United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest

Service

July

2017 

Recreation Resources 

Report

Craggy Project

Salmon-Scott Ranger District

Siskiyou County, California

For Information Contact: Karl Dietzler

Klamath National Forest Headquarters

1711 South Main Street, Yreka, CA. 96097

(530) 841-4487

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Table of Contents 

Recreation Resources Report ....................................................................................................... 1

Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1

Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 2

Analysis Indicators.................................................................................................................. 2

Measures ............................................................................................................................. 2

Spatial and Temporal Bounding of Analysis Area ............................................................. 3

Affected Environment ............................................................................................................. 3

Environmental Consequences ................................................................................................. 4

Alternative 1........................................................................................................................ 4

Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects ........................................................................ 4

Alternatives 2 and 3 ............................................................................................................ 4

Direct and Indirect Effects .............................................................................................. 4

Cumulative Effects.......................................................................................................... 5

Comparison of Alternatives .................................................................................................... 6

Compliance with Law, Regulation, Policy, and the Forest Plan ............................................ 6

Literature Cited ....................................................................................................................... 7

Appendix A - Project Area Photographs ..................................................................................... 8

Appendix B - Maps.................................................................................................................... 10

List of Tables

Table 1: Relevant Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines per Management Area in the Project Area .......... 1

Table 2: Comparison of Effects on Recreation Analysis Indicators for all Alternatives. ............................. 6

List of Figures

Figure 1: September, 2016: Humbug Off Highway Vehicle Area, Depicting the Motorized Recreation 

Environment. N 41° 46’ 29.74”, W 122° 43’ 43.28”, 2,817’ Elevation. .............................................. 8

Figure 2: Trail 94 from Forest Road 46N27. N 41° 47’ 46.77”, W 122° 46’ 43.01”, 4,374’ Elevation. ...... 9

Figure 3: Recreation Resources in the Craggy Project Area. Depicted are the Three Dispersed Camps, the 

Humbug Off-highway Vehicle Riding Area, and Associated Trail System. ...................................... 10

Figure 4: Forest Plan Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Classifications and Recreation Resources in the 

Project Area. ....................................................................................................................................... 11

Figure 5: Alternative 2 Geographic Distribution of Proposed Treatments and Recreation Resources in the 

Project Area. ....................................................................................................................................... 12

Figure 6: Alternative 2 Geographic Distribution of Proposed Treatments, Forest Plan Recreation 

Opportunity Spectrum Classifications and Recreation Resources. ..................................................... 13

Figure 7: Alternative 3 Geographic Distribution of Proposed Treatments and Recreation Resources in the 

Project Area. ....................................................................................................................................... 14

Figure 8: Alternative 3 Geographic Distribution of Proposed Treatments, Forest Plan Recreation 

Opportunity Spectrum Classifications and Recreation Resources. ..................................................... 15
Recreation Resources Craggy Vegetation Management

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Recreation Resources Report 

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to analyze the effects of the Craggy Project (the Project) and 

alternatives on recreation resource values.

The focus for the Project and recreation resource values, is ensuring the recreation opportunity 

spectrum class (ROS) settings designated within the project area will be maintained to meet the 

general direction for recreation management. Recreation opportunity spectrum classes are based 

on the premise that recreational opportunities exist in a continuum of time, and with a variety of 

social motivations (user experiences) and place-based settings (physical environment provided 

by the U.S. Forest Service), ranging from completely undeveloped, to highly developed. 

Direction for this resource includes: 

Applicable Klamath National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) 

standards and guidelines for recreation management provide direction for achieving designated 

recreation opportunity spectrum place-based physical settings for recreational opportunities 

offered on the Klamath National Forest (the Forest). Per the Forest-wide standards and 

guidelines, there is flexibility, as specific recreation opportunity spectrum criteria and conditions 

can be subject to adjustment in order to achieve desired recreational settings and experiences.

Table 1: Relevant Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines per Management Area in the Project Area

Management Area Standards and Guidelines Pertinent to This Proposal

Special Habitat, Calochortus 

persistens (MA 5)

Recreational settings and facilities shall be managed to achieve the ROS 

class of adjacent management areas.

Special Habitat, Late 

Successional Reserve (MA 5)

Manage recreational settings to generally achieve semi-primitive or roaded 

natural ROS conditions.

Riparian Reserves (MA 10) Manage recreational settings to generally achieve semi-primitive or roaded 

natural ROS conditions.

Retention Visual Quality 

Objective (MA 11)

Manage recreational settings to generally achieve semi-primitive or roaded 

natural* ROS conditions.

Partial Retention Visual Quality 

Objective (MA 15)

Manage recreational settings to generally achieve semi-primitive or roaded 

natural ROS conditions.

General Forest (MA 17)

Develop recreation sites compatible with area goals. Allow off highway 

vehicle use.

Manage recreational settings to generally achieve roaded natural or rural 

ROS conditions.

*The term ‘roaded natural’ appears as ‘rural natural’ in the Forest Plan as a typographical error for this

management area. The ROS guides mentioned below have the correct terminology and definitions.

• The 1986 Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Book.

• The Recreation Opportunity Spectrum User’s Guide.

• The Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Primer and Field Guide.
Recreation Resources Craggy Vegetation Management

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Recreation resources in the project area include the Humbug Off-Highway Vehicle Open Riding 

Area, associated trails available for motorized and non-motorized use, and three dispersed 

recreation sites with access roads identified on the Motor Vehicle Use Map. Project effects to 

these resources will be analyzed within this report. 

Methodology

Assessments included an analysis of the proposed project alternative effects to the designated 

recreation opportunity spectrum place-based physical settings by definition and within the 

context of the project area. The following analysis tools were utilized to compare effects among 

the proposed alternatives: fieldwork, available literature review, professional judgment, and 

Google Earth Professional software. This evaluation relies on the following assumptions: 

• Assumption 1: The recreation-oriented public visiting National Forest Lands has an

image of what they expect to see. Images are generated by an individual’s past

experiences with a specific landscape, a landscape associated with a region, or landscape

similar in appearance to the one being viewed. Images can represent knowledgeability,

expectedness, romanticism, and emotionalism associated with features in an area. Several

images may exist simultaneously, yet a geographic region tends to have an identifiable

image association. The common and constant factor is that the public expects to see a

naturally appearing landscape character within each general region.

• Assumption 2: Aesthetic preferences (for the place-based physical settings) among the

recreating public vary, based on culture, past experiences, and many other factors.

• Assumption 3: Landscapes (including place-based physical recreation settings) with little

or no variety may be enhanced by alteration.

Analysis Indicators

Determining if the project will alter the recreation opportunity spectrum settings (place-based 

physical settings) designated in the Forest Plan for the project area.

Measures

Recreation opportunity spectrum classes identified for the project area are recommended to 

generally achieve Rural and Roaded Natural classifications. The proposed Project alternative 

effects will be compared to the below classifications to determine changes beyond the defined 

thresholds. 

• Rural: Area is characterized by a substantially modified natural environment. Resource

modification and utilization practices enhance specific recreation activities and maintain

vegetative cover and soil. Sights and sounds of humans are readily evident and the

interaction between users is often moderate to high. A considerable number of facilities

are designed for use by a large number of people. Facilities are often provided for special

activities, and intensified motorized use and parking are available.
Recreation Resources Craggy Vegetation Management

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The recreation opportunity experience level provided would be characterized by the high 

probability for encounters with individuals and groups, as well as the convenience of sites 

and opportunities. These factors are generally more important than the physical setting. 

Opportunities for wildland challenges, risk taking, and testing of outdoor skills are 

generally unimportant. 

• Roaded Natural: An area characterized by predominantly natural-appearing

environments with moderate evidence of the sights and sounds of man. Such evidence

usually harmonize with the natural environment.

Interaction between users may be low to moderate, but with evidence of other users

prevalent. Resource modification and utilization practices are evident, but harmonize

with the natural environment. The recreation opportunity experience level provided

would be characterized by the equal probability for encounters with individuals and

groups and for isolation from sights and sounds of humans. Opportunities for both

motorized and non-motorized forms of recreation may be provided.

Spatial and Temporal Bounding of Analysis Area

The spatial bounds for analyzing direct, indirect, and cumulative effects for recreation resources 

is the boundary of the Craggy project area. 

The temporal bounds are defined by the expected time frame for project implementation which 

may occur over a few years (approximately one to five years) from beginning to end. Longer 

term effects are not expected for recreation resources.

Affected Environment

Recreational opportunities and uses include camping at three designated dispersed (without 

formal improvements) sites, hunting, driving for pleasure, viewing scenery, and collecting forest 

products. The Humbug Off-Highway Vehicle open riding area which includes a children’s riding 

area, a day use area, and a vault toilet, and on approximately 14 miles of trail and a number of 

Forest system roads available for motorized vehicle use. One recreation special-use event occurs 

within the project area during the Memorial Day weekend, when the Siskiyou County Off-Road 

Riders hosts the annual Craggy Mountain Poker Run on Saturday and Sunday. 

The three dispersed camps in the project area exist in the roaded natural recreation opportunity 

spectrum setting. 51D025 and 51D028 are located along the western ridgeline of the project 

boundary. 51D027 is located about one mile west of the Badger Mountain summit. All three 

camps are above 4,500 feet in elevation, are most likely occupied during the hunting season, and 

are typically accessed by short routes which are “open to all vehicles,” as displayed on the 2012 

Motor Vehicle Use Map and identified with road signs. 
Recreation Resources Craggy Vegetation Management

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Within the project area, only two recreation opportunity spectrum settings are classified: Roaded 

Natural and Rural. The majority of the area is classified as Roaded Natural, and the minority is 

Rural.

The majority of the existing recreational setting is consistent with the classification of Roaded 

Natural. The majority of the environment appears natural, with cultural disturbances scattered 

throughout, such as roads, evidence of past mining, logging, past terrace forestry, and year-round 

or seasonal residences on private inholdings. In general, the cultural disturbances and resource 

modification and utilization practices, although evident, generally harmonize with the natural 

environment. 

The Rural classification also applies to the project area. These areas display substantial 

modification and utilization, and in the case of the Humbug Off-Highway Vehicle area (which is 

classified in both categories), exhibits the characteristics of the Rural classification. These Rural 

characteristics include physical developments specifically for larger group size motorized 

recreation within the designated riding area. Away from the more developed designated riding 

area, the recreating public experiences the Roaded Natural classification, with more natural 

appearing physical settings along the designated trail system.

Recreation resources and recreation opportunity spectrum settings for the Project are depicted on 

the maps in Appendix A of this report. 

Environmental Consequences 

Alternative 1

Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects

There would be no substantial changes to the existing Forest Plan designated recreation 

opportunity spectrum physical or experiential settings in the project area. There would be no 

direct or indirect effects to the recreation opportunity spectrum classifications as the project 

would not be implemented. Because there are no direct or indirect effects to designated 

recreation opportunity spectrum settings, recreation use or distribution anticipated under 

Alternative 1, there will be no cumulative effects on the recreation resource for this alternative.

Alternatives 2 and 3

Direct and Indirect Effects

Under Alternative 2, approximately 36 percent of the project area’s 29,500 acres will be treated 

through a combination of fuelbreaks, mastication, underburning, and thinning with and without 

forest product removal; it will also have two miles of new temporary roads. Alternative 3 

proposes treatments on approximately 38 percent of the project area through a similar 

combination of treatments as in Alternative 2, with an acreage increase in fuelbreaks and 

thinning without forest product removal, and with an acreage decrease for mastication and 
Recreation Resources Craggy Vegetation Management

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thinning with forest product removal. See Chapter 2 of the Craggy Environmental Impact 

Statement for specific details. 

Effects upon the dispersed campsites are the same for both Alternatives 2 and 3. Dispersed 

Camps 51D025 and 51D028 may be directly affected by thinning operations, necessitating 

temporary public safety closures. 51D025 would be affected by Units 134-107 and 134-34, as 

well as fuelbreak treatments. 51D028 would be affected by Unit 134-33, fuelbreak treatments, 

and Underburn Unit-1. 51D027 may be affected by fuelbreak treatments only. 

For Alternatives 2 and 3, underburning operations associated with Underburn Unit 1 and 

thinning with forest product removal operations associated with Unit 134-240 would cause 

temporary public safety closures along Trail 96. 

For Alternatives 2 and 3, thinning without forest product removal operations associated with 

Unit 138-56 will temporarily close Trail 109.

For both Alternatives 2 and 3, the combination of fuelbreak treatments, Underburn Unit-1, and 

both kinds of thinning operations associated with Units 134-55, 134-245, 134-244, 134-58, 134-

242, and 133-89; would temporarily close Trail 94 for short periods. 

Overall, there would be no direct or indirect alterations to the designated Recreation Opportunity 

Spectrum classifications as designated by the Forest Plan in the project area as a result of project 

activities associated with Alternatives 2 or 3. Both recreation opportunity spectrum settings are 

characterized by resource modification and utilization practices, and all proposed actions for 

Project alternatives will harmonize with the natural environment upon completion.

Table 2: Recreation Resources Directly Affected by Proposed Project Treatments

Recreation 

Resource Miles ROS Proposed Alternatives 2 and 3 Treatments Within or 

Directly Adjacent to Recreation Resources

Trail 5594 

(94) 2.6 Roaded Natural Units 134-55, 134-244, 134-245, 134-58, and 134-242, 133-89; fuelbreak treatments, and Underburn Unit-1

Trail 5596 

(96) 3.0 Roaded Natural Underburn Unit-1 and Unit 134-240

Trail 55109 

(109) 0.3 Rural Unit 138-56

MVUM 

51D025 N/A Roaded Natural Units 134-107, 134-34, and fuelbreaks treatments

MVUM 

51D028 N/A Roaded Natural Unit 134-33, fuelbreak treatments, and Underburn Unit-1 

MVUM 

51D027 N/A Roaded Natural Fuelbreak treatments

Cumulative Effects

See Appendix C of the Craggy Environmental Impact Statement for more detailed information 

about ongoing and reasonably foreseeable future actions considered for cumulative effects for 

the Craggy Project. Effects from current management activities, such as the use and maintenance 
Recreation Resources Craggy Vegetation Management

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of roads and trails, are consistent with Recreation Opportunity Spectrum classification 

thresholds. 

The Badger Timber Harvest Plan, currently being implemented by the Michigan California 

Timber Company, is treating approximately 48 acres through a combination of clearcutting and 

shelterwood removal with tractor logging. Located along the north slope of Badger Mountain, 

this project may affect dispersed site 51D027 (in the roaded natural setting) as it exists 

immediately along the main timber haul access route, but is not expected to affect overall 

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum classification thresholds in conjunction with the Project. 

Comparison of Alternatives

Table 2: Comparison of Effects on Recreation Analysis Indicators for all Alternatives.

Indicator Alternative 1 Alternatives 2 and 3

Designated Recreation 

Opportunity Spectrum 

classifications for all 

Management Areas in 

the project boundary.

Overall designated Recreation 

Opportunity Spectrum classification 

thresholds would not change, as 

project treatments would not be 

implemented.

Overall designated Recreation Opportunity 

Spectrum classification thresholds would not 

change overall due to any proposed 

treatments, and will remain consistent with 

Forest plan direction.

Compliance with Law, Regulation, Policy, and the Forest Plan

Proposed action alternatives for the Craggy Project will meet and maintain all of the designated 

recreation opportunity spectrum settings for all management areas in the project area. Save for 

temporary closures during implementation, all proposed alternatives are not expected to impact 

the overall dispersed and seasonal nature of recreational opportunities within the boundary. 

Integration of recreation project design features assures this project is consistent with desired 

conditions. 
Recreation Resources Craggy Vegetation Management

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Literature Cited

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 1982. Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Users 

Guide. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 1990. Recreation Opportunity Spectrum: Primer 

and Field Guide. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 1986. 1986 Recreation Opportunity Spectrum 

Book. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 1995. Land and Resource Management Plan. 

Klamath National Forest. 
Recreation Resources Craggy Vegetation Management

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Appendix A - Project Area Photographs

Figure 1: September, 2016: Humbug Off Highway Vehicle Area, Depicting the Motorized Recreation 

Environment. N 41° 46’ 29.74”, W 122° 43’ 43.28”, 2,817’ Elevation.
Recreation Resources Craggy Vegetation Management

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Figure 2: Trail 94 from Forest Road 46N27. N 41° 47’ 46.77”, W 122° 46’ 43.01”, 4,374’ 

Elevation.
Recreation Resources Craggy Vegetation Management

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Appendix B - Maps

Figure 3: Recreation Resources in the Craggy Project Area. Depicted are the Three Dispersed Camps, the Humbug Off-highway Vehicle Riding Area, 

and Associated Trail System.
Recreation Resources Craggy Vegetation Management

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Figure 4: Forest Plan Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Classifications and Recreation Resources in the Project Area.

Red polygons indicate the Rural Recreation Opportunity Spectrum, and the orange polygon indicates the Roaded Natural Recreation 

Opportunity Spectrum. 
Recreation Resources Craggy Vegetation Management

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Figure 5: Alternative 2 Geographic Distribution of Proposed Treatments and Recreation Resources in the Project Area.

Proposed treatments are color-coded by logging system or treatment. For example, dark brown indicates mastication units, blue 

indicates skyline units, pink indicates endline units, bright green indicates pre-commercial thinning units, red indicates fuels 

treatments, olive indicates ground-based treatments, and orange indicates underburning.
Recreation Resources Craggy Vegetation Management

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Figure 6: Alternative 2 Geographic Distribution of Proposed Treatments, Forest Plan Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Classifications and 

Recreation Resources.
Recreation Resources Craggy Vegetation Management

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Figure 7: Alternative 3 Geographic Distribution of Proposed Treatments and Recreation Resources in the Project Area.

Proposed treatments are color-coded by logging system or treatment. For example, dark brown indicates mastication units, blue 

indicates skyline units, pink indicates endline units, bright green indicates pre-commercial thinning units, red indicates fuels 

treatments, olive indicates ground-based treatments, and orange indicates underburning.
Recreation Resources Craggy Vegetation Management

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Figure 8: Alternative 3 Geographic Distribution of Proposed Treatments, Forest Plan Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Classifications and 

Recreation Resources.