EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Roadless Review and Wilderness Character Inventory Findings for the Roan Plateau

East Fork Unit

March 2000

INVENTORY UNIT: The unit is located in Garfield County, approximately 5 miles northwest of Rifle on the southern part of the Roan Plateau. The unit generally encompasses the East Fork of Parachute Creek.

FINDINGS SUMMARY: This unit contains 14,342 acres of federal land. The roadless review team determined that 12,403 acres are roadless, therefore the unit meets the roadless criteria of 5,000 contiguous acres of public land. Within the roadless area 8,330 acres were found to have wilderness character. This includes approximately 7½ miles of East Fork of Parachute Creek and 11 of its small tributaries. The steep topography and vegetative cover in the East Fork of Parachute Creek drainage offers outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive and unconfined recreation in the mid to lower portions of the canyon.

A total of 4,073 acres lack wilderness character as numerous roads and range developments are visible from many points and are substantially noticeable.

EVALUATION CRITERIA AND UNIT ANALYSIS

Size Criteria: Determine if the area"...has at least 5,000 acres of land or is of sufficient size as to make its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition."

Finding:

Total area within the Inventory boundaries: 14,342

Total area within the Roadless Area boundaries: 12,403

Total area with wilderness character: 8,330

Total area without wilderness character: 4,073

Naturalness Criteria: Determine if the area "...generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature with imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable."

Finding: Much of the East Fork drainage and its 22 ½ miles of tributaries are natural and appear to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature. The creek drainage has created a deep and scenic canyon which provides topographic and vegetative screening. At most locations boundary roads, ridge roads and livestock developments are substantially unnoticeable.

Eleven separate areas within the unit have substantially noticeable imprints that detract from naturalness and therefore lacked wilderness character. These areas are bounded by or bisected by roads, ways, fences, stock ponds, and spring developments. Although some of these developments might be substantially unnoticeable on their own, the cumulative impacts of numerous imprints in close proximity to one another detracted from the naturalness. These areas are:

• Along the southeastern boundary, four small areas (460 acres total) were found not to be natural in appearance because of close paralleling roads and eight associated livestock developments.
• Along the southwest corner of the unit there are four cherry- stemmed roads and numerous access routes to the cliffs and livestock developments. The close proximity of these paralleling routes and the open view shed unit allows one to see numerous developments and human imprints.
• In addition, looking north into the unit from this corner allows one to see numerous linear  imprints on the north side of East Fork of Parachute Creek. These imprints are highly visible due to topography and the lack of vegetation on the open south facing slopes. The cumulative effects of those disturbances make this part unnatural with the imprints of man substantially noticeable (989 acres).
• The portion of the unit, north of Short Ridge, which surrounds the eastern half of Ben Good Creek, has numerous impacts associated with livestock grazing and recreational use. This area is fragmented by a prominent road and an associated fenceline running south from Long Ridge to Short Ridge. The area is unnatural in appearance with numerous human impacts including fenclines, spring developments, vehicle access routes, and hardened hunting camps. (1000 acres)
• The portion bounded by Bull Gulch and Grassy Gulch has three cherry-stemmed roads in close proximity and seven associated developments that detract from the naturalness. The cumulative result of these influences negatively impacts the naturalness of this tract of land. (624 acres).
• Along the northern boundary there are two areas that were found not to be natural because of the close proximity of roads and associated developments. One area is in Camp Gulch where the road accessing three range developments leaves 106 acres between the cherry-stemmed road and the boundary road.
• The other area (792 acres) is where 3 cherry stemmed roads head south around Timber Gulch. The cumulative effects of these closely spaced roads and disturbances detracts from the naturalness. These man made disturbances include 1 cabin, 3 cherry-stemmed roads with numerous accompanying routes, 10 range developments, and 2 fencelines.
• Two small areas (49 acres) on the northeastern corner above JQS Gulch were found not to be natural in character because of prominent fencelines, exclosure fences, and 3 range developments. These disturbances are highly visible from the boundary road and from one disturbance to another. The imprints of man here are substantially noticeable and detract from the areas naturalness.

Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Type of Recreation Criteria: Determine if the area "...has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation..."

Finding:

Solitude: Outstanding opportunities for solitude can be found in most of the lower portions of the 7 1/2 miles of East Fork drainage and along portions of the side drainages. The stream bottoms with their adjoining steep sidewalls, dense riparian vegetation and adjacent spruce and aspen stands, allows one to find seclusion and isolation away from sights and sounds of man.

Primitive and Unconfined Type of Recreation: Outstanding opportunities exist within the unit, especially along the East Fork of Parachute Creek drainage and its tributaries. The scenic 200 foot waterfall on East Fork of Parachute Creek provides an exceptional scenic attraction on the western edge of the unit. Another notable activity is fishing the East Fork for native cutthroat trout and brook trout.

Excellent opportunities also exist for other unconfined types of recreation including hiking, hunting, wildlife viewing, camping, and sightseeing.

Supplemental Values Criteria: Determine if the area "...contains ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historic value."

Finding:

This unit was identified as a "Very Significant" conservation site by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program in 1996. This biologically diverse site hosts 21 elements tracked by the Natural Heritage Program including: Nine significant natural plant communities, one BLM sensitive fish, five rare species of birds, four rare plants, one rare butterfly, and one rare mammal. The unit also contains cliff seeps which support one of the best known populations of Hanging Garden Sullivantia.

Other supplemental values include a 200 ft. high waterfall on East Fork, paleontological resources in the Green River Formation and historic land uses including prehistoric Indian hunting grounds, and ranching related structures from the late 1800's.

FINAL WILDERNESS CHARACTER INVENTORY EVALUATION

East Fork Unit

FINDINGS: This unit contains 14,342 acres of federal land. The roadless review team determined that 12,403 acres were roadless and therefore the unit meets the roadless criteria of 5,000 contiguous acres of public land. More than half (8,330 acres) of the roadless area was found to have wilderness character. This includes approximately 7½ miles of East Fork of Parachute Creek and portions of the 23 miles of tributaries. The area’s steep topography and vegetative cover offer outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive and unconfined recreation in the canyon bottoms.

A total of 4,073 acres lack wilderness character because numerous roads, fences, and range developments are visible, unnatural in character, and dominate the landscape.

I. INVENTORY UNIT DESCRIPTION

The East Fork unit is located on the Roan Plateau in Garfield County, approximately 5 miles northwest of Rifle and north of the Colorado River. All lands within the unit are managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

The inventory unit consists of the southern half of the Roan Plateau. The northern portion of the unit is bounded by maintained roads and range developments along Long Ridge and Short Ridge. The western boundary and portions of the southern boundary follow private property lines while the eastern boundary follows the "Rim Road" which travels along the prominent southern cliffs.

The East Fork Unit elevation ranges from 6,640 feet to 9,256 feet. It follows the southeastern boundary of the Piceance Basin. Uinta and Green River formations are present in much of the unit.

The unit is made up of a diverse vegetative cover typical of this region. Spruce-fir and Douglas fir cover the north facing slopes, while aspen woodlands dot the higher elevations and mountain sagebrush. Mountain grasslands and shale barrens dominate the south facing slopes.

Significant riparian areas and hanging garden seeps can be found along the East Fork of Parachute Creek and some of its tributaries. The East Fork of Parachute Creek and Ben Good Creek are the principle drainages flowing east to west. The East Fork of Parachute Creek creates a deep and scenic canyon. A 200 ft. waterfall near the western boundary provides a spectacular entry to a scenic vista looking westward down the deep and dramatic lower canyon.

In 1996 the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) conducted a Biological Survey of the Roan Plateau. Results showed that this unit contained 21 Elements that the CNHP tracks. These elements include four plant communities, nine significant natural communities, one rare fish, five species of birds, four rare plants, one rare butterfly, and one rare mammal. This unit also supports one of the best known populations of Hanging Garden Sullivantia.

The historic and current human uses in the unit are activities relating to livestock grazing, oil shale exploration, and dispersed recreation. Within the unit 85 range developments and approximately 60 miles of routes exist to access range developments or oil shale core holes.

Recreational activities within the unit boundary include hunting, fishing, horseback riding, mountain bike riding, hiking, ATV and motorcycle riding, off-highway vehicle (OHV) driving, sightseeing and camping. Local residents from the Rifle area often visit this unit because of its close proximity to town. The highest recreational use period is during the fall hunting seasons. The principle recreational management issue involves the expanding cross-country use of OHVs.

II. WILDERNESS CHARACTER ANALYSIS

A.  SIZE

Approximate Acres:      Federal        State

Inventory Unit:               14,342          0

The East Fork Inventory Unit contained 14,342 acres. Using the Roadless Review Criteria it was determined that 12,403 acres were roadless.

Two portions of the unit in the northwest and southwest corners were found not to be roadless because of routinely used and maintained roads to numerous livestock developments. This fragmented these portions from the rest of the roadless area.

Within the roadless area boundaries, 8,330 acres were found to have wilderness character. Eleven small portions of the area (4,073 acres) were found not to have wilderness character due to the impacts of numerous range developments, access routes and other human impacts.

Summary: Does the area have at least 5,000 acres of contiguous land or is it of sufficient size to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition?

YES X NO   

B.  NATURALNESS

Portions of the unit(8,330 acres) mostly in lower parts of the East Fork of Parachute Creek drainage and its tributaries, have retained natural character and human imprints are substantially unnoticeable. These areas are the East Fork of Parachute Creek drainage and portions of its 21½ miles of tributaries, including JQS, Golden Castle, First Anvil, Second Anvil, Camp, Spring, Grassy, Timber, Chicken, First Water, Second Water and Third Water Gulches.

The numerous livestock developments, boundary roads along the ridgelines and cherry-stemmed routes are substantially unnoticeable from the East Fork drainage and some of its tributaries because they are visually screened by the topography and vegetation. Most disturbances can not be detected looking from within the unit. The impacts outside the unit boundaries for the most part do not draw attention as they are still substantially screened and don’t dominate the landscape.

However, eleven separate areas within the unit have noticeable imprints that do detract from naturalness and therefore lacked wilderness character. These areas are bounded and bisected by roads, fences, or other developments used mostly for livestock management and recreational purposes. Although some of these developments might be substantially unnoticeable on their own, their cumulative impacts and close proximity detracted from the naturalness. These areas are:

• Along the southeastern boundary, four small areas (460 acres total) were found not to be natural in appearance because of close paralleling roads and eight associated livestock developments.
• Along the southwest corner of the unit there are four cherry- stemmed roads and numerous access routes to the cliffs and livestock developments. The close proximity of these paralleling routes and the open view shed looking north into the unit allows one to see numerous developments and human imprints.
• In addition, looking north into the unit from this corner allows one to see numerous linear imprints on the north side of the East Fork of Parachute Creek. These imprints are highly visible due to topography and the lack of vegetation on the open south facing slopes.
• The cumulative effects of those disturbances make this part unnatural with the imprints of man substantially noticeable (989 acres).
• The portion of the unit north of Short Ridge, which surrounds the eastern half of Ben Good Creek, has numerous impacts associated with livestock grazing and recreational use. This area is fragmented by a prominent road and an associated fenceline running south from Long Ridge to Short Ridge. The area is unnatural in appearance with numerous human impacts including fenclines, spring developments, vehicle access routes, and hardened hunting camps (1,000 acres).
• The portion bounded by Bull Gulch and Grassy Gulch has three cherry-stemmed roads in close proximity and seven associated developments that detract from the naturalness. The cumulative result of these influences negatively impacts the naturalness of this tract of land(624 acres).
• Along the northern boundary there are two areas that were found not to be natural because of the close proximity of roads and associated developments. One area is in Camp Gulch where the road accessing three range developments leaves 106 acres between the cherry-stemmed road and the boundary road. The other area (792 acres) is where 3 cherry stemmed roads head south around Timber Gulch. These routes are in such close proximity to one another the cumulative effects of the roads and disturbances detracts from the naturalness. These man made disturbances include 1 cabin, 3 cherry-stemmed roads with numerous accompanying routes, 10 range developments, and 2 fencelines.
• Two small areas (49 acres) in the north eastern corner above JQS Gulch were found not to be natural in character because of prominent fencelines, exclosure fences, and 3 range developments. These disturbances are highly visible from the boundary road and from one disturbance to another. The imprints of man here are substantially noticeable and detract from the areas naturalness.

Summary: Does the area generally appear to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of peoples work substantially unnoticeable?

YES  X  NO      

C. OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOLITUDE OR PRIMITIVE AND UNCONFINED RECREATION

1.  SOLITUDE

Outstanding opportunities for solitude exist in most portions of the East Fork of Parachute Creek drainage and its 11 tributaries. The nature of the drainage’s steep walls and dense riparian vegetation and adjoining spruce and aspen stands, allows one to find seclusion and isolation away from sights and sounds of man.

The higher elevation portions of the unit tend to be bounded and bisected by roads and disturbances from livestock management and recreational uses. These imprints although somewhat unnoticeable individually, have a negative cumulative effect and impacts a persons’ opportunity for solitude when out of the lower reaches of the drainages.

Summary: Does the area have outstanding opportunities for solitude?

YES  X  NO      

2.  PRIMITIVE AND UNCONFINED RECREATION

Primitive and Unconfined Type of Recreation: Outstanding opportunities exist in several places in the unit. Two exceptional recreation opportunities exist; 1) viewing the scenic 200 ft. waterfall on the East Fork of Parachute Creek on the western edge of the unit and 2) fishing in East Fork for native cutthroat and brook trout.

Excellent opportunities also exist for these other unconfined types of recreation including, hiking, hunting, wildlife viewing, camping, and sightseeing.

Summary: Does the area have outstanding opportunities for a primitive and unconfined type of recreation?

YES  X  NO      

D.  SUPPLEMENTAL VALUES

This unit was identified as a "Very Significant" conservation site by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) in 1996. This biologically diverse site hosts 21 elements tracked by the CNHP including: nine significant natural plant communities, one BLM sensitive fish, five rare species of birds, four rare plants, one rare butterfly, and one rare mammal. The unit also contains cliff seeps which support one of the best known populations of the Hanging Garden Sullivantia.

Other supplemental values include a 200 ft. high waterfall on East Fork, paleontological resources in the Green River Formation and historic land uses including, prehistoric Indian hunting grounds, and ranching activities and related structures from the late 1800's.

Summary: Does the area contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value?

YES  X  NO      

III. SUMMARY

Results of wilderness character analysis:

1. Does the area meet any of the size requirements?    YES X NO  

2. Does the area appear to be natural?    YES X NO  

3. Does the area offer outstanding opportunities for Solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation?    YES X NO  

4. Does the area have supplemental values?    YES X NO  

IV. CONCLUSION

Check one:

X The area or a portion of the area has wilderness character.

  The area does not have wilderness character.

V.  FINDINGS VERIFICATION

Team Members

Jim McBrayer, Outdoor Recreation Planner, Little Snake Field Office, Colorado

Eric Finstick, Wilderness Specialist Advisor, Colorado State Office

Team Leader

Kay C. Hopkins, Outdoor Recreation Planner, Glenwood Springs Field Office, Colorado

Field Manager

Steve Bennett, Acting Field Office Manager, Glenwood Springs Field Office, Colorado