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I.  **INTRODUCTION**

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A.  Goals and Objectives of this Plan

    This plan serves as a guide to the management of the Gulf Islands
    Wilderness.

    Its objective is to provide answers or access to answers for
    questions and issues that may commonly occur in the process of
    managing the Gulf Islands Wilderness.

B.  Wilderness Boundaries

    [The wilderness boundary is defined by the mean high tide line on
    Horn and Petit Bois Islands. If on the land of either Horn Island or
    Petit Bois Island you are in wilderness]{.underline}. The waters
    surrounding these islands are outside the wilderness boundary and
    are not wilderness.

    All land on Horn Island (3650 acres) is wilderness or potential
    wilderness. On Horn Island the potential wilderness is property that
    is partially owned by private individuals, and a wilderness enclave
    at the Ranger Station. Petit Bois Island, (1466 acres), is all
    wilderness and has no enclaves or in holdings. As of this writing
    negotiations to acquire non-federal interests in land on Horn Island
    are underway.

    There is no written legal description of the Gulf Islands
    Wilderness. In establishing the Gulf Islands National Seashore the
    Congress made general reference to "islands" and did not use a legal
    description of aliquot parts or metes and bounds. Instead Congress
    referred to: Ship Island, Horn Island, Petit Bois Island; "the
    Mississippi islands;" "the islands;" or "the three islands." It may
    be that Congress recognized that these islands move. If fixed in
    space by a survey, in the fullness of time, these islands could move
    beyond the limits of the legal description and future generations
    would have only open sea for their enjoyment.

C.  Legislation and Pre-existing Conditions Affecting Wilderness
    Management

    The Gulf Islands Wilderness was established by Public Law 95-625,
    Title IV -- Wilderness, Section 401 (5). There is one legislative
    constraint on the management of

    the Gulf Islands National Seashore Wilderness. Section 405 of P. L.
    95-625 allows the U. S. Coast Guard and the Federal Aviation
    Administration to use this wilderness area for navigational and
    maritime safety purposes.

D.  Relationship of Wilderness Plan with Other Management Plans,
    Directives, and Initiatives.

Wilderness and wilderness management is reflected in the park's General
Management Plan, Resources Management Plan, Fire Management Plan,
Statement for Management, and the Superintendent's Compendium.

Wilderness Establishment is presented in the General Management Plan.
The Resources Management Plan calls for wilderness planning, research,
and management. The Fire Management Plan presents the park's position
and process for fire management in the wilderness. The park's Statement
for Management provides a brief history of wilderness establishment and
a statement of requirements of wilderness management. The
Superintendent's Compendium sets controls on wilderness use. The
Strategic Plan recognizes wilderness and sets a course of action for
further wilderness protection.

II. **WILDERNESS MANAGEMENT PROPOSED GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES GOAL**

Wilderness is primary and paramount to Horn and Petit Bois Islands. The
goal of this plan is to ensure the protection, preservation,
restoration, appreciation, and enjoyment of this wilderness for future
generations in an unimpaired condition.

OBJECTIVES

To manage with a minimum of intrusion.

To provide for solitude and primitive, unconfined recreation.

To preserve the character of this wilderness.

To control nonconforming use and to prevent unnecessary or undue
reduction of wilderness values.

A.  Inventory of Administrative Facilities

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1.  Trails

    There are two trails that cross Horn Island, the Station Trail that
    follows the tractor path from the pier on the Sound side past the
    Ranger Station and on to the Gulf side beach and the West Cross
    Island Trail that goes from the "chimney" on the Sound side and then
    across the island to the Gulf side beach. While there may be
    informal social trails, particularly near the heads of these two
    trails, they are not recognized official trails. Because of the
    frequency of severe storms these social trails are ephemeral and
    often last only one season.

    There are no trails on Petit Bois Island.

2.  Camp Areas

    There are no established camp areas on either island. Camping is
    confined to flat, level beaches without vegetation or dune
    structures.

3.  Administrative Facilities

Horn Island has a Wilderness enclave of about seven acres that holds: a
boat dock; a generator building; a fenced compound holding a park staff
residence and a maintenance building with primitive sleeping quarters;
and a fenced area holding a Mississippi Air National Guard
telecommunications tower and two photovoltaic panels.

Given the severe maritime conditions that exist on this island these
structures are maintained in as good a condition as possible. The
current condition of all facilities is judged as good. The quarters on
Horn Island are occupied year round. The purpose for this presence is to
provide protection to the wilderness and assistance to the public. These
facilities are operated only as official residence and do not serve as
any support or amenity to the wilderness user or other public.

There are two specialized pieces of equipment necessary to operate the
wilderness on Horn Island, All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and wheeled
tractor. The ATV is necessary for beach patrol for protection and
resource management requirements when patrol and access cannot be done
by boat. The tractor is needed for marine debris removal and large
marine mammal stranding.

There are no administrative facilities on Petit Bois Island and no
specialized equipment is needed for wilderness management.

B.  Visitor Use Activities and Levels

In calendar year 2000 Horn Island received a total visitation of 32,833
individuals for a gross average of about 70 individuals per day. Petit
Bois Island received 17,459 individuals for a gross average of about 47
individuals per day. Most of the visitation occurs on summer weekends
and is focused on the beaches of the east and west ends of each island.
Total overnight use for calendar year 2000 was 6,329 individuals for a
gross average of about 17 individuals per day divided between both
islands. This level of use does not appear to have reached levels that
affect the wilderness characteristics of: natural wonder, solitude,
silence, and pristine conditions.

Threshold conditions that will trigger more assertive management to
achieve the desired wilderness goals will be based on wilderness user
complaints of value loss, observation during annual monitoring resource
conditions, and persistence of items of human presence.

The extreme conditions of storm and wind across a sand terrain have a
healing and grooming effect on the natural resources. The impacts of a
heavily used campsite may quickly disappear as the result of a passing
weather front. There are about 28 miles of available camping beach on
Horn Island and 16 miles of available camping beach on Petit Bois
Island. At this time, given current wilderness visitation, there appears
to be adequate space for the wilderness user to find a clean and
apparently unaffected site away from humankind to experience the
primitive, pristine conditions of wilderness.

1.  Trails and Cross country Use Capacities

The two trails on Horn Island, at this time, appear capable of
accommodating the levels of visitation this island receives. While there
is cross-country movement on both islands it does not appear at this
time to be excessive or damaging to the wilderness characteristic of
pristine conditions. A baseline of trail and camp site conditions has
been established and recorded. At the end of each storm season,
November-December, the trails and camp sites are evaluated for resource
conditions. (See Section II-G of this plan for site evaluation form and
protocols)

2\. Establish Social\\Experience Levels

At this time and based on observations the wilderness values and
resources of Horn and Petit Bois Islands are judged to be in good
condition. For this plan, the park does not propose to institute any
visitor use levels. Given the current use levels there is adequate area
available for the wilderness user to access and find solitude, silence
and pristine conditions. Should the conditions and values of wilderness
degrade during the life of this plan, compendium entries and changes
will be made to address the degrading impacts, and planning will begin
to establish a method of visitor use management.

3\. Camp Area Use

Camping areas are defined as being relatively flat, level beaches
without vegetation or dune structure.

4.  Permits and Reservation System

    A permit is required for organized groups of more than ten
    individuals. At this time there is no reservation system for
    wilderness use.

5.  Access for Persons With Disabilities

    Gulf Islands Wilderness is open to all visitors; however no
    modifications or adjustments to wilderness conditions are
    anticipated to accommodate disabled individuals. Special requests
    for accommodations will be considered in a case by case basis using
    the decision model found in Section II-D.

6.  Sanitation

Human body waste must be immediately contained within a leak-proof
container and removed from the wilderness; this is a requirement for any
organized group of over ten individuals. For the individual wilderness
user Human body waste and associated paper must be buried under six
inches (6") of sand.

All trash refuse or material considered disposable by either the
wilderness user or the park will be removed from the wilderness and
disposed of in a proper container or in a proper manner.

C.  Staff Organization and Accountability.

    Key members of the park staff who are responsible and accountable
    for wilderness management are:

    Superintendent - Accountable

    Chief of Resources Management -- Accountable

    Mississippi District Biologist - Responsible

    Mississippi District Ranger - Responsible

    Horn Island Ranger - Responsible

    This is the first plan for the management of wilderness in Gulf
    Islands National Seashore. It will be reviewed and updated in two
    years from the date of approval.

D.  Application of "Minimum Requirement" Concept

    Any and all activities conducted in the Gulf Islands Wilderness will
    follow a decision process and each decision will be recorded and
    that document will be archived in the Seashores administrative
    record. This is in order to meet a desired future condition of a
    wilderness unaffected by the works and acts of humankind; and to
    provide a permanent record of decisions. Projects will be assessed
    first for their suitability within the Gulf Islands Wilderness and,
    for projects determined to be suitable, the selection of the minimum
    tool or technique to use in the completion of the project will be
    made based on this process. When necessary, the minimum decision
    process will be accompanied by appropriate environmental
    documentation.

    Gulf Islands National Seashore will use the decision process
    displayed on the flow chart found in Appendix A to determine the
    minimum requirements for a specific management activity in the Gulf
    Islands Wilderness. All proposed management actions will be
    evaluated using this process. The Superintendent will approve final
    management decisions.

    The minimum requirement process will be applied in two steps. First,
    the flow chart will be used to evaluate whether a proposed
    management action is appropriate and necessary. If the action is
    determined to be inappropriate it will be denied.

E.  Fire Management

    Minimum impact suppression tactics will be used in managing all
    fires that may occur in the wilderness.

    The islands will be zoned into fire management blocks. Wildland
    fires will be managed by indirect attack in those blocks. Natural
    fire breaks will be utilized first. Superintendent's approval,
    through the fire management plan, will be needed for use of
    motorized equipment and ground disturbance. The park's Fire
    Management Plan is clear on the prohibition of motorized equipment
    in fire suppression activities in the wilderness (See Fire
    Management Plan Part III, Description of Park; and Part VIII,
    Section H, and I Minimum Impact Suppression and Rehabilitation).

F.  Cultural Resources

    There has been little human occupation of these islands and there
    has been substantial movement and reconfiguration of the islands
    land surfaces. At this writing the only known cultural resource in
    this wilderness is the ruins of a chimney from the World War

    II period. This chimney is both a cultural relict and a local
    landmark. It is regularly inspected and stabilized as needed. It
    will be managed and maintained in its ruined state.

G.  Resource Monitoring

    Resource monitoring, particularly, the effects of day use, trail use
    and camping will be done annually using an established procedure.

    Areas to be monitored will be trails, campsites and likely
    campsites, bird colonies, and the east and west tips of both
    islands. These areas will be located using a GPS. They will be
    photographed, and a standard record of site observations will be
    filled out.

    Indicators to be evaluated will be size of area, intensity of
    trampling, vegetation condition, litter and refuse amount, and
    shorebird colony condition.

    Threshold conditions for action will be established through
    comparison of current site conditions with previous year's record.
    For example expansion of twenty-five percent of disturbed areas of
    campsites, erosion of trail tread by three inches or more, presence
    of litter or refuse, decline of twenty-five percent in shore bird
    populations in day use areas will be thresholds for remedial action.

H.  Interpretation and Education

    A combination of interpretation and education is key to the success
    of this plan. Small changes in the customary practices of wilderness
    users are made in this plan. Group size limits, sanitation
    procedures, noise production, and crowding are being changed.
    Education is the first approach to instituting these changes in the
    conduct of the wilderness visitor.

    A specific interpretive plan for wilderness education and
    interpretation has been written.

    Currently wilderness interpretation is done through a, "Wilderness
    Month" program conducted in November; and biannual cleanups of the
    wilderness islands are done in the spring and fall. A guide,
    "Camping on a Barrier Island" is in place.

    As part of this plan wilderness interpretation and education will be
    expanded. Wilderness Month will be continued with emphasis on local
    and national media. Efforts will continue to present an annual off
    shore tour for media from the three states which produce most of the
    wilderness island visitors (LA, MS, FL). During tours media will be
    exposed to potential story lines illustrating how wilderness users
    can better, respect and preserve wilderness values. Efforts will
    continue to reach national and regional media beyond the three state
    areas by use of articles, editorial review and phone contacts.

    The park will coordinate with community groups currently
    interpreting the Gulf Islands Wilderness in their own fashion to the
    general public. These groups include: the Walter Anderson Museum,
    the George Ohr Museum, the Memphis School of Art, Biloxi Seafood
    Museum and the Ocean Springs Art Association.

    A curriculum based program on wilderness islands is in place and
    available to elementary school teachers in the coastal Mississippi
    area. A traveling trunk, "Wilderness Box," is available for
    presentations to school groups, scout groups, 4-H clubs, and other
    off site programs.

    Park staff will be trained through the programs offered by the
    Carhart Center and in house trainers. The entire park staff
    including VIPs and SCAs will be made aware of wilderness ethics and
    "Leave No Trace" principles to provide veracity when informal
    contacts are made.

    A wilderness focus group will be established to learn about the
    publics perceptions of wilderness and wilderness values. Island
    clean-ups will continue and a wilderness awareness component will be
    added to these events. A range of interpretive programs focused on
    wilderness will be established for use in schools, off site
    presentations, Junior Ranger programs, and for presentation to the
    general public.

    IBP charter boat captains transporting visitors to the wilderness
    will provide to their clients basic wilderness and wilderness use
    information. This may include orienting captains at time of
    permitting through videos, written materials, and personal contacts.
    Wilderness brochures and other appropriate materials will be given
    to captains to distribute to their customers.

    Public outreach materials will be produced. Print media will
    include:

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1.  An up date to the "Camping on a Barrier Island" guide to include a
    section on wilderness values and "leave no trace principles".

2.  A plastic information card specific to camping in the Gulf Islands
    Wilderness will be available for inserting in information mailings,
    distribution by charter boat captains, and for pick up by campers
    coming to the visitor center for orientation.

3.  A rewrite of existing desert wilderness camping brochure to apply to
    barrier island camping.

4.  An active program of articles and information on Gulf Islands
    Wilderness to be distributed to local editors and publications of
    potential interest.

5.  A video encouraging positive wilderness camping techniques to be
    seen by groups and individuals planning to camp in Gulf Islands
    Wilderness.

6\. Wilderness interpretive signage to be displayed at Davis Bayou
fishing pier, public boat launches, and within the Horn Island
administrative area.

Video and internet information:

1.  Produce a "How to Camp on a Wilderness Island" video for use by boat
    captains transporting individuals or groups to the Gulf Islands
    Wilderness.

2.  Produce video segments for wilderness education to be used on area
    educational television stations

3.  Include and update information on wilderness values, use, and
    activities on the Seashores Homepage.

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I.  Management of Valid Existing Rights

There are several privately owned interests on Horn Island. These
interests are difficult to identify on the ground because the island has
been over washed in several hurricanes and because the island has moved
and changed shape.

If contact is made with an individual claiming ownership of a lot or
lots on Horn Island refer the person to the Superintendent.

We will recognize all rights and privileges of valid land owners on Horn
Island. The owner has every expectation of the quiet use and enjoyment
of the property they may own.

Private land ownership on Horn Island is complicated by poor definition
of property lines and by partial ownership, some lots are partially
owned by the holder of title and the United States. With this complexity
it is necessary to establish clarity of title, and location of corners
and property lines.

Before allowing any activity that may affect wilderness values by
individuals claiming ownership, contact the Superintendent so title and
location may be verified.

J.  Scientific Activities

All requests for scientific research on Horn and Petit Bois Islands will
be reviewed using the "Minimum Requirement" concept described in Section
D of this part.

K.  Issues

1\. Camping -- At this time designated camping sites will not be
considered. The current policy is one of open camping except in excluded
areas. Currently any vegetated area is excluded from campsite location
for reasons of resource protection. This policy will be implemented
through education and enforcement. See Compendium, Section 2.10-3.

2\. Crowding is a current condition of concern, while crowding has not
reached a point needing active management it may in the future. At that
time campsite separation may be considered and implemented through a
compendium addition on visitor use conditions.

3\. Groups -- Groups greater than ten individuals must have a valid
permit to visit the wilderness. The "Pack it in Pack it out" policy will
apply to permitted groups. An acceptable device to receive human waste
must accompany any group and be utilized by the group. It will be the
responsibility of the group and its permit holder to see that all human
waste generated by the group while in the wilderness is removed and
disposed of in a correct manner. See Compendium, Section 2.10-3.

4 Day Use -- By coincidence, large groups gather at either end of Horn
Island. This has the potential to affect State and Federal T&E species.
A policy to relocate and exclude nonconforming day use will be
implemented. The habitat of these protected species will be closed to
human presence and individuals and groups seeking other than wilderness
experiences will be diverted to East Ship or Sand Islands. See
Compendium, Section 1.5-2

5\. Vegetation -- A baseline of current vegetation cover in the open
human use areas of the wilderness will be established. An active program
of restoration of areas affected by human use will be initiated. The
human use areas of this wilderness area will be regularly monitored to
determine vegetation changes.

6\. Wildlife -- A program to control the exotic aquatic rodent, Nutria,
will be established. Also, a current monitoring program, using indicator
species, to establish a health index of the wildlife residing in the
wilderness will continue.

7\. Nesting Activities -- The current program to protect nesting birds
and sea reptiles through area closure, education, and enforcement will
continue. See Compendium, Section 1.5-2.

8\. Pets -- Pets are prohibited in the wilderness. See Compendium,
Section 2.15-(f).

9\. Campfire -- Campfires will be allowed in the wilderness under the
conditions of current regulations. Fires will be allowed below the high
tide line and drift wood will be the fuel source. The Leave No Trace
ethic will be emphasized through user education. See Compendium, Section
2.13.

10\. Night Sky -- To protect the night sky for the wilderness visitor
and to protect sea turtles the park will work through the Fish and
Wildlife Service to educate major local point sources of night light
(Chevron Corporation local oil rigs and Pascagoula ship yards) on lights
effect on wilderness values and Endangered Sea Turtles. Best practices
for night time campsite lighting to protect sea turtles and wilderness
values will be promoted.

11\. Lighting devices will be kept close to the ground and will be
shielded on the shoreline side.

12\. Natural Quiet -- Intrusions to opportunities for solitude will be
reduced as much as is possible.

13\. Commercial Operations -- Commercial operations offer an excellent
opportunity to educate and sensitize the wilderness visitor. To this end
Incidental Business Permits issued to entities providing access to
wilderness areas will contain clauses and responsibilities to protect
wilderness. Examples of topics covered will be: education, refuse and
sanitation, natural quiet, group size, and Leave No Trace practices. The
IBP holder will have the responsibility to issue Group Permits.

14\. Fishing -- There will be no changes to current operations and
policies on fishing as a result of this plan. See Compendium, Section
2.3 and 1.5 17 through 21.

15\. Special Events -- All special events will be by permit. Permits
will be determined issue by issue. An event will not degrade wilderness
values or intrude on opportunities for solitude.

> 16\. Viewshed -- Our goal is to seek a pristine, unencumbered viewshed
> and to prevent further degradation. We will work with adjacent
> agencies, communities, and industry to meet this goal. Because these
> affects occur outside the wilderness there is little direct action
> that we can take to control local development.

17\. Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species -- We will manage to meet
the requirements of the Endangered Species Act and or any recovery plan
affecting these species. Any operations or visitation to this wilderness
will support and observe the requirements of the ESA.

18\. Closures -- Closures of specific areas of this wilderness will
occur to protect: habitat, species, and wilderness values. These
closures will be stated in the park's compendium. Closed areas may be
signed. See Compendium, Section 1.5.

19\. Insect Control -- All control will be limited to application of
repellent to the body or portable screens or nets. Insecticides or traps
are prohibited.

20\. Exotic Species -- Exotic species will be actively contained and
suppressed and where possible extirpated. Control techniques will be
limited to non-motorized mechanical methods. Herbicides may be used but
must follow approved NPS procedures. Every effort will be taken to avoid
the introduction of exotic species into the wilderness. Cleaning of
equipment and inspection of materials prior to entry onto these islands
will be conducted and encouraged.

21\. Inholdings -- Inholdings exist within the wilderness on Horn
Island. The Park honors the rights of the owners and respects the
owners' expectations of quiet use and enjoyment of their property within
the limits of applicable laws and regulations.

22\. Motor vehicle Use -- All Terrain Vehicles and tractors are
necessary for the management of this wilderness; but use will be
evaluated on a case by case basis and where not necessary vehicles will
not be used. The park SOP calls for operations below the mean high tide
line and only when boat operations cannot be conducted. See Park's SOP
Section IV, page 58.

23\. Emergency Medical Services -- Emergency situations may occur with
in this wilderness. Motorized equipment use will be allowed in cases of
human life and safety. The use of any motorized equipment within the
wilderness will be followed by an evaluation of any resource effects and
by the implementation of any needed restoration measures.

24\. Piers and Anchorages -- At this time the provision of piers or
docks for public convenience will not be considered because of their
potential to effect: sea grass beds and dunes; visual experiences of the
visitor; and disruption to the wilderness experience. Mooring points may
be established to protect sea grass beds and protect adjacent wilderness
values. See Compendium, Section 1.5-9.

25\. Potential Wilderness Additions -- Those non-Federal lands on Horn
Island are potential wilderness additions. Should the United States ever
receive clear title to any

potential wilderness addition lands they will be considered eligible for
addition through proper procedures to the Gulf Islands National Seashore
wilderness.

26\. Special Use -- Permission for special uses of the wilderness occur.
These requests are considered on a case by case basis consistent with
park and National Park Service wilderness policies.

27\. Marine Debris -- It is the responsibility of the park to clear
marine debris from the wilderness. Annual inventory and clean up of
accumulated debris will be made a part of park operations. Every effort
will be made to identify the responsible owner of marine debris. When
identified the responsible party will be required to remove their
debris.

28\. Hazardous Materials -- When containers of potentially hazardous
materials are found or reported the park will take any necessary safety
actions and inform the USCG. Removal operations will conform to this
wilderness plan and the values of the Wilderness Act.

29\. Aircraft -- Aircraft flying over the wilderness are uncommon.
Civilian overflights, when illegal, will be pursued and prosecuted when
possible. Military operations occur adjacent to the wilderness. Existing
liaison with the both the FAA and military will be used to control and
reduce flights over or near the wilderness. A notice to airman will be
requested and maintained with the FAA to protect wilderness values.

30\. Native American Rights -- There are no known Native American rights
asserted in this wilderness at this time. Should such rights be asserted
the park will recognize all rights and consider any request.

31\. Impacts to Adjacent Islands -- Closures and management actions in
the wilderness may shift uses inconsistent with wilderness
characteristics to adjacent islands. This may require additional
management strategies for the adjacent islands.

32\. Sand Depletion -- The Park will work with the COE on channel
maintenance and dredging. Methods and alternatives that will minimize
dredging effects on the wilderness will be actively sought and pursued.
See Statement for Management, pages 14-16.

33\. Air Quality -- The park will investigate the process to establish
this wilderness as a class one airshed. Funding will be sought to
establish an air monitoring station on Horn Island.

34\. Water Quality -- Funding will be sought to establish a water
quality baseline for the surface waters of the wilderness.

35\. Air National Guard Tower -- It is our goal to see to the complete
removal of this tower and all associated materials: guy wires, anchors,
fence, and photovoltaic system. No adaptive use of this structure will
be made by the park or by any other agency or commercial entity. At the
end of its permitted life the tower will be completely removed.

36\. Fees -- No fees will be considered for collection at this time; but
future needs and requirements may open this topic in the future.

37\. Existing Rights -- There are private lands on Horn Island and some
previous owners of land on the wilderness islands retained fractions of
mineral rights. We will honor all rights held by fee and fractional
owners.

38\. Quiet Hours will be established for all wilderness and adjacent
waters one mile out from the wilderness. The Quiet Hours will be 10 PM
to 6 AM. No boat generators will be allowed during these times in these
waters. A rule of thumb shall be if the noises generated by boats in
these waters can be heard on shore, they must be controlled. Education
and enforcement are key to the success of maintaining natural quiet.

APPENDIX A

GUIS Minimum Requirement Method

**Yes**

**No**

**Yes**

**No**

**No**

**Yes**

**Yes**

**No**

**No**

**Yes**

**Yes**

**Yes**

**No**