Lands with Wilderness Characteristics: Browns Canyon South Browns Canyon South, Royal Gorge Field Office Photo: John Sztukowski The intent of this report is to present objective data to illustrate that the area in question qualifies as Lands with Wilderness Characteristics (LWC), in accordance with Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Manuals 6310 and 6320. The information presented in this report meets the minimum standards for review of new information per Manual 6310, and accordingly BLM must review this information and make its findings and documentation of the review process available to the public as soon as practicable.
Transcript
Lands with Wilderness Characteristics:
Browns Canyon South
Browns Canyon South, Royal Gorge Field Office Photo: John Sztukowski
The intent of this report is to present objective data to illustrate that the area in question qualifies as Lands with Wilderness Characteristics (LWC), in accordance with Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Manuals 6310 and 6320. The information presented in this report meets the minimum standards for review of new information per Manual 6310, and accordingly BLM must review this information and make its findings and documentation of the review process available to the public as soon as practicable.
Lands with Wilderness Characteristics: Browns Canyon South
BLM Royal Gorge Field Office, Front Range District BLM Unit Identifier: CO-020-005 (Railroad Gulch)
Submitted by:
Wild Connections 2168 Pheasant Place, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Discussion of Wilderness Characteristics including Boundary Delineations .................. 6 I. The Browns Canyon South proposed LWC meets the minimum size criteria for roadless lands. ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6 II. The Browns Canyon South proposed LWC is primarily affected by the forces of nature. ...... 7 III. The Browns Canyon South proposed LWC provides outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. ................................................................................................................................ 8 IV. The Browns Canyon South proposed LWC has supplemental values that would enhance the wilderness experience and should be recognized and protected. .............................................. 8
The Browns Canyon South proposed Lands with Wilderness Characteristics (LWC) unit consists of approximately 2,500 contiguous acres in central Colorado. This unit is located less than five miles north of Salida, CO and is contiguous with the Browns Canyon Wilderness Study Area (WSA), in southwest Chaffee County. This unit ranges from an elevation of approximately 7,200 feet near the Arkansas River, to about 8,200 ft atop several of the ridges within the unit. The proposed LWC supports a diversity of vegetation and much wildlife, bolstered by a variety of ecosystems.
The Browns Canyon South proposed LWC is an extension of the current 6,614 acre Browns Canyon WSA, which borders the unit to the north. The eastern boundary of the proposed LWC is bordered by the San Isabel National Forest, including the Aspen Ridge Roadless Recommended Wilderness, and a block of state land. The western boundary is bordered by the Union Pacific Railroad, which parallels the Arkansas River, located just west of the proposed LWC. The southern portion of the unit is primarily bordered by private property.
This unit supports a diversity of plant and wildlife habitats, due to its topographic variety and assorted ecosystems. Arroyos and gulches are abundant in this unit, supporting an array of wildflowers and shrubs. Additional riparian life can be found in the lower elevations in the western portion of the unit, near the Arkansas River. Canyons and ridgelines are also prevalent throughout the unit, supporting a pinyon-juniper mixed woodland, as well as ponderosa pines at higher elevations. This unit possesses extraordinary biological values. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) identifies three Potential Conservation Areas (PCAs) for significant biodiversity within the unit. Much of the unit also aligns with the BLM’s Browns Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).
High habitat and range values for many wildlife species can also be found in the Browns Canyon South proposed LWC. Mammals include Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mountain lion, black bear, mule deer, pronghorn, elk, and the BLM sensitive species Gunnison’s prairie-dog. Bighorn sheep and deer were observed and documented within this unit. Valued bird species also take refuge in this unit, including wild turkey, great blue heron, Canadian goose, osprey, and bald eagle. Opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation are abundant in the 2,500 acre contiguous roadless area that forms the Browns Canyon South proposed LWC. The mid-elevation mixed woodlands and topographic variety provide extensive opportunity for solitude in the forms of isolation, remoteness, lack of visitation and topographic screening. Primitive recreation is also available in all seasons, including hunting, backpacking, hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography. Additionally, with the proximity of the Arkansas River to this unit, it provides a scenic natural viewscape for gold medal fly-fishing and world-class white water rafting.
The BLM inventoried this unit (delineated by the green line in the above map) in 2013, identified as unit COF-020-005 (and labeled as South Brown’s Canyon or Railroad Gulch). The BLM inventoried an area of 2,448.5 acres, south of Browns Canyon WSA, and determined that it is largely impacted by the forces of nature and does possess wilderness characteristics. For this particular unit, Wild Connections’ LWC assessment of South Brown’s Canyon aligns with that of the BLM’s. We concur that while the unit is smaller than 5,000 acres, it qualifies as lands with
4
wilderness characteristics because it is “contiguous with lands which have been formally determined to have wilderness or potential wilderness values” (BLM Manual 6310, p 5). These lands are the Browns Canyon WSA, contiguous to the north and the USFS Aspen Ridge Roadless Recommended Wilderness to the northeast.
BLM's Manual 6310 states that the boundary delineation for a LWC unit "is generally based on the presence of Wilderness Inventory Roads" but can also be based on property lines between different types of land ownership or on developed rights of way (Manual 6310, p 4). These were the parameters Wild Connections used to determine the boundaries of the Browns Canyon South proposed LWC, which also matches the BLM’s boundary for unit COF-020-005. In the spring of 2013, Wild Connections produced a preliminary boundary delineation for this unit based on the size and contiguity requirements stated in Manual 6310 (p 6). During the following months in the summer and fall of 2013, Wild Connections' mapping teams visited the Browns Canyon South proposed LWC several times to conduct in-depth, on-the-ground inventories of this unit. Our goal was to assess this area for wilderness characteristics, based on BLM's Manual 6310, and report our findings to the BLM's Royal Gorge Field Office in efforts to identify potential wilderness areas to expand "wildlands" corridors in central Colorado. Additionally we have reviewed the 2013 BLM RGFO inventory and boundaries and have made assessments and adjustments based on our in-depth field inventories. Wild Connections’ report offers new in-depth data and information, including photo, narrative, and geo-referenced data, supporting the Browns Canyon South proposed LWC. The boundary delineations and narratives describing the wilderness characteristics found within this unit are detailed below. Waypoints (many with photos) are referenced throughout this report; the photos with geo-data, time and date stamp, description, and page number can be found at the end of the report, akin to the one shown below.
Browns Canyon South (31) - NE Drove of bighorn sheep observed in W interior unit (p. 10) 5
Discussion of Wilderness Characteristics including Boundary Delineations
I. The Browns Canyon South proposed LWC meets the minimum size criteria for roadless lands.
The Browns Canyon South proposed LWC comprises 2,500 contiguous roadless acres, surpassing the minimum size criteria of 5,000 acres to qualify for wilderness, as specified in BLM's Manual 6310 (p 6). With regard to route determination, this manual states that a "way" maintained solely by the passage of vehicles does not constitute a "road" for purposes of inventorying wilderness characteristics. A "way" that is used on a continuous and regular basis still does not constitute a road. Additionally, a vehicle route that was constructed by mechanical means, but is no longer being maintained by mechanical methods is also not a road. By comparison, a Wilderness Inventory Road (WIR) is a vehicle road that has "been improved and maintained by mechanical means to ensure relatively regular and continuous use" (Manual 6310, p 11). Wild Connections' inventory of this area did not find any WIRs within the unit, which is in concurrence with the BLM’s findings for this unit. For the Browns Canyon South proposed LWC, much of the BLM’s assessment of the LWC boundaries and characteristics appears to be largely accurate. Given the lack of WIRs within the unit, and absence of roads altogether (particularly as boundaries), this unit can only be accessed by foot, primarily via contiguous public lands. A trail from the southeast boundary was located at Waypoint 2, denoted by a fence marking the unit boundary from the neighboring San Isabel National Forest to the east. This trail loosely follows the southern and southeastern borders of the proposed unit. Just west of here, this trail meets Longs Gulch at Waypoint 4. The trail leaves the unit at Waypoint 5, which also displays the private property that borders the unit to the south. This trail meets another trail that heads into a gulch a short distance after it reenters the unit at Waypoint 7. ATV tracks were observed heading into this gulch, despite the prohibition of motorized vehicles in the area. Maintenance of this gulch trail was also observed. Waypoint 8 shows a tree next to the trail that has had maintenance, resulting in the removal of several limbs. The aforementioned trail meets the southwest boundary of the unit at Waypoint 10, represented by the fence line in the photopoint. From here, a foot (or game) trail heads northeast into the unit, however is not maintained, not regular and continuous, nor constructed by mechanical means, as evidenced in Waypoint 12. A trail picks up in the northeast section at Waypoint 18, from the contiguous state land block. This trail from the state land block meets up with the Austin Trail, an old historical trail along Railroad Gulch at Waypoint 21. Former railroad ties were observed along this trail at Waypoint 23 and again at Waypoint 25. The Austin Trail in Railroad Gulch meets the western boundary, Union Pacific Railroad, at Waypoint 26. This shows an excellent view of Browns Canyon with the Arkansas River flowing
6
down the canyon. Waypoint 28 along the eastern boundary railroad displays an electric cattle fence that has been constructed across the railroad. Beginning at Waypoint 30, the railroad and river head southwest out of the proposed LWC, with private property bordering the remaining southwestern boundary.
II. The Browns Canyon South proposed LWC is primarily affected by the forces of nature.
The Browns Canyon South proposed LWC is primarily affected by the forces of nature, with human impacts considerably unnoticeable within the unit. There are no motorized routes within the unit or even bordering the unit. Most routes found within the unit were either foot or game trails, and showed an apparent lack of regular use. Human impacts that were observed in the proposed LWC were minor and will be detailed below in this section.
The proposed LWC offers a mixture of vegetation types, due to the topographic variety and diverse ecosystems found within this unit. Pinyon-juniper woodlands were found throughout the unit, as exemplified in Waypoints 15 (right) in the eastern portion of the unit and Waypoint 29 in the western portion of the unit. Large old growth ponderosa pines were also observed within the unit, in the higher elevation areas to the east, as viewed in Waypoint 17. The many gulches and arroyos that drain through the rugged canyon terrain support rich riparian life within the unit. Cottonwoods were observed at Waypoint 24 in Railroad Gulch.
Much Wild Connections’ inventory of the Browns Canyon South proposed LWC consisted of untrammeled naturalness, however there were some minor human impacts found as well. The minor human impacts found within the unit primarily consisted of fences and historic railroad remains (Waypoints 23 and 25), as noted in the previous section. A wikiup with wire and rope was also observed in the southwestern interior at Waypoint 11.
While there are a few minor human impacts spread throughout the proposed LWC, these are examples of “human-made features” that are considered substantially unnoticeable and thus do not hinder wilderness characteristics (BLM Manual 6310, p 6). Furthermore what was found and inventoried does not affect the natural integrity or the apparent naturalness of the unit overall (BLM Manual 6310, p 6-7).
Browns Canyon South (15) - SE Pinyon-juniper woodland common throughout the unit (p. 7,8)
7
III. The Browns Canyon South proposed LWC provides outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation.
The Browns Canyon South proposed LWC offers many opportunities for solitude and primitive and unconfined recreation. Given the topographic variety, the few entry points, dearth of trails (motorized and non-motorized), and observed lack of overall use, there are vast opportunities for solitude. The many groves of mixed forests found throughout the unit provide excellent screening from unnatural sights and sounds. Waypoint 15, referenced in the previous section and taken in the eastern interior of the unit, shows an excellent example of the vegetative screening available for solitude. Furthermore, the topographic variety within the unit, consisting of many gulches and rugged ridges, provide further opportunity for solitude.
Consisting of 2,500 acres of contiguous unroaded wilderness land, the proposed LWC offers a variety of primitive and unconfined recreational opportunities as well. There are outstanding opportunities for hiking, backpacking, camping, hunting, wildlife viewing, bird watching, and photography. The wikiup referenced in Waypoint 11 may serve as a hunting outpost. There are excellent opportunities for hunting within this unit; high value animal species and habitat are documented in the section below.
The proposed LWC also provides an incredible natural viewshed and enhances the primitive recreation of gold medal fly-fishing and world-class whitewater rafting on the nearby Arkansas River. Waypoint 27 shows a popular boating spot, known locally as Siedel’s Suckhole.
IV. The Browns Canyon South proposed LWC has supplemental values that would enhance the wilderness experience and should be recognized and protected.
Wild Connections’ inventory of the Browns Canyon South proposed LWC supports the existence of numerous supplemental values that contribute to the overall experience of visiting this area and provide additional evidence that this unit's unique qualities should be recognized and protected. The majority of these values support the area’s regional ecological importance and rich biodiversity. The supplemental values presented below are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather a summary of some of the widely known significant values for which basic data was available to complement our on-the-ground inventory.
The proposed LWC has extraordinary biological values and is part of a greater connectivity corridor with the contiguous WSA, San Isabel National Forest, and the USFS Aspen Ridge Roadless Recommended Wilderness. Much of this unit is included in BLM’s Browns Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), which extends north into and beyond the current Browns Canyon WSA. This ACEC is recognized for the Arkansas River corridor, a mecca for whitewater boating and angling, as well as the rugged and scenic uplands, which provide quietude.
The Browns Canyon South proposed LWC includes multiple Potential Conservation Areas (PCA) identified for biodiversity significance by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP). Most predominant is the Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River PCA, which extends south from the
current Browns Canyon WSA, encompassing the northern portion of the proposed LWC and encompasses high quality riparian areas including excellent occurrences of a globally imperiled montane riparian forest (Populus angustifolia - Juniperus scopulorum) as well as good and fair occurrences of a state rare foothills riparian shrubland (Betula occidentalis / Maianthemum stellatum).
The northwestern portion and all along the western boundary of the proposed LWC are part of a greater PCA, Maxwell Park, an area of montane grassland and some herbaceous/cultivated lands that supports extant occurrences of the globally imperiled Gunnison’s prairie-dog (Cynomys gunnisoni), which is listed as Colorado BLM Sensitive and a US Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program’s (WCRP) Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS) Species of Most Concern.
The northwest portion of the proposed LWC also overlaps with the Hecla Junction PCA. This site contains one of a handful of known occurrences of the globally rare Brandegee wild buckwheat (Eriogonum brandegeei), a Colorado endemic restricted to Chaffee and Fremont counties. There is also an excellent to good, a fair, and an extant occurrence of the globally rare Fendler's townsend-daisy (Townsendia fendleri), endemic to Colorado and New Mexico.
Wild Connections’ inventories also revealed observations of rich flora and fauna life. Waypoint 6, in the southern portion of the unit, displays the imperiled species, rock-loving neoparrya (Neoparrya lithophila). This plant is endemic to the southern Rocky Mountains in Colorado and primarily grows on volcanic soils. The Arkansas Canyon stick-leaf (Nuttallia densa), an imperiled plant species that is also endemic to this region, can also be found in this unit (Waypoint 19).
Unique ecosystems were also observed within the Browns Canyon South proposed LWC. An ecosystem with sand dune qualities was observed in the southwestern interior. Waypoint 9 provides an excellent view of this delicate ecosystem. Northeast of here and at a higher elevation, the sand gives way to red rocks, however the ecosystem is still quite fragile and unstable, as observed in Waypoint 13.
High habitat and range values have been identified for many wildlife species in the Browns Canyon South proposed LWC. Rocky Mountain Wild’s (RMW) Assessment of Biological Impact (ABI) documented the following animals and associated values within the unit: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis Canadensis) production area, overall range, summer range, summer concentration area, winter range, severe winter range, and winter concentration area; black bear (Ursus americanus) overall range; elk (Cervus Canadensis) overall range, summer range, summer concentration area, winter range, winter severe range, winter concentration area, and migration corridor; mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) overall range, summer range, winter range, severe winter range, and winter concentration area; pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) overall range, winter range, severe winter range, and winter concentration area; mountain lion (Puma concolor) overall range; and Brazilian free tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) overall range. The Brazilian free tailed bat is a Colorado state ranked critically imperiled species.
Animals and signs of animals were also observed in the Browns Canyon South proposed LWC. Deer, bighorn sheep, and possibly coyote (Canis latrans) tracks were observed throughout the unit. A deer antler was observed at Waypoint 16, in the eastern interior. A drove of Rocky
Mountain bighorn sheep was observed above rock outcroppings in the western portion of the unit at Waypoint 31.
Critiacal and valued bird species have also been identified in the Browns Canyon South proposed LWC. Of note, this unit provides winter forage and winter range for the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), which is listed as Colorado BLM Sensitive, CWCS Species of Most Concern, and Partnership in Flight Priority Bird. This area also supports osprey (Pandion haliaetus) foraging area; Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis) brood concentration area, foraging area, production area, molting area, winter range, and winter concentration area; and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) overall range.
RMW’s ABI adds that the amphibian species, boreal toad (Bufo boreas boreas) has current and overall range within the proposed LWC. This is a state imperiled species, listed as CPW endangered, Colorado BLM sensitive, and a CWCS Species of Most Concern.
Additionally, a prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus) was observed just south of the unit at Waypoint 1.
There are exceptional scenic views from within the proposed LWC, given the topography of the unit and surrounding landscape. Waypoint 3 shows an excellent view of the Collegiate Peaks – part of the Sawatch Range – to the west, which can be viewed from many of the higher elevation areas within the unit. Waypoint 14, taken from the central interior, views Methodist Mountain and the northern end of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range. There are also exceptional geological features to view within and from the unit, for example Hecla Tower at Waypoint 20 in the northeastern interior.
The 2,500 acre proposed LWC is also noteworthy for its disparate geological features. There are many unique rock outcroppings that provide substantial geological value to the area. For example, many rock spirals and hoodoos can be viewed north of Railroad Gulch at Waypoint 22, right. These rocks, and most of the Browns Canyon South proposed LWC, are made up of some of the oldest rocks in Colorado – granite and granodiorite – from the Early Proterozoic Age. The southern portion of this unit offers felsic gneiss and mafic gneiss from this same period, as well as ash-flow tuft from the Tertiary Age. This ash-flow tuft is what supports the populations of rock-loving neoparrya in the unit. The above geological data was obtained from the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) Mineral Resources on-line spatial data, selected for Colorado's geology.
Browns Canyon South (22) - NW
Rock spirals and voodoos N of Railroad Gulch (p. 10)
Based on Wild Connections' on-the-ground inventories, the proposed Browns Canyon South LWC qualifies as Land with Wilderness Characteristics (LWC) in accordance with BLM's Manual 6310. This unit does not exceed the 5,000 contiguous roadless acreage minimum, however the unit still meets the LWC size requirement as it is contiguous with the Browns Canyon WSA to the north. Given the size of the unit, lack of significant human impacts, disparate topography, diverse ecosystems, and abundant wildlife, the Browns Canyon South proposed LWC offers outstanding wilderness characteristics - including apparent naturalness and outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive and unconfined recreation. The proposed LWC is also supported by numerous supplemental values.
While much of the proposed LWC consists of untrammeled wilderness, human impacts were found. As documented, fences, a former railroad, and a wikiup were observed within the unit. Nevertheless these are minor human impacts, consistent with BLM Manual 6310, as the natural integrity and the apparent naturalness of the proposed LWC in total is not compromised. Wild Connections’ inventory has documented the necessary boundaries as well as the wilderness characteristics within the unit. This overview provides new information, including narrative, photo, and geo data, and supporting maps, documenting that the 2,500 acre Browns Canyon South proposed LWC meets wilderness criteria. This area possesses Lands with Wilderness Characteristic status and its wilderness values should be protected and preserved. It is imperative that the BLM recognize and protect these values in their land management decisions, so that these unique and abundant wilderness qualities are sustained.
11
Browns Canyon South Proposed LWC Waypoints
The following photographs correspond with the numbered Waypoints on the above Browns Canyon South map and may be referred to in the report narrative describing the wilderness characteristics. The direction of view (16 point Cardinal) is indicated in the bolded caption. Below this is a short description of the photo, with the referenced page number(s) in parenthesis. The photos are also watermarked with the direction (degrees and cardinal) in the top right, date and time in the bottom right, elevation in the bottom center, and the latitude and longitude in the bottom left.
Browns Canyon South (1) - SSE Rattlesnake, just S of unit boundary (p. 10)
Browns Canyon South (2) - NNW
SE boundary fence with US National Forest (p. 6)
Browns Canyon South (3) - W
Scenic view of the Collegiate Peaks and Sawatch Range to the west (p. 10)
Browns Canyon South (5) - WSW
Private property at S boundary (p. 6)
Browns Canyon South (4) - NW
Longs Gulch in SE unit (p. 6)
Browns Canyon South (6) - S Imperiled species, rock-loving neoparrya (p. 9) 13
Browns Canyon South (7) - NE
Route into gulch with ATV tracks in S unit (p. 6)
Browns Canyon South (9) - WNW
Sand dune-like ecosystem in SW unit (p. 9)
Browns Canyon South (8) - ENE
Observed route maintenance (p. 6)
Browns Canyon South (10) - E
Fence line at SW boundary (p. 6) 14
Browns Canyon South (11) - S Wikiup and possible hunting post in
the southwestern unit interior (p. 7,8)
Browns Canyon South (13) - N
Delicate sand and red rock ecosystem in central interior (p. 9)
Browns Canyon South (12) - ENE
Game or foot trail in central unit (p. 6)
Browns Canyon South (14) - SSE
Scenic view of Methodist Mountain and the Sangre do Cristo Mountain Range (p. 10)
15
Browns Canyon South (15) - SE Pinyon-juniper woodland common throughout the unit (p. 7,8)
Browns Canyon South (17) - SSW Ponderosa pines observed at higher elevations (p. 7)
Browns Canyon South (16) - SE
Deer antler observed in central interior (p. 9)
Browns Canyon South (18) - NNW
Trail from State Land Block contiguous to the east (p. 6)
16
Browns Canyon South (19) - W Arkansas Canyon stick-leaf, endemic to this region (p. 9)
Browns Canyon South (21) - WSW Historic Austin Trail in Railroad Gulch (p. 6)
Browns Canyon South (20) - ENE
Geological feature Hecla Tower in N unit (p. 10)
Browns Canyon South (22) - NW
Rock spirals and voodoos N of Railroad Gulch (p. 10)
17
Browns Canyon South (23) - WNW Historic railroad ties observed in Railroad Gulch (p. 6,7)
Browns Canyon South (25) - NW Historic railroad ties in Railroad Gulch (p. 6,7)
Browns Canyon South (24) - WNW
Cottonwoods observed in Railroad Gulch (p. 7)
Browns Canyon South (26) - SW
Railroad Gulch meets the Union Pacific Railroad W boundary. Excellent view of the Arkansas River flowing through Brown’s Canyon (p. 6)
18
Browns Canyon South (27) - NW Popular boating spot Siedel’s Suckhole on the Arkansas River (p. 8)
Browns Canyon South (29) - E Pinyon-juniper woodland in W unit (p. 7)
Browns Canyon South (28) - SSW
Electric cattle fence across W boundary Union Pacific Railroad (p. 7)
Browns Canyon South (30) - NE
SW boundary at Union Pacific Railroad (p. 7)
19
Browns Canyon South (31) - NE
Drove of bighorn sheep observed in W interior unit (p. 10)
