ST. GEORGE FIELD OFFICE

(formerly the Dixie Resource Area)

Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan

United States

Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management

Utah State Office

March 1999
The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for the stewardship of our public lands. It is committed to manage, protect, and improve these lands in a manner to serve the needs of the American people for all times. Management is based on the principles of multiple use and the sustained yield of our

Nation’s resources within a framework of environmental and scientific technology. These resources

include recreation, rangelands, timber, minerals, watershed, fish and wildlife, wilderness, air, and

scenic, scientific, and cultural values.

BLM/UT/PT-99/001+1610

Visit our website at http://www.blm.gov/utah for information about current Utah BLM environmental documents
ST. GEORGE FIELD OFFICE

(formerly the Dixie Resource Area)

Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan

March 1999

Prepared by:

United States Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management

Utah State Office

St. George Field Office

G. William Lamb

State Director, Utah

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ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

RECORD OF DECISION

ST. GEORGE FIELD OFFICE

(formerly the Dixie Resource Area)

Resource Management Plan

This document records the decisions reached by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for managing

approximately 629,005 surface acres and 671,545 total acres of federal mineral estate administered by

the BLM under the St. George Field Office in St. George, Utah. The decisions, which are summarized

below, are more fully described in the approved Resource Management Plan in Chapter 2 of

this document.

Decision Summary

The decision is hereby made to approve the attached Plan as the Resource Management Plan (RMP) for

the St. George Field Office. This Plan was prepared under the regulations for implementing the

Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976 (43 CFR 1600). An environmental impact

statement was prepared for this Plan in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

of 1969. The Plan is nearly identical to the one set forth in the Dixie Resource Area Proposed

Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement published in September 1998.

Specific management decisions for public lands under the jurisdiction of the St. George Field Office

are presented in Chapter 2 of this Resource Management Plan (hereafter referred to as the Plan). Major

decisions include:

• BLM has made a commitment to collaborate with affected interests, including local and state

governments, Indian tribes, organizations, other federal agencies, and the private sector, in order

to actively address issues of mutual concern. BLM will seek numerous options, including the formation of partnerships, cooperative management agreements, memorandums of understandings,

as well as other means, to carry out this commitment.

• Preservation and protection of the desert tortoise and its habitat will be accomplished by implementing the goals and objectives of the Washington County Habitat Conservation Plan and Red

Cliffs Desert Reserve within the Upper Virgin River Recovery Unit. In addition, the Desert

Tortoise Northeastern Mojave Recovery Unit, which includes Beaver Dam Slope, will be managed as an Area of Environmental Concern (ACEC) and have consistent land use prescriptions

across state lines designed to protect and help recover tortoise populations.

• Management of the Virgin River and its drainages will be guided by collaborative partnership

efforts with other federal agencies, state agencies, Washington County, Indian tribes, user groups,

and interested organizations as it relates to water quality, water conservation, floodplain management, and protection of related resources.

• The following 10 areas are designated as ACECs: Upper Beaver Dam Slope, Beaver Dam Wash,

Santa Clara/Gunlock, Santa Clara River/Land Hill, Red Mountain, Red Bluff, Lower Virgin River,

Warner Ridge/Fort Pearce, Little Creek Mountain, and Canaan Mountain.

• Sensitive areas such as special status plant and animal species habitat, developed recreation

sites, recreation opportunity spectrum primitive areas, riparian areas, floodplains, watershed pro-
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ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

tection areas (including municipal watersheds), VRM Class II areas, crucial deer winter habitat

and elk calving areas, severe erosion soils, designated wilderness, and cultural sites will be

afforded a higher level of protection than under current management.

• The following 25.7 miles of rivers or river segments are found suitable for congressional designation as wild rivers under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: Deep Creek/Crystal Creek, North Fork

of the Virgin River above Zion National Park, Oak Creek/Kolob Creek, that portion of LaVerkin

Creek/Smith Creek from above Zion National Park to the north boundary of the private parcel in

Section 18, T 40 S, R 12 W, and that portion of Segment B of the Virgin River contained wholly

within the Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness Area.

• Standards for rangeland health from BLM Utah’s approved Standards for Rangeland Health and

Guidelines for Grazing Management will be applied to all pertinent decisions made on public

lands. 

Notice of Modifications

With exception to minor clarifications, the only additions to this Plan are detailed in Chapter 2 under

the Off-Highway Vehicle section (OV-10), which allows for low-impact OHV trials events in the

Pahcoon Gulch area; and under the Wildlife Habitat Management section (FW-15), which states that

all activities within desert tortoise habitat will be conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions described in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion for the Mojave desert tortoise

(ES/6-UT-98-F-005, August 12, 1998). The terms and conditions are specified under Appendix 4 in this

document.

Plan Development

In October 1995, BLM published the Draft Dixie Resource Area Resource Management Plan and

Environmental Impact Statement (Draft RMP/EIS). The Draft RMP/EIS considered four different alternatives for addressing management of public lands in Washington County. Alternative A represented the

No Action alternative or the continuation of present management. Alternative B represented a multiple-use approach to resource management with an emphasis on development and land use projects.

Alternative C, the preferred alternative, represented a multiple-use approach to resource management

with an emphasis on balancing resource development and resource protection. Alternative D represented a multiple-use approach with an emphasis on preserving biological systems and scenic values.

BLM received over 800 letters and hundreds of verbal comments from local, state, and federal agencies, citizens, and organizations during a 7-month comment period following publication of the Draft

RMP/EIS. The comments recommended changes, corrections, additions, or clarifications throughout

the draft document. After careful consideration of all of the comments, BLM prepared the Proposed

Resource Management Plan for the Dixie Resource Area (recently renamed the St. George Field Office)

in condensed format. A condensed format was used because only the Proposed Plan, as a single alternative, was brought forward and analyzed in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. The Proposed

Plan was based on the preferred alternative (Alternative C) from the Draft RMP, and also drew from

Alternatives A, B, and D to respond to issues, questions, and recommendations in the comments. 

Views of the public were sought and considered throughout this planning process. Chapter 1 of the

Plan provides a condensed discussion of the public participation process.

In September 1998, the Proposed Plan was released to the public for review and protest. BLM

received 19 letters of comment and protest on the Proposed Plan. During the period of November

1998 through March 1999, the 19 letters were analyzed by the BLM Director. Based on the analyses
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ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

of these protests, it was the Director’s decision to dismiss the protests on the basis that the protests did

not meet the requirements of a valid protest or that the Utah BLM State Director had complied with all

requirements relative to the RMP’s development. In accordance with federal regulations, the Director’s

decisions constitute the final decision of the Department of the Interior.

Mitigation Measures

Mitigation measures have, to a great extent, been built into the Plan. Sensitive resources are protected

through resource allocations, designation of ACECs with prescriptive management, and limitations and

restrictions placed on surface disturbing activities. All practicable means to avoid or minimize environmental harm were carried forth into this Plan. During the next tier of planning, which allows for more

detailed and site-specific analysis, additional measures will be taken, as necessary, in order to mitigate

subsequent adverse impacts to the environment. Monitoring will tell how effective these measures are

in minimizing environmental impacts. Additional measures to protect the environment may be taken

during or following monitoring.

Plan Monitoring

BLM will review the Plan periodically to determine whether the Plan remains effective in guiding

BLM’s management of lands and resources so as to achieve the objectives set forth in this and other

applicable planning documents. Where it is found wholly or partly ineffective, BLM will consider

adjustments of appropriate scope to restore the Plan’s effectiveness. These adjustments may be accomplished through the plan amendment process, or through a full or partial plan revision.

Consistency Review

This Plan is consistent with plans and policies of the Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land

Management, other federal agencies, state governments, and local governments to the extent that the

guidance and local plans are also consistent with the purposes, policies, and programs of federal law

and regulation applicable to public lands. Where the Plan is not consistent with plans or local governments, BLM will continue to work with affected officials to resolve the inconsistencies. The Governor

of the State of Utah found that the Proposed Plan was not inconsistent with state plans, programs, or

policies in his letter dated November 16, 1998.

Management Considerations for Selecting the Approved Plan

The decision to select this Approved Plan is based on an evaluation of the alternatives described in the

Draft RMP/EIS and public comments and input provided throughout this planning process. The

Proposed Plan depicted a combination of decisions from the four alternatives considered in the Draft

RMP/EIS with emphasis on the preferred alternative (Alternative C). Decisions contained in the

Proposed Plan reflected a commitment to achieve critical resource management objectives, employ

approved standards for maintaining long-term health of the land, provide for sound human use and

enjoyment, and sustain local economies and community well being. The Proposed Plan best balanced

competing and conflicting resource needs and public desires as expressed through public comments

and public meetings throughout this planning process.

By adopting the Proposed Plan as the approved Resource Management Plan, with minor changes as

described above, this Plan attempts to deal honestly and comprehensively with the numerous and often

contentious issues that surround public land management in Utah. BLM intends to use the goals, prescriptions, decisions, and criteria established in this Plan to reach beyond the adverse positions of various constituencies and find common interests on which to build an integrated approach to resolving
land management issues in the county. The approach would rely heavily on collaboration with willing

partners at the local, state, and federal levels and shared decisionmaking across agency and jurisdictional boundaries. In this fashion, BLM will look to meet the reasonable needs and expectations of

affected agencies and the community at large in allocating limited resources and promoting the longterm sustainability and health of the land. The decisions in this Plan will allow future management of

public lands to move forward in a progressive and dynamic manner.

Availability of the Plan

Copies of the St. George Field Office Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan are available

from the St. George Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George,

Utah 84790, telephone (435) 688-3200.

Signatures

In consideration of the foregoing and with full knowledge of the contents and purposes of the Resource

Management Plan, I herewith recommend the St. George Field Office Resource Management Plan for

State Director approval.

Recommended to the District Manager on _______________________:

__________________________________________

James D. Crisp

St. George Field Office Manager

Recommended to the State Director on __________________________:

__________________________________________

Arthur L. Tait

Acting Cedar City District Manager

Approved on ___________________________:

__________________________________________

G. William Lamb

Utah State Director

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ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
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ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Chapter 1 - General Direction and Focus of the Plan

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.1

Description of the Planning Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.1

Table 1-1 Land Ownership in Washington County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.1

Map 1.1 St. George Field Office Administrative Boundary General Location Map . . .1.2

Map 1.2 Land Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (back pocket)

Purpose and Need for Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.2

General Planning Criteria and Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.2

Management Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.4

Figure 1.1 USDI/BLM Strategic Goals Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.4

Relationship to Other Agency Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.5

Collaborative Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.6

Public Participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.6

Plan Conformance, Maintenance, Amendment, Revision, and Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . .1.7

Chapter 2 - The Resource Management Plan

Resource Management Plan Decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.1

Lands and Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.1

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.1

Land Acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.2

Land Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.2

Easement Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.3

Table 2-1 Potential Access Easements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.4

Rights-of-Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.3

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.3

Table 2-2 Designated Utility Corridors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.5

Table 2-3 Rights-of-Way Avoidance and Exclusion Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.6

Land Withdrawals and Classifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.6

Table 2-4 Proposed Withdrawals From Mining Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.6

Energy and Mineral Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.7

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.7

Fluid Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.7

Table 2-5 Fluid Mineral Leasing Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.7

Locatable Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.8

Mineral Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.9

Table 2-6 Mineral Materials Sales Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.9

Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.10

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.10

Air Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.11

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.11

Soil and Water Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.11

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.11

Soils and Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.12

Water Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.13

Table 2-7 Water-Based Resource Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.16

Riparian Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.19

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.19

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Vegetation Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.21

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.21

Vegetation Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.21

Special Status Plant Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.22

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.22

Dwarf Bear-Claw Poppy and Siler Pincushion Cactus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.23

Holmgren Milkvetch and Hermit’s Milkvetch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.23

Other Sensitive Plant Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.23

Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.24

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.24

Special Status Animal Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.25

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.25

Desert Tortoise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.26

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.26

Woundfin Minnow, Virgin River Chub, and Virgin Spinedace . . . . . . . . . . . .2.30

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.30

Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, and Mexican Spotted Owl . . . .2.31

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.31

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.31

Other Special Status Animal Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.32

Livestock Grazing Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.32

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.32

Forestry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.36

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.36

Table 2-8 Fuelwood Harvest Area Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.36

Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.37

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.37

Extensive Recreation Management Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.38

Table 2-9 Mountain Bike Use Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.39

Special Recreation Management Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.41

Sand Mountain SRMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.42

Red Mountain/Santa Clara SRMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.43

Deep Creek SRMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.44

LaVerkin Creek/Black Ridge SRMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.45

Canaan Mountain SRMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.45

Off-Highway Vehicle Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.46

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.46

Table 2-10 Off-Highway Vehicle Use Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.47

Visual Resource Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.51

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.51

Table 2-11 Visual Resource Management Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.51

Wilderness Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.52

Table 2-12 Wilderness Study Areas and Wilderness Area in Washington County, Utah . . .2.53

Cultural and Paleontological Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.52

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.52

Hazardous Waste Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.54

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.54

Fire Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.55

Special Emphasis Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.57

Wild and Scenic Rivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.57

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.61

Red Bluff ACEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.61

Warner Ridge/Fort Pearce ACEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.62

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ix

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Santa Clara/Gunlock ACEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.63

Santa Clara River/Land Hill ACEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.64

Lower Virgin River ACEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.65

Little Creek Mountain ACEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.66

Canaan Mountain ACEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.67

Red Mountain ACEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.68

Beaver Dam Slope ACEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.68

Upper Beaver Dam Wash ACEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.69

Native American Coordination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.71

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.71

Zion National Park Coordination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.72

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.72

Maps

2.1 Potential Land Acquisition and Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.74

2.2 Designated Utility Corridors and Communication Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.75

2.3 Rights-of-Way Avoidance and Exclusion Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.76

2.4 Proposed Withdrawals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.77

2.5 Fluid Mineral Management Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.78

2.6 Locatable Minerals Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.79

2.7 Mineral Materials Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.80

2.8 Riparian Areas and Potential Reservoir Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.81

2.9 Beaver Dam Slope ACEC with Special Management Areas

and HCP Reserve with Management Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.82

2.10 Fuelwood Harvest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.83

2.11 Mountain Bike Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.84

2.12 Special Recreation Management Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.85

2.13 Off-Highway Vehicle Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.86

2.14 Visual Resource Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.87

2.15 Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.88

2.16 Suitable Wild and Scenic River Segments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.89

2.17 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.90

Appendices

Appendix 1 - Standard Procedures Applied to Surface Disturbing Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . .A1.1

Appendix 2 - Oil and Gas Leasing Stipulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A2.1

Table A2-1 No Surface Occupancy Stipulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A2.4

Table A2-2 Conditional Surface Use Stipulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A2.8

Table A2-3 Timing Limitation Stipulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A2.10

Table A2-4 Lease Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A2.14

Appendix 3 - Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines for 

Grazing Management for BLM Lands in Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A3.1

Appendix 4 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Terms and Conditions 

for Authorized Activities within Desert Tortoise Habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A4.1

Appendix 5 - Visual Resource Class Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A5.1

Appendix 6 - St. George Field Office Wild and Scenic Rivers Suitability Overview . . . . . . . .A6.1

Table A6-1 Suitable Wild and Scenic Rivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A6.3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Public Lands Are Important to Washington County

Washington County, Utah, has become a major destination point for visitors,

retirees, and an increasing number of families relocating for social or economic reasons.

Growth in the St. George area over the past three decades has brought urban amenities,

as well as some urban issues, to the rural communities that are located throughout the county.

Public lands play an important role in how the communities deal with such issues.
ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Introduction

This St. George Field Office Resource

Management Plan (hereafter referred to as the

Plan) sets forth a vision, objectives, and land use

prescriptions for the management of public

lands and associated natural resources in

Washington County, Utah. The lands are

administered by the U.S. Department of the

Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

How the lands are used and managed is of great

importance to a wide variety of local, regional,

and national interests and has considerable

impact on communities, agencies, businesses,

interest groups, individuals, and others who use

or depend on the lands.

Description of the Planning Area

The public lands administered by the St. George

Field Office lie almost entirely within

Washington County, Utah. Situated in the

southwestern corner of Utah, the area lies

astride the transition between three major physiographic provinces including the Colorado

Plateau, the Great Basin, and the Mojave

Desert. This unique blend of geologic landforms creates a wealth of varying landscapes,

open vistas, and spectacular scenery that is recognized in national and international sectors.

Zion National Park and the Pine Valley

Mountains of the Dixie National Forest define

the eastern and northern boundaries of the

county. To the west lie the desert valleys and

mountains of Nevada, while the broad, undeveloped expanses and rugged topography of the

Arizona Strip lie immediately to the south. The

geographic setting is depicted on Map 1.1,

General Location.

The Virgin River and its many tributaries flow

through portions of the county and provide the

lifeblood to the desert and mountain ecosystems

and human populations that reside here.

Countless numbers of wildlife and vegetation

species, many at the extreme end of their natural ranges, contribute to a rich biological diversity that is otherwise uncommon in parts of the

arid, intermountain west. Elevations range from

a low of 2,200 feet at the Arizona border to

nearly 10,400 feet in the Pine Valley Mountains.

Average yearly precipitation ranges from a low

of 7.5 inches in the desert to 35 inches in the

higher elevations.

Most public lands in Washington County are

managed by the BLM's St. George Field Office

in St. George. About 4,800 acres of public land

situated north of the Dixie National Forest near

Enterprise are managed by BLM's Cedar City

Field Office and are not addressed in this RMP.

Land ownership in the county is depicted in

Table 1.1 and shown on Map 1.2 in the back

pocket (some recent changes in ownership are

not reflected on the map). Privately owned

lands are concentrated primarily around the

major transportation routes, river corridors, and

areas suitable for agricultural development. The

Shivwits Band of Paiute Indians occupies a

reservation 4 miles west of St. George. Lands

owned by the State of Utah include three state

parks and a significant amount of acreage managed by the Utah School and Institutional Trust

Lands Administration. 

1.1

CHAPTER 1

General Direction and Focus of the Plan

TABLE 1-1 • Land Ownership in Washington

County

MANAGER

Bureau of Land

Management

USDA Forest Service

National Park Service

Bureau of Indian Affairs

State of Utah

Private Lands

Total

ACREAGE

629,005

425,285

143,605

27,890

101,040

255,060

1,581,885

PERCENT

40 

27 

9 

2 

6 

16

100
Purpose and Need for Action

The St. George Field Office Resource

Management Plan is being prepared to fulfill the

planning requirements of the Federal Land

Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976

(43 CFR 1600) and to provide a vision and

direction for future public land management in

Washington County. This document replaces

the Virgin River Management Framework Plan

which was approved in 1981.

General Planning

Criteria and Guidelines

The general planning criteria and guidelines for

this Resource Management Plan are as follows:

A. This Plan only addresses management on

public lands administered by the St. George

Field Office.

1.2

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

P A I U T E 

I N D I A N

R E S E R V A T I O N

Z I O N

N A T I O N A L

P A R K

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

River Virgin

Fork

North

North

Creek

Virgin

River

I-15

St. George

BEAVER

DAM

Beaver

MOUNTAINS

Dam

Wash

East

Fork

Virgin

Santa

Clara

River

PINE

VALLEY

MOUNTAINS

Quail Creek

Reservoir

River

IRON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

IRON CO.

KANE CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

IRON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

West

Fork

La

Verkin

Creek

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Miles

SCALE 1:700,000

N

ST. GEORGE FIELD OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARY

GENERAL LOCATION MAP

MAP 1.1

NEVADA

ARIZONA

UTAH

S.t George

Field Office

Administrative

Boundary

CHAPTER 1 • GENERAL DIRECTION AND FOCUS OF THE PLAN
B. Implementation of this Plan will be subject

to all valid existing rights.

C. This Plan supercedes the following documents:

1)Virgin River Management Framework Plan

(1981)

2)Lands Amendment to the Virgin River

Management Framework Plan (1996)

3)Those portions of the Hot Desert Grazing

EIS (1978) concerning desert tortoise critical habitat.

D. The following closures, limitations, or

restrictions that have been previously published in the Federal Register will remain in

effect until additional site-specific planning

has been completed in the areas described

as follows:

1)Federal Register, September 24, 1998

(Volume 63, Number 185); Closure and

Restriction Order for off-road vehicles on

lands formerly known as the Smith Ranch.

2)Federal Register, August 11, 1998 (Volume

63, Number 154); Closure and Restriction

Order on lands within the Washington

County HCP Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.

This order pertains to camping, fires,

weapons use, motorized vehicles, rock

climbing, removal of wild plants and animals, and pets.

3)Federal Register, July 9, 1996, (Volume

61, Number 132); Emergency Closure of

Public Lands (320 acres) directly north of

the Town of Rockville. This order closes

the area to off-highway vehicles and

mountain bikes. 

4)Federal Register, March 13, 1987 (Volume

52, Number 49); Off-road vehicle closure

on the Price City Hills and the Red Bluff

dwarf bear-claw poppy areas. 

5)Federal Register, September 25, 1980

(Volume 45, Number 188); Notice of Off

Road Vehicle Designation Decisions.

Only the following decisions from this

notice would be carried forth until additional planning is completed:

a. Joshua Tree National Natural Area and

Woodbury Desert Study Area will

remain open for motorized vehicle use

on designated roads and trails only.

b. The following areas will remain closed

to off-highway vehicle use:

Beehive Mountain - 320 acres

Warner Ridge - 480 acres

West Fork of the Beaver Dam Wash

“The Narrows” - 100 acres

Red Cliffs Archeological Site

E. All relevant decisions, projects, activities,

and mitigation for the Resource

Management Plan will be in accordance

with Standard Procedures Applied to

Surface Disturbing Activities (Appendix 1),

and other applicable laws, regulations,

rules, and policies.

F. Any projects authorized by BLM will be

required to obtain the necessary permits

and authorizations from other federal, state,

and local agencies.

G. Additional National Environmental Policy

Act (NEPA) analysis or documents will be

required prior to implementation of the

decisions in the Resource Management Plan

to determine the impacts from site-specific

actions and to identify mitigating measures.

H. The designation of all or part of the

Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) were analyzed in the “Utah BLM Statewide

Wilderness Final Environmental Impact

Statement.” This Resource Management

Plan does not supercede the Wilderness EIS,

nor does it reanalyze impacts of wilderness

management; rather, it is based on the

assumption that WSAs would be released

from wilderness review by Congress and

would be managed according to the

planned actions for the other resource programs.

I. No exploration or development of coal or

geothermal leases will occur during the life

of this Plan.

1.3

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

CHAPTER 1 • GENERAL DIRECTION AND FOCUS OF THE PLAN
MISSION

Sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands

for the use and enjoyment of present and future gernerations

Serve current and

future publics

Provide opportunities

for environmentally

sound recreation and

commercial activities

Preserve natural and

cultural heritage

Reduce threats to

public health, safety,

and property

Improve public land,

resource, and title

information

Provide economic and

technical assistance

Restore and maintain

the health of the land

Establish and implement

management standards

and guidelines

Identify resources at risk

Restore public lands to

healthy conditions

Promote collaborative

land and resource

management

Improve understanding

of environmental, social,

and economic conditions

and trends

Promote communitybased planning

Expand partnerships to

implement on-the-ground

activities

Improve business

practices and human

resource management

Improve business

systems

Improve accountability

and performance

Deliver quality service

to customers

Maintain a trained,

diversified, and

motivated workforce

Management Focus

On September 30, 1997, the Secretary of the

Interior approved and forwarded to Congress a

Strategic Plan for the management of public

lands administered by BLM. In approving the

document, the Secretary considered the views

of the states and their political subdivisions as

well as the public at large. The Strategic Plan

ratifies and builds upon BLM's mission, which is

to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity

of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of

present and future generations. The Strategic

Plan recognizes that a growing and increasingly

urban population is placing new demands on

public lands. Such demands—coupled with

growing concern over the health of the environment, new federal mandates, and scientific and

technological advances affecting natural

resource management—are creating profound

challenges for BLM. The Strategic Plan

describes these challenges and how BLM

intends to address them. Among other things,

the Strategic Plan sets general and outcomebased goals for the agency and describes how

these goals will be achieved. The goals are

depicted in Figure 1.1.

Overall management of public lands within

Washington County will be guided by the

Strategic Plan as supplemented by the approved

decisions of this Resource Management Plan.

Land use prescriptions and commitments

described later in this document will be implemented and evaluated to determine how well

they achieve the strategic goals. To the extent

practical, BLM will also seek to integrate these

goals with the compatible goals of local, state,

and tribal governments and other federal agencies with a stake in the management of public

lands. Promoting collaborative land and

resource management with other agencies and

interested parties will be employed as an essential tool in restoring and maintaining the health

of the land across jurisdictional boundaries.

Issues addressed in this Plan are highly interrelated and touch upon a majority of the elements

in the fabric of social, economic, and ecologic

life in Washington County. Success in resolving

conflicts related to any of the previously mentioned issues will require a significant commitment from a variety of sources including government agencies at multiple levels, the private sector, and interested organizations. Over the past

several years, numerous partnerships have been

1.4

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

FIGURE 1-1 • USDI/BLM Strategic Goals Framework (Adapted from USDI BLM Strategic Plan,

September 1997)

CHAPTER 1 • GENERAL DIRECTION AND FOCUS OF THE PLAN
established with active BLM participation to

address issues of importance affecting a wide

spectrum of interests in the county. The partnerships include efforts such as the Washington

County Habitat Conservation Plan for preservation of the desert tortoise and related desert

ecosystems, the Virgin River Management Plan,

the proposed Virgin River Basin Integrated

Resource Management and Recovery Program,

the Santa Clara River Reserve, the Virgin Falls

Park Initiative, the Grafton Heritage Partnership,

the Three Rivers Trails Project, and the Virgin

River Focus Area Plan. In order to achieve

many of the strategic goals depicted previously

and the resource objectives defined later in this

Plan, BLM will continue to promote and support

such partnerships.

Relationship to Other Agency Plans

Local, state, and other federal agencies and

Indian tribes in the immediate region routinely

prepare plans that establish goals and direction

for land use, economic development, or

resource management within their jurisdictions.

Many of these plans bear directly on or are significantly affected by BLM plans for managing

public lands. Under this Resource Management

Plan, BLM will collaborate with such agencies

and tribes on planning implementation and

achieving consistency with other approved

plans. Moreover, BLM will pursue integration of

such plans to the extent that they are determined consistent with applicable federal laws,

regulations, and policies. The principles of

community-based planning will be employed

where timing, mutual interest, and the availability of resources are appropriate to address economic, ecologic, and land use issues of concern. The following list of plans relates to the

management of lands in or around Washington

County and will be given full consideration as

land use decisions are made.

• Washington County General Plan

• Coordination Plan for Washington County's

Urbanizing Region

• Washington County Habitat Conservation

Plan

• General Plans of Incorporated Municipalities

in Washington County

• Virgin River Management Plan

• Snow Canyon State Park Resource

Management Plan

• State of Utah Plans Relating to Water

Management, Water Quality, Nonpoint Source

Pollution, Watershed Management, and Air

Quality

• Utah's State Comprehensive Outdoor

Recreation Plan

• Utah Regional Plans for Game and NonGame Wildlife Management

• Utah Regional Transportation Plans

• Zion National Park General Management Plan

• Dixie National Forest Land and Resource

Management Plan

• Resource Management Plans for BLM's

Arizona Strip, Cedar City, Kanab, Las Vegas,

and Ely Field Offices

Consultation and coordination with the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will be ongoing

throughout the implementation of this Plan for

activities potentially affecting threatened and

endangered species and their habitats. On

August 14, 1998, the St. George Field Office

received a Biological Opinion from the FWS

(ES/6-UT-98-F-005) for the Mojave desert tortoise based on decisions made in this Plan. The

FWS found “that implementation of the Plan is

not likely to jeopardize the continued existence

of the Mojave desert tortoise, nor is it likely to

result in destruction or adverse modification of

critical habitat designated for the Mojave desert

tortoise”. An incidental take statement for desert

tortoise with reasonable and prudent measures

and terms and conditions were attached to the

Biological Opinion, and are repeated in

Appendix 4 of this document. In addition, on

December 19, 1998, the St. George Field Office

received a letter from the FWS concurring with

BLM’s determination for the Plan of a “may

affect, not likely to adversely affect” for the

Southwestern willow flycatcher, Mexican spotted owl, American peregrine falcon, bald eagle,

Virgin River chub, woundfin, dwarf bear-claw

poppy, and siler pincushion cactus.

1.5

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

CHAPTER 1 • GENERAL DIRECTION AND FOCUS OF THE PLAN
Collaborative Management

BLM recognizes that social, economic, and

environmental issues cross land ownership lines

and that extensive cooperation at the planning

stage and beyond is needed to actively address

issues of mutual concern. It is also recognized

that resource and land use demands will likely

exceed BLM's ability to effectively respond to

all issues currently before the agency in

Washington County and those which will arise

in the future. Consequently, under this

Resource Management Plan, BLM will seek to:

• form innovative partnerships with local

and state governments, Indian tribes,

qualified organizations, and adjacent federal agencies to manage lands or programs for mutual benefit consistent with

the goals and objectives of this Plan;

• work with communities, state agencies,

and interested organizations, in seeking

nontraditional sources of funding including challenge cost-share programs, grants,

and contributions-in-kind to support specific projects needed to achieve plan

objectives;

• place greater emphasis, where appropriate, on contracting out to the private sector, nonprofit organizations, academic

institutions, or local and state agencies to

accomplish essential studies, monitoring,

or project developments; and

• increase the use of citizen and organizational volunteers to provide greater

monitoring of resource conditions under

site-steward programs and to complete

on-the-ground developments for resource

management and human use and

enjoyment.

Moreover, where it is found mutually advantageous, BLM will enter into cooperative agreements or memorandums of understanding with

federal, state, local, tribal, and private entities to

manage lands or programs consistent with the

goals and objectives of this Plan. Such agreements may provide for the sharing of human or

material resources, the management of specific

tracts of lands for specific purposes, or the

adjustment of management responsibilities on

prescribed lands to eliminate redundancy and

reduce costs. BLM will also encourage the participation of land trusts and similar organizations in facilitating land exchanges or acquisitions that achieve planning objectives.

Nonprofit associations, citizens, and user groups

that have adequate resources and expertise may

enter into cooperative agreements to assist in

the management of public lands in Washington

County including, but not limited to, resource

monitoring, site cleanups, and the construction

of interpretive facilities, trails, or other authorized projects.

Public Participation

Public participation and consultation was

encouraged and sought throughout the development of this Plan. The planning process was

officially initiated through a public notice in the

Federal Register in November of 1986. This

notice invited the general public as well as

other federal, state, and local governments, and

Indian tribes to identify major planning issues

and to submit other comments or concerns

regarding the planning effort to the BLM. News

releases and several hundred invitations to interested parties of record were also sent out

requesting public input into the process.

Coordination meetings with other federal agencies, and state and local governments were also

held to obtain their recommendations and assistance in identifying issues, gathering data, and

analyzing the impacts of alternative land uses.

A draft RMP/EIS was filed with the

Environmental Protection Agency in September

1988, and a proposed RMP/final EIS was filed

with the EPA in December of 1990. There were

21 protest letters received on the final EIS. As

many of the protests could not be resolved, the

Utah State Director sent a letter directing the St.

George Field Office to complete further planning and environmental review.

In July of 1991, a Federal Register notice was

published that updated the planning criteria for

a new draft RMP/EIS. Again, news releases and

additional coordination meetings occurred in

order to gather additional and more current

information for the plan. 

1.6

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

CHAPTER 1 • GENERAL DIRECTION AND FOCUS OF THE PLAN
In October 1995, BLM published another draft

RMP/EIS with a corresponding Federal Register

notice. During a 7-month comment period following publication of the draft RMP/EIS, BLM

received over 800 letters and hundreds of verbal

comments from local, state, and federal agencies, citizens, and organizations. Public meetings were held in Hurricane, St. George, and

Salt Lake City. 

The notice of availability of the Proposed Plan

and final EIS was published on September 17,

1998, in the Federal Register. This notice

announced a 30-day protest period, ending on

October 16, 1998. The Bureau received 19 letters of protest on the Proposed Plan. The

Director’s office issued final decisions on each

of the protests. Only one minor change was

made to this final Plan in response to the protest

letters. The change allowed for low-impact

OHV trials use in the Pahcoon Gulch area. (See

OV-10 in Chapter 2)

Plan Conformance,

Maintenance, Amendment,

Revision, and

Implementation

Conformance: All future resource management

authorizations and actions, including budget

proposals, will conform to or, at a minimum,

not conflict with this Plan. All operations and

activities under existing permits, contracts,

cooperative agreements, or other instruments for

occupancy and use will be modified, if necessary, to conform with this Plan within a reasonable period of time, subject to valid existing

rights.

Maintenance: During the life of this Plan, BLM

expects that new information gathered from

field inventories, other agency studies, resource

themes from shared interagency data banks, and

other sources will change baseline data used to

arrive at land use decisions and resource allocations. To the extent such new information or

actions bear on issues covered in the Plan, BLM

will integrate the data through plan maintenance or updating.

Amendment: Where BLM considers taking or

approving actions which will alter or not conform to the approved decisions of this Plan,

BLM will prepare a plan amendment and environmental study of appropriate scope in making

its determinations and in seeking public comment. Monitoring and evaluation, findings, new

data, and new or revised policies will be evaluated to determine if there is a need for an

amendment. Any change in circumstances or

conditions which affect the scope, terms, or

conditions of the Plan may warrant an amendment. The Plan must be dynamic over the

course of its life to respond to the numerous

changes that will inevitably impact public lands

in Washington County during that time.

Amendments will be considered a normal and

anticipated part of the planning process. 

Revision: Where changes would be of a significant magnitude and would affect a variety of

resource programs, a full or partial plan revision

will be considered. BLM will review the Plan

periodically to determine whether the Plan

remains effective in guiding BLM's management

of lands and resources so as to achieve the

objectives set forth in this and other applicable

planning documents. Where it is found wholly

or partly ineffective, BLM will consider adjustments of appropriate scope to restore the Plan's

effectiveness.

Implementation: Decisions in this Plan will be

implemented over a period of years. In some

cases, more detailed and site-specific planning

and environmental analysis may be required

before an action can be taken. The environmental impact statement prepared in association

with this planning process will be used as a

base and incorporated by reference in any additional site or program specific environmental

analysis. Requirements for additional planning

and analysis are incorporated in the decisions

found in Chapter 2.

In implementing the Plan, BLM will focus its

limited resources at any given time on those

highest priority issues which BLM determines

have the greatest significance to the health of

the public lands involved and the socioeconomic well-being of local communities dependent

on them. Less important issues will be deferred

1.7

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

CHAPTER 1 • GENERAL DIRECTION AND FOCUS OF THE PLAN
until priority programs and projects are implemented and found to be effective in accomplishing their intended purpose. Factors that

will be used in setting priorities include, among

other things, 1) legal and administrative mandates, 2) the extent to which critical resources

or opportunities may be lost if action is not

quickly taken, 3) the presence of committed

partners willing to share in costs and administration, 4) consistency with priority plans and programs of local, state, and other federal agencies,

and 5) geographic areas BLM determines will

result in the greatest return for the time and

resources applied.

For many of the actions described in this RMP,

BLM will prepare or collaborate in preparation

of detailed, site-specific plans called activity

level plans that better define actual projects and

examine site specific impacts to affected

resources. Such plans will address specific

resource issues in prescribed geographic areas

and will be completed with appropriate public

and agency participation and environmental

analysis. Planning at this level will allow BLM

to focus on particular land management opportunities or problems needing resolution in a

manner not possible in the broad overview provided in this RMP. To the extent practical, such

plans will be integrated with the plans of other

interested or affected agencies.

1.8

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

CHAPTER 1 • GENERAL DIRECTION AND FOCUS OF THE PLAN
ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Resource Management

Plan Decisions

The following decisions were taken from the

Dixie Resource Area Proposed Resource

Management Plan (1998). They are listed by

resource in the order they appeared in the

Proposed Plan. Some of the decisions were

changed slightly for clarification, but the original intent of the decisions was not altered. A

number has been given to each decision for

tracking purposes. Many of these decisions

were implemented with the approval of the

Record of Decision, such as the designation of

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, utility

corridors, off-highway vehicle designations,

rights-of-way avoidance and exclusion areas,

mineral categories, and rivers determined suitable for Congressional designation under the

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. 

LD (01-20) = Lands and Realty

MI (01-18) = Energy and Mineral Resources

TR (01-08) = Transportation

AQ (01-03) = Air Quality 

SW (01-19) = Soil and Water Resources

RP (01-11) = Riparian Resources

VG (01-09) = Vegetation Resources

FW (01-39) = Fish and Wildlife

Habitat Management

GZ (01-11) = Livestock Grazing Management

FR (01-08) = Forestry Management

RC (01-24) = Recreation

OV (01-10) = Off-Highway Vehicle

Management

VR (01-08) = Visual Resource Management

WD (01-04) = Wilderness Management

CL (01-05) = Cultural and Paleontological

Resources

HZ (01-05) = Hazardous Waste Management

FI (01-04) = Fire Management

Special Emphasis Areas

WR (01-15) = Wild and Scenic Rivers

AC (01-11) = Areas of Critical Environmental

Concern

NC (01-06) = Native American Coordination

ZP (01-06) = Zion National Park

Coordination

Lands and Realty

Objectives

In accordance with national policy, BLM will

retain lands within its administration except

where necessary to accomplish important objectives outlined in resource sections throughout

this Plan. BLM will transfer lands out of federal

ownership or acquire non federal lands where

needed to accomplish important resource management goals or to meet essential community

needs.

LD-01 Land exchanges involving large

acreages, multiple parties, or statewide

impacts may be conducted using "pooling" or assembled exchange principles

to cut costs, reduce processing time,

and increase net acres exchanged in

any given transaction. Lease or transfer

of lands under the Recreation and

Public Purposes Act shall occur where

such is determined to be the most

appropriate method for achieving

desired public and municipal purposes.

LD-02 Land ownership changes will be considered on lands not specifically identified

in this Plan for disposal or acquisition if

the changes are in accordance with

resource management objectives and

other Plan decisions and will accomplish

one or more of the following criteria:

a) Such changes are determined to be in

the public interest and will accommodate the needs of local and state governments, including needs for the economy, public purposes, and community

growth.

b) Such changes result in a net gain of

important and manageable resources on

2.1

CHAPTER 2

The Resource Management Plan
public lands such as crucial wildlife

habitat, significant cultural sites, quality

riparian areas, live water, listed species

habitat, or areas key to productive

ecosystems.

c) Such changes ensure public access to

lands in areas where access is needed

and cannot otherwise be obtained.

d) Such changes promote more effective

management and meet essential

resource objectives through land ownership consolidation.

e) Such changes result in acquisition of

lands which serve regional or national

priorities identified in applicable policy

directives.

If the above criteria are not met, proposed land ownership changes outside

of designated transfer areas will not be

approved or will require a plan 

amendment.

LD-03 Public lands will be managed in accordance with applicable city and county

zoning restrictions and municipal ordinances to the extent such restrictions

and ordinances are consistent with federal laws, regulations, and policies, and

with approved decisions of this Plan.

Land Acquisition

LD-04 BLM will acquire selected non-federal

lands, with owner consent, for such

purposes as ensuring public access to

key use areas, consolidating public

ownership of lands critical to recovery

of species listed under the Endangered

Species Act, providing essential public

recreation opportunities, protecting

important resources such as floodplains,

riparian areas, wildlife habitat, cultural

sites, and wilderness, and meeting the

mutually agreed upon objectives of

local, state, and federal plans or programs. Although most acquisitions will

occur through exchange, they may also

be made through purchase, donation, or

conservation easement.

LD-05 Over the life of the Plan, it is expected

that BLM may acquire up to 18,000

acres of land within Washington

County. Nearly all of these acres will

result from BLM's fulfilling its commitment to acquire available state and private lands within the Washington

County Habitat Conservation Plan

(HCP) Reserve and to fulfill existing

statewide exchange agreements with

the Utah School and Institutional Trust

Land Administration to remove trust

inholdings from within federally

reserved areas. A pool of 30,030 acres

of non federal lands, which may meet

the criteria listed in LD-02, is shown on

Map 2.1 for potential acquisition as

opportunities arise to help meet objectives for resource management

described elsewhere in this Plan.

Land Transfer

LD-06 Over the life of the Plan, it is expected

that up to 18,000 acres of public lands

may be transferred out of public ownership in Washington County. Most of

these transfers will occur as a result of

land exchanges needed to complete

acquisition of state and private lands

within the Washington County HCP

Reserve or to support the statewide

inholdings exchange with the Utah

School and Institutional Trust Lands

Administration. Generally, public lands

within the designated transfer areas

shown on Map 2.1 constitute a pool of

lands which may be transferred through

sale, exchange, or lease and conveyance under the Recreation and

Public Purposes Act or other applicable

authority. Lands not contained in this

pool may be transferred (other than

under land sale authority) if subsequent

analysis determines that such transfer

will meet the land transfer criteria

established above.

LD-07 The State of Utah has designated the

section of Highway 9 along the Zion

Corridor from LaVerkin to Zion

National Park as a Scenic Highway.

2.2

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Generally, federal lands within view of

this scenic highway from the top of the

bench north of LaVerkin (lands east of

the La Verken scenic overview) will be

retained in public ownership, unless as

a result of coordination with local,

affected communities or government

agencies, it is determined that transfer

of a specific tract will be in the public

interest and/or serve essential municipal

purposes. Land transfers so proposed

shall not substantially detract from the

scenic quality of the corridor. This

retention policy will not prohibit the

proposed transfer of 240 acres of public

lands in or near the town of Virgin previously determined to meet the above

criteria and shown on Map 2.1.

LD-08 The city of Hurricane has approached

BLM regarding the need for eventual

relocation of the existing municipal

airstrip due to encroaching residential

development. BLM will coordinate

with the city in identifying and analyzing potential alternative sites on public

land in or near the city. BLM will also

continue its work with the Washington

County School District to evaluate public lands for critically needed school

sites in or adjacent to developing areas

near St. George, Washington,

Hurricane, and other communities.

LD-09 Under federal law, the State of Utah

may exercise its right to acquire public

lands through state quantity or other

special grants. Such lands may or may

not be identified for land transfer in this

Plan. Lands so selected by the state

and subsequently classified as suitable

for transfer by BLM in accordance with

federal regulations will be considered

consistent with the Plan.

LD-10 Resolution of public land trespass will

focus on removal of structures or facilities, particularly those in riparian areas

or critical wildlife habitat. Where

removal is not feasible or found to be in

the public interest, trespass in those

areas will be settled by exchange for

equal or better value riparian areas, critical habitat, or lands supporting other

significant resource values identified for

acquisition.

Easement Acquisitions

LD-11 Where needed to provide public access

to important use areas on public lands or to link

significant public tracts isolated by state or private lands, BLM will seek to obtain easements

for roads or other access. Easements will be

acquired only with the landowner's consent.

Table 2-1 lists desired easement acquisitions

and the resource programs to be benefitted.

Rights-of-Way

Objectives

This Plan will continue to make public lands

available for a variety of rights-of-way where

consistent with planning goals and prescriptions

for other resources. Where possible, BLM will

encourage project sponsors to locate new rightsof-way in existing or designated utility and

transportation corridors. 

LD-12 Applications for new rights-of-way on

public lands will be considered and

analyzed on a case-by-case basis.

Proposals will be reviewed for consistency with planning decisions and evaluated under requirements of the

National Environmental Policy Act and

other applicable laws for resource protection. Mitigation needed to avoid

adverse impacts will be integrated into

project proposals and, where appropriate, alternatives identified to further

reduce environmental impacts to lands,

resources, or adjacent land uses. New

utility lines and long-distance transmission lines will be designed and located

so as to reduce visual impacts to travelers along I-15 and visually sensitive

highways in the county.

LD-13 All new rights-of-way will be subject to

applicable standards listed in Appendix 1

for surface disturbing activities. Where

needed, wildlife seasonal use restrictions

2.3

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
LOCATION BENEFITTING ACTIVITY

Canaan Mountain North - (Springdale West & Smithsonian Butte Quads.) Recreation

T.42 S., R.11 W., sec. 23 & 24

Canaan Mountain South - (Smithsonian Butte Quad.) Recreation 

T.42 S., R.11 W., sec. 36

Dalton Wash (Administrative only) - (Springdale West & Virgin Quads.) Range

T.41 S., R.11 W., sec. 8

Deep Creek - (Kolob Reservoir & Cogswell Point Quads.) Recreation

Access is needed from Kolob Reservoir Road at a point approximately in and Range

the center of the SE 1/4 of sec. 36,

T.38 S., R.11 W., to Volcano Knoll above Deep Creek located in

sec. 14, T.39 S., R.10 W.

Diamond Valley Gravel Pit Road - (Saddle Mountain Quad.) Minerals 

T.40 S., R.16 W., sec. 34, E1/2E1/2T.40 S., R.16 W., sec. 34, E1/2E1/2 and Range

Gooseberry (Virgin & Springdale West Quads.) Recreation

T.42 S., R.11 W., sec. 17, 18, & 20, T.42 S., R.12 W., sec. 2, 12, & 13

Hell Hole Pass Road - (Shivwits and West Mtn. Peak Quads) Range and

T. 42 S., R. 18 W., sec. 16, N1/2NW1/4 & NE1/4SE1/4 Recreation 

La Verkin Creek North - (Smith Mesa Quad.) Recreation

T.40 S., R.12 W., sec. 18, W1/2E1/2

La Verkin Creek South - (Smith Mesa Quad.) Recreation

T.40 S., R.12 W., sec. 21 & 28

Land Hill Archaeological sites (Public) Cultural

T.42 S., R.16 W., sec. 6 & 7

Sand Cove - (Veyo Quad.) Range

T.40 S., R.17 W., sec. 24, SW1/4SW1/4, sec. 25, E1/2, sec. 36,E 1/2

Santa Clara - (Santa Clara Quad.) Range

T.42 S., R.16 W., sec. 16, SW 1/4NW1/4, NW1/4SW1/4, sec. 17, NE1/4SE1/4

Terry Bench - (Terry Bench Quad.) Range

T.42 S., R.20 W., sec. 36

will apply to right-of-way construction.

Rights-of-way will generally remain open

to other public uses that do not conflict

with the purposes for which the rights-ofway are established.

LD-14 Utility corridors have been designated

to provide a preferred location for meeting utility transmission and distribution

needs. Such corridors are generally 1-

mile wide on public lands but may vary

in width according to topography, surrounding land use, and the need to protect adjacent resources. New facilities

within the Navajo-McCullough Corridor

will be placed north of the existing

power line to reduce potential for

impacts to resources within adjacent

2.4

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

TABLE 2-1 • Potential Access Easements
2.5

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

portions of the Beaver Dam Mountains

Wilderness Area. Utilities within designated corridors will be managed under

VRM Class III guidelines regardless of

the surrounding designation.

Nonetheless, scenic areas traversed by

the corridors such as the Springdale to

LaVerkin corridor will continue to carry

a Class II designation for all other land

use activities. Designated utility corridors are depicted in Table 2-2 and on

Map 2.2. These corridors, where

applicable, are designed to conform to

the long range corridor needs established by the utility industry in the

Western Regional Corridor Study

(Western Utility Group, 1992). They

also correlate to the extent possible

with corridor designations on adjacent

public lands in Arizona and Nevada

and with corridors on the adjacent

Dixie National Forest. New utility construction within the Washington County

HCP Reserve will continue to be guided

by protocols established in the HCP

(Washington County, 1995).

LD-15 Rights-of-way for the municipal water

well field below Gunlock to the

Shivwits Indian Reservation for new

wells, water pipelines, and small distribution lines to service the pump houses

are necessary to support essential

municipal purposes. BLM will continue

to process applications for such actions

on a case-by-case basis.

LD-16 BLM will continue to work with project

sponsors to further identify and analyze

a suitable route for the Southern

Transportation Corridor from Hildale

along the Arizona border to I-15. The

route includes a bypass spur that

branches off at the base of the

Hurricane Cliffs along the existing road

and connects with State Route 9. These

actions will be considered within the

scope of this Plan. BLM will also work

with project sponsors to identify and

analyze a suitable alignment for an

extension of the route from I-15 to Old

U.S. Highway 91 between Santa Clara

and Ivins. The extension will be anaTABLE 2-2 • Designated Utility Corridors

• Navajo McCullough Corridor (existing) - north of the Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness Area boundary.

• Intermountain Power Project Corridor (existing).

• Following the route of the Garkane and UP&L power line from Hildale to Hurricane.

• UP&L substation at Dammeron Valley to the Sand Cove Reservoir power plant and from there to Veyo and Central following

existing line.

• UP&L substation at Harrisburg Junction to Hurricane following existing line.

• La Verkin to Anderson Junction following the route of SR-17.

• Following the route of old Highway 91 across the Beaver Dam slope from the Arizona border to the Shivwits Indian

Reservation, then from the northern boundary of the Shivwits Indian Reservation to Gunlock Reservoir following the Gunlock

road. This corridor would be the width of the currently fenced road rights-of-way. 

• Following SR-18 Highway from St. George to Veyo. This corridor would be the width of the currently fenced

road right-of-way.

• Hurricane south to the Arizona border and over to Hildale. Route would follow the existing road from Hurricane south

to border and from there to Hildale following the Arizona border.

• Springdale to La Verkin following the route of the UP&L line.

• Motoqua to Shivwits Indian Reservation following existing road.

• I-15 from beginning of public land to the north to below Harrisburg Junction. 
lyzed and evaluated for conformance

with this Plan when a feasibility study is

completed and a project proposal is

submitted.

LD-17 Scrub Peak will be added to the four

existing communication sites at West

Mountain, Little Creek Mountain, South

Rockville, and Black Ridge north of

Toquerville as shown on Map 2-2. To

the extent practical, new users will be

required to share site facilities to reduce

impacts and lessen the need for additional sites. Access roads and additional power lines will not be approved to

the Black Ridge site to avoid visible

scarring and to maintain naturalness on

the ridge.

LD-18 The Washington County Water

Conservancy District filed a right-of-way

application with affected federal agencies to construct and maintain a

pipeline across federal lands to transport water from Lake Powell to the proposed Sand Hollow Reservoir. BLM will

coordinate with project sponsors, Indian

tribes, and other state and federal agencies to ensure that the required technical and environmental studies are prepared. If the project is not found to be

in conformance with the other decisions in this RMP, a plan amendment

may be considered.

LD-19 Rights-of-way avoidance areas, totaling

308,889 acres, are depicted in Table 2-

3 and on Map 2.3. New rights-of-way

will be granted in these areas only

when feasible alternative routes or designated corridors are not available.

Measures to reduce impacts to affected

resources will be applied based on sitespecific analysis. Rights-of-way exclusion areas, totaling 2,690 acres, are also

depicted in Table 2-3 and on Map 2.3.

New rights-of-way will be granted in

these areas only when required by law

or federal court action.

Land Withdrawals and Classifications

LD-20 Proposed withdrawals from mining

location, totaling 56,149 acres, are

depicted in Table 2-4 and on Map 2.4.

Withdrawals and land classifications

that become obsolete will be recommended for revocation or termination.

2.6

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

TABLE 2-4 • Proposed Withdrawals From

Mining Location

TOTAL ACRES

Washington County HCP Reserve

w/Split Estate Lands (45,270 acres) 56,149

Warner Ridge/Fort Pearce

Proposed ACEC (4,281 acres)

Red Bluff Proposed ACEC (6,168 acres)

Dinosaur Trackway (40 acres)

Baker Dam Recreation Area (270 acres)

Red Cliffs Recreation Area

(120 acres outside of HCP Reserve)

TABLE 2-3 • Rights-of-Way Avoidance and

Exclusion Areas (Subject to Designated

Corridors)

AVOIDANCE AREAS TOTAL ACRES 

Washington County HCP Reserve 308,889

OHV Closed Areas

OHV Designated Roads & Trails Areas

Proposed ACECs

Riparian Areas

Smithsonian Butte National

Back Country Byway

(1/2 mile on each side)

River segments with a tentative

classification of Wild, proposed

as suitable for Congressional

NWSRS designation

T&E and Candidate Species Habitat

VRM Class I and II areas

Watershed Protection Areas

(Curly and Frog Hollows)

EXCLUSION AREAS TOTAL ACRES 

Beaver Dam Mountains

Wilderness Area 2,690
Energy and Mineral

Resources

Objectives

Consistent with the need to protect sensitive

resources at risk from development, BLM's

objectives for energy and mineral resources will

be to: 

a) continue to provide mineral materials needed

for community and economic purposes through

the designation and management of materials

sites for individual and community use, and 

b) provide continued opportunity for exploration

and development under the mining and mineral

leasing laws by leaving public lands open for

such purposes consistent with and subject to reasonable measures allowed by law needed to protect the environment. This objective is intended

to support national goals for energy and strategic

minerals independence and local and state goals

for economic health and diversity.

Fluid Minerals

MI-01 Designate 239,059 acres open to leasing

subject to Standard Stipulations

(Category 1), 186,225 acres open to

leasing with Special Stipulations

(Category 2), 176,895 acres open to

fluid mineral leasing subject to No

Surface Occupancy (NSO) Stipulations

(Category 3), and 26,828 acres closed

(Category 4) to fluid mineral leasing.

Specific areas are outlined in Table 2.5

and depicted on Map 2.5. 

2.7

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

CATEGORY ACRES

Open with Standard Stipulation (Category 1) 239,059

Open with Special Stipulations (Category 2) 186,225

Upper Beaver Dam Wash ACEC

Santa Clara River-Gunlock ACEC

Severe Erosion Soils

Curly Hollow and Frog Hollow Watersheds

Navajo Aquifer (High Recharge Area)

Municipal Watersheds

Crucial Deer Winter Habitat and Elk Calving Areas

Mexican Spotted Owl Habitat

Desert Tortoise Critical Habitat Outside of ACECs

T&E Plant Habitat Outside of ACECs

Candidate Plant Species Habitat Outside of ACECs

Power Site and FERC Withdrawals

Open with No Surface Occupancy Stipulations (Category 3) 176,895

Washington County HCP Reserve

OHV Closed Areas

River Segments with a tentative classification of Wild, proposed as suitable for Congressional NWSRS designation

Riparian Zones

Red Bluff ACEC

Warner Ridge/Fort Pearce ACEC

Canaan Mountain ACEc

Beaver Dam Wash ACEC

Lower Virgin River ACEC

Santa Clara River-Land Hill ACEC

Red Mountain ACEC

Red Cliffs and Baker Dam Recreation Areas

Smithsonian Butte National Backcountry Byway (within 1/2 mile radius)

Administrative Withdrawals

Public Water Reserves

Recreation and Public Purpose Act Leases

Closed to Fluid Mineral Leasing (Category 4) 26,826

Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness Area

Lands within Incorporated City Boundaries

TABLE 2-5 • Fluid Mineral Leasing Categories
2.8

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

MI-02 Categories shown in this Plan for leasing within wilderness study areas reflect

what stipulations BLM will employ

should the study areas be released from

further consideration for wilderness designation. Until such time, all lands

within wilderness study areas will

remain closed to fluid mineral leasing

as required by law.

MI-03 Within areas open to leasing with standard or special stipulations, sensitive

resources needing protection from fluid

mineral exploration, development, or

production activity will be protected by

applicable standard lease terms and the

provisions of regulations in Part 3100 of

Title 43 of the Code of Federal

Regulations. Among other things, the

regulations allow the authorized officer

to move proposed activities up to 200

meters or prohibit new surface disturbing operations up to 60 days in any

lease year (see 43 CFR 3101.1-2).

Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Orders

and applicable state and local regulations also provide extensive resource

protection.

MI-04 Lands where the United States owns the

oil and gas but does not own the surface estate will generally receive the

same leasing categories as adjacent

public lands as determined by the

BLM's authorized officer. Such splitestate lands outside of incorporated city

boundaries within approved residential

subdivisions will be placed in Category

3 (NSO) to protect such developments

from impacts associated with oil and

gas exploration and development activity. After the initial categorization,

updates will only occur at scheduled

revisions of the resource management

plan.

MI-05 Detailed descriptions of leasing stipulations and lease notices that will be

applied to leasing exploration, development, and production are included in

Appendix 2, Oil and Gas Leasing

Stipulations. These descriptions also

explain how and when exceptions,

modifications, and waivers to the stipulations will be approved.

MI-06 Exploration, drilling, and production

will be subject to the operation and

reclamation standards contained in

Appendix 1 for surface disturbing activities.

Locatable Minerals

MI-07 Public lands in Washington County will

remain available to mining location

under the General Mining Act of 1872

and applicable regulations on 615,151

acres. Map 2.6 depicts mineral areas

that will remain open (405,486 acres),

open with restrictions (41,169 acres),

and open with a plan of operation

(168,496 acres). Restricted areas are

those lands where mining locations are

subject to special requirements of law

and regulation as a result of powersite

withdrawals, public water reserves, and

split-estate created under the

Stockraising Homestead Act.

MI-08 Areas currently withdrawn from mineral

location totaling 4,450 acres will

remain withdrawn in accordance with

applicable law so long as the purposes

for which the withdrawals were put in

place remain valid. Where BLM determines that any withdrawal is no longer

needed, it will take action to have such

withdrawal terminated or revoked.

MI-09 New withdrawals from mining location

are recommended on 56,149 acres to

protect developed recreation sites,

lands, and critical resources within the

Washington County HCP Reserve, the

Dinosaur Trackway, the Fort Pearce

Historic Site, and critical habitats for

threatened and endangered plant

species in the Red Bluff and Warner

Ridge/Fort Pearce Areas of Critical

Environmental Concern (ACECs).

Withdrawals will be put into place only

after approval by the Secretary of the

Interior, and in some specific instances,

review by both houses of Congress.
Proposed withdrawals are depicted in

Table 2-4 and on Map 2.4.

MI-10 By regulation, mining activity involving

greater than 5 acres of surface disturbance requires a plan of operation.

Plans of operation are also required for

all mining activities, regardless of size

other than casual use, within ACECs,

areas closed to OHV use, and river segments determined suitable for addition

to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers

System.

MI-11 Where applicable, surface disturbing

activities will be subject to the reclamation standards listed in Appendix 1.

Mineral Materials

MI-12 Numerous mineral materials sites have

been located on public lands in

Washington County to meet the needs

of private landowners, contractors, and

government agencies. Sale of materials

from these sites will continue until

depletion occurs on individual sites or

the lands are transferred out of public

ownership. Sites may also be closed

and restored where needed to resolve

conflicts associated with emerging

resource issues or adjacent land uses.

New sites may be identified and developed from time to time as sites are

retired or as demand increases. 

MI-13 Free use of materials will be authorized

from selected areas for municipal or

noncommercial purposes. 

MI-14 All established mineral materials sites

will be managed under VRM Class IV

objectives. 

MI-15 Site reclamation or a reclamation fee

will be required from all users, including those qualifying for free use.

Reclamation of depleted areas will be

completed according to governing regulations and the standards set in

Appendix 1.

MI-16 A total of 345,104 acres of land will

remain open for mineral materials sales

on a case by-case basis, subject to additional environmental review. Areas to

be closed to mineral materials sales are

depicted in Table 2-6 and on Map 2.7

and total 265,732 acres. Additional

2.9

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ACRES

Open 345,104

Restricted 64,775

Crucial Mule Deer Winter Habitat

Elk Calving Areas

Split Estate Lands

Powersite Classifications

Administrative Withdrawals

Recreation and Public Purpose Act Leases

Closed 265,732

Washington County HCP Reserve

All ACECs (exclusive of the cinder pit on Little Creek Mountain ACEC)

Baker Dam and Red Cliff Recreation Areas

OHV Closed Areas (See Table 2-10)

Threatened and Endangered Plant and Animal Species Habitat

Candidate Plant and Animal Species Habitat

Riparian Areas

River segments with a tentative classification of Wild,

proposed as suitable for Congressional NWSRS designation

Municipal Watersheds

Navajo Sandstone Aquifer (High Recharge Area)

Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness Area

Public Water Reserves

TABLE 2-6 • Mineral Materials Sales Designations
site-specific restrictions will be placed

on mineral materials sales in crucial big

game habitats, split-estate lands, administrative withdrawals, powersite classifications, and leases issued under the

Recreation and Public Purposes Act.

Such restrictions cover 64,775 acres.

MI-17 Sale or disposal of mineral materials

will continue to be prohibited on

unpatented mining claims and will generally not be approved on lands encumbered with nonmineral applications

such as land sales and exchanges where

the mineral estate will leave federal

ownership.

MI-18 The collection of petrified wood on

public lands is limited to 250 pounds

per person per year for personal use

only. No commercial use will be permitted to avoid the rapid depletion of

the resource.

Transportation

Objectives

It is BLM's objective to continue to work closely

with Washington County officials to ensure that

use and enjoyment of existing roads and trails is

permitted under safe and prudent conditions

and that responsibility for maintenance is properly defined in road maintenance agreements or

other appropriate documents. It is also BLM's

objective to work with municipalities,

Washington County, the Utah Department of

Transportation, and other affected parties in

defining and planning for future transportation

needs, locating environmentally compatible

route alternatives, and resolving land use conflicts related to transportation systems where

public lands are involved.

TR-01 BLM will continue to maintain those

roads for which it holds maintenance

responsibility and which are deemed

essential for access for resource management purposes. These include 358

roads and jeep trails, three of which

constitute collector roads, six of which

constitute local roads, and the remainder which constitute resource access

roads. Most of the latter are dirt, twowheel or four-wheel drive, dry weather

roads or trails. BLM will seek to enter

into cooperative agreements with other

federal and non-federal agencies to

share limited resources and equipment

needed for periodic maintenance so as

to eliminate organizational redundancy

and reduce costs to the public.

TR-02 BLM will continue to honor existing

road maintenance agreements with

Washington County and amend them

as needed to reflect changing conditions and circumstances. Such agreements describe roads by name, class,

miles, and maintenance responsibility.

It is expected that Washington County

will continue to maintain roads so

listed where they have accepted the

responsibility.

TR-03 BLM will continue to provide directional signing on roads under its jurisdiction

in remote areas, within the limits of

available funding, to increase public

enjoyment and safety. Where needed

to facilitate travel across public lands,

BLM will consider installing cattle

guards at fencelines on roads having

increased levels of vehicle use.

TR-04 Upon application from Washington

County, BLM will grant FLPMA Title V

rights-of way in perpetuity on existing,

uncontested roads asserted by the county to be highways under R.S. 2477.

Rights-of-way width and standards will

be commensurate with the class and

purpose of each road. Such rights-ofway will be issued without cost to the

county. The issuance by BLM of a

FLPMA Title V right-of-way to the county will be conditioned so as not to affect

county assertions under R.S. 2477.

TR-05 Where roads on public lands are determined to no longer serve a useful purpose, to constitute a public nuisance, or

to cause unnecessary environmental

harm, BLM will seek to close such

2.10

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
roads through coordination with applicable Washington County or municipal

officials. Proper exercise of Utah state

law and federal regulation regarding

public notice and hearings will be followed in pursuing such closures.

TR-06 Once issues related to road jurisdiction

under R.S. 2477 are resolved, BLM will

anticipate completing a reinventory of

roads on public lands within

Washington County and updating its

transportation plan accordingly in collaboration with representatives of the

county and affected municipalities.

BLM will then evaluate the need to

adjust off road vehicle management designations through the plan amendment

process to reflect changes that may have

occurred in jurisdiction and other elements of the revised transportation plan.

TR-07 BLM will work with the Utah

Department of Transportation,

Washington County, and project sponsors to identify a suitable route for the

Southern Transportation Corridor and

major connectors along the Arizona border from State Route 59 near Hildale to a

proposed I-15 interchange on state land

near Atkinville. For further details, see

the discussion on the proposed route

under Rights-of-Way in the Lands section of this Plan.

TR-08 Within the Washington County Habitat

Conservation Plan (HCP) Reserve, road

maintenance, upgrades, and new construction will continue to be guided by

HCP requirements and protocols as

described in Appendix A of the HCP.

Where public lands are involved,

upgrades and new construction will be

subject to applicable environmental

study and consultation with the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

Air Quality

Objectives

BLM's objective for airshed management will be

to ensure that authorizations granted to use public lands and BLM's own management programs

will comply with and support local, state, and

federal laws, regulations, and implementation

plans pertaining to air quality.

AQ-01 All BLM actions and use authorizations

will be designed or stipulated so as to

protect the high-quality airshed within

Zion National Park and other Class I

areas in the region and to otherwise

minimize impacts to visibility.

AQ-02 Prescribed burns will be approved

through the State of Utah permitting

process and timed so as to maximize

smoke dispersal. In accordance with

state agency consultation, ignition will

be approved only when the burning

index is 500 or greater.

AQ-03 Industry proposals for development on

public lands that would involve new

emission sources will be analyzed

under new source review procedures by

the Utah Department of Environmental

Quality (DEQ) for prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) and visibility

impacts prior to approval and measures

applied to ensure compliance with

applicable standards.

Soil and Water Resources

Objectives

BLM's objectives for soil and water resources

will be to work with municipalities, state and

local agencies, and other interested parties to:

a) protect community watersheds and sources of

culinary water, 

b) reduce erosion, stream sedimentation, and

salinization, 

c) improve water quality in streams and rivers, 

d) promote water conservation, 

e) ensure compliance with state and federal

laws pertaining to water quality and pollution

prevention, 

2.11

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
f) ensure water availability for the maintenance

of key natural systems and human enjoyment,

and 

g) where necessary to meet essential community

needs, identify environmentally suitable sites for

water storage and routes for water transport.

Soils and Watershed

SW-01 BLM will implement the following measures to achieve goals for sound watershed management in collaboration with

user groups, municipalities, and other

local, state, and federal agencies. Such

measures will be designed to protect

fragile soils, reduce erosion and stream

sedimentation, and lessen impacts of

saline runoff into streams and rivers

throughout the county.

a) The Red Bluff, Upper Beaver Dam

Wash, and Warner Ridge/Fort Pearce

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern

(ACECs) will be managed, in part, to

protect critical watersheds, saline soils,

and/or water quality. Specific management prescriptions that will be applied

under this Plan are contained under

Special Emphasis Areas in the section

on ACECs. Protection will include no

surface occupancy or special stipulations for fluid mineral leasing, off-road

travel limitations or closures, selected

mineral withdrawals, designation as

right-of-way avoidance areas, and

restrictions on fuelwood and mineral

materials sales. The critical watershed

in the City Creek area will be fully protected by provisions of the Washington

County Habitat Conservation Plan

(HCP) as carried forward into this Plan.

Among other things, such planned

actions will restrict or prohibit future

development incompatible with HCP

Reserve goals, retire affected grazing

permits, and limit vehicle travel to designated roads and trails (for details, see

the HCP discussion in the section on

Special Status Animal Species under

Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management).

b) Critically eroding soils in the West

Santa Clara River watershed will be

evaluated for nonstructural projects to

reduce erosion in accordance with the

findings and recommendations of the

Virgin River Basin - Utah Cooperative

Study (1990). Projects may focus on

improving vegetation composition and

cover, enhancing and maintaining properly functioning riparian systems, and

where necessary, adjusting grazing

management and patterns of human use

in the watershed. In conducting the

evaluations and designing projects,

BLM will involve affected operators and

local communities in accordance with

provisions of BLM Utah's Standards for

Rangeland Health included in Appendix

3. Such actions will also be designed

to complement planned actions in the

Virgin Spinedace Conservation

Agreement and Strategy.

c) The Curly Hollow and Frog Hollow

watersheds, important riparian zones,

and specified areas of highly erosive

soils will be protected through off-road

travel restrictions or closures. Projectrelated surface disturbances will be

reclaimed to stabilize soils and encourage the reestablishment of vegetation

and protective cryptogamic crusts,

where appropriate. The Curly Hollow

and Frog hollow watersheds will also be

designated rights-of-way avoidance

areas and placed in fluid mineral leasing Category 2, along with other public

lands with a severe erosion hazard.

Leasing stipulations will require submission and approval of a plan of development that ensures soil productivity will

be maintained and adequate controls

applied to prevent erosion and degradation of water quality.

d) Watershed control structures already

in place and continuing to serve valid

purposes will be maintained by the

sponsoring agency so as to continue

their proper functioning. Generally,

lands containing such structures will be

retained in public ownership unless

2.12

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
transfer may guarantee long-term management of the structures for the purposes for which they were built.

SW-02 BLM will retain public lands within the

100-year floodplain along rivers and

major streams in Washington County,

unless transfer will accomplish important objectives that significantly outweigh floodplain concerns, and measures may be applied to the transfer that

will prohibit or fully mitigate risks of

floodplain development, or transfer

will occur to an agency or owner who

will manage effectively for floodplain

protection. 

SW-03 BLM will comply with the provisions of

Executive Orders 11988 and 11990 that

require federal agencies to protect wetlands under their jurisdiction and avoid

development within floodplains wherever possible. Specific protection that

will be applied to floodplain management include the following:

a) Public lands within floodplains will

generally be managed so as to preserve

or restore the natural and beneficial values served by the floodplains.

Structural developments within the

floodplain that will be subject to recurring flood damage or which, in turn,

will create adverse impacts to lands,

resources, or developments in or adjacent to the floodplain will be discouraged or not authorized. Multiple uses

of the floodplain, including recreation,

will be encouraged where such will not

disrupt the broad purposes for which

the floodplain is being managed.

b) Prior to taking actions within designated floodplains, BLM will work with

project sponsors to seek alternatives that

involve no floodplain disturbance.

Where suitable alternatives do not exist,

BLM will work with local and state

agencies to evaluate the potential

effects of such actions and apply measures needed to minimize the impact of

floods on human safety, health, and

welfare and to maintain the functionality of the floodplain and related natural

values. Where suitable mitigation cannot be applied to eliminate unacceptable impacts, BLM will not approve the

action.

c) Non-federal lands within designated

floodplains may be acquired as a result

of collaboration with local, state, and

federal partners through multijurisdictional planning efforts such as the

Washington County HCP, approved

conservation agreements, cooperative

management agreements, and plans to

restore important riparian values or

habitat for special status species. Such

lands may be acquired through purchase, exchange, donation, or conservation easement.

SW-04 BLM will apply Standards for Rangeland

Health approved for BLM in Utah

(Appendix 3) in its various management

programs to ensure that upland soils

exhibit permeability and infiltration

rates that sustain or improve site productivity, considering the specific soil

type, climate, and landform. Best management practices appropriate to each

site and resource management program

will be implemented for sediment control and monitored for effectiveness in

meeting objectives for reducing sedimentation and stream salinity. Where

standards and objectives are not being

met, BLM will work with state, local,

and affected partners to determine the

cause and adjust management practices

accordingly.

Water Resources

SW-05 Numerous municipalities within

Washington County have developed

springs or wells on public lands as

sources of culinary water. Protection of

these resources will be afforded priority

in accordance with state and federal

requirements. The Navajo Sandstone

Aquifer recharge area and other existing

or proposed culinary water sources on

2.13

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
or adjacent to public land will be identified and managed as municipal watersheds. These will include properties

with state-approved water rights used

for municipal purposes. The following

measures or management practices will

be applied to municipal watersheds: 

a) BLM will coordinate with local and

state agencies as water protection plans

are developed to ensure that federal land

management actions or practices do not

jeopardize drinking water quality; 

b) municipal watersheds will be closed

to mineral materials sales; 

c) fluid mineral exploration and development will be subject to state and federal requirements for casing of drill

holes and use of cement plugs to prevent migration of contaminants or lowquality water and special leasing stipulations requiring submission of a plan of

development that protects surface and

groundwater quality; 

d) no hazardous material or landfill sites

will be approved within the watersheds

or in a location that will jeopardize

watershed integrity; and 

e) where BLM determines that proposed

uses will degrade water quality within

the watershed below standards set by

the State of Utah in R317-2, BLM will

not approve such use.

SW-06 BLM will continue to support and

implement current agreements and

memoranda of understanding with the

Utah Department of Environmental

Quality (DEQ) and Department of

Agriculture to coordinate planning

activities for the conservation of public

land waters and to improve, maintain,

and protect the quality of such for beneficial uses. It will also seek to prevent,

abate, and control new or existing pollution of waters within Washington

County and the surrounding region in

collaboration with local, state, and federal partners. To achieve such goals,

BLM will take the following actions:

a) Continue work with the Utah

Nonpoint Source Task Force, under the

provisions of the State of Utah

Nonpoint Source Management Plan, to

(a) prioritize waterbodies for nonpoint

source control activities, (b) seek funding for nonpoint source control projects, (c) develop and implement coordinated resource activity plans to

resolve nonpoint source-related water

quality problems, and (d) identify and

develop best management practices to

be employed on public rangelands to

reduce nonpoint source pollution.

b) Fulfill its role as the designated management agency for controlling nonpoint source pollution on public lands

in Washington County.

c) Wherever practical, require best

management practices be employed by

holders of various use authorizations

involving public lands and employ such

practices in its own watershed management activities. At the minimum, such

will include the application of permit

stipulations described in Appendix 1

and the Utah Standards for Rangeland

Health and Guidelines for Grazing

Management in Appendix 3.

d) Complementary to BLM's objectives

for improving rangeland health, become

an active partner in the Utah DEQ's

Utah Watershed Approach Framework

Initiative (1996) and work closely with

other stakeholders in the Lower

Colorado Watershed Unit in (a) building

public support for a comprehensive,

basinwide approach to resolving water

quality problems, (b) collecting essential

data relative to water quality and pollutant sources, (c) ranking watershed concerns and targeting specific sites for

planned actions, (d) developing management strategies to be employed, (e)

jointly preparing watershed management unit plans, (f) implementing plan2.14

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
ning recommendations, and (g) monitoring and evaluating the results.

e) Meet the goals of the Colorado River

Basin Salinity Control Act by implementing administrative actions in this

Plan and continuing to require the use

of best management practices in areas

of highly erodible, saline soils to reduce

or prevent the movement of salts into

drainages and waterways that flow into

the Virgin River or its tributaries.

f) Collaborate with Washington County,

municipalities, Indian tribes, affected

state and federal agencies, user groups,

and interested organizations in formulating and analyzing the proposed

Virgin River Management Plan as it

relates to water quality, water conservation, floodplain management, and protection of related resources along the

Virgin River and its major tributaries.

Among other things, the Virgin River

Management Plan proposes to (a) protect and improve aquatic habitats for

native wildlife species, (b) improve

water quality, (c) implement water conservation strategies, (d) protect the 100-

year floodplain and watersheds, (e)

restore water flows to historic riverine

habitat areas, (f) establish minimum

water flows needed for habitat protection, (g) improve irrigation practices and

efficiency of water storage, (h) recycle

treated water, (I) develop a river trail

and parkway system, and (j) provide

water resources to meet human consumptive needs up to the year 2020.

g) Coordinate the implementation of

planning recommendations approved

through this Plan with the Utah

Divisions of Water Quality and Water

Resources to ensure consistency with

the goals of the 1990 Utah State Water

Plan and the 1993 supplement for the

Kanab Creek/Virgin River Basin. The

state plan and its supplement provide a

comprehensive overview of water issues

and management recommendations that

are directly applicable to public lands

in Washington County.

h) Implement those planning prescriptions outlined in this Plan under sections pertaining to Riparian Resources,

Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management,

and Special Emphasis Areas that bear

directly on the reduction of chemical

pollutants and sediments in streams or

rivers and the improvement and maintenance of healthy, properly functioning

waterways, riparian zones, and associated natural systems.

SW-07 BLM will collaborate with partners in

local, state, and federal agencies to

ensure that the collective programs for

management of lands and waters in

Washington County are effective in

meeting the objectives of and complying with water quality standards established by the federal Clean Water and

Safe Drinking Water Acts. In so doing,

BLM will manage discretionary actions

on public lands so as to fully support

the designated beneficial uses described

in the Standards of Quality for Waters

for the State of Utah (R.317-2) for surface and groundwater.

SW-08 To protect reservoirs and perennial

streams from unnecessary pollution and

sedimentation from fluid mineral leasing activity, BLM will prohibit surface

disturbance within 100 yards of the

high water line of permanent water

bodies through application of the 200-

meter rule in federal regulations at 43

CFR 3101.1-2.

SW-09 BLM will collaborate with the State of

Utah's Water Engineer, the Washington

County Water Conservancy District,

Indian Tribes, the Utah Division of

Wildlife Resources, and other affected

local, state, and federal agencies in

assessing stream segments throughout

Washington County to determine which

segments possess resource values warranting minimum instream flows to

maintain desired values. BLM will

work with such agencies to develop

strategies using Utah State law and

other appropriate mechanisms includ2.15

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
ing agreements with water users to

establish and maintain such flows.

Where appropriate, such studies will

also evaluate options for protection of

floodplains, improvement of water quality, and conservation measures to eliminate wasteful practices. Table 2-7

depicts water-based resource values that

may be the subject of such studies

along stretches of creeks and rivers

where the lands are currently in public

ownership.

2.16

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

STREAM SEGMENT MILES WATER DEPENDENT

RESOURCE VALUES

East Fork Beaver Dam Wash 3.1 Riparian vegetation, nongame native fisheries,

Salt Lake Base Meridian forage production and watering, undeveloped 

T. 40 S., R. 19 W., Secs. 9 & 10 recreation.

Santa Clara River 2.0 Riparian vegetation, undeveloped recreation, 

South of Ivins nongame native fisheries, forage production 

and watering.

Santa Clara River 3.2 Riparian vegetation, undeveloped recreation, 

Gunlock Reservoir to private land nongame native fisheries, forage production

and watering.

Santa Clara 1.0 Riparian vegetation, cold-water fisheries, 

Baker Dam South to private land nongame native fisheries, recreation, wildlife 

forage and watering.

West Fork Beaver Dam Wash 12.7 Riparian vegetation, forage production,

Headwaters to private land north to Motoqua nongame native fisheries and watering, 

Quail Creek 1.0 Riparian vegetation, developed recreation 

U. S. Forest boundary to private land area, wildlife forage and watering, nongame

native fisheries.

North Creek 1.5 Riparian vegetation, undeveloped

T. 42 S., R. 11 W., sec. 6: private land recreation, nongame native fisheries, wildlife

forage and watering.

La Verkin Creek 13.0 Riparian vegetation, nongame native fisheries,

Private land near Toquerville forage production and watering,

to Zion National Park boundary undeveloped recreation.

Deep Creek/Crystal Creek 7.5 Riparian vegetation, game fisheries, forage 

Zion National Park Boundary north to private land production and watering, undeveloped recreation.

Kolob Creek 3.0 Riparian vegetation, cold-water fisheries

North of Zion National Park forage protection and watering,

undeveloped recreation.

Virgin River 6.0 Riparian vegetation, nongame native fisheries,

Quail Creek Reservoir to undeveloped recreation.

confluence with Ash Creek

Virgin River 6.0 Riparian vegetation, wilderness, undeveloped 

Atkinville to Stateline recreation, nongame native fisheries.

Ash Creek 1.0 Riparian vegetation, nongame native fisheries,

Ash Creek Reservoir to wildlife and livestock forage.

confluence with Virgin River

Nongame native fisheries may include woundfin nimmow, Virgin River chub, Virgin spinedace, desert sucker, and

flannel-mouth sucker.

TABLE 2-7 • Water-Based Resource Values
SW-10 On December 4, 1996, the United States

entered into a settlement agreement with

the State of Utah, the Washington

County Water Conservancy District, and

the Kane County Water Conservancy

District that recognizes reserved water

rights for Zion National Park, subordinates the federal reserved water rights to

existing state water law, and allows for

some potential development of water

above Zion National Park. In managing

water resources on public lands and

making decisions concerning any

resource management program, BLM

will take no action that will abrogate the

intent or provisions of the agreement.

SW-11 BLM will work with the State of Utah

and other affected agencies to evaluate

designation and management of

approximately 7 miles of the West Fork

of the Beaver Dam Wash as an antidegradation segment. The designation

will require proposed surface uses to be

mitigated through the application of

best management practices to reduce

adverse impacts to the watershed.

Mining exploration and development

will require plans of operation. 

SW-12 BLM will continue to protect high quality waters on public land segments of

the North Fork of the Virgin River and

tributaries already designated as

Category 1 by the Utah Division of

Water Quality under R317-2-12 of the

Utah Administrative Code.

SW-13 Where needed to support public land

management purposes, including consumptive uses for livestock, wildlife, and

public land user groups, BLM will seek to

acquire water rights under Utah State law

where such rights have not already been

established. Acquisitions may occur

through purchase, exchange, donation, or

filing with the Utah State water engineer.

SW-14 Water rights that have been appropriated

by non-federal parties on public lands

through the state water engineer and

which are supported by legal and physical access across public lands will continue to be recognized. Waters in excess

of BLM's needs for consumptive uses or

resource management will remain available for downstream water users in

accordance with state law. BLM will

continue to provide access across public

lands and to approve facilities needed to

collect, divert, or transport water, based

on legally recognized water rights. Such

actions will be analyzed on a case-bycase basis with public participation and

approved where the review determines

the action will not adversely affect the

management of important public

resources or otherwise conflict with the

objectives of this Plan.

SW-15 A total of six potential reservoir sites

identified by the State of Utah's Division

of Water Resources and the Washington

County Water Conservancy District on

public lands in Washington County will

be recognized as special resources warranting federal awareness and attention

in future land management planning

and decisionmaking processes (see Map

2.8). In evaluating land use proposals

and management options for each of the

six sites, BLM will give full consideration

to the unique values associated with the

potential for water storage and related

purposes prior to making decisions

which will preempt the use of such sites

for future reservoir development. Where

such preemption is considered, the State

of Utah and local, affected agencies will

be consulted and given sufficient opportunity to respond to the proposal before

decisions are made. Development of

any of the following sites for reservoir

purposes will require complete environmental and engineering analysis and

public participation prior to consideration for approval.

• Anderson Junction

• Warner Valley

• Leeds Creek

• Dry Creek

• LaVerkin Creek (lower site)

• Grapevine Wash

2.17

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
SW-16 BLM recognizes that additional sites

with water storage potential may yet be

identified by state or local water management agencies as a result of new

studies or reevaluation and redesign of

sites previously eliminated by the

respective agencies or BLM. New proposals for development of such sites will

be subject to additional environmental

review with appropriate public participation and will be considered through

the plan amendment process. Actual

project approval and development of

such sites may occur only after appropriate engineering studies and environmental analysis are completed and

favorable decisions issued by respective

state, local, and federal agencies.

SW-17 Five additional reservoir sites listed in

the Draft RMP/EIS were recognized by

the state and the Washington County

Water Conservancy District as having

potential for water storage, but are not

carried forward into this Plan due to

land ownership clarifications and/or

conflicts with other decisions in this

Plan. These sites include: a) Shem Dam

site, which is located entirely within the

Shivwits Indian Reservation and conflicts with Virgin spinedace restoration if

it is extended onto public lands, b)

Gunlock Reservoir Enlargement, which

is almost entirely on state land and not

under BLM jurisdiction, c) Lower Santa

Clara River site, which is within the

Santa Clara River/Land Hill ACEC and

will conflict with management objectives for the maintenance of important

riparian systems, restoration of Virgin

spinedace populations, and protection

of significant cultural resources, d)

LaVerkin Creek (upper site), which will

conflict with objectives to manage for

natural values under the primitive recreation classification and conflict with

BLM's suitability recommendation for

Wild and Scenic Rivers designation on

this segment of the creek, and the

e)West Fork of the Beaver Dam Wash

site, which falls within the Upper Beaver

Dam Wash ACEC and will conflict with

management objectives for maintenance

of important riparian systems, restoration

of Virgin spinedace populations, and

protection of potential habitat for the

Southwestern willow flycatcher. 

Previous to publication of the Draft

RMP/EIS, BLM managers had rejected

potential reservoir sites on North Creek

and Fort Pearce Wash. Concerns on

North Creek involved potential water

contamination from old well sites within an abandoned oil well field and

potential impacts to Virgin spinedace

habitat. Water storage development on

Fort Pearce may destroy the National

Historic Register property at Fort Pearce

and impact a small but important riparian system and associated habitat for the

spotted bat.

SW-18 A culinary wellfield has been considered in the West Fork Beaver Dam

Wash drainage. Because of the

hydraulic connection of groundwater to

surface water in the wash, development

of a municipal water wellfield in the

wash may cause loss of streamflow and

be detrimental to surface water resource

values identified in a recent hydrologic

study of Beaver Dam Wash (Fogg, et al.,

1998). To be consistent with the objectives of this Plan, wellfield configuration

and pumpage will need to be evaluated

prior to development. Wellfield planning will need to show, among other

things, that groundwater withdrawals

may be sustained in the long term without adversely affecting surface flows

and dependent resource values downstream of the development. 

SW-19 An application has been filed by the

Washington County Water Conservancy

District to construct a pipeline to convey water from Lake Powell near

Wahweap to the proposed Sand Hollow

Reservoir. Possible route locations and

project features are described in the

Lake Powell Pipeline Feasibility Study

(Boyle Engineering Corp./Alpha

Engineering Inc., 1995). The proposal

was not addressed in the Draft RMP and

2.18

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
is not carried forward into this Plan. It

will, however, be analyzed in a separate

environmental impact statement prepared under a joint agency process and,

if necessary, a plan amendment prepared for affected public lands within

the right-of-way. According to Water

Conservancy District officials and statements in the Purpose and Need Study

(Washington County Water

Conservancy District, 1995), approval

and construction of the pipeline may

satisfy long-term municipal, industrial,

and instream flow requirements, and

eliminate the need for most, if not all,

other reservoir proposals on public

lands in Washington County (Ron

Thompson, personal communication,

1997).

Riparian Resources

Objectives

BLM's objective, to the extent practical, will be

to manage riparian areas so as to maintain or

restore them to properly functioning conditions

and to ensure that stream channel morphology

and functions are appropriate to the local soil

type, climate, and landform.

RP-01 Site specific plans to identify desired

plant communities, establish specific

management objectives, and recommend practices to be employed to

achieve desired results, where appropriate, will be prepared in collaboration

with affected livestock operators, the

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the

Washington County Water Conservancy

District, and other interested parties,

agencies, or organizations. Specific priorities for riparian improvement are listed in the sections of this Plan on

Livestock Grazing, Fish and Wildlife

Habitat Management, Soil and Water

Resources, and Areas of Critical

Environmental Concern. Monitoring

and evaluation strategies will be implemented to measure progress in accordance with Utah's Standards for

Rangeland Health and Guidelines for

Grazing Management (Appendix 3).

RP-02 Riparian areas will be protected by

standard or special stipulations in leases

and permits including those listed in

Appendix 1, Standard Procedures

Applied to Surface Disturbing Activities.

In accordance with Utah BLM riparian

policy (1993), major new surface disturbing activity will not be approved on

public lands within 100 yards of riparian areas unless 

a) there are no practical alternatives, 

b) long-term impacts may be fully mitigated, or 

c) the action was designed to enhance

the riparian resources.

RP-03 To avoid contamination of water

resources and inadvertent damage to

nontarget plants and animals, aerial

application of pesticides will not be

approved within 100 feet of a riparian

area unless the product is registered for

such use with the Environmental

Protection Agency.

RP-04 Livestock salt blocks and other nutritional supplements will be located at a

sufficient distance from natural waters

and riparian areas to ensure that livestock concentrations do not impact the

values being managed.

RP-05 Monitoring studies will be established

in riparian areas where increased recreation, OHV use, or grazing patterns are

believed to be adversely impacting

goals for riparian management. Impacts

on key riparian species will be monitored on the following priority river segments: Santa Clara River (below

Gunlock), Santa Clara River (Land Hill

segment), Fort Pearce Wash (ruins area),

and the Virgin River near Zion National

Park. Other segments may be added at

a later time as resource conditions warrant and priorities allow. Regular monitoring of species and sites will be conducted to determine whether vegetative

conditions and objectives are being

achieved. If declining trends are identified, BLM will work with livestock oper2.19

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
ators, user groups, and other affected

agencies, communities, or organizations

to identify causes of the declining

trends and to recommend and take corrective action. Options may include,

but are not limited to, fencing, barriers,

selected closures, vegetative manipulations, seasonal use restrictions for

camping or recreation, and adjustments

in grazing management. Degraded sites

along the Santa Clara River below

Gunlock Reservoir and segments of the

Virgin River near Zion National Park

will receive priority attention. The

riparian demonstration project on North

Creek will be maintained and used as

an example of best management practices that may be employed for other

zones being impacted by heavy recreation use, off-road travel, or grazing.

RP-06 Where consistent with other objectives

of this Plan, control of exotic or undesirable plant species may be employed to

achieve desired plant communities on

selected reaches of the Virgin and Santa

Clara Rivers and major tributaries. Such

action will be coordinated through

agreements with interested local, state,

and federal agencies and be subject to

appropriate consultation with the FWS.

RP-07 Generally, riparian areas will be retained

in public ownership unless they are

small and isolated and cannot be effectively managed through agreement with

local, state, or other federal agencies or

interested conservation groups.

Changes in ownership will be permissible if such will result in the acquisition

of lands with superior public values or if

such changes were intended to meet

riparian management objectives.

RP-08 With landowner consent, BLM will

acquire lands containing important

riparian areas in proximity to other public lands where riparian management is

being emphasized. The presence of

high public values related to special status species habitats, floodplains, water

quality issues, and recreation opportunities will be considered in evaluating

such proposals. Acquisitions will be

considered where partnerships, funding,

and management priorities will assure

long-term commitments to maintain or

restore the riparian areas to properly

functioning conditions.

RP-09 Where small or isolated parcels of public land contain riparian resources in

unsatisfactory condition, BLM will work

with surrounding landowners, municipalities, affected permittees, concerned

organizations, and local or state agencies to develop cooperative agreements

that will:

a) help reestablish desired vegetation, 

b) implement sound management to

accomplish mutual objectives, and 

c) restore the areas to a healthy condition.

RP-10 To minimize destruction of essential

vegetation, OHV use in riparian areas

will be limited to existing roads and

trails unless a more restrictive designation is specified. Trails found to impede

restoration of degraded areas will be

closed, relocated, or subjected to seasonal restrictions to achieve desired

conditions. Because of current high-use

levels and extensive degradation of

streamside vegetation, OHV use on portions of the Virgin and Santa Clara

Rivers will be limited to designated

roads and trails. Mountain bike use

will be limited to existing roads and

trails in riparian areas unless subject to

a more restrictive designation. See the

section on Off-Highway Vehicle

Management for OHV use designations.

RP-11 To minimize disturbance to riparian values, riparian areas will be:

a) placed in a right-of-way avoidance

category (except in designated corridors),

b) closed to sales of fuelwood and mineral materials outside of established

community pits, and

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CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
c) placed under a no surface occupancy

category for fluid mineral leasing activity in riparian zones.

Vegetation Resources

Objectives

BLM's overall objective for vegetation management will be to ensure that the amount, type,

and distribution of vegetation on public lands in

Washington County reflects desired plant communities. These are defined as plant communities that produce the kind, proportion, and

amount of vegetation necessary to meet or

exceed management objectives for a given ecological site. Development of such communities

will sustain a desired level of productivity for

wildlife, livestock, and nonconsumptive purposes while maintaining properly functioning ecological conditions. BLM will apply Utah

Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines

for Grazing Management (Appendix 3) in managing its various resource programs and monitor

the results to ensure vegetation management

objectives are being met. Collaboration with

affected operators, government agencies, Indian

tribes, and interested organizations will be promoted to bring together resources needed to

complete specific management plans, implement approved recommendations, and monitor

and evaluate the results.

BLM will implement management practices on

selected vegetation types in areas of suitable

soils and annual precipitation to increase the

relative composition of desirable browse and

grass species to meet important wildlife, livestock, and watershed goals. Objectives for specific vegetation types include the following:

a) In mountain shrub and sagebrush vegetation

types, maximize habitat diversity by reducing

the amount of shrubs and sagebrush and

increasing grass and forbs in selected areas.

b) In the pinyon-juniper woodland type, maximize habitat diversity in selected areas by

reducing the number of trees and increasing

desirable shrubs, grasses, and forbs.

c) In riparian areas within the mountain shrub

type, maximize habitat diversity by maintaining

woody species composition while providing for

stream bank protection through adequate forb

and grass cover.

These objectives will be achieved through specific actions identified and analyzed in the

Dixie Fire Management Plan, allotment management plans, habitat management plans, and

other activity plans in the wildlife, watershed,

livestock, and riparian programs.

Vegetation Composition

VG-01 The use and perpetuation of native

plant species will be emphasized.

However, when restoring or rehabilitating disturbed or degraded rangelands,

nonintrusive and non-native species will

be approved for use where native

species 

a) are not available, 

b) are not economically feasible, 

c) cannot achieve ecological objectives

as well as non-native species, and/or 

d) cannot compete with already established non-native species.

VG-02 Seed mixes used for rehabilitation will

reflect a diversity of plant types suitable

to the soils, climate, and landform of

the area being restored. Mixes will be

designed to meet a range of purposes

appropriate for the land involved

including wildlife, watershed, soil retention, livestock, and fire ecology.

VG-03 Rangelands that have been burned,

reseeded, or otherwise treated to alter

vegetative composition will be closed to

livestock grazing as follows: 

a) burned rangelands, whether by wildfire or prescribed burning, will be

ungrazed for a minimum of one complete growing season following the

burn, and 

b) rangelands that have been reseeded

or otherwise chemically or mechanical2.21

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
ly treated will be ungrazed for a minimum of two complete growing seasons

following treatment.

VG-04 In accordance with national and state

policies, BLM will continue working

with the Washington County Weed

Supervisor through written agreement

for the control of noxious weeds on and

near public lands. In order to prevent

the introduction and spread of noxious

weed species, BLM will seek to develop

partnerships with landowners,

Washington County, state agencies,

other federal land management agencies, and interested organizations. Such

partnerships will formulate and analyze

an integrated weed management

approach to develop public awareness

programs, establish weed management

objectives and priorities, develop and

apply common inventory techniques,

implement approved treatments and

control measures, and monitor and

report results.

VG-05 Specific weed treatments will be determined by plant species, site characteristics, and management objectives. A

combination of approaches may be

employed to achieve the most environmentally sound results including

mechanical, biological, and chemical

techniques or changes in land use.

VG-06 Because demand will rapidly exhaust

the available supply, desert vegetation

sales will be limited to designated salvage areas only. These areas typically

include lands under construction for

rights-of-way or other projects undertaken or approved by BLM. Exceptions

will be made for:

a) specific authorization for the collection of vegetation for scientific purposes, and

b) the collection of vegetative products

for Native American ceremonial or religious purposes, excluding federally-listed

species described in this section.

Special Status Plant Species

Objectives

In addition to the vegetation objectives

described previously, BLM will apply appropriate management to special status plant species

located on public lands in Washington County.

Special status plant species include:

a) threatened or endangered species listed or

species proposed for such listing under the

Endangered Species Act, 

b) candidate species, and 

c) state-listed sensitive species. BLM's objective

will be to help recover listed species and manage candidate and sensitive species so that additional listings are not necessary. Management

will focus on the development and implementation of recovery plans for listed species and conservation agreements and strategies for candidate and other sensitive species.

VG-07 Where threatened or endangered plant

species occur on public lands in

Washington County, BLM will collaborate with affected local, state, and federal agencies and researchers in the

implementation of approved recovery

plans to stabilize and recover such

species. In addition to on-the-ground

actions, strategies will be developed to

provide public education on species at

risk, significance of the species to the

human and biological communities,

and reasons for protective measures that

will be applied to the lands involved.

VG-08 Generally, public lands supporting federally-listed or sensitive plant species

will be retained in public ownership

unless exchange or transfer will result in

acquisition of better habitat for the

same species or provide for suitable

management by another qualified

agency or organization. Habitats for

such species may be acquired where

logical to block up management areas

and where BLM or qualified partners

have the resources needed to effectively

manage for the intended purpose.

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CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
VG-09 The following additional measures will

be applied to the plant species indicated to promote their survival and recovery. Other measures may also be

employed as a result of yearly monitoring studies and consultations with the

FWS, the Utah DWR, and other interested parties:

Dwarf Bear-Claw Poppy and

Siler Pincushion Cactus

a) BLM will continue to implement

existing recovery plans, habitat management plans, and the Washington County

Habitat Conservation Plan as they apply

to these two species. Among other

things, the plans call for monitoring and

studies, habitat consolidation, selected

fencing, public education, signing, law

enforcement, and protection from mining, off-road travel, and other forms of

impacting land use.

b) The Red Bluff and Warner Ridge/Fort

Pearce habitat areas will be designated

and managed as Areas of Critical

Environmental Concern (ACECs).

Specific prescriptions that will be

applied to these areas are described in

the section of this plan on ACECs under

Special Emphasis Areas.

c) To reduce conflicts and additional

disturbance, habitat areas will be designated as rights-of-way avoidance areas

and closed to fuelwood and mineral

materials sales. Plants will be protected

by restricting mountain bike use and

off-road vehicle travel to designated

roads and trails.

d) Dwarf bear-claw poppy habitat adjacent to Webb Hill will be consolidated

through land exchange with the Utah

School and Institutional Trust Lands

Administration, fenced, and signed to

increase public awareness of efforts to

recover the plant. The area is within

the St. George City limits and will

remain closed to fluid mineral leasing.

Holmgren Milkvetch and Hermit's

Milkvetch

e) In collaboration with interested

local, state, and federal agencies, institutions, and Indian tribes, BLM will prepare conservation agreements and

strategies designed to stabilize declining

populations and promote protective

management to ensure survival of the

species.

f) To reduce conflicts and additional

disturbance, habitat areas will be designated as rights-of-way avoidance areas

and closed to fuelwood and mineral

materials sales. Plants will be protected

by restricting mountain bike use and

off-road vehicle travel to designated

roads and trails.

g) Prior to surface disturbing exploration or development associated with

fluid mineral leasing, botanical surveys

will be completed and known populations avoided to eliminate the taking of

plants.

h) Habitat areas will be kept free

from use of chemical pesticides and

herbicides.

i) Where necessary to protect small,

isolated populations of Hermit's

Milkvetch under 10 acres in size, BLM

will fence areas to prevent inadvertent

destruction of plants.

Other Sensitive Plant Species

j) BLM will continue to work with

interested local, state, and federal partners in conducting or authorizing field

inventories and studies to establish or

refine ranges of occurrence, population

data, habitat requirements, and baseline

species conditions and subsequent

trends. Based on the results of these

studies, joint strategies may be developed for habitat protection and to eliminate the need for formal listing.

2.23

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Fish and Wildlife Habitat

Management

Objectives

BLM's overall objective for fish and wildlife

habitat management will be to maintain habitats

in properly functioning conditions to support

natural wildlife diversity, reproductive capability,

and appropriate human use and enjoyment. An

important objective of BLM's habitat management program will be to work with state, local,

and other federal partners to minimize or eliminate the need for additional listing of species

under the Endangered Species Act in

Washington County.

FW-01 BLM will manage suitable public land

habitats for the recovery or reestablishment of native populations through collaborative planning with local, state,

and federal agencies, user groups, and

interested organizations. BLM will also

seek to limit additional adverse impacts

to crucial habitats on public lands from

urbanization and encroachment to preserve the integrity of wildlife corridors

and migration routes and access to key

forage, nesting, and spawning areas.

FW-02 Consistent with other priorities, BLM

will consolidate blocks of public lands

resulting in improved habitat management capability. Such will occur in key

habitat areas for listed species and other

important wildlife populations including, but not limited to, lands within the

Washington County Habitat

Conservation Plan (HCP) Reserve, the

Beaver Dam Slope, the Deep Creek

drainage, and in key riparian zones.

FW-03 Crucial mule deer winter range will be

protected from the potential effects of

fluid mineral leasing with a Category 2

seasonal stipulation to close the lands

to exploration or development from

November 1 to April 15. Elk calving

areas will be closed for the same reason

from May 1 to July 30. These seasonal

use restrictions will also be applied to

mineral materials sales, forest product

sales, and rights-of-way construction.

FW-04 Desert bighorn sheep habitat in the

Beaver Dam Mountains will continue to

be managed in collaboration with the

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

(DWR) to support the existing herd in

that location. Existing water developments will be maintained with the

help of volunteers and interested

organizations.

FW-05 A West Zion Habitat Management

Plan (HMP) will be developed in collaboration with the Utah DWR and

other interested parties to guide management of 192,200 acres of wildlife

habitat in eastern Washington County.

Seven existing HMPs throughout the

rest of the county will continue to be

implemented.

FW-06 Prescribed burns in selected areas

(including wildfires which meet

approved prescriptions in the Dixie Fire

Management Plan) will be utilized to

improve vegetation composition to benefit wildlife habitat for big game and

other species. See the sections of this

Plan on Fire Management and

Vegetation Composition for further

details. A 500 acre sale of pinyon and

juniper trees will be approved in the

Potters Peak area to improve mule deer

habitat.

FW-07 BLM will collaborate with local, state,

and federal agencies, adjacent landowners, users groups, and interested parties

to protect and enhance viable fisheries

habitat on segments of the Santa Clara

River immediately below Baker Dam

Reservoir, the upper West Fork of the

Beaver Dam Wash, Deep Creek, Crystal

Creek, and Kolob Creek. Protective

measures will include OHV restrictions,

Category 2 and 3 mineral leasing stipulations, pesticide restrictions, and closures to mineral materials sales

described in the sections of this Plan on

Fluid Minerals, Water Resources,

2.24

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Riparian Resources, Recreation, and Off

Highway Vehicle Management.

Enhancement will occur through riparian improvements, stream bank stabilization, gabion construction in suitable

areas, water quality improvements, and

selected land acquisitions in conjunction with riparian management objectives. Virgin spinedace recovery objectives will take precedence if conflicts

develop with fisheries habitat proposals.

FW-08 BLM will work with the Utah DWR to

restrict camping from October 15 to

November 15 within 0.25 mile of the

following water sources west of the

Santa Clara River: twelve springs

including Cove, Jackson, Red Hollow,

Quail, Grapevine, Crazy, Indian,

Welcome, Middle, Reber, Summit, and

Dodge, all water catchments, and all

DWR guzzlers. This seasonal restriction

is needed to protect wildlife access to

these critical water sources during the

fall big game hunting season.

FW-09 In collaboration with the Utah DWR

and other interested parties, BLM will

develop new wildlife waters in areas

where field studies reveal the need for

such to maintain healthy, viable populations of mule deer or other game and

nongame species. Such waters will be

developed in accordance with the

objectives and guidelines of applicable

game and nongame management plans,

habitat management plans, and allotment management plans.

Special Status Animal Species

Objectives

BLM will manage public lands to meet the goals

and objectives of recovery plans, conservation

agreements and strategies, approved activity

level plans, and the Washington County HCP

Implementation Agreement related to the recovery of special status animals in Washington

County. As part of its plan implementation,

BLM will work with its partners to promote public education on species at risk, significance to

the human and biological communities, and

reasons for protective measures that will be

applied to the lands involved.

BLM's objective will be to collaboratively manage habitat for federally-listed species so as to

achieve recovery and delisting. Approved

recovery plans will guide management decisions. Recovery plan actions already implemented will be evaluated for effectiveness in

achieving desired effects and revised where

studies show objectives have not been met.

BLM will also collaborate with appropriate

local, state, and federal agencies in the management of habitat for nonlisted special status animal species with the objective of eliminating the

need for additional listings. Management

actions will be guided by conservation agreements and strategies. Special attention will be

given to those animals listed as "sensitive" under

the Utah Sensitive Species List maintained by

the Utah DWR.

FW-10 Critical habitat for federally-listed

species and habitat for candidate

species will be designated right-of-way

avoidance areas and closed to mineral

materials sales. Appropriate use restrictions affecting off-road travel, mineral

leasing, mining, recreation, occupancy,

and fuelwood sales will be employed

where needed to accomplish conservation and recovery objectives.

FW-11 Where monitoring studies show that

habitats are being degraded because of

discretionary land uses, BLM will collaborate with affected permittees, operators, or user groups, and interested

agencies and other parties in designing

and implementing changes in the

impacting land use to restore the land

and meet recovery objectives.

Permanent elimination of one or more

uses will occur where studies and related data support the conclusion that no

other alternatives will resolve the conflict, where affected parties are fully

involved throughout the process, and

where the requirements of applicable

federal regulations for public notification and due process are met.

2.25

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
FW-12 BLM will collaborate with affected

local, state, and federal agencies, water

users, Indian tribes, and other interested

entities in assessing instream flow

requirements needed to sustain viable

populations of federally-listed or sensitive fish species. Based on such studies,

BLM will promote and support the joint

development of strategies for maintaining such flows under Utah State law or

other appropriate mechanisms including agreements with affected water

users. The Water Resources section of

this Plan contains additional information on affected stream segments and

related issues.

FW-13 Public lands supporting federally-listed

or sensitive animal species will be

retained in public ownership unless

exchange or transfer will result in

acquisition of better habitat for the

same species or provide for suitable

management by another agency or

qualified organization. Habitats for

such species may be acquired where

logical to consolidate management

areas and where BLM or qualified partners have the resources needed to effectively manage for the intended purpose.

FW-14 Section 7 consultation with the FWS

will be required for any action that

might affect federally-listed species or

associated critical habitats. 

FW-15 All activities within desert tortoise critical habitat will be conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions

described in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service Biological Opinion for the

Mojave desert tortoise (August 12,

1998). The terms and conditions are

outlined in Appendix 4. 

Desert Tortoise

Objectives

BLM will work collaboratively with local, state,

and federal partners to accomplish the goals

and the objectives of the Washington County

HCP and Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. Major goals

include the preservation and protection of the

desert tortoise and its habitat so as to achieve

full recovery of the tortoise as well as other listed or sensitive species found within the Upper

Virgin River Recovery Unit.

FW-16 BLM will continue to implement the

terms of the HCP and the

Implementation Agreement of February

23, 1996. In accordance with those

documents, the following action will be

taken:

a) BLM will seek to acquire, through

exchange, purchase, or donation, state,

private, or municipal inholdings within

the reserve to reduce fragmented ownership and provide for consistent management. Acquisitions will occur on a

"willing buyer-willing seller" basis.

Lands so acquired will be managed in

accordance with prescriptions planned

for the remainder of the area.

b) BLM will seek to withdraw HCP

lands from mining entry and will restrict

motorized travel to designated roads

and trails to reduce surface disturbance

and related impacts to the resources

being protected in the reserve. An offroad travel closure will be placed in the

east half of Zone 3 coinciding with the

primitive portion of the Washington

County HCP Reserve (see Map 3.14 of

the draft RMP) to preserve the natural

values associated with that area. BLM

will work with Washington County and

its HCP partners to establish reasonable

speed limits in the reserve needed to

reduce the likelihood of accidental tortoise deaths from vehicle impacts.

Where the HCP partners determine

existing roads must be closed, BLM will

work with the county to implement the

closures under applicable state law and

federal regulations.

c) BLM will prepare an activity level

plan in collaboration with HCP partners

and affected user groups to define specific guidelines for human use within

the Reserve. Among other things, the

2.26

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
plan will address how to manage hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding,

mountain biking, and camping to avoid

impacts to critical habitat.

d) Competitive recreation events will

not be allowed because such activities

are inconsistent with maintenance or

improvement of critical habitats and

can be provided for elsewhere in

Washington County or in the surrounding areas.

e) New rights-of-way may be authorized in the Reserve in accordance with

protocols established in the HCP for

such purposes (see HCP, Appendix A,

Washington County, 1995). The protocols are intended to avoid the most sensitive areas in the reserve and to limit

habitat disturbance. Among other

things the protocols provide for: (a) use

of existing corridors in and outside of

the HCP Reserve, (b) preliminary project review by HCP biologists to minimize adverse impacts, (c) consultation

with the FWS, (d) preconstruction clearance and construction oversight by

qualified biologists, (e) avoidance of

burrows, (f) fencing and reduction of

hazards created by construction activity,

and (g) removal of tortoises at risk by

qualified personnel.

f) Fences needed to control tortoise

movements or to prevent vehicle or

pedestrian traffic in protected areas will

be installed, as needed, in accordance

with HCP guidelines. In collaboration

with user groups, access points will be

provided to allow ingress and egress for

authorized purposes and use of

approved trails.

g) Where agreement can be reached

with permittees, grazing permits will be

relinquished after compensation from

Washington County and permanently

retired on the Alger Hollow, Yellow

Knolls, Washington, and Red Cliffs

allotments in the Reserve. Other grazing permits in the Reserve may be similarly retired within tortoise habitat

where permittees choose to relinquish

them. In accordance with current biological opinions of the FWS, spring

grazing after March 31 will not be

authorized on those portions of the

Leeds, Sandstone Mountain, and Sand

Hill allotments in Zone 4 of the reserve

to remove potential conflicts during the

tortoise active season. No grazing

authorization will be granted on lands

acquired for reserve management in

areas intended for permanent closure.

h) In collaboration with the Utah DWR

and other appropriate law enforcement

agencies, BLM will implement public

education and enforcement actions

needed to accomplish the objectives of

the Reserve. BLM will also work with

its HCP partners in locating, designing,

and operating a desert wildlife education center to foster increased awareness of the important desert ecosystems

in the Reserve and throughout

Washington County.

i) BLM will collaborate with the Utah

DWR, the FWS, and other interested

parties to monitor the status of desert

tortoises and to conduct studies needed

to accomplish HCP objectives. Such

studies may lead to adjustments in

Reserve management so as to promote

recovery of the tortoise or any other listed or sensitive species in the Reserve.

j) In accordance with the provisions of

the HCP, BLM will work with its HCP

partners to achieve congressional designation of the Reserve as a National

Conservation Area so as to ensure continued recognition and public support

for the maintenance of critical Reserve

values.

k) To meet HCP objectives, lands within

the Reserve will also be designated a

right-of-way avoidance area and will be

closed to mineral materials and fuelwood sales. The Reserve will be placed

under Category 3 (NSO) stipulations for

2.27

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
fluid mineral leasing. Such restrictions

are necessary inasmuch as essential tortoise habitat requirements and conditions needed for recovery cannot be met

in areas impacted by extensive surface

disturbance or heavy human activity.

FW-17 BLM will continue to work closely with

the Utah DWR, the FWS, adjacent units

of the BLM in Arizona and Nevada, and

affected permittees to develop and

implement coordinated plans for tortoise management on the Beaver Dam

Slope. The Slope extends into three

states and forms an essential part of the

Northeastern Mojave Recovery Unit as

described in the Desert Tortoise

Recovery Plan. Through interstate collaboration with its many state and federal partners, BLM will manage the

Slope as an Area of Critical

Environmental Concern (ACEC) and has

established consistent land use prescriptions across state lines designed to protect and help recover tortoise populations in accordance with Recovery Plan

objectives.

FW-18 The Beaver Dam Slope ACEC will also

be managed so as to protect and further

the objectives of the Woodbury Desert

Study Area, the Joshua Tree National

Natural Landmark, and the maintenance of important desert ecosystems

that include numerous other plants and

animals listed under state and federal

procedures. The ACEC boundaries have

been drawn to coincide as much as

possible with the boundaries of the

same unit in Arizona and Nevada. The

entire ACEC links with Desert Wildlife

Management Areas, refuges, and other

ACECs proposed for the remainder of

the Northeastern Mojave Recovery Unit

to provide a contiguous recovery zone

of more than 1,750 square miles.

FW-19 The following use prescriptions will be

applied to management of public lands

within the Beaver Dam Slope ACEC.

For additional details, see the discussion

on the Beaver Dam Slope ACEC contained in the section of this Plan under

Special Emphasis Areas.

a) Motorized travel will be restricted to

designated roads and trails in order to

reduce road proliferation and associated

impacts to the habitat, tortoises, and

other protected species in the area.

BLM will work through Washington

County to determine reasonable speed

limits and roads needing closure under

Utah state law to reduce accidental tortoise deaths from vehicle impacts.

Fences will be installed where needed

to implement the restrictions and closures. Disturbed surfaces in closed

areas will be rehabilitated to achieve

natural-like conditions, to the extent

practical.

b) Authorized hunting in season, nonconsumptive recreation, and other casual uses not found to adversely impact

tortoise habitat will be allowed.

Mountain bikes will be restricted to designated roads and trails. Parking and

vehicle-based camping will be restricted to within 25 feet of designated

roads.

c) Except where further restricted, noncommercial groups of over 75 persons

camping in open areas will be required

to obtain a letter of authorization from

BLM that will establish requirements for

public sanitation and garbage removal

and other terms needed to protect the

integrity of the habitat. Competitive

events will not be authorized to prevent

direct and indirect habitat degradation

and tortoise mortality (USDI/FWS,

1994).

d) BLM will retain lands in this area in

public ownership and consider transfer

only where such will help accomplish

objectives for tortoise recovery.

Intensive land uses such as agriculture,

sanitary landfills, long-term occupancy,

and motorized military maneuvers will

not be approved. Non-federal lands

within the area may be acquired

2.28

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
through purchase, exchange, or donation to consolidate habitat in public

ownership. Lands so acquired will be

managed under prescriptions applicable

to the adjacent public lands.

e) Category 3 (NSO) stipulations will

be applied to fluid mineral leasing to

prevent long-term habitat destruction

and direct tortoise mortality from surface disturbing exploration, development, and operations. 

f) The area will be closed to fuelwood

and mineral materials sales.

g) Vegetation sales will be approved

only for salvage on approved project

construction.

h) The area will be designated as a

right-of-way avoidance area for new

rights-of way except in designated

utility and transportation corridors.

Existing rights-of way will be maintained in accordance with the respective right-of-way grant or other

applicable authorization.

i) Spring grazing by livestock will be

eliminated on those portions of the

Castle Cliffs, Beaver Dam Slope, and

Scarecrow Peak allotments within the

ACEC except for the two special management areas recommended by the

Utah DWR and the easternmost portion

of the Woodbury Desert Study Area,

which place emphasis on nontortoise

management (see Map 2.9). Winter

grazing on these allotments will continue in accordance with current grazing

prescriptions from November 1 to

March 15. Otherwise, grazing will be

managed in accordance with the Desert

Tortoise Recovery Plan, BLM's

Rangewide Desert Tortoise Plan, and

other applicable studies.

FW-20 In both the Beaver Dam Slope ACEC

and the Washington County HCP

Reserve, BLM will suppress wildfires in

accordance with the guidelines in

Fighting Wildfire in Desert Tortoise

Habitat: Considerations for Land

Managers, (T. Duck et al, 1994 - Desert

Tortoise Council; International

Symposium of Wildland Fire, 1995).

Generally, the guidelines call for applying the principle of "minimum tool."

Under this concept, BLM will use the

least disruptive approach to initial

attack and fire suppression needed to

extinguish the fire and meet other

resource objectives for the affected

area. Qualified resource advisors will

be onsite during fire suppression to

guide firefighter activities so as to minimize harm to tortoises and important

habitats.

FW-21 In collaboration with affected state and

federal agencies, predator control in

either area may be allowed using techniques designed to control target

species only. This will reduce the loss

of hatchlings and juvenile tortoises to

predators such as coyotes and ravens.

FW-22 Outside of the HCP Reserve and the

Beaver Dam Slope ACEC, tortoise habitat now designated as critical will be

protected by:

a) limiting motorized travel to existing

roads and trails;

b) applying Category 2 stipulations to

fluid mineral leasing to limit exploration

and development to the tortoise inactive

season from October 15 to March 15;

c) closing the areas to fuelwood and

mineral materials sales;

d) requiring biological surveys before

surface disturbing activity and avoidance of den sites and other areas essential to tortoise survival; and

e) designating such habitats as right-ofway avoidance areas (outside of utility

corridors).

FW-23 As a result of communications from the

FWS, BLM expects that once the HCP

2.29

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Reserve and Beaver Dam Slope ACEC

are in place, any designated critical

habitats for the tortoise outside of those

special management areas will be withdrawn. (Robert Williams, personal

communication and letter of July 21,

1997). Management of tortoises and

habitats in such withdrawn areas will

continue as outlined immediately

above. 

Woundfin Minnow, Virgin River Chub,

and Virgin Spinedace

Objectives

Management of public land habitat for listed

and sensitive fish species in the Virgin River and

associated tributaries will be guided by the

1995 Virgin River Fishes Recovery Plan and the

1995 Virgin Spinedace Conservation Agreement

and Strategy. Implementation of the plan and

the strategy has been underway since their

respective approvals and will continue in collaboration with the Utah DWR, the FWS, the

Washington County Water Conservancy District,

and other interested local, state, and federal

entities. The overriding goal is to achieve recovery of the species to allow downlisting and

eventual delisting of the two endangered fish

and to eliminate the need for listing of the

spinedace. Objectives include eliminating significant threats to the fish and their habitats and

to stabilize and enhance specific reaches of

occupied and historic habitat. 

FW-24 BLM will provide appropriate support to

active partners in the Virgin River Fishes

Recovery Team in implementing the following measures called for in the plans: 

a) monitor fish populations and habitat

conditions, 

b) eradicate exotic fish species in selected reaches, 

c) reintroduce desired native fish

species, 

d) restore degraded habitats, 

e) implement controls over conflicting

land use, and 

f) reestablish instream population maintenance flows through agreements and

other appropriate mechanisms.

FW-25 BLM will continue to work with local,

state, and federal partners in formulating and analyzing the proposed Virgin

River Management Plan and the proposed Virgin River Basin Integrated

Resource Management and Recovery

Program. These plans will be designed

to promote joint planning and collaboration among active stakeholders and

management agencies in matters affecting the Virgin River in Utah, its major

tributaries, special status fish species,

and other resources dependent upon

the river.

FW-26 BLM will implement protective measures described under sections of this

Plan on Water Resources, Riparian

Resources, Recreation, Off-Highway

Vehicle Management, Livestock Grazing

Management, Lands and Realty, and

Energy and Mineral Resources to protect and enhance viable fish habitats in

the Virgin River, the Santa Clara River,

LaVerkin Creek, Ash Creek, and the

West Fork Beaver Dam Wash. The measures relate to improved water quality,

floodplain protection, point and nonpoint source pollution abatement, riparian restoration, habitat consolidation,

and management of potentially conflicting land uses including recreation,

rights-of-way, off-road travel, grazing,

and mineral development.

FW-27 Additional river habitat protection will

be provided by prescriptions for the

Santa Clara/ Gunlock, Santa Clara/Land

Hill, and Lower Virgin River ACECs

described in the section of this Plan on

Special Emphasis Areas.

FW-28 BLM will seek to acquire nonpublic

lands on the Virgin River between Quail

Creek Reservoir and LaVerkin Creek in

and adjacent to Zones 4 and 5 of the

Washington County HCP through

exchange, purchase, or donation.

2.30

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Acquisition of such property will meet

goals and commitments associated with

the HCP to consolidate habitats for

endangered fishes and other listed

species in public ownership and allow

for permanent habitat preservation.

FW-29 Where proposed new rights-of-way or

other permits cannot avoid location

within fish habitats, their approval will

be subject to necessary mitigating measures and consultation with the FWS.

Where new road crossings are proposed,

bridge or culvert installation may be

required where determined necessary, to

allow continued passage of the fish. 

Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle,

and Mexican Spotted Owl

Objectives

BLM will continue to implement recovery plans

for the federally-listed species and collaborate

with the Utah DWR and interested conservation

groups in conducting inventories, protecting

nest sites and aeries, and preserving associated

habitats.

FW-30 A fluid mineral leasing Category 2 seasonal stipulation will be applied to a

0.5 mile area around known active nest

sites closing the lands to exploration

and drilling for the following species:

golden eagle (February 1 to June 30);

peregrine falcon (March 15 to June 30);

and the Mexican spotted owl (February

1 to August 31). 

a) These seasonal restrictions will also

be applied to all authorizations for fuelwood permits, mineral materials sales,

construction activity, and competitive

recreation permits issued for the lands

involved. The bald eagle winters but

does not nest in this area. 

b) Prescriptions described for the HCP

Reserve, the Canaan Mountain ACEC,

and the Deep Creek Special Recreation

Management Area will serve to protect

nest sites and associated habitats for

several sites on public lands administered by the St. George Field Office.

FW-31 Bald eagle protection will be afforded

primarily through riparian habitat protection measures described in the section of this Plan on Riparian Resources.

Proposals for new permitted actions that

might impact wintering bald eagles

roosting outside of riparian zones will

be approved only after full mitigation is

applied and consultation is completed

with the FWS.

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher

FW-32 As of the date of this publication, no

critical habitat for the endangered

Southwestern willow flycatcher has

been designated in Utah, nor has a

recovery plan been prepared by the

FWS. BLM will collaborate with affected local, state, and federal partners in

completing field inventories and other

studies to establish habitat locations

and requirements.

FW-33 BLM will protect potential flycatcher

habitat through implementation of land

use prescriptions for riparian resources

described earlier in this Plan. Among

other things, the prescriptions will allow

no surface occupancy for fluid mineral

leasing, limit off-road travel, discourage

right-of-way construction, and prohibit

sales of fuelwood and mineral materials. The prescriptions also call for

retention and acquisition of prospective

habitat. 

FW-34 Where known active nest sites are

located on public lands, BLM will

implement seasonal closures for the

period of April 1 to August 30 within

0.5 mile of nests for discretionary permits authorizing construction or other

disruptive activity.

FW-35 In conjunction with affected partners

and landowners, BLM will help identify

desired plant communities needed to

support viable flycatcher habitat.

Where consistent with FWS consultations, BLM will work with its partners in

reestablishing desirable plant species,

including willow and cottonwood, for

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CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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long-term habitat enhancement and

removal of undesired species in selected areas.

Other Special Status Animal Species

FW-36 Overnight camping will not be allowed

within 1 mile of the Fort Pearce Historic

Site to protect habitat important to the

spotted bat. The 40 acres surrounding

the site will be further protected by: 

a) allowing no surface disturbance for

fluid mineral leasing activity, and 

b) closing the lands to OHV use.

Habitat outside of the area within the

Warner Ridge/Fort Pearce ACEC will be

further protected by restricting OHV use

to designated roads and trails and

restricting or closing mineral activity. 

FW-37 Livestock grazing will be managed so as

to expand and improve the Fort Pearce

riparian area, which is essential to bat

survival. 

FW-38 Pesticide use will not be allowed within

the Fort Pearce Wash riparian zone.

FW-39 Biological surveys will be conducted to

identify sensitive species occurrence,

nesting sites (for the northern goshawk

and ferruginous hawk), and special

habitat requirements. Data gained from

the surveys will be used by BLM, Utah

DWR, and other affected partners to

develop and implement recommendations for habitat management needed to

maintain healthy populations of the

species involved and reduce the need

for additional listings.

Livestock Grazing

Management

Objectives

BLM objectives for grazing management on

public lands throughout Washington County

will be to:

a) promote healthy, sustainable rangeland

ecosystems that produce a wide range of public

values such as wildlife habitat, livestock forage,

recreation opportunities, clean water, and safe

and functional watersheds; 

b) restore and improve public rangelands to

properly functioning condition, where needed; 

c) provide for the sustainability of the western

livestock industry and communities that are

dependent upon productive, healthy rangelands;

and 

d) ensure that public land users and stakeholders have a meaningful voice in establishing policy and managing public rangelands.

GZ-01 After extensive public review and participation from diverse fields of expertise and interest, the Secretary of the

Interior approved Standards for

Rangeland Health and Guidelines for

Grazing Management for BLM Lands in

Utah on May 20, 1997 (see Appendix

3). To achieve the objectives stated

above, BLM has integrated the standards into applicable portions of this

Plan and will apply both the standards

and guidelines to its grazing management program throughout Washington

County. In concert with livestock operators, other affected agencies, and interested publics, BLM will monitor key

indicators addressed by the standards

and assess whether the standards are

being met. Where it is determined that

an allotment is not meeting a standard,

BLM will work with affected partners

to determine why the standard was

not being achieved and prescribe

actions that will ensure satisfactory

progress. Existing grazing systems and

practices will be modified where the

assessment and monitoring strategy

indicates livestock grazing is wholly or

partly responsible.

GZ-02 In consultation with affected operators,

allotment categories will be reviewed

and revised, where needed, to respond

to changing resource conditions.

GZ-03 Recognizing that extensive land

exchanges and conveyances out of pub2.32

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
lic ownership are highly disruptive to

the stability of affected grazing operations, BLM will generally retain public

lands in solidly blocked public lands

areas west of St. George City, the

Shivwits Indian Reservation, and the

Gunlock road. Exceptions will be considered where needed to satisfy existing

exchange agreements, to meet essential

public or municipal purposes, or to

accomplish overriding resource management objectives. Public land retention

guidelines for special management areas

throughout the remainder of Washington

County are described in the sections of

this plan that address each management

area. Affected grazing operators will be

given a minimum of 2 years notification

prior to the cancellation of all or part of

a grazing lease or permit due to the disposition of public lands.

GZ-04 Special emphasis will be placed on

assessing potential conflicts between

livestock grazing and deer winter range

on 35,325 acres within the Pintura,

Minera, Gunlock, Washington, Red

Cliffs, and Yellow Knolls allotments.

Grazing systems, season of use, numbers of livestock, and/or allotment categories may be adjusted if monitoring

and assessments show that current grazing practices are impeding the achievement of goals for properly functioning

habitats. Because grazing on all or portions of the Red Cliffs, Washington, and

Yellow Knolls allotments is scheduled

for retirement under prescriptions for

the Washington County Habitat

Conservation Plan (HCP), potential conflict throughout much of this area will

be eliminated.

GZ-05 Within desert tortoise critical habitats,

grazing permits will be permanently

retired on the Alger Hollow, Red Cliffs,

Yellow Knolls, and Washington allotments in accordance with Washington

County HCP recommendations. In

accordance with current biological

opinions of the FWS, spring grazing

after March 31 will not be authorized in

those portions of Sandstone Mountain

and Sand Hill allotments in Zone 4 of

the HCP Reserve to reduce potential

conflicts during the tortoise active season. Grazing permits in these allotments

may also be retired where permittees

choose to relinquish them. Spring grazing will also be eliminated on portions

of the Beaver Dam Slope, Castle Cliffs,

and Scarecrow Peak allotments within

the Beaver Dam Slope Area of Critical

Environmental Concern (ACEC) to

reduce potential conflicts outside of the

three special management areas (see

Map 2.9). Winter grazing will continue

to be authorized in these allotments

from November 1 to March 15.

Otherwise, grazing will be managed in

accordance with applicable portions of

the Desert Tortoise Recovery Plan,

BLM's Rangewide Desert Tortoise Plan,

the Washington County HCP, and the

Beaver Dam Slope coordinated ACEC. 

GZ-06 Conversions of kinds of livestock from

cattle to sheep will not be allowed

where BLM, in consultation with the

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

(DWR), determines that such will jeopardize the health or viability of existing

herds of desert bighorn sheep in the

Beaver Dam Mountains.

GZ-07 To promote cost effective management,

grazing transfers resulting in fragmentation of allotments or increased numbers

of permittees with smaller grazing

authorizations will not be approved

unless necessary to meet overriding

management objectives.

GZ-08 Where they are meeting approved goals

and applicable standards and guidelines, existing vegetation treatments will

be maintained in the Central, Dagget

Flat, Desert Inn, Gooseberry, Jackson

Wash, Little Creek, Pintura, Twin Peaks,

Veyo, and Black Ridge allotments. BLM

will seek to maintain forage production

in these areas between 3 and 7 acres

per animal unit month. Treatment areas

will be placed in VRM Class III or IV.

Where consistent with the objectives of

2.33

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
this Plan, fire rehabilitation projects will

be maintained to achieve desired plant

communities for livestock and wildlife

forage and watershed protection.

GZ-09 Rangeland projects may be developed

where assessments show the need to

improve livestock management by

establishing proper livestock control or

distribution. Projects may include

installation of cattle guards, development or reconstruction of water sources,

and construction of drift or pasture

fences. New vegetation treatments

developed in accordance with applicable standards and guidelines may be

employed in suitable habitats where

needed to increase forage for livestock,

wildlife, and other resource purposes.

Methods for completing land treatments

are described and analyzed in the Final

Environmental Impact Statement for

Vegetation Treatment on BLM Lands in

the 13 Western States (USDI/BLM,

1991).

GZ-10 Public lands within the following allotments or pastures are permanently

closed to grazing for resource or administrative purposes:

• Rockville Allotment - administrative

• Highway Pasture/New Harmony

Allotment - administrative

• Upper South Creek Allotment -

resource/administrative

• Allotments retired within the

Washington County HCP Reserve -

resource

• Fenced portion of the Woodbury

Desert Study Area - resource

Administrative closures occur where

poor land configuration, limited size,

lack of access or water, or the cost of

needed range developments make grazing authorizations impractical. Where

such factors are determined to make

grazing impractical on other pastures or

splinter allotments, BLM will consider

implementation of similar closures after

appropriate analysis and public review.

GZ-11 The following guidelines will be applied

to grazing management in order to help

achieve approved standards on public

lands within Washington County:

1. Grazing management practices will

be implemented that:

a) maintain sufficient residual vegetation and litter on both upland and riparian sites to protect the soil from wind

and water erosion and support ecological functions;

b) promote attainment or maintenance

of proper functioning condition riparian/wetland areas, appropriate stream

channel morphology, desired soil permeability and infiltration, and appropriate soil conditions and kinds and

amounts of plants and animals to support the hydrologic cycle, nutrient

cycle, and energy flow;

c) meet the physiological requirements

of desired plants and facilitate reproduction and maintenance of desired

plants to the extent natural conditions

allow;

d) maintain viable and diverse populations of plants and animals appropriate

for the site;

e) provide or improve, within the limits

of site potentials, habitat for threatened

or endangered species;

f) avoid grazing management conflicts

with other species that have the potential of becoming protected or special

status species;

g) encourage innovation, experimentation, and the ultimate development of

alternatives to improve rangeland management practices; and

h) give priority to rangeland improvement practices and land treatments that

offer the best opportunity for achieving

the standards.

2.34

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
2. Spring and seep developments

will be designed and constructed to

protect ecological processes and

functions and improve livestock and

wildlife distribution.

3. New rangeland projects for grazing

will be constructed in a manner consistent with the standards. Considering

economic circumstances and site limitations, existing rangeland projects and

facilities that conflict with the achievement or maintenance of the standards

will be relocated and/or modified.

4. Livestock salt blocks and other nutritional supplements will be located away

from riparian/wetland areas or other

permanently located or other natural

water sources. BLM will encourage that

the locations of these supplements be

moved every year.

5. The use and perpetuation of native

plant species will be emphasized.

However, when restoring or rehabilitating disturbed or degraded rangelands,

nonintrusive, non-native plant species

are appropriate for use where native

species (a) are not available, (b) are not

economically feasible, (c) cannot

achieve ecological objectives as well as

non-native species, and/or (d) cannot

compete with already established nonnative species.

6. When rangeland manipulations are

necessary, the best management practices, including biological processes,

fire, and intensive grazing, will be utilized prior to the use of chemical or

mechanical manipulations.

7. When establishing grazing practices

and rangeland improvements, the quality of the outdoor recreation experience

will be considered. Aesthetic and

scenic values, water, campsites, and

opportunities for solitude will be among

those considerations.

8. Feeding of hay and other harvested

forage (which does not refer to miscellaneous salt, protein, and other supplements) for the purpose of substituting

for inadequate natural forage will not

be conducted on public lands other

than in (a) emergency situations where

no other resource exists and animal survival is in jeopardy, or (b) situations

where the Authorized Officer determines such a practice will assist in

meeting a standard or attaining a management objective.

9. In order to eliminate, minimize, or

limit the spread of noxious weeds, (a)

only hay cubes, hay pellets, or certified

weed-free hay will be fed on public

lands, and (b) reasonable adjustments in

grazing methods, methods of transport,

and animal husbandry practices will be

applied.

10. To avoid contamination of water

sources and inadvertent damage to nontarget species, aerial application of pesticides will not be allowed within 100

feet of a riparian/wetland area unless

the product is registered for such use by

the Environmental Protection Agency.

11. On rangelands where a standard is

not being met and conditions are moving toward meeting the standard, grazing may be allowed to continue. On

lands where a standard is not being

met, conditions are not improving

toward meeting the standard or other

management objectives, and livestock is

deemed responsible, administrative

action will be taken by the Authorized

Officer pursuant to 43 CFR 4180.2(c).

12. Where it can be determined that

more than one kind of grazing animal

is responsible for failure to achieve a

standard and adjustments in management are required, those adjustments

will be made to each kind of animal,

based on interagency cooperation as

needed, in proportion to their degree

of responsibility.

13. Rangelands that have been burned,

reseeded, or otherwise treated to alter

2.35

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
vegetative composition will be closed to

livestock grazing as follows: (a) burned

rangelands, whether by wildfire or prescribed burning, will be ungrazed for a

minimum of one complete growing season following the burn, and (b) rangelands that have been reseeded or otherwise chemically or mechanically treated will be ungrazed for a minimum of

two complete growing seasons following treatment.

14. Conversions in kind of livestock

(such as from sheep to cattle) will be

analyzed in light of rangeland health

standards. Where such conversions are

not adverse to achieving a standard or

they are not in conflict with BLM land

use plans, the conversion will be

allowed.

Forestry Management

Objectives

BLM's objective for forestry management is to

provide woodland products on a sustained yield

basis to meet local needs where such use does

not limit the accomplishment of goals for the

management of other important resources.

Where feasible, harvest of forest products will

be encouraged in areas of proposed or existing

vegetative treatments to lessen the need for

additional treatment or land disturbance.

FR-01 Noncommercial fuelwood harvest of up

to 4,100 cords of dead and downed

pinyon and juniper trees will be

allowed on public lands except in

closed areas depicted in Table 2-8.

Harvest areas are shown on Map 2.10.

Seasonal restrictions will be applied to

deer winter range and elk calving areas.

Specific harvest areas will be identified

on permits issued for such purposes.

FR-02 A maximum of 500 noncommercial

Christmas tree permits per year will be

allowed. Additional trees may be

offered for sale in areas where thinning

will meet vegetation management

objectives. Christmas tree sales will not

be permitted in areas closed to fuelwood sales as depicted in Table 2-8.

Specific Christmas tree sales areas may

be designated based on additional site

specific analysis.

FR-03 Harvesting of trees other than pinyon or

juniper will not be allowed unless nec2.36

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ACRES

Open to Fuelwood Harvest 126,192

Seasonal Restrictions on Fuelwood Harvest 28,530

Mule Deer Winter Range closed November 1 to April 15

Elk Calving Areas closed May 1 to July 30

Closed to Fuelwood Harvest 51,086

Washington County HCP Reserve

Red Cliffs and Baker Dam Recreation Areas

OHV Closed Areas (See Table 2-10)

Proposed ACECs (except for Little Creek Mountain Proposed ACEC

and lower portion of Upper Beaver Dam Wash Proposed ACEC 

Riparian Areas

Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway (within 1/2 mile radius)

River segments with a tentative classification of Wild, 

proposed as suitable for Congressional NWSRS designation

Threatened and Endangered Plant and Animal Species Habitat

Candidate Plant and Animal Species Habitat

Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness Area

Table 2-8 • Fuelwood Harvest Area Designations
essary for thinning, salvage, or meeting

other approved management objectives.

FR-04 A maximum of 1,200 cords per year of

green fuelwood will be available for

noncommercial harvest in designated

areas on 34,080 acres. Seasonal restrictions on cutting from November 1 to

April 15 will be placed on 7,500 acres

of crucial deer winter range. Harvest

will be approved only where sale areas

have been marked on the ground

FR-05 Tree thinning permits or contracts may

be allowed to facilitate a prescribed

burn on 500 acres of the Potters Peak

wildlife vegetation treatment project.

Sales of green fuelwood may be

allowed within other vegetation treatment areas or designated pinyon/juniper

areas to facilitate achievement of

desired vegetation composition. All

such sales will be subject to further site

specific analysis and will be designed to

meet objectives for wildlife and watershed management.

FR-06 Post permits will be issued for up to

1,600 posts in three specific cutting areas

on 4,070 acres depicted on Map 2.10.

FR-07 Onsite use of dead and down fuelwood

for campfires will be allowed except

where otherwise prohibited by planning

decision or permit stipulations.

FR-08 Seed harvests will be authorized under

permit for selected grasses, forbs, and

shrubs, but not for cacti, yucca, or special status plant species listed under

state or federal rules. Harvest will be

allowed only by hand in areas outside

of critical habitats, areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs), designated

wilderness, wild and scenic rivers and

study areas, recreation sites and campgrounds, areas undergoing vegetation

rehabilitation, and highway rights-ofway. No more than 25 percent of the

seed available in any one area may be

harvested.

Recreation

Objectives

BLM's objective for recreation management will

be to provide an array of quality recreation

experiences within the agency's capability and

logical recreation niche to meet the reasonable

needs and expectations of local residents and

visitors from outside the area. Because the fiscal and staffing resources available to BLM are

likely to remain inadequate to fully accomplish

this objective, BLM will use innovative partnerships, pursue grant monies, and work with volunteers, organized user groups, and other recreation providers in developing and managing

selected recreation opportunities on the public

lands. In managing the overall recreation program, BLM will seek to:

a) establish collaborative partnerships with state

and local governments, Indian tribes, other federal agencies, the private sector, and interested

organizations in developing recreational plans

and opportunities, maintaining facilities, and

conducting public information and education

programs;

b) reduce potential conflicts between various

recreation groups, raise public awareness of

impacts of increased recreation use on established user groups and adjacent landowners,

and promote outdoor ethics that instill respect

for property and natural resources;

c) eliminate unacceptable impacts to important

and at risk resources on public lands including

wildlife habitats, listed and sensitive species,

riparian areas, watersheds, fragile soils, water

quality, cultural resources, wilderness values,

and the spectacular scenery throughout

Washington County; and

d) in accordance with federally-approved programs and guidelines, establish reasonable and

appropriate fees that can be returned to the

local area to maintain public facilities and provide essential recreation information to the

using public.

Public lands in Washington County will generally remain open to most forms of outdoor recre2.37

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
ation including, but not limited to, hiking, touring, camping, hunting, picnicking, sightseeing,

rock hounding, mountain biking, equestrian use,

swimming, fishing, rafting/kayaking, rock climbing, target shooting, and various forms of motorized recreation except as otherwise prescribed

in the following sections. Prescriptions for offroad travel are described separately in the section on Off-Highway Vehicle Management.

Activities on public lands within incorporated

city limits such as shooting, camping, or commercial permits may be further constrained by

applicable city ordinances designed to protect

public health, safety, and welfare.

Extensive Recreation

Management Areas

Extensive Recreation Management Areas are

those public land areas where recreation management is only one of several management

programs applied to the land and where recreation is typically extensive and unstructured in

character. Such areas may contain occasional

recreation sites such as the Baker Dam or Red

Cliffs facilities. Emphasis will be placed on dispersed recreation, trail development, signing,

maintenance of primitive and semiprimitive

characteristics, management or abatement of

natural and man-made hazards, and protection

of resources and sites of recreational interest.

RC-01 A total of 501,630 acres of public land

in the county fall within Extensive

Recreation Management Areas. This

includes the designated Beaver Dam

Mountains Wilderness Area which will

no longer be classified as a Special

Recreation Management Area because

of provisions in the Paiute and Beaver

Dam Mountains Wilderness

Management Plan (1987).

RC-02 BLM will work collaboratively with

affected user groups and organizations,

state and local officials, and other interested parties in identifying existing and

potential trails and use areas to meet

public needs for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and equestrian use.

Where appropriate, BLM will enter into

cooperative agreements with applicable

partners to plan for, implement, and

maintain such areas. Site steward programs may also be employed to put volunteers on the ground to monitor use

and resource conditions and provide

assistance for sign installation and

maintenance, visitor information, and

detection of conflicts or violations.

Where appropriate, BLM will work with

partners to map and profile approved

trails and develop guides to help users

remain safe, well-prepared, and

informed of special conditions needed

to protect sensitive resources.

RC-03 BLM will collaborate with the Utah

Department of Transportation and other

affected agencies in making public

lands available for a bikeway within the

right-of-way of portions of Utah

Highway 18 between Central and St.

George.

RC-04 Mountain bike use on public lands will

be subject to the open, limited, and

closed designations described in Table

2-9 and shown on Map 2.11. Closures

or limitations reflect the minimum constraints necessary to protect sensitive

resources from impacts of sustained biking use over many years. In addition,

the mountain bike closure on lands

directly north of the town of Rockville,

previously published in the Federal

Register (Volume 61, Number 123, July

9, 1996), will remain in effect until site

specific planning has been completed

for that area. 

RC-05 Dispersed camping in undeveloped

areas will be allowed in accordance

with the public notice of December 14,

1992 (Federal Register, Vol. 57, No.

240, p. 59121), where the lands are not

otherwise closed to such use. To prevent degradation of natural resources

and the use of public lands for unauthorized occupancy, dispersed camping by

any person or group of persons will be

limited to 14 days within a 30-mile

radius in a 28-day period.

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CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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RC-06 Camping areas for long-term winter visitors will not be established on public

lands administered by the St. George

Field Office. Permanent funding for

management of such areas is lacking

and suitable lands free of impacts to

sensitive resources and existing land

uses are generally not available. Private

facilities for such purposes exist

throughout Washington County. BLM

will, however, provide public outreach

and education for such user groups

through interpretive lectures, displays,

media presentations, user guides, and

other materials produced in collaboration with many private, local, and state

representatives and organizations interested in public land resources and

issues.

RC-07 Facilities for camping, sanitation, and

picnicking at the Baker Dam and Red

Cliffs Recreation Areas will be maintained and upgraded as needed to

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CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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TOTAL ACRES

Open to Mountain Bike Use 421,852

Open for Use on Existing Roads and Trails 3,163

Riparian Areas

Open for Use on Designated Roads and Trails 112,286

Upper Beaver Dam Wash ACEC (in part)

Beaver Dam Slope ACEC

Red Bluff ACEC

Warner Ridge/Fort Pearce ACEC

Lower Virgin River Proposed ACEC

Santa Clara River-Gunlock ACEC

Santa Clara River-Land Hill ACEC

Washington County HCP Reserve (in part)

Threatened and Endangered Plant Species Habitat

Candidate Species Plant Habitat

Portions of the riparian areas along the Virgin River near Virgin and Grafton

Rockville Bench

Red Cliffs and Baker Dam Recreation Areas

Closed to Mountain Bike Use 91,704

ROS Primitive Areas (except the Volcano Knoll crossing)

River segments with a tentative classification of Wild,

proposed as suitable for Congressional NWSRS designation

Upper Beaver Dam Wash ACEC (in part)

Ripple Arch

Dinosaur Trackway

Watchman Area

Fort Pearce Historical Site

Red Mountain ACEC

Canaan Mountain ACEC

Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness Area

Table 2-9 • Mountain Bike Use Designations
achieve management objectives for

safety, resource protection, and quality

recreational experiences. 

RC-08 To protect public investments and facilities from incompatible disturbance,

conveyance, or activities, the following

prescriptions will be applied to developed recreation sites at Baker Dam and

Red Cliffs:

a) BLM will seek to withdraw the sites

from mining location (290 and 1,085

acres respectively);

b) the areas will be closed to mineral

materials and fuelwood sales;

c) Category 3 (NSO) stipulations will be

applied to the areas for fluid mineral

leasing; and

d) motorized vehicle and mountain biking use will be allowed on designated

roads and trails only.

RC-09 BLM will work with its local and state

partners in promoting public education

on outdoor ethics including the Leave

No Trace program to foster a heightened

awareness of the need to protect public

resources from indiscriminate use.

RC-10 Groups of more than 75 persons will be

required to obtain a letter of authorization prior to camping on undeveloped

public lands except where more restrictive rules apply. Such groups will be

required to provide their own portable

sanitary facilities, properly dispose of

garbage, and comply with other good

sense rules for public safety and protecting the land.

RC-11 To improve sanitation, reduce overcrowding, enhance public safety,

restore degraded areas, and minimize

impacts to intermingled private lands,

camping in undeveloped areas will be

prohibited up to 1 mile from the Baker

Dam and Red Cliffs Recreation Sites.

Where necessary, public land boundaries will be marked to assist visitors in

identifying adjacent private property.

RC-12 Camping will be prohibited along the

Smithsonian Butte National Back

Country Byway for a distance of 0.5

miles on either side of the road to preserve the scenic and backcountry experience for visitors. For this same reason,

the 0.5 mile corridor along the Byway

will be designated a right-of-way avoidance area, placed in fluid mineral leasing Category 3 (NSO), closed to fuelwood sales, and designated a VRM

Class II area.

RC-13 In collaboration with the Utah Division

of Wildlife Resources (DWR), BLM will

restrict camping from October 15 to

November 15 within 0.25 mile of all

water catchments, wildlife guzzlers, and

the 12 springs located west of the Santa

Clara River as described under the section on Fish and Wildlife Habitat. This

seasonal restriction is needed to protect

wildlife access to these critical water

sources during the fall big game hunting

season.

RC-14 BLM will work with state and local officials, affected permittees, and other

interested parties in evaluating and

implementing appropriate closures, seasonal use restrictions, rotation strategies,

and other measures along key, undeveloped riparian areas currently experiencing heavy impacts from camping and

recreation use. The areas include, but

are not limited to, the Santa Clara River

below Gunlock and at Land Hill and

the Virgin River near Grafton. Such

measures will be needed to allow for

revegetation, reduce overcrowding, and

eliminate growing sanitation and public

safety problems.

RC-15 Lands in a primitive recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) class, including

portions of the Beartrap Canyon, Taylor

Creek Canyon, LaVerkin Creek Canyon,

and Cottonwood Canyon areas, will be

managed to preserve primitive recreation opportunities. For this reason,

they will be placed in fluid mineral

leasing Category 3 (NSO), designated as

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CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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rights-of-way avoidance areas, closed to

off-road travel, and closed to mineral

materials and fuelwood sales.

RC-16 BLM will continue to work collaboratively with its many private, local, state, federal, and Indian partners in developing

and implementing recreation opportunities along the Virgin and Santa Clara

Rivers. Among other things, this will

include the creation of a 48-mile long,

multiuser trail system and greenway

along the river corridors between Zion

National Park and Gunlock Reservoir.

BLM will make selected lands available

for trails, trail heads, interpretive sites,

and other related facilities.

RC-17 BLM will consider development of the

following management activities and

opportunities on public lands. Actual

implementation will not take place

unless site specific planning is completed and necessary partners and resources

become available. Strategies and funding for permanent maintenance of proposed facilities will need to be in place

before BLM may act on development

plans.

a) BLM will work with Washington

County Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)

partners and interested user groups in

identifying, designating, and maintaining

hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, trail

heads, and rock climbing areas in the

HCP Reserve. Trail and area locations

and use prescriptions will be designed to

avoid negative impacts to the sensitive

resources being managed in the Reserve.

b) Camping facilities, special use areas,

or water-based recreation opportunities

may be developed in cooperation with

state and local governments on or adjacent to proposed or existing reservoirs

where it is determined that such are consistent with reservoir purposes and

objectives for land use in the surrounding area.

c) Bloomington Cave will be monitored

periodically and appropriate guidelines

implemented to provide for visitor safety and protection of cave resources.

d) BLM will work collaboratively with

local, state, and federal partners including BLM units in adjacent areas to

develop interpretive displays with

improved access along major tourist

routes to increase public awareness and

provide an enhanced recreation experience relating to significant historical

and natural features. Such will include

a partnership with the Vermillion Cliffs

Highway initiative for northwest

Arizona and southwest Utah.

e) In collaboration with local communities, historical associations, and interested government agencies, BLM will

assist in marking and signing portions of

the Spanish Trail that cross public lands

in Washington County.

f) In collaboration with local communities, organizations, and volunteer

groups, BLM will enter into cooperative agreements to establish collection

boxes outside of regular fee areas to

receive voluntary donations from members of the using public at selected special use areas and interpretive sites to

be applied to the cost of maintenance

and providing public information.

g) Where developed recreation facilities are maintained or proposed, BLM

will consider the use of concessionaire

management to provide improved visitor services while minimizing the need

for appropriated funds.

Special Recreation

Management Areas

Special Recreation Management Areas (SRMAs)

are well-defined land units that support a combination of natural features that make them

attractive and manageable for interrelated recreation opportunities on a sustained basis.

Investment and levels of management are typically higher than what is required across most of

the Extensive Recreation Management Areas for

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CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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public lands in Washington County. Emphasis

will be placed on maintaining specific features

or recreation opportunities that make them

unique or particularly desirable to recreationists

and other members of the public.

RC-18 Four new SRMAs are designated under

this plan including Sand Mountain, Red

Mountain/Santa Clara, Deep Creek, and

LaVerkin Creek/Black Ridge. Canaan

Mountain will continue to be managed

as an SRMA. The SRMAs cover

127,375 acres and are depicted on Map

2.12. BLM will prepare recreation

management plans for each SRMA. The

SRMAs are described below.

RC-19 Lands classified as primitive under the

recreation opportunity spectrum,

including portions of the Canaan

Mountain, Red Mountain, LaVerkin

Creek/Black Ridge, and Deep Creek

SRMAs, will be managed to preserve

primitive recreation opportunities. For

this reason, they will be placed in fluid

mineral leasing Category 3 (NSO), designated as rights-of-way avoidance

areas, closed to off-road travel for

motorized vehicles and mountain bikes,

and closed to mineral materials and

fuelwood sales. In such areas, mining

plans of operation will be required for

all mining activity beyond casual use.

RC-20 Sand Mountain SRMA encompasses

40,725 acres of public land. BLM will

apply the following management prescriptions relating to recreation management within the area. Where further

analysis, planning, or resources are

required, actual development or implementation will not take place until such

analysis is completed and resources

become available.

a) BLM will work with local and state

agencies in developing recreation plans

for lands surrounding the proposed

Sand Hollow reservoir once it is constructed. Such plans may provide for

staging areas, parking, information displays, and other visitor facilities needed

to accommodate increased recreation

and OHV use expected to occur

throughout the immediate area.

b) Where consistent with the goals and

policies of both agencies, BLM will

consider entering into a cooperative

management agreement with the Utah

Division of Parks and Recreation that

will allow State Park officials to exercise

day-to-day management of access and

recreation on selected public lands surrounding the proposed reservoir and on

Sand Mountain. Such will be designed

to achieve consistent management, law

enforcement, user fees, and visitor services. Leases or conveyances under the

Recreation and Public Purposes Act

may be considered where high amounts

of capital investment are involved for

campgrounds and related facilities.

c) BLM will work with user groups and

other interested parties to identify and,

where appropriate, develop OHV trail

systems that will connect with similar

trail systems and suitable roads in

Arizona. One or more loops will continue to be authorized for yearly competitive events. Where needed to minimize cumulative impacts to soils and

other resources, competitive events may

be rotated amongst established courses

in collaboration with the BLM Arizona

Strip Field Office.

d) BLM will work with interested user

groups to identify, develop, and maintain up to 50 miles of equestrian trails

near Sand Mountain to meet growing

demands for such use. Organized

events will be managed under terms

designed to avoid sensitive resources

and conflicts with OHV use.

e) Generally, lands within this SRMA

not already identified in this Plan for

disposal or included in current

exchange agreements will be maintained in public ownership to provide

long-term stability for user groups such

as the OHV community who, as a result

of urbanization and land use restric2.42

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
tions, have lost much of their traditional

open use areas.

f) The Fort Pearce and Honeymoon Trail

historic sites will be maintained and

explained through appropriate interpretive displays for public enjoyment and

education.

g) The Dinosaur Trackway paleontological

site, visitor parking area, and interpretive

signs will be maintained to enhance site

security and public education.

h) Where previously constructed monuments are missing or in disrepair, BLM

will work with local and state historical

associations and other interested parties

to remark selected portions of the

Dominguez-Escalante Historic Trail.

i) No camping will be authorized within

1 mile of Fort Pearce or the Dinosaur

Trackway to protect the sites from excessive human encroachment and to protect

sensitive riparian values and wildlife

habitat along the Fort Pearce Wash. Both

sites (40 acres each) will be closed to

motorized travel to protect the historic

structure and the dinosaur tracks.

j) BLM will seek to obtain a 4,240-acre

mineral withdrawal for the Dinosaur

Trackway and the Warner Ridge/Fort

Pearce ACEC to protect listed species

habitat and important historical and paleontological sites from mining development. Until such time as a withdrawal is

in place, mining plans of operation will

be required to afford a minimum level of

protection. These sites will also be

closed to mineral materials sales and

placed in fluid mineral leasing Category

3 (NSO).

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Setting

Semiprimitive motorized (39,940 acres), rural

(785 acres).

Main Attractions

Sand dune OHV riding area, Dinosaur Trackway

paleontologic site, Fort Pearce historic site, historic trails, Warner Valley Road.

Main Recreation Activities

OHV riding and competitive events, horseback

riding, scenic driving and viewing, visiting historic and paleontologic sites, natural history

education, semiprimitive recreation, undeveloped camping, picnicking, guided tours, and

recreation instruction.

RC-21 Red Mountain/Santa Clara SRMA

encompasses 23,725 acres of public

land. BLM will apply the following prescriptions relating to recreation management within the area. Where further

analysis, planning, or resources are

required, actual development or implementation will not take place until such

analysis is completed and resources

become available.

a) The Red Mountain trail head and hiking trail off Utah Highway 18 north of

Snow Canyon State Park will be

improved and maintained in partnership

with interested agencies or user groups.

b) BLM will work with affected user

groups, landowners, and local and state

agencies to identify, develop, and maintain a 60-mile equestrian trail near Red

Mountain. Organized events will be

managed under terms designed to avoid

impacts to sensitive resources in the

vicinity of the trail.

c) BLM will consider entering into cooperative management agreements with

the Utah Division of Parks and

Recreation that will allow Snow Canyon

State Park officials to exercise day-to-day

management of access and recreation

on public lands immediately to the

north and west of Snow Canyon State

Park and in Paradise Canyon on the

southeast to protect important resources

and provide law enforcement and visitor

services. The decisions of this Plan are

intended to complement the goals,

objectives, and decisions of the 1998

Snow Canyon State Park Resource

Management Plan. Among other things,

such agreements may provide for joint

development of hiking, biking, and

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CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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equestrian trails and use areas for rock

climbing and concessionaire services.

Moreover, coordinated management,

signing, user fees, interpretive programs,

and land use prescriptions may be

developed and employed to bring consistency for recreationists using both

state and federal lands in this area.

d) Management of recreation activities

within those portions of the SRMA that

overlap the Washington County HCP

Reserve will conform to approved decisions of the HCP and any subsequent

activity level plans for the protection of

desert tortoises, their habitat, and other

natural features.

e) Commercial use on Red Mountain will

be limited to groups of 12 or less persons

per trip with no more than three commercial permittees using an area at one

time to reduce user impacts on the natural values of the area. For the same reason, pack animals will be limited to 15

head per trip. Weed-free hay for pack

animals will be required of the permittees

to prevent the further spread of invasive

weeds. Additional limits on the amount

of use will be developed, as needed, to

maintain important resource values within sensitive parts of the SRMA.

f) BLM will work with local and state

agencies, affected permittees, and other

interested parties in designing and implementing management controls on visitor

use within the 3-mile-long riparian area

on the Santa Clara River below the

Gunlock Dam to allow for natural revegetation and reduce threats to effective

sanitation and public safety. Restrictions

may include closing one or more vehicle

access points along the river, implementing seasonal or partial closures to camping, establishing day-use only areas, or

allowing selected activities on a rotational basis.

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Setting

Primitive (10,910 acres), semiprimitive motorized

(11,200 acres), roaded natural (1,615 acres).

Main Attractions

Red Mountain, outstanding geological features

and scenery, Santa Clara River, petroglyphs.

Main Recreation Activities

Primitive and semiprimitive motorized recreation, hiking, rock climbing, sightseeing, touring, stream-based recreation, outdoor photography, picnicking, undeveloped camping, horseback riding, small game hunting, and viewing

petroglyphs.

RC-22 Deep Creek SRMA encompasses

11,350 acres of public land. BLM

will apply the following prescriptions

relating to recreation management

within the area. Where further analysis,

planning, or resources are required,

actual development or implementation

will not take place until such analysis

is completed and resources become

available.

a) BLM will seek to obtain public

access to selected portions of the SRMA

and will mark public land boundaries to

reduce unintentional use of intermingled private lands.

b) BLM will collaborate with Zion

National Park managers to develop

coordinated strategies for management

of visitor activities. Emphasis will be

placed on maintaining natural values

and ensuring consistency with the

objectives of the Park's General

Management Plan and other policy

documents.

c) Public lands within 0.25 miles of

Deep Creek, Crystal Creek, Oak Creek,

Kolob Creek, and the North Fork of the

Virgin River north of Zion National Park

will be managed to preserve those outstandingly remarkable values associated

with BLM's recommendations for wild

and scenic river designations.

Management prescriptions for such

areas are described in the discussion of

wild and scenic rivers in the section of

this Plan on Special Emphasis Areas.

2.44

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Setting

Primitive (5,760 acres), semiprimitive motorized

(5,590).

Main Attractions

Scenic vistas and landforms, Deep Creek,

Crystal Creek, North Fork of Virgin River, Box

Canyon, Volcano Knoll, Indian Trail, Kolob

Creek, Giant Oak Tree.

Main Recreation Activities

Stream-based recreation, hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, undeveloped camping,

touring, sightseeing, primitive recreation, and

cross-country skiing.

RC-23 LaVerkin Creek/Black Ridge SRMA

encompasses 20,180 acres of public

land. BLM will apply the following prescriptions related to recreation management. Where further analysis, planning,

or resources are required, actual development or implementation will not take

place until such analysis is completed

and resources become available.

a) BLM will work with interested volunteers and organizations to construct a

0.5 mile trail and overlook at the Black

Ridge viewing area. Construction will

disturb less than 1 acre and be completed so as to avoid conflict with the present communication site.

b) With collaboration from local and

state agencies and law enforcement officials, BLM may develop a primitive

day-use recreation site on 20 acres near

LaVerkin (Twin) Falls and institute controls to reduce or eliminate trashing,

undesirable uses, and public safety

problems currently being experienced

at this area.

c) In the primitive portion of the SRMA,

commercial use will be limited to

groups of 12 persons or less per trip

with no more than three commercial

permittees using the area at one time to

reduce user impacts on the natural values of the area. Pack animals will be

limited to 15 head per trip. Weed-free

hay for pack animals will be required of

the permittee to prevent the further

spread of invasive weeds. Additional

limits on the amount of use will be

developed, as needed, to maintain

important resource values within sensitive parts of the SRMA.

d) Public lands within 0.25 miles of

portions of LaVerkin Creek and Smith

Creek will be managed to preserve

those outstandingly remarkable values

associated with BLM's recommendations for wild and scenic river designations. Management prescriptions for

such areas are described in the discussion of wild and scenic rivers in the

section of this Plan on Special Emphasis

Areas.

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Setting

Primitive (11,605 acres), semiprimitive motorized (8,575 acres).

Main Attractions

Scenic vistas and landforms, Red Butte,

LaVerkin Creek Falls, LaVerkin Creek Trail,

LaVerkin Creek Canyon, Black Ridge Overlook.

Main Recreation Activities

Stream-based recreation, hiking, sightseeing,

picnicking, horseback riding, touring, geologic

interpretation, and primitive recreation.

RC-24 Canaan Mountain SRMA encompasses

31,395 acres of public land. BLM will

apply the following prescriptions related

to recreation management. Where further analysis, planning, or resources are

required, actual development or implementation will not take place until such

analysis is completed and resources

become available.

a) BLM will maintain the Eagle Crags,

Short Creek, and Water Canyon trail

head parking areas. With help from

volunteers and interested community

groups and organizations, BLM will

maintain the Eagle Crags, Water

Canyon, Canaan Mountain, Squirrel

Canyon, and Broad Hollow trails. The

2.45

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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Eagle Crags and Water Canyon trails

will be extended to the top of Canaan

Mountain.

b) Commercial use will be limited to

groups of 12 persons or less per trip

with no more than three commercial

permittees using the area at one time to

reduce user impacts on the natural values of the area. Pack animals will be

limited to 15 head per trip. Weed-free

feed for pack animals will be required

of the permittee for overnight trips to

prevent the further spread of invasive

weeds. Additional limits on the amount

of use will be developed, as needed, to

maintain important resource values

throughout the SRMA.

c) The unit boundaries will be marked

in the vicinity of Hildale to reduce

unintentional use on adjacent private

lands. BLM will install the minimum

necessary directional and interpretive

signs to provide essential visitor

information.

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Setting

Primitive (31,395 acres).

Main Attractions

Canaan Mountain, Eagle Crags, hiking trails,

outstanding scenery and landforms, unconfined

primitive recreation, Water Canyon Arch, historic windlass and sawmill.

Main Recreation Activities

Hiking, backpacking, primitive recreation,

horseback riding, sightseeing, outdoor photography, guided tours, and pack animal use.

Off-Highway Vehicle

Management

Within Utah, statewide OHV issues are

addressed in a comprehensive fashion by the

State Division of Parks and Recreation through

the OHV Advisory Council. The Council has

effectively addressed numerous OHV issues

throughout the state including safety, education,

program funding, community partnerships, and

reducing conflicts with resources and other public land users. BLM will apply the studies,

analysis, and recommendations of this Council

in dealing with OHV issues in Washington

County. Moreover, collaboration with user

groups, clubs, and community organizations to

accomplish user education, program evaluation,

and facility planning, development, and maintenance will be essential in meeting objectives for

the program and resource protection.

Objectives

BLM's objectives for OHV management on public lands in Washington County will include:

a) Provide meaningful opportunities for a

diversity of motorized recreation experiences

on public lands in Washington County while

protecting sensitive resources from excessive

disturbance, road proliferation, and human

encroachment.

b) Establish working partnerships with local and

state agencies, user groups, commercial

providers, and other interested parties that will

facilitate effective OHV program development

including the planning for and implementation

of successful trail systems and use areas.

c) Provide education on OHV safety, etiquette,

and environmental awareness, in cooperation

with local and state agencies, user groups,

schools, and other organizations.

d) Provide for adequate mapping, signage, and

public information to facilitate user awareness,

safety, and compliance with land use prescriptions. Collaborate with applicable state agencies and organizations who share responsibility

for the preparation of such materials to ensure

timely and accurate presentation.

e) Achieve consistency, to the extent practical,

with adjacent land management agencies in

making use designations, linking trails, and

communicating with the public to provide a

seamless transition for OHV users across agency

jurisdictions.

OV-01 All public lands within the administrative boundary of the St. George Field

2.46

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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Office will be designated as Open

(89,235 acres), Open for Use on

Existing or Designated Roads/Trails

(448,066 acres), or Closed to OHV Use

(91,704 acres) based on applicable provisions contained in Title 43 of the

Code of Federal Regulations. These categories are depicted on Table 2-10, and

shown on Map 2.13.

OV-02 Specific recommendations to minimize

conflicts from OHV use on various

resources are described in each corresponding section of this Plan. In large

part, public lands in Washington

County will remain open to OHV use

on existing roads and trails. Several

special management areas and watersheds will remain open on designated

roads and trails only. Specified public

lands west of Veyo, at Sand Mountain,

and adjacent to state lands west of

Bloomington will remain open without

limitation. Existing closures on public

2.47

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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TOTAL ACRES

Open to Off-Highway Vehicle Use 89,235

Sand Mountain Area

West of Veyo

West of state land near Bloomington

Open for Use on Existing Roads and Trails 335,780

All areas not specifically noted

Open for Use on Designated Roads and Trails 112.286

Upper Beaver Dam Wash ACEC (in part)

Beaver Dam Slope ACEC

Red Bluff ACEC

Warner Ridge/Fort Pearce ACEC

Lower Virgin River ACEC

Santa Clara River-Gunlock ACEC

Santa Clara River-Land Hill ACEC

Washington County HCP Reserve (in part)

Threatened and Endangered Plant Species Habitat

Candidate Species Plant Habitat

Portions of the riparian areas along the Virgin River

near Virgin and Grafton

Rockville Bench

Red Cliffs and Baker Dam Recreation Areas

Closed to OHV Use 91,704

ROS Primitive Areas (except the Volcano Knoll crossing, as permitted)

River segments with a tentative classification of Wild,

proposed as suitable for Congressional NWSRS designation

Upper Beaver Dam Wash ACEC (in part)

Ripple Arch

Dinosaur Trackway

Watchman Area

Fort Pearce Historical Site

Red Mountain ACEC

Canaan Mountain ACEC 

Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness Area

Table 2-10 • Off-Highway Vehicle Use Designations
lands at Ripple Arch, portions of

Canaan Mountain, and within the

Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness

Area will remain in place to protect

special values. New closures will be

implemented to protect special

resources at the Dinosaur Trackway, the

Fort Pearce Historic Site, the Watchman

slope adjacent to Zion National Park in

Springdale, the roadless watershed

immediately north of the upper Beaver

Dam Wash, the cliff face of Red

Mountain, river segments tentatively

classified as wild and found suitable for

congressional designation under the

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and areas

classified as primitive in the

Cottonwood Canyon portion of the

Washington County Habitat

Conservation Plan (HCP) Reserve and

the Deep Creek, Red Mountain, Canaan

Mountain, and LaVerkin/Black Ridge

Special Recreation Management Areas

(SRMAs). 

OV-03 Off-highway vehicle use will be managed in accordance with the following

guidelines and definitions:

a) BLM will prepare an activity plan for

areas open to designated roads and

trails only that will identify roads and

trails open to use. Road closures, if

any, will be coordinated through applicable county or municipal officials with

public notice in accordance with federal regulations and Utah state law, where

such is required. Maps of such areas

will be disseminated for public use and

information. Except as otherwise

allowed under the definitions below,

off-highway travel in such areas must be

approved by BLM's authorized officer in

advance, including for holders of valid

permits and licenses. Hunters may not

use motorized vehicles off the designated roads to retrieve taken animals.

Vehicle parking for authorized purposes

must occur within 25 feet of the designated roads or trails.

b) BLM will not prepare an activity plan

for areas open to existing roads and

trails but will distribute maps for the

using public. All authorized land users

that hold a valid permit or license

including, but not limited to, grazing

permits, hunting licenses, wood permits, rights-of-way, mining claims, mineral leases, research agreements, etc.,

will be allowed to drive off-road only to

the extent needed to fulfill the purposes

of their permit or license. Motorized

vehicles must park within 100 yards of

an existing road or trail when required

for camping in undeveloped areas.

c) Off-road travel on public lands must

be limited to the minimum necessary to

accomplish lawful, intended purposes,

to reduce unauthorized road proliferation and widespread cumulative

impacts, and to prevent undue or

unnecessary degradation to the area.

Negligent or willful destruction or

degradation of natural resources or

facilities will trigger appropriate law

enforcement action and penalties.

d) Off-road travel restrictions currently

in place as a result of Federal Register

publication, Vol. 45, No. 188, page

63557, Sep. 25, 1980, will remain in

effect until approved designations are

fully implemented. In addition, closures

and restriction orders for motorized

vehicles that were previously published

in the Federal Register will remain in

effect until site specific planning has

been completed for those areas. The

Federal Register notices are: Volume 63,

Number 185, September 24, 1998 for

lands formerly known as Smith Ranch;

Volume 63, Number 154, August, 11,

1998 for lands within the Washington

County HCP Red Cliffs Desert Reserve;

Volume 61, Number 123, July 9, 1996

closing lands directly north of the town

of Rockville; and Volume 45, Number

188, March 13, 1987 closing lands on

the Price City Hills and Red Bluff dwarf

bear-poppy areas.

e) Until activity plans and maps are prepared and made available to the public,

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CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
lands classified as "Limited to

Designated Roads and Trails" will be

managed as "Limited to Existing Roads

and Trails" so as to lessen confusion

among the using public. Exceptions

will occur only where further restrictions were applied by the publication

referenced above.

f) BLM will apply the following definitions to OHV management for public

lands in Washington County:

1) "Off-highway vehicle" - any motorized vehicle capable of or designed

for travel over land or other natural

terrain, excluding: (a) any military, fire,

search and rescue, or law enforcement

vehicle while being used for emergency purposes; (b) any vehicle whose

use is expressly approved by the

authorized officer; vehicles in official

use; and (d) any combat or combat

support vehicle when used in times of

national defense emergencies.

2) "Official use" - use by any employee, agent, contractor, or designated

government representative in the

course of carrying out required duties.

3) "Trail" - a two-track vehicle way

such as a "jeep trail," a single track

maintained specifically to allow passage by ATVs or motorcycles, and

unvegetated dry wash bottoms outside

of riparian zones.

4) "Open area" - an area of public

land where motorized travel is permitted both on and off roads subject to

applicable operating regulations and

vehicle standards.

5) "Closed area" - an area of public

land where motorized travel is prohibited, except as expressly provided by

law, regulation, or the authorized officer for essential purposes.

6) "Limited to existing roads and trails"

- an area of public land open to

motorized travel on all roads and trails

unless such roads and trails are

reclaimed or otherwise signed as

closed. Some off-road travel will be

permitted in accordance with the

guidelines described above.

7) "Limited to designated roads and

trails" - an area of public land open to

motorized travel only on roads or

trails that have been identified as open

on an official, approved map. Offroad travel is prohibited unless prior

approval has been granted by the

authorized officer in accordance with

the guidelines described above.

8) "Limited to seasonal use" - an area

of public land where prescriptions for

motorized travel are regulated by the

time of year.

9) "Off-road" - a term used to define

motorized travel that does not take

place on existing roads or trails; such

travel is often referred to as "crosscountry" travel.

OV-04 Through additional analysis and land

use planning, BLM will collaborate with

affected and interested partners in evaluating existing roads and trails for suitability for active OHV management and

envisioning potential new trails that will

help meet current and future demands.

In conducting such evaluations, the following factors will be considered:

a) trails suitable for different categories

of OHVs including dirt bikes, ATVs,

dune buggies, and 4-wheel drive touring vehicles, as well as opportunities for

joint trail use;

b) needs for parking, trail heads, informational and directional signs, mapping

and profiling, and development of

brochures or other materials for public

dissemination;

c) opportunities to tie into existing or

planned trail networks on the Dixie

National Forest and other areas to the

north including the Paiute ATV Trail;

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CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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similar opportunities to tie into existing

and planned networks on the Arizona

Strip and other adjacent BLM units;

d) opportunities to obtain grants or other

funding needed for planned developments through the Utah Division of

Parks and Recreation and other sources;

e) measures needed to avoid onsite and

offsite impacts to current land uses and

important natural resources; among others, issues include noise and air pollution, erodible soils, stream sedimentation, nonpoint source water pollution,

listed and sensitive species habitats, historic and archeological sites, wildlife,

special management areas, grazing

operations, fence and gate security,

needs of nonmotorized recreationists,

and protection of property rights for

adjacent landowners;

f) needs for collaborative management

agreements between interested communities, agencies, and BLM to authorize

jointly developed projects on public

lands; and

g) recognition that all needs and expectations of the OHV community may not

be satisfied due to limited resources and

competing demands from other user

groups on public lands in Washington

County.

OV-05 Public land roads or trails determined to

cause substantial environmental harm

or to constitute a nuisance or threat to

public safety will be considered for

relocation or closure and rehabilitation

after appropriate coordination with

Washington County or applicable

municipal officials and the application

of state and federal laws and regulations.

OV-06 BLM will work with user groups, organizations, school officials, and local,

state, and other federal agencies in promoting education and public information programs, including the Tread

Lightly initiative, to increase user and

potential user awareness of environmental issues, OHV safety, and trail

etiquette.

OV-07 Maps and, where needed, trail profiles

will be prepared for public dissemination to advise users of where OHV

activity is authorized, what land use

prescriptions apply, and what levels of

user expertise are recommended.

OV-08 BLM will collaborate with state and

local agencies and affected user groups

in planning staging and parking areas

adjacent to the proposed Sand Hollow

Reservoir to service OHV users and

other recreationists desiring access to

the Sand Mountain area. Other than

minimal signing needed for safety and

essential directions, the area will be

left open and unmarked to provide a

semiprimitive and unstructured riding

experience.

OV-09 BLM will continue to work with OHV

sponsors and organizations to authorize

competitive events, commercial touring,

and organized rides on a case-by-case

basis subject to site-specific analysis.

Limited administrative capabilities in

BLM and the need to provide for critical

resource protection and site rehabilitation will restrict the number of large

competitive events (up to 300 participants) authorized on public lands.

Collaboration with adjacent BLM units

on the Arizona Strip will be encouraged

to allow joint management or sponsorship of such events, increase options for

alternative route selection, and provide

for yearly rotation of established routes

for large events to promote rehabilitation and reduce long-term cumulative

impacts. Limitations on the number of

participants and spectators to all competitive events will be applied where

warranted based on design of the competition and site capabilities.

OV-10 BLM will continue to authorize low

impact motorcycle trials events in the

Pahcoon Gulch area. Such events will

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CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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be limited to 50 or fewer vehicles. If

monitoring of these events determines

that substantial impacts are occurring in

the area or conflicts develop with other

resources or goals and objectives set

forth in this Plan, BLM will work with

the project sponsors to mitigate those

impacts, or to relocate to another area.

Visual Resource

Management

Objectives

BLM's objective will be to manage the public

lands in such a way as to preserve those scenic

vistas which are deemed to be most important: 

a) in their impact on the quality of life for residents and communities in the area, 

b) in their contribution to the quality of recreational visitor experiences, and 

c) in supporting the regional tourism industry

and segments of the local economy dependent

on public land resources. 

Moreover, BLM will seek to complement the

rural, agricultural, historic, and urban landscapes on adjoining private, state, and tribal

lands by maintaining the integrity of background

vistas on the public lands.

VR-01 BLM will apply Visual Resource

Management (VRM) Class Objectives

described in Appendix 5 to public lands

in the county. The class objectives will

guide decisionmakers in evaluating

potential impacts from land use proposals on the public lands and in designing

alternatives or measures that will eliminate or reduce undesirable impacts on

the quality of the visual resource. VRM

classes for public lands in Washington

County are summarized in Table 2-11

and depicted on Map 2.14.

VR-02 The classifications reflect the results of

scenic quality inventories upgraded in

those locations where BLM deemed it

necessary to retain desirable landscape

character and achieve the broad management objectives identified previously. BLM managers may use discretion

in applying the standards to various

land use proposals and grant exceptions

where warranted by the public interest

or valid development rights, such as

those conveyed under the mining and

mineral leasing laws. Within excepted

areas, BLM will apply appropriate mitigating measures to authorized actions

to achieve the lowest feasible level of

impact.

VR-03 As Washington County continues to

respond to forces of change, the classifications will be reviewed from time to

time and modified as needed in

response to factors such as new legislation, revisions to local land use plans,

unexpected shifts in urbanization, visual

objectives in local land use agreements,

or determinations that broad planning

objectives are not being met. Such

changes will be made through the

planning process.

VR-04 To protect scenic vistas essential to the

integrity of the Zion viewshed along

State Scenic Highway 9, public lands

within view of the highway from the top

of the bench at LaVerkin (lands east of

LaVerkin scenic overlook turnoff) to the

south entrance of the Park will be classified VRM Class II. Exceptions to the

standards will be granted within the

designated utility corridor and to allow

other essential rights-of-way and public

purpose authorizations needed to support the health, safety, and well-being

of local communities in the viewshed

where the impacts of such uses can be

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CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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Table 2-11 • Visual Resource Management

Classes

VRM Class I 40,877 Acres

VRM Class II 111,407 Acres

VRM Class III 417,925 Acres

VRM Class IV 58,546 Acres
mitigated to satisfactory levels.

Mitigation to reduce impacts may

include, among others, screening,

design modifications, and surface rehabilitation. Exceptions may also be

granted as necessary to fulfill the purposes of approved land use and management plans for Zion National Park,

community-based partnership efforts,

and other objectives of this Plan.

VR-05 VRM Class IV objectives will be applied

to established mineral materials sites.

VR-06 Except in designated utility corridors,

VRM Class I and II areas will be rightof-way avoidance areas to reduce the

potential for scenic degradation.

VR-07 VRM Class II designations will not prevent prescribed burns needed to

accomplish other important objectives

described in this Plan.

VR-08 BLM will apply VRM Class III objectives

to vegetation treatment areas, communication sites, and utility corridors

regardless of the VRM class assigned to

the affected lands.

Wilderness Management

WD-01 The Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness

Area will continue to be managed in

accordance with the Paiute and Beaver

Dam Mountains Wilderness

Management Plan (USDI/BLM, 1990).

WD-02 As a result of wilderness inventories

required by and conducted under the

authority of Section 603 of the Federal

Land Policy and Management Act

(FLPMA), 11 wilderness study areas

(WSAs) and one instant study area were

identified on public lands administered

by the St. George Field Office. Each of

these areas was studied and analyzed for

wilderness suitability in the 1990 Utah

BLM Statewide Wilderness Final

Environmental Impact Statement. BLM's

recommendations were forwarded to the

Secretary of the Interior and on to the

President and the Congress in 1991.

Until such time as the Congress acts to

designate all or part of these areas as

wilderness or releases them from further

wilderness consideration, BLM is

required by FLPMA to manage the areas

so as not to impair their suitability for

preservation as wilderness, subject to

valid existing rights and provisions affecting grandfathered mining, grazing, and

mineral leasing operations. BLM policy

for how such lands are to be managed is

described in its Interim Management

Policy and Guidelines for Lands Under

Wilderness Review, BLM Handbook H8550-1. Public lands within WSAs are

also closed to fluid mineral leasing by

the 1987 Federal Onshore Oil and Gas

Leasing Reform Act. 

WD-03 This Plan addresses how lands in

wilderness study areas will be managed

if released from such review. By so

doing, BLM will have land use prescriptions in place for any lands released

without the need for costly and extensive plan amendments. Any lands subsequently designated as wilderness by

Congress will be managed in accordance with provisions of the Wilderness

Act of 1964 and the terms of the implementing legislation.

WD-04 The Beaver Dam Wilderness Area, the

Joshua Tree Instant Study Area, and the

11 WSAs in Washington County are

described in Table 2-12 and shown on

Map 2.15.

Cultural and

Paleontological Resources

Objectives

In managing cultural and paleontological

resources on public lands, BLM will seek to: 

a) employ reasonable measures and land use

controls needed to reduce impacts from urbanization and human encroachment, 

b) apply the principles of conservation management to selected areas to maintain such

2.52

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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resources in their present condition for future

study and enjoyment, 

c) reduce looting and vandalism through

increased public education, surveillance, and

enforcement,

d) provide for legitimate field research by credible scientists and institutions, 

e) ensure compliance with applicable state and

federal laws for consultation, assessment, and

mitigation including consultation with interested

or affected Indian tribes, and 

f) provide for stabilization, maintenance, and

interpretation of selected sites for public enjoyment and education.

CL-01 BLM will collaborate with local communities, organizations, local and state

agencies, Indian tribes, and other interested parties in developing and implementing plans for the restoration, stabilization, protection, and/or interpretation of appropriate historical, archeological, or paleontological sites and

resources on public lands in

Washington County. Specific recom2.53

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS

Cougar Canyon

Red Mountain

Cottonwood Canyon

La Verkin Creek Canyon

Deep Creek

Canaan Mountain

Red Butte

The Watchman

Taylor Creek

Goose Creek

Bear Trap

Subtotal

Joshua Tree Instant Study Area

Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness Area

(Utah Portion) — Designated

Grand Total

WSA ACREAGE

15,968

18,290

11,330

567

3,320

42,858 1

804

600

35

89

40

93,901

1,015

2,690

97,606

BLM PROPOSED ACREAGE

6,408

12,842

9,853

567

3,320

32,440 2

804

600

35

89

40

66,998

1,015

2,690

70,703

Table 2-12 • Wilderness Study Areas and Designated Wilderness in Washington County, Utah

1 Canaan Mountain WSA acreage total 47,170 acres (42,858 acres in Washington County, 4,312 acres in Kane County)

2 Canaan Mountain BLM Proposed WSA total 33,800 acres (Approx. 32,440 acres in Washington County, 1,360 acres in Kane

County)
mendations for the Dinosaur Trackway,

Honeymoon Trail, DominguezEscalante Trail, and Fort Pearce Historic

Site are included in the section on

Recreation under prescriptions for the

Sand Mountain Special Recreation

Management Area. Protection for the

Red Cliffs Archeological Interpretive site

is provided for in the prescriptions for

the Red Cliffs Recreation site described

in the same general section.

CL-02 Prescriptions for all or portions of four

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern

will be applied to protect, conserve, or

interpret important cultural and paleontological resources. The areas include

Santa Clara River/Gunlock, Santa Clara

River/Land Hill, Lower Virgin River, and

Little Creek Mountain. The prescriptions

are described in detail under the section

on Special Emphasis Areas. Among

other things, the prescriptions will limit

off road travel, require site avoidance

for fluid mineral leasing, and close the

affected areas to fuelwood and mineral

materials sales. Concessionaire management of cultural or paleontological

resources will be considered inconsistent with the objectives of this Plan and

will not be authorized.

CL-03 BLM will continue to maintain inventories of known sites and evaluate their

potential for protection, conservation,

research, or mitigation and data recovery when threatened by land use proposals. Under applicable law and regulation, BLM will authorize field research

by qualified colleges, universities, and

professionals for legitimate purposes.

When archeological resources are

involved, BLM will ensure compliance

with all requirements for Native

American consultation and other provisions of law and executive orders

including the Native American Graves

Repatriation and Protection Act.

CL-04 BLM will establish a site steward program using trained volunteers to monitor conditions at approved historic,

archeological, and paleontological sites.

The site stewards will report violations

to appropriate law enforcement officials

and, where appropriate, provide onsite

information about site values and needed protection to visitors and interested

members of the public. Additional surveillance will be provided by BLM

rangers and through cooperative programs with local law enforcement

offices, the Civil Air Patrol, or other

qualified partners.

CL-05 BLM may consider implementation of

conservation management on public

lands in the Little Creek Mountain

Anasazi area, the Cedar Pockets/Bulldog

Pass Archaic area, and high density

riverine sites to maintain their present

condition and reduce potential conflicts. Conservation management

entails leaving cultural resources in

place without excavation, recovery,

or disturbance so that they may be

studied onsite by future generations of

scientists.

Hazardous Waste

Management

Objectives

BLM's objective will be to comply with all

applicable state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the use and storage of hazardous materials and to keep public lands free

from unauthorized hazardous material generation, storage, or transport.

HZ-01 To eliminate potential long-term public

liability, BLM policy does not authorize

public lands to be used for hazardous

waste disposal unless such lands are

first transferred out of public ownership.

HZ-02 Emphasis will be placed on taking

appropriate legal and enforcement

action necessary to terminate illegal

dumping and remove any hazardous

wastes deposited on the public lands.

HZ-03 BLM will ensure that all use authorizations it grants to public land users

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CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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involving the generation, storage, or

transport of hazardous materials are

subject to required coordination and/or

permitting from applicable local and

state agencies and otherwise conform to

applicable state and federal laws and

regulations.

HZ-04 BLM will collaborate with the EPA, the

Utah Department of Environmental

Quality, and other affected local, state,

and federal agencies in assessing sites

suspected of containing hazardous

wastes or spills and developing strategies for remediation. BLM will continue to seek military assistance in assessing subsurface ordnance contamination

adjacent to Hurricane Mesa and collaborate in preparing and implementing a

decontamination plan, if warranted.

HZ-05 In accordance with BLM policy, sanitary

landfills will not be permitted under

conventional leasing or Recreation and

Public Purpose Act authorities where

lingering public liability exists.

Fire Management

FI-01 Fire suppression on public lands in

Washington County will be directed by

objectives and prescriptions identified

in the Dixie Fire Management Plan

scheduled for completion in 1999. The

highest priorities of fire suppression will

be to protect life, firefighter safety, property, and critical resource values. The

BLM will coordinate with stakeholders

at local and regional levels as well as

adjacent land management agencies in

formulating and implementing the final

Fire Management Plan.

a) The Fire Management Plan will identify (a) where wildland fire will be suppressed immediately, such as near private lands or to avoid threats to life and

property; (b) where wildland fire will be

suppressed to avoid unacceptable

impacts to natural resources, such as in

key riparian areas or endangered

species habitats; c) where fire is desired

to achieve resource objectives but there

are constraints to managing the fire,

such as excessive fuel build-up due to

lack of fire in the past; and (d) where

fire is desired to achieve resource

objectives or restore the land to a

desired condition and there are no constraints to such management.

b) The Fire Management Plan will use

major vegetative communities to define

where the suppression strategies

described above will be employed on

public lands throughout the county. For

each area so identified, the plan will

describe (a) existing vegetative and

resource conditions, (b) desired future

conditions, c) the role fire will play in

achieving such conditions, and (d) areas

where specific suppression tactics need

careful evaluation due to cost, safety,

resource issues, or other concerns. The

Fire Management Plan will also determine what fire management and suppression resources are needed to meet

the goals and objectives identified in

the plan.

c) Until the Dixie Fire Management

Plan is approved, BLM will follow protocols established in the BLM Cedar

City District's Fire Management Plan

and other applicable plans.

FI-02 The Interagency Annual Operating Plan,

which coordinates fire actions between

BLM, Washington County, the State of

Utah, the Bureau of Indian Affairs

(Southern Paiute Field Station), Dixie

National Forest, and Zion National Park

will continue to provide guidance for fire

operations between the agencies. This

plan will be updated yearly and will

operate on the "closest available forces"

concept. It will also establish protocols

for notification and initial attack.

FI-03 The following prescriptions will be

applied to fire suppression and prescribed fire activity on public lands: 

a) Onsite BLM resource advisors will be

assigned to extended attack fires where

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CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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needed to integrate resource concerns

into the development of tactical plans

and to evaluate potential for post-fire

rehabilitation. Special attention will be

given to riparian areas, federally listed

plant and animal species habitat, and

crucial mule deer winter range.

Advisors will be assigned to all fires

threatening desert tortoise habitat,

wilderness areas, or wilderness study

areas.

b) Wildfires in designated wilderness

areas will be managed in accordance

with applicable wilderness management

plans.

c) Wildfires in wilderness study areas

will be managed in accordance with

guidelines in BLM's Interim Management

Policy (BLM handbook H-8550-1).

d) Surface-disturbing suppression activities will avoid known cultural sites to

the extent avoidance is feasible.

e) Although exempt from OHV use designations by regulation, fire suppression

activities will be directed so as to give

appropriate deference to resources and

conditions intended to be protected by

such designations.

f) BLM will manage fire suppression

activities in desert tortoise habitat in

accordance with applicable biological

opinions of the FWS, provisions in the

desert tortoise recovery plan, and guidelines in Fighting Wildfire in Desert

Tortoise Habitat: Considerations for

Land Managers, (T. Duck et al, 1995

Desert Tortoise Council Symposium -

International Symposium of Wildland

Fire).

g) In accordance with the Dixie Fire

Management Plan, BLM will conduct

prescribed burns and manage prescribed natural fires to achieve vegetation management objectives, improve

wildlife habitat, reduce hazardous fuels,

and achieve long-term objectives for

soil stabilization and water quality.

Prescribed fire will be conducted on

500 acres of wildlife habitat at Potters

Peak. Prescribed fire will be considered

for use on up to 10 vegetation treatment

areas listed in the section of this Plan

on Livestock Grazing when necessary to

maintain desired vegetation communities in those areas. Fire rehabilitation

areas may also be maintained through

prescribed fire to achieve these same

objectives.

h) In conducting prescribed burns, BLM

will design and time the projects so as

to maximize smoke dispersal and protect the high-quality airshed within Zion

National Park and other Class I areas in

the region. For effective smoke management, ignition will be approved only

when the burning index is 500 or

greater.

i) Consultation with permittees, local

and state agencies, adjacent land managers, Indian tribes, and nearby private

landowners will be required for all prescribed burns during the planning phase

to ensure such burns minimize disruption to existing land uses and that

affected publics are notified.

j) BLM will collaborate with local, state,

and federal agencies in promoting public education and awareness on fire prevention, protection of rural properties,

and the proper role of fire in natural

systems.

FI-04 BLM will conduct rehabilitation of

lands affected by wildfire in accordance

with provisions of the approved Dixie

Normal Fire Rehabilitation Plan (1997).

Any rehabilitation will require site-specific analysis including full cultural

resource inventories on lands to be disturbed and appropriate consultation. In

all cases, BLM will apply standards and

guidelines approved for various

resources included in Utah BLM's

Standards for Rangeland Health and

Guidelines for Grazing Management

contained in Appendix 3. Deference

will be given to the use of least disrup2.56

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
tive practices in areas being managed

primarily for their natural values,

including primitive recreation areas,

designated wilderness areas, riparian

zones, areas of critical environmental

concern, and rivers recommended as

suitable for inclusion in the National

Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Special Emphasis Areas

Wild and Scenic Rivers

WR-01 On November 6, 1997, BLM's Utah

State Director signed a Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) concerning wild

and scenic river studies in Utah.

Cosigned by the Governor of Utah, the

Regional Forester of the Forest Service,

the Regional Director of the National

Park Service, and affected local agencies, the MOU established a cooperative relationship among the agencies for

conducting wild and scenic river studies

for Utah rivers. Under the MOU, the

parties will strive to reach consensus

regarding recommendations to Congress

for inclusion of rivers in the National

Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Besides applying consistent criteria

across agency jurisdictions, the joint

review will avoid piecemealing of river

segments in logical watershed units in

the state. Actual designation of river

segments will only occur through congressional action or as a result of

Secretarial decision at the request of the

Governor in accordance with provisions

of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (the

Act). Although the MOU was signed

too late to be fully implemented for the

Dixie Proposed RMP/Final EIS, BLM

will seek to work with the agencies

involved to coordinate its decisionmaking on wild and scenic river issues and

to achieve consistency wherever

possible. 

WR-02 To facilitate such consistency and coordination, BLM has entered into a separate MOU with the National Park

Service, dated February 1998, for the

study of river segments on four isolated

tracts of public land adjacent to the

north boundary of Zion National Park.

These include small portions of Willis

Creek, Goose Creek, Beartrap Canyon,

and Shunes Creek. In conducting its

river inventories, BLM judged these segments not eligible for further study

based on the absence of outstandingly

remarkable values on the BLM-administered portions of the segments. Because

of the configuration of the parcels relative to the park, it is recognized that

evaluation of the entire river segment

across federal lands may have led to a

different conclusion as to eligibility for

any of the tracts involved. Zion

National Park is currently preparing a

General Management Plan and is conducting its own review of river segments within the park for possible

inclusion into the National Wild and

Scenic Rivers System. BLM's MOU

with Zion National Park provides that

the four segments previously evaluated

by BLM be included in the National

Park Service river study. BLM and the

National Park Service will strive to

reach a joint conclusion as to eligibility,

tentative classification, and suitability

for the entire segments involved. Such

decisions will either affirm or supersede

BLM's original conclusions as to those

portions on public lands. Two additional public land parcels at the east end of

the middle fork of Taylor Creek and on

the north rim of the Kolob Creek narrows may also be affected by the Park

Service study should the creeks be recommended as suitable for designation.

Until such time as the park's General

Management Plan is completed, BLM's

original conclusions as to eligibility

stand.

WR-03 At such time as the supervisor of the

Dixie National Forest conducts wild

and scenic river studies in a revision of

the Dixie National Forest Land and

Resource Management Plan, BLM will

consider entering into a similar agree2.57

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
ment with the Forest Service for streams

crossing agency jurisdictions within

Washington County. The agreement

may call for evaluation of selected

stream segments in their entirety where

both agencies agree that such will provide a logical and consistent conclusion

as to eligibility and suitability. Unless

and until an agreement is put into place

and a joint planning decision approved,

BLM's conclusions regarding eligibility

for public land river segments addressed

in this Plan will stand.

WR-04 Using the process described in Appendix

6 of the Draft RMP (1995), BLM determined that portions of nine rivers studied, encompassing 11 segments, were

eligible for congressional designation.

These determinations are summarized in

Appendix 7 and depicted on Map 2.16

of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS (1998). 

WR-05 After careful review of numerous public

comments received after publication of

the Draft RMP/EIS and coordination

with interested local, state, and federal

agencies, BLM has concluded it will

recommend as suitable for congressional designation parts or all of 5 of the 11

river segments found eligible on public

lands. These include Deep

Creek/Crystal Creek, North Fork of the

Virgin River above Zion National Park,

Oak Creek/Kolob Creek, that portion of

LaVerkin Creek/Smith Creek from above

Zion National Park to the north boundary of the private parcel in Section 18,

T. 40 S., R. 12 W., and that portion of

Segment B of the Virgin River contained

wholly within the Beaver Dam

Mountains Wilderness Area.

Recommended segments are shown on

Map 2.16. All of the above river segments will carry a tentative classification of wild and will cover approximately 25.7 miles.

Congressional designation of any or all

of these segments will serve to meet the

objective of the Wild and Scenic Rivers

Act, which is to preserve in free-flowing

condition selected rivers in the nation

which possess outstandingly remarkable

values and to protect those rivers and

their immediate environments for the

benefit of present and future generations. Moreover, such designation will

bring national recognition to designated

river segments in Washington County

and elevate river management goals

warranting long-term commitments

from affected agencies. BLM's recommendations will also conform to objectives and recommendations on the same

river segments across federal agency

boundaries, thereby promoting consistent land use regulation and shared

management opportunities.

WR-06 Protective management will be implemented under the authority of Section

202 of the Federal Land Policy and

Management Act (FLPMA) on those segments recommended as suitable to

ensure that eligibility and tentative classification will not be adversely affected.

Protective management objectives for

public lands recommended as suitable

will include (see BLM Manual

8351.32C, 1992):

a) maintaining free-flowing character by

excluding new impoundments, diversions, channelization, or rip-rapping on

public land segments;

b) preserving or enhancing outstandingly remarkable values; and

c) allowing no developments on public

lands within the river corridors that

alter the tentative classifications.

WR-07 For that segment of the Virgin River

Gorge within the Beaver Dam

Mountains Wilderness Area, protective

management will be provided by prescriptions already in place for the

wilderness area. For all other segments

tentatively classified as wild, the following prescriptions will apply to lands

within the affected corridors:

• VRM Class II

• Right-of-way avoidance area

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• Mining plan of operation required

• Fluid mineral leasing Category 3

(NSO - no waivers)

• Closed to mineral materials sales

• Closed to fuelwood sales

• Closed to OHV and mountain bike

use

WR-08 Limited exceptions to OHV travel

restrictions may be made for authorized

uses only in accordance with federal

regulations at 43 CFR 8340.0-5 (1997)

and as described in the section of this

Plan on Off-Highway Vehicle

Management.

WR-09 Protective management will remain in

place until 

a) Congress or the Secretary of the

Interior designate the segments and

apply new provisions, 

b) Congress or the Secretary release the

segments from protection or further

consideration, or 

c) new studies are completed under

Sections 5(a), 5(d), or 2(a)(ii) of the Act

that change or eliminate the need for

protective management on the segments

involved. 

If released from protective management,

the lands will be managed under the

same prescriptions applied to the surrounding public lands.

WR-10 As a result of its recommendations for

suitability contained in this Plan, BLM

will take or approve no action that will

abrogate the intent or terms of the Zion

National Park Water Rights Settlement

Agreement of December 4, 1996. The

Zion Water Agreement provides comprehensive protection of Zion National

Park rivers. As a result, BLM concludes

that the water rights quantification

established for Zion National Park in

the Agreement is sufficient to satisfy

flow requirements needed to maintain

those values on public lands above the

park in Washington County. The conclusion is based on the fact that consumptive uses and resource requirements in the Park, including those for

visitor enjoyment, clearly exceed those

on the adjacent public lands to the

north. In concert with Zion National

Park, BLM will support and promote

designation of the suitable river segments under the Wild and Scenic Rivers

Act above Zion National Park only if

the authorizing legislation recognizes

the Zion Water Agreement as constituting the reserved water rights for the Park

and is explicit in not reserving more

water for the BLM suitable segments

than is provided in the Zion Water

Agreement. In deference to the

Agreement, BLM will allow for the

development contemplated in each

water basin upstream or up gradient

from Zion National Park subject to

applicable federal laws and regulations

while managing for the values which

led to recommendations for suitability

or subsequent legislative or administrative action. 

WR-11 If any or all of the recommended rivers

are designated, BLM will work closely

with affected local, state, and federal

agencies, and Indian tribes in preparing

study reports and detailed management

plans pertaining to the management of

protected river segments. BLM's goal

will be to achieve consistency with

other land use plans and communitybased efforts to promote sound land use

and resource protection within river

corridors in and adjacent to Washington

County. Should the State of Utah, in

cooperation with local governments,

pursue Secretarial designation of river

segments in Washington County under

Section 2(a)(ii) of the Act, BLM will give

its full support to such designation

where federal policies and planning

objectives will be complemented. If

necessary, this land use plan may be

amended to accommodate such action

and cooperative agreements entered

into for the planning, administration,

and management of public lands which

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are within the boundaries of river areas

so designated.

WR-12 BLM's intent will be to defer submission

of suitability reports to Congress until

after studies are completed on adjacent

Forest Service and Park Service lands so

that joint recommendations may be

written and submitted that reflect an

interagency, basinwide approach on the

Virgin River System in Utah.

Preparation and submission of the

reports will follow provisions of the

statewide interagency MOU of

November 6, 1997, including coordination with state and local agencies.

WR-13 Shall designation occur on any river

segment as a result of Secretarial or

congressional action, existing rights,

privileges, and contracts will be protected. Under Section 12 of the Act, termination of such rights, privileges, and

contracts may happen only with the

consent of the affected non-federal

party. A determination by the BLM of

eligibility and suitability for the inclusion of rivers on public lands in

Washington County to the Wild and

Scenic Rivers System does not create

new water rights for the BLM. Federal

reserved water rights for new components of the Wild and Scenic Rivers

System are established by Congress

through amendment of the Wild and

Scenic Rivers Act. When a river component is added to the Wild and Scenic

Rivers System, water is reserved, from

water that is not appropriated at the

time of designation, in the amount necessary to protect features which led to

the river’s inclusion into the system.

Section 13 of the Act provides authority

for the creation of a federal reserved

water right at the time congressional

designation is made only in amounts

necessary to accomplish the purposes

of the Act. Such provisions will be

established in the Secretary's Order or

the legislation which puts the designation into place. BLM's intent will be to

leave existing water rights undisturbed

and to recognize the lawful rights of

private, municipal, and state entities to

manage water resources under state law

to meet the needs of the community.

Federal law, including Section 13 of the

Act and the McCarren Amendment (43

U.S.C. 666), recognizes state jurisdiction over water allocation in designated

streams. Thus, it is BLM's position that

existing water rights and existing developments on such streams will not be

affected by designation or the creation

of the federal reserved water right. BLM

will seek to work with upstream water

users and applicable agencies to ensure

that water flows are maintained at a

level sufficient to sustain the values

for which affected river segments were

designated.

WR-14 Should public land segments of rivers

be designated through congressional or

Secretarial action, BLM will be required

to prepare detailed management plans

within 3 years of the designation. By

law, the plans will be designed to protect and enhance those values for which

the rivers were designated without limiting other uses that do not substantially

interfere with public use and enjoyment

of those values. Local and state agencies will be encouraged to participate in

the formulation of such plans, and

where mutual interests will be served,

to enter into cooperative agreements for

the joint administration of affected river

segments. Land use prescriptions

developed in the management plans

will include all applicable provisions of

the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the

legislation or Secretarial Order that

placed the river segments into the

National Wild and Scenic Rivers

System. Guidelines contained in

Appendix 9 contained in the Proposed

RMP/Final EIS (1998) will be used in

establishing management prescriptions.

Where designated river segments are

included within areas designated as

wilderness, provisions of the Wilderness

Act of 1964 will be applied.

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WR-15 BLM recognizes that water resources on

most segments of the Virgin River system are already fully allocated. Where

stream segments are designated on public lands being managed under this

Plan, BLM will continue to work with

affected local, state, federal, and tribal

partners to identify instream flows necessary to meet critical resource needs

including values related to the designation. BLM will then seek to jointly promote innovative strategies, communitybased planning, and voluntary agreements with water users, under state law,

to address those needs.

Areas of Critical

Environmental Concern 

AC-01 Where BLM determines that certain

public land areas require special management to prevent irreparable damage

to important historic, cultural, or scenic

values, fish and wildlife resources, or

other natural systems, it may, with

appropriate public participation, designate such lands as Areas of Critical

Environmental Concern (ACECs). Ten

ACECs will be established by approval

of this Plan and are shown on Map

2.17. The proposed City Creek ACEC,

described in the 1995 Draft Dixie

Resource Management

Plan/Environmental Impact Statement to

protect watershed values and special

status species, is contained wholly within the Washington County Habitat

Conservation Plan (HCP) Reserve and

will be fully protected under the provisions of the HCP. It is not carried forward in this Plan as an ACEC to avoid

duplication in planning and management oversight. Lands within the HCP

Reserve are proposed for eventual designation as a National Conservation

Area. Management prescriptions for

each ACEC follow.

AC-02 The Red Bluff ACEC encompasses 6,168

acres. This area contains the endangered dwarf bear-claw poppy and highly erodible saline soils at risk from

extensive off-road travel, road proliferation, human encroachment from adjacent urban areas, and continued pressure for land transfers to accommodate

various forms of development. The following prescriptions will be applied to

protect these vulnerable resources:

a) Category 3 (NSO) stipulations will be

applied to fluid mineral leasing to avoid

soil loss and irreparable impacts to

poppy habitat from exploration, drilling,

and lease maintenance operations.

b) The area will be closed to fuelwood

and mineral materials sales and designated a right-of-way avoidance area.

Should the Southern Transportation

Corridor result in a spur from the area

of the proposed Atkinville intersection

to Old U.S. Highway 91 between Santa

Clara and Ivins, BLM will work with

project sponsors to define an environmentally preferred route. Any such

development will be subject to further

environmental study, consultation with

the FWS, and a plan conformance

determination.

c) BLM will recommend the area be

withdrawn from mineral entry. Pending

Secretarial approval of the withdrawal,

mining plans of operation will be

required for all mining exploration and

activities other than casual use.

d) Motor travel will be limited to designated roads and trails. Fencing, signing,

and barricades will be employed to prevent unauthorized vehicle access and

impacts to the resources being protected. Existing fences will be maintained.

e) Applicable Standards for Rangeland

Health, including monitoring and

assessment programs, will be employed

to determine if objectives developed in

the recovery plan for protection and

enhancement of the species are being

met. If monitoring reveals the objectives and standards are not being met,

BLM will work with user groups and

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interested parties to develop strategies

and make adjustments in permitted land

uses to the extent such are determined

to be contributing factors.

f) BLM will continue to fund, conduct,

or authorize field studies to monitor

bear claw poppy populations, trends,

and habitat impacts. Public education

programs will be supported in conjunction with the Washington County HCP

to build increased understanding of the

unique character, importance, and

requirements of the plant.

g) Mountain bike use will be limited to

a designated trail. BLM will work with

user groups, affected agencies, and

interested parties to design a trail and

redirect current use to avoid damage to

bear-claw poppy populations. Trail

approval and reconstruction will be

subject to consultation with the FWS.

h) Because protection of the cryptogamic

material occurring on the soil surface is

needed to reduce unacceptable soil loss,

BLM will manage authorized uses in the

area so as to require the best management practices, including the use of special equipment or construction of temporary or permanent protective features.

i) Special recreation permits may be

issued where site specific analysis

determines that the authorized activity

will not adversely affect the values for

which the ACEC was designated.

j) Public lands in the ACEC will be

retained in public ownership. Non-federal lands within the ACEC may be

obtained through purchase, exchange,

or donation where such will help to

achieve management objectives for the

area. Lands so acquired will be managed under the same prescriptions as

will be applied to the remainder of the

ACEC.

AC-03 The Warner Ridge/Fort Pearce ACEC

encompasses 4,281 acres. This area

contains the endangered dwarf bearclaw poppy, the threatened siler pincushion cactus, important riparian values along the Fort Pearce Wash, historic

sites, and highly erodible soils, all of

which are at risk from off-road travel,

road proliferation, urban growth, and

human encroachment. The area also

contains essential habitat for waterfowl,

the gila monster, spotted bat, raptors,

and other nongame species which have

suffered from habitat loss caused by

urbanization and development in the St.

George area. The following prescriptions will be applied to protect and

improve these values:

a) Category 3 (NSO) stipulations will be

applied to fluid mineral leasing to avoid

soil loss and irreparable impacts to poppy

habitat from exploration, drilling, and

lease maintenance operations.

b) The area will be closed to fuelwood

and mineral materials sales and designated a right-of-way avoidance area. BLM

will work with sponsors of the Southern

Transportation Corridor to define an environmentally preferred route through the

area that will minimize impacts to the

resources being protected.

c) BLM will recommend the area be

withdrawn from mineral entry. Pending

Secretarial approval of the withdrawal,

mining plans of operation will be

required for all mining exploration and

development activities other than casual

use.

d) Motorized travel will be limited to

designated roads and trails. Fencing, barricading, and signing will be employed as

necessary to eliminate unauthorized vehicle access and impacts to protected

resources.

e) Mountain bike use will be limited to

designated roads and trails.

f) Public lands in the ACEC will be

retained in public ownership. Non-federal lands within the ACEC may be

obtained through purchase, exchange, or

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donation where such will help to achieve

management objectives for the area.

Lands so acquired will be managed

under the same prescriptions as will be

applied to the remainder of the ACEC.

g) Special recreation permits may be

issued where site specific analysis determines that the authorized activity will not

adversely affect the values for which the

ACEC was designated.

h) Additional prescriptions described in

the discussion of the Sand Mountain

Special Recreation Management Area

(SRMA) in the Recreation section of this

Plan will be applied to achieve objectives

for the area.

AC-04 The Santa Clara/Gunlock ACEC encompasses 1,998 acres. This area contains

numerous important resource values that

need special protection as a result of

extensive recreation use, off-road travel,

transient camping, and other forms of

human encroachment (Utah Department

of Natural Resources, 1995). Values

include numerous Virgin Anasazi riverine

sites, Southern Paiute sites, and rock art

sites, many of which have been looted or

vandalized. The Santa Clara River supports essential riparian resources, habitat

for the Virgin spinedace minnow and

migratory and nongame birds, and potential habitat for the listed Southwestern

willow flycatcher. Management objectives include protection of cultural

resources, improvement and protection of

riparian systems and floodplains, and

restoration of habitats for listed and sensitive species. The following prescriptions

will be applied to offer protection to the

resources so identified:

a) Selected archeological sites may be

managed for public values and interpreted for educational use. Other sites will

continue to be managed for information

potential unless specific plan prescriptions establish other objectives in accordance with cultural resource policies.

Surveillance and other law enforcement

measures will be increased to deter vandalism. Site steward programs will be

employed to bring trained volunteers to

monitor the sites and report violations or

resource degradation. Cooperative agreements with local Indian tribes, government agencies, or qualified organizations

may be used for interpreting, protecting,

or otherwise managing archeological

resources in their natural context where

consistent with ACEC prescriptions.

b) BLM will collaborate with the Utah

Department of Natural Resources, the

Washington County Water Conservancy

District, the FWS, and other interested

parties in implementing the terms of the

Virgin Spinedace Conservation

Agreement and Strategy (April 11, 1995)

as it affects the segment of the Santa

Clara River in this ACEC. Among other

things, this will include the reestablishment and protection of year-round flows

in the Santa Clara River below Gunlock

Dam, implementation of habitat improvements, eradication of nonindigenous fish,

and monitoring and evaluation.

c) All applicable management prescriptions listed under the section in this Plan

on Riparian Resources will be implemented in full to restore and protect the

riparian values and associated habitats

within this ACEC.

d) Lands outside of riparian zones will be

placed under Category 2 special stipulations for fluid mineral leasing requiring

submission and approval of a plan of

development that protects surface and

groundwater quality.

e) The area will be closed to fuelwood

and mineral materials sales and designated a right-of-way avoidance area.

f) Motorized travel will be limited to designated roads and trails to help protect

and restore riparian values and sensitive

fish habitat.

g) Mountain bike use will be limited to

existing roads and trails.

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h) Mining plans of operation will be

required for all mining exploration and

activity other than casual use.

i) Public lands in the ACEC will be

retained in public ownership. Any nonfederal lands acquired by BLM within this

area will be managed in accordance with

ACEC prescriptions applied to the surrounding public lands.

j) This ACEC includes lands within the

Red Mountain SRMA. Where land use

prescriptions for the two areas conflict on

any given parcel, prescriptions for the

ACEC will apply.

k) Special recreation permits may be

issued when site-specific analysis determines activities thus authorized will not

adversely affect the values for which the

ACEC was designated.

l) BLM will work with water users and

affected local agencies to ensure that

new or adjusted irrigation diversion

points will be designed and located to

minimize conflicts with mutual objectives for managing the area.

AC-05 The Santa Clara River/Land Hill ACEC

encompasses 1,645 acres. This area

contains numerous important resource

values that need special protection as a

result of increasing recreation use, vandalism, pressure for land transfers,

urban development, and other forms of

human encroachment. Values include

numerous Virgin Anasazi riverine sites

and extensive prehistoric rock art, many

of the former having been vandalized.

This segment of the Santa Clara River

supports essential riparian resources,

habitat for the Virgin spinedace and

migratory and nongame birds, and

potential habitat for the listed

Southwestern willow flycatcher.

Management objectives include protection of cultural resources through

appropriate interpretation, conservation,

cooperative management, and research

use; enhancement of habitats for the

Virgin spinedace and other listed or

sensitive species; and maintenance of

properly functioning riparian values.

The following prescriptions will be

applied to protect the resources

identified:

a) Selected archeological sites will be

managed for public values and interpreted for educational use. Other sites

will continue to be managed for information potential unless specific plan

prescriptions establish other objectives

in accordance with cultural resource

policies. Surveillance and other law

enforcement measures will be increased

to deter vandalism. Site steward programs will be employed to bring trained

volunteers to monitor the sites and

report violations or resource degradation. Cooperative agreements with

local Indian tribes, government agencies, and qualified organizations will be

used for interpreting, protecting, or otherwise managing archeological

resources and visitor uses in accordance with plans being developed for

the proposed Santa Clara River Reserve.

b) BLM will collaborate with the Utah

Department of Natural Resources, the

Washington County Water Conservancy

District, the FWS, and other interested

parties in implementing the terms of the

Virgin Spinedace Conservation

Agreement and Strategy (April 11,

1995) as it affects the segment of the

Santa Clara River in this ACEC. Among

other things, this will include the

reestablishment and protection of yearround flows in the Santa Clara River

below Gunlock Dam, implementation

of habitat improvements, eradication of

nonindigenous fish, and monitoring and

evaluation.

c) All applicable management prescriptions listed under the section in this

Plan on Riparian Resources will be

implemented in full to restore and protect the riparian values and associated

habitats within this ACEC.

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d) The area will be closed to fuelwood

and mineral materials sales and designated a right-of-way avoidance area.

e) Motorized travel will be limited to designated roads and trails to prevent damage to cultural resource sites and sensitive riparian resources. Mountain bike

use will be limited to existing roads and

trails including single tracks.

f) Mining plans of operation will be

required for all mining exploration and

activity other than casual use. Category

3 (NSO) stipulations will be applied to

fluid mineral leasing to protect the fragile

resources in this area.

g) Public lands in the ACEC will be

retained in public ownership unless

transfer will further management objectives for the area. Any non-federal

lands acquired by BLM within the ACEC

will be managed in accordance with

ACEC prescriptions applied to the surrounding public lands.

h) Special recreation permits may be

issued when site-specific analysis determines activities thus authorized will not

adversely affect the values for which the

ACEC was designated.

i) BLM will work with water users and

affected local agencies to ensure that

new or adjusted irrigation diversion

points will be designed and located to

minimize conflicts with mutual objectives for managing the area.

j) The area will have a VRM Class II

designation.

AC-06 The Lower Virgin River ACEC encompasses 1,822 acres. This ACEC will be

managed to improve and maintain

riparian resources, habitat for the

endangered woundfin minnow and

Virgin River chub, and habitat for

migratory and nongame birds, and also

to protect cultural resources including

numerous Virgin Anasazi sites, Southern

Paiute sites, and rock art panels. These

resources are at risk from increasing

vandalism, off-road travel, recreation,

pressure for land transfers and urban

development, and other forms of

human encroachment. The following

prescriptions will be applied to protect

the resources identified:

a) Cultural resources will be managed

and protected through appropriate interpretation, conservation, cooperative

management, and research.

Surveillance and other law enforcement

measures will be increased to deter

vandalism. Site steward programs will

be employed to bring trained volunteers

to monitor the sites and report violations or resource degradation.

Cooperative agreements with local

Indian tribes, government agencies, and

qualified organizations may be used for

interpreting, protecting, or otherwise

managing archeological resources and

visitor uses.

b) BLM will collaborate with the

Washington County Water Conservancy

District, the Utah Department of

Natural Resources, the FWS, participating municipalities, and other interested

parties in formulating and analyzing the

proposed Virgin River Management Plan

and the proposed Virgin River Basin

Integrated Resource Management and

Recovery Program as they affect the

segment of the Virgin River in this

ACEC. Among other things, BLM will

support and pursue the reestablishment

and protection of year-round flows,

implementation of habitat improvements, eradication of nonindigenous

fish, protection of floodplains, measures

to improve water quality, and monitoring and evaluation.

c) All applicable management prescriptions listed under the section in this

Plan on Riparian Resources will be

implemented to restore and protect the

riparian values and associated habitats

within this ACEC.

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d) Applicable Standards for Rangeland

Health, including monitoring and

assessment programs, will be employed

to determine if management objectives

for this ACEC and objectives of the

Virgin River Fishes Recovery Plan are

being met. If monitoring reveals the

objectives and standards are not being

met, adjustments in permitted land uses

will be made to the extent such are

determined to be contributing factors.

If authorized grazing practices are

determined to impede attainment of the

standards, BLM will work with permittees and other interested parties to

develop strategies and adjust grazing

use accordingly. Changes may include,

but will not be limited to, adjusting the

season of use to minimize direct competition, allotment recategorization, and

combining allotments or installing range

developments to reduce grazing pressure in key areas.

e) The ACEC will be closed to fuelwood

and mineral materials sales and designated a right-of-way avoidance area.

f) Motorized travel will be limited to

designated roads and trails to minimize

disturbance to riparian resources and

listed species habitats.

g) Mining plans of operation will be

required for all mining exploration and

activity other than casual use. Category

3 (NSO) stipulations will be applied to

fluid mineral leasing to prevent impacts

to the sensitive riparian, wildlife, and

cultural resources.

h) Public lands in the ACEC will be

retained in public ownership.

i) Visitor use will be managed as necessary to achieve objectives for riparian

restoration and protection of archeological resources. Special recreation permits may be issued when site-specific

analysis determines activities thus

authorized will not adversely affect

the values for which the ACEC was

designated.

j) BLM will work with water users and

affected local agencies to ensure that

new or adjusted irrigation diversion

points will be designed and located to

minimize conflicts with mutual objectives for managing the area.

AC-07 The Little Creek Mountain ACEC

encompasses 19,302 acres. This ACEC

contains extensive archeology consisting primarily of Anasazi structural sites

with examples of rock art and shelter

sites. Many of the sites have been

abused, while many others have been

inventoried or studied by local

researchers and universities. Up to 100

sites per section have been recorded on

the mesa (USDI/BLM, 1988).

Management of this area will emphasize protection and interpretation of

archeological resources. Selected sites

may be designated for educational use

and research. Other sites may be identified for conservation to preserve the

resources for the enjoyment of future

generations and to conform to the cultural and religious desires of presentday Indian tribes. Objectives and prescriptions identified in the section of

this Plan under Cultural and

Paleontological Resources will be

employed as appropriate to the management of cultural resources in the

ACEC. Protection will also be afforded

through the following management

prescriptions:

a) Surveillance and other law enforcement measures will be used to deter

vandalism. Site steward programs will

be employed to bring trained volunteers

to monitor the sites and report violations or resource degradation.

b) Public lands within the ACEC boundary will be retained in public ownership. Non-federal lands in the ACEC

may be acquired through purchase,

exchange, or donation to further the

accomplishment of resource objectives

and to increase manageability of the

area. Any lands acquired by BLM with2.66

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in the ACEC will be managed in

accordance with applicable ACEC

prescriptions.

c) Full, onsite cultural resource inventories will be required prior to surface disturbing activity and avoidance or mitigation of sites so recorded after consultation with the Utah Historic

Preservation Officer.

d) Mining plans of operation will be

required for all mining exploration and

development activities other than casual

use to allow analysis of potential

impacts and development of mitigation.

e) Motorized travel will be limited to

existing roads and trails to lessen

impacts to the extensive cultural

resources throughout the area. BLM

will work with Washington County officials to identify motorized vehicle trails

needing closure for safety and resource

protection and follow the requirements

of Utah State law and federal regulation

in implementing the closures.

f) Except for existing and planned operations at the Cinder Knoll, the area will

be closed to mineral materials sales.

g) Except for approved existing communication sites and associated access,

public lands will be designated a rightof-way avoidance area.

h) Crucial deer winter range within the

area will be further protected by

Category 2 fluid mineral leasing stipulations closing the lands to exploration

and development from November 1 to

April 15.

i) Special recreation permits may be

issued where site-specific analysis

determines that the authorized activity

will not adversely affect the values for

which the ACEC was designated.

AC-08 The Canaan Mountain ACEC encompasses 31,355 acres. Canaan Mountain

and the associated Vermillion Cliffs contain some of the most rugged topography and spectacular scenic values in

Washington County outside of Zion

National Park. The peaks and cliffs

form the south gateway to the park and

serve as a destination point for an

increasing number of outdoor recreationists. Numerous archeological sites

are also found along the base of many

of the cliffs. Historic structures are

found in the higher elevations. This

ACEC will be managed to protect these

exceptional scenic values, cultural

resources, and primitive recreation

opportunities. Management prescriptions for the area are defined in this

Plan under the section on the Canaan

Mountain SRMA which coincides geographically with the ACEC. The following additional prescriptions will also be

applied:

a) Public lands in the ACEC will be

retained in public ownership. Non-federal lands within the ACEC may be

obtained through purchase, exchange,

or donation where such will help to

achieve management objectives for the

area. Lands so acquired will be managed under the same prescriptions as

will be applied to the remainder of the

ACEC.

b) Public lands in the area will be designated a right-of-way avoidance area to

protect scenic values and avoid impacts

to the natural setting. They will also be

assigned a VRM Class I designation.

c) The area will be closed to fuelwood

and mineral materials sales. Category 3

(NSO) stipulations will be applied to

fluid mineral leasing to protect scenic

and natural values and to preserve the

primitive character of the landscape.

d) All lands within the ACEC have

been classified as primitive and will be

closed to mountain bike use and

motorized travel to preserve natural

values and opportunities for primitive

recreation.

2.67

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
e) Mining plans of operation will be

required for all mining exploration and

activity other than casual use.

f) Special recreation permits may be

issued where site-specific analysis

determines that the authorized activity

will not adversely affect the values for

which the ACEC was designated.

AC-09 The Red Mountain ACEC encompasses

4,854 acres. Red Mountain serves as a

spectacular backdrop to the communities of Ivins and Santa Clara and has

significance to members of local Indian

tribes. The escarpment overshadows

the west boundary of the Tuacahn

Center and portions of Snow Canyon

State Park and, as such, adds to the natural beauty of both developments. The

intent of this ACEC is to preserve the

scenic cliff face from visible disturbance. Where the ACEC overlaps with

the Red Mountain Special Recreation

Management Area, recreation prescriptions will be subordinate to ACEC

objectives and prescriptions. ACEC prescriptions will be as follows:

a) The area will be placed in a fluid

mineral leasing Category 3 (NSO) to

prevent scarring or disturbance from

vehicle access, exploration, or drilling

operations.

b) Public lands in the area will be

closed to off-road travel to preserve the

natural appearance of the cliff face.

c) Public lands in the area will be

closed to fuelwood and mineral materials sales and designated a right-of-way

avoidance area.

d) Mining plans of operation will be

required for all mining exploration and

activity other than casual use.

e) The lands will be assigned a VRM

Class I designation.

f) Special recreation permits may be

issued where site-specific analysis

shows that the authorized activity will

not adversely affect the values for which

the ACEC was designated. BLM will

monitor commercial activity in the area

and impose additional limits on the

amount of such use as will be necessary

to preserve such values.

g) Public lands in the ACEC will be

retained in public ownership. Non-federal lands within the ACEC may be

obtained through purchase, exchange,

or donation where such would help to

achieve management objectives for the

area. Lands so acquired will be managed under the same prescriptions as

will be applied to the remainder of the

ACEC.

AC-10 The Beaver Dam Slope ACEC encompasses 48,519 acres. This ACEC contains critical habitat for the threatened

desert tortoise, the proper management

of which is considered to be essential

for the continued survival of the population in this part of the Northeastern

Mojave Recovery Unit (USDI/FWS,

1994). It also contains habitat for a

diversity of desert plant and animal

species, many of which are listed by

state or federal agencies as special status species. Included in the area are

the Joshua Tree National Natural

Landmark and the Woodbury Desert

Study Area. The study area has been

the focus of desert wildlife and ecosystem research since the 1930s. Values

within the ACEC are at risk from

increasing levels of human encroachment, off-road travel, and various forms

of outdoor recreation. Although some

recent inventories suggest currently stable populations, researchers have noted

declines in desert tortoise densities

since the 1970s (USDI/FWS, 1994) and

cite disease, predation, grazing conflicts, and increased human activity as

probable contributing factors. Actions

need to be taken to prevent additional

habitat loss or disturbance. Further

research also needs to be completed to

more clearly define the source and

2.68

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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extent of impacts so that land and

resource managers may make informed

decisions on future management of the

area. The following prescriptions/information will be applied:

a) The boundaries and management

prescriptions for the ACEC have been

developed in consultation with state

and federal agencies in Utah, Arizona,

and Nevada to achieve a coordinated

approach to managing critical habitats

for the desert tortoise and achieving

recovery objectives throughout the

Northeastern Mojave Unit. BLM will

continue to work with local, state, and

federal partners, affected user groups,

and other interested parties to further

define specific objectives and implement planned actions to achieve the

goals of the Desert Tortoise Recovery

Plan, the Beaver Dam Slope Habitat

Management Plan, and other applicable

planning efforts. Moreover, BLM will

seek to maintain the values associated

with the Joshua Tree National Natural

Landmark and the Woodbury Desert

Study Area and support additional

research related to the management of

desert ecosystems in the area.

b) Detailed prescriptions for desert tortoise management in the ACEC are

described in the discussion on desert

tortoises under Special Status Species in

the section of this Plan on Fish and

Wildlife Habitat Management. Such

prescriptions will also serve to meet

objectives for nontortoise issues identified on the Slope including maintaining

the overall health of the desert ecosystem, improving habitats for other special status plants and animals, and preserving the natural values and research

capabilities of the Joshua Tree National

Natural Landmark and the Woodbury

Desert Study Area. The ACEC includes

two special management areas and a

portion of the Woodbury Desert Study

Area where management will focus on

nontortoise related issues. In accordance with the outcome of consultation

with the Utah Division of Wildlife

Resources (DWR) and the FWS, all

management prescriptions for the ACEC

will be applied in these areas except for

spring grazing restrictions described in

the detailed prescriptions referenced

earlier.

c) BLM will continue to authorize and

support research needed to determine

habitat requirements, causes of

increased mortality, and other essential

factors related to the management of

the desert tortoise and its eventual

recovery. BLM will also collaborate

with the Utah DWR, the FWS, university researchers, and other interested parties in developing and implementing

monitoring studies that will evaluate

population trends, tortoise health, vegetation condition and trend, and other

factors needed to assess the effectiveness of management actions. Where it

is determined that recovery objectives

are not being met, BLM will work with

its interested partners to determine the

cause of such failure and to adjust its

management prescriptions accordingly.

d) BLM will also work with state and

local agencies, school districts, and

interested citizen groups to develop

educational programs to increase public

awareness of habitat requirements,

desert ecosystems, reasons for protective management, and other factors

related to species recovery.

AC-11 The Upper Beaver Dam Wash ACEC

encompasses 33,063 acres. The West

Fork of the Beaver Dam Wash maintains

good water quality throughout its upper

reaches where it flows through granitic

bedrock. The stream supports both

warm and cold water fisheries, maintains a quality riparian system, and constitutes potential habitat for the Virgin

spinedace and the endangered

Southwestern willow flycatcher. Beside

providing water for agricultural use near

the community of Motoqua, it feeds

groundwater aquifers being considered

2.69

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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for potential well-field development to

provide culinary water for St. George

and neighboring communities. High

potential for precious metals within the

watershed spawns continued interest in

exploration and further mineral development. The ACEC will be managed to

preserve watershed integrity and water

quality and to maintain or improve

riparian resources and potential habitats

for the Virgin spinedace and

Southwestern willow flycatcher. The

following prescriptions will be applied:

a) BLM will collaborate with the Utah

DWR, the Nevada Division of Wildlife,

the Washington County Water

Conservancy District, the FWS, and

other interested parties in implementing

the Virgin Spinedace Conservation

Agreement and Strategy (April 11,

1995) as it affects the segment of the

Upper Beaver Dam Wash in this ACEC.

Among other things, this will entail

habitat enhancement, reintroduction

of spinedace to the stream, eradication

of nonindigenous fish along appropriate

stretches, and monitoring and

evaluation.

b) Applicable Standards for Rangeland

Health, including monitoring and

assessment programs, will be employed

to determine if objectives developed for

protection and enhancement of the

watershed and special status species are

being met. If monitoring reveals the

objectives and standards are not being

met, BLM will work with user groups

and interested parties to develop strategies and make adjustments in land uses

to the extent such are determined to be

contributing factors.

c) The area will be closed to mineral

materials sales and designated a rightof-way avoidance area.

d) The area will remain open to fuelwood disposal in designated areas (Map

2.10) with stipulations to protect watershed and riparian values.

e) Mining plans of operation will be

required for all mining exploration and

activities other than casual use. The

area will be closed to off-highway travel

on 8,325 acres and limited to designated roads and trails on 22,035 acres to

protect watershed, riparian, and natural

values and potential Southwestern willow flycatcher habitat.

f) Lands closed to off-road travel will be

placed under Category 3 (NSO) stipulations for fluid mineral leasing to maintain the primitive character of the lands

and to protect the upper watershed

from impacts of exploration and development. Riparian zones will also be

placed under Category 3 (NSO) stipulations. All other lands in the ACEC will

be placed under Category 2 special

stipulations for fluid mineral leasing

requiring submission and approval of a

plan of development to protect surface

and groundwater quality.

g) All applicable management prescriptions listed under the section in this

Plan on Riparian Resources will be

implemented to restore and protect the

riparian values and associated habitats

within this ACEC.

h) Public lands in the ACEC will be

retained. Non-federal lands may be

obtained through purchase, exchange,

or donation to help to achieve management objectives for the area. Lands so

acquired will be managed in accordance with the same prescriptions as

will be applied to the remainder of the

ACEC.

i) Special recreation permits may be

issued when site-specific analysis determines activities thus authorized will not

adversely affect the values for which the

ACEC was designated.

j) BLM will work with water users and

affected local agencies to ensure that

new or adjusted irrigation diversion

points will be designed and located to

2.70

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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minimize conflicts with mutual objectives for managing the area.

Native American Coordination

Objectives

Public lands in Washington County and the surrounding region were used extensively in prehistoric times by Southern Paiute Indians and

contain cultural and archeological features that

are of great value to current members of the

Paiute Tribe (USDI/BLM, 1988). Public lands

surround the Shivwits (Paiute) Indian

Reservation and provide access to numerous use

areas and sites of religious and ceremonial

importance, not only to the Shivwits Band, but

to other Native American groups associated with

the Paiute culture. BLM 's objective for Native

American coordination will be to ensure compliance with the numerous laws, executive

orders, and directives applicable to consultation

and self-determination and to provide continued

access to public lands for religious and ceremonial purposes.

NC-01 BLM will enter into cooperative agreements with the Shivwits Band, the

Paiute Tribe of Utah, and/or the Bureau

of Indian Affairs to foster improved

coordination and, where appropriate, to

accomplish programs of mutual interest

concerning the use and management of

lands containing sacred sites or

resources important to members of the

tribe.

NC-02 Public lands containing known sacred

sites and important use areas will generally be retained in public ownership

unless, as a result of consultation with

affected tribes, BLM determines that a

change of ownership is in the public

interest and accomplishes other objectives that outweigh those served by

retention. Where sacred sites are made

known to BLM, their locations will be

kept confidential to the extent possible

under law to avoid desecration or

unnecessary encroachment.

NC-03 Native Americans will be allowed

access to public lands for religious or

ceremonial purposes unless the access

desired is expressly prohibited by law.

This right of access will include the

right to collect vegetative and mineral

resources (that which can be gathered

or carried by hand) needed to accomplish the intended purposes. Motorized

access for such purposes into public

land areas administratively closed to

vehicle use will only be allowed with

prior written approval from BLM's

authorized officer in accordance with

federal regulations at 43 CFR 8340.0-

5(h). Such approval will be contingent

upon the absence of reasonable alternatives and the ability to avoid impacts to

resources being protected.

NC-04 BLM will continue to work with the

Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Shivwits

Band, and the Paiute Tribe in providing

rights-of-way, land use authorizations,

or agreements on public lands needed

to accomplish objectives for economic

development and self determination or

to otherwise ensure the health, safety,

and well-being of members of the tribe.

Such authorizations will be subject to

appropriate environmental analysis and

public notification.

NC-05 BLM will continue to provide assistance

to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the

Shivwits Band of Paiutes regarding mineral development, production verification, and other applicable resource

management issues to the extent BLM

has the capability to do so. Among

other things, BLM will continue to support achievement of the goals of the

Paiute Indian Tribe's Strategic Economic

Development Plan to the extent such

are consistent with federal laws, regulations, and the decisions of this Plan.

NC-06 Where public lands and resources are

involved, BLM will ensure compliance

with the Native American Graves

Protection and Repatriation Act and

other statutes and associated regulations

concerning consultation on and disposition of Native American human remains,

2.71

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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funerary objects, sacred objects, or

objects of cultural patrimony.

Zion National Park Coordination

Objectives

It is BLM's objective to manage public lands in

the immediate vicinity of Zion National park so

as to complement park resources and programs

in collaboration with affected communities,

agencies, landowners, and citizen groups. The

following prescriptions will be applied.

ZP-01 The scenic area along State Scenic

Highway 9 approaching Zion National

Park from the west will be preserved by

retaining public lands in view of the

highway in public ownership from the

top of the bench north of LaVerkin

(lands east of the LaVerkin scenic overlook turnoff) to the south entrance of

the park. Outside of 240 acres identified for transfer in or near the Town of

Virgin, land transfers may be approved

only to meet essential public and

municipal purposes that will not seriously degrade the scenic values of the

area. Public lands within the scenic

area will be classified VRM Class II.

Exceptions to the standard will be granted within the designated utility corridor

and to allow other essential rights-ofway and public purposes authorizations

needed to support the health, safety,

and well-being of local communities in

the scenic areas where the impacts of

such uses can be mitigated to satisfactory levels. Measures to reduce such

impacts to an acceptable level may

include, but not be limited to, screening, design modifications, and surface

rehabilitation.

ZP-02 BLM will work with park managers to

evaluate potential sites on public lands

for a visitor contact station and ranger

residence near the park boundary at

North Creek to facilitate visitor information and management. After appropriate environmental analysis and a plan

conformance determination, public

lands may be transferred to Park Service

management for such purposes through

cooperative agreement, withdrawal, or

right-of way.

ZP-03 Small, isolated parcels of public land

contiguous to the park boundary and

which are found to be difficult and

uneconomic for BLM to manage may

be placed under Park Service management through cooperative management

agreement or other appropriate mechanism. In such cases, both agencies will

jointly determine that the action will be

in the public interest and needed to

increase on-the-ground presence for visitor management or resource protection.

Lands subject to active grazing or mineral use will generally not be considered for such transfer.

ZP-04 BLM will work with the National Park

Service, the Utah Department of

Transportation (UDOT), community

leaders, nonprofit organizations, and

citizen groups in furthering the goals of

the park transportation plan. Among

other things, BLM will work with members of communities and organizations

in the Grafton Heritage Partnership in

formulating plans for up to 80 acres of

public land immediately north of

Grafton for a visitor contact station to

provide essential information on the

shuttle system and to provide visitor

access to the Grafton restoration project

and riparian improvement proposal.

After appropriate environmental analysis and a plan conformance determination, such lands may be made available

through cooperative management

agreement, withdrawal, or other applicable mechanism. BLM will work with

community partners and the Utah DOT

to evaluate relocation or relinquishment

of the existing material site right-of-way.

ZP-05 BLM will work with park managers and

other affected local, state, or federal

agencies to jointly conduct studies,

make land use recommendations, and

develop programs needed to achieve

objectives called for in this Plan, the

2.72

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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Development Concept Plan, and the

Zion National Park Visitor Management

and Resource Protection Plan scheduled

for completion in 1999.

ZP-06 As part of the congressionally mandated

Sand Hollow exchange, BLM acquired

title in behalf of the United States to private lands known as the Smith Ranch

south of the Kolob section of the park.

Congressional intent in having BLM

acquire this property was to provide

park managers with lands that may be

used to consummate an exchange that

will result in the acquisition of key, privately-owned inholdings on the west

side of the park. BLM will continue to

support park officials in achieving this

important objective.

2.73

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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2.74

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

MOUNTAINS

VALLEY

PINE

Reservoir

Gunlock

River

Clara

Santa

River

Virgin

Fork

East

Wash

Dam

Beaver

MOUNTAINS

DAM

BEAVER

I-15

59

9

9

I-15

Kolob

Reservoir

Hurricane

I-15

River

Virgin

Creek

La

Verkin

Creek

North

North

Fork

Virgin River

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

P A R K

N A T I O N A L

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P A I U T E 

I N D I A N 9

Quail CreekReservoir

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

18

WASHINGTON CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

KANE CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

WASINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

MAP 2.1

RIGHTS-OF-WAY

AVOIDANCE AND EXCLUSION AREAS

Exclusion AreasAvoidance Areas

T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S

T 39 S T 40 S T 37 S T 38 S T 36 S

R 9 W R 10 W R 11 W R 12 W R 13 W R 14 W R 15 W R 16 W R 17 W R 18 W R 19 W

N SCALE 1:350,000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

AcquisitionTransfer Lands

POTENTIAL LAND ACQUISITION

AND TRANSFER

(Completed, in Progress, or Projected)
2.75

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

MOUNTAINS

VALLEY

PINE

Reservoir

Gunlock

River

Clara

Santa

River

Virgin

Fork

East

Wash

Dam

Beaver

MOUNTAINS

DAM

BEAVER

I-15

St. George

59

9

9

I-15

Kolob

Reservoir

Hurricane

I-15

River

Virgin

Creek

La

Verkin

Creek

North

North

Fork Virgin

River

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

P A R K

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P A I U T E 

I N D I A N 9

Quail CreekReservoir

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

18

WASHINGTON CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

KANE CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

WASINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

DESIGNATED UTILITY CORRIDORS

AND COMMUNICATION SITES

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

SCALE 1:350,000 N

R 19 W R 18 W R 17 W R 16 W R 15 W R 14 W R 13 W R 12 W R 11 W R 10 W R 9 W

T 36 S T 37 S T 38 S T 39 S T 40 S T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S Proposed Utility Corridor Communication Sites

MAP 2.2
2.76

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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KANE CO.

WASINGTON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

18

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

Quail CreekReservoir

9

P A I U T E 

I N D I A N

R E S E R V A T I O N

Z I O N

N A T I O N A L

P A R K

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

River

Virgin Fork

North

North

Creek

Verkin

La

Creek

Virgin

River

I-15

Hurricane

Reservoir

Kolob

I-15

9

9

59

St. George

I-15

BEAVER

DAM MOUNTAINS

Beaver

Dam

Wash

East

Fork

Virgin

River

Santa

Clara

River

Gunlock

Reservoir

PINE

VALLEY

MOUNTAINS

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

SCALE 1:350,000 N

R 19 W R 18 W R 17 W R 16 W R 15 W R 14 W R 13 W R 12 W R 11 W R 10 W R 9 W

T 36 S T 37 S T 38 S T 39 S T 40 S T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S Exclusion Areas Avoidance Areas RIGHTS-OF-WAY AVOIDANCE AND EXCLUSION AREAS

MAP 2.3
2.77

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

KANE CO.

WASINGTON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

18

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

Quail CreekReservoir

9

P A I U T E 

I N D I A N

R E S E R V A T I O N

Z I O N

N A T I O N A L

P A R K

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

River

Virgin Fork

North

North

Creek

Verkin

La

Creek

Virgin

River

I-15

Hurricane

Reservoir

Kolob

I-15

9

9

59

St. George

I-15

BEAVER

DAM MOUNTAINS

Beaver

Dam

Wash

East

Fork

Virgin

River

Santa

Clara

River

Gunlock

Reservoir

PINE

VALLEY

MOUNTAINS

PROPOSED WITHDRAWALS

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

SCALE 1:350,000 N

R 19 W R 18 W R 17 W R 16 W R 15 W R 14 W R 13 W R 12 W R 11 W R 10 W R 9 W

T 36 S T 37 S T 38 S T 39 S T 40 S T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S Proposed Withdrawal

MAP 2.4
2.78

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MOUNTAINS

VALLEY

PINE

Reservoir

Gunlock

River

Clara

Santa

River

Virgin

Fork

East

Wash

Dam

Beaver

MOUNTAINS

DAM

BEAVER

I-15

St. George

59

9

9

I-15

Kolob

Reservoir



Hurricane

I-15

River

Virgin

Creek

La

Verkin

Creek

North

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Fork

Virgin River

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

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9

Quail CreekReservoir

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

WASHINGTON CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

KANE CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

WASINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

Eligible and Suitable River Segments Eligible River Segments Not Found Suitable

T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S T 39 S T 40 S T 37 S T 38 S T 36 S

R 9 W R 10 W R 11 W R 12 W R 13 W R 14 W R 15 W R 16 W R 17 W R 18 W R 19 W

N SCALE 1:350,000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

MAP 2.5

FLUID MINERAL

MANAGEMENT CATEGORIES

 Open with Standard Stipulations Category 2 - Special Stipulations

Category 3 - No Surface OccupancyClosed to Leasing

18


2.79

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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KANE CO.

WASINGTON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

Quail CreekReservoir P A I U T E 

I N D I A N

R E S E R V A T I O N

Z I O N

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River

Virgin

Fork

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Creek

Verkin

La

Creek

Virgin

River

I-15

Hurricane

Reservoir

Kolob

I-15

9

59

St. George

I-15

BEAVER

DAM

MOUNTAINS

Beaver

Dam

Wash

East

Fork

Virgin

River

Santa

Clara

River

Gunlock

Reservoir

PINE

VALLEY

MOUNTAINS

LOCATABLE MINERALS MANAGEMENT

MAP 2.6

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

SCALE 1:350,000 N

R 19 W R 18 W R 17 W R 16 W R 15 W R 14 W R 13 W R 12 W R 11 W R 10 W R 9 W

T 36 S T 37 S T 38 S T 39 S T 40 S T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S Open Restricted Plans of Operations Closed 18

9

9
2.80

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MOUNTAINS

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Reservoir

Gunlock

River

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Santa

River

Virgin

Fork

East

Wash

Dam

Beaver

MOUNTAINS

DAM

BEAVER

I-15

St. George

59

9

9

I-15

Kolob

Reservoir

Hurricane

I-15

River

Virgin

Creek

La

Verkin

Creek

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Fork

Virgin

River

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

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Quail CreekReservoir

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

18

WASHINGTON CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

KANE CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

WASINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

MAP 2.7

 Open Restricted

Closed

T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S T 39 S T 40 S T 37 S

T 38 S

T 36 S

R 9 W R 10 W R 11 W R 12 W R 13 W R 14 W R 15 W R 16 W R 17 W R 18 W R 19 W

N SCALE 1:350,000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

MINERAL MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
2.81

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

MOUNTAINS

VALLEY

PINE

Reservoir

Gunlock

River

Clara

Santa

River

Virgin

Fork

East

Wash

Dam

Beaver

MOUNTAINS

DAM

BEAVER

I-15

St. George

59

9

9

I-15

Kolob

Reservoir

Hurricane

I-15

River

Virgin

Creek

La

Verkin

Creek

North

North Fork Virgin River

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

P A R K

N A T I O N A L

Z I O N

R E S E R V A T I O N

P A I U T E 

I N D I A N 9

Quail CreekReservoir

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

18

WASHINGTON CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

KANE CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

WASINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

MAP 2.8

RIGHTS-OF-WAY

AVOIDANCE AND EXCLUSION AREAS

Exclusion AreasAvoidance Areas

T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S T 39 S T 40 S T 37 S T 38 S T 36 S

R 9 W R 10 W R 11 W R 12 W R 13 W R 14 W R 15 W R 16 W R 17 W R 18 W R 19 W

N SCALE 1:350,000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

RIPARIAN AREAS AND

POTENTIAL RESERVOIR SITES

Riparian Area

Potential Reservoir Site

Lower LaVerkin Creek

Dry Creek

Grapevine Wash

Anderson

Leeds Creek

Warner Valley

Junction
2.82

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN yyyyyyyyyy yyy  yyy  yyy  yyyyyyy

KANE CO.

WASINGTON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

18

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

Quail CreekReservoir

9

P A I U T E 

I N D I A N

R E S E R V A T I O N

Z I O N

N A T I O N A L

P A R K

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

River

Virgin Fork

North

North

Creek

Verkin

La

Creek

Virgin

River

I-15

Hurricane

Reservoir

Kolob

I-15

9

9

59 St. George

I-15

BEAVER

DAM MOUNTAINS

Beaver

Dam

Wash

East

Fork

Virgin

River

Santa

Clara

River

Gunlock

Reservoir

PINE

VALLEY

MOUNTAINS

1

2 3 4

5

A

B

A

C

Beaver Dam Slope ACEC

yySpecial Management Areas A,B,&C

HCP Reserve with Management ZonesPublic Land

BEAVER DAM SLOPE ACEC

WITH SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS

and

HCP RESERVE

WITH MANAGEMENT ZONES

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

SCALE 1:350,000 N

R 19 W R 18 W R 17 W R 16 W R 15 W R 14 W R 13 W R 12 W R 11 W R 10 W R 9 W

T 36 S T 37 S T 38 S T 39 S T 40 S T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S

MAP 2.9
2.83

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN











       

  



       

     



MOUNTAINS

Quail CreekReservoir

VALLEY

PINE

Reservoir

Gunlock

River

Clara

Santa

River

Virgin

Fork

East

Wash

Dam

Beaver

MOUNTAINS

DAM

BEAVER

I-15

St. George

59

9

9

I-15

Kolob

Reservoir

Hurricane

I-15

River

Virgin

Creek

La

Verkin

Creek

North

North

Fork

Virgin

River

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

P A R K

N A T I O N A L

Z I O N

R E S E R V A T I O N

P A I U T E 

I N D I A N 9

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

18

WASHINGTON CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

KANE CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

WASINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S T 39 S T 40 S T 37 S T 38 S T 36 S

R 9 W R 10 W R 11 W R 12 W R 13 W R 14 W R 15 W R 16 W R 17 W R 18 W R 19 W

N SCALE 1:350,000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

FUELWOOD HARVEST

Dead and Downed Pinyon-Juniper Harvest AreasGreen Wood Harvest AreasPost Sale Areas

Seasonal Restrictions on Pinyon-Juniper Harvest

MAP 2.10
2.84

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN  































































































































































 

               



                











  

 



               





























































 



 



      











   

    

  

 



              

    



      

      

         



 







 

             

      

 



                  





       

 

        

      

     



   

 



MOUNTAINS

Quail CreekReservoir

VALLEY

PINE

Reservoir

Gunlock

River

Clara

Santa

River

Virgin

Fork

East

Wash

Dam

Beaver

MOUNTAINS

DAM

BEAVER

I-15

St. George

59

9

9

I-15

Kolob

Reservoir

Hurricane

I-15

River

Virgin

Creek

La

Verkin

Creek

North

North

Fork Virgin

River

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

P A R K

N A T I O N A L

Z I O N

R E S E R V A T I O N

P A I U T E 

I N D I A N 9

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

18

WASHINGTON CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

KANE CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

WASINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S T 39 S T 40 S T 37 S T 38 S T 36 S

R 9 W R 10 W R 11 W R 12 W R 13 W R 14 W R 15 W R 16 W R 17 W R 18 W R 19 W

N SCALE 1:350,000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

MOUNTAIN BIKE DESIGNATIONS

Open for Mountain Bike Use Open for Use on Existing Roads and Trails

Open for Use on Designated Roads and TrailsClosed to Mountain Bike Use

MAP 2.11
2.85

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

MOUNTAINS

VALLEY

PINE

Reservoir

Gunlock

River

Clara

Santa

River

Virgin

Fork

East

Wash

Dam

Beaver

MOUNTAINS

DAM

BEAVER

I-15

St. George

59

9

I-15

Kolob

Reservoir

Hurricane

I-15

River Virgin

Creek

La

Verkin

Creek

North

North

Fork Virgin River

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

P A R K

N A T I O N A L

Z I O N

R E S E R V A T I O N

P A I U T E 

I N D I A N 9

Quail CreekReservoir

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

18

WASHINGTON CO.

IRON CO.

KANE CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

WASINGTON CO.

KANE CO. RED MOUNTAIN

SANDMOUNTAIN

CANAAN

MOUNTAIN

LA VERKINCREEK

DEEP

CREEK

SPECIAL RECREATION

MANAGEMENT AREAS

SRMA

T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S

T 39 S T 40 S T 37 S T 38 S T 36 S

R 9 W R 10 W R 11 W R 12 W R 13 W R 14 W R 15 W R 16 W R 17 W R 18 W R 19 W

N SCALE 1:350,000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

MAP 2.12

9

IRON CO.
2.86

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN                            

KANE CO.

WASINGTON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

18

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

Quail CreekReservoir

9

P A I U T E 

I N D I A N

R E S E R V A T I O N

Z I O N

N A T I O N A L

P A R K

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

River

Virgin

Fork

North

North

Creek

Verkin

La

Creek

Virgin

River

I-15

Hurricane

Reservoir

Kolob

I-15

9

9

59

St. George

I-15

BEAVER

DAM MOUNTAINS

Beaver

Dam

Wash

East

Fork

Virgin

River

Santa

Clara

River

Gunlock

Reservoir

PINE

VALLEY

MOUNTAINS

OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE

DESIGNATIONS

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

SCALE 1:350,000 N

R 19 W R 18 W R 17 W R 16 W R 15 W R 14 W R 13 W R 12 W R 11 W R 10 W R 9 W

T 36 S T 37 S T 38 S T 39 S T 40 S T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S  Open for OHV Use Open for Use on Existing Roads and Trails Open for Use on Designated Roads and Trails Closed to OHV Use

MAP 2.13
2.87

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN    

            



                         



                





   

KANE CO.

WASINGTON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

18

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

Quail CreekReservoir

9

P A I U T E 

I N D I A N

R E S E R V A T I O N

Z I O N

N A T I O N A L

P A R K

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

River

Virgin

Fork

North

North

Creek

Verkin

La

Creek

Virgin

River

I-15

Hurricane

Reservoir

Kolob

I-15

9

9

59

St. George

I-15

BEAVER

DAM MOUNTAINS

Beaver

Dam

Wash

East

Fork

Virgin

River

Santa

Clara

River

Gunlock

Reservoir

PINE

VALLEY

MOUNTAINS

MAP 2.14

VISUAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Class 1Class 2Class 3  Class 4

T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S T 39 S T 40 S T 37 S T 38 S T 36 S

R 9 W R 10 W R 11 W R 12 W R 13 W R 14 W R 15 W R 16 W R 17 W R 18 W R 19 W

N SCALE 1:350,000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles


2.88

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

MOUNTAINS

Quail CreekReservoir

VALLEY

PINE

Reservoir

Gunlock

River

Clara

Santa

River

Virgin

Fork

East

Wash

Dam

Beaver

MOUNTAINS

DAM

BEAVER

I-15

St. George

59

9

9

I-15

Kolob

Reservoir

Hurricane

I-15

River

Virgin

Creek

La

Verkin

Creek

North

North

Fork Virgin

River

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

P A R K

N A T I O N A L

Z I O N

R E S E R V A T I O N

P A I U T E 

I N D I A N 9

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

18

WASHINGTON CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

KANE CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

WASINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S T 39 S T 40 S T 37 S T 38 S T 36 S

R 9 W R 10 W R 11 W R 12 W R 13 W R 14 W R 15 W R 16 W R 17 W R 18 W R 19 W

N SCALE 1:350,000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

MAP 2.15

WILDERNESS AND

WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS

Wilderness Study AreasWilderness Areas
2.89

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

KANE CO.

WASINGTON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

18

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

Quail CreekReservoir

9

P A I U T E 

I N D I A N

R E S E R V A T I O N

Z I O N

N A T I O N A L

P A R K

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

River

Virgin Fork

North

North

Creek

Verkin

La

Creek

Virgin

River

I-15

Hurricane

Reservoir

Kolob

I-15

9

9

59

St. George

I-15

BEAVER

DAM

MOUNTAINS

Beaver

Dam

Wash

East

Fork

Virgin

River

Santa

Clara

River

Gunlock

Reservoir

PINE

VALLEY

MOUNTAINS

MAP 2.16

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

SCALE 1:350,000 N

R 19 W R 18 W R 17 W R 16 W R 15 W R 14 W R 13 W R 12 W R 11 W R 10 W R 9 W

T 36 S T 37 S T 38 S T 39 S T 40 S T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S Proposed ACECs PROPOSED AREAS OF CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN SUITABLE WILD AND SCENIC RIVER SEGMENTS Eligible and Suitable River Segments
2.90

CHAPTER 2 • THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

MOUNTAINS

VALLEY

PINE

Reservoir

Gunlock

River

Clara

Santa

River

Virgin

Fork

East

Wash

Dam

Beaver

MOUNTAINS

DAM

BEAVER

I-15

St. George

59

9

I-15

Kolob

Reservoir

Hurricane

I-15

River

Virgin

Creek

La Verkin

Creek

North

North

Fork

Virgin River

D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

P A R K

N A T I O N A L

Z I O N

R E S E R V A T I O N

P A I U T E 

I N D I A N 9

Quail CreekReservoir

BEAVER DAM MOUNTAINS

WILDERNESS AREA

18

WASHINGTON CO.

IRON CO.

IRON CO.

KANE CO.

WASHINGTON CO.

WASINGTON CO.

KANE CO.

AREAS OF CRITICAL

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

Proposed ACECs

T 41 S T 42 S T 43 S T 39 S T 40 S T 37 S T 38 S T 36 S

R 9 W R 10 W R 11 W R 12 W R 13 W R 14 W R 15 W R 16 W R 17 W R 18 W R 19 W

N SCALE 1:350,000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Miles

BEAVER DAM

SLOPE

UPPER BEAVER

DAM WASH

RED

MOUNTAIN

SANTA CLARA

LAND HILL

RED

BLUFF

LOWER VIRGIN RIVER

WARNER RIDGE

FORT PEARCE

LITTLE CREEK

MOUNTAIN

CANAAN

MOUNTAIN

SANTA CLARA

GUNLOCK

MAP 2.17
Wildfires Would Be Managed According to Plans

Wildland fires caused by lightning or human error occur with modest frequency on public lands

within the county. BLM priorities for wildfire management and suppression would be to

protect life, property, and critical resource values. Suppression strategies would be guided by

approved fire management plans and would allow natural and prescribed fires where

appropriate conditions, limitations, and safety precautions are in place.
BLM Provides Mineral Materials for Public Use

Public lands provide valuable sources of mineral materials that include sand, gravel, cinders,

and decorative stone. Community pits like the one pictured above near the regional landfill

would continue to make mineral materials available under appropriate permits

to businesses, contractors, individuals, and local and state agencies.
ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

The following are standard operating procedures

applied to surface disturbing activities. These

measures are applied, when necessary, to

reduce environmental impacts. Some projects

may require construction use plans and/or reclamation plans.

General

Areas subject to surface disturbance would be

evaluated for the presence of cultural resources

or values. This is usually accomplished through

the completion of a cultural clearance. An onthe-ground inspection by a qualified archeologist, historian, or paleontologist is required.

In cases where cultural resources are found, the

preferred response would be to modify the proposed action to avoid the cultural resource

(avoidance). If avoidance is not possible, actions

would be taken to preserve the data or value

represented by the cultural resource (mitigation).

Areas subject to surface disturbance would be

evaluated for the presence of threatened, endangered, or candidate animal or plant species.

This is usually accomplished through the completion of a biological clearance. An on-theground inspection by a qualified biologist is

required.

In cases where threatened, endangered, or candidate species are effected, the preferred

response would be to modify the proposed

action to avoid species or their habitat (avoidance). If avoidance of a threatened, endangered, or candidate species or its habitat is not

possible, a Section 7 Consultation with the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) would be

required, and a biological assessment would be

prepared to recommend actions to protect the

species or its habitat.

Roads

Recognized roads, as shown on the Cedar City

District Office Transportation Plan, will be used

when the alignment is acceptable for the proposed use. At a minimum, vehicle use will be

limited to existing roads and trails in fragile soil

areas. Generally, new roads will be required to

follow natural contours, be constructed in

accordance with the standards described in

BLM Road Standards and BLM Manual section

9113, and be reclaimed to BLM standards.

In order to control or reduce sediment from

roads, proper road placement and buffer strips

to stream channels, graveling, proper drainage,

seasonal closure, and in some cases, redesign or

closure of old roads, will be required.

Construction may be prohibited during periods

when soil material is saturated, frozen, or when

watershed damage is likely to occur.

On newly constructed roads and permanent

roads, the placement of topsoil, seeding, and

stabilization will be required on all cut and fill

slopes (unless conditions prohibit this, e.g.,

rock). No unnecessary sidecasting of material

(e.g., maintenance) on steep slopes will be

allowed. In areas of higher elevation within the

resource area, snow removal plans may be

required while a road is used for access so that

snow removal does not adversely affect reclamation efforts or resources adjacent to the road.

Reclamation of abandoned roads will include

requirements for reshaping, recontouring, resurfacing with topsoil, installation of water bars,

and seeding on the contour. The removal of

structures such as bridges, culverts, cattleguards,

and signs will be required. Stripped vegetation

will be spread over the disturbance for nutrient

recycling where practical. Fertilization or fencing of these disturbances will not normally be

required. Additional erosion control measures

(e.g., fiber matting) and road barriers to discourage travel will be required if necessary.

Temporary road closures may be needed during

spring runoff periods, in elk wintering areas, or

other critical areas to protect resources.

A1.1

APPENDIX 1

Standard Procedures Applied to

Surface Disturbing Activities
Well Pads And Facilities

Any sediment control structures, reserve pits, or

disposal sites would be designed to contain a

100-year flood, 6-hour storm event. Storage

volumes within these structures would have a

design life of 25 years.

Abandoned sites must be satisfactorily rehabilitated by the lessee in accordance with a plan

approved by the BLM.

Before reserve pits and production pits are

reclaimed, all residue will be removed and

trucked off-site to an approved disposal site.

All surface use plans covering reclamation will

be adhered to. This plan will include objectives

for successful reclamation covering soil stabilization, plant community composition, and

desired vegetation density and diversity.

No surface disturbance is allowed on slopes in

excess of 25 percent unless erosion controls can

be ensured and adequate revegetation is expected. Detailed engineering proposals and revegetation and restoration plans will be required in

these areas.

On producing locations, operators will be

required to reduce slopes to original contours

(not to exceed 3:1 slopes). Terraces or elongated water breaks (erosion control measures) will

be required after slope reduction. Facilities will

be required to approach zero runoff from the

location until the area is stabilized to avoid contamination and water quality degradation downstream. All unused portions of facilities or producing well locations will be resurfaced with

topsoil and seeded with soil stabilizing species.

Mulching, erosion control measures, and fertilization may be required to achieve acceptable

stabilization.

Abandoned locations will be required to be

recontoured to conform to the surrounding terrain. Construction of erosion and runoff control

measures and placement of topsoil will be

required after recontouring. All sediment will

be retained on site.

The collection and analysis of soil samples from

disturbed areas may be required to determine

reclamation potential, appropriate seed mixtures, and nutrient deficiencies. This will be the

responsibility of the grantee or lessee. Testing

(as determined by the BLM) may include pH,

mechanical analysis, limiting salt content, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Fertilization may be required if there is evidence

of a nutrient deficiency. If needed to produce

adequate germination and growth, the topsoil

and selected seed species would be inoculated

with soil microorganisms. The site will be seeded if slopes exceed 30 percent or contain 35

percent surface rock content. Mulching and

fencing, unless deemed unnecessary due to

low grazing pressure, will be required. Fences

will be required to remain until reclamation is

successful.

Reshaping to create shallow depressions (to catch

surface runoff) may be required in areas receiving

10 inches or less of annual precipitation.

No sour gas (natural gas containing dangerous

levels of hydrogen sulfide) lines will be located

closer than 1 mile to a populated area or sensitive receptor. The applicants must use the best

available engineering design (i.e., alignment,

block valve type and spacing, pipe grade, etc.),

and best construction techniques (i.e., surveillance, warning signs, etc.) as approved by the

authorized officer to minimize both the probability of rupture and radius of exposure in the

event of an accidental pipeline release of sour

gas. A variance from the 1-mile distance may

be granted by the authorized officer based on

detailed site-specific analysis that would consider meteorology, topography, and special

pipeline design and/or construction measures.

This analysis would ensure that populated areas

and sensitive receptors would not be exposed to

an increased level of risk.

Pipelines and

Communication Lines

Existing crowned and ditched roads will be

used where possible to minimize surface

disturbances.

Where possible, clearing of pipeline and communication line rights-of-way will be accomA1.2

APPENDIX 1 • STANDARD PROCEDURES APPLIED TO SURFACE DISTURBING ACTIVITIES

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
plished with the least degree of disturbance to

topsoil. Where topsoil removal is necessary, it

will be stockpiled (windrowed) and respread

over the disturbance after construction and

backfilling are completed. Vegetation removed

from the right-of-way will also be required to be

respread to provide protection, nutrient recycling, and a natural seed source.

To promote soil stability, the compaction of

backfill will be required (not to extend above

the original ground level after the fill has settled). Water bars, mulching, and terracing will

be required, as needed, to minimize erosion.

Instream protection structures (e.g., drop structures) may be required in drainages crossed by a

pipeline to prevent erosion.

The fencing of linear disturbances near livestock

watering areas (distance determined on sitespecific basis) may be required.

If linear facilities follow the same right-of-way

for all or part of the route, they will generally be

required to be constructed so that only one

reclamation effort is required. Generally, they

will be required to be constructed either concurrently or during the same field season.

Applicants constructing water pipelines across

public lands may be asked to supply a small

water tap for use by wildlife or livestock.

Air Quality

Protection Measures

Special air quality protection-related stipulations

may be added to BLM grants of rights-of-way

necessary for construction. In addition, BLM

will coordinate with the Utah Department of

Environmental Quality (Utah DEQ) during the

issuance of permits to construct emission

sources. This coordination may result in the

addition of stipulations to these permits.

BLM will require the applicant to prepare a

detailed analysis of the risks involved with the

development of sour gas pipelines and treatment

facilities. These analyses are designed to project

impacts both to the public and to resource values. Plant siting will be scrutinized to ensure

that only areas with the least potential for the

transport of pollutants are considered. To aid in

achieving these goals, BLM will consult with the

State of Utah, the Forest Service, industry, and

the public to ensure that the most technically

sound, environmentally balanced, and economically feasible decisions are made.

Reclamation

The objectives for reclamation efforts emphasize: 1) stabilization through establishment of

ground cover, 2) establishment of vegetation

consistent with land use objectives, 3) reduction

of visual contrast, and 4) reshaping to natural

contour.

Reclamation will be required on all disturbed

areas. On roads left intact for access purposes,

the stabilization of all disturbed areas, except

the running surface, will be required.

Only areas needed for construction will be

allowed to be disturbed. Reclamation (by the

lessee or grant holder) will be initiated as soon

as possible after a disturbance occurs.

Continued efforts will be required until satisfactory vegetation cover is established and the site

is stabilized.

Topsoil

Before a surface disturbing activity is authorized, BLM will determine total topsoil depth.

The amount of topsoil to be removed, along

with topsoil placement areas, will be specified

in the authorization. The uniform distribution of

topsoil over the area to be reclaimed will be

required, unless conditions warrant a varying

depth. On large surface disturbing projects,

topsoil will be stockpiled, mulched, and seeded

to reduce erosion. Where feasible, topsoil

stockpiles will be required to be designed to

maximize the surface area to reduce impacts to

soil microorganisms. Areas used for spoil storage will be required to be stripped of topsoil

before spoil placement. The replacement of

topsoil after spoil removal will be required.

Temporary disturbances which do not require

major excavation (e.g., pipelines and communication lines) may be stripped of vegetation to ground

A1.3

APPENDIX 1 • STANDARD PROCEDURES APPLIED TO SURFACE DISTURBING ACTIVITIES

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
level using mechanical treatment, leaving topsoil

intact and root mass relatively undisturbed.

Seeding

Only plant species adaptable to local soil and

climatic conditions will be utilized in revegetation efforts. On all areas to be reclaimed, seed

mixtures will be required to be site-specific and

to include species promoting soil stability.

Livestock palatability and wildlife habitat needs

will be given consideration in seed mix formulation. Interseeding, secondary seeding, or staggered seeding may be required to accomplish

revegetation objectives. A friable, but firm seed

bed will be required prior to seeding. Drill

seeding will be required unless conditions indicate that broadcast seeding is necessary (e.g.,

greater than 30 percent slope or greater than 35

percent rock content). During rehabilitation of

areas in important wildlife habitat, provisions

will be made for the establishment of native

browse and forb species, if determined to be

beneficial for the habitat affected.

Follow-up seeding or corrective erosion control

measures will be required on areas of surface disturbance which experience reclamation failure.

Treatments

Trees, shrubs, and ground cover (not to be

cleared from rights-of-way) will require protection from construction damage. Backfill will be

required to be replaced in a similar sequence

and density to preconstruction condition. The

restoration of normal surface drainage will be

required.

Any mulch used will be free from mold, fungi,

or noxious weed seeds. Mulch may include

native hay, small grain straw, wood fiber, live

mulch, cotton, jute, synthetic netting, and rock.

Straw mulch should contain fibers long enough

to facilitate crimping and provide the greatest

cover. 

The grantee or lessee will be responsible for the

control of all noxious weed infestations on surface disturbances. Control measures will

adhere to those allowed in the Final

Environmental Impact Statement for Vegetation

Treatment on BLM Lands (1991).

A1.4

APPENDIX 1 • STANDARD PROCEDURES APPLIED TO SURFACE DISTURBING ACTIVITIES

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Endangered Plants

Need Protection from

Urban Impacts

Washington County, Utah, is the only

known location of the endangered

Dwarf bear-claw poppy (pictured).

Habitat for this rare plant in and around

St. George is threatened by urban

expansion and OHV activity. 

BLM proposes to establish two Areas of

Critical Environmental Concern and to

implement protective measures that would

ensure the plant's survival. 

BLM would also continue to collaborate

with universities, researchers, conservation

groups, and other agencies to conduct

needed studies on plant and habitat

requirements. BLM would implement

similar measures to protect other rare plants

in the area, including the endangered

Siler pincushion cactus.
Public Lands Support Limited Mineral Extraction

Most public lands in the resource area would remain open to exploration and

location under the General Mining Act of 1872 and applicable state and federal regulations.

Although extensive exploration and historic mining have occurred throughout the county,

only one major operation has been active on public lands in the past several years which

is located at the Goldstrike Mine in the western part of the county. An open pit, heap leach gold

and silver operation, the mine is now inactive and undergoing final reclamation.
ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Introduction

One of the goals of this Proposed Plan is to

allow appropriate oil and gas exploration and

development. It is recognized that oil and gas

operations must be analyzed under FLPMA and

NEPA and mitigated to prevent unnecessary

impacts to the human environment and natural

resources.

This Proposed Plan contains two elements

which would control oil and gas leasing and

operations. The first is the classification of all of

the lands in the Dixie Resource Area and the

application of stipulations where appropriate.

This appendix details which stipulations would

be applied to each parcel of land. The second

element is addressed in Appendix 1, which lays

out standard operating procedures for all surface

disturbing activities. 

Oil and gas leasing and operations are regulated

by 43 CFR 3100. These regulations are applicable on all leases and surface operations.

Onshore Oil and Gas Orders also provide

extensive protection for specific lease operations

and are not repeated in this Proposed Plan.

Lease terms are attached to every Offer to Lease

and Lease for Oil and Gas (Form 3100-11),

which provide resource protection for land,

water, and air, along with cultural, biological,

and visual resources. The lease terms also

address bonding and reclamation requirements.

In addition to the federal regulations, there are

also state regulations controlling oil and gas

operations. These can be found in the Oil and

Gas Conservation Act in Title 40-6 of the Utah

Code. Counties may also regulate oil and gas

operations through various ordinances, although

they cannot prevent operations on a valid

federal lease.

Oil And Gas

Leasing Categories

The proposed RMP has four categories of leasing: 1) closed to leasing, 2) no surface occupancy, 3) open with stipulations, and 4) open. The

closed to leasing category is established by 43

CFR 3100.0-3, which exempts some specified

lands from leasing. Some withdrawals and segregations also close lands to leasing, depending

on the specific language in the withdrawal or

segregation decision. No surface occupancy

and open with stipulations are more fully

described under “Oil and Gas Stipulations” in

the following section. The open category is the

remainder of the federal land for which no special concerns were noted that would require

stipulations.

Oil And Gas Stipulations

Utah BLM policy (IM UT 90-157, January 24,

1990) requires that oil and gas stipulations follow the format developed by the interagency

Rocky Mountain Regional Coordination

Committee (RMRCC) in 1989. This format has

four basic parts: 1) the description of the stipulation, 2) the legal description of the lands on

which it applies, 3) the purpose of the stipulations, and 4) modifications, exemptions, or

waivers to the stipulation.

Three categories of stipulations were developed

by RMRCC. These are: 1) No Surface

Occupancy (NSO), 2) Timing Limitations (TL),

and 3) Controlled Surface Use (CSU).

The RMRCC also recognized that occasionally

more detailed information concerning limitations that already exist in law, lease terms, regulations, or operational orders may be needed.

This information may be provided to the operator in a Lease Notice. A Lease Notice may

address special items the lessee should consider

when planning operations, but does not impose

new or additional restrictions.

Lease Notices (LN) should not be confused with

Notices to Lessees (NTL), which are described in

43 CFR 3164.2. A Notice to Lessee is a written

notice issued by the authorized officer. NTLs

implement regulations and operating orders, and

serve as instructions on specific items of importance within a state, district, or area.

A2.1

APPENDIX 2

Oil and Gas Leasing Stipulations
In accordance with the RMRCC format, each

stipulation may contain Modifications,

Exceptions, and Waivers. These allow operations where subsequent field studies or administrative actions render the stipulation wholly or

partly unnecessary for the protection of the

human environment or natural resources. 

• A Modification is defined as a "fundamental change to the provisions of a lease

stipulation, either temporarily or for the

term of the lease. A modification may,

therefore, include an exemption from or

alteration to a stipulated requirement.

Depending on the specific modification,

the stipulation may or may not apply to

all other sites within the leasehold to

which the restrictive criteria applied."

• An Exemption is defined as a "case-bycase exemption from a lease stipulation.

The stipulation continues to apply to all

other sites within the leasehold to which

the restrictive criteria applies."

• A Waiver is defined as a "permanent

exemption from a lease stipulation. The

stipulation no longer applies anywhere

within the leasehold."

Table A2-1 outlines oil and gas stipulations for

No Surface Occupancy, Table A2-2 profiles

Conditional Use Surface Stipulations for oil and

gas development, Table A2-3 provides Timing

Limitation Stipulations, and Table A2-4 denotes

Lease Notice items for the Proposed Plan.

Split-Estate Lands

Split-estate lands are lands in which the surface

and mineral estates are owned by different entities. The lands of concern are where the surface

is owned by either a private entity or the state,

but oil and gas rights are retained by the federal

government.

Split-estate lands are open to leasing unless one

of the exemptions in 43 CFR 3100.0-3 apply;

however, the Proposed Plan may apply stipulations as needed to protect surface resources. 

The BLM policy for oil and gas leasing and

approval of lease operations was set forth in

Washington Office IM-89-201, January 4, 1989.

This policy states:

• BLM need only consider the planning and

management of federal minerals under the

Federal Land and Policy Management Act

(FLPMA). Activities and use of the surface

are not subject to FLPMA planning

requirements, and the BLM has no authority under FLPMA over use of the surface

by the surface owner. The same standard

for environmental protection will be

applied on split-estate lands as would be

used for federal surface.

• BLM's National Environmental Protection

Act (NEPA) responsibilities are basically

the same as for federal surface. The fact

that impacts will occur on private surface

does not diminish the BLM's responsibility to consider alternatives or the BLM's

authority to impose mitigation measures

since the impacts will be caused as a

direct consequence of activity approved

by the BLM and conducted pursuant to a

federal oil and gas lease. The BLM should

carefully consider the views of the surface

owner and the effect on the owner's use

of the surface from implementation of

possible mitigation measures, as well as

the effect such measures would have on

attaining other program goals.

• Under the National Historic Preservation

Act, BLM is responsible for consulting

with the State Historic Preservation

Officer to identify and mitigate the effects

of its actions and authorizations on historic properties and, if effects would

occur, for giving the Advisory Council on

Historic Preservation an opportunity to

comment. These responsibilities are the

same on split-estate lands as on public

lands.

• Oil and gas leasing and operations on

split-estate lands constitute federal actions

under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

As such, the requirements and procedures

of the ESA apply to split estate lands

just as they do to federal lands including,

as appropriate, preparation of biological

assessments and the conduct of 

consultations.

A2.2

APPENDIX 2 • OIL AND GAS LEASING STIPULATIONS

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
• If the surface owner refuses access, it may

be feasible to obtain the needed information without actual entry onto the private

surface. 

In order to prevent problems with incompatible

development, the Proposed Plan includes a no

surface occupancy stipulation for split-estate

lands with authorized residential subdivisions,

just as it does for surface structures and

improvements on federal land. In all other

cases, split-estate lands in the Dixie Resource

Area will be categorized and have the same

stipulations applied as the nearby federal lands.

For example, if there is a riparian zone and critical deer winter range on the parcel, the parcel

would be categorized as open with stipulations.

The no surface occupancy stipulation would be

applied to the riparian zone and the timing

limitation stipulation would be applied to the

winter range, just as if the surface was in federal

ownership.

A2.3

APPENDIX 2 • OIL AND GAS LEASING STIPULATIONS

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
A2.4

APPENDIX 2 • OIL AND GAS LEASING STIPULATIONS

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN TABLE A2-1 • No Surface Occupancy Stipulations STIPULATION DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE Surface structures and developments. These sites have surface developments or features which are not compatible with oil and gas drilling or production. EXCEPTION: None MODIFICATION: None WAIVER: A waiver may be granted by the Area Manager if the surface structure or development being protected is removed, relinquished, or abandoned. Desert Tortoise critical habitat: These sites encompass the habitat which has been determined to be critical to the survival of the Desert Tortoise population. The Desert Tortoise is a listed species under the Endangered Species Act. EXCEPTION: The Authorized Officer may grant an exception (allow surface occupancy) upon completion of formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that yields a no-jeopardy opinion if a plan of development is submitted that does not significantly impact tortoise habitats or populations. The plan of development may demonstrate no significant impact will occur through mitigation of impacts, compensation (in accordance with Bureau poli- cy), and restoration of the land to predisturbance condition. MODIFICATION: The Authorized Officer may modify the area of this stipulation to accommodate approved minor changes in the Washington County HCP Reserve boundary. WAIVER: None STIP CODE NSO-01 NSO-02 PROTECTED RESOURCE Surface structures and devel- opments Desert Tortoise Critical Habitat in Special Management Areas ACRES PROTECTED

5

1,137

290

1,085

620+

40

48,51945,270

AREAS

PROTECTED

FS Admin Site(T. 39 S., R. 16 W., sec.3 

S2SWSESE) 

Public Water ReservesBaker Dam DevelopedRecreation AreaRed Cliffs DevelopedRecreation AreaR&PP Leases and PatentsDinosaur TrackwayBeaver Dam Slope ACECWashington County HCPReserve
A2.5

APPENDIX 2 • OIL AND GAS LEASING STIPULATIONS

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN TABLE A2-1 (continued) • No Surface Occupancy Stipulations STIP CODE NSO-03 NSO-04 PROTECTED RESOURCE Natural, scenic, and primitive recreational values associated with special management areas Back Country Byway Scenery AREAS PROTECTED Closed OHV areas: Primitive ROS areas (Beartrap Canyon, Taylor Creek Canyon, LaVerkin Creek Canyon, Cottonwood Canyon, Canaan Mountain, Red Mountain, LaVerkin Creek/Black Ridge, Deep Creek) Segments of rivers classified as wild and proposed as suitable under the W&S River Act. Canaan Mountain SRMA Ripple Arch 0.5 mile either side of centerline of the Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway ACRES PROTECTED 91,704 total: All areas listed are included within the OHV Closed designation2,366 STIPULATION DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE Natural, scenic, and primitive recreational values associated with special man- agement areas: These sites have primitive recreational values which are not compatible with oil and gas drilling or production. EXCEPTION: The Authorized Officer may grant an exception for roads, pipelines, or power lines to cross these areas if there is no practical alternative route and mitigation can be applied to reduce impacts to a satisfactory level. MODIFICATION: None. WAIVER: None Back Country Byway scenery: Oil and Gas exploration and development activities would be incompatible with the purpose of maintaining the scenic quality of the designated National Back Country Byway. EXCEPTION: The Authorized Officer may grant an exception if a plan of devel- opment is submitted demonstrating the activity would be fully screened from the byway, and the values for which the Back Country Byway was established would be preserved. MODIFICATION: The Authorized Officer may modify the width (to less than 0.5 mile from the centerline) if it is demonstrated a narrower width would allow the activity to be fully screened from the byway, and the values for which the Backcountry Byway was established would be preserved. WAIVER: none
A2.6

APPENDIX 2 • OIL AND GAS LEASING STIPULATIONS

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN TABLE A2-1 (continued) • No Surface Occupancy Stipulations STIP CODE NSO-05 PROTECTED RESOURCE ACEC Values AREAS PROTECTED Warner Ridge/ Ft. Pearce ACEC Red Bluff ACEC Canaan Mountain ACEC Red Mountain ACEC The part of the Upper Beaver Dam Wash ACEC closed to OHV Lower Virgin River ACEC Santa Clara River/Land Hill ACEC ACRES PROTECTED 4,281 6,186 31,355 4,854 15,968 1,822 1,645 STIPULATION DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE ACEC values: Values to be protected are: Warner Ridge/Ft. Pearce - Endangered Plant species, saline soils, riparian sys- tem, candidate animal species, waterfowl, raptors, and nongame species. Red Bluff - Endangered plant species and saline soils. Canaan Mountain - High scenic values and cultural resources Red Mountain - High scenic values. Upper Beaver Dam Wash - Watershed and riparian values Lower Virgin River - Riparian values, endangered fish habitat, cultural resources, and wildlife habitat Santa Clara River/Land Hill - Cultural resources, candidate fish species, riparian values, and wildlife habitat These values are incompatible with surface or visual disturbances resulting from oil and gas exploration and development. EXCEPTIONS: The Authorized Officer may grant an exception for specific, low- impact actions if a plan of development is submitted which demonstrates the project will preserve the values for which the ACEC was established. MODIFICATIONS: None WAIVER: None.
A2.7

APPENDIX 2 • OIL AND GAS LEASING STIPULATIONS

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN TABLE A2-1 (continued) • No Surface Occupancy Stipulations STIP CODE NSO-06 NSO-07 PROTECTED RESOURCE Riparian zone Split-Estate lands AREAS PROTECTED All mapped riparian zones in Dixie Resource Area Lands with oil and gas rights retained by federal govern- ment, with surface in private ownership, and with a county approved residential subdivi- sion (planned or existing) ACRES PROTECTED 4,600 24,136 STIPULATION DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE Riparian zone: The need to improve and maintain vegetation and functional conditions of riparian zones in the Dixie Resource Area is incompatible with the disturbances resulting from oil and gas exploration and development. No surface occupancy restrictions would protect important biological components and habitats of resi- dent and migratory species listed under the Endangered Species Act or other- wise at risk from declining habitat quality or availability. For the protection of impoundments and streams, and/or riparian wetland vege- tation zones, activities associated with oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, including roads, transmission lines, and storage facilities, are restricted to an area beyond the riparian vegetation zone EXCEPTION: The Authorized Officer may grant an exception for roads, pipelines, or power lines if there is no practical alternative route and mitigation can be applied to reduce impacts to a satisfactory level. MODIFICATION: None WAIVER: None Split-Estate Lands: The impacts of oil and gas development are generally incompatible with resi- dential subdivisions. EXCEPTIONS: None MODIFICATIONS: A modification may be granted by the Authorized Officer if the operator provides written documentation that lease operations are approved by the surface owner. WAIVER: A waiver may be granted by the Authorized Officer if the operator provides written documentation that lease operations are approved by the sur- face owner.
A2.8

APPENDIX 2 • OIL AND GAS LEASING STIPULATIONS

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN TABLE A2-2 • Conditional Surface Use Stipulations STIP CODE CSU-01 PROTECTED RESOURCE Fragile soils AREAS PROTECTED Severely erodible soils as mapped Curly Hollow watershed Frog Hollow watershed Slopes equal to or greater than 25 percent ACRES PROTECTED 121,865 11,210 6,760 various STIPULATION DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE Fragile Soil Areas: Prior to surface disturbance of fragile soils, it must be demonstrated to the Authorized Officer through a plan of development that the follow performance objectives will be met. Performance Objectives: I. Maintain the soil productivity of the site II. Protect off-site areas by preventing accelerated soil erosion (such as lands- liding, gullying, rilling, piping, etc.) from occurring. III. Protect water quality and quantity of adjacent surface and groundwater sources. IV. Select the best possible site for development in order to prevent impacts to the soil and water resources. EXCEPTION: None. MODIFICATION: None. WAIVER: None
STIP 

CODE

CSU-02CSU-03

PROTECTED RESOURCE

Surface and groundwater qualityFERC and powersite withdrawals

AREAS

PROTECTED

Municipal watershedsHigh recharge areas of NavajoaquiferLower part of Upper BeaverDam Wash ACECSanta Clara River/ GunlockACECFederal Energy RegulatoryCommission withdrawalsPowersite withdrawals

ACRES

PROTECTED

3,116

22,65017,095

1,998

196

2,138

STIPULATION DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE

Surface and Ground Water Quality: Prior to authorizing surface disturbance,the Authorized Officer may require the proponent to submit a plan of development which would demonstrate the proposed action would not:

(1) result in a net increase in sediment contribution, and/or(2) degrade existing water quality parameters, including but not limited to

specific conductance, turbidity, organic/inorganic contaminant levels, anddissolved oxygen.

If approval is granted, and developments result in these standards beingexceeded, additional measures would be required to correct the deficiencies.The proponent may be required to monitor surface and ground water throughout the life of the project.EXCEPTION: NoneMODIFICATION: None.WAIVER: None.FERC and Powersite Withdrawals:Withdrawals will be subject to Special Stipulations required by the FederalEnergy Regulatory Commission (see BLM Form 3730-1).EXCEPTION: NoneMODIFICATION: NoneWAIVER: The Authorized Officer may waive this stipulation if the withdrawalsare relinquished or terminated.

A2.9

APPENDIX 2 • OIL AND GAS LEASING STIPULATIONS

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN TABLE A2-2 (continued) • Conditional Surface Use Stipulations
A2.10

APPENDIX 2 • OIL AND GAS LEASING STIPULATIONS

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN TABLE A2-3 • Timing Limitation Stipulations STIP CODE TL-01 PROTECTED RESOURCE Mule Deer AREAS PROTECTED Crucial mule deer winter range ACRES PROTECTED 45,897 STIPULATION DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE Mule Deer: This area encompasses mule deer winter range designated as cru- cial by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. No development activity is allowed from November 1 through April 15. (Development is allowed between April 15 and October 31.) EXCEPTIONS: (1) The Authorized Officer may grant an exception if an environmental analysis indicates the proposed action could be conditioned so as not to interfere with habitat function or compromise animal condition with the project vicinity. (2) An exception may be granted if the proponent, BLM, and Utah DWR negoti- ate compensation that would satisfactorily offset anticipated impacts to mule deer winter activities or habitat condition. (3) Under mild winter conditions, when prevailing habitat or weather conditions allow early dispersal of animals from all or portions of the project area, an exception may be granted to suspend no more than the last 60 days of this seasonal limitation. Severity of winter will be determined on the basis of snow depth, snow crusting, daily mean temperatures, and whether animals were concentrated on the winter range during the winter months. (4) Exceptions may also be granted for actions specifically intended to enhance the long- term utility or availability of suitable habitat. MODIFICATIONS: (1) The Authorized Officer may modify the size and timeframes of this stipula- tion if Utah DWR monitoring information indicates current animal use pat- terns are no longer consistent with dates established for animal occupation. (2) Modifications may be authorized if the proposed action could be condi- tioned so as not to interfere with habitat function or compromise animal condition. (3) The limitation may be modified if the proponent, BLM, and Utah DWR agree to habitat compensation which satisfactorily offsets detrimental impacts to activity and habitat condition. WAIVER: This stipulation may be waived to the extent the Utah DWR determines that all or specific portions of the area no longer constitute real or prospective critical deer winter range.
A2.11

APPENDIX 2 • OIL AND GAS LEASING STIPULATIONS

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN TABLE A2.3 (continued) • Timing Limitation Stipulations STIP CODE TL-02 PROTECTED RESOURCE Elk AREAS PROTECTED Elk calving areas ACRES PROTECTED 2,900 Stipulation Description and Purpose Elk Calving Areas: This area encompasses elk calving areas. No development activity is allowed from May 1 through July 30 to prevent disruption to calving and subsequent loss of animals. (Development is allowed between August 1 and April 30.) EXCEPTIONS: (1) The Authorized Officer may grant an exception if an environmental analysis indicates the proposed action could be conditioned so as not to interfere with habitat function or compromise animal condition within the project vicinity. (2) An exception may be granted if the proponent, BLM, and Utah DWR negoti- ate compensation that would satisfactorily offset anticipated impacts to elk calving activities or habitat condition. (3) Exceptions may also be granted for actions specifically intended to enhance the long- term utility or availability of suitable habitat. MODIFICATION: (1) The Authorized Officer may modify the size and timeframes of this stipula- tion if Utah DWR monitoring information indicates that current animal use patterns are no longer consistent with dates established for animal occupa- tion. (2) Modifications may be authorized if the proposed action could be condi- tioned so as not to interfere with habitat function or compromise animal condition. (3) Modifications may be authorized if the proponent, BLM, and Utah DWR agree to habitat compensation that satisfactorily offsets detrimental impacts to activity and habitat condition. WAIVER: This stipulation may be waived to the extent the Utah DWR determines that all or specific portions of the area no longer constitute real or prospective elk calv- ing areas.
A2.12

APPENDIX 2 • OIL AND GAS LEASING STIPULATIONS

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN STIP CODE TL-03 TL-04 PROTECTED RESOURCE Desert Tortoise Golden Eagle AREAS PROTECTED Desert Tortoise habitat outside of the Washington County HCP Reserve and the Beaver Dam Slope ACEC Nest sites ACRES PROTECTED 15,183 various STIPULATION DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE Desert Tortoise: This area encompasses identified Desert Tortoise habitat out- side of the Washington County HCP reserve and Beaver Dam Slope ACEC. No development is allowed between March 16 and October 14. (Development is allowed from October 15 to March 15 subject to on-site biological evaluation and consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.) EXCEPTION: The Authorized Officer may grant an exception (allow develop- ment during the closed period) if formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reveals no adverse impact to the tortoise habitat and yields a no-jeopardy opinion. MODIFICATION: None WAIVER: None Golden Eagle Nest Sites: This area encompasses identified Golden Eagle nest sites. No development is allowed within 0.5 mile of identified nests from February 1 to June 30, or until the fledging and dispersal of the young. (Development is allowed July 1 through January 31.) EXCEPTION: (1) An exception may be granted if an environmental analysis of the proposed action indicates the nature or conduct of the activity could be conditioned so as to not impair the utility of the nest for current or subsequent nesting activity or occupancy. (2) An exception may be granted if the nest is unattended or remains unoccu- pied by April 15 of the project year. MODIFICATION: (1) The Authorized Officer may modify the size of the stipulation area if an environmental analysis indicates that a portion of the area is nonessential to nest utility or function. (2) The Authorized Officer may modify the size of the stipulation area if the pro- posed action could be conditioned so as not to impair the utility of the nest site for current or subsequent nest activities or occupation. WAIVER: A waiver may be granted if there is no reasonable likelihood of site occupation over a minimum 10-year period. TABLE A2.3 (continued) • Timing Limitation Stipulations
STIPULATION DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE

Peregrine Falcon Nest Sites: This area encompasses identified Peregrine Falcon nestsites. No development is allowed within 0.5 mile of identified nests from March 15to June 30, or until the fledging and dispersal of the young. (Development is allowedJuly 1 through March 14.)EXCEPTION (after FWS consultation): (1) An exception may be granted if an environmental analysis of the proposed

action indicates the nature or conduct of the activity could be conditioned so asto not impair the utility of the nest for current or subsequent nesting activity oroccupancy.

(2) An exception may be granted if the nest is unattended or remains unoccupied

by May 15 of the project year.

MODIFICATION (after FWS consultation): (1) The Authorized Officer may modify the size of the stipulation area if an environmental analysis indicates that a portion of the area is nonessential to nest utility or function.(2) The Authorized Officer may modify the size of the stipulation area if the proposed action could be conditioned so as not to impair the utility of the nest site

for current or subsequent nest activities or occupation.

WAIVER (after FWS consultation):A waiver may be granted if there is no reasonable likelihood of site occupation overa minimum 10-year period.Mexican Spotted Owl Nest Sites: This area encompasses identified Mexican SpottedOwl nest sites. No development is allowed within 0.5 mile of identified nests fromFebruary 1 to August 31, or until the fledging and dispersal of the young.(Development is allowed September 1 through January 31.)EXCEPTION (after FWS consultation): (1) An exception may be granted if an environmental analysis of the proposed

action indicates the nature or conduct of the activity could be conditioned so asto not impair the utility of the nest for current or subsequent nesting activity oroccupancy.

(2) An exception may be granted if the nest is unattended or remains unoccupied

by May 15 of the project year.

MODIFICATION (after FWS consultation): (1) The Authorized Officer may modify the size of the stipulation area if an environmental analysis indicates that a portion of the area is nonessential to nest utility or function.(2) The Authorized Officer may modify the size of the stipulation area if the proposed action could be conditioned so as not to impair the utility of the nest site

for current or subsequent nest activities or occupation.

WAIVER (after FWS consultation):A waiver may be granted if there is no reasonable likelihood of site occupation overa minimum 10-year period.

A2.13

APPENDIX 2 • OIL AND GAS LEASING STIPULATIONS

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN STIP CODE TL-05 TL-06 PROTECTED RESOURCE Peregrine Falcon Mexican Spotted Owl AREAS PROTECTED Nest sites Nest sites ACRES PROTECTED various 1,812

TABLE A2.3 (continued) • Timing Limitation Stipulations
A2.14

APPENDIX 2 • OIL AND GAS LEASING STIPULATIONS

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN LEASE NOTICE CODE LN-01 LN-02 LN-03 PROTECTED RESOURCE Reservoirs and perennial streams Special Status Species habitat Riparian and riparian-related resources AREAS PROTECTED Mapped reservoirs Identified perennial streams Mapped habitat for proposed and listed threatened and endangered species 200 meters adjacent to ripari- an areas ACRES PROTECTED various 103,218 various NOTICE DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE To protect reservoirs and perennial streams from unnecessary pollution and sed- imentation, 43 CFR 3101.1-2 (the 200 meter rule) will be applied to prevent surface disturbance within 100 yards of the high water line of permanent water bodies. Leasing activity other than casual use will be subject to appropriate consulta- tion or conference with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 43 CFR 3101.1-2 allows the Authorized Officer to require activities to be moved up to 200 meters to protect specific resources. The authorized officer may apply this regulation adjacent to riparian zones where site-specific analysis shows a need to further protect riparian- related resources including Southwest willow flycatcher habitat and nesting sites. TABLE A2-4 • Lease Notices
Mountain Biking Increases in Popularity

on Public Lands in Washington County

Mountain bikers are looking more and more to the numerous trails and scenic attractions

of Washington County for individual and group riding. Large, organized events are bringing

national recognition to the area along with questions on how to manage the impacts

of increasing numbers of riders on the fragile resources of the area.
Livestock Grazing Is Important to

Rural Economies and Lifestyles

Livestock grazing continues to be an important part of multiple use on public lands and

helps to maintain the rural lifestyle that characterizes much of Washington County.

BLM will apply Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Grazing Management

to ensure that objectives for healthy rangelands will be achieved.
Standards for

Rangeland Health

STANDARD 1. UPLAND SOILS EXHIBIT PERMEABILITY AND INFILTRATION RATES THAT

SUSTAIN OR IMPROVE SITE PRODUCTIVITY,

CONSIDERING THE SOIL TYPE, CLIMATE,

AND LANDFORM.

As indicated by:

a.) Sufficient cover and litter to protect the soil

surface from excessive water and wind erosion,

promote infiltration, detain surface flow, and

retard soil moisture loss by evaporation.

b.) The absence of indicators of excessive erosion such as rills, soil pedestals, and actively

eroding gullies.

c.) The appropriate amount, type, and distribution of vegetation reflecting the presence of (1)

the Desired Plant Community (DPC), where

identified in a land use plan conforming to

these Standards, or (2) where the DPC is not

identified, a community that equally sustains the

desired level of productivity and properly functioning ecological conditions.

STANDARD 2. RIPARIAN AND WETLAND

AREAS ARE IN PROPERLY FUNCTIONING

CONDITION. STREAM CHANNEL MORPHOLOGY AND FUNCTIONS ARE APPROPRIATE TO

SOIL TYPE, CLIMATE AND LANDFORM.

As indicated by:

a.) Streambank vegetation consisting of, or

showing a trend toward, species with root masses capable of withstanding high streamflow

events. Vegetative cover adequate to protect

stream banks and dissipate streamflow energy

associated with high-water flows, protect against

accelerated erosion, capture sediment, and provide for groundwater recharge.

b.) Vegetation reflecting: Desired Plant

Community, maintenance of riparian and wetland soil moisture characteristics, diverse age

structure and composition, high vigor, large

woody debris when site potential allows, and

providing food, cover, and other habitat needs

for dependent animal species.

c.) Revegetating point bars; lateral stream movement associated with natural sinuosity; channel

width, depth, pool frequency and roughness

appropriate to landscape position.

d.) Active floodplain.

STANDARD 3. DESIRED SPECIES, INCLUDING

NATIVE, THREATENED, ENDANGERED, AND

SPECIAL-STATUS SPECIES, ARE MAINTAINED

AT A LEVEL APPROPRIATE FOR THE SITE AND

SPECIES INVOLVED.

As indicated by:

a.) Frequency, diversity, density, age classes, and

productivity of desired native species necessary

to ensure reproductive capability and survival.

b.) Habitats connected at a level to enhance

species survival.

c.) Native species re-occupy habitat niches and

voids caused by disturbances unless management objectives call for introduction or maintenance of non-native species.

d.) Habitats for threatened, endangered, and

special-status species managed to provide for

recovery and move species toward de-listing.

e.) Appropriate amount, type, and distribution of

vegetation reflecting the presence of (1) the

Desired Plant Community, where identified in a

land use plan conforming to these Standards, or

(2) where the DPC is not identified, a community that equally sustains the desired level of productivity and properly functioning ecological

processes.

STANDARD 4. BLM WILL APPLY AND COMPLY WITH WATER QUALITY STANDARDS

ESTABLISHED BY THE STATE OF UTAH

A3.1

APPENDIX 3 • STANDARDS FOR RANGELAND HEALTH AND GUIDELINES FOR GRAZING MANAGEMENT FOR BLM LANDS IN UTAH

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

APPENDIX 3

Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines

for Grazing Management for BLM Lands in Utah
(R.317-2) AND THE FEDERAL CLEAN WATER

AND SAFE DRINKING WATER ACTS. ACTIVITIES ON BLM LANDS WILL FULLY SUPPORT

THE DESIGNATED BENEFICIAL USES

DESCRIBED IN THE UTAH WATER QUALITY

STANDARDS (R.317-2) FOR SURFACE AND

GROUNDWATER. 1

As indicated by:

a) Measurement of nutrient loads, total dissolved

solids, chemical constituents, fecal coliform,

water temperature and other water quality parameters.

b) Macro invertebrate communities that indicate

water quality meets aquatic objectives.

Guidelines for

Grazing Management

1. Grazing management practices will be implemented that:

a) Maintain sufficient residual vegetation and

litter on both upland and riparian sites to protect the soil from wind and water erosion and

support ecological functions;

b) Promote attainment or maintenance of

proper functioning condition riparian/wetland

areas, appropriate stream channel morphology, desired soil permeability and infiltration,

and appropriate soil conditions and kinds and

amounts of plants and animals to support the

hydrologic cycle, nutrient cycle and energy

flow.

c) Meet the physiological requirements of

desired plants and facilitate reproduction and

maintenance of desired plants to the extent

natural conditions allow;

d) Maintain viable and diverse populations of

plants and animals appropriate for the site;

e) Provide or improve, within the limits of site

potentials, habitat for Threatened or

Endangered species;

f) Avoid grazing management conflicts with

other species that have the potential of

becoming protected or special status species;

g) Encourage innovation, experimentation

and the ultimate development of alternative

to improve rangeland management practices;

and 

h) Give priority to rangeland improvement

projects and land treatments that offer the

best opportunity for achieving the Standards.

2. Any spring and seep developments will be

designed and constructed to protect ecological

process and functions and improve livestock,

wild horse and wildlife distribution.

3. New rangeland projects for grazing will be

constructed in a manner consistent with the

Standards. Considering economic circumstances

and site limitations, existing rangeland projects

and facilities that conflict with the achievement

or maintenance of the Standards will be relocated and/or modified.

4. Livestock salt blocks and other nutritional

supplements will be located away from riparian/wetland areas or other permanently located,

or other natural water sources. It is recommended that the locations of these supplements be

moved every year.

5. The use and perpetuation of native species

will be emphasized. However, when restoring

or rehabilitating disturbed or degraded rangelands non-intrusive, non-native plant species are

appropriate for use where native species (a) are

not available, (b) are not economically feasible,

(c) can not achieve ecological objectives as well

as nonnative species, and/or (d) cannot compete

with already established non-native species.

6. When rangeland manipulations are necessary,

the best management practices, including biological processes, fire and intensive grazing, will

be utilized prior to the use of chemical or

mechanical manipulations.

7. When establishing grazing practices and

rangeland improvements, the quality of the outA3.2

APPENDIX 3 • STANDARDS FOR RANGELAND HEALTH AND GUIDELINES FOR GRAZING MANAGEMENT FOR BLM LANDS IN UTAH

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

1 BLM will continue to coordinate monitoring water quality activities with other Federal, State and

technical agencies.
door recreation experience is to be considered.

Aesthetic and scenic values, water, campsites

and opportunities for solitude are among those

considerations.

8. Feeding of hay and other harvested forage

(which does not refer to miscellaneous salt, protein, and other supplements), for the purpose of

substituting for inadequate natural forage will

not be conducted on BLM lands other than in

(a) emergency situations where no other

resource exists and animal survival is in jeopardy, or (b) situations where the Authorized

Officer determines such a practice will assist in

meeting a standard or attaining a management

objective.

9. In order to eliminate, minimize, or limit the

spread of noxious weeds, (a) only hay cubes,

hay pellets, or certified weed-free hay will be

fed on BLM lands, and (b) reasonable adjustments in grazing methods, methods of transport,

and animal husbandry practices will be applied.

10. To avoid contamination of water sources

and inadvertent damage to non-target species,

aerial application of pesticides will not be

allowed within 100 feet of a riparian/wetland

area unless the product is registered for such use

by EPA.

11. On rangelands where a standard is not

being met, and conditions are moving toward

meeting the standard, grazing may be allowed

to continue. On lands where a standard is not

being met, conditions are not improving toward

meeting the standard or other management

objectives, and livestock grazing is deemed

responsible, administrative action with regard to

livestock will be taken by the Authorized Officer

pursuant to CFR 4180.2(c).

12. Where it can be determined that more than

one kind of grazing animal is responsible for

failure to achieve a standard, and adjustments in

management are required, those adjustments

will be made to each kind of animal, based on

interagency cooperation as needed, in proportion to their degree of responsibility.

13. Rangelands that have been burned, reseeded or otherwise treated to alter vegetative composition will be closed to livestock grazing as

follows: (1) burned rangelands, whether by

wildfire or prescribed burning, will be ungrazed

for a minimum of one complete growing season

following the burn; and (2) rangelands that have

been reseeded or otherwise chemically or

mechanically treated will be ungrazed for a

minimum of two complete growing seasons following treatment.

14. Conversions in kind of livestock (such as

from sheep to cattle) will be analyzed in light of

Rangeland Health Standards. Where such conversions are not adverse to achieving a standard,

or they are not in conflict with land BLM use

plans, the conversion will be allowed.

Excerpted from Standards for Rangeland Health

and Guidelines for Grazing Management for

BLM Lands in Utah, May 1997, pp 4-8.

A3.3

APPENDIX 3 • STANDARDS FOR RANGELAND HEALTH AND GUIDELINES FOR GRAZING MANAGEMENT FOR BLM LANDS IN UTAH

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
BLM Proposals are Designed to Protect

Desert Tortoise Habitat

The threatened desert tortoise is at the northern end of its range in Washington County.

BLM proposes to establish the Beaver Dam Slope Area of Critical Environmental Concern and

to continue its collaboration in the Upper Virgin River Recovery Unit

within the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve to preserve the tortoise and its habitat. 

Plans for tortoise management and survival have been coordinated with state and federal agencies

across the four-state area affected by the Northeastern Mohave Recovery Unit.
ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Section 9 of the ESA prohibits the take of listed

species without special exemption. Taking is

defined as harassing, harming, pursuing, hunting,

shooting, wounding, killing, trapping, capturing,

collecting, or attempting to engage in any such

conduct. Harm is further defined to include significant habitat modification or degradation that

results in death or injury to listed species by significantly impairing essential behavior patterns,

including breeding, feeding, or sheltering (50

CFR 17.3). Harass is defined in the same regulation as actions that create the likelihood of injury

to listed species to such an extent as to significantly disrupt normal behavior patterns that

include, but are not limited to, breeding, feeding, or sheltering. Incidental take is any take of

a listed animal species that results from, but is

not the purpose of, carrying out an otherwise

lawful activity conducted by the Federal agency

or the applicant. Under the terms of sections

7(b)(4) and 7(o)(2) of the ESA, taking that is incidental to and not intended as part of the agency

action is not considered to be prohibited under

the ESA provided that such taking is in compliance with this incidental take statement.

The measures described below are non-discretionary, and must be implemented by the

agency so that they become binding conditions

of any grant or permit issued to the applicant, as

appropriate, in order for the exemption in section 7(o)(2) to apply. The Bureau has a continuing duty to regulate the activity covered by this

incidental take statement. If the Bureau (1) fails

to require any applicant to adhere to the terms

and conditions of the incidental take statement

through enforceable terms that are added to the

permit or grant document, and/or (2) fails to

retain oversight to ensure compliance with these

terms and conditions, the protective coverage of

section 7(o)(2) may lapse. 

Amount or Extent of Take

The Service anticipates the following forms of

take as a result of the proposed action (a tortoise

refers to one desert tortoise or one clutch of

desert tortoise eggs): 

1) Five desert tortoises every ten years in the

form of direct mortality or injury resulting from

Bureau-authorized operation, construction, and

maintenance of range improvement projects;

trampling of tortoises by cattle; mining activities;

road maintenance; recreation activities; wildlife

management; and law enforcement.

2) Ten desert tortoises every five years in the

form of harm associated with loss or degradation of habitat resulting from grazing by livestock or burros, or setting backfires during fire

suppression activities.

3) Twenty desert tortoises per year in the form

of harassment associated with excavation of

occupied burrows and movement of desert tortoises out of harm's way during any Bureau

authorized construction or maintenance (including, but not limited to, construction and maintenance of range improvements, rights-of-ways

and temporary use permits, fences, signs, interpretive kiosks, road construction or upgrading,

road maintenance, etc.), mining, fire suppression, habitat reclamation, route closures, and

cleaning up dump sites.

4) Ten desert tortoises every two years in the

form of direct mortality or injury resulting from

the following fire suppression activities: a)

operation of vehicles and equipment, b) development of campsites, c) aircraft landing/fueling

sites, d) equipment staging areas, e) construction

of fire lines, f) use of retardants, and g) setting

backfires.

A4.1

APPENDIX 4

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Terms and Conditions for

Authorized Activities Within Desert Tortoise Habitat

Biological Opinion # ES/6-UT-98-F-005

Incidental Take Statement
This Biological Opinion does not authorize any

form of take not incidental to implementation of

the Dixie [St. George Field Office] RMP. If the

incidental take authorized by this opinion is

met, the Bureau shall immediately notify the

Service in writing. If the incidental take authorized by this Opinion is exceeded, the Bureau

must immediately reinitiate consultation with

the Service to avoid a violation of section 9 of

the ESA. In the interim, the Bureau must cease

the activity resulting in the take if it is determined that the impact of additional taking will

cause an irreversible and adverse impact on the

species. The Bureau should provide to this

office an explanation of the cause of the taking. 

Effect of the Take

In this Biological Opinion, the Service finds the

anticipated level of take is neither likely to result

in jeopardy to the species nor in destruction or

adverse modification of critical habitat.

Reasonable and Prudent Measures

The Service believes the following reasonable

and prudent measures are necessary and appropriate to minimize take of the desert tortoise:

1. Personnel education programs, defined construction areas, well-defined operational procedures, and movement of tortoises out of harm's

way shall be implemented for any activity that

results in disturbance of desert tortoise habitat

or may result in death or injury of a desert tortoise.

2. Measures shall be taken to limit the extent of

projects authorized by the Bureau in the

DWMA and the ACEC.

3. Measures shall be taken to eliminate or minimize take of desert tortoises resulting from livestock grazing.

4. Preconstruction surveys shall be conducted

to locate desert tortoises that may be injured or

killed as a result of proposed activities. Projects

shall be altered or tortoises in harm's way shall

be relocated to avoid lethal take of tortoises in

project areas.

5. Programs to inform and educate the public

about the DWMA and ACEC shall be implemented to facilitate compliance with their regulations that protect the tortoise and to build support for desert tortoise recovery efforts. 

6. Implementation of the proposed action and

any incidental take shall be monitored and

reported to the Service.

Terms and Conditions

In order to be exempt from the prohibitions of

section 9 of the ESA, the Bureau must comply

with the following terms and conditions, which

implement the reasonable and prudent measures described above. These terms and conditions are nondiscretionary. Many of the terms

and conditions are adapted from the Bureau's

proposed action. Terms and conditions from the

Service's March 6, 1996, programmatic

Biological Opinion on fire suppression activities

(2-21-95 F-379) are included here by reference.

These terms and conditions shall apply to any

desert tortoise habitat in the Dixie Resource

Area [public lands administered by the St.

George Field Office], unless otherwise indicated. 

1. The following terms and conditions

implement reasonable and prudent measure

number 1:

a. For each authorized project1, the Bureau

shall designate a field contact representative

(FCR) who shall be responsible for overseeing compliance with these terms and conditions and for coordination on compliance

A4.2

APPENDIX 4 • U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES WITHIN DESERT TORTOISE HABITAT

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

1 “Project” in regard to reasonable and prudent measure 1 and terms and conditions 1a-x means any surface-distrubing activities proposed by the Bureau and described in the ”DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED

ACTION” that may cause disturbance of desert tortoise habitat and/or death or injury of a desert tortoise,

with the exception of activities associated with fire suppression (addressed in Biological Opinion 2-21-

95-F-379) and grazing by livestock (”projects” include range improvement projects; see terms and conditions implementing reasonable and prudent measure 3 for measures specifici to grazing).
with the Service. The FCR, qualified biologist(s) approved by the Bureau, and authorized biologist (see term and condition 1.i.)

shall have the authority and the responsibility

to halt all project activities that are in violation of these terms and conditions. These

individuals shall have a copy of the terms

and conditions of this Biological Opinion

while on the work site.

b. A desert tortoise education program shall

be presented to all project personnel that

may encounter tortoises, such as employees,

inspectors, supervisors, contractors, and subcontractors, prior to initiation of activities

that may result in disturbance of desert tortoise habitat or death or injury of desert tortoises. The education program shall include

discussions of the following:

1. legal protection of the desert tortoise

and sensitivity of the species to human

activities;

2. a brief discussion of desert tortoise

distribution and ecology;

3. the terms and conditions of this

opinion;

4. project features designed to reduce

adverse effects to desert tortoises and

their habitat, and to promote the

species' long-term survival; 

5. protocols during encounters with

desert tortoises and associated

reporting requirements; and

6. the definition of take and penalties for

violations of Federal and State laws.

c. To the extent possible, project features

shall be located in previously-disturbed areas

or outside of desert tortoise habitat.

d. Project vehicle use shall be limited to

designated routes (existing routes prior to

designation) to the extent possible.

e. Areas of new construction or disturbance

shall be flagged or marked on the ground

prior to construction. All construction workers shall strictly limit their activities and vehicles to areas that have been marked.

Construction personnel shall be trained to

recognize markers and understand the equipment movement restrictions involved. 

f. Blading of work areas shall be minimized

to the extent possible. Disturbance to shrubs

shall be avoided if possible. If shrubs cannot

be avoided during equipment operation or

vehicle use, wherever possible they shall be

crushed rather than excavated or bladed. 

g. During the tortoise active season (March

15 through October 15), project features that

might trap or entangle desert tortoises such

as open trenches, pits, open pipes, etc.,

shall be covered or modified to prevent

entrapment. 

h. To the extent possible, project activities

shall be scheduled when tortoises are inactive (October 15 through March 15). The following project activities shall only occur

from October 15 through March 15: surface

disturbance associated with mineral leasing;

organized, non-speed vehicular events in the

DWMA and/or ACEC; construction and nonemergency maintenance activities in rightsof-ways; and non-emergency maintenance of

existing roads. 

i. If a tortoise or clutch of tortoise eggs is

found in a project area, to the extent practicable activities shall be modified to avoid

injuring or harming it. If activities cannot be

modified, the tortoise/clutch shall be moved

from harm's way by an authorized biologist

the minimum distance possible within appropriate habitat to ensure its safety from death,

injury, or collection associated with the project or other activities. The authorized biologist shall be allowed some discretion to

ensure that survival of each relocated desert

tortoise/clutch is likely. Desert

tortoises/clutches shall not be translocated to

lands outside the administration of the

Federal government without the written permission of the landowner. Handling procedures for desert tortoises and their eggs shall

adhere to protocols outlined in Desert

Tortoise Council (1994 with 1996 revisions).

Only biologists authorized by the Service

and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources shall

A4.3

APPENDIX 4 • U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES WITHIN DESERT TORTOISE HABITAT

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
handle desert tortoises. The Service authorizes Timothy A. Duck of the Bureau to handle desert tortoises in accordance with these

terms and conditions. If the Bureau desires

other biologists be authorized, the name(s) of

the proposed authorized biologist(s) shall be

submitted to the Service for review and

approval at least 15 days prior to the onset of

activities that could result in a take.

Minimum requirements for authorized biologists include attending the Desert Tortoise

Council's training course for handling desert

tortoises and/or training by an authorized

biologist. The authorized biologist shall

maintain a record of all desert tortoises

encountered during project activities. This

information shall include for each desert

tortoise:

- The locations and dates of observation

- General condition and health, including

injuries and state of healing and

whether animals voided their bladders 

- Location moved from and location

moved to

- Diagnostic markings (i.e., identification

numbers of marked lateral scutes)

No notching of scutes or replacement of fluids with a syringe is authorized. 

Desert tortoises that are handled shall be

marked for future identification. An identification number (using the acrylic paint/epoxy

technique) shall be placed on the 4th costal

scute (Service 1992). 

j. At no time shall vehicle or equipment fluids be dumped on public lands. All accidental spills must be reported to the Bureau and

cleaned up immediately, using the best available practices according to the requirements

of the law. All spills of federally or State-listed hazardous materials that exceed

reportable quantities shall be promptly

reported to the appropriate State agency and

the Bureau.

k. For surface-disturbing activities conducted

from March 15 to October 15 in desert tortoise habitat, construction and operation

activities shall be monitored by a qualified

desert tortoise biologist approved by the

Bureau. The biologist shall be present during

all activities in which encounters with tortoises may occur. The biologist shall watch

for tortoises wandering into construction

areas, check under vehicles, check at least

three times per day any excavations that

might trap tortoises, and conduct other activities necessary to ensure that death or injury

of tortoises is minimized. 

l. Unleashed dogs shall be prohibited in

project areas.

m. In DWMAs/ACECs, vehicles associated

with Bureau-authorized projects traveling on

unpaved roads in desert tortoise habitat shall

not exceed speed limits established by the

Bureau as necessary to protect desert tortoises. These speed limits will generally not

exceed 40 mph even on the best unpaved

roads, but may be much less than this on

some roads. 

n. Temporary fencing, such as snow fencing,

chain link, and other suitable materials shall

be used in designated areas as determined by

the Bureau to reduce encounters with tortoises from March 15 to October 15 on shortterm projects, such as construction of power

lines, burial of fiber optic cables, etc, where

encounters with tortoises are likely.

o. Long-term or permanent project sites in

which continued encounters with desert tortoises are expected, such as construction of

schools under an R&PP lease, roads, power

plants, office buildings, and other permanent

or long-term projects shall be enclosed with

desert tortoise barrier fencing to prevent tortoises from wandering onto the project site

where they may be subject to collection,

death, or injury. Barrier fencing should consist of wire mesh with a maximum mesh size

of 1-inch (horizontal) by 2-inch (vertical) fastened securely to posts. The wire mesh shall

extend at least 18 inches above the ground

and preferably 12 inches below the surface

of the ground. Where burial is not possible,

the lower 12 inches shall be folded outward,

away from the enclosed site, and fastened to

the ground so as to prevent tortoise entry.

A4.4

APPENDIX 4 • U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES WITHIN DESERT TORTOISE HABITAT

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Any gates or gaps in the fence shall be constructed and operated to prevent desert tortoise entry (such as installing "tortoise

guards" similar to cattle guards, and/or keeping gates closed). Specific measures for tortoise-proofing gates and gaps shall be

addressed project by project. Construction

of the barrier fence should be in compliance

with term and condition 4. Once fence construction is complete, all tortoises within the

fence shall be relocated outside the fence in

accordance with term and condition 1.i. If

more than 20 tortoises would be relocated

from any one area enclosed by a fence, the

Bureau shall contact the Service in regard to

disposition of the animals. After the area

within the fence has been cleared of tortoises, construction and operation activities may

occur within the fence without the presence

and monitoring of a biologist (see term and

condition 1.k.) 

p. New paved roads and highways in desert

tortoise habitat (only authorized outside of

the DWMA and ACEC) or major reconstruction or modifications of existing paved roads

through desert tortoise habitat shall be

fenced with desert tortoise barrier fencing

(see 1.o. above). Culverts, to allow safe passage of tortoises, shall be constructed

approximately every mile of new or reconstructed paved road (culverts can also serve

the more typical purpose of conducting

water under roads). The culvert diameter

needed to encourage tortoise use is correlated with culvert length, but generally short

culverts of large diameter are most likely to

be used. The floor of the culvert shall be

covered with dirt and maintenance should

be performed as necessary to maintain an

open corridor for tortoise movement. Culvert

design shall be coordinated with and

approved by the Service.

q. Use of new roads constructed for specific

non-public purposes, such as access routes

to microwave towers, shall be limited to

administrative use only.

r. Temporary access routes created during

project construction shall be modified as

necessary to prevent further use. Closure of

access routes could be achieved by ripping,

barricading, posting the route as closed,

and/or seeding and planting with native

plants. 

s. In regard to locatable minerals in the

DWMA and ACEC, the Bureau shall require

plans of operation and bonding for any activity above the level of casual use, pursuant to

the surface management regulations (43 CFR

3809). The Bureau shall approve plans of

operation that reduce the chance of take

occurring in accordance with these terms

and conditions.

t. In regard to new rights-of-way within the

Beaver Dam Slope ACEC and the Upper

Virgin River DWMA, such rights-of-way shall

be routed away from high-density tortoise

populations, and along the edges of

DWMAs/ACECs. Linear right-of-ways shall

be placed adjacent or parallel to existing

rights-of-way and share vehicular access.

Utilities shall be co-located with other utility

projects whenever feasible. 

u. To reduce attraction of potential desert

tortoise predators, project sites in desert tortoise habitat shall be maintained in a sanitary

condition at all times; waste materials at

those sites shall be placed in covered receptacles and disposed of promptly at an appropriate waste disposal site. "Waste" refers to

all discarded matter, including, but not limited to, human waste, trash, garbage, refuse,

oil drums, petroleum products, ashes, and

equipment. All reasonable effort shall also

be taken to reduce or eliminate water

sources associated with project activities that

might attract ravens and other predators.

v. After completion of the project, trenches,

pits, and other features in which tortoises

could be entrapped or entangled, shall be

filled in, covered, or otherwise modified

so they are no longer a hazard to desert

tortoises.

w. After project completion, measures shall

be taken to facilitate restoration. Restoration

techniques shall be tailored to the characteristics of the site and the nature of project

A4.5

APPENDIX 4 • U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES WITHIN DESERT TORTOISE HABITAT

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
impacts. Techniques may include removal of

equipment and debris; recontouring; and

seeding, planting, transplanting of cacti and

yuccas, etc. Only native plant species,

preferably from a source on or near the project area, shall be used in restoration.

x. Exchanges or sales of desert tortoise habitat out of public ownership shall be preauthorized by the Service, and may not fall

within the ACEC or DWMA boundaries, or

within any designated critical habitat for

desert tortoise. The Bureau shall inform

prospective future owners of any properties

where tortoises may be present, and of the

fact that the tortoises are protected by the

ESA. Future owners shall be advised to contact the Service in regard to compliance with

the ESA. 

2. The following terms and conditions

implement reasonable and prudent measure

number 2:

a. The Bureau shall only authorize mineral

leasing in the DWMAs/ACECs with the stipulation of no surface occupancy. All activities

associated with surface occupancy for mineral leasing within DWMAs/ACECs shall be

limited to the period October 15 to March

15 and subject to terms and conditions 1.a.

through f., 1.h. through j., 1.l., 1.m., 1.p.,

1.q., 1.r., 1.u., 1.v., 1.w., and 4. 

b. The DWMA and ACEC shall be closed to

mineral sales.

c. The Bureau shall prohibit live vegetation

harvest in the DWMA and ACEC, except salvage in areas where surface disturbance has

been authorized.

d. The Bureau shall prohibit mechanical

treatment or vegetation conversion within the

DWMA and ACEC unless such treatments

benefits or improves desert tortoise management. A mitigation plan for each treatment

or conversion shall be developed and

approved by the Service. A determination

that such treatment or conversion benefits or

improves desert tortoise management shall

require concurrence by the Service.

e. Within the DWMA and ACEC, the Bureau

shall limit public collection of dead and down

wood to personal camp use only.

f. The Bureau shall authorize no R&PP land

leases, airport leases, or military maneuvers;

and no entries under the Desert Land Entry

Act, Carey Act, and Indian Allotments Act in

the DWMA or ACEC.

g. All Bureau lands within the DWMA and

ACEC shall be retained in public ownership.

h. The Bureau shall seek to acquire nonFederal lands in the DWMA and ACEC from

willing sellers through sale or exchange.

i. No new landfills or sewage treatment

ponds shall be authorized in the DWMA or

ACEC, or on adjacent Bureau land where

negative impacts (e.g., increased raven

and/or coyote population) would be likely, as

determined by the Service, to impact tortoise

recovery within the DWMA or ACEC.

j. The Bureau shall strongly discourage new

rights-of-way and temporary use permits

within the Beaver Dam Slope ACEC and the

Upper Virgin River DWMA; such rights-ofway and temporary use permits within the

DWMA or ACEC shall only be authorized if

no reasonable alternative exists and impacts

to tortoises and their habitat can be mitigated. Surface disturbance (before restoration)

resulting from all new rights-of-ways and

temporary use permits in the DWMAs/ACECs

shall not exceed 40 acres through the life of

the project. 

k. The Bureau shall close the DWMA and

ACEC to authorization or renewal of material

site rights-of-way.

l. The Bureau shall, in coordination with the

Service, complete a proposal to close roads

and designate routes in the DWMA and

ACEC by December 31, 1999. The proposal

shall be finalized and implementation shall

begin by December 31, 2000. Roads targeted for closure shall include those that 1)

have no purpose, 2) are duplicative or redundant, or 3) are causing high levels of mortaliA4.6

APPENDIX 4 • U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES WITHIN DESERT TORTOISE HABITAT

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
ty of tortoises. Vehicles shall be restricted to

existing roads and trails prior to route designation. After designation, vehicles shall be

restricted to designated routes only. The closure/route designation plan shall be

approved by the Service. Implementation of

the closure/designation plan shall include the

following actions 1) sign entry portals/major

intersections with signs that read "Limited to

Designated Roads and Trails", 2) sign all designated routes as open, 3) and sign along

designated routes indicating that driving off

of designated routes is not permitted.

m. No new paved roads shall be authorized

in the DWMA or ACEC. Temporary upgrading of existing roads, and construction of

new unpaved roads in the DWMA or ACEC

could be authorized only if positive benefits

to tortoise management occur. Concurrence

from the Service that positive benefits would

accrue is required prior to authorizing new

roads in DWMAs/ACECs.

n. The Bureau shall seek funding and cooperate with Washington County, Utah

Department of Transportation, Federal

Highway Administration, and others on

opportunities to erect tortoise barrier fencing

along highways or other routes on the Beaver

Dam Slope or Upper Virgin River DWMA

where desert tortoise mortality is or becomes

significant.

o. The Bureau shall maintain or authorize

maintenance of existing roads in desert tortoise habitat in accordance with the schedules and specifications in the completed

Dixie [St. George Field Office] RMP. Nonemergency maintenance activities shall be

conducted from October 15 to March 15.

Operators of road graders and other maintenance equipment shall attend the education

program described in term and condition

1.b. Maintenance activities shall be limited

to previously disturbed areas, unless cleared

by a qualified biologist in accordance with

term and condition 4.

p. The Bureau shall restrict vehicle-based

camping in the DWMA or ACEC to within 50

ft of designated routes. Before route designation, vehicle-based camping shall be limited

to within 50 ft of existing routes. No camping shall be authorized for longer than 14

consecutive days in any one area within the

DWMA and ACEC.

q. No competitive speed vehicle events shall

be authorized in either the DWMA or the

ACEC. 

r. Within the desert tortoise DWMA and

ACEC, the Bureau shall apply the following

stipulations to any non-speed motor vehicular events (or non-speed portions of speed

events) requiring permitting by the Bureau:

1.No organized non-speed events shall

occur from March 15 through October

15.

2.Permits shall be required for events with

50 or more participants.

3.Vehicle travel shall be limited to designated routes, or before route designation, to existing routes. 

4.Vehicles shall not exceed the legal

speed limit (posted or unposted) of the

road in which they are on during the

event.

5.No more than 400 motorcycles or all

terrain vehicles, or 300 three- or fourwheeled vehicles shall be allowed in

any one event.

6.Events shall have enough monitors to

ensure compliance with regulations.

s. The Bureau shall ensure that wildlife management activities do not contribute to the

proliferation of predators within desert tortoise habitat.

t. New wildlife guzzlers shall be permitted

in desert tortoise habitat only if 1) they are

designed so as to exclude desert tortoises,

and 2) the Bureau and the Service conclude

that the existence of such guzzlers will not

benefit species known to prey on desert tortoises (e.g., ravens and coyotes).

u. The Bureau shall authorize no translocations of desert tortoises from private to public

lands unless 1) prior authorization from the

Service and the Division is obtained, 2) the

desert tortoise population in the area to

which a tortoise(s) would be moved is

A4.7

APPENDIX 4 • U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES WITHIN DESERT TORTOISE HABITAT

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
depressed, 3) testing of animals to be translocated is conducted to ensure that spread of

URTD or other diseases is not facilitated as a

result of translocations, 4) handling of desert

tortoises is in compliance with term and condition 1.i., and 5) protocols are followed to

ensure that translocated animals have the

greatest chance for survival and do not disrupt the behavior of resident animals.

v. The Bureau shall continue to monitor and

patrol the DWMA and ACEC and desert tortoise habitat, and to investigate illegal activities on public lands in the area. The Bureau

shall provide law enforcement presence in

the DWMA and ACEC at a level adequate

to promote public compliance with use

regulations. 

w. If law enforcement, signing, and public

education fail to control illegal public use

and violations of DWMA and ACEC regulations, the Bureau shall develop other options,

including fencing areas as needed to

enhance compliance with regulations.

x. The Bureau shall cooperate with other

agencies and groups to identify areas where

uncontrolled dogs are causing desert tortoise

mortality. If predation of tortoises by dogs is

discovered, the Bureau shall encourage

Washington County to enforce ordinances

prohibiting uncontrolled dogs in those areas.

y. The Bureau shall authorize no discharge

of firearms in the DWMA or ACEC, except

for hunting of big game or upland game

birds from September through February, and

in association with official Bureau duties,

such as law enforcement or euthanasia of

sick or injured burros or cows.

z. The Bureau shall assess compensation at

the category 1 rate for any proposed projects

in the ACEC or DWMA.

3. The following terms and conditions

implement reasonable and prudent measure

number 3:

a. Beginning March 1, 1998, livestock grazing shall be authorized in the Upper Virgin

River DWMA only by existing permittees. As

these permittees willingly relinquish their

permits, such permits shall not be reissued.

Beginning in 1998, no livestock grazing shall

be authorized in portions (outlined in the

Dixie [St. George Field Office] RMP) of the

Castle Cliffs, beaver Dam Slope, and

Scarecrow Peak allotments on the Beaver

Dam Slope ACEC from March 15 to October

15. Approximately 11,470 acres within the

ACEC comprising three special management

areas recommended by the Division and the

Bureau will emphasize non-tortoise issues

and would not require any livestock restrictions. Although portions of the special management areas contain critical desert tortoise

habitat, coordinated efforts with federal and

state governments have determined that only

grazing on portions of the three aforementioned allotments need to be deferred.

Livestock use within these non-restricted

areas would be in accordance with the three

applicable AMPs for Scarecrow Peak, Beaver

Dam Wash, and Castle Cliffs allotments. The

season of use for the three listed allotments is

from 11/1 to 5/31. In general, the AMPs prescribe rotational grazing between pastures

which would provide periodic rest to areas

outside the grazing restriction zone. The

non-restricted areas within the ACEC, which

contain low densities of tortoise, represent

only a small portion of larger pastures and as

such, would be managed the same as the

other lands within those pastures.

Just north of the Beaver Dam Slope ACEC,

approximately 15,000 acres of critical habitat

would remain open for spring grazing use for

those portions of the Scarecrow Peak and

Jackson Wash Allotments in accordance with

the AMPs for the allotments. Studies have

determined that this area contains very low

densities of tortoises. Cattle use in this area

is from November 16 to May 20 on Jackson

Wash and November 1 to May 31 on

Scarecrow Peak, and rotational grazing

occurs between pastures. 

b. Livestock grazing in the Beaver Dam

ACEC and Upper Virgin River DWMA

between October 15 and March 15, and outside of the DWMA and ACEC in desert torA4.8

APPENDIX 4 • U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES WITHIN DESERT TORTOISE HABITAT

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
toise habitat, shall be in compliance with the

reasonable and prudent measures and terms

and conditions in the Service's two

Biological Opinions on cattle grazing dated

March 17, 1994 (6-UT-90-F-004 and 6-UT90-F-002). 

4. The following term and condition

implements reasonable and prudent measure

number 4:

Prior to any surface-disturbing activities associated with "projects", as defined in footnote 1,

work sites shall be surveyed for desert tortoises

by a qualified biologist approved by the Bureau.

Areas of new disturbance shall be surveyed with

100-percent coverage. For project activities

occurring during the desert tortoise active season (March 15 through October 15), surveys

shall be conducted within 24 hours of initiation

of surface-disturbing activities. Between

October 15 and March 15, any new disturbance

shall be preceded by 100-percent surveys conducted within one week of the proposed activities. During surveys, occupied desert tortoise

burrows in or within 40 feet of areas to be disturbed shall be excavated using hand tools

under the supervision of an authorized biologist.

Burrows discovered in areas to be disturbed by

project activities shall be collapsed or blocked

to prevent entry by tortoises (any tortoises in

those burrows shall be relocated first). Desert

tortoises and any desert tortoise eggs found in

areas to be disturbed shall be relocated in

accordance with term and condition 1.i. All

handling of desert tortoises and their eggs shall

be in accordance with term and condition 1.i. 

5. The following terms and conditions

implement reasonable and prudent measure

number 5:

a. The Bureau shall, upon implementation of

the route designation/closure plan (term and

condition 2.l.), make available to the public

a route designation map that displays all

open routes, and explains vehicle, camping,

recreational, and other public use regulations

and opportunities in the DWMA and ACEC,

and explains the purpose of the DWMA and

ACEC. 

b. The Bureau shall use various mechanisms

of public outreach to inform the public about

the DWMA and ACEC and recovery of the

desert tortoise. These mechanisms may

include interpretive displays at the

Interagency Information Center in St. George,

interpretive kiosks at entry points to the

DWMA and ACEC, news releases, open

houses to answer questions about the

DWMA and ACEC designation and management, and/or other actions.

6. The following terms and conditions

implement reasonable and prudent measure

number 6:

a. The Bureau shall work with the Service,

the Division, USGS-Biological Resources

Division, and others in further developing a

monitoring program and adapting line-distance sampling (or other MOG-approved

techniques) to the unique characteristics and

needs of the Dixie Resource Area’s [public

lands administered under the St. George

Field Office’s] tortoise habitat. The Bureau

shall also act through the MOG to assist in

seeking funding to implement the monitoring

program.

b. The Bureau shall submit annual monitoring reports to the Utah Ecological Services

Field Office by March 15 of each year beginning in 1999. These reports shall briefly document for the previous calendar year actions

taken to implement the RMP amendment,

surface-disturbing activities authorized, the

effectiveness of these terms and conditions at

reducing take of desert tortoise, actual

acreage of desert tortoise habitat disturbed,

numbers of tortoises taken, including animals

injured or killed, the number of desert tortoises excavated from burrows, the number

of desert tortoises moved from construction

sites, and information on individual desert

tortoise encounters as stipulated in term and

condition 1.i. The report shall make recommendations for modifying or refining these

terms and conditions to enhance desert tortoise protection and reduce needless hardship on the Bureau and users of public lands. 

A4.9

APPENDIX 4 • U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES WITHIN DESERT TORTOISE HABITAT

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Scenic and Wilderness Values Would Be Protected

Public lands within Washington County possess great beauty and

potential for primitive recreation and solitude. Eleven wilderness study areas and one instant

study area are being managed to preserve their wilderness character until Congress acts to

designate the lands as wilderness or releases them from further study. This interesting arch

and rock formation is typical of what can be found on the popular Canaan Mountains,

which would be managed for their scenic and primitive recreational values.
ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

A5.1

APPENDIX 5

Visual Resource Class Objectives

In accordance with BLM Manual Handbook

8410-1 (January 17, 1986), visual resource management classes are established through the

resource management planning process for all

BLM-administered lands. During the RMP

process, the class boundaries are adjusted as

necessary to reflect the resource allocation decisions made in RMPs. Visual management

objectives, as detailed below, are established for

each class.

Class I Objective

The objective of this class is to preserve the

existing character of the landscape. This class

provides for natural ecological changes; however, it does not preclude very limited management activity. The level of change to the characteristic landscape should be very low and must

not attract attention.

Under this class most surface disturbing activities would not be authorized.

Class II Objective

The objective of this class is to retain the existing character of the landscape. The level of

change to the characteristic landscape should

be low. Management activities may be seen,

but should not attract the attention of the casual

observer. Any changes must repeat the basic

elements of form, line, color, and texture found

in the predominant natural features of the characteristic landscape.

Under this class, surface disturbing activities

could be authorized if when they are completed

the disturbed area could be returned to a condition of being unnoticeable and or natural

appearing to those seeing the area for the first

time.

Class III Objective

The objective of this class is to partially retain

the existing character of the landscape. The

level of change to the characteristic landscape

should be moderate. Management activities

may attract attention but should not dominate

the view of the casual observer. Changes

should repeat the basic elements found in the

predominant natural features of the characteristic landscape.

Under this class, most surface disturbing activities could be authorized subject to the reclamation standards noted in Appendix 1.

Class IV Objective

The objective of this class is to provide for management activities which require major modification of the existing character of the landscape.

The level of change to the characteristic landscape can be high. These management activities may dominate the view and be the major

focus of viewer attention. However, every

attempt should be made to minimize the impact

of these activities through careful location, minimal disturbance, and repeating the basic elements.

Under this class, visual values would not be

limiting to proposed developments but would

be subject to the reclamation standards noted in

Appendix 1.
BLM Would Collaborate With Zion National Park Managers

Zion National Park is an important economic and ecologic asset within Washington County and

draws up to 2.5 million visitors a year. BLM would continue to work with park managers and

local communities in developing collaborative programs to minimize impacts to park resources

from overutilization and lack of management presence at remote park boundaries while meeting

community needs for economic health. Cooperative management agreements with the park

would be employed where needed to implement programs to benefit management of both public

lands and park lands and to promote the use of shared resources and cost savings.
ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Based on extensive public and agency comments submitted on the 1995 Draft RMP, BLM

has refined its preliminary suitability determinations and made appropriate changes to this

Appendix. Of the 11 river segments found eligible in the Dixie Resource Area, all or portions of

5 river segments have been found suitable for

designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers

Act. BLM considered the following factors in

arriving at its decision to recommend or not recommend the segments as suitable:

• The characteristics which do or do not

make the area a worthy addition to the

National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

• Current status of land ownership and

human use of the area.

• The reasonably foreseeable potential uses

of land and water which would be

enhanced, foreclosed, or curtailed if the

river were designated; also includes values which could be lost or diminished if

the area is not protected as part of the

system.

• Interest from local, state, or federal agencies, Indian tribes, and other publics in

designation or nondesignation of the river;

also the extent to which river administration, including costs thereof, may be

shared by state and local agencies or

other potential partners.

• The estimated cost to the government of

land acquisition and administration if the

river is designated.

• The ability of BLM to manage and protect

the river segment as a Wild and Scenic

River, and alternatives identified to protect

values other than through designation

under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

• Other issues identified during the planning process including takings, which

may entitle owners to just compensation,

or existing rights, which may be adversely

affected because of designation.

BLM recognizes that the near absence of state

and local government and community support

outside of conservation groups for wild and

scenic river designations in Washington County

presents a dilemma in deciding whether to recommend eligible segments as suitable. Without

extensive local partnerships and public support,

the human and financial resources currently and

prospectively available to the Dixie Resource

Area are inadequate to implement and enforce

the higher level of management required of

public land segments placed into the National

Wild and Scenic River System. Wild and scenic

river designations work well when there is widespread support for and ownership of the process

of evaluating and managing affected river segments. This is obviously the case where private

lands dominate the ownership along the river

stretches. It is equally true for those river segments within solidly blocked public lands in the

western United States where communities are

used to and, in many cases, very much dependent upon full access to and use of river corridors and associated resources in proximity to

those communities.

In southern Utah, conflicting interests and lack

of trust have impeded the formulation of broadbased consensus and substantial progress in settling disputes related to wild and scenic river

studies and other issues including wilderness

designation and access across public lands. In

the midst of this contention, however, excellent

results are being realized by grass-roots initiatives to protect important resources along the

Virgin River and major tributaries in the urban

corridors of Washington County. These include

effective partnerships in which communities

have teamed with local conservation groups,

land trusts, interested state and federal agencies,

Indian tribes, and private citizens and organizations to provide open space, protect floodplains,

restore historic structures and degraded environments, provide linked greenbelts, trail systems,

and recreation opportunities, protect wildlife

A6.1

APPENDIX 6

St. George Field Office

Wild and Scenic Rivers Suitability Overview
species at risk, and improve public safety in specific locations or along the entire river system.

Such efforts include the Three Rivers Trail

Initiative, the Grafton Heritage Partnership, the

Virgin River Management Plan, the Virgin River

Basin Integrated Resource Management and

Recovery Program, the Virgin River Focus Area

Plan, the Santa Clara River Reserve, and the

Virgin Falls Park Cooperative Management

Agreement. Other significant community-based

initiatives involving public and nonpublic lands

near the Virgin River corridor include the development of the Snow Canyon State Park Resource

Management Plan and the Washington County

Habitat Conservation Plan and associated Red

Cliffs Desert Reserve.

As these examples are demonstrating, tremendous gains can be made from bottom-up initiatives when a broad spectrum of interests, including local governments, is involved from the

start. The Dixie Resource Area is a contributing

partner in all of the above examples and fully

supports additional efforts to preserve natural

assets and the high quality of environment and

human life prevalent throughout the county. If

allowed to mature to fruition, these efforts have

the potential of leading to community recognition that the entire river system could be managed with shared control in a spirit of trust, harmony, and mutual interest without imposed

mandates that might, otherwise, reek havoc on

local culture, economics, and long-standing

community infrastructure. Wild and scenic river

designation could then be viewed by local and

state officials and the public-at-large in light of

what it could do for the community and how it

could sustain and complement present initiatives and benefit economic interests as well as

ecologic objectives. The Wild and Scenic Rivers

Act envisions and encourages just such an

approach to river management.

In light of the above, BLM would proceed to

recommend as suitable those eligible river segments in solidly-blocked public land areas

where it generally finds that a) designation

would not require significantly elevated costs

and management intensity above that needed to

implement management prescriptions proposed

in other sections of this plan, b) designation

would not substantially foreclose the community's ability to plan for and manage the appropriate conservation and development of water

resources to support reasonable current and

anticipated needs within the community, c)

resources available to BLM internally and

through other interested agencies and partnerships would be adequate to provide the level of

management required, d) designation would

conform to recommendations of other federal

offices and land management agencies on adjacent segments of the same rivers, and e) the

free-flowing character and outstandingly

remarkable values of the segments are deemed

to represent a worthy addition to the national

system.

BLM recognizes that other river studies within

the Virgin River Basin could be authorized that

might complement or supersede the study completed in this proposed plan. Such could

include a) a basinwide study as directed by

Congress in accordance with the Assistant

Secretary's request of April 16, 1997, or b) an

interagency study under the statewide MOU of

November 1997, or c) a state-initiated study

under Section 2(a)(ii) of the Wild and Scenic

Rivers Act which provides for participation of

local and state agencies under the direction of

the Utah Governor.

Where not previously constrained by

Congressional or Secretarial action, BLM would

also give consideration to reassessing its suitability determinations during major revisions of

this proposed plan based on changes that may

have occurred which impact on manageability,

cost of administration, land use constraints,

availability of interested partners, state and local

government support, and other applicable factors. Where suitability determinations for river

segments on adjacent lands managed by other

federal agencies or BLM units are not consistent

with the determinations of this Plan for any

given river, BLM would promote a joint reconsideration and could alter its determinations

accordingly as to eligibility, tentative classification, values to be protected, or suitability.

At such time as a revision of the Land and

Resource Management Plan is prepared for the

Dixie National Forest, BLM would consider

entering into an agreement with the Forest

Supervisor to assess those streams crossing both

National Forest Lands and public lands to reach

A6.2

APPENDIX 6 • ST. GEORGE FIELD OFFICE WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS SUITABILITY OVERVIEW

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE A8-1 • Suitable Wild and Scenic Rivers

SUITABLE RIVER SEGMENT

(PUBLIC LANDS1

)

Deep Creek/Crystal Creek

LaVerkin Creek/Smith Creek

North Fork Virgin River

Oak Creek/Kolob Creek

Virgin River

LOCATION

Crystal Creek: Public land portion to confluence with Deep Creek

Deep Creek: Public land from DRA

boundary to the north boundary of Zion

National Park

Smith: Public land from source to Smith

Creek's confluence with LaVerkin Creek

LaVerkin: Public land north of Zion

National Park to northernmost private land

parcel south of Zion National Park

BLM-managed portion north of Zion

National Park

Oak Creek: Public land portion to Kolob

Creek confluence

Kolob Creek: Public Land east of Kolob

Narrows to north boundary of Zion

National Park

Portion of Segment B within the Beaver

Dam Mountains Wilderness Area

TENTATIVE

CLASSIFICATION

Wild

Wild

Wild

Wild

Wild

Wild

Wild

Wild

BLM FREE-FLOWING

RIVER MILES

4.01

7.37

1.25

7.38

0.74

0.98

2.65

1.34

1 Suitability recommendations apply only to portions of the river that are associated with lands under BLM jurisdiction. BLM

has no authority to make such determinations outside of its jurisdiction. River segment lengths are approximate and include

public lands only.

TOTAL: 25.72

MILES SUITABLE

joint agency determinations of eligibility and

suitability. Such determinations would either

affirm or amend the determinations made on

affected streams in this Proposed Plan, taking

into consideration outstandingly remarkable values for entire stream segments across all

involved federal lands. BLM has already

entered into such an agreement with National

Park Service officials for certain isolated public

land tracts adjacent to Zion National Park.

It is also anticipated that prior to submitting

joint recommendations for designation to the

Secretary of the Interior and Congress, BLM

would carefully examine issues related to manageability and total costs of its cumulative recommendations. Despite factoring cost and

manageability issues into the analysis for each

river segment evaluated in this Plan, total costs

above current levels for all segments found suitable amount to $700,000 for minimum recommended land acquisition, $183,000 for initial

implementation, and $23,000 for yearly administration thereafter. These costs represent a significant increase above funding levels traditionally available to BLM in the Dixie Resource

Area and would be in addition to costs incurred

as a result of river studies in other BLM field

offices in Utah and adjoining states. Full implementation would require a long-term commitment from Congress for adequate yearly appropriations or a corresponding diversion of funding and personnel from other, ongoing resource

management programs.

Table A6-1 provides a summary of the river segments determined suitable through this planning

effort for inclusion into the National Wild and

Scenic Rivers System.

A6.3

APPENDIX 6 • ST. GEORGE FIELD OFFICE WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS SUITABILITY OVERVIEW

ST.GEORGE FIELD OFFICE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Washington County HCP for Endangered Species

Requires Collaborative Community Effort

In conjunction with affected municipalities, the Utah DWR, BLM, and the FWS,

Washington County has established a Habitat Conservation Plan

for the protection of endangered species including the threatened desert tortoise.

The plan established a 61,022-acre reserve north of St. George and Hurricane called

the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve to provide permanent habitat for listed and sensitive plant

and animal species. BLM would remain integrally involved in the management of the

Reserve and in the acquisition of state and private inholdings.

Collaboration with local communities, schools, user groups, and interested organizations

will be essential for the Reserve to achieve its objectives.