
2) Administrat:lve withdrawal protection is neces­sary
for cer~ain key administrative and public
·service sites .not included in statutory with­
·drawals.
c.· Direction
1) Discontinue administrative withdrawals where
·statutory withdr~wals exist. Remove metal
·signs·.
2) Continue other existing withdrawals at sites
where public and admin~strative values are
identified. (Examples: Boundary Creek
Campground, Sagebrush Lookout.)
3) Continue the- existing withdrawals in the-Salmon
Recreational River corridor pending additional
reviews in compliance and accord with policy
and criteria being developed; except:
55
4.
Mcl\8y Flat and Spting· ·Creek withdrawals are
unnecessary and revocation will be requested.
Special Use Permits
Objectives: Manage those c'oriunercial and other special
uses that are authorized in wilderness in a manner which
results in the least possible impact on the wilderness
resource.
a. Situation
There are numerous special land uses authorized by
special use permit in the Wilderness. By far, the
greatest number are to outfitters for providing
outfitting and· guid-ing_ services to the public.
Others include an assortment of more 'localized uses,
usually in .association with private ·land activities,
such as water diver-sions 'and transmission, fences,
mining roads (see Transportation, page 71, for
further discussion of roads), telephone lines, and
po-rtions of airfields and related facilities. The
impacts of most of these are relatively minor, but,
except for outfitter and guide special use permits,
they are generally in conflict with wilderness
principles and objectives.
General direction fr'om all levels and (lources is
~hat non-conforming uses will be eliminate<\., with
provision for phasing out oyer a reasonable period
of time. Water development facilities may be
continued, if in the public interest, as may those
oth!'r uses in conjunction with valid existing
rights. ·The Central Idaho Wilderness Act specif­ically
authorizes .certain. water-use facilities in
Threemile and ;Jersey ·creeks. See page 39, Soil and
Water, Direction f, g, h, and 1.
Outfitting and guide operations are intended to
provide the public-with the equipment, services, and
~kills tqat non-outfitted ~ilderness visitors
provide for 'themse;lv_es. There are 112 commercial
outfitting operations in the Frank Church--River of
No Return Wilderness, involving 88 outfitters. They
make the Wil."derness-·accessible and available, within
applicable Wilderness Act constraints, to those
withou~ the time, skill, equipment, or local knowl­edge
to otherwise gain a wilderness and/or wild
river exper~ence. Experiences provided by outfit­ters
include whitewater boating using an assortment
of, )'Tatercraft, .jetboating, hunting, fishing, camp­ing,
backpacking, horseback rides, pack trips,
"camera safaris,", and cross-country skiing. Many of
these are conducted in combination with others.
56
•
•
•
•
•
•
Many are associated with the resorts an~ lodges on
private and State lands •
The outfitter services provided include planning and
organizing the trip, instructing the wilderness
visitor in tpe proper gse of the equipment, cooking,
guiding, and enroute and. in-camp care and handling
of the equipment. In addition, some outfitte»s
enhance the wilderness experience for the public
through interpretation and explanation of the
natural and cultural history of the area, and
demonstrating the woodsmanship and campcraft of
their profession.
Equipment necessary to provide these services
include transportation in the form of boats, horses,
and related rigging and tack; and camping gear in
the form of tents, cooking utensils, ,and food.
Outfitter operations are expected to blend and
harmonize with non-outfitted wilderness use. While
outfitters mainly. serve recreationists, their
services are also provided for other wilderness
uses; e.g., mining, education; scientific, ·and
administrative.
The impacts and opportunities related to outfitting
in ,the Wilderness are. partly sociological, partly
ecological, and partly administrative. While the
tradition of outfitted use of the Wilderness is well
established, there.is still a negative reaction by
.some wilderness visitors to encountering outfitted
parties. This reaction may stem from subjective,
even sub-conscious, opposition to any commercial
activities in wilqerness or to the possibility that
outfitted visitors displace or preempt others.
Other factors may be the sociological impacts of
large groups encountered with outfitters, and some
non-outfitted .. parties, to the sometimes greater
resource· impacts associated with large groups using
pack and saddle stock. Visitors are'often not aware
that outfitting is needed and appropriate in wilder­ness.
The concerns related to resource impacts and pre­emption
are valid in part's .nf the Wilderness. -For
both their own and their clients convenience, some
hunting outfitters have historically selected the
"best" campsite locations with the approval of the
District Rangers in the outfitter permits. The same
sit_es lp:e used year after year and have tended to
evolve into permanent, year-round installations.
This. is of particular concern regarding transfer
camps near roads and airfields. In becoming base
57
camp type installations and operations, they are not
serving tneir origin~l intended purpose. The
facilities have grown and utilize more space which
restricts the availability for other visitors. ~
Management policies have not required (or the
requirements were not enforced) the removal of tents
or tent frames, corrals, t6ilets, and storage
caches, nor .r.estricted the materials and facilities
used. The result has been not only the site pre-emption
but, in some cases, long term biological and
aesthetic degradation.
b. Assumptions
1) There will continue to be requests for permits
for activities and uses inappropriate in
wilderness.
2) There will continue to be requests for permits
to provide additional outfitter services.
3) Outfitter services will continue to be needed
at approximately present levels.
4) Whitewater boating opportunities utilizing
outfitter services are adequately provided and
available on the Middle Fork and main Salmon
Wild and Scenic rivers.
5) Some outfitters will continue to cla~m that
their cliente~e. locations, or particular
operations require services or facilities
inappropr~ate in wilderness,
6) Some facilities 'or improvements may be neces­sary
for wilderness respurce p·rotection.
c. Direction
1) Non-o~tfitter/guide special use permits:
a) On an opportunity basis, cancel or revise
special use permits to reduce conflicts
with wilderness values.
b) Issue no new special use permits except
for activities appropriate in wilderness,
such as:
(l) Research.
(2) Cultural resource investigation.
58
•
•
•
• 2)
•
(3) Essential mining access •
(4) Resource information gathering.
c) Specifically prohibited are:
(1) Contests or organized competitive
events. (See FSM 2323.11e)
(2) Commer~ial motion picture or tele­vision
productions, including TV
commercials or other advertising o.r
promotional activity.
(3) Soliciting.,
'(4) Hydroelectric power propo~als; except
in Threemile and Jersey creeks as
provided by section 7(a)(4) of the
Central Idaho Wilderness Act.
d) Any permits issued will include provisions
for protecting the wilderness resource
(including solitude), minimizing impacts,
and/or restoring natural conditions •.
Outfitter/guide special use permits:
a) Continue to issue special use permits for
outfitter services, numbers, and distri­bution
at approximately current levels.
Continue to monitor and analyze public
service needs and make appropriate adjust­ments.
o) Administration of outfitter and guide
permits will be coordinated with the State
of Idaho Outfitters and Guides Board, in
accordance with current Memorandum of
Understanding.
c) Outfitter servi,ces will not be permitted
for boating-related activities except on
the Middle Fork and main Salmon rivers,
(See Recreation, page 26, for additional
Middle ·Fork boating direction,)
d) The following definitions and direction
will be used in issuing and administering
outfitter and guide permi~s:
(1) Outfitter: ~ defined by the Idaho
Code, Title 36, chapter 54.
59
(2) Base Camp: (Reserved site.) These
are main camps located on sites
approved in advance by the District
Ranger. Campsites are reserved,
posted, and regularly used during the
permitted season by the designated
permittee. They are generally not
located at road ends or airstrips.
Improvements are limited to those
necessary f6r the safe and sanitary
conduct of the business and protec­tion
of the wilderness resource.
(a) Facilities and improvements must
be temporary in nature; i.e.,
capable of bei~g readily dis­mantled;
(b) Must be dismantled when not in
use (within 15 days before - 10
days after allowed). Reusable
poles may be cached vertically
and inconspicuously against
trees outside camp perimeter.
(c) All camp facilities and improve­ments
should be at least 200
feet from trails, streams, and
lakes, where terrain permits.
Consider relocating, if possi­ble,
to where terrain permits.
(d) Camps will be relocated from
overused degraded sites.
(e) Ground logs for ten~s may be
allowed on case-by-case basis.
(f) Permanent hitchracks and/or
corrals may be authorized, if
necessary, to solve a continuing
resource problem. Temporary
electric fence, rope hitchlines,
or rope corrals are preferred.
If permanent facility is needed,
hitchracks are preferred over
corrals.
(g) No new caches will be permitted.
60
Existing caches will be phased
out at the rate of one per year
per outfitter beginning at the
end of the 1986 season.
•
•
•
•
•
•
(3)
(4)
(h) Maximum group size is 20 people,
~ithout prior approval •
Transfer Camp: (Reserved site.)
These camps are generally located
near roads, road and trail junctions,
or airfields. They should be located
inconspicuously and allow adequate
space for non-outfitted facilities
and use. They are used primarily for
holding pack stock and equipment and
serve as jumpoff points to trails,
but hunting, fishing, or other
activities may be permitted from
these camps. Campsites may be posted
for the exclusiye oc~upancy of the
,permittee. The ~ite may provide for
parking· space, ro~let, corral,
hitchrack, and tent space. When
within the Wilderness, the standards
for base camps will also apply to
trans~er camps.
Spike Camp: Such campsites may be
either reserved or unreserved. They
are approved by the District Ranger
for use by the permittees and those
he/she serves on a temporary basis in
conjunction with the permitted
operations. Spike camps will meet
the standards as base camps, except:
(a) They may be available for use on
.a "first come, first served"
basis for either outfitted or
' non-outfitted camping purposes.
(b) Unless otherwise approved by the
District Ranger, camps ca~not be
set up more· than three days in
advap.ce of use and are to be
removed within three days after
use if reuse is not to be made
within ten days. If. reused
within ten days, they are
reserved sites.
(c) A permittee will be normally
limited to not more than three
spike camps in addition to a
transfer camp and/or base camp.
(d) Temporary corrals or permanent
hitchra~ks may be permitted with
61
/
case-by-case approval of
District Ranger, based on
resource protection heeds
relative to site use by non-out- ~
fitted public. Electric fence
may be approved.
(5) Drop Camp: May be either reserved or
unreserved. Undesignated campsites
used by parties whose camp equipment
and supplies are packed in and/or out
by an outfitter. The sites are not
reserved for exclusive occupancy and
are generally at a location of the
visitor's choice. The outfitter may
or may not furnish camp equipment and
supplies. Equipment shall be left in
place only during the period it is
actually in use. The outfitter is
responsible to secure cleanup on the
campsite. The site is considered
reserved if the camp is used or in
place more than 14 days,
(6) Itinerant or Progressiv,e Travel
Trips: These are trips of parties
that travel progressively through the
Forest for extended periods of time.
Camps are normally used only one
night. Sites are ordinarily not
reserved, although they may be
reserved if they are scheduled or
preassigned for some of the larger.
groups or in areas or seasons of
relatively heavy use to assure
availability of ca~ping space.
Progressive travel permits .may be
issued for horse trips, backpacker
trips, cross-country ski tours, and
boat trips.
(7) Pack and saddle stock must .be ridden
or led and not permitted to run loose
on roads or trails (except in excep­tional
situations where safety
dictates otherwise).
(8)
62
Only pack and saddle stock necessary
for each trip will pe permitted
(maximum is 20 head, without prior
approval). No colts, unbroken, or
crippled stock are permitteCi (except
for short periods when animal becomes
cr'ippled during trip).
~
~
•
•
•
(9) Grazing of pack and saddle stock will
be approved a~d authorized on a
case-by-ca~e basis, considering
season, forage availability, and
needs of wildlife and other wilder­ness
users.
(10) Supplemental livestock feed, when
needed,.wi~l be processed pellets or
high quality (e.g., first cutting)
alfalfa hay and/or grain. Recommertd­ed
grain is rolled oats.
(11) Salt for pack and saddle stock will
be as provided for in permit or
operating plan. If salting is
authorized, mixing with grain is the
preferred method. Otherwise, salt
must be in block form, secured off
the ground in waterproof container,
located away from camps, trails, and
live water, and removed when live­stock
are removed .
63
:~
G. Fire, Insect, Disease, and Weed Man·agement
Objectives: Ensure that control of insect and disease epidem­ics
and suppression C!f wildfires are only used when necessary,
and in ways to protect life, property, and the wilderness
resource.
1. Situation
Fire has been a primary influence in the 4evelopment of
the ecosystems of the Wilderness. These natural eco­sy~
tems have been increasingly influenced by the advent
of fire suppression and an increase in person-caused
fires. The occurrence of natural fire (lightning-caused)
appears relatively constant, while person-caused fires
have increased with increased use of the Wilderness.
Lightning. continues to be the predominant ignition
source, accounting for nearly 88% of the fire starts. Of
the total fires started (both natural and person caused),
less than five percent exceeded 10 ~cres in si~e. By
far, the maJority of fires burn less than 1,; acre before
being controlled. Fires that exceed 10,000 acres occur
periodically, about one per decade.
Fire suppression is contributing to a fuels buildup in
some areas. This, coupled with an increasing potential
for lo~er slope ignitions associated with increased
visitor u~e, continues to increase the potential for the
occurrence of large fires.
Fire prevention activit~es have been primarily centered
at visitor access points to ~he Wild~rness, with minor
in-wilderness contact being accomplished in conjunction
with other administrative activities such as river
patrols and in-wilderness administrative site personnel.
Existing fire detection capabilities are the result; of
periodic adjustments of the number of lookouts, the use
of aerial patrol, and the use of ground/river patrols as
dictated by budget, technical advancement, and user
concentration.
Fire management, including initial attack and suppres­sion,
is based on aggressive confinement and control of
each wildfire so that land management objectives may be
met at reasonable cost.
Insect and disease problems are in a naturally variable
condition throughout the Wilderness. Evidence of western
spruce budworm feeding, and resu1tant effects, occur in
most ~rainages ~ith top-killing and m9rtality present in
scattered stands, especially on the Middle Fork·of the
Salmon River between Ramshorn and Indian Creeks, No
64
•
•
•
•
•
•
major Douglas-fir bee~le activity appears present,
however, ~ouritain pine beetle infestation seems to be
in,c~easing ,along Pistol Creek, Loon Creek, and tlennis
Creek. DWarf mistletoe is common, but no unusual in­festations
are present. Small patches of noxious weeds
and other non-nativ.e species are present in scattered
locations and, although not noticeably expanding, must be
considered a serious threat to natural succession.
2. Assumptions
a. The potential for destructive wildfires will contin­ue
to increase unless areas of unnaturally high
fuels can be reduced or eliminated.
b. tnsects and diseas,es will continue to be active and
dynamic, with epidemic populations occurring from
time to time.
c. Fire will be needed to reestablish and maintain a
natural mosaic of ecological and successional types.
d. Additional ·studies are needed to gain a greater
understanding of the role of fire in the ecology of
the Wilderness.
e. As wilderness visitation increases, so will the need
f.
for fire preventton work. ·
There is a need to inform the public of trade-offs
of a natural fire program.
g. Aerial delivery and recovery of emergency fire­fi~
hters and equipment may do less physical ~amage,
but have greater impacts on solitude and esthetic~
than pack and saddle stock.
h. Phy~ical impacts (camps, firelines, helispots,
retardant stains) which may occur on sites as a
result of fire 'control activities can be avoided or
mitigated.
i.. A combination of fixed (lookouts), aerial, and
ground/river patrol~ will continue to be needed for
fire detection.
Jr Re~ources outside the Wilderness may require protec­tJon
from insect and disease epidemics and fires
which expand and spread_ from the Wilderness.
k., Opportunitie_s to naturally control or minimize the
establish~ent of additional noxious weeds should be·
taken •
65
3. Direction
a. Prevention and detection.
1)- Accomplish fire prevent.ion. and detection. •
activities in such a way as to minimize ~mpacts
on the visitor's wilderness experience.
a)
b)
Restrict fire prevention.signing and
contacts to Wilderness entrance locations,
except' where 'essent'ial'to w11detness.
preservatiqn and resource protection.
Reduce manned interior contact points as
much as practicaL -
2) Increase th.e. number of manned trailheads, as
necessary,. ·to corttaet the maJority of visitors.
3) Continue manning lookouts in t~e Wildernes~, as
needed.
4) ·The use of helicopters for servicing 1oo~uts
and commun:l:cations .. sites wil-l be limited to
emergency )31tuations when primitive l!leans
·cannot meet the need.· :Rorest Supe-rVfso.r
approval is required·.
. '
5) ·Supplement lookout ·detection--with aerial patrol
after lightning storms, during high fire danger"
p~rtods.
6) Continue existing patro.ls :Which include· fire
respohsibi~ities,
7) Supplement fire prevention efforts during high
fire' danger periods and in heavy qse areas by
increased involvement of Wilderness Rangers.
8) Permi't open fires, except when .existing. !lri,d
e:icpecred fii:e danger jul!ltifies implementation
of fire closure·~rder or ,as provided in Salmon
and Middre Fork S!!lmon Wild. River Management
Plans'"
b. Fire• management planning.
Develop a .. comprehensiye. wilderness fire management
pl~n-which w111 include and provide for:
1) The use of fire as a means of restoring and
perpetuating natural ecosystems within the
Wilderness,
•
•
•
." •
•
~
2) Coclrdination with the Selway-Bitterroot and
Gospel Hump Wildern~ss Fire Plaps~
3) Development of a program for using prescribed
fire, which may include both planned and
unplanned (lightning) ignitions to achieve
wilderness objectives. (As planned ignitions
in wilderness are contrary to existing policy,
Chief's approval will be required.)
4) Direction regarding pppropriate wildfire
suppression responses (control, containment, or
confinement), including appropriate and inap­propriate
techniques, methods, toqls, and
equipment.
c. Suppression.
Pending completi~n of the-wilderness fire management
plan, the following guidelines will apply:
1) Continue to take appropriate wildfire sup­pression
action ~f control, containment, or
confinement~-
2)'
3)
Utilize suppression strategies that consider
reasonable cost, while emphasizing preservation
of wilderness values, protection of private
property, and high regard for human safety •
Acco~plish fire supp~~ssion using methods and
equipment which least impacts the Wilderness.
4) Restrict the use of motorized equipment to that
which is essential to safe, efficient accom­plishment
of-the fire management plan direction
and fs approved by the Forest Service.
5) The use of helicopters for demobilization is
limited to cases where the Forest Supervisor
determines the use ia necessarv to meet other
fire eme~gertcies, for safety, ~r when re~oval
by rion~otorized means-would create significant
·impact on the wilderness resource.
6) Limit the use of heavy equipment to exceptions~
circumstances. Regional Forester approval is
required.
d. Insect, disease, and weed control.
1) Restrict insect and disease control work to
that which is necessary to:
67
a) Prevent an unnatural loss of. the w:l.lder­ness
resource, or
b) Protect resources outside the Wilderness
from an immediate threat.
Regional Forester approval is required, and
will only be given if the threat cannot reason­ably
be abated by control actions taken outside
the Wilderness.
2) Restrict weed control work to that which is
essential for protection of the Wilderness, or
to protect valuable resources outside the
Wilderness.
Vegetative manipulation must be approved by the
Chief, after which pesticide use for such
projects can be- approved by the Regional
Forester. Primitive methods of control (e.g.,
grubbing) are preferred.
3) Integrated pest management strategies and
techniques will be utilized to suppress or
eradicate introduced undesirable plants,
animals including insects, and diseases to
protect the Wilderness and/or resources outside
the Wilderness commensurate with ecological,
environmental, and economic values.
68
•
•
•
H. Air Quality
Ob1ectives: Assure that air quality over the Wilderness is
~ protected from pollution in excess of established standards.
~
~
,
1. Situation
Currently the Frank Church--River of No Return Wilderness
and its associated Wild and Scenic rivers are d~signated
Class II, and may not be red~signated Class III under the
amendments of the Clean Air Act. Present air quality is
considered to be ex~ellent, with perhaps 10 to 20 micro­grams
per cubic meter ·of total suspended particulates.
The air quality related·values of the area were evaluated
in 1978, and redesfgnation to Class I was recommended.
Temporary and intermittent air pollution does occur,
primarily in the form of smoke from wildfires. Presently
this is considered to some degree both unavoidable and
insignificant. In addition, smoke from the prescribed
burning of logging slash outside the Wilderness notice­ably
impacts visibility in ~he lower Salmon River canyon
and other places near the Wilderness periphery. even
less significant are other pollution sources: sulfu~
dioxide ·emissions from jetboats_ on the Salmon River and
aircraft at the Wilderness airfields; smoke from camp­fires,
administrative sites, and inholdings; fugitive
dust from trail artd road corridor traffic; and dust,
smoke, and other emissions from mining activity.
There have been three new stationary sources subject to
Prevention of Significant Deterforation (PSD) permit
requirements in the viciniJ:y of the Wilderness in recent
years. These are the Thompson Creek mine, approximately
11 miles southeast of the Wtlderness; the Stibnite mine,
three miles west; and Blackbird mine, four miles east.
Their planned emissions, as modeled, are well within
required standards, even if the Wilderness were Class I.
Potential additional s_ources are difficult to anJ:icipate.
M~nerals-related developments are the only likely types
of sources which may pccur that may impact the air
quality of the Wilderness.
The potential for more frequent large fires exists if
fire management planning results in prescribed fires in
the Wilderness. This manage~ent option would increase
smoke outputs over current levels in some years.
In summary, reasonable anticipated new sources will have
adequate pollutant increment'? available, for the foresee­!!
ble future.
69
2. Assumptions
•
a. Air quality will remain high unless threatened by
outside pollution sources.
b. Redesignation to Class I is desirable for long-range
air quality protection.
3. Direction
a. Await State action on Class I redesignation.
Provide support, on request by state or federal
units of gc;>ve~nment, .fcir such redesignation.
b. Evaluate potential effects of proposed pollution
sources for violation of Class II PSD standards.
c. Pending sampling data of actual baseline total
suspended particulates, 10 to 20,micrograms per
cubic meter will be c0nsidered the norm in monitor­ing
new pollution sources.
d. Await Cl~ss I redesignation before determining
visibility standards and objectives.
4. Monitoring, coordination, and action ite~s.
Il
a. Monitor Air Quality Related Values that are affected
by stationary sources outside of the Wilderness to
assure that emissions are within required standards.
b. Monitor ~isibility to determine baseline informa­tion.
70
•
•
•
I. •
•
•
'
Transportation
Objectives: Provide and maintain a transportation system that
affopds reasonable access t~rough6ut the Wilderness, distrib­utes
visitor use to provide opportunities for solitude,
recognizes traditional patterns of use, and minimizes physical
and visual impacts upon the wilderness resource.
Access to the Wilderness is available by motor vehicle, foot
ot horse, boat, and aircraft. Transportation within the
Wilderness is by trail, river, and air; with road (motor
vehicle) use being restricted to only those miners and land­owners
who have established legal rights of ingress and
egress. There are approximately 41 miles of road, with two
bridges, within the Wilderness for miner or landowner access.
Road access to the Wilderness boundary is provided by State
and county highways from more populated areas and transporta­tion
centers, thence by Forest highways and all-purpose roads
to the vicinity of the Wilderness, and finally by local Forest
roads to the Wilderness boundary. Most of the local roads are
not kept open in winter. Approximately 32 roads are adjacent
or lead to the Wilderness boundary; with about 325 miles of
road essentially bordering (within 300 to 1,000 feet) it.
There are 66 recognized trailheads providing wilderness
access. Trailheads are the locations where wilderness
~isitors make the transition from nonwilderness to wilderness •
These are usually where the visitor shifts from a motorized
means of transportation to nonmotorized, and are often
referred to as'"transfer points." Most (57) trailheads are at
or near the Wilderness boundary, an~ the visitor generally
departs from car or truck and enters the Wilderness on foot or
horseback. In addition, trailheads for the Wilderness also
include locations where the transition is from automobile to
raft or jetboat, and from aircraft to foot, horse, or raft.
Two primary raft launching points for the Middle Fork Salmon
River also serve as trailheads for foot .an& horse travel;
these are Boundary Creek and Indian Creek. In addition,
Indian Creek has an airfield. The other airfields along the
Middle Fork also serve as trailheads for both r.iver and trail
users, but to a lesser degree. The primary trailheads for
river users along the main Salmon River are at Corn Creek and
Vinegar Creek, with trail access also at Corn Creek and both
river and trail, .again to a lesser extent, at Mackay liar and
Whitewater Ranch roads. Of the 24 airfields in the Wilder­ness,
nine serve as public trailheads.
Most trailheads have few'jleveloped facilities, but some are
fully developed, with camping units, drinking water, toilets,
boat ramps, parking areas, and stock-handling facilities •
71
',1
Thus, access to the Wilderness is essentially by road or air,
and transportation within the Wilderness is by trail or boat.
Of the 34 parcels of private land' in the Wilderness, nine are
acce~se? by air, six primarily by jetboat, seven by both air
and jetboat (two of these qlso have road access), two by
cablecar,. and ten by trail.
The waterways transportation consists of aownriver-only
(floating) traffic on the 96 miles of the Mtddle Fork Salmon
Wild River and 12 mil~s of the South Fork Salmon River, and 79
miles of both up- and downriver (floating and jetboating)
traffic on the main Salmon River.
The trail system, the more traditional wilderness transporta­tion
system, consists of 2,616 miles of trail. Of ~his,
approximat~ly 2,216 miles are considered main or primary, and
400 miles are primitive or secondary.· A~out 40 miles of the
primitive trails have been discontinued, with additional
marginal trails fo be evaluated. The trail system includes
112 packbridges.
~ile the condition and maintenance of much of the total
transportl!tion system vavies from place to place and year to
year'· the overall extent of the system, i.e., the mix and
arrangement of roads, airfields, trails, and waterways, must
be considered more than adequate. Although there are trail­less
areas as ~arge as 73,000 acres, there is, on average, one
~iie of trail for every 900 acres of wilderness. No location
is mqre than five miles from a trail or twelve miles frqm a
tr.ailhead or other motor:fozed access point. Those are direct
or "as-the-crow-flies" mi}es, but even by traii, no point is
more than 20 miles fro~ a trai}head. ·
The air.fields, jetboats, and the "corridor" roads (roads that
are bordered on both s~des by wilderness) provide the unusual
opportunity for the interested-public to visit or view much of
the Wilderness via mcito,ized transportation. While not truly
a. wilderness experience, this ?ffords some of the enjoyment of
wilder~ess to those w~o would not otherwise benefit, such as
the elderly and handi~apped.
Roads, airfields, trails, and bridges are discussed in detail
in the following sections. Signs, for visitor information,
regulation, and direction, are located throughout the Wilder­ness.
Although they also are related to roads, airfields, and
other facilities and activities, they are discussed within the
trails element.
1. Roads
Objectives: Assure tnat construction and use of author­ized
rqads prov~es reasonable visitor access to the
Wilderness perimeter'and minimum ingress and egress
requirements of miners and private landowners.
72
•
•
•
a • •
' •
•
Situation
Major access roads ~o the Wilderness consist mainly
of State, county; and' Forest highways that essen­tially
surround the Wilderness ·and link its fringes
with the major routes to population centers and
interstate travel routes.
Many forest deve·lov.ment roads (arterial and collec­tor)
provide linkage to primary and secondary access
to the Wilderness. Some of these roads terminate at
trail transfer facilities from which trails lead
into the area. Others skirt the area and become
main access routes for local lower s'tandard roads
w~ich lead to, or penetrate th~ boundary of, the
Wilderness.
Secondary access roads (local) are generally low
standard forest development roads or low standard
mining roads that extend or connect from the major
forest development roads mentioned above. They
usually .. terminate near the ·Wildetness boundary, but
extend into it 'in some c'ases.
At the time of wilderness designation several roads
were within the propo~ed boundaries of the Wilder­ness.
Many were excluded by boundary adjustments· or
the wse of road corrido.rs resulting in fingers
pro.truding into the Wilderness. ·some, ho.wever, were
lef·t in the Wilderness fo.r limited mining access.
The growing interest in develo.ping the mineral
resources o.f these areas co.uld create co.nsiderable ·
impact in the Wilder~ess, particularly where in­terior
roads and active claims come to.gether.
Providing for necess'ary related access while pro.­tecti~
g and preserving the Wilderness is an enigma.
Of tho.se roads which were delineated as nonwilder­ness,
co.rridors, two were identified by Co.ngress·. fo.r
further evaluat1o.n. These are the Feltham Po.int to.
Pinyo.n Peak sectio.n o.f 'the Beaver-Loon Creek ro.ad,
and the Hells Half Acre roaq. A third co.rrido.r, the
Missouri Creek road, has also been evaluated by the
Fo.rest Service since it has been clo.sed by a natural
landslide and has not been qsed since 1974.
Co.rridor roads in general may create management
problems where motorized trail vehicles, snow­mobiles,
and the like.were used regularly prior to
designation of th~ Wilderness. Some of the roads
are narrow with turnouts far between resulting in
traffic problems, especially when trailers are
involved. Parking at the road-ends is also a
problem.
73
Certain segments of the road system providin&
wilderness access will have intermittent. logging
traffic on them. Traffic hazards, dust, noise, and
other associated p~oblems may create conflicts with
wilderness visitors traveling to and' from the
Wilderness.
The· most persistent and frustrating problems with
the roads are their maint~nce .requirements. Local
roads which seive only one primary function, wilder­ness
acces~. are often in the worst condition,
Those used by miners are pften maintained by the
miners themselves only to the extent necessary for
their access.- The secondary roads (arterial,
collector) are often in-better condition, receiving
more maintenance because of greater demand for their
use. In general, road maintenance dollars are short
on all Forests due to reduced federal budgets in
general and reduced Forest Service b~dgets in
particular.
b, Assumptions
1) Development of ac~ess roads leading to the
Wilderness should be compatible with the
carrying capacity of the area.
2) The existing mining access roads within the
area will continue to _exert an adverse impact
on management of the adjacent area as wilder­ness.
3) Visitor use will increase regardless of what is
done wi.th the access roads.
4) MAny visitors will continue to want high
standard access roads to the area.
5) As a management tool, the transportation-system
can help control the location and intensity of
·visitor use.
6) Motorized-use violations will continue to be a
problem.
c. Direction
1) Interior roads:
a) Interior roads providing no bona fide
access shall be closed and rehabilitated,
where practicable.
74
•
•
•
)
•
•
•
2)
b) For approved.mining or private land access
-roads, the following guidelines will
apply:
(1) Iss~e a Class D spec~al use permit.
(2) Require the posting of a reclamation
bond to cover rehabilita~ion work
following termination of act.ivity.
(3) Require "best management practice"
techniques, procedures, and .standards
d~sig~ed to minimize water quality
deg~;ac!ation.
(4) ~pecify constr~ction standards and
mitigation ~equirements with follow­up
mof!itoring and complianc~ inspec­tions.
(5) Access, under the permit, will be
limited to actual need.
(6) Where several users are involved,
road use fees will be proportionately
levied according to the amount of
actual use •
(7) Where several users utilize the same
road; encourage the formation of a
"road u.sers association" and issue
one permit to the association, when
practicable. ·
Special Roads:
a) ~llow the Pinyon Peak-Feltham Creek Point
portion of ·the Beaver-Loon Creek road and
fhe Hells Half. Acre road to remain open to
the public. It is recommended that the
roads remain in non-wilderness status.
b) Obliterate, screen, and rehabilitate the
Missouri Creek road bed. Convert to a
trail;
3) Exterior Roads:
a) Improve dispersal of visitors by providing
additional access rQutes through careful
analysis after visitor capacity has been
determined.
b) Manage access r~~tes •to the Wilderness to
enhance th~·wilderness resource •
75
2. Aviation
Objectives: Operate and maintain the necessary'National
Forest landing strips to meet minimum requirements of
safety and S!'rviceability with minimum impac.ts on the
wilderness resource.
·a. Situation
Aircraft have provided access to the Wilderness for
well over 50 years. There are presently 24 active
landing strips within the Wilderness and Wild Rivers
area. 9f these, seven ~re on federal land, four are
on State land, and thirteen are on private land,
Air access to the Wilderness also considers:
·1) Three· landing strips outside, but ad~acent to,
the area; Big Creek, Bruce :Meadows, and Upper
Loon Creek.
2) Two landing strips, that were formerly private­ly
owned and operated in con.iunction with
priv!lte land, have be·en recently purchased by
the U.S. Forest Service, The landing strips
are now closed. They are the Crofoot Ranch and
Falconberry Ranch.
3)· Four· additional sites (Vines, Simonds, Dewev
Moore, Mile-Hi) that have not been in regul~r
public u~e. They were initially constructed on
privately owned or claimed land and have
received only very sporadic use. They are
margina~, at best, from a safety standpoint;
and with four other, better, landing strips in
the immediate vicinity of the Big treek
drainage, are not necessary for general
wilderness access purposes.
4) Several additional landing strips have been
planned, even partially or completely con­structed.
They were found to be impractical or
unnecessary and are now virtually non-existent,
These include Butts Point, Hida Ridge, and
Phantom Meadows,
Wilderness landing strips:
National Forest St'ate Private
1. Bernard 1. Lowe; L~on Creek 1. Allison Ranch
2. Cabin Creek 2. Stonebraker 2. Campbell's Ferry
3. Chambedain
4. Cold ·Meadows
'3. T., a.v lor Ranch 3 • Dovel (Monumental Cabin)
4. Thomas Creek 4. Flying B
5. Indian Creek 5. James Ranch
'!6
• }
•
•
• 6. Mahoney
7. Soldier Bar
) < •
•
Private (cont.)
6. Mackay Bar
7. Morgan Ranch
8. Pistol Creek
9. Root Ranch
10. Shepp Ranch
11. Sulphur Creek Ra~ch
1?.. Whitewater Ranch
13. Yellowpine Bar
It is estimated that more than 4,400 aircraft
land~ngs occu> within the area annually, The
Chamberlai~ and Indian Creek landing strips are two
of the larger maintained landing strips in the area
and are not considered to be particularly demanding
from ~he standpoint of backcountry flying skill
needed to safely use these. landing strips.
Consequently', these two landing str~ps ·are regularly
utilized by private pilots for day and weekend
recreation. The Indian Cre~k landing strip is also
heavily used in connection with the popular
floatboating.activity on the Middle Fork of the
Salmon River. When water 'levels drop in late
summer, it is no longer possible to launch boat
trips from the usual Boundary ·Creek launching point.
The usual practice then is to transport personnel
and,equipment to Indian Creek by aircraft and start
the river trip from there.
In contrast to the Chamberlain and Indian Creek
landing strips, there·· are a number of smaller
lariding strips which are extremely demanding of the
highest degree of mountain flying skills, .These
landing strips should only pe attempted by pilots
familiar with canyon and short fielq operation. The
Idaho A'Lrport Fac;LlHies· Directory, pul;>Hshed by the
Idaho. Transportation Department, nrovides details.
The Division of· Aeronautics iri the State Department
of. Tran,sportation ha.s. responsibility for search and
ress:ue activ:l. t·ies regard,:l.ng lost or downed aircraft.
Various methods of air attack are utilized in the
fire suppression activity. Smokejumpers and/or
helitack crews are used to man most of the fires.
Only a small perceptage of the fires are man'n ed by
foot or horse travel. Helicopters are utilized to
retrieve firefighters and their gear whe~· fire
emergency requires •. fire retardent is used on many
fires in initial attack efforts ·and· to help combat
large fire situations, Aircraft, particularly
helicopters, are occasionally use4 for emergency
situations such as search and rescue •
77
'• •
'
The early practice of marking and numbering heli­spots
has been discontinued. Use of natural open-ings,
wi.th as little disturbance as poasible, is the •
present helicopter fire use policy. Most of the
fire lookouts maintain adjacent helispots. These
are usually outlined by rocks and have a wind
direction indicator. The routine practice of
manning and servicing loo~outs by helicopter has
also been di.scontinued.
The Idaho Department of fish and Game uses
fixed~ing aircraft artd helicopters for fish plant­ing
in many of the high lakes within the area and
for wildlife population surveys and other game
management work. The·bepartment also uses Forest
Service contract helicopters on a reimbursable basis
under a cooperative agreement.
Aircraft are commonly used by commerctal outfitters
as. a means of transporting guests and supplies.
The Postal Service runs a vear-round aerial mail
delivery servic~ tq the is~lated private ranc~es
throughout the centra1 tdaho backcountrv, including
many locations withi~ ~he Wilderness. .
The Forest Service uses aircraft for administrative
purposes. Most Forest.Service personnel stationed
at administrative sites near landing strips use air •
travel for access and supply. .
Some aircraft use occurs in the form of training and
practice flights, the pilots using the Wilderness
landing strips only to develop and sharpen "bush
pilot" proficiency.
Overflights are made by military, commercial,
private, ·and fire detect:~-on aircraft. These air­craft,
in addition to the landing strip-related use,
often create a disturbance which is not compatible
with a wilderness experience.
The use. of aircraft for access to the Wilderness has
significant economic effects. Approximately fifty
percent of the 88 outfitters who operate in the
Wilderness rely on these landing strips. Air taxi
operators in Cascade, Challis, McCall, and Salmon
realize a major portion of their revenue from
Wilderness charters. Substantial business is also
generated for Boise·, Grangeville, and Hamilton
flying services.
78 •
•
•' • ,.
•
Given the ruggedness of the terrain, the long
established traditional aircraft use, and particu­larly,
the size of thi; Wilderness, aircraft have and·
will continue to be a necessary means of access to
the Wildern~ss.
The problems and concerns related to aircraft use
are associated with the need to minimize the adverse
effe~ts of it on the Wilderness resource. Aircraft
use and related activities, including air traffic,
landing s_trip maint,enance, and noise, all tend to
degrade the wilderness ~etting and exper.ience. The
existence of landing strips, and aircraft activity,
are used to rationalize other uses and ~ctivities
that further impact the wilderness resource and
experience.
Maintenance is a continuous problem on most of the
landing strips. Spring and fall use, when the
landing strips are wet, damages the runway surfaces.
Dragging is necessarv in some cases to maintain a
reasonably smooth surface. During dry seasons, the
natural surface material is lost due to prop wash
and artificial soil stabilizers may be needed in
extreme situations. A few of the landing strips
have to be mowed several times each season to keep
them usable. While most of the private landing
strips utilize tractors or other motorized equipment
for landing strip maintenance, most of the
maintenance of landing strips under Forest Service
jurisdiction has been by use of horse-drawn
equipment and hand tools, in keeping with the
wilderness concept.
The Forest Service has fenced the Chamberlain and
Indian Creek landing strips with several miles of
rail; or buck and pole, fence constructed of native
timber. 'This was originally done as a safety
me~sure to keep pack an~ saddle stock off the
runways. HowevP.r, the fences have been only partly
successful in this respect. These fences create a
local adverse impact on wilderness values, primarily
through the cutting of several hundred polesized
trees each year just to maintain the fences.
No accidents have yet been attributed to air traffic
congestion, but concern for this is a factor at the
heavily used strips and those in close proximity to
one another. Up to 75 lartdings per day have
occurred at Indian Creek, with the majority occur­ring
within three to four hours in the morning. The
normal takeoff and landing approach patterns overlap
those of the Pistol Creek Ranch, one of the more
heavily used private landing strips. The same is
true at Bernard and the Flying B, another fairly
heavily used private strip.
79
In addition to the aviation safety facilities, the
need for· other· facilities is generated by the
"trailhead" or "transfer camp" function of the
landing strips. Camping space, sanitation, and •
horse-holding facilities must be considered.
Outfitters are available to meet arriving guests to
transport them and the necessary supplies to their
camps. There are some outfitters's camps adjacent
to landing strips (Cold Meadows) and recurrent
requests to establish them at others (Mahoney, Cabin
Creek).
There are no· objective St;ate or federal criteria for
maintenance or operational criteria of these landing
strips. Standards for length, width, slope,
approach distances and angles, and surface· (smooth-'­ness)
are determined subJectively on a case-by-case
basis.
In a~dition to't'h e .concerns for the motorized
eqpipment and artificial materials, there are
problems with the season during which the work can
be done and the feasibility of closing the strip
during that period. The W~lderness Act constraints,
accompanied by traditional Forest Service budgeting
procedures and constra5_nts, have tended to keep
landing strip maintenance at a minimal level. The
feasibility of adequate future maintenance is
contingent on developin~ standards for each landing •
strip, planning and programming the work needed to
maintain those standards, and recognizing those
needs in budget proposals.
Most maintenance has been done by fire control and
other personnel stationed at the landing strips.
The landing str.ips not near manned stations,
therefore, receive }itt·le, if any, maintenance. A
little use has been made of volunteer labor for
landing strip maintenance. While this approach has
inherent problems and limitations, more use of
volunteers, if we}l planned and organized, could
help attain a reasonable maintenance program.
b. Assumptions
1) Aircraft use will continue to increase.
2) Air traffic conflicts will increase.
3) Overflights and sonic booms will continue to
impact wilderness users.
4) Aircraft and landing strips will continue to be
needed for fire managemen~ and other wilder~ess
administration, and in emergencies.
80 •
•
•
•
5) Landing strips must be maintained to a
reasonable safe standard considering their
expected type and level of use •
c. Directio:p
1) Continue pub!'ic- and administrative use:
Bernard, Cabin Creek, Chamberlain Basin, Cold
Meadows, Indian Creek, Mahoney, and Soldier Bar
landing strips.
2) Coordinate wi~h F~ and DOD to reduce low level
~nd supersonic flights over the Wilderness.
3) Cooperate with Idaho Division of Aeronautics in
search and rescue situations dealing with lost
or downed aircraft.
4) In cooperation with the Idaho Division of
Aeronautics, notify and coordinate with owners
and/or insurance co~panies for prompt removal
of aircraft wreckage.
5) Re~uce noise impacts of aircraft overflights.
a) Inform and educate pilots on wilderness
protection •
b) Work with FAA, State of Idaho Division of
Aeronautics; and air taxi operators to
cooperate in reducing low level operations
over the Wilderness.
6) See page 30 for restrictions on aerial fish
stocking and pages 65 and 66 regarding aircraft
use for fire management.
7) The four fields that have not been in regular
use (Vines·. Simonds,_ ,Dewey Moore, and Mile-Hi)
wilL not• be ma{ntaiqe~ for public use as landing
strips. Their use will be discouraged, except
in emergencies. Do not include on Wilderness
maps. Advi_se Idaho Division of Aeronautics
not to include on aeronautical charts or
directories. Notify air taxi and Fixed-Base
Operator~ that the strips are to be used for
emergency landjng~ only •
81
8) The closure of landing strips on private 'lands
acquired by the Forest Service will be con­sidered
and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
9)
10)
11)
12)
13)
14)
15)
16)
Consider viability of establishing landing fees
~t landing strips to help defray maintenance
costs.
Provide windsocks and strip markers.
Maintain present established landing surface
dimensions and approach clearances. Make site
survey to es~ablish current dimensions and
maintain them.
Maintain relatively smooth surface within the
used porti~n of the runway. Maintain remaining
portion free of rocks, holes, etc., that ~y
damage aircraft.
Provide drainage, where •needed and feasible.
Provide parking/tiedowns, as needed.
Provide and maintain landing strip fences as
determ~ned on a case-by-case basis. Consider
alternative methods of livestock contr9l.
Spot-tre~t.with ad~pted grasses and/or sotl
stabilizers; Indian Creek, Mahoney, and
Bernard.
17) Remove painted helispot markers.
18) Maintenance will generally be by primitive
(non-motorized) methods. Approval for use. of
motorized equipment is required from the
Regional Forester qr Cliief on a c11se-by-case
basis.
1~) Proyide minimum facilities necessary to protect
the wilderness· resource,
a) Provide toilets, where needed.
b)
c)
d)
e)
Remove tables.
Remove· grilts, require stoves gr firepans.
Continue boat ramp at Indian Creek.
Continue current visitor information
serVice, plus provide informational
signing and brochures at high use landing
strips.
·82
•
•
•
•
20)
•
•
f) Provide hitchracks for public and outfit­ter
us~. No outfitter camps visible from
air'field.
g) Limit overnight camping with livestock at
airfields to one night.
Flv-ins with related contests or exhibitions
ar~ prohibited. (See page 59, also 36 CFR 251)
<
83
3. Trails, Signs, and Trailheads
Objectives: Provide and maintain a trail system that •
affords a range of access opportunities including
cross-country travel and trails of varying difficulty for
both foot and horse travel, minimizing physical and
visual impacts on the land, conflicts between users, and
concentrations of use harmful to the wilderness resource,
a. Situation
MOst of the traiis in the Wilderness were construct­ed
prior to 1930 and do not entirely meet present
standards of alignment,_ maximum grade, and pack and
rider clearance, Trail maintenance is usually
limited t~ clearing downed ~rees, with trail tread
work done primarily wheT) the· trail is impassable.
This, combined with constrained budgets, has caused
a general decline of trail conditions through the
years.
Attempts to adjust to financing levels have included
seiectively allowing some trails to deteriorate,
r~ducing annual maintencance miles through a system
6~ deferred maintenance, and doing heavy or correc­tive
work only as necessitated by extreme condi­tions.
The trails in the Wilderness are placed in two
categories; main t~ails and prf.mitive trails. Main
trails serve as primary traffic routes into or
through the area. Primitive trails are generally
low-use trails which often serve as shortcuts
·between main access trails and disperse resource
users in the area. ·There are few dead end trails,
since most trails" interconnect with other low-use or
maii\ access ,rqutes, '
Main~nd primitive trail routes criss-cross the
Wildernes~ in a diverse fashion, leaving trailless
areas ranging in size from a few hundred to several
thousand acres. Many of these trailless areas of
more than 10,000 acres can be readily identified
throug~out the Wilderness.
One National Recreation Trail is. partially located
in the Wilderness. There are several trails in the
Wild~rness which have potential as historic trails.
These include the South Nez Perce Trail, Three Blaze
Trail, Thunder ·Mountain Trail, and the Sheepeater
Trail. While rione of these trails have yet been
evaluated for historic signific~nce, their potential
remains.
84
•
•
•
•
•
Curre~tly there are no trails in or adjacent to the
Wilderness that are designed specifically for use by
the elder~y or handicapped,
To summarize, there are 29Q trails in the Wilderness
cov~ring ?,616.miles, or· one.mile of trail for every
914 acres. This results in an. adequate network of
trails linking .. airfields, rivers, ttailhe'ads, and
access·roads.
The trail system is accessed at 66 points or trail­heads..
Most of 1;hese are undeveloped or inadequate
and lack the .necessary facilities to fully meet the
needs of wilderness visitors. Trailhead facility
needs include toilet~,.signs, ,parking space for
c)lrs, trucks, trailers, and·in the. case of airfield
trailheads, ~ircraf~_parking. The lack of stock
handling facilities such as loading anp unloading
ramps, hitchracks, ang corrals is also a problem.
Trailheads are.also excellent coptact points' for
providing wilderness visitors the inform~tion
necessary for their enjoyment and safe and proper
, us~ of ~he Wilderness, Thi~ may be accomplisqed by
signs, bulietin boards, ,handout material, personal
contacts, or combinatiq~s of these.
Since facilities are limited, competition for
facilities is often ke~n. especially with respect to ~
private ~tock user~ and backpackers. There is a
need ~o separate, ip some. manner, stock users from
b~ckpackers and day hikers at ce~tain trailheads.
Budget contra,ints )lave reduced .. the. numbers of
"trailhead or portal assistants" that are needed for
public con~act at the Wilderness entrances. Many
ftC~ess roads to trailheads ~re in poor condition;
~spite this, their popularity as Wi!derness access
points continues to'grow.
T~ere qas been little uniformity in application of
direction and standards for signs in· the Wilderness.
Changes in primitive and wilderness management and
sign ~tandards, lack of coordination between admin­istrative
units, and changing priorities have
contributed to many of the signing probfems.
Portions of the Wilderness now have more s,igns than
are necessary or appropriate, while other areas ,lack
enough signs to provide adequate informatfon and
distribute use. Signs differ as to size, shape,
color, materials used, and information provided.
While some variation in these factors may be proper,
there should be some basi~ for it, such as loca­tions
•
85
The exterior Wilderness boundary is.not signed
sufficiently to deter motorized vehicle trespasR and
permit·enforcement of wilderness regulations. With
over 700 miles of 'Wilderness boundary, much of it •
along road corridors, a reasonable effort is
·required to mark the external boundaries where
trespass is likely or possible.
There are concerns that some signing needs to be
provided for purposes o'f visitor safety; Exampl!!s
may be a· condemned bridge or a designated campsite
with hazardous trees or poisonous plants. The
administrative adjustments of National Forest
boundaries have also le,d to some confusion in
following sign standards.
b. ·Assumptions
1) Without proper maintenance and emphasis on
relo'catibn and the correction of eroded sec­tions,
the present trail system will continue
to deteriorate the wilderness resource.
2) Forest trail budgets are inadequate to meet
mainten~nce and reconstruction needs in the
immediate future.
3) As .a management tool, .the transportation system
can help control the ··location and intensity of
visitof use.
4) Visitor use will incre'ase regardless of what is
done with trails.
5) MSny visitors will continue to want high
standard trails into the area,
6) S~me visitors will favor low standard trails.
7) Visitor contacts at trailheads can reduce the
need for patrolmen· or other interior contacts.
8) The ratio of foot travelers to horse travelers
will increas.e.
9) Certain areas need to be kept trailless ~o
provide a broader spectrum of travel oppor­tunities
and solitude.
c, ·Direction
1) Maintenance, construction, reconstruction:
86
•
•
•
I·~. •
•
a) To the extent practicable, clear obstruc­t.
ions from all national forest trails,
within or adjacent to the Wilderness on at
least. an annual basis. When total ·;mnual
maintenance is unp~acticable, for budg­etary
or other reasuns, prevention.or
correction of erosion and safety problems
should be highest priority, especially on
main or primary trails.
b) ~rail location or relocation guidelines
are as follows:
(1) Locate to avoid campsites.
(2) Locate to take advantage of vistas
and scenic areas.
(3) Locate to stay a minimum of 200 feet
from lakes and meadows, terrain
permitting.
(4) Avoid straight alignment.
(5) Avoid gr~des over ten p~rcent and
tread width in excess of 24 inches.
(6) Locate where primitive means of
maintenance would most often be
assured.
(7) Construct trail berm only where
necessary to control drainage.
(8) Corduro~puncheons will be used only
where trail relocation is .im­practical.
c) Coordinate with statewide, non-motorized
traJl plans being developed by the Idaho
Department of Parks and Recreation.
d) Fo~ primary or main trails, the following
criteria will be used in determining the
level of maintenance or const:ruction.
(1) 'Level of maintenance should depend on
level of use. Heavy to moderate use
during entire season would not be
unusual on 'these trails.
(2) Construction and reconstruction may
modify the natural conditions to the
87
extent necessary for safety and
resource protection.
Frequent encounters expected near
roads and trailheads, while low to
moderate contact frequently expected
on trails away from trailheads or
other concentrated use areas.
e) For secondary or primitive trails, the
following criteria will be used in de­termining
the level of maintenance or
construction.
• f)
(1) Level of maintenance shoul~ depend on
level·of use. Light to infrequent
use during half of the season would
not be unusual. M~intenance for
res~urce pr,otection emphasized.
(2) Construction and reconstruction will
have minimal effects o~ the natural
conditions.
(3) No more tha~ five encounters per day
may be expected during half the use
season .
Reconstruct trails to lowest acceptable
standard ·that provides r~asonable safe
passage, aids in dispersal of visitors,
and minimizes erosion. No trails w~ll be
const~ucted, reconstructed, or maintained
in identified trailless areas.
g) Other maintenance standards include:
(1) Screen ahd bloq~ access to unused
abandoned trails when possible.
(2) Clearing will be held to a minimum
neqessary for expected use.
(3) Lo"cate 15orrow areas out of view from
"trails.
(4) Use native non-treated materials for
drainage structure~.
(5) Remove metal culverts as they wear
out. Replace with natural looking
material.
88
. .
•
•
•
•
'~-
•
•
(6) Rock cairns or standard blazes will
be used sparingly when trail is
otherwise indistinguishable. Paint
and/or flagging will not be used.
(7) Construct no new trails in Research
Natural areas.
h) Identify trails used primarily by outfit­ters
and discontinue Forest Service
maintenance. Develop cooperative agree­ments
with outfitters to maintain these
trails.
2) Trailless areas:
a) Retain all existing trailless areas over
10,000 acres in their ~urrent condition.
See Appendix' H. Travel by cross-country
or primitive (unmaintained) trails. No
new facilities or designated sites will be
established.
b) Evaluate all areas where marg.inal trails
exist. Consider closure and include in
trailless area management.
~) Historic trails:
a) Eva. luate, define, and interpret (off-site).
cultural values of trails with historic
trail potential when managing these
trails. They include:
(1) South Nez Perce Trail (Parker'Trail).
(2) Three Blaze Trail.
(3) Thunder Mountain Trail.
C4) Sheepeater Campaign Trail.
b) Provide both off-site and on-site inter­pretation
service for Lewis and Clark
Trail along main Salmon Recreational
River.
4) Special Trails:
a) Where user conflict, congestion, or
resource degradation warrant it, consider
designating single purpose trails •
89
5)
b) Utilize road corridors as much as possible
and consider transition zones when desig­nating
special trails, vistas, or camp­grounds.
Signs:
a) Entrance and interior signs shall be
five-sided, rustic in appearance, and have
no evidence of commercial design.
b) Coordinate necessary signing between
Ranger Districts and Forests.
c~ Trail junction signs will be provided and
will show one· primary destination £or each
for~ of a junction. No mileage or trail
numbers will b~ on the sign.
_d) Forest boundaries within the Wilderness
will not be signed.
e) Where a National Recreation Trail crosses
the Wilderness, the sign standards for
wilderness will prevail.
f) ·Specific on-site signs for resource
protection-may be used if no other means
of protection is available.
Existing signs·not meeting specifications
may remain until they become unservice­able.
h) All signs will be untreated, h~ve a
~eathered appearance, have routed letter­ing,
and be mounted on trees or native
material sign posts. Redwood is the pre­ferred
material.
i) When signs are required for posting
non-federal lands within the Wilderness
they should conform to present landline
practice·, and .be discretely placed.
j) Th~ standard metal wilderness boundary
marker should only be used where adminis­trative
priorities warrant them.
k) Signing along the Middle Fork will be
.limite~ to those essential for resource
protection, river user orientation, and
~nterpretation of significant cultural
resources.
90
•
•
•
•
••
•
1) Trailhead information boards· should· be
installed at all trailheads (including
airfields} to emphasize:
(1) Wilde~ess objectives.
(2} Management requirements such as low
impact camping, fire restrictions,
hazards, permit requirements, etc.
(3) Visitor dispersal.
(4) General information such as natural
and cultural histories.
(5) Provide space, or separate
signboards, for Idaho Department of
Fish and Game information.
These should be outside of proclaimed
boundaries, except at airfields.
6) Trailheads:
a) Within two years of implementation,
managers will assess all portals and
identify them as either primary or
secondary. This should be based on the
C?rrent trail classification and the
LAC/carrying capacity of the area
accessed.
b) As primaFY trailhead facilities are
developed or improved, the. following
guidelines will apply:
(1) Site mo-dification moderate.
(2) Rustic design of improvements is
bas~d on use of native materials.
(3) Inconsp~cuous vehicular traffic
controls usually provided.
(4} Development density of about five or
more family units per acre.
-(·5) Prill)llry access may be over high
standard roads.
(6)- Interpretive services informal, but
~enetally direct •
91
c) As secondary trailhead facilities are
developed or improved, the following
g~idelines will apply:
0.') Little site modification.
(2) Rustic or rudimentary improvements
designed primarily for protection of
site. Synthetic materials excluded •
.(3). 'Vehicular controls limited and
.unregimented.
(4) Development density of three to five
family units per acre.
(5) Prima'ry access over primitive or low
standard roads.
(6)· ,Interpretive· services avoided.
d) Where appropriate, receptacles shall be
adequate in number and positioned to
fac::ilitate litter cont.rol. When pre-
'e)
' fe1;red, a pack-it-in - pack-it-out concept
~ho;,ld b~ cons:j.dered for new and existing
trailhead facilities.
SJlhitary stations ·for portable toilets and
RV dumping will only be provided when
commercially operated ,dump stations are
·not ·available within a reasonable driving
distance.
f~ Hold regulatory signing to a minimum.
g) At high use peripheral trailheads,
barrier-free faci~ities will be provided
for.use by the physically handicapped.
92
•
•
•
4.
•
•
•
Bridges
Objectives: Provide bridges only where no safe ford is
available, and then of design and materials that minim~ze
physical and visual impacts on the wilderness resource •
a. Situation
There are 114 bridges in or adjacent to the Wilder­ness.
They vary in length from 7~ feet to 348 feet
and in width from 3 feet to 8 feet. All are single
span. The construction materials range from native
logs to cable suspension with steel towers, and
include treated timber and steel truss, with abut­ments
of concrete, logs, and rock gabion_s. Most
w,ere b,uilt (or rebuilt)- w:l,thin the past 20 yea:rs.
The_ oldest (and longest) is the Stoddard packbridge,
which was originally built in 1937; it has received
subs~antial·rehabilitation within tne past ten
years. All bridges are inspected at least once
every three ye~rs by a qualified bridge inspector.
Appropriate maintenance, replacement, or removal has
generally ~een accomplished within technical stan­dard~.
App~oximately eighty-six. percent are listed
i,n good condi~io!l, eight percent fair, and six
.percent pqor. A bridge spa,nning the Salmon River
near Horse Creek was condemned and removed in 1970.
The unfordable river is now a barrier to foot and
horse t~avelers for nearly 50 miles •
~e bridges are virtually all components of the
_ trail system, providing foot and horse travelers
passage over watercourses too deep or swift to ford,
at least part of the year. Some are little more
than puncheon or corduroy trail sections traversing
.boggy areas.
The mining road .within the Wilderness along Big
Creek formerly bridged _the creek·in two places.
These had been built some years ago and have become
unusab'ie. .RE\cent road use included fording Big
Cr~ek, ·lim~~lng· use to low water periods. A wecent
tequest .to ~econstruct these bridges for light truck
passage has. been approved.
In addition. tp the. bridges, there are seven cables
spanning creeks and rivers. These were once used,
with manually-propelled. cable cars, for crossing the
streams during high water. With the exception of
' the ones ac;'ross Big Creek at Soldier Bar and Loon
Creek at the Biggs Ranch, they have all fallen into
disrepair and are not used •
93
b. Assumptions
c.
Wilderness users w~.ll continue to expect bridges
where access is needed and there' are ·. no safe fords.
Direction
1) Provide bridges at all major stream crossings.
Provide foot bridges at places where horses can
ford but _humans have difficulty.
2) Remove cable cars and cables. Where unsafe
ford exists, replace with bridge.
3) Reevaluate the need for each bridge when
reconstruction is due.
· 4) Bridge designs will be .determined on
case-by-case basis and should be appropriate to
the wilderness environment.
5) Construct a packbridge across the main Salmon
River near Disappointment Creek. This will
require ''prior design and construction of:
·a) A trail link between Disappointment and
Chamberlain creeks.
b) Improved trailhead facilities at Corn
Creek,
94
•
•
•
J.
•
•
•
Administrative Sites
Objective~: Utilize only the structures and facilities that
are the minimum necessary to• administer the Wilderness, and
then in a manner which-minimizes their physical a~d visual
impact on the wilderness resource.
1. Situation
The Frank'Church--River of No Return Wilderness contains
31 lookout sites, 8 communications sites, and 19 other
administrative sites, all of which have facilities in
place. Of these, thirteen administrative sites, twelve
lookout sites, and two communication sites are u~ed in
administration o"f the Wilde'rness on a regular basis. Six
administrative sites and 19 lookout sites have structures
which are used periodically, but are not presently in
regular use. Several of these structures are or may be
determined· to be of historical value, which may warrant
special management consideration.
In addit~on, eleven admi~istrative sites, five lookouts,
and three communicat~ons· sites· outside the Wilderness
s~pply supplemental wilderness administration capability.
The large size of this Wilderness causes unusual adminis­trative
and communications problems. Approximately 75
access points are scattered along the more than 700 miles
of wilderness bo~ndary and include access points ·from all
six Forests. Nine public airfields supply inte~ior
access. Communications are achieved through six radio
net~, and are dependent on radio links, relays, and
repeaters located both within and relatively near the
actual wilderness.
Pre,sently, Boundary Creek,, Indian Creek, Chamberlain,
Cold ~eadows ,. Magruder,_ Big Creek, Little Creek; Seafoam,
Loon Creek, and Corn Creek.are entrance points which are
manned each summer.
Facilities now in use are essentially the surviving
elements of facflities that were used to administer the
area prior to lts designation as w~lderness and were
primarily brdented to fir~ prptection. In the past 10 to
20 years uses and activities have become increasingly
oriented to recreation;· communications have evolved· from
telephone to an increasingly efficient radio system; air·
and river travel have reduced dependence on the trail
system; aerial detection' or fires has become more effec­tive;
and administrative sites and lookout' locations have
been relocated, reduced; or modified to meet changing
needs •
95
'
Overall, there have been significant changes in the
lo~ation and function of administrative sites, with
operational facilities being maintained at river and air
access locations to maximize.yis;tor contact anq facili­tate
other management activiti~s.
2. Assumptions
a. Some perm~nent structures will continue to be
necessary for administration, as visitors will
expect and demand.adequate-administrative services
and facilities.
b. The anomoly of aaministrative facilities in the
Wilderness ,is a ~ontinuing dilemma.
c. As visitor use increases, expanded visitor contact
and administrative communications capability will be
necessary for effective management of the area.
3. Direction
a.
b.
c.
Develop a radio communications plan for the entire
wilderness. Effort will be directed to minimize the
communications system's impact on the wildern~ss
!-"esourc.,e.
Communications f~cilities will be maintained, and
cons.tructed only as deemed essential for adminis­tration
and pro~ection of the Wilderness.
Structures, where cultural resource values are
indete~inant, will be evaluated to determine their
historic significance prior 'to any impacting
activity. ·
d. Re)]IOVt:; rel!'n{lnts of' ·abandoned telephone lines from
the Wilderness.
e. Existing facili~ies· essential to protection of the
Wil~.erness will be retained'.
f. Evaluate those allministrative s,ites that are used
int~rmittently for their .contribution and need in
wilderness protection and management- Remove
unnecessary buildings within cultural resource
guidelines.
g. Maintain all neces.sary administrative improvements
in a manner which harmonizes with the wilderness
environment and meets wilderness management objec­tives.
96
•
•
•
•
•
•
h. Subject to cultural resource clearance, all unburn­able
refuse resulting from past administrative
activities will be cleaned up •
==---==-~·,...
!/ \' I ;J.\JI ;H.h't/ ~.~' ~,.,. _/.~ .V.rr;.. . .:- .
97
K. Culttital Resources
.. Objectives: Recognize 'the cultural .history of the,area·as a
· component of the wilderness. resource and pr'ovide for appro­priate
·protection, interpretation, and additional research.
1. General Man~gement
a. S;J.tuation
Th'e Fr·ank Church--River of No Return Wi1derness,
because .. of its varied topography,. prpvided 'suita~le
plac~s for habitation b~th along the: main-water­courses
and at hi~her elevations away from the
~ivers. Lit~ic. resources useful to Indians for
stone tools and mineral resources useful to
Euro-Americans and others for gaining wealth were
widely aistributed and required relatively little
effort to exploit. Free-flowing watercourses
proyided water for domestic uses, placer mining, and
irrigation. These waters supported severa:t runs of
anadromous and resident .species of fish. Forested
slopes provided fuel for building materials and the
varied fauna was available year-round, although its
abundance and distribution changed seasonally.
These aspects of the natural setting led to the
prehistoric and his~o.ric pat.terns of land use in the
Wilderness.
Over 500 known prehistoric sites and 363 reported
historic structural .sites .. ex~st within the Wilder­ness.
Prehistoric site types i~~lude villages,
camps, dwellings, caves and.rockshelters, rock art
panels, vision quest sites~ hun~ing blinds, lithic
manufacturing statiops, and possible bur~al sites.
Historic site ·types in~lude dw~~lings, industrial
structures-, ruins._ bridges, lobk:outs, airstrips, and
groups of features as yel'L as places where historic
events,, such as the'·Sheepeafer ~ampaign, occurred.
Two properties are listed .on .the National Register
of' Historic Places:· the Jim ·Moore Ranch and Shoup
Rockshelters, both on the. main ~Jlmon River.
>
The impacts of Wilderness. use and;management on
cultural resources is difficult to assess. However,
:Lt is estimated that between 10%· and 30% of the
known archeological resources in the study·area have
been damag~ad from vanda.lism, neg!eci:, or failure to
co!!s:l.der the1r valu.e in 11.roject. planning and
implementation. Many prehistoric resources along
t~.e major' watercourses. have .been· damaged either
inadvertently or purposely by recreationists using
sites for camping ·and other ac"tivities. Both
prehist.oric and historic. sites have been 'damaged in
98
•
•
•
•
•
•
z
b.
cohjllnchon with Forest Service management activ­ities
which were intended to protect wilderness
values, 'but whi~h often oved.opk!'d cultural values •
The intensitx of these impacts is most .evident in
areas of concentrrtted use and w~ere th~ physical
limitations of an area forces use onto cultural
resource sites because·no other alternat-ive· site
exists.
Assumptions
1) The historic and prehistori·c resources of the
Wilderness are a unique and nonrenewable
resource.
2) Many cultural .resource sites are undiscovered
or unrecorded,
3) Inventory arid evaluation of cultural resources
will be an ongoing program in .the Wilderness.
4) The Wilderness provides many important research
opportunities.
5) Many sit~s are currently being impacted by
natural or human action.
6) Interpretation of .cultural resources is needed
to enhance visitor· enjoyment and' minimize
damage.
c. Direc1;ion
1) Comply with all existing federaL laws, regula­cions,
policies, and Executive Orders concern­ing
the protection, management, and enhancement
of cultural reso~rces.
2) Begin the nomination process f<lr sftes (histor­ic
and prehistoric) considered el~gible for' the
National Reg. ister of Historic Places. .
3) Prepare and maintain a total cultural resource
atlas for the· Wilderness by December 1986 and·
update annually.
4) The central repository for all records and
artifacts from the Wilderness will be the
Southeast Idaho Archeological Curatorial ·center
(SEIACC). ..
5) Educate users using off-site orochures and
train Wilderness Rangers and. _;portal Assistants
99
6)
to emphasize cultural
able resource in need
training available to
resources as a
of protection.
outfitters and
non renew­Make
guides.
Provide positive support and encouragement for
cultural resource research.
7) Develop programmatic agreements to facilitate
consultation with SHPO and Native American
Tribes.
d. Monitoring, epordination, and action items.
1) All cultural resource activities should be
conducted with appropriate coordination with
Region 1, Region 4, and the Bureau of Land
Management.
2) The cultural resource atlas should contain both
a site atlas and project atlas as described in
Forest Service Manual 2360, and be kept in a
central location.
3) A cooperative agreement with the SEIACC should
be developed by the Regions for the storage,
fees, access, and curation standards.
4) All prior artifact collections shall be placed
with the SEIACC.
5) All sites in the Wilderness will be recorded on
the Intermountain Antiquities Computer System
(IMACS) site forms.
6) Cultural resource sites continually threatened
by human activity should be monitored on at
least an annual basis.
7) To foster and promote cultural resource re­search
in the Wilderness, managers and cultural
resource specialists will:
a) Expedite the processing of research
proposals and permit applications.
b) Establish and maintain communications with
universities and other interested institu­tions
and organizations.
c) Provide information of Forest Service
research needs and priorities.
100
•
•
•
•
•
•
l
d) Invite assistance and participation from
researchers in Forest Service cultural
resource activities,
e) Provide active support to researchers when
practicable; e.g., logistical, aerial
photography, printing/publication/distri­bution,
etc.
f) Acquire and/or provide complementary
information; e.g., fire history data, tree
ring analysis, soil, landform, and
vegetative inventory and typing, and
wildlife habitat and population data,
g) Cooperate with and participate in field
schools and-intern and volunteer programs.
8) When research proposals are evaluated, t~e
following priorities should be considered but
not limiting:
a) Prehistoric cultural chronology:
(1)
(2)
Terrace sequences (geochronology).
Efforts should be made to complete a
terrace chronology as soon as possi­ble,
to serve as a baseline from
which to estimate the cultural
chronology of the rivers in the
Wilderness,
Stratification of archeological
sites, Stratified sites may be
expected to provide data on both
cultural and natural chronology and
may provide data on changes in ·human
adaptations to environment and
inter-cultural relationships through
time,
h)· Full documentation: Numerous sites have
been located ~or which there is inadequate
documentation in the form of maps, photo­graphs,
and full narrative description.
Ground-truthing of these sites is neces­sary
before adequate decisions can be
made,
c) Settlement patterns: The study of settle­ment
patterns can provide information on
the geographic, ~ocial, and economic
factors in historic and prehistoric times.
I
101
d)
e)
Resource exploitation: How were the
biotic and abiotic resources used by
prehistoric and historic peoples in the
area and how did they affect the distribu­tion
and.settlement of these peoples?
Transportation patterns: Travel routes,·
as they affect their destination points
and places along the way can be an impor­tant
determinant of settlement pattern,
resource use, and inter-cultural contact,
f) Inter-cultural contact: The interaction
of native American ethnic groups, the
relationships between immigrant and native
Americans, and the relationships between
groups of immigrant Americans, such as
Chinese and Europeans·, all are in need of
exploration.
2. Prehistoric Sites
a. Situation
Inventory and Evaluation. Most of the archeological
surveys in the Wilderness have been confined to the
lands adjacent to major drainages: the main Salmon
River, the Middle Fork Salmon River, and Big Creek,
Clearance and reconnaissance conducted by the Forest
Service in upland areas and along trails and near
lake outlets have identified archeological sites of
variou,s types.
In conjunction with some of these studies, artifacts
have been collected and some analysis has been
completed. Little subsurface examination has been
accomplished. Test excavations have been made at
Corn Creek, Boundary Creek, Big Creek, Waterfall
Creek, Cache Bar, and Cove Creek. Major excavations
have been made only at the Shoup Rockshelters along
the main Salmon River.
Generally archeological surveys have been limited to
examining "likely places" or locations of potential
land use conflicts, neither of which results in
comprehensive coverage of large areas. Thus, little
is known about the nature and distribution of
archeological resources away from the major water­courses.
Protection, Data on the present condition of
archeological resources is lacking; however, it is
reported that vandalism, natural deterioration,
fire, and land use conflicts are taking their toll
102
•
•
•
•
•
•
••
of sites and surface artifacts. It is difficult to
develop protection plans or estimate the level ~f
protection needed for as-yet-unidentified sites.
Currently, most protection efforts are passive and
ineffective, in that on-site protection measures are
not in use. Limited monitoring is taking place only
wher~ patrols for other purposes are taking place.
Water quality monitoring or pit toilet installations
are examples of patrols where cultural resource
monitor·ing can take place in conjunction with other
activities •
. Research. Earl H. Swanson, Jr. was the first
scholar to enter the study area for the express
purpose of identifying remains of past human settle­ment
and use. Swanson's models of Northern Shoshoni
prehistory were built on data from elsewhere in
Idaho, but he believed that the sites of the Middle
Fork somehow held an important key to understanding
the nature of human cultural adaptations to environ­ments
throughout the interior Northwest.
Harrison's (1972) research took him to the main
Salmon River where his objective was to locate all
the archeological resources along the river. He
identified 241 new ~ites and documented a difference
in site density throughout the river corridor and
identified six site types.
In research conducted by Dahlstom (1972), archeo­logical
sites in Big Creek, Bighorn Crags, Middle
Fork Salmon River, and the backcountry were iden­tified.
Numerovs si~e types were identifie~ with
Big Creek being the only area with all site types
represented and the least apparent vandalism.
Recent research along the Middle Fork (Knudson,
1 ~H8)' ·recorded 63 prehistoric sites, 43 of which
were new discoveries. Most of these are in or
adjacent to recreat.ion camps for river users. A
total of 119 sites have been identified in the
corridor. Thirty-three sites contain or consist of
pictograph,s.
Price (1982) conducted an archeological reconnais­sance
of the campgrounds utilized by boaters and
others on the main Salmon River between Corn Creek
and Long Tom Bar. Twenty-si~sites were located and
recorded.
Research conducted by Kulesza (1982) reconnoitered
upland environ~ of the Wilderness for archeological
sites. Six sites were located and recorded. All
sites were lithic scatters •
103
'
Reconnaissance for prehistoric sites between known
river campsites on the Middle Fork of the Salmon
River was conducted by Forest Service volunteers
during the summer of 1981 and 1982. Forty-eight
sites were recorded by Kulesz·a (1983),
Test excavations were conducted at Big Creek, Cave
Creek, and· Waterfall Creek on the Middle Fork by
Wylie, Scott, and Gallagher et.al. (1981). These
were the first excavations carried out in the
Wilderness.
On-going research includes geochronological studies
being conducted on Big Creek and the Middle Fork by
Leonhardy. Also, Idaho State University is conduct­ing
field schools along the main Salmon Recreation
River in conjunction with Forest Service clearance
work ·for site modification and resultant mitigation.
Gaps and deficiencies in th~ research are signifi­cant.
Given the emphasj_s in the ethnographic arrd
archeological literature on house types and village
plans as ethnic·group identifiers, it is crucial to
obtain subsurface data from putative "house pit
villages" along the Middle Fork. While artifacts
have been collected from numerous sites within the
study area, most have not been analyzed and reported
in detail, making it difficult to ascertain the time
depth of identified sites. Thus, cultural chronolo-
••
gies cannot be developed on the basis of'the present •
data. Geochronological methods cannot yet be
brought to bear on the proble~ of cultural history
because neither terrace chronologies nor sediment
sequences have been completed, Except for the main
river cour,ses, archeological surveys have been
limited, thus, little is known about the nature and
distribution of archeological resources. Finally,
present gaps in data, particularly those relating to
non-riverine environments, make it difficult to test
ethnographic models of prehistory against the full
range of archeological evidence.
Interpretation. Currentiy very few prehistoric
archeological sites in the Wilderness, or its Wild
and Scenic rivers, are interpreted for the public
benefit. The Shoup Ro~kshelters and Corn Creek have
limited interpretive signing ·in the Recreational
corridor of the main Salmon River. Generally,
interp~etation has been achieved by off-site,
non-site-specific brochures or travel books which
usefully serve the general public. The. interpreta­tion
of any resource in wilderness is constrained,
both by the log:tstical problems of the wilderness
setting and the legal restrictions of the Wilderness
104 •
• b.
•
•
Act, However., in ·the Frank Church--River of No
Return ·Wilderness, because of the CIWA of 1980,
cultural resources· are to be emphasized and inter­pretation
encouraged •
Direction
1) Unrecorded prehistoric sites should be thor­oughly
recorded to standards as part of the
inventory process by 1990, with sites in high
v1.sitor use areas given priority. Inventory
surveys wiil record all cultural resources
discovered.
2) For unevaluated sites, record and examine to
determine significance and interpretative
potential. Priority should be given to the
Salmon and Middle Fork Salmon rivers.
3) Evaluate significant prehistoric sites and
trails for thematic nomination.
4) Where recreation or other activities impact
" ·Significant or unevaluated cultural resource
sites, the following guidelines will apply:
a) Conduct surface investigations, and when
warranted, subsurface testing to determine
significance and the range of impacts that
are occurring. (See also 36 CFR 293.15c)
b) If significant values are threatened,
develop a protection or mitigation plan in
consultation with the State Historic
Preservatio~ Officer (SHPO) •
. c) In river corriders and other heavily
utilized areas, an annual review will be
conducted by the administering National
Forest to determine if changes in manage­ment
and/or protection are needed.
5) Encourage research; see General Direction,
page 99, and also section L. Research,
page 112.
6) Interpret sites and themes appropriate to their
significance, condition, location, or other
management needs •
105
c. Monitorinll!'• coordination, and action items.
1) Consider prehistoric thematic nominations
'including southern Nez Perce Trail,and picto­graphs.
2) When management recouunendations cannot be fully
met,, managers will adjust cul~ur~l resource
priorities based on professional input and
consultation ~ith the SHPO.
3) Where volunteer programs are used for inventory
and evaluation, the -scheduling of work, report
standards, and artifact collection should be
ca;efully monitured ·and coordinated by qual­ified
Forest Service cultural resource
personnel.
4)
5)
6)
As a· protection measure, all known pictographs
and petroglyphs should be thoroughly recorded,
saPo consultation should be done for each
project uniess .a prograuunatic agr~ement is in
effect,· .
The recolllll(endations in t.he reconnaissance
surveys of the main and Middle Fork of ~he
Salm<in River (Knudson· f982, Price 1982) should
be consulted when activit'ies or projects affect
sites along these watercourses.
a) Prehistoric sites on the Middle Fork,
which should receive priority attention,
.include:
(1) Cameron Creek
{2) Hospital Bar
(3) Survey Creek
.(4) Johnny Walker Camp
(5) Camas Creek
(6) Lightning Cree~
(7) Cliffside Camp
(8) Pebble Beach
b) .Prehistoric sites· on the main Salmon,
which should receive priority attention,
include:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
,{~)
Corn Creek
Corey Bar
Bruin Creek
Big Mallard Camp
Indian Creek Bar
Spindle Creek
106
•
•
•
•
•
•
7)
8)
Whe~ sensitive sites may be affected by project
or research activity, notify appropriate Tribal
aptporit~es •
Interpretation of prehistoric sites along the
Middle Fork Salmon Wild River should include,
but not be limi.ted to Rattlesnake Cave, Veil
Cave, Lower Jackass, and White Creek. On the
Salmon Wild River, Legend Creek should be
interpreted. On the Salmon Recreational River,
the Shoup Rockshelters, Ebenezer Bar, and Corn
Creek should·be interpreted. Other sites may
warrant interpretation as new information comes
to light.
3. Historic Sites - ~uins and Structures
a. Situation
Inventory and.Evaluation. Pursuant to section 8(b)
of the Central Idaho Wilderness Act (CIWA), an
inventory of ranch, pomestead, trapper, and other
cabins and structures in the Wilderness was conduct­ed.
The inventory for each structure included its
location, historic significance (if any), pres~nt
condition, and management recommendations, including
costs for the stabilization; restoratio~; mainte­nance;
or removal of such structures. Also, an
evaluation of the suitability of these structures
for inclusion on the National Register of Historic
Places was !~eluded.
Of the 363. sites inventoried, 149 (41%) were classi­fied
as ruins, leaving 2}4 sites to be considered
for the National Register. The evaluation classi­fied
37 sites (17%) as historically significant and
suitable for inclusion on the National Register.
One-hundred (47%) were classified as not suited for
the National Register. Finally, 77 (36%) were
classified as indeterminant because insufficient
data prevented ·a significance determination.
Ruins. are sites whose' historic features cannot be
identified as an architectural entity, or whose
structural remain~ lac~ minimum integrity. Th~y are
coliapsed, 'uninhabitable, unrepairable, and
non-functional. While insignificant as historic
struc·tures, they are indicatprs of early occupancy
and may therefore possess. other cu"ttura;l resource
values.
Protection. The protection· of culturally signifi­cant
pJ:operties against vanftalism and l9oting as
well as destruction from natural deterioration is
107
mandated by the CIWA. S.ome protection, especially
from natural deterioration, is implicit in many of
the management recommendations (e.g., restoration,
stabilization, maintenance, etc.) assigned to the
structures·. Selection of management direction was
based on, among oth~r things, local knowledge of the
site and its exposure to potential damage. Sites
·· subject to heavy use most often lend themselve$ to
easy access ·and therefore better administrative
protection. Thus, valuable sites in high-use areas
will be· a higher priority for protection while
r'emote sites with little use will have a lower
priority·. Protective· methods must be in harmony
with the 'Wilderness A;,t. and reflect realistic ·
management, given contemporary budget constraints
and use levels.
Research. Historical research in the Wilderness has
focused on-compiling oral histories, tracing the
military and political e~ents related to the
Sheepeater War, and reviewing the mining claim
records for the area. ~s part of the 1978 Middle
Fork study, Rossillon: (1978) prepared an "historical
overview" of that area. Hartung (1978)' conducted an
historical survey of the Big Creek drainage as a
thesis project. Roberts (1983) has thoroughly
documented the Sheepeater Military Campaign as a
Forest SerV~ice project c.ontract. Finally, the
Forest Service (1982) surveyed and recorded a
majority of the historic structures in the Wilder­ness
and· submitted management recommendations to
Congress as required 'by the Central Idaho Wilderness
Act.
Interpretation. The opportunities for interpreta­tion
·are a consideration in making specific· manage­ment
recommendations for the structure~ co~sidered
significant. As in protection, interpretative value
must be considered in light of public use levels,
access, and administrative constraints. Profession­als
in cultural resources and visitor information
'services will be consulted to ensure quality public
interpretive experiences appropriate in the Wilder­ness.
b. Direction
1) When nominated sites are listed· on the National
Register of Historic Places, commence with
management actions (see following section)
recommended in the 1982 Historic Structures
Inventory r~port.
108
•
•
•
•
•
. . ,
•
2)
Notify the Advisory Council on Historic Preser­vation
of planned alternatives.
Unrecorded historic sites should be r~corded to
standards as part of the inventory process by
1990, with sites in high visitor use areas
given priority. Inventory surveys will record
all cultural resources discovered.
3) For recorded but unevaluated historic sites,
examine to. determine significance and interpre­tive
potential. Priority should be given to
the Salmon and Middle Fork Salmon Wild rivers,
and near roads.
4) Evaluate significant· historic sites and trails
for thematic nomination,
5) For those structures identified as lacking
minimum structural or architectural integrity,
the normal complianc~ process should be fol­lowed
if any management action will disturb the
ruin and its surface or subsurface site.
6) Where recreational sites or other activities
impact significant or unevaluated cultural
resource sites, the·following guidelines will
apply:
a) Conduct surface collections and, where
warranted, subsurface testing to determine
significance and the range of impacts that
are occurring. (See also 36 CFR 293.15c)
b) If. significant values .are threatened,
develop a prptection or mitigation plan in
consultation with ihe SHPO.
c) In the ·river corridors an·d other heavily
used areas, an annual review will be
conducted by the ~dministering National
Forest to determine if changes in manage­ment
and/or protection are needed,
7) Encourage research; see Genera~ Direction, page
99, and also section L. Resear~h, page 112 •
8) Interpret historic sites and themes appropriate
to their significance, condition, location; or
other management need •
109
c. Monitoring, coordination, and action items.
1) When ownership status or management authority
for a site or structure is in question (e.g.,
unpatented mining claims), defer manageme~t
<actions that would impact the site until the
question or uncertainty is resolved and the
2)
3)
4)
5)
site prop~r1y evaluated.
Record historical ruins as part of the regular
cultural resources inventory process, since
site values other than "structural" may exist.
Historic thematic nominations to consider are:
the Sheepeater Campaign, the Three Blaze Trail,
and the Thunder Mountain Trail (see Historic
Trails).
Where volunteer programs are used for inventory
and evaluatio~, the scheduling of work, report
standards, and artifact collection will be
carefully monitored and coordinated by quali­fied
Forest Service cultural resource per­sonnel.
Provide interpretation for historic sites along
the Middle Fork Salmon Wild River, including
White Creek (both historic and prehistoric),
Joe Bump's Cabin, Sater Cabin, and Power House.
On the Salmon Wild River, sites interpreted
should include Barth Hot Springs (rock carvings
plus site), Lantz Bar, Smith Gulch Cabin, and
the Jim Moore Ranch. In road corridors access­ing
the Wil~erness, i~terpr~tation should
include the Newland Ranch, Indianola, Dump
Creek, Gold Hill, Long Tom Campground, Pinyon
Peak Lookout, Oreana Lookout, and Fly Point
Lookout,
6) Implement management direction, as recommended
in the Structures Report, outlined below:
a) Stabilization. Structures judged· to be
hrstorically significant, which have major
or minor defects; stabilize to prevent
further deterioration. These include:
Powerhouse Cabin
Powerhouse ·Mill
Upper Cave Creek Cabin
Coxote Springs Telephone Booth
Cabin Creek Post Office
Conyers Cabin
Jim Moore Ranch
110
•
•
•
•
•
•
b) Restoration, Structures judged to be
historically significant, which have major
defects, will be restored to the Secre­tary's
standards, These include:
Warm Springs Ranger Station
Shoup Schoolhouse (private)
Long Tom Outhouse
c) Rehabilitation. Structures juqged to be
historically significant 1 which have
repairable defects, rehabilitate to
Secretary's standards. These include:
Joe Bump's Cabin
Rock Rabbit Lookout
Sagebrush Lookout
Oreana Lookout
d) Maintenance. For historically significant
structures, maintain to preserve cultural
values or adapt for new use and maintain
to preserve cultural resource values.
These include:
Smith Gulch Cabin
Fly Creek Point Lookout
Ruffneck Lookout·
Pinyon Peak Lookout
Cold Meadows Guard Station
Chamberlain Administrative Site
Arctic Point Lookout
Indianola Field Station's Old Residence
For structures judged· not to be histor­ically
significant, maintain as needed
within Forest Service standards, ~These
include administrative facilities, camp­grounds,
certain special use sites,)
e) Disposal. Of the 100 structures judged
not to be historically significant, tne
following will be removed:
Guth's Fishing Camp
Cresent Meadow Outhouse
Cow Creek Outfitter Shed
North Cold Meadows Elk Trap
Mahoney Creek Shed
Mid Cottonwood Point Lookout
Crofoot .Ranch
Cold Mountain Lookout Tower
Gold Creek/Vacation·Cabin"
Cabin Creek Ranch
111
Cottonwood Creek Cabin
Sunny Bar Camp
Sheep Creek Camp
White' Goat Lookout
Stoddard Lookout
Kitchen Creek Camp
Fern Creek Camp
Sawlog Gulch Cabin
Boulder Creek Cabin
Pine Creek Cabin
Vines Ranch
Acorn Butte Lookout
Simond Claim
South Cold Meadows Elk Trap
Ga-.;y Stone Cabin
Falconberry Ranch
Big Sheepeater Cabin
Cove Creek Cabin
Sargent's Cabin
Proctor Creek Cabin
Butschke Cabin
f) No Action, The following historically
significant struc~ures will be allowed to
naturally deteriorate:
Blondies Cabin
Mule Creek Point Lookout
Black Butte Lookout
Falconberry Rancb'Barn
Dillinger Meadow Cabin
Lower Mahan Mine Cbmplex
Snowshoe Mine Homeowner Site
Rame~ Lookput
Slow Gulch Cabin
Biggs Ranch
Red Bluff Ranch
Catherine Lake Cabin
Barn Cabin
Beaver Creek Cabin
Rocky Point Lookout
The remaining structures judged not to be
historically significant, and for which
there is no administrative need, will be
allowed to deteriorate naturally.
112
•
•
•
L.
•
•
•
Research
Objectives: Provide for and encourage scientific study that
is dependent on a wilderness setting; that seeks to explain
wilderness phenomena or resolve wilderness management prob­lems;
and that is conducted in a non-obtrusive manner consis­tent
with preserving the wilderness resource,
1. Situation
In its definit~on of wilderness, the Wilderness Act
recognized the scientific values that may exist in any
wilderness and that the gathering arid dissemination of
information regarding their use and enjoyment is a proper
activity in wilderness.
The Frank Church--River of No Return ·wilderness' diverse
ecosystems, topography, geology, fire history, wildlife
population, and cultural history provide excellent
opportunities for study and.observation in a near-natural
environment. Because of this, the area has been the
scene of considerable research activity in the past,
Some research has consisted of extensive, well financed
projects of three- to five-year duration which have
attracted international attention and have been well
received in scientific circles. A number of projects are
currently under way, and more are being planned for the
future. Many proposals have been ~enied as not requiring
nor·· benefiting the Wilderness •
The University of Idaho maintains a wilderness research
center on the 65-acre Taylor Ranch on lower Big Creek.
The University uses this facility for a wide range of
research dealing with wilderness management.
Additional research is needed to help provide land
managers solutions to many wilderness management prob­lems.
Research could address a variety of questions
ranging from how best to manage and protect the basic
wilderness resources of ,plants, soil, water, fish, and
animals, and the role of'natural wildfire and. the results
of its control; to the questions of recreational. capacity
or how use affects the quality of the wilderness experi­ence
and what are the limits of acceptable change in both
the biological and sociological components of wilderness.
The Central Idaho Wilderness Act specifically provides.
that the management plan shall encourage scientific
research into man's past use of the Wilderness and the
Salmon River corridor (section 8 (a) .(3) (A).
Due to the size of the Wilderness, the existing patterns.
of air travel, and other non-conforming uses in this
Wilderness, past research proposals have sometimes
included inappropriate activities •
rl3
2. Assumptions
a. MQre knowl~dge of-man's effects on the wilderness
resource is need~d in both the biolog~cal and
sociolog!c~l settings. These needs will genera~e
additional·research.
b·. The l!'ilderness and its ecosystems will continue. to
·be valua]>le .as a benchmark measure.
c.. Research projectp will cont~nue to be ptoposed.
3. Direction
a. All research projects must be approved by the
Regional Forester.
b. Specific written approval and/or permit must be
obtai~ed from. the Forest Service PFior to the
installation or erection of any structure or
exclosure.
c. -All structures shall be situated and constructed so
as to make them as·pnobtrusive.on the landscape as
pOS"!ible.
d. 'Dat,a collected for management purposes, such as ·use
f~gures ·and resource inventories, will be made
avail~ble to scientists for research purposes.
e. Research projects that -benefit the protection
objectives of the Wilderness will be given priority.
The!'e include fire effeftS, lim;Lts of· acceptable
change .or .carrying capacity, fish and wildlife
oriented research, acid rain research, and cultural
resource research.
f. Research projects not dependent qn wilderness ~ill
be directed to alternative areas.putside the Wilder­ness.
Research methods which temporarily inf~inge
on the wilderness resource will be restricted.
g. Exc~pt at.airfields, the use of hel~copters and
fixed~ing aircraft for research purposes will only
be ·approved "when other access ls not possible and
not appropriate for the research objectives. If
aircraft use ~s approved, the following factors to
minimize impact will be considered:
1) Time of dar.
2) Season.of the year.
3) Elevation of flight.
•
•
•
l'"
•
•
•
4) Route of flight.
5) Location of landings.
h. Minimize installations which' are essential for
research and management studies, such as shelters
for cameras ~nd scientific apparatus, on a
case-by-case basis.
i. See page 99 for additional direction relative to
cultural resource research, and page 30 concerning
wildlife and fish research and dat~ needs •
•
~·.~ 7~.· -
~- ~\· .. ;:dl ..,} •. p \• .
.....,..~ \ ·,•. . ' <,.: .... .~.·r...". . .' # ... •• • • • • t. -.. ' ' .... .. ., ... ., ...
',•· .. . _,,~: .;_·t~ - .._.~~ ~'
• )oO .~
( . '
,," '<'<:.· t.,\
•..
•
115
M. Information and Education
Objectives: Provide sufficient information so that visitors
may enjoy the Wilderness with minimum impact on wilderness
values.
l. Situation
A 1:100,000 scale visitors map-of the Wilderness has
recently been published. Maps that cover the Wild and
Scenic river corridors are also available to the public.
Individual forest maps that cover their respective parts
of the Wilderness are available from the Bitterroot,
Boise, Challis, Nezperce, Payette, and Salmon National
Forests. U.S.G.S. 7~ minute topographic maps of the
entire Wilderness are availabie from the Geologic Survey.
Currently, no informational brochure on the Wilderness is
available. However, in the near future a visitor's guide
will be published and made available to the wilderness
visitor.. It will include information on minimum impact
camping, safety, management objectives, visitor restric­tions,
and history and archeology. Brochures containing
general information about wilderness behavior and ethics,
and other pertinent 'in~ormation, are available at
National Forest offices.
Visitor contact is carried out primarily by wilderness
and river patrpls and Portal Assistants, and is supple­mented
by trail crews, lookouts, and other Forest Service
personnel; Such contacts are intended to inform the
visitor abo~t routes of travel, safety precautions,
wilderness ethics, history, regulations, and administra­tive
activities. They also are useful in encouraging
visitor dispersion when areas. are becoming congested.
2. Assumptions
a. An active education program with local residents,
including service clubs and organizations, public
schools, and outfitter organizations is needed.
b. The visitor information· and contact function is
important as a tool for management and education.
c. An active program to contact non-local visitors is
needed.
3. Direction
a. Visitor information services will include informa­tion
to help disperse. visitors and prevent overuse
and damage to popular and sensitive sites.
116
•
•
•
•
•
•
b. Visitor information services will be compatible with
the preservation of the values for which the Wilder­ness
and Wild and Scenic rivers were designed to
protect •
c. Interpretive messages transmitted through publica­tions,
indoor and outdoor exhibits, pers~ con­tact,
signs, audiovisual programs, bulletin boards,
and the news media should be coordinated among all
forests involved.
''-'
d. Prepare visitor's guide to accompany the. visitor
map, to inform on use problems and conditions of
occupancy and use.
e. Improve wilderness ethics of public, outfitters,
~gencies, and educational institutiqns to encourage
wise use of wilderness with minimum impact.
f. Alert visitors to the possible or probable presence
of bears, Giardia, poisonous Snakes, poison ivy,
other poisonous and stinging plants and insects, and
appropriate avoidance techniques.
g. Provide both off-site and on-site visitor informa­tion
services, when and where.appropriate, to
improve visitor orientation and to· explain rules and
regulations. Utilize personal off-site efforts with
schools, clubs, civic groups, etc. '
h. Provide interpretive infprmation to fire lookouts
and other Wilderness personnel.
Stop hurting
the trees
you love.
,,.z;-.~f~'f·;J,·· .;' {! -._:~ i(.: ~
(~ '\;/ -~. ~c,-·'"t'l·' - .·:\l
~"·'~~~i!t'~i
If•(
.' !~<~; ; ; <Z,__'. J-...._~_·} ·' """·"''\ .,
Don't
spoil nature .. :
leave only
footprints .
117
/I
,.
i ~-1
' '
IV. APPENDICES
Appendix
A. Wilderness Act
B. Central Idaho Wilderness Act
'
C. Salmon Wild and Scenic River Management Plan (by reference)
D. Wilderness Lake Inventory and Stocking History
E. Glossary
F. Analysis of the Management Situation (by reference)
G. Historic Structures Report (bv reference)
H. Trailless Areas and Map
118
•
•
•