EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Roadless Review and Wilderness Character
Inventory Findings for the Roan Plateau

Trapper Creek Unit

March 2000

INVENTORY UNIT: The Trapper Creek unit is located in Garfield County on top of the Roan Plateau approximately 10 miles northwest of Rifle and four miles southeast of the Rio Blanco County border.

FINDINGS SUMMARY: This unit contained 11,373 acres of federal land of which 9,073 acres were found to be roadless. Two small portions (approximately 2,700 acres in the west and 1300 acres in the east) were found to be natural in character but were separated by a two mile stretch of Trapper Creek that was not natural because of numerous range developments, roads/ways, exclosure fences and other man-made developments that dominated the landscape.

The two areas that were natural in character were the western portions of Trapper and Northwater Creeks, and the headwaters of Trapper Creek. These areas had some scenic and natural values, but due to their small size, outside impacts are substantially noticeable and detracted from the area’s naturalness as a whole.

In conclusion, the Trapper Creek unit does not contain wilderness character. The areas that were predominantly natural in character were significantly less than 5,000 acres in size.

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:  11,373

Total area within the Roadless Area boundaries:  9,073

Total area with wilderness character:  0

Total area without wilderness character:  9,073

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: Approximately 1,300 acres in the headwaters of Trapper Creek and 2,700 acres in the western portion of the unit where Trapper Creek and Northwater Creek meet, were found to be natural in character. They are, however, separated by a two mile stretch of Trapper Creek that was unnatural in character because of numerous exclosure fences, drop structures for fish, access routes, and other human imprints. Due to their small size and separation of these two areas, the surrounding human impacts greatly diminished the sense of naturalness in the unit as a whole.

Three areas in the unit contained extensive impacts that are substantially noticeable. These areas are unnatural in appearance due to the presence of numerous livestock developments and the roads/ways associated with them. These areas are:

The north-central part of the unit in Trapper Creek.

This area is heavily impacted by the presence of 5½ miles of fence built as an allotment boundary and as permanent exclosure fences to protect the riparian corridor. Numerous man-made drop structures in Trapper Creek exist. Several maintained roads and ways, and the evidence of old stock ponds and related disturbances are also present. The open topography and lack of vegetation in this portion of the unit accentuate these man-made intrusions.

The southeast portion of the unit.

Numerous disturbances are substantially noticeable in the landscape. Access routes to 12 range developments and a cabin are highly visible and detract from the area’s naturalness. The topography and sparse vegetation in this area makes these imprints readily visible from numerous locations in the unit.

The eastern boundary south of the cherry-stemmed road (TC-13). The naturalness of the area is compromised by the presence of an old constructed road bed and associated disturbances that are in close proximity to the cherry-stemmed road and the boundary road. The cumulative impacts from these disturbances detracts from this portion’s 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:  Portions of the unit offer the visitor outstanding opportunities for solitude. Outstanding opportunities were found in the drainage bottoms of the western portions of both Trapper Creek and Northwater Creek. Also a narrow corridor, approximately 1 3/4 miles long in the headwaters of Trapper Creek, grants opportunities to get away from the sights and sounds of man.

The remainder of the unit lacked outstanding opportunities for solitude due to the collective impacts from numerous and noticeable roads/ways, a lack of vegetation for concealment and range developments.

Primitive and Unconfined Recreation: Outstanding opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation exist, particularly when exploring the western drainages. The canyon bottoms support wonderful opportunities for undeveloped types of recreation including hunting, fishing, backpacking, hiking, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing.

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

Finding:

Supplemental Values:  In 1996 the Colorado Natural Heritage Program conducted a biological survey on the Roan Plateau which included this unit. Several supplemental values exist in this area including ten "Significant" elements. These elements are: two rare plants, two population of Colorado River cutthroat trout, several wetland plant communities and one raptor and two bird species of concern.

Other noted supplemental values included scenic values in the western portions of Trapper and Northwater Creeks, paleontological resources, and historic and prehistoric land uses.

FINAL WILDERNESS CHARACTER INVENTORY EVALUATION

Trapper Creek Unit

FINDINGS: This unit contained 11,373 acres of federal land of which 9,073 acres were found to be roadless. The headwaters of Trapper Creek and the western portion of the unit where Trapper Creek and Northwater Creek meet, both substantially under 5,000 acres (1,300 acres and 2,700 acres), were found to be natural in character. They are, however, separated by a 2 mile stretch of Trapper Creek that was unnatural in character because of numerous exclosure fences, drop structures for fish, access routes, and other human imprints. Due to their small size and their separation, the surrounding human impacts greatly diminished the sense of naturalness in the unit as a whole.

In conclusion, the Trapper Creek unit does not contain wilderness character. The areas that were predominantly natural in character were significantly less than 5,000 acres in size.

I.  INVENTORY UNIT DESCRIPTION

The Trapper Creek unit is located in Garfield County on the Roan Plateau approximately 10 miles northwest of Rifle and four miles south of the Rio Blanco County line.

The unit boundary follows maintained roads on both the north and south and private land on the west. The eastern boundary is private property and continuously used and maintained roads.

The Trapper Creek Unit elevation descends from 9,000 ft along the eastern boundary to 7,600 ft in the drainages. The unit encompassed Trapper Creek from the western private land boundary to its headwaters, Northwater Creek, and their related uplands.

Both drainages have spruce-fir and aspen woodlands on the north-facing slopes. Mountain brush (sagebrush, oakbrush, serviceberry, snowberry) vegetation grows on the more gentle slopping ridges and the sparsely vegetated south-facing slopes.

Significant riparian areas and hanging garden seeps can be found within the Trapper Creek and Northwater Creek drainages. Both drainages support a small population of Colorado River cutthroat trout. Three miles downstream of the headwaters of Northwater Creek, the stream cuts through the Green River formation and creates a series of pool drops that are excellent habitat for trout and very scenic when visiting the valley bottoms.

Trapper Creek’s riparian area has been impacted from nearly a 100 years of livestock grazing. Numerous drop structures and exclosure fences were built to enhance the riparian vegetation. Subsequent improvements (stream structures and tree plantings) were established to enhance habitat for cutthroat trout.

Elk, mule deer, black bear, beaver, mountain lions and other regional endemic species inhabit the area. Many birds of interest can also be found within this unit including the Cooper’s hawk, Boreal owl, and Sharp-shinned hawk. One watch listed species of butterfly, the Green-winged hairstreak, is also present.

The Colorado Natural Heritage Program identified five natural communities in this unit in 1995-1996: montane wet meadow, western slope wet meadow, yellow willow, tufted hairgrass wetland and western slope sagebrush. Three rare plants also have been found within the unit: Utah fescue, Hanging garden sullivantia, and Osterhaut’s penstemon.

The current and historic land uses have typically been livestock grazing, oil shale exploration, hunting and other recreational activities. The area includes sites that were used as hunting grounds for the Ute and prehistoric Indians. Grazing has occurred since the late 1800's on the Roan Plateau.

Many disturbances are evident and noticeable in many portions of the area and were reported in the inventory. They include, 56 range developments, 14 miles of fence, 40 miles of access routes, and the Northwater cabin built in 1944.

II.  WILDERNESS CHARACTER ANALYSIS

A.  SIZE

Approximate Acres:       Federal       State

Inventory Unit                11,373          0

This unit contained 11,373 acres of federal land of which 9,073 acres were found to be roadless. Two portions of this unit contained natural and scenic qualities. However, they were significantly under 5,000 acres and separated by an area that was heavily impacted by human disturbances.

In conclusion, the Trapper Creek unit does not contain wilderness character. The areas that were predominantly natural in character were significantly less than 5,000 acres in size.

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      NO  X  

B.  NATURALNESS

Two parts of the area contained characteristics of naturalness which were enhanced by topography and vegetative screening. These areas included the headwaters of Trapper Creek and the western portion of the unit where Trapper Creek and Northwater Creek meet, both substantially under 5,000 acres (1,300 acres and 2,700 acres). They are, however, separated by a two mile stretch of Trapper Creek that was unnatural in character because of numerous exclosure fences, drop structures for fish, access routes, and other human imprints. Due to their small size and their separation, the surrounding human impacts greatly diminished the sense of naturalness in the unit as a whole.

Three areas in the unit contained extensive impacts that were substantially noticeable. These areas were unnatural in appearance due to the presence of numerous livestock developments, exclosure and allotment fences, and the roads/ways associated with the range improvements. These areas are:

• The north-central part of the unit in Trapper Creek. This area is heavily impacted by the presence of 5½ miles of fence built as an allotment boundary and as permanent exclosure fences to protect the riparian corridor. Numerous man-made drop structures in Trapper Creek exist. Several maintained roads and ways, and the evidence of old stock ponds and related disturbances are also present. The open topography and lack of vegetation in this portion of the unit accentuate these man-made intrusions.
• The southeast portion of the unit. Numerous disturbances are substantially noticeable in the landscape. Access routes to 12 range developments and a cabin are highly visible and detract from the area’s naturalness. The topography and sparse vegetation in this area makes these imprints readily visible from numerous locations within the unit.
• The eastern boundary south of the cherry-stemmed road (TC-13). The naturalness of the area is compromised by the presence of an old constructed road bed and associated disturbances that are in close proximity to the cherry-stemmed road and the boundary road. The cumulative impacts from these disturbances detracts from this portion’s 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      NO  X  

C.  OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOLITUDE OR PRIMITIVE AND UNCONFINED RECREATION

1.  SOLITUDE

Portions of the unit offer the visitor outstanding opportunities for solitude. Outstanding opportunities were found in the valley bottoms of western Trapper Creek and western Northwater Creek. A narrow corridor, approximately 1 3/4 miles along the headwaters of Trapper Creek also allowed one to get away from the sights and sounds of man and to find a seclude spot.

The remainder of the unit lacks outstanding opportunities for solitude. The numerous roads/ways, lack of vegetation for screening, and the many range developments, make it difficult to find a secluded place or get away from sight and sounds of others.

Summary: Does the area have outstanding opportunities for solitude?

YES  X  NO      

2.  PRIMITIVE AND UNCONFINED RECREATION

Outstanding opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation exist particularly in the western portion of the unit. Noteable fishing opportunities were found in Trapper Creek and Northwater Creek for Colorado Cutthroat Trout. Other excellent opportunities existed throughout the unit for undeveloped recreation including hunting, backpacking, hiking, camping, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing.

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

YES  X  NO      

D.  SUPPLEMENTAL VALUES

The unit supports numerous plant and animal communities. In 1996 the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) conducted a biological survey on the Roan Plateau which included this unit. Several supplemental values exist in this area including ten "Significant" elements that are tracked by CNHP.

Colorado Natural Heritage Program also identified five natural communities in this unit in 1995-1996: montane wet meadow, western slope wet meadow, yellow willow, tufted hairgrass wetland and western slope sagebrush. Three rare plants also have been found within the unit: Utah fescue, Hanging garden sullivantia, and Osterhaut’s penstemon(Rondeau et al. 1996).

Elk, mule deer, black bear, beaver, mountain lions and other regional endemic species inhabit the area. Many birds including the following birds of interest can also be found within this unit: Cooper’s hawk, Boreal owl, and Sharp-shinned hawk. One watch listed species of butterfly, the Green-winged hairstreak, is also present.

Other supplemental values include; scenic vistas overlooking the western portions of Trapper and Northwater Creeks and historic range structures, like the Northwater cabin, dating 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     NO X 
2.  Does the area appear to be natural?      YES     NO X 
3.  Does the area offer outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined   types of recreation?      YES X  NO    
4. Does the area have supplemental values?      YES X  NO     

IV.  CONCLUSION

Check one:

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

 X  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