Dinosaur Recommended Wilderness - University of Montana · Dinosaur Recommended Wilderness: Building Blocks for Wilderness Character . 2012 . Executive Summary . Dinosaur National

Dinosaur Recommended Wilderness

Building Blocks for Wilderness Character

Prepared By:

Sarah V. Crump

Wilderness Fellow

Dinosaur National

Monument

August 2012

Wilderness.net Webmaster

This document is part of the Wilderness Character Toolbox on http://www.wilderness.net/toolboxes/

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Dinosaur Recommended Wilderness: Building Blocks for Wilderness Character 2012

Executive Summary Dinosaur National Monument is a rare refuge of diversity; it is an interface of montane, desert, canyon, and aquatic species and ecosystems that beautifully coexist among globally unique geological features. Currently, the monument protects both areas of Recommended Wilderness and areas of Potential Wilderness. In order to preserve these lands to the degree expected by the Wilderness Act, an evaluation of the current condition of the wilderness and a plan for monitoring long-term trends is critical. The purpose of this document is to present a current baseline assessment of the character of Dinosaur’s Recommended Wilderness. A qualitative narrative describes the wilderness resource in terms of five qualities of wilderness character. In order to translate a conceptual narrative into concrete measures that can be monitored over time, a more quantitative suite of indicators and measures has been developed. Baseline data has been collected, primarily from existing resources, and is followed by an assessment of the significance of the data and a description of how data was obtained. Also contained within this document are guidance and tools for protecting wilderness character in all management decisions, as well as recommended future planning considerations. It is intended that this framework of wilderness character measures will continue to be monitored either annually or every five years to assess whether trend in each measure is improving, stable, or degrading. An additional objective of this document is to generate discussion among park staff about wilderness planning needs and to further integrate the preservation of wilderness character into future resource management planning guides and documents.

“In wildness is the preservation of the world.” -Henry David Thoreau

Photo: Dineen

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Table of Contents General Wilderness Information…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4 History of Land Status and Legislation……………………………………………………………………………………………………..4 Current Land Status, Boundary Descriptions, and Map……………………………………………………………………………5 Park Mission Statement, Significant Resources and Values……………………………………………………………………..6 Wilderness Character Narrative……………………………………………………………………………………………………………10 Overview of Dinosaur Wilderness Character………………………………………………………………………………………….10 Description of the Natural Quality…………………………………………………………………………………………………………10 Description of the Untrammeled Quality……………………………………………………………………………………………….12 Description of the Undeveloped Quality ……………………………………………………………………………………………….13 Description of the Opportunities for Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation Quality…………….14 Description of the Other Features Quality……………………………………………………………………………………………..16 Introduction to Wilderness Character Monitoring……………………………………………………………………………….18 Methods for Developing Wilderness Character Narrative and Measures………………………………………………18 Indicators, Measures, Data Sources, and Baseline Conditions Assessment…………………………………………….19 Measures of the Natural Quality……………………………………………………………………………………………………………19 Measures of the Untrammeled Quality………………………………………………………………………………………………….19 Measures of the Undeveloped Quality…………………………………………………………………………………………………..20 Measures of the Opportunities for Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation Quality………………21 Measures of the Other Features Quality………………………………………………………………………………………………..23 Dropped Measures…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………….24 Wilderness Character Monitoring Conclusions………………………………………………………………………….…………..24 Administrative Guidance…………………………………….……….………………………………………………….......................25 Minimum Requirements Analysis…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..25 Relationship of Wilderness Character to Other Management Plans………………………………………………………25 Identified Wilderness Issues Specific to Dinosaur NM……………………………………………………………………………26 Sources………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....27 Appendices.................................................................................................................................................28 Appendix A: 1964 Wilderness Act and Enabling Legislation……………………………………………………………………28 Appendix B: Original 1978 Map of Recommended Wilderness………………………………………………………………49 Appendix C: Minimum Requirements Decision Guide……………………………………………………………………………50

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General Wilderness Information National Park Service policies, guided by the 1916 Organic Act and the 1964 Wilderness Act, clearly direct staff not only to manage wilderness areas for the preservation of the physical wilderness resources, but also state, “planning for these areas must ensure that the wilderness character is likewise preserved.” Wilderness areas are to possess the following characteristics as identified in the Wilderness Act (See Appendix A): • The earth and its community of life are untrammeled by humans, where humans are visitors and do not remain; • The area is undeveloped and retains its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation; • The area generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of humans’ work substantially unnoticeable; • The area is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions; and • The area offers outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of

recreation. History of Land Status and Legislation The history of wilderness in Dinosaur National Monument is rich with conflict and public debate. Originally established in 1915 to protect the Carnegie Fossil Quarry, Dinosaur NM was only 80 acres at the time. The monument was expanded in 1938 by Presidential Proclamation to over 200,000 acres, protecting the magnificent river canyons of the Green and Yampa Rivers and simultaneously encompassing thousands of acres of historic rangeland in both Utah and Colorado. During the 1950s, the legislative battle over the proposed construction of an Echo Park Dam in Dinosaur NM catapulted the area and its scenic canyons and rivers to national attention. Some would consider the compromise to exclude the Echo Park Dam from legislation (which went on to authorize the construction of many dams across Colorado) to be the greatest triumph of the conservation movement in the 20th century. This defeat of legislation to build a dam inside a National Monument upheld the integrity of the National Park System as a means of preservation for public lands. Following the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964, the National Park Service began to survey its roadless areas for lands eligible for wilderness designation. Dinosaur NM was included among these areas and initial surveys were completed in 1968. A wilderness proposal was recommended to Congress on December 4, 1974 consisting of three units and suggesting 165,341 acres of Designated Wilderness and 10,274 acres of Potential Wilderness ( a representation of roads associated with grazing units that would eventually be phased out of use) inside the monument. This proposal was not enacted by Congress, but instead died in committee hearings. A revised version of “Dinosaur Wilderness” legislation was formally recommended for designation to Congress by Presidential Proclamation on May 11, 1978 (See Appendix A). This revision encompassed changes to the acreages of the monument and proposed wilderness areas due to land purchases and road closures. The new wilderness proposal recommended two units totaling 205,672 acres of

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Designated Wilderness and 5,055 acres of Potential Wilderness. This recommendation was never approved nor rejected by Congress. It is National Park Service policy to continue to fully protect the wilderness values and resources of any area deemed suitable for further wilderness study until it is formally eliminated from eligibility. Many wilderness boundary discussions and informal proposals for additions and subtractions to the wilderness tract have taken place since this recommendation was set forth; however, the 1978 recommendation remains the most advanced stage of the formal wilderness eligibility assessment for Dinosaur NM and it is this recommendation that determines which lands NPS staff are directed to manage as Wilderness. Given the current national political climate and the physical boundaries of Dinosaur NM that would require the cooperation of both Utah and Colorado local governments for enactment, it seems unlikely that any action will occur to champion the movement of the Dinosaur wilderness from recommended status to formal designation in the foreseeable future. A more thorough investigation and report on the history of Dinosaur wilderness discussions and legislation can be found by reading Wilderness in Dinosaur National Monument: An Administrative History, currently in development. Current Land Status, Boundary Descriptions, and Map As a proposal for wilderness designation awaits Congressional approval it is formally referred to as Recommended Wilderness and managed as if it were Designated Wilderness by the National Park Service. Since the formal recommendation to Congress in 1978, many proposals for additions, boundary changes, and subtractions from wilderness in Dinosaur NM have been postulated due to road closures or property transfers, but none have made it as far in the legislative process as the 1978 recommendation. The Dinosaur Recommended Wilderness remains the 1978 formal recommendation. A boundary description is as follows:

Recommended Wilderness: 205,672 acres Potential Wilderness: 5,055 acres Inholdings: 3222 acres*

*Most, but not all, inholdings are located in Potential Wilderness. Therefore, the acreages listed here do not represent the total acreage of the monument. The Dinosaur Recommended Wilderness is divided into two distinct sections by the Echo Park and Yampa Bench roads, which are designated as non-wilderness areas by the recommendation. The majority of the monument is recommended wilderness and the wilderness boundary generally follows the monument boundary. Exceptions to wilderness include developed areas in the southwest region of the monument along Utah Hwy 149, including the Quarry and Quarry Visitor Center, the staff housing and maintenance facilities, Split Mountain campground and boat launch, Green River campground, the Fossil Discovery Trail, the Sound of Silence Trail, the Desert Voices Trail, and the Josie Basset Morris Homesite. Other areas labeled as non-wilderness include roads leading to Rainbow Park and Island Park, the Rainbow Park campground and boat launch, Harpers Corner Road, Echo Park Road, Yampa Bench Road, the Gates of Lodore campground and boat launch, and the most northern section of the Green River. Several other non-wilderness areas were stipulated by the 1978 proposal that may now seem inadequate. Examples include the non-wilderness Ruple Point Trail and large surrounding area that extends from the west side of Harpers Corner Road despite this area’s present demonstration of

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wilderness character. The justification behind excluding this area from wilderness mostly likely coincides with abandoned plans for major developments at the end of Harpers Corner Road. Several other small outcrops of non-wilderness areas, representing service and access roads that have long-since been closed, are also included in the 1978 proposal. Many inholdings still exist inside the monument boundaries and several are still allowed grazing rights on monument lands. Park Mission Statement, Significant Resources and Values Mission Statement The National Park Service employees and partners at Dinosaur National Monument are committed to preserving the internationally significant paleontological resources, the cultural and natural resources, scenery, and associated values of Dinosaur National Monument. We preserve these significant park features for the scientific study, educational use, enjoyment, and inspiration of present and future generations. Significant Resources and Values Fundamental resources and values are those resources that are critical to achieving the monument’s founding purpose and maintaining its significance. They are derived primarily from analyzing the founding legislation and management directives, and determining the critical attributes that make up the monument. They elaborate on what is most important about the park and may include systems, processes, features, visitor experiences, stories, scenes, or other resources and values. The preservation

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of these resources and values are part of the foundation for all planning and management at the monument. The following descriptions of fundamental resources and values come from the Dinosaur General Management Plan with some additions to demonstrate their relevance to wilderness character. Fundamental resources and values listed in the GMP that do not pertain to wilderness have been omitted. Geological: Few places have features as well displayed, as classic, and in juxtaposition as can be found at Dinosaur. Erosion has progressed to a fortunate mid-stage where a great diversity of rocks and structures has been laid bare or dissected. The area is used extensively for geological research and as a teaching resource. Uinta Mountains- The Uintas are the largest east-west range of mountains in the lower 48 states. Major River Canyons- Yampa, Lodore, Whirlpool and Split Mountain Canyons are geologically distinct from one another, showing different rock formations variously uplifted and eroded. They are regarded as great outdoor laboratories for study. Split Mountain- This plunging anticline is a unique geologic feature that allows for the exposure of 100s of millions of years of earth’s geologic past.

Fossil Record- In addition to the Jurassic quarry, other Mesozoic Era fossils are scattered among many localities within the monument as well as Paleozoic Era brachiopod, coral, crinoid, snail, and rare trilobite fossils. The paleontological collections are of worldwide significance and are a permanent resource for research. Natural Resources: Dinosaur National Monument is located at a meeting of the mountains and high desert with elevations ranging from 4,735’-9,006’. Its composition of upland, riparian, and aquatic plant and animal communities make Dinosaur a center of ecological biodiversity. Upland Habitat-Five major upland plant communities exist monument wide and include the Desert Shrubland, Semi-Desert Shrub-Steppe, Montane and Semi-Desert Woodlands, Montane Shrub-Steppe, and Montane Forest. These plant communities vary across elevation and each support specific native species. Riparian Communities- Dinosaur contains some of the last natural/near-natural riparian habitats in the Colorado River Basin due to the free-flowing nature of the Yampa River. Aquatic Ecosystems- The unimpeded river processes of the Yampa River make this Colorado River System tributary an essential habitat for endangered fish species and contribute to the ecological integrity of the Green River after the confluence.

Photo: Dineen

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Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species- Dinosaur plays a critical role in the recovery and preservation efforts for rare, threatened, and endangered species, including peregrine falcons and four endangered fish species. Scenic Resources: Magnificent vistas exist from most high elevation points within the monument. Onlookers at Harpers Corner are able to view Whirlpool Canyon, Lodore Canyon, Yampa Canyon, Steamboat Rock, and the Mitten Park fault. Ruple point overlooks the heart of the Split Mountain anticline, Island Park, Rainbow Park, and Diamond Mountain. The geology of the canyon walls themselves also exhibit invaluable scenic qualities. Cultural Resources: With over 11,000 years of evidence of human use, the land of Dinosaur has much to tell us about native cultures, explorers, and pioneer history. Native Cultures-Prehistoric habitation from over 400 known sites dating 6000 B.C. to 1150 A.D. Archaeological and rock art remains of the Fremont Culture, a native people who occupied the area from 450 and 1250 A.D., can be found nearly monument wide. Significant sites include Cub Creek, Deluge Shelter, Marigold Cave, Mantle Cave, and Hells Midden. Early Explorers-Many trappers and explorers are associated with Dinosaur’s early river history and include the Dominguez-Escalante expedition in 1776, William Henry Ashley, Baptiste Brown, Denis Julien, William Louis Manly, John Wesley Powell, Nathaniel Galloway, F.S. Dellenbaugh, and Emery and Elsworth Kolb. Cattleman’s Empire-Homesteads, ranches, and other structures associated with ranching and settlement exist monument wide. These provide a standing history of the first pioneers of the West, the Mormon settlement, and the association of famous outlaws such as Butch Cassidy to the monument. Scientific Discovery: The diversity of habitats makes Dinosaur a coveted place for scientific and academic research in the Southwest. Since Earl Douglass’ discovery of the first dinosaur fossils here, the monument has also been a hotbed for paleontological research. The monument boasts the most complete paleontological library collection in the National Park Service. Recreational Value: Excellent opportunities for recreation exist monument wide. Hiking and river rafting are popular as well as hang-gliding. River running, white-water rafting, canoeing, and kayaking have been traditional sports on the monument since the early 1900s. Non-commercial demand for river running is ever increasing. An average of more than 5000 applicants applies for only 300 permits each year. Four river canyons, each with major rapids, make Dinosaur one of the most desirable places to raft in the country. Wilderness- The wilderness itself is also a significant resource and fundamental value to Dinosaur National Monument. With more than 90% of the monument labeled as Recommended Wilderness, the sum of the above mentioned resources and values combine in the concept of wilderness to be more valuable than the individual parts.

Photo: Crump

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Photo: Crump

Photos: Dineen

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Wilderness Character Narrative

A Wilderness Character Narrative is intended to be a qualitative description and positive affirmation of the unique attributes of a wilderness tract. Representatives from each of the four wilderness managing agencies developed a national framework to monitor wilderness character using five qualities: natural, untrammeled, undeveloped, opportunities for solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation, and other features. Employing the use of prose language to expound on each of these qualities of wilderness character will familiarly convey each quality’s specific relationship to the wilderness. This narrative is precursor to and unlike a technical wilderness management guide and should serve to familiarize one with the tangible and intangible resources and values that combine to produce a chronicle of the Dinosaur wilderness. The following document was created through collaboration by National Park Service staff and is a record of the shared understanding of wilderness character exemplified by Dinosaur National Monument. Other more analytical documents, such as wilderness character monitoring measures and stewardship guides, may be derived from the qualitative description and threats to wilderness character identified by the development of a Wilderness Character Narrative.

Overview of Dinosaur Wilderness Character

Dinosaur National Monument is partially situated in the Uintah Basin, a physiographic section relatively isolated by the Uintah Mountains to the northwest, the Wyoming Basin to the north, the Southern Rocky Mountains to the east, the Canyon Lands to the south, and the High Plateau of Utah to the southwest. The Green River flows south through the monument and cuts its way through Split Mountain, the eastern flank of the Uintas. This isolation and placement between multiple physiographic sections renders many of the unique species found in the monument to be solely endemic to this area and makes the preservation of wilderness character in Dinosaur all the more critical. The Dinosaur wilderness encompasses nearly 90 percent of Dinosaur National Monument and totals 205,672 acres. Contradictory to its name, no significant discoveries of dinosaur bones have been made in this wilderness, but many other fossils including trackways and bones of the Mesozoic era are visible. Dinosaur’s wilderness concentrates around the two rivers that flow and converge here, the Yampa and the Green. These waterways serve as the life blood of the surrounding ecosystems and their very presence carved the canyon rocks into the looming shapes we see today. Radiating away from the rivers and gaining elevation, the lush Riparian Woodlands and Wetlands, green with willow and cottonwoods, gradually concede to the drier sage painted Desert Shrubland, the Semi-Desert Shrub-Steppe, the Montane and Semi-Desert Woodlands dominated by pinyon pine and juniper, the Montane Shrub-Steppe and finally to the ponderosa and aspen Montane Forest at the highest elevations above 7,000 ft. Visitors are enticed to enter this wilderness to experience breathtaking canyon vistas, float the scenic rivers, view wildlife, envision native cultures, and analyze ancient fossils of a geologic time long passed. The preservation of this area, whose inhabitants and resources combine to establish the wilderness character of Dinosaur National Monument, is essential if it shall retain its allure.

Natural

Wilderness maintains ecological systems that are substantially free from the effects of modern civilization.

The Gates of Lodore, a crowning feature near the northern bounds of the monument, serves as both a passageway for the Green River as well as part of the northern edge of the wilderness boundary. The crimson colored flaring rocks that decorate both sides of the river canyon here are part of the Uinta Mountain Group. These jagged cliff sides are composed of the oldest rocks within the monument, at

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about a billion years of age, and serve as harbingers that the Green will soon narrow and move more swiftly through this portal and the canyons to come. After passing through the Gates of Lodore the river travels south through the Canyon of Lodore for 19 miles before it meets with the Yampa River.

The river system is crucial to all life-forms within Dinosaur which are dependent upon its yearly flows and fluctuations. Unlike the Yampa, the Green River is a controlled river and its flows are regulated daily by the Flaming Gorge Dam. An intricate balance of inundation and drought is necessary for flowering plants and trees that exist along the riparian area. The endangered Ute Ladies’ tresses, an orchid found here, are successful and persevere through integral sweeping river floods that eliminate competing vegetation.

Larger life is also supported by the river system; it is not uncommon to view a black bear with cubs in tow crossing the river or spending time on the banks. If one examines the sandy beaches closely, the tracks of a mountain lion or bobcat may be revealed; although, seeing these creatures in plain view is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Beaver, once removed from the monument through the fur trade, are again present in the river system and can be observed contemplating the tumbling waters or creating burrows in the muddy banks.

Another mammalian fixture on the river banks and cliff sides is the Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep. Extirpated from the Dinosaur area during the 1940s due to overhunting and competition with domestic sheep, Bighorn sheep have since made a fortunate comeback. With the help of several reintroduction efforts in the 1950s, and again in the 1980s, several herds are now commonplace within the wilderness. Bighorn sheep are specially adapted for navigating the steep rugged terrain common in the monument. During the fall rut, viewing rams engaging their horns in valiant battles of strength is a sight to behold.

The Yampa River enters Dinosaur National Monument at Deerlodge and flows westward through the monument. When adequately fed by mountain snowmelt, the Yampa surges with prominence through slick Weber Sandstone canyons. It remains the last naturally-flowing river in the Colorado River system, barring several divergences, and provides essential habitat and nutrients to native fish and wildlife. Four endangered fish species exist in these rivers. Their continued presence is diminished by alterations to water quality and from competition with nonnative species. After 46 miles the meandering Yampa combines with the Green at a confluence just before the towering edifice of Steamboat Rock. The now combined waters continue together as the Green flowing to the west through Whirlpool Canyon.

Photo: Dineen

Photo: Dineen

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Making the ascent upland from the river corridor and away from the tributaries the landscape becomes semi-arid and rocky. Steep cliff faces give way to rolling hillsides of desert grasses, interspersed in early summer with the yellow blooms of the prickly pear cactus. White-tailed prairie dogs may be heard chirping as they vigorously prepare their signature channeled burrows. The sagebrush and grasslands are segmented by pinyon pine and juniper forests, adapted to grow in the dry sandy soil. Plentiful numbers of elk and mule deer graze the Dinosaur wilderness year round; their natural predators, the wolf and the grizzly, have long been removed from this setting. Human foot travel threatens the fragile earth that demonstrates conspicuous signs of life. Much of the surface is alive with a cryptobiotic soil crust, a fungal and lichen symbiosis which captures water and fixes nitrogen providing valuable services for the parched desert ecosystem. Limited signs of human visitation are apparent in the upland.

Threats to the natural quality are ever increasing and such worries typically originate from outside the wilderness. The continued grazing of domestic sheep on monument lands outside of wilderness, which compete with and transfer diseases to Bighorn sheep, is a careful consideration. Changes in hydrology, including fluctuations of the Flaming Gorge Dam and pressures to divert water from the Yampa, would have a lasting impact on the naturalness of wilderness. The naturally-flowing Yampa is a pride among the enthusiasts of Dinosaur. A notorious defeat of the proposition to build a dam and reservoir within the monument at Echo Park during the 1950s helped propel the just commencing environmental movement to a national level. Despite this victory, the battle to keep the Yampa wild is continuous. As surrounding cities grow and water becomes an ever more precious resource in the West, pressure to further exploit the Yampa will surely increase and place undue strain on this vessel of life. Additionally, there is the looming threat of climate change and any erratic weather patterns that may result. The potential for years of intense drought interspersed with winters of record precipitation would significantly shift ecological processes within the wilderness.

Untrammeled

Wilderness is essentially unhindered and free from modern human control or manipulation.

Often against their best interests, wilderness managers must exhibit restraint and humility in stewardship out of respect for wilderness values. It is this self-restraint that preserves the untrammeled quality of wilderness. A “trammeling” is considered any action, authorized or unauthorized, that manipulates the environment to perform modern man’s will. The majority of Dinosaur wilderness is unhindered and rendered free from the influence of modern man.

The untrammeled quality is distinct in the naturally-flowing Yampa River, which makes numerous S-shaped bends through the eastern side of the monument and continues to carve features in the rock. Native ungulates are unrestricted to migrate between summer and winters ranges and thrive in their freedom. Plants prosper and finally succumb to the fluctuations of drought, monsoon, and fire.

Despite the primarily unrestrained characteristic of the wilderness some instances of trammeling do exist. Where dense stands of willow or bare sandy beaches once resided,

Photo: Crump

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the nonnative, invasive tamarisk now has a stronghold on stretches of the shores of the Green and Yampa Rivers. Tamarisk, a trammeling in and of itself, was introduced by humans to the American Southwest in the early 1800s. By salinizing the soil and dominating water and sun resources, tamarisk effectively squelches out native plants along the riparian area because it has no natural predators or diseases in the Southwest. Efforts to curtail the influence and spread of tamarisk using beetles and physical removal projects are delicately attempted to improve the natural quality of wilderness.

The introduction of the tamarisk beetle from Asia, another exotic species, as a bio-control for tamarisk is perhaps one of the most debated and controversial examples of intentional trammeling by Park Staff. Despite the well intentioned purpose of this action and its proven enhancement of the natural quality, the untrammeled quality is simultaneously degraded by its occurrence. The same is true for all invasive species removal projects in wilderness.

One of the most destructive and visible examples of trammeling in the Dinosaur wilderness by modern man is the continuance of domestic cattle grazing. Historically a pioneer rangeland, Dinosaur National Monument still has inholdings and claims to rangeland within its boundaries; although, most claims are scheduled to eventually phase out in the future. The grazing of cattle causes significant changes to the soil by increasing soil compaction. After an area is grazed the plants and vegetation that regenerate are not necessarily of the same species or composition that existed prior to grazing. This cycle is often a gateway for invasive species to spread and while it disturbs the natural regime and the impacts of cattle grazing affect the natural quality, it is a trammeling to allow non-native animals to graze in wilderness.

Fire has a natural function in the ecosystems of the Dinosaur wilderness. Its ability to reinvigorate the landscape and soil every 100 to 300 years is necessary in this semi-arid ecosystem. Suppression of all fires, natural or incidental human-caused, has become the standard in Dinosaur wilderness, dependent upon site-specific conditions. Active fire suppression at any level is a degradation of the untrammeled quality. This is primarily done in an effort to limit the spread of invasive cheatgrass, a threat to the natural quality of wilderness character. Cheatgrass establishes itself by outcompeting native plants and it spreads easily on newly charred soils. To reiterate, managers often face the difficult dilemma of choosing to preserve one quality of wilderness character over another.

Undeveloped

Wilderness retains its primeval character and influence, and is essentially without permanent improvements or modern human occupation.

The majority of Dinosaur is undeveloped and limited signatures of modern man are visible within the wilderness. Development that does exist along the river corridor has ties to recreation, including signage for camps, regulatory signage, and established tent pads. The Jones Hole Trail is easily the most traveled and developed trail in wilderness. Accessible by car or via the river, its heavy use is indicated from the installed pit-toilet, multiple interpretation signs, and the well-worn trail itself. Most of the wilderness is inaccessible except on foot or by horse. Leaving the river and traveling to the upland, one faces a much more taxing and self-reliant experience. There is no intricate trail system that visitors can navigate to reach the highest pinnacles jutting above the horizon and, save for few dirt roads and the river system,

Photo: Crump

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there is limited access to the interior of the monument. Negotiating any significant portion of the rocky, cactus-laden setting requires off-trail hiking and knowledge and preparedness for the challenges of the high desert away from the conveniences and amenities of civilization.

Open range still exists within the Dinosaur wilderness and many inholdings are denoted with networks of barbed-wire fencing that encompass several thousand acres. The sights and sounds of ranging domestic cattle are not uncommon in wilderness.

Relatively unobstructed views exist from most vantages inside the wilderness. Several notable developments visible from the wilderness, but not located inside its boundaries, are the radio towers and fire lookouts at both Zenobia Peak and Round Top. These structures are necessary for visitor safety and emergency communication, but concurrently detract from the undeveloped quality of wilderness. Campsite designation signs exist for each of the 34 camping sites along the river, as well as several signs indicating day-use stops. Although such evidence of human-use and modern convenience exists in wilderness, it is considered minimal development. The majority of Dinosaur wilderness retains its primeval character and remains without permanent improvement or modern human occupation.

While authorized development threats from within the park are minimal, something for Park Staff to consider is the result of the many small authorized actions that take place inside wilderness. An example being a new sign placed here or there that may minimally take away from the undeveloped quality of wilderness character, but in culmination these “small” actions combine to be a serious detractor from the feeling of escape one expects to enjoy when entering wilderness.

Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation

Wilderness provides outstanding opportunities for a primitive and unconfined type of recreation.

The allure of navigating the challenging and turbulent rapids of both the Green and Yampa Rivers draws more than 10,000 boaters to these stretches of river annually. The danger and difficulty of traversing these waterways increases during the spring snowmelt. The power of the rapids is nothing to mock. Hells Half Mile on the Green and Warm Springs Rapid on the Yampa have caused even the most experienced boaters to suffer in their wakes. The roar of white water muffles all else as the rapids cascade and the rhythm echoes from the canyon walls. Scouting the rapids and reading water are necessary primitive skills for rowing these rivers. Compulsory permits keep the inexperienced away and provide for less impact on the fragile ecosystem. Staggered launch times and rules that limit the number of launches per day to no more than four parties on each river help preserve the feeling of solitude one expects from a wilderness outing. Camping along the rivers is confined to 34 beach sites. This confinement and restraint on recreation is implemented chiefly to preserve the naturalness of the majority of the shoreline and riparian areas.

The opportunity for hiking this terrain does exist if the proper permit is attained, although few entertain the idea of extended trekking in the wilderness due to a lack of established trails. To appreciate the inaccessibility and unlikelihood that visitors will be drawn to this area of the wilderness, one must know that a portion of the Outlaw Trail used by Butch Cassidy and his gang during their travels between Robbers Roost in Utah and Hole-in-the-Wall in Wyoming cuts through the interior of the monument. It is this harshness and remoteness that makes the interior of the Dinosaur wilderness an exemplary opportunity for solitude, unconfined recreation, and escape from the predictability of urban society.

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The excellent soundscape of the Dinosaur wilderness easily advances the feelings of solitude and remoteness from the developed world. Whether one hears the song of the canyon wren or screeching birds of prey, such as the red-tailed hawk or the peregrine falcon, they are both a testament to the wildness of this place. Away from the river corridors the sounds of the landscape are much calmer and are primarily natural. During cooler autumn days the interior’s silence may suddenly be broken by the high-pitched bugles of bull elk. The distinctive calls boom over the landscape, announcing the male’s presence to potential female mates and serving as a reminder to man that he is entering a primitive domain. As night falls over the landscape the sounds of young coyotes yipping may be heard from a distance until their mother quiets them with one shrill tone. From a beach camp near the riverside, canyon walls perfectly frame the night sky and the thousands of stars that glimmer against the onyx backdrop. On clear evenings the Milky Way galaxy can be viewed arcing its way across the sky and appears as yet another sign of the remoteness of this place.

The remoteness and solitude of the Dinosaur wilderness may not exist forever. Industries of oil and gas extraction are encroaching quickly to developed lands nearby the monument boundaries. With these industrial expansions come noisy machinery and blinding lights that could potentially drown out the owl’s screeches and turn off the twinkling stars. Despite regulations that would diminish these harmful effects, the very presence of such activities so close to wilderness would greatly detract from the current exceptional quality of solitude found here. Other threats to the quality of solitude may come from internal sources. Local plans to allow all-terrain-vehicle access to the Yampa Bench Road would make illegal off-roading, its associated noises, and signs of physical degradation more pervasive inside the wilderness. Lastly, the many rules and regulations associated with visiting the Dinosaur wilderness, ranging from boater permits to group size restraints, inherently limit the opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation. Albeit restrictive, these necessary rules are intended to increase the safety of visitors and to allow for the least amount of impact on the natural quality. Restrictions on the number of rafting permits granted per day are in fact a great paradox. By limiting the number of visitors, specifically rafting parties, these regulations actually increase the chance for solitude and primitive recreation within the wilderness. One may float along the river for an entire day without seeing another rafting party.

Photo: Williams

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Other Features

Wilderness preserves unique attributes or other features that reflect the character of a specific wilderness.

The Dinosaur wilderness experience has much to offer beyond a typical outdoor adventure. The wilderness here is a trove of geologic, paleontological, cultural, and historic importance. Dinosaur National Monument displays the most complete geological record of any park, meaning more geologic time periods are represented within the rocks here than anywhere else in the National Park System. Virtually the entire monument is composed of sedimentary rock and therefore has great potential for and is known to contain a rich and diverse fossil record. Of the limited area of the wilderness that has been surveyed, hundreds of fossil localities have been identified. Twenty three rock formations exist in the wilderness, including the Morrison. Colorful mudstone and sandstone create this formation which ranges from red to purple to gray and often has a characterizing popcorn texture. World renowned for containing late Jurassic fossils, the fragile rocks of the Morrison are in essence a time machine rendering glimpses of eons passed and spiking curiosities about the flora and fauna that would have existed in this wilderness hundreds of millions of years ago. Although no significant dinosaur fossil finds have been made in wilderness as of yet, the correct formations and potential exists for this type of discovery in the future.

In the modern geologic era, the landscape of the Dinosaur wilderness shows 11,000 years of human use and more than 625 archeological sites have been identified across the monument. The Fremont People, who called the canyons of Dinosaur home between 450 and 1250 A.D., were effective at using the environment and left only small reminders of their culture. The Freemont were hunter-gatherers and horticulturalists. Although no known traditional ceremonial sites exist in the wilderness, much pottery, including statues of sheep and owls, were found in sites such as Mantle Cave. Remnant spearheads and flakes still litter the ground and persist to contribute to the wilderness character of Dinosaur thousands of years after they were used. These items are especially present near the stone slab remnants of what would have been wattle and daub houses used by the Fremont. Their native artwork, ranging from vividly colored wildlife inspired pictographs to textured petroglyphs, decorates numerous canyon walls and is apparent in many locations within the wilderness. It may take an experienced climber to behold much of what the Freemont left behind, but it requires an even more curious soul to muse about the meaning and interpretation behind such symbols and effigies.

The Utes, a numic or Great Basin tribe who replaced the Fremont, had a hunting presence on the monument until 1938 and were present when the first Europeans arrived at the Colorado Plateau. Pioneers and settlers also left their mark in the Dinosaur wilderness. Signs and remnants of these early inhabitants are as much a part of the wilderness character as the rivers and wildlife.

Several historic home sites are still situated in the wilderness. Most remnants are from abandoned cattle operations and old ranching homesteads of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Many such structures are so far beyond repair they may appear simply as a pile of downed trees to the untrained eye. Others are well intact and retain their original charms of gabled sod roofs and saddle

Photo: Crump

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notched log composition. Still even others, like Stubbs Cabin just west of Anderson Hole, used for cattle operations after World War I, contain portions of an old cooking stove, pipe, and bed loft. Minimalist even in their time, these forlorn log cabins, such as the Split Mountain Cabin, slowly deteriorate in the semi-arid desert. Their continued survival, despite the weathering of time, is analogous to the determination that their early dwellers must have had to settle in this challenging terrain and still stand as a testament to those settlers’ hard work and perseverance.

Threats that might degrade the four other wilderness qualities are comparable to those that would destroy the cultural, geologic, and paleontological resources that construct this essential “other features” quality. Graffiti on the canyon walls or the theft of artifacts and fossils by visitors are great concerns and these problems are intensified with increased visitation. Most truthfully put, many of these resources, particularly large slabs of sandstone cluttered with fossils which cannot be removed from the wilderness, are the future victims of time and weather. Constant erosion from wind, rain, and fire will deteriorate the innate fragile condition of any cultural artifacts and paleontological finds. The real possibility exists that they will simply disappear from the landscape. Pressure to study all that is possible from what currently survives is high, but the pressure to preserve the natural state of the wilderness, including such artifacts, for future generations to value is even greater.

Photo: Dineen

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Introduction to Wilderness Character Monitoring In the interest of translating the concept of wilderness character into a tangible and assessable monitoring protocol, an interagency monitoring suite of indicators was developed along with a wilderness character monitoring database. Monitoring indicators and measures are organized in the database by the following hierarchy: each of the five qualities of wilderness character is proceeded by monitoring questions, then indicators, then measures. Qualities, monitoring questions, and indicators are consistent between wildernesses. Measures are selected specifically for a given wilderness. There must be at least one measure for each indicator. Measures can be weighted within the character monitoring database if it is felt that some measures have more influence on wilderness character within Dinosaur than others. Presently, all measures are weighted equally. Measures for Dinosaur were primarily derived from Keeping it Wild in the National Park Service, although some measures have been added, omitted, or altered for applicability, feasibility, and relevance to the Dinosaur Recommended Wilderness. Below is the monitoring suite with data sources and baseline conditions. These measures and baseline data were entered into the interagency wilderness character monitoring database. Each measure is followed by an assessment of the results and the process or protocol by which the baseline data and condition were obtained. Measures that were considered and later dropped are also listed. Methods for Developing Wilderness Character Narrative and Measures In June 2012, Wilderness Fellows from both the National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service convened in Fort Collins, CO at the Interagency Inventory and Monitoring Offices for a wilderness workshop. After receiving guidance on Wilderness Character Monitoring and the concept of a narrative, the Wilderness Fellows and staff participated in a week’s worth of activities to further explore the concept of wilderness character and then dispersed to begin work at their respective parks or refuges. The first few weeks at Dinosaur National Monument involved hiking extensively throughout the wilderness, participating on two four-day river trips from the Gates of Lodore to Split Mountain (one with a river ranger and the other with resource management staff to gain a varied perspective), reading relevant literature ( River Management Plan, General Management Plan, administrative history, The Wilderness Act, etc.), giving a presentation on wilderness character, taking Wilderness related Eppley courses online, and conversing with monument staff in order to understand both the tangible and intangible values of the wilderness. The narrative for Dinosaur National Monument was primarily modeled after the Guadalupe Mountains National Park narrative, as well as an example from Olympic. In addition, a significant amount of time was spent researching Dinosaur National Monument and its resources, as well as consulting with monument staff. After receiving edits from other Wilderness Fellows, Intermountain Regional Wilderness Coordinator Suzy Stutzman, Dinosaur Superintendent Mary Risser, Chief of Resources Wayne Prokopetz, and other staff, the final narrative was produced. The suite of measures was developed from the resources and values specific to Dinosaur National Monument outlined by the character narrative. Many members of the monument staff made contributions to this report and were consulted throughout the process of selecting and developing measures and collecting data. These included Superintendent Mary Risser, Chief of Research and Resource Management Wayne Prokopetz, Chief Ranger Lee Buschkowsky,

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Assistant Chief Ranger Kathy Krisko, Chief of Interpretation Dan Johnson, Chief of Operations Gary Mott, Fire Management Officer Joseph Flores, Paleontologist Dan Chure, Natural Resource Specialist Joel Brumm, Botanist Tamara Naumann, Biological Science Technician Peter Williams, River Office Manager Kelly Kager, River Ranger Stuss Leeds, River Ranger Doug Ross, and others. Indicators, Measures, Data Sources, and Baseline Conditions Assessment Measures of the Natural Quality:

Monitoring Question: What are the trends in terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric natural resources inside wilderness? Indicator: Plant and animal species and communities Measure: Native fish versus non-native fish. Description: The percentage of native fish species versus non-native fish species found in the Monument. 2012 Data Value: 34% Native fish Source/Process Used to Compile Data: Number of native fish species divided by the number of total fish species multiplied by 100. Total fish species: 41, native species: 14, non-native species: 27. Only fish with the status "present in park" were included in this calculation. Much effort is undertaken to preserve native fish populations and they are diminished by competition with non-native species. This data was obtained from Northern Colorado Plateau Network: Species Lists: Dinosaur National Monument. http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncpn/SpeciesSelect.cfm Significant Change: Any Condition: Poor. Less than 50% native are native fish species. Confidence: High Measure: Number of known non-native species Description: Count of the number of non-native species known to exist within monument boundaries. 2012 Data Value: 95 species Source/Process Used to Compile Data: Invasive and non-native species introduction is one of the greatest threats to the wilderness and ecological integrity. The count includes amphibian, bird, fish, and vascular plant species listed as "non-native" and confirmed "present in park." This data was collected from Northern Colorado Plateau Network: Species Lists: Dinosaur National Monument. http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncpn/SpeciesSelect.cfm Significant Change: Any Condition: Caution Confidence: High Measure: Tamarisk Thicket and Russian Olive Woodland Description: A count of the number of acres of Tamarisk Thicket and Russian Olive Woodland. These are invasive species that greatly impact the riparian area of wilderness. The majority of the weed warrior program commitment and much resource management effort are spent on the eradication of these species from Dinosaur. 2012 Data Value: 422.67 acres Source/Process Used to Compile Data: This data was taken from the S:\Drive and the Table labeled “qry_DINO_Veg_Details_NoElevatio.” The number of acres recorded was for the entire monument not

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just wilderness; however, most riparian areas are in wilderness and therefore this number was considered acceptable for the purposes of wilderness character monitoring. Significant Change: Any Condition: Good Confidence: High Measure: Acres of Grazing Allotments Located Inside wilderness

Description: A count of the number of acres of wilderness that are allotted for domestic grazing. The

portions of grazing allotments that lie in what is categorized as "Potential Wilderness" and/or

"Recommended Wilderness" were included in this calculation.

2012 Data Value: ~68,494 Acres Source/Process Used to Compile Data: S:\GIS_Ware\DINO\Natural\grazing

The number of acres of grazing allotments in wilderness was calculated using a combination of the GIS

polygon measure tool and data from the attribute tables of the grazing shapefile. The confidence of this

measurement is dependent upon the recentness and accuracy of information within this shapefile and

therefore this measurement is considered a fair approximation.

Significant Change: Any

Condition: Caution. Nearly 33% of the Recommended Wilderness currently allows grazing. Confidence: Medium Indicator: Physical Resources Measure: Departure from natural water flows. Description: This measure calculates quantitative change in river flows and departure from historic flow data for the month of October. It serves to evaluate shifts in magnitude or timing of discharge due to anthropogenic withdrawals or climate change. The month of October is used because it is traditionally a month of typically low natural flows that do not vary in the extremes because the spring melt has ended and the winter snows have not begun. Despite limited years of historical data and taking into account variations in weather patterns that would impact flow rate, this calculation is still a good indication of how anthropogenic actions (The Flaming Gorge Dam) affect the flow rate and output of the Green River. 2012 Data Value: 127.3% Source/Process Used to Compile Data: Using the average monthly cfs flow rate data from the Green River output monitor in Jensen UT, the average monthly cfs flow rate for the Octobers of 1946 through 1957 (Flaming Gorge Dam was constructed in 1958) was found to be 1443.2 cfs. This number is considered the “natural (historic) flow rate” for the purposes of this calculation. The “current flow rate” is an average of the monthly cfs flow rate for the month of October on the given year. The current year average flow rate for October is divided by the natural flow rate for October and multiplied by 100 to give a percentage of historic flows. Because cfs flow rate data was only collected for 12 years prior to the building of Flaming Gorge Dam, the term "natural (historic) flows" is somewhat misleading. Therefore this measure was given a confidence rating of medium. <http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/monthly?referred_module=sw&site_no=09261000&por_09261000_2=448352,00060,2,1946-10,2011-11&format=html_table&date_format=YYYY-MM-DD&rdb_compression=file&submitted_form=parameter_selection_list> Significant Change: 500% of Historic Flows Condition: Good Confidence: Medium

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/monthly?referred_module=sw&site_no=09261000&por_09261000_2=448352,00060,2,1946-10,2011-11&format=html_table&date_format=YYYY-MM-DD&rdb_compression=file&submitted_form=parameter_selection_list



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Measure: Water Quality Description: Cumulative number of pollutants (completed TMDLs) causing impairments to the Utah, Lower Green-Diamond Watershed per year. Lists all pollutants or stressors that are causing impairment in assessed waters of the watershed. 2012 Data Value: 1 pollutant. The pollutant causing impairment was phosphorus. Source/Process Used to Compile Data: EPA Office of Water Program Data. <http://ofmpub.epa.gov/tmdl_waters10/attains_watershed.control?p_huc=14060001&p_state=UT&p_cycle=&p_report_type=T> Significant Change: Any Condition: Good Confidence: Medium. The finding or presence of a pollutant in the watershed does not reflect the source of the pollutant, nor the severity or impact of its presence. Measure: Air Quality Description: Air Quality is measured using four parameters. This data will be entered into the wilderness character monitoring database by Fort Collins’ Inventory and Monitoring staff.

Photo: Dineen

http://ofmpub.epa.gov/tmdl_waters10/attains_watershed.control?p_huc=14060001&p_state=UT&p_cycle=&p_report_type=T

http://ofmpub.epa.gov/tmdl_waters10/attains_watershed.control?p_huc=14060001&p_state=UT&p_cycle=&p_report_type=T

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Indicator: Biophysical Processes Measure: Climate Change Parameter: Precipitation Fluctuation from Average

Description: Standardized Precipitation Index for the region (northeast Utah through northwest

Colorado). NOAA monitors precipitation and calculates a standardized precipitation index based on

region and a scale of -2.0 (exceptionally dry) to +2.0 (exceptionally moist) for the current year-to-date.

2012 Data Value: -2.0 Source/Process Used to Compile Data:

<http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2012/jun/drought-indicators.html#3660pcpdfn>

Significant Change: Any

Condition: Caution. The monument received less than 20% of its average annual rainfall in 2012. Confidence: High Measure: River Channel Changes

Description: Measures the physical narrowing or expansion of river channels in Dinosaur National

Monument.

2012 Data Value: Data not yet available for 2012 and will be input when monitoring is completed. Source/Process Used to Compile Data: River channels are affected by flow, sedimentation, flood events,

and other factors. The width and depth of the river channel determine speed of water and affect

numerous ecological processes. Northern Colorado Plateau Network, Big Rivers Monitoring.

<http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncpn/Link_Library/Web_Briefs/Big_Rivers_Brief_2012.pdf>

Significant Change: Any Condition: na Confidence: na Measures of the Untrammeled Quality: Monitoring Question: What are the trends in actions that control or manipulate the “earth and its community of life” inside wilderness? Indicator: Actions authorized by Federal land manager that manipulate the biophysical environment Measure: Number of man hours spent working against invasive species in wilderness. Description: A count of the number of man hours spent performing actions against or suppressions of invasive species inside wilderness each year. Also includes tamarisk beetle monitoring. 2012 Data Value: Data not complete for 2012 and will be input when it becomes available. Source/Process Used to Compile Data: Consulted Botanist Tamara Naumann, Director of Weed Warrior program. Invasive species removal is a high priority for resource management staff and involves much effort and time. Significant Change: Any Condition: na Confidence: na

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Measure: Paleontological Excavations

Description: A count of the number of paleontological excavations inside wilderness.

2012 Data Value: 0 excavations Source/Process Used to Compile Data: Verbal communication with Paleontologist Dan Chure. Significant Change: Any Condition: Good Confidence: High Measure: Percent of naturally started fires that received a suppression response.

Description: Percent of natural fire starts suppressed. Number of natural fires that were suppressed is

divided by the total number of natural fires, multiplied by 100.

2012 Data Value: 100% Source/Process Used to Compile Data: Verbal communication with Fire Management Officer Joseph Flores. Significant Change: Any Condition: Caution. It is currently park policy to suppress any and all fires. This helps reduce the spread of cheatgrass, an invasive species. Confidence: High Indicator: Actions not authorized by Federal land manager that manipulate the biophysical environment Measure: Breaches of cattle onto wilderness land not authorized for grazing. Description: A count of the number of unauthorized areas cattle are known to occur in wilderness due to unauthorized actions. This includes cattle breaches of fences or barriers either intentional (due to cut fences or grazer intention) or accidental. 2012 Data Value: 10 areas Source/Process Used to Compile Data: Written Descriptions of areas found in Word Document: “Livestock Trespass Areas” S:\Drive:Resources\GIS Folder for Wildlife work\Livestock trespass areas. Significant Change: Any Condition: Good Confidence: Low. There may be many more undocumented areas where unauthorized grazing in wilderness occurs or the areas mentioned may no longer be an issue.

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Measures of the Undeveloped Quality: Monitoring Question: What are the trends in non-recreational development inside wilderness?

Indicator: Non-recreational installations, structures, developments Measure: Miles of roads

Description: A count of the number of miles of administrative access roads and travel routes in

wilderness. This does not include roads that are not in Recommended Wilderness i.e. Harper's Corner

road and Echo Park road cut through wilderness, but these areas are recommended as non-wilderness.

This count also does not include roads to private inholdings. This accounts for 2 roads, one extending

through Zenobia Basin and the other an access road to Warm Springs Cliff. Other roads that appear on

the GIS shapefile, but are considered permanently closed are not included.

2012 Data Value: ~2.5 miles Source/Process Used to Compile Data: S:\GIS_Ware\DINO\basedata\Trans\roadtral\roads_1999

Biotech Peter Williams was consulted to discern which roads are considered closed/accessible.

The measure tool was used within GIS to determine the lengths of these 2 roads and the resulting number of 2.5 is therefore a fair approximation. Significant Change: Any Condition: Good Confidence: Medium Measure: Number of developments in wilderness.

Description: Index of authorized physical buildings or structures inside wilderness, maintained by NPS,

and considered in "operating" status. Buildings (historic cabins/structures) considered "inactive" were

not included. This count does not include installations such as: culverts, fences, roads, trails, signs, gates,

bulletin boards, research equipment, radio towers/repeaters, or collared animals. An exhaustive count

of these items could not be found and therefore they are excluded and for this reason the confidence is

listed as medium. It is also suggested that a comprehensive list of the above mentioned installations be

created/compiled in the future.

2012 Data Value: 6 buildings/structures Source/Process Used to Compile Data: Printout from Facility Management Software System requested

from Gary Mott, Chief of Facilities and Operations, Excel file: Buildings

Significant Change: Any Condition: Good Confidence: Medium

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Indicator: Inholdings Measure: Acreage of Inholdings

Description: A count of the number of acres of inholdings within the monument boundary. Only

inholdings that are categorized as "private" or "pvt" within the co_ownership and ut_ownership

shapefiles respectively were included in this calculation. The portions inside the monument boundary of

parcels that reside on the monument boundary were also included.

2012 Data Value: ~3222 Acres Source/Process Used to Compile Data: S:\GIS_Ware\DINO\basedata\land_status\Ownership

The number of acres of inholdings was calculated using a combination of the GIS polygon measure tool and data from the attribute tables of the co_ownership and ut_ownership shapefiles. The confidence of this measurement is dependent upon the recentness and accuracy of the land status information within these shapefiles and therefore this measurement is considered a fair approximation. Significant Change: Any Condition: Good Confidence: Medium Monitoring Question: What are the trends in mechanization inside wilderness?

Indicator: Use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, mechanical transport Measure: Index of actions requiring a minimum tool analysis Description: A count of the number of actions that require a minimum tool analysis. 2012 Data Value: Data is not currently being collected. Source/Process Used to Compile Data: Currently the process for determining the minimum tool is completed once and the determined action with the minimum tool is then conducted many times over instead of the analysis being repeated for each individual instance. It is suggested that a log of minimum tool analyses and actions in wilderness be kept in a central monument-wide database for future reference. Significant Change: Any Condition: na Confidence: na Measures of the Opportunities for Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation Quality: Monitoring Question: What are the trends in outstanding opportunities for solitude inside wilderness? Indicator: Remoteness from sights and sounds of people inside the wilderness Measure: Soundscape

Description: A measure of the Daytime Lnat at DINO002, a soundscape site in Rippling Brook Canyon. A

frequency-based methodology was used to account for changes in human hearing sensitivity as a

function of frequency. dBA-weighted decibels are defined as ten times the logarithm to the base ten of

the ratio of A-weighted squared sound pressure to the squared reference sound pressure of 20 μPa, the

squared sound pressure being obtained with fast (F) (125-ms) exponentially weighted time averaging.

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Soundscape data was collected at four different points in DNM. Of the four, two were in wilderness and

of those two only one site produced high-quality data. The site that is referenced here is referred to as

DINO002 in the Acoustical monitoring report and is located in Rippling Brook Canyon. Because Rippling

Brook contains a waterfall and is a popular trail with rafters, the decibel level here could be considered

higher on average than other places within the wilderness; however because this data was already

collected and is available it will be included in this report.

2010 Data Value: 38.0 dBA Source/Process Used to Compile Data: http://www1.nrintra.nps.gov/naturalsounds/data/

Warner, K., 2011. Dinosaur National Monument: Acoustical monitoring report. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NRSS/NRTR—2011/XXX. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. [Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, http://www.nature.nps.gov/naturalsounds/] This report is also available on the Dinosaur Green River p:/Drive within the Soundscape Reports folder. Significant Change: ± 5 dBA Condition: Good Confidence: High Measure: River Travel in Wilderness

Description: Total number of allowed launches for private

parties or commercial trips allowed per day at peak rafting

season on both the Green and Yampa Rivers combined. This

excludes the number of research or ranger launches.

2012 Data Value: 6 launches Source/Process Used to Compile Data: The permit process for river trips and launch dates is currently heavily regulated to ensure a preservation of the naturalness of the river corridors and to guarantee an expected level of solitude on rafting trips. Email communication with River Office Manager Kelly Kager. Significant Change: ±2 Condition: Good Confidence: High Measure: Non-River Travel in Wilderness Description: Index of permit requests for the year-to-date for

non-river travel inside wilderness.

2012 Data Value: 35 permits

Source/Process Used to Compile Data: P:\Backcountry

Permits\2012 BACKUP ONLY PLAY BC PERMITS COPY This

data was obtained through email communication with Chief

Law Enforcement Ranger Lee Buschkowsky. Currently very

few permits are requested each year.

Significant Change: ±40

Condition: Good

Confidence: High

Photo: Dineen

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Indicator: Remoteness from occupied and modified areas outside the wilderness

Measure: Night sky pollution

Description: A measurement of the night-sky using the Bortle Night-sky Scale on a range of 1-9. Where 1

is pristine (an excellent dark night-sky) and 9 is dominated by anthropogenic light sources (an inner city

night-sky).

2012 Data Value: Data not yet available. This study was recently finished and data will be input when it becomes available. Source/Process Used to Compile Data: http://www.nature.nps.gov/night/methods.cfm This study and

analysis is currently underway and should soon be available from NPS IMN [Natural Sounds and Night

Skies Division].

Significant Change: Any Condition: na Confidence: na

Measure: Landscape Fragmentation

Description: Lineal distance of wilderness boundary contiguous with park boundary where adjacent land

managed by an entity other than the National Park Service is managed for purposes other than

wilderness. This measurement does not include land inside the park that is deemed non-wilderness nor

the perimeters of inholdings within or along the park boundary.

2012 Data Value: ~87.76 miles Source/Process Used to Compile Data: S:\GIS_Ware\DINO\basedata\land_status\Ownership

The number of miles was calculated using a combination of the GIS polygon measure tool and data from the attribute tables of the co_ownership and ut_ownership shapefiles. The confidence of this measurement is dependent upon the recentness and accuracy of the land status information within these shapefiles and assumes that the FWS and BLM both apply the management practices of managing "Wilderness Study Areas" as wilderness. Therefore this measurement is considered a fair approximation. Significant Change: ±10 Condition: Good Confidence: Medium

Photo: Dineen

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Monitoring Question: What are the trends in outstanding opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation inside wilderness?

Indicator: Facilities that decrease self-reliant recreation Measure: Designated camping areas

Description: A count of the number of active, agency-approved designated camping areas along the river

corridors inside wilderness. This does not include the campgrounds at Echo Park, Rainbow Park, Split

Mountain, or Green River. It is meant to be a record of the number of campsites to which boaters are

restricted. Areas with multiple campsites were counted individually. For example, Jones Hole has 4

campsites.

2012 Data Value: 34 campsites Source/Process Used to Compile Data: Campsites are assigned during the high-use season and this

process is heavily regulated. Campsites are designated, but assigned on a first-come first-served basis

during the low-use season. P:\River Office\2012 Boating Information Guide.

Significant Change: ±2 Condition: Good Confidence: High Indicator: Management restrictions on visitor behavior Measure: Number of Visitor Behavior Restrictions

Description: A count of the number of current restrictions (camping, fires, hiking, wildlife disturbance,

area closures, permit requirements, etc.) inside wilderness. This count includes the following

restrictions: current fire ban to-date, river camping is restricted to designated sites, backcountry

overnight permits are required, river permits are required, maximum of 6 launches per day, party size

restricted to no more than 25 people, parties of multiple boats must not be out of sight of one-another,

Helmets must be worn by paddlers in rapids, maximum trip lengths of no more than 6 days on the Green

or 7 on the Yampa, and each person is limited to one private multi-day high-use season river trip per

year.

2012 Data Value: 10 restrictions Source/Process Used to Compile Data: P:\River Office\2012 Boating Information Guide. Based on

professional judgment of what constitutes a "restriction" of visitor behavior.

Significant Change: Any Condition: Caution. Many restrictions are placed on boaters. Confidence: Medium. The number of restrictions count was based on professional judgment of what

constitutes a “restriction,” therefore a confidence level of medium was given to this data set.

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*Measures of the Other Features Quality: Monitoring Question: What are the trends in cultural resources inside wilderness?

Indicator: Loss of statutorily protected cultural resources Measure: Unauthorized actions against or removals of cultural, paleontological, or geological

resources

Description: A count of the number of citations issued for unauthorized damaging actions against or

removals of cultural, paleontological, or geological resources.

2012 Data Value: 5 citations Source/Process Used to Compile Data: Citation reports via Assistant Chief Ranger Kathy Krisko.

Significant Change: Any Condition: Good Confidence: High Indicator: Significant findings or contributions related to cultural, historical, or paleontological resources

Measure: Significant paleontological discoveries.

Description: A count of the number of significant additions to science and the paleontological record

discovered in the wilderness.

2012 Data Value: Yes, trace fossils and bone. A physical count was not collected for 2012, but

confirmation of findings was obtained.

Source/Process Used to Compile Data: Verbal Confirmation with Lead Paleontologist Dan Chure

Significant Change: Any Condition: Good Confidence: High *The other features quality is currently housed with the undeveloped quality in the wilderness character monitoring database.

Photo: Crump

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Dropped Measures The following measures were considered for inclusion as in the monitoring suite, but were later deemed unfeasible, lacking in significant data, inefficient, or otherwise unfit as measures of wilderness character at Dinosaur National Monument: Number of active peregrine falcon eyries. Number of extirpated species. Number of endangered species. Number of water quality exceedances. Number of record breaking temperature days. Number of pathways for invasive species. Actions against wildlife (bears). Acreage of wilderness burned due to unnatural human ignited fires. Unauthorized motor vehicle use. Average number of human encounters on a river trip. Percent of wilderness away from access or travel routes. Number of paleontological resources that cannot be collected, but are lost to weathering and erosion. Wilderness Character Monitoring Conclusions The remoteness and size of the wilderness impact the way the wilderness is managed. It is impossible to determine how many unauthorized activities are occurring in the wilderness area, such as unauthorized motor vehicle use, poaching, or cattle breaches, due to size limitations and time constraints on monument staff. The river corridors and rivers themselves are considered the most vulnerable areas in the Recommended Wilderness to wilderness character degradation. The riparian area sees more visitation and management actions than anywhere else in the wilderness. Due to this, many measures in each quality are focused on monitoring what occurs in the river corridors, namely the water quality, quantity, fish, tamarisk, and recreation measures. The largest threats to the upland areas are invasive plant species and continued cattle grazing. Multiple measures are therefore dedicated to determining trends among these threats as well. Dinosaur is known for its excellent opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation and data for measures of this quality was readily available. Data collected for this quality reflects this sentiment. The monitoring framework and suite of measures laid out in this document, while accurately capturing many values and issues unique to Dinosaur, could not possibly capture the entire essence of the character of the Dinosaur Recommended Wilderness. Therefore, the measures included for the wilderness character monitoring framework should not be misconstrued as the only aspects of the wilderness that hold value or importance. It should also be noted that it was not the intent to under-represent any of the five qualities or over-represent others. If some qualities seem to be lacking in measures the reasoning is either that adequate data was unavailable or existing data was deemed unreliable. This was the case for the untrammeled quality, and the undeveloped quality to a certain extent.

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Administrative Guidance Minimum Requirements Analysis

The concept of “minimum requirements” stems from section 4(c) of the Wilderness Act of 1964, which lists several prohibited uses including: permanent or temporary roads, use of motor vehicles, landing of aircraft, mechanical transport, and structures or installations, followed by the phrase, “…except as necessary to meet minimum requirements for the administration of the area for the purpose of this Act.” National Park Service Management policies require the application of the concept of “minimum requirement” for the administration of the wilderness area regardless of wilderness category (designated, recommended, proposed, eligible for study, or potential). The Minimum Requirements Decision Guide helps wilderness stewards determine whether or not any administrative action is truly necessary, and if so, what method will complete this action with the least impact to wilderness character. In the past, this was referred to as the “minimum tool”, but is now generally referred to as the “minimum activity”, because factors other than simply tool choice should be considered important when deciding on how best to preserve wilderness character, e.g. the mode of transport. Minimum activity analysis is fundamental when making decisions that must comply with the letter and spirit of the Wilderness Act. The Minimum Requirements Analysis should not be done by one person, but should be a thoughtful process implemented by an interdisciplinary team. It should be performed before the administrative action in question takes place, and not afterward as a justification. A range of feasible alternatives should be considered including the possibility that the most appropriate administrative response may be no action at all. When determining minimum requirements, the potential disruption of wilderness character and resources will be considered before, and given more significance, than economic efficiency and convenience. If a compromise of wilderness resources or character is unavoidable, only those actions that preserve wilderness character and/or have localized, short-term adverse impacts will be acceptable. The Minimum Requirements Decision Guide is a useful tool to help facilitate constructive discussions and keep our Wilderness wild. A copy of the Minimum Requirements Decision Guide can be found in Appendix C. Relationship of Wilderness Character to Other Management Plans Wilderness stewardship planning is meant to complement and operate in conjunction with other park planning efforts. It also values the wilderness resource in a more holistic way, including recreational, scenic, natural, wild, and other less tangible qualities. Wilderness character should and can easily be incorporated into existing plans and programs such as the General Management Plan and River Management Plan, both potentially due for revision. Programs, such as the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program (I&M Program) initiated through the Natural Resource Challenge, also play an important role and connection to wilderness character assessment, monitoring, and planning. Dinosaur National Monument is part of the Northern Colorado Plateau Network. The NCPN has identified 27 vital signs to be monitored within network parks. Three vital signs refer to air quality, one refers to climate, one refers to human demographics, four refer to

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integrated riparian monitoring, seven refer to integrated upland monitoring, one refers to land condition, one refers to peregrine falcons, one refers to land bird species, one refers to macroinvertebrate species, one refers to invasive exotic plant species, four refer to land cover and use, one refers to seeps, springs, and hanging garden communities, and one refers to water chemistry. The monitoring plans and protocols for each these vital signs take wilderness stewardship into account. Identified Wilderness Issues Specific to Dinosaur NM More than half a century after the proposed Echo Park Dam battle, the initiative to “keep the Yampa wild” still continues. Continued monitoring that further establishes the naturally-flowing Yampa’s invaluable role in the health of native fish and plant populations will be essential evidence in opposition to more water withdrawals or diversions upstream on the Yampa River. Pressures from state and local governments for access to such water rights will only increase with time and expanding populations. Scientific evidence is the best defense to protect this wilderness resource. Domestic cattle grazing continues to be a pervasive problem and issue of environmental concern inside the wilderness. Domestic cattle cause soil compaction and are vectors for the introduction of invasive species and disease transmitted to and from wildlife. Livestock grazing allotments were originally intended to be issued to current property owners and are only transferable once to “his heirs, successors, or assigns, but only if they were members of his immediate family on such date” according to Section 3 of Public Law 86-729 which revised the monument boundaries on September 8th, 1960. Domestic sheep grazing has already been eliminated from inside the wilderness. With the exchange of ownership and passing of time, grazing rights on the monument should gradually cease to exist, thus lessening the environmental impacts. This phase-out will only occur if the monument is able to consistently enforce the terms of the enabling legislation. Oil and gas development and exploration are common on the lands adjacent to and surrounding Dinosaur National Monument. Such developments have the potential to decrease air quality, diminish the current excellent soundscapes, and/ or reduce the visibility of the night sky. Advocating for environmental policies and the strict enforcement of air quality standards and technologies that diminish the effects of noise and anthropogenic light pollution are essential to preserving wilderness character. Invasive exotic species will continue to be a management issue within Dinosaur NM, particularly when coupled with a changing climate. Management efforts to preserve the naturalness of the wilderness will continue to be undertaken with the utmost consideration for the untrammeled quality of wilderness character. This strategy means continuing to choose practices for weed and species management that are effective at eradicating the invasive yet simultaneously have limited and short-term effects on aesthetics and overall undeveloped and untrammeled feelings that visitors expect when entering the Dinosaur wilderness. Finally, cooperation with local governments and citizens to develop a better understanding of National Park Service policy and stance on wilderness issues will be essential to the preservation of wilderness within Dinosaur National Monument. Several decades have passed since designating wilderness inside the monument was first hotly debated. Key players and issues have since changed. A transparent effort to educate the public on new issues affecting the wilderness might bridge the gap between wilderness preservation and the opposition. As a minimal effort, a simple awareness campaign targeted toward

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visitors that explained that the majority of monument lands are already managed as wilderness would be advantageous. Such a campaign would be especially pertinent if future efforts to make a designated “Dinosaur Wilderness” were to ever move forward. Sources Belknap’s Waterproof Dinosaur River Guide. 2012. Westwater Books. Evergreen, CO. Cook, John E. 1975. Final Environmental Impact Statement Proposed Wilderness Dinosaur National

Monument. Dinosaur National Monument, CO, UT. Department of Interior, National Park Service, Rocky Mountain Region. 163 p.

Dunbar, Keith; Gardner, W. Wayne; Hagood, Allen; Hoestery, John; Hof, Marilyn; Kennedy, Joe L.;

Knowles, Lawrence F.; Stevens, Rebecca; Turk, Christine L. 1986. General Management Plan Development Concept Plans Land Protection Plan Environmental Assessment. Dinosaur National Monument, CO, UT. Department of Interior, National Park Service. 271 p.

Hansen, Wallace R. Dinosaur’s Restless Rivers and Craggy Canyon Walls. 1996. Dinosaur Nature

Association and Dinosaur National Monument. Vernal, UT. Landres, Peter; Barns, Chris; Dennis, John G.; Devine, Tim; Geissler, Paul; McCasland, Curtis S.;

Merigliano, Linda; Seastrand, Justin; Swain, Ralph. 2008. Keeping it wild: an interagency strategy to monitor trends in wilderness character across the National Wilderness Preservation System. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-212. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 77 p.

Mehls, Steven F. Dinosaur National Monument Historic Resources Study. 1985. Dinosaur National

Monument, CO, UT. Department of Interior, National Park Service, Rocky Mountain Regional Office. 242 p.

Mills, Christina. Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness Core Elements. 2010. U.S. Department of the

Interior, National Park Service, Guadalupe Mountains National Park. 76 p. National Park Service Wilderness Character Integration Team. Keeping It Wild in the National Park

Service. DRAFT April 2012. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Wilderness Stewardship Division. 153 p.

1974. Wilderness Recommendation. Dinosaur National Monument, CO, UT. Department of Interior,

National Park Service. 1983. Natural Resources Management Plan and Environmental Assessment. Dinosaur National

Monument, CO, UT. Department of Interior, National Park Service. 160 p.

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Appendices Appendix A: 1964 Wilderness Act and Enabling Legislation

WILDERNESS ACT

Public Law 88-577 (16 U.S. C. 1131-1136) 88th Congress, Second Session

September 3, 1964 AN ACT

To establish a National Wilderness Preservation System for the permanent good of the whole people, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled.

Short Title

Section 1. This Act may be cited as the "Wilderness Act." WILDERNESS SYSTEM ESTABLISHED STATEMENT OF POLICY

Section 2.(a) In order to assure that an increasing population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization, does not occupy and modify all areas within the United States and its possessions, leaving no lands designated for preservation and protection in their natural condition, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the Congress to secure for the

American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness. For this purpose there is hereby established a National Wilderness Preservation System to be composed of federally owned areas designated by Congress as ''wilderness areas'', and these shall be administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness, and so as to provide for the protection of these areas, the preservation of their wilderness character, and for the gathering and dissemination of information regarding their use and

enjoyment as wilderness; and no Federal lands shall be designated as ''wilderness areas'' except as provided for in this Act or by a subsequent Act. (b) The inclusion of an area in the National Wilderness Preservation System notwithstanding, the area shall continue to be managed by the Department and agency having jurisdiction thereover immediately before its inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System

unless otherwise provided by Act of Congress. No appropriation shall be available for the payment of expenses or salaries for the administration of the National Wilderness Preservation

System as a separate unit nor shall any appropriations be available for additional personnel stated as being required solely for the purpose of managing or administering areas solely because they are included within the National Wilderness Preservation System.

DEFINITION OF WILDERNESS (c) A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are

untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. An area of wilderness is further defined to mean in this Act an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions and which (1) generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable; (2) has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation; (3) has at least five thousand acres of land or is

of sufficient size as to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition;

and (4) may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value.

NATIONAL WILDERNESS PRESERVATION SYSTEM - EXTENT OF SYSTEM Section 3.(a) All areas within the national forests classified at least 30 days before September 3, 1964 by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Chief of the Forest Service as ''wilderness'', ''wild'', or ''canoe'' are hereby designated as wilderness areas. The Secretary of Agriculture shall - (1) Within

one year after September 3, 1964, file a map and legal description of each wilderness area with the Interior and Insular Affairs Committees of the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, and such descriptions shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act: Provided,

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however, That correction of clerical and typographical errors in such legal descriptions and maps may

be made. (2) Maintain, available to the public, records pertaining to said wilderness areas, including maps and legal descriptions, copies of regulations governing them, copies of public notices of, and reports

submitted to Congress regarding pending additions, eliminations, or modifications. Maps, legal descriptions, and regulations pertaining to wilderness areas within their respective jurisdictions also shall be available to the public in the offices of regional foresters, national forest supervisors, and forest rangers. Classification. (b) The Secretary of Agriculture shall, within ten years after September 3, 1964, review, as to its suitability or nonsuitability for preservation as wilderness, each area in the national forests classified on September 3, 1964 by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Chief of the Forest

Service as ''primitive'' and report his findings to the President. Presidential recommendation to Congress. The President shall advise the United States Senate and House of Representatives of his recommendations with respect to the designation as ''wilderness'' or other reclassification of each area on which review has been completed, together with maps and a definition of boundaries. Such advice shall be given with respect to not less than one-third of all the areas now classified as ''primitive'' within three years after September 3, 1964, not less than two-

thirds within seven years after September 3, 1964, and the remaining areas within ten years after September 3, 1964. Congressional approval. Each recommendation of the President for designation as ''wilderness'' shall become effective only if so provided by an Act of Congress. Areas classified as ''primitive'' on September 3, 1964 shall continue to be administered under the rules and regulations affecting such areas on September 3, 1964 until Congress has determined otherwise. Any such area may be increased in size by the President at the time he submits his recommendations to the Congress by not

more than five thousand acres with no more than one thousand two hundred and eighty acres of such increase in any one compact unit; if it is proposed to increase the size of any such area by more than five thousand acres or by more than one thousand two hundred and eighty acres in any one compact unit the increase in size shall not become effective until acted upon by Congress. Nothing herein contained shall limit the President in proposing, as part of his recommendations to Congress, the alteration of existing boundaries of primitive areas or recommending the addition of any contiguous area of national forest lands predominantly of wilderness value. Notwithstanding any other provisions

of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture may complete his review and delete such area as may be necessary, but not to exceed seven thousand acres, from the southern tip of the Gore Range-Eagles

Nest Primitive Area, Colorado, if the Secretary determines that such action is in the public interest. Report to President. (c) Within ten years after September 3, 1964 the Secretary of the Interior shall review every roadless area of five thousand contiguous acres or more in the national parks, monuments and other units of the national park system and every such area of, and every roadless

island within the national wildlife refuges and game ranges, under his jurisdiction on September 3, 1964 and shall report to the President his recommendation as to the suitability or nonsuitability of each such area or island for preservation as wilderness. Presidential recommendation to Congress. The President shall advise the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of his recommendation with respect to the designation as wilderness of each such area or island on which review has been completed, together with a map thereof and a definition of its boundaries. Such advice shall be given with respect to not

less than one-third of the areas and islands to be reviewed under this subsection within three years after September 3, 1964, not less than two-thirds within seven years of September 3, 1964 and the remainder within ten years of September 3, 1964. Congressional approval. A recommendation of the President for designation as wilderness shall

become effective only if so provided by an Act of Congress. Nothing contained herein shall, by implication or otherwise, be construed to lessen the present statutory authority of the

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Secretary of the Interior with respect to the maintenance of roadless areas within units of the national

park system. Suitability. (d)(1) The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior shall, prior to submitting any recommendations to the President with respect to the suitability of any area for

preservation as wilderness – Publication in Federal Register. (A) give such public notice of the proposed action as they deem appropriate, including publication in the Federal Register and in a newspaper having general circulation in the area or areas in the vicinity of the affected land; Hearings. (B) hold a public hearing or hearings at a location or locations convenient to the area affected. The hearings shall be announced through such means as the respective Secretaries involved deem appropriate, including notices in the Federal Register and in newspapers of general circulation in

the area: Provided, That if the lands involved are located in more than one State, at least one hearing shall be held in each State in which a portion of the land lies; (C) at least thirty days before the date of a hearing advise the Governor of each State and the governing board of each county, or in Alaska the borough, in which the lands are located, and Federal departments and agencies concerned, and invite such officials and Federal agencies to submit their views on the proposed action at the hearing or by no later than thirty days following the date of the

hearing. Any views submitted to the appropriate Secretary under the provisions of (1) of this subsection with respect to any area shall be included with any recommendations to the President and to Congress with respect to such area. Proposed modification. (e) Any modification or adjustment of boundaries of any wilderness area shall be recommended by the appropriate Secretary after public notice of such proposal and public hearing or hearings as provided in subsection (d) of this section. The proposed modification or

adjustment shall then be recommended with map and description thereof to the President. The President shall advise the United States Senate and the House of Representatives of his recommendations with respect to such modification or adjustment and such recommendations shall become effective only in the same manner as provided for in subsections (b) and (c) of this section.

USE OF WILDERNESS AREAS Section 4.(a) The purposes of this Act are hereby declared to be within and supplemental to the purposes for which national forests and units of the national park and national wildlife refuge systems

are established and administered and - (1) Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to be in interference with the purpose for which national

forests are established as set forth in the Act of June 4, 1897 (30 Stat. 11), and the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of June 12, 1960 (74 Stat. 215) (16 U.S.C. 528-531). (2) Nothing in this Act shall modify the restrictions and provisions of the Shipstead-Nolan Act (Public Law 539, Seventy-first Congress, July 10, 1930; 46 Stat. 1020), the Thye–Blatnik Act (Public Law

733, Eightieth Congress, June 22, 1948; 62 Stat. 568), and the Humphrey-Thye-Blatnik-Andresen Act (Public Law 607, Eighty-Fourth Congress, June 22, 1956; 70 Stat. 326), as applying to the Superior National Forest or the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture. (3) Nothing in this Act shall modify the statutory authority under which units of the national park system are created. Further, the designation of any area of any park, monument, or other unit of the national park system as a wilderness area pursuant to this Act shall in no manner lower the standards evolved for the use and preservation of such park, monument, or other unit of the national park

system in accordance with sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this title, the statutory authority under which the area was created, or any other Act of Congress which might pertain to or affect such area, including, but not limited to, the Act of June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225; 16 U.S.C. 432 et seq.); section 3(2) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796(2)); and the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 461 et

seq.). (b) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, each agency administering any area designated as wilderness shall be responsible for preserving the wilderness character of the area and shall so

administer such area for such other purposes for which it may have been established as also to preserve its wilderness character. Except as otherwise provided in this

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Act, wilderness areas shall be devoted to the public purposes of recreational, scenic, scientific,

educational, conservation, and historical use. PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN USES

(c) Except as specifically provided for in this Act, and subject to existing private rights, there shall be

no commercial enterprise and no permanent road within any wilderness area designated by this Act and, except as necessary to meet minimum requirements for the administration of the area for the purpose of this Act (including measures required in emergencies involving the health and safety of persons within the area), there shall be no temporary road, no use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment or motorboats, no landing of aircraft, no other form of mechanical transport, and no structure or installation within any such area.

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

(d) The following special provisions are hereby made: (1) Within wilderness areas designated by this Act the use of aircraft or motorboats, where these uses have already become established, may be permitted to continue subject to such restrictions as the Secretary of Agriculture deems desirable. In addition, such measures may be taken as may be necessary in the control of fire, insects, and diseases, subject to such conditions as the Secretary deems desirable.

(2) Nothing in this Act shall prevent within national forest wilderness areas any activity, including prospecting, for the purpose of gathering information about mineral or other resources, if such activity is carried on in a manner compatible with the preservation of the wilderness environment. Furthermore, in accordance with such program as the Secretary of the Interior shall develop and conduct in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, such areas shall be surveyed on a planned, recurring basis consistent with the concept of wilderness preservation by the United States Geological Survey and the United States Bureau of Mines to determine the mineral values, if any, that may be

present; and the results of such surveys shall be made available to the public and submitted to the President and Congress. Mineral leases, claims, etc. (3) Not withstanding any other provisions of this Act, until midnight December 31, 1983, the United States mining laws and all laws pertaining to mineral leasing shall, to the extent as applicable prior to September 3, 1964, extend to those national forest lands designated by this Act as "wilderness areas"; subject, however, to such reasonable regulations governing ingress and egress as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture consistent with the use of the land

for mineral location and development and exploration, drilling, and production, and use of land for transmission lines, waterlines, telephone lines, or facilities necessary in exploring, drilling, producing,

mining, and processing operations, including where essential the use of mechanized ground or air equipment and restoration as near as practicable of the surface of the land disturbed in performing prospecting, location, and , in oil and gas leasing, discovery work, exploration, drilling, and production, as soon as they have served their purpose. Mining locations lying within the boundaries of

said wilderness areas shall be held and used solely for mining or processing operations and uses reasonably incident thereto; and hereafter, subject to valid existing rights, all patents issued under the mining laws of the United States affecting national forest lands designated by this Act as wilderness areas shall convey title to the mineral deposits within the claim, together with the right to cut and use so much of the mature timber therefrom as may be needed in the extraction, removal, and beneficiation of the mineral deposits, if needed timber is not otherwise reasonably available, and if the timber is cut under sound principles of forest management as defined by the national forest

rules and regulations, but each such patent shall reserve to the United States all title in or to the surface of the lands and products thereof, and no use of the surface of the claim or the resources therefrom not reasonably required for carrying on mining or prospecting shall be allowed except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act: Provided, That, unless hereafter specifically authorized, no

patent within wilderness areas designated by this Act shall issue after December 31, 1983, except for the valid claims existing on or before December 31, 1983. Mining claims located after September 3, 1964, within the boundaries of wilderness areas designated by this Act shall create no rights in excess

of those rights which may be patented under the provisions of this subsection. Mineral leases, permits, and licenses covering lands within national forest wilderness areas designated by this Act shall contain such reasonable stipulations as may

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be prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture for the protection of the wilderness character of the land

consistent with the use of the land for the purposes for which they are leased, permitted, or licensed. Subject to valid rights then existing, effective January 1, 1984, the minerals in lands designated by this Act as wilderness areas are withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the mining laws and

from disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral leasing and all amendments thereto. Water resources and grazing. (4) Within wilderness areas in the national forests designated by this Act, (1) the President may, within a specific area and in accordance with such regulations as he may deem desirable, authorize prospecting for water resources, the establishment and maintenance of reservoirs, water-conservation works, power projects, transmission lines, and other facilities needed in the public interest, including the road construction and maintenance essential to development and use thereof, upon his determination that such use or uses in the specific area will better serve the

interests of the United States and the people thereof than will its denial; and (2) the grazing of livestock, where established prior to September 3, 1964, shall be permitted to continue subject to such reasonable regulations as are deemed necessary by the Secretary of Agriculture. (5) Other provisions of this Act to the contrary notwithstanding, the management of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, formerly designated as the Superior, Little Indian Sioux, and Caribou Roadless Areas, in the Superior National Forest, Minnesota, shall be in accordance with regulations established

by the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with the general purpose of maintaining, without unnecessary restrictions on other uses, including that of timber, the primitive character of the area, particularly in the vicinity of lakes, streams, and portages: Provided, That nothing in this Act shall preclude the continuance within the area of any already established use of motorboats. (6) Commercial services may be performed within the wilderness areas designated by this Act to the extent necessary for activities which are proper for realizing the recreational or other wilderness purposes of the areas.

(7) Nothing in this Act shall constitute an express or implied claim or denial on the part of the Federal Government as to exemption from State water laws. (8) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the several States with respect to wildlife and fish in the national forests.

STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS WITHIN WILDERNESS AREAS Section 5.(a) In any case where State -owned or privately owned land is completely surrounded by national forest lands within areas designated by this Act as wilderness, such State or private owner

shall be given such rights as may be necessary to assure adequate access to such State -owned or privately owned land by such State or private owner and their successors in interest, or the State -

owned land or privately owned land shall be exchanged for federally owned land in the same State of approximately equal value under authorities available to the Secretary of Agriculture: Transfers, restriction. Provided, however, That the United States shall not transfer to a State or private owner any mineral interests unless the State or private owner relinquishes or causes to be

relinquished to the United States the mineral interest in the surrounded land. (b) In any case where valid mining claims or other valid occupancies are wholly within a designated national forest wilderness area, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, by reasonable regulations consistent with the preservation of the area as wilderness, permit ingress and egress to such surrounded areas by means which have been or are being customarily enjoyed with respect to other such areas similarly situated. Acquisition. (c) Subject to the appropriation of funds by Congress, the Secretary of Agriculture is

authorized to acquire privately owned land within the perimeter of any area designated by this Act as wilderness if (1) the owner concurs in such acquisition or (2) the acquisition is specifically authorized by Congress.

GIFTS, BEQUESTS, AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Section 6.(a) The Secretary of Agriculture may accept gifts or bequests of land within wilderness areas designated by this Act for preservation as wilderness. The Secretary of Agriculture may also accept gifts or bequests of land adjacent to wilderness areas designated by this Act for preservation as

wilderness if he has given sixty days advance notice thereof to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Land

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accepted by the Secretary of Agriculture under this section shall be come part of the wilderness area

involved. Regulations with regard to any such land may be in accordance with such agreements, consistent with the policy of this Act, as are made at the time of such gift, or such conditions, consistent with such policy, as may be included in, and accepted with, such bequest.

(b) Authorization to accept private contributions and gifts The Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to accept private contributions and gifts to be used to further the purposes of this Act.

ANNUAL REPORTS Section 7. At the opening of each session of Congress, the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior shall jointly report to the President for transmission to Congress on the status of the wilderness system, including a list and descriptions of the areas in the system, regulations in effect, and other

pertinent information, together with any recommendations they may care to make. APPROVED SEPTEMBER 3, 1964.

Legislative History: House Reports: No 1538 accompanying H.R. 9070 (Committee on Interior & Insular Affairs) and No.

1829 (Committee of Conference). Senate report: No. 109 (Committee on Interior & Insular Affairs). Congressional Record: Vol.

109 (1963):

• April 4, 8, considered in Senate.

• April 9, considered and passed Senate.

• Vol. 110 (1964): July 28, considered in House.

• July 30, considered and passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R. 9070

• August 20, House and Senate agreed to conference report.

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PROCLAMATIONS, 1915. By THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION

Whereas, in section twenty-six, township four south, range twenty- three east of the. Salt Lake meridian, Utah, there is located an extraordinary deposit of Dinosaurian and other gigantic reptilian remains of the Juratrias period, which are of great scientific interest and value, and it appears that the public interest would be promoted by reserving these deposits as a National Monument, together with as much land as may be needed for the protection thereof. Now therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson President of the United States of America, by virtue of the power in me vested by Section two of the act of Congress entitled, “An Act for the Preservation of American Antiquities”, approved June 8, 1906, do hereby set aside as the Dinosaur National Monument, the unsurveyed northwest quarter of the southeast quarter and the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section twenty-six, township four south, range twenty-three east, Salt Lake meridian, Utah, as shown upon the diagram hereto attached and made a part of this proclamation. While it appears that the lands embraced within this proposed reserve have heretofore been withdrawn as coal and phosphate lands, the creation of this monument will prevent the use of the lands for the purposes for which said withdrawals were made. Warning is hereby expressly given to all unauthorized persons not to appropriate, excavate, injure or destroy any of the fossil remains contained Within the deposits hereby reserved and declared to be a National Monument or to locate or settle upon any of the lands reserved and made a part of this monument by this proclamation. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this fourth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fifteen and the Independence of the United States the one hundred and fortieth. WOODROW WILSON. By the President: ROBERT LANSING Secretary of State.

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION [No. 2290-July 14, 1938-53 Stat. 2454]

WHEREAS certain public lands contiguous to the Dinosaur National Monument, established by Proclamation of ,October 4, 1915, have situated thereon various objects of historic and scientific interest; and

WHEREAS it appears that it would be in the public interest to reserve such lands as an addition to the said Dinosaur National Monument: ,

Now, THEREFORE, I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, under and by virtue of the authority vested in me by sec. 2 of the act of June 8, 1906, ch. 3060, 34 Stat. 225 (U. S. C., title 16, sec. 431), do proclaim that, subject to all valid existing rights, the following described lands in Colorado and Utah are hereby reserved from all forms of appropriation under the public-land laws and added to and made a part of the Dinosaur National Monument:

COLORADO SIXTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN T. 6 N., R. 99 W., sec. 5, W½, secs. 6 and 7, sec. 8, W½, sec. 17, W½, secs. 18 and 19, sec. 20, W½, sec. 29, W½, secs. 30 and 31, sec. 32, W½; (partly unsurveyed) T. 6 N., R. 100 W., sees. 1 to 30 and 33 to 36, inclusive; T. 6 N., R. 101 W., sees. 1 to 30, inclusive; (partly unsurveyed) T. 7 N., R. 101 W., sees. 25 to36, inclusive; (partly unsurveyed) T. 6 N., R. 102 W., sees. 1 to 30, inclusive; (partly unsurveyed) T. 7 N., R. 102 W., sees. 5 to 8, 17 to 20, and 25 to 36, inclusive; (partly unsurveyed) T. 8 N., R. 102 W., sees. 5 to 8, 17 to 20, and 27 to 34, inclusive; (partly unsurveyed) T. 9 N., R. 102 W., sees. 16 to 21, and 28 to 33, inclusive; (partly unsurveyed) T. 6 N., R. 103 W., secs. 1 to 14, inclusive; secs. 23 and 24 ; T. 7 N., R. 103 W., all; (partly unsurveyed) T. 8 N., R. 103 W., sec. 1. sec. 2, E½, sec. 11, E½, secs. 12 to 15, 22 to 28, and 32 to 36, inclusive; (partly unsurveyed) T. 9 N., R. 103 W., secs.13, 24, 25 and 36; T. 6 N., R. 104 W., secs. 1, 2, 11 and 12; (partly unsurveyed) T. 7 N., R. 104 W., all;

UTAH SALT LAKE MERIDIAN T. 4 S., R. 23 E., secs. 9 to 16 and 21 to 25, inclusive; sec. 26, N½, E½ SE¼, SW¼ SE¼ W½ SW¼, SE¼ SW¼. secs. 27, 28, and those parts of secs. 34 and 35 north of Green River; (partly unsurveyed) T. 3 S., R. 24 E., sees. 25, 26, 35 and 36; T. 4 S., R. 24 E., sees. 1 to 3, and 7 to 30; inclusive, (partly unsurveyed) T.3 S., R. 25 E., sec. 11, E½, secs. 12 and 13, sec. 14, E½, secs. 20 to 36; inclusive, (partly unsurveyed) T. 4 S., R. 25 E., sees. 1 to 12, inclusive, (partly unsurveyed) aggregating 203,885 acres.

Warning is hereby expressly given to any unauthorized persons not to appropriate, injure, destroy or remove any feature of this monument and not to locate or settle upon any of the lands thereof.

The reservation made by this proclamation supersedes as to any of the above-described lands. affected thereby, the temporary withdrawal for classification and for other purposes made by Executive Order No. 5684 of August 12, 1931, and the Executive order of April 17, 1926, and the Executive order of September 8, 1933, creating Water Reserves No. 107 and No. 152.

The Director of the National Park Service, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, shall have the supervision, management, and control of this monument as provided in the act of Congress entitled "An act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes," approved August 25, 1916, 39 Stat. 535 (U. S. c., title 16, sees. 1 and 2) and acts supplementary thereto or amendatory thereof, except that this reservation shall not affect the operation of the Federal Water Power Act of June 10, 1920 (41 Stat. 1063), as amended, and the administration of the monument shall be subject to the Reclamation Withdrawal1 of October 17, 1904, for the Brown's Park Reservoir Site in connection with the Green River project.

IN WITNESSWHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this 14th day of July, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and thirty-eight, and of the Inde- [SEAL] pendence of the United States of America the one hundred and sixty-third. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT. By the President: CORDELL HULL, The Secretary of State.

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Code of Federal Regulations

Title 36 - Parks, Forests, and Public Property

Volume: 1Date: 2011-07-01Original Date: 2011-07-01Title: Section 7.63 - Dinosaur National Monument.Context: Title 36 - Parks, Forests, and Public Property. CHAPTER I - NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. PART 7 - SPECIAL REGULATIONS, AREAS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM.

§ 7.63 Dinosaur National Monument. (a) Commercial hauling. Ranchers and stockmen owning, leasing or renting private lands, or holding grazing permits issued by the Bureau of Land Management on designated grazing allotments adjacent to the Artesia Entrance Road, Blue Mountain Road, and Deerlodge Park Road, are authorized to use these roads for trucking or hauling ranching and agricultural supplies and materials, including livestock, for use in normal ranching and stock growing operations. (b) Stock grazing. (1) Privileges for the grazing of domestic livestock based on authorized use of certain areas at the time of approval of the act of September 8, 1960 (74 Stat. 857, Pub. L. 86-729), shall continue in effect or shall be renewed from time to time, except for failure to comply with such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Superintendent in these regulations and after reasonable notice of default and subject to the following provisions of tenure: (i) Grazing privileges appurtenant to privately owned lands located within the Monument shall not be withdrawn until title to the lands to which such privileges are appurtenant shall have vested in the United States except for failure to comply with the regulations applicable thereto after reasonable notice of default. (ii) Grazing privileges appurtenant to privately owned lands located outside the Monument shall not be withdrawn for a period of twenty-five years after September 8, 1960, and thereafter shall continue during the lifetime of the original permittee and his heirs if they were members of his immediate family as described herein except for failure to comply with the regulations applicable thereto after reasonable notice of default. (iii) Members of the immediate family are those persons who are related to and directly dependent upon a person or persons, living on or conducting grazing operations from lands, as of September 8, 1960, which the National Park Service recognized as base lands appurtenant to grazing privileges in the monument. Such interpretation excludes mature children who, as of that date, were established in their own households and were not directly dependent upon the base lands and appurtenant grazing recognized by the National Park Service. (iv) If title to base lands lying outside the monument is conveyed, or such base lands are leased to someone other than a member of the immediate family of the permittee as of September 8, 1960, the grazing preference shall be recognized only for a period of twenty-five years from September 8, 1960. (v) If title to a portion or part of the base land either outside or inside the monument is conveyed or such base lands are leased, the new owner or lessee will take with the land so acquired or leased after September 8, 1960, such proportion of the entire grazing privileges as the grazing capacity in animal unit months of the tract conveyed or leased bears to the original area to which a grazing privilege was appurtenant and recognized. Conveyance or lease of all such base lands will automatically convey all grazing privileges appurtenant thereto. (vi) Grazing privileges which are appurtenant to base lands located either inside or outside the monument as of September 8, 1960, shall not be conveyed separately therefrom. (2) Where no reasonable ingress or egress is available to permittees or nonpermittees who must cross monument lands to reach grazing allotments or non-Federal lands within the exterior boundary of the monument or adjacent thereto, the Superintendent will grant, upon request, a temporary nonfee annual permit to herd stock on a designated driveway which shall specify the time to be consumed in each single drive. (3) After September 8, 1960, no increase in the number of animal unit months will be allowed on Federal lands in the monument. (4)(i) A permittee whose privileges are appurtenant to base lands either inside or outside the monument may be granted total nonuse on a year to year basis not to exceed three consecutive years. Total nonuse beyond this time may be granted if necessitated for reasons clearly outside the control of the permittee. Total unauthorized nonuse beyond three consecutive years will result in the termination and loss of all grazing privileges. (ii) Whenever partial or total non-use is desired an application must be made in writing to the Superintendent. (5) Grazing fees shall be the same as those approved for the Bureau of Land Management and will be adjusted accordingly. (6) Permittees or nonpermittees who have stock on Federal lands within the monument at any time or place, when or where herding or grazing is unauthorized may be assessed fifty cents per day per cow or horse and ten cents per day per sheep as damages. (7) The Superintendent

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may accept a written relinquishment or waiver of any privileges; however, no such relinquishment or waiver will be effective without the written consent of the owner or owners of the base lands. (8) Permits. Terms and conditions. The issuance and continued effectiveness of all permits will be subject, in addition to mandatory provisions required by Executive Order or law, to the following terms and conditions: (i) The permittee and his employees shall use all possible care in preventing forest and range fires, and shall assist in the extinguishing of forest and range fires on, or within, the vicinity of the land described in the permit, as well as in the preservation of good order within the boundaries of the Monument. (ii) The Superintendent may require the permittee before driving livestock to or from the grazing allotment to gather his livestock at a designated time and place for the purpose of counting the same. (iii) Stock will be allowed to graze only on the allotment designated in the permit. (iv) The permittee shall file with the Superintendent a copy of his stock brand or other mark. (v) The permittee shall, upon notice from the Superintendent that the allotment designated in the permit is not ready to be grazed at the beginning of the designated grazing season, place no livestock on the allotment for such a period as may be determined by the Superintendent as necessary to avoid damage to the range. All, or a portion of the livestock shall be removed from the area before the expiration of the designated grazing season if the Superintendent determines further grazing would be detrimental to the range. The number of stock and the grazing period may be adjusted by the Superintendent at any time when such action is deemed necessary for the protection of the range. (vi) No permit shall be issued or renewed until payment of all fees and other amounts due the National Park Service has been made. Fees for permits are due the National Park Service and must be paid at least 15 days in advance of the grazing period. No permit shall be effective to authorize grazing use thereunder until all fees and other amounts due the National Park Service have been paid. A pro rata adjustment of fees will be made in the event of reduction of grazing privileges granted in the permit, except that not more than 50 percent of the total annual grazing fee will be refunded in the event reduced grazing benefits are taken at the election of the permittee after his stock are on the range. (vii) No building or other structure shall be erected nor shall physical improvements of any kind be established under the permit except upon plans and specifications approved by the National Park Service. Any such facilities, structures, or buildings may be removed or disposed of to a successor permittee within three months following the termination of the permit; otherwise they shall become the property of the United States without compensation therefor. (viii) The permittee shall utilize the lands covered by the permit in a manner approved and directed by the Superintendent which will prevent soil erosion thereon and on lands adjoining same. (ix) The right is reserved to adjust the fees specified in the permit at any time to conform with the fees approved for the Bureau of Land Management, and the permittee shall be furnished a notice of any change of fees. (x) All livestock are considered as mature animals at 6 months of age and are so counted in determining animal unit months and numbers of animals. (xi) The Superintendent may prescribe additional terms and conditions to meet individual cases. (9) The breach of any of the terms or conditions of the permit shall be grounds for termination, suspension, or reduction of grazing privileges. (10) Appeals from the decision of the Superintendent to the Regional Director, and from the Regional Director to the Director shall be made in accordance with National Park Service Order No. 14, as amended (19 FR 8824) and Regional Director, Order No. 3, as amended (21 FR 1494). (11) Nothing in these regulations shall be construed as to prevent the enforcement of the provisions of the General Rules and Regulations and the Special Rules and Regulations of the National Park Service or of any other provisions of said rules and regulations applicable to stock grazing. (c) Snowmobiles. (1) Designated routes which will be open to smowmobile use are approximately 20 miles of the Harpers Corner Road in Colorado and approximately 2 miles of the Cub Creek Road in Utah. The Harpers Corner Road section extends from the Plug Hat Overlook to the Echo Park Road Turnoff. The Cub Creek Road section extends from the Chew Ranch Road, 1 mile north of the Green River Bridge, to the point where the Cub Creek Road leaves the southern boundary of the monument. (2) On roads designated for snowmobile use, only that portion of the road or parking area intended for other motor vehicle use may be used by snowmobiles. Such roadway is available for snowmobile use only when there is sufficient snow cover and when these roads are closed to all other motor vehicle use by the public. (3) Snowmobile use outside designated routes is prohibited. The superintendent shall determine the opening and closing dates for use of the designated snowmobile routes each year.

[27 FR 2150, Mar. 16, 1962, as amended at 27 FR 3659, Apr. 18, 1962; 34 FR 7330, May 6,

1969; 49 FR 34481, Aug. 31, 1984; 60 FR 55791, Nov. 3, 1995]

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Appendix B: Original 1978 Map of Recommended Wilderness

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Appendix C: Minimum Requirements Decision Guide

ARTHUR CARHART NATIONAL WILDERNESS TRAINING CENTER

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS DECISION GUIDE

WORKSHEETS

“. . . except as necessary to meet minimum requirements for the administration of the area for the purpose of this Act...”

– the Wilderness Act, 1964

Please refer to the accompanying MRDG Instructions for filling out this guide. The spaces in the worksheets will expand as necessary as you enter your response. The MRDG Instructions may be found at: http://www.wilderness.net/mrdg/

Project Title: ______________________________________

Step 1: Determine if any administrative action is necessary.

Description: Describe the situation that may prompt action.

http://www.wilderness.net/mrdg/documents/MRDG_instructions.pdf

http://www.wilderness.net/mrdg/

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To determine if administrative action is necessary, answer the questions listed in A - F on the following pages by answering Yes or No, and providing an explanation. Yes: No: Explain:

Yes: No: Explain:

Yes: No: Explain:

Yes: No: Explain:

B. Valid Existing Rights or Special Provisions of Wilderness Legislation

Is action necessary to satisfy valid existing rights or a special provision in wilderness legislation

(the Wilderness Act of 1964 or subsequent wilderness laws) that allows or requires consideration

C. Requirements of Other Legislation

D. Other Guidance

Is action necessary to conform to direction contained in agency policy, unit and wilderness

A. Options Outside of Wilderness

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E. Wilderness Character

Is action necessary to preserve one or more of the qualities of wilderness character including:

Untrammeled, Undeveloped, Natural, Outstanding Opportunities for Solitude or Primitive and

Unconfined Recreation, or Unique Attributes or Other Features that reflect the character of this

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Untrammeled: Yes: No:

Explain: Undeveloped: Yes: No: Explain: Natural: Yes: No: Explain: Outstanding Opportunities for Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation:

Yes: No: Explain: Unique Attributes or Other Features that reflect the character of this wilderness:

Yes: No: Explain: Recreational: Yes: No:

Explain:

Scenic: Yes: No: Explain: Scientific: Yes: No: Explain:

F. Public Purposes

Is action necessary to protect one or more of the public purposes for wilderness (as stated in

Section 4(b) of the Wilderness Act) of recreational, scenic, scientific, educational, conservation,

and historical use?

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Educational: Yes: No: Explain: Conservation: Yes: No: Explain: Historical: Yes: No: Explain:

In reviewing the Step 1 questions in A - F above, note that not all answers have equal weight in the Step 1 Decision: A - C and E have first priority; F has second priority; D has third priority. See Instructions for details.

Yes: No: Explain:

If action is necessary, proceed to Step 2 to determine the minimum activity.

Step 1 Decision: Is any administrative action necessary in

wilderness?


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Step 2: Determine the minimum activity.

Please refer to the accompanying MRDG Instructions for information on identifying alternatives and an explanation of the effects criteria displayed below.

Description of Alternatives For each alternative, describe what the action is, when the activity will take place, where the activity will take place, and what methods and techniques will be used. Detail the impacts to the qualities of wilderness character and other comparison criteria, including safety. Where mitigation is possible, include mitigation measures. In addition to describing the effects of the alternative, it may be useful to break down each alternative into its component parts and list in tabular form the impacts to each comparison criterion.

Description: Impacts to Wilderness Character:

Untrammeled Undeveloped Natural Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation Unique Attributes or Other Features

Impacts to other criteria:

Maintaining Traditional Skills

Special Provisions Economics and Timing Constraints Impacts to safety of visitors and workers

Impacts Comparison Tables

Wilderness Character Untrammeled

positive impacts negative impacts

Untrammelled Grand Total

1st component:

2nd

component:


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3rd component:

4th component:

TOTAL

Undeveloped


Undeveloped Grand Total

1st component:

2nd

component:

3rd component:

4th component:

TOTAL

Natural


Natural Grand Total

1st component:

2nd

component:

3rd component:

4th component:

TOTAL



S or P&UR Grand Total

1st component:

2nd

component:

3rd component:

4th component:

TOTAL

Unique Attributes or Other Features


UA or OF Grand Total

1st component:

2nd

component:

3rd component:

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4th component:

TOTAL

Other Criteria Maintaining Traditional Skills

actions with beneficial effects actions with adverse effects

Traditional Skills

Grand Total

1st component:

2nd

component:

3rd component:

4th component:

TOTAL

Special Provisions


Special Provisions Grand Total

1st component:

2nd

component:

3rd component:

4th component:

TOTAL

Economics and Timing Constraints


Economics & Timing

Grand Total

1st component:

2nd

component:

3rd component:

4th component:

TOTAL

Safety of Visitors and Workers


Safety Grand Total

1st component:

2nd

component:

3rd component:

4th component:

TOTAL

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Comparison of Alternatives It may be useful to compare each alternative’s positive and negative impacts to each of the criteria in tabular form, keeping in mind the law’s mandate to “preserve wilderness character.”

Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C No Action

Untrammelled

Undeveloped

Natural


Unique / Other Features

WILDERNESS CHARACTER


Maintaining Traditional Skills

Special Provisions

Economics & Timing

OTHER CRITERIA SUMMARY


SAFETY (visitors & workers)

Safety Criterion Occasionally, safety concerns can legitimately dictate choosing one alternative which degrades wilderness character (or other criteria) more than an otherwise preferable alternative. In that case, describe the positive and negative impacts in terms of risks to the public and workers for each alternative here but avoid pre-selecting an alternative based on the safety criteria in this section.

Documentation: To support the evaluation of alternatives, provide an analysis, reference, or documentation and avoid assumptions about risks and the potential for accidents. This documentation can take the form of agency accident-rate data tracking occurrences and severity; a project-specific job hazard analysis; research literature; or other specific agency guidelines.

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Please refer to the accompanying MRDG Instructions before describing the selected alternative and describing the rationale for selection.

Selected alternative:

Rationale for selecting this alternative (including safety criterion, if appropriate):

Monitoring and reporting requirements:

Check any Wilderness Act Section 4(c) uses approved in this alternative:

mechanical transport landing of aircraft motorized equipment temporary road motor vehicles structure motorboats installation

Record and report any authorizations of Wilderness Act Section 4(c) uses according to agency policies

or guidelines. Follow agency policies for the following review and decision authorities:

Approvals Signature Name Position Date

Prepared by:

Recommended:

Recommended:

Approved:

Step 2 Decision: What is the Minimum Activity?


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Documents

Dinosaur Recommended Wilderness - University of Montana · Dinosaur Recommended Wilderness: Building Blocks for Wilderness Character . 2012 . Executive Summary . Dinosaur National