Great Rift WSA

General Location: A relatively large WSA contained within Blaine, Minidoka and Butte counties.  This WSA also lies within the Craters of the Moon National Monument and much of it is adjacent to the Craters of the Moon Wilderness Area. Major access points include Arco, Minidoka and Carey.

Natural Features: The WSA contains unique and natural features including cinder and spatter cones, craters, lava tubes and kipukas.  The WSA contains two distinct lava flows; the Craters of the Moon Flow and the Wapi Flow.  The lava surface, kipukas and desert rangeland include examples of plant and animal communities in all stages of succession.  Many of the kipukas are untouched and isolated, providing scientific and educational study sites.

Total Acres: 380,200

Acres Supported by BLM for Wilderness Designation: 346,800

Rationale for BLM's Recommendation: Exceptional wilderness values and outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive and unconfined recreation.  The WSA contains many unique and natural volcanic features providing scientific and educational study sites.