United States Department of Agriculture

 Forest Southwestern MB-R3-09-04 June 2015

 Service Region

Slightly Revised August 2016

Land and Resource

Management Plan for the 

Prescott National Forest

Yavapai and Coconino Counties,

Arizona
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Printed on recycled paper – June 2015
Land and Resource Management 

Plan for the Prescott National Forest

Coconino and Yavapai Counties,

Arizona

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF i

Contents

Commonly Used Acronyms..................................................................................................... iii

Chapter 1. Introduction.............................................................................................................1

Location..................................................................................................................................................1

Role and Contributions of the Planning Area .........................................................................................1

Prescott National Forest Mission and Vision .........................................................................................4

Planning Framework...............................................................................................................................4

Needs for Change ...................................................................................................................................5

1987 Plan Direction Included in the Revised Plan .................................................................................7

1987 Plan Direction Not Included in the Revised Plan ..........................................................................7

Decisions Made in the Plan ....................................................................................................................7

Plan Organization ...................................................................................................................................8

Concept Descriptions to Improve Reader Understanding in the Revised Plan.......................................9

Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions ............................................................................15

Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................15

Physical Resources...............................................................................................................................16

Biological Resources............................................................................................................................24

Social and Economic Resources...........................................................................................................45

Chapter 3. Objectives...............................................................................................................55

Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................55

Vegetation.............................................................................................................................................56

Recreation.............................................................................................................................................60

Watersheds ...........................................................................................................................................64

Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat ..............................................................................................66

Open Space, Land Adjustment, and Scenic Values..............................................................................68

Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines.....................................................................................71

Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................71

Physical Resources...............................................................................................................................72

Biological Resources............................................................................................................................74

Social and Economic Resources...........................................................................................................81

Chapter 5. Management Area Direction................................................................................97

Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................97

Agua Fria/Crown King Geographic Area ...........................................................................................100

Agua Fria Management Area..............................................................................................................102

Crown King Management Area..........................................................................................................103

Prescott/Chino/Drake Geographic Area .............................................................................................105

Upper Verde Management Area .........................................................................................................106

Williamson Valley North Management Area .....................................................................................108

Williamson Valley South Management Area .....................................................................................109

Prescott Basin Management Area.......................................................................................................110

Verde Valley Geographic Area ..........................................................................................................112

Verde Valley Management Area ........................................................................................................114

Chapter 6. Monitoring and Evaluation ................................................................................117

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................117

Monitoring Strategy............................................................................................................................118

Chapter 7. Suitability.............................................................................................................127

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................127

Timber Suitability...............................................................................................................................128

Range Suitability ................................................................................................................................129

Recreation Suitability .........................................................................................................................133
ii Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Chapter 8. Additional Plan Direction...................................................................................135

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................135

Project Consistency with the Plan ......................................................................................................135

Changes to the Plan ............................................................................................................................139

Other Sources of Direction .................................................................................................................139

List of Preparers.....................................................................................................................142

Glossary...................................................................................................................................144

References...............................................................................................................................152

Appendix A. Maps..................................................................................................................155

Appendix B. Proposed and Probable Management Practices............................................163

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................163

Management Approaches ...................................................................................................................163

Probable Projects................................................................................................................................166

Appendix C. Community Landscape Vision Statements....................................................171

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................171

Community Landscape Vision Statements.........................................................................................171

Appendix D. Index of Other Supporting Plan Documentation..........................................181

List of Figures

Figure 1. Vicinity map of the Prescott NF ................................................................................ 3

Figure 2. Visual example of a plan decision ............................................................................. 9

Figure 3. Map of geographic areas and management areas on the Prescott NF ..................... 99

Figure 4. Elements of an “Adaptive” Management Cycle.....................................................118

Figure 5. Large area grazing exclusions ............................................................................... 132

List of Tables

Table 1. Example of the hierarchal structure in hydrologic units ............................................11

Table 2. Potential natural vegetation types (PNVTs) of the Prescott NF................................ 26

Table 3. Management concerns for the PNVTs of the Prescott NF ........................................ 27

Table 4. Geographic and management areas on the Prescott NF............................................ 98

Table 5. Monitoring Questions.............................................................................................. 121

Table 6. Timber suitability on the Prescott NF (in acres) ..................................................... 128

Table 7. Grazing capability on the Prescott NF (in acres) .................................................... 129

Table 8. Grazing suitability on the Prescott NF (in acres).................................................... 131

Table 9. Recreation Suitability Matrix.................................................................................. 134

Cover page photos: 

Mexican spotted owl (courtesy of Brian Wooldridge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), 

petroglyphs, mountain bike event, community vision meeting, Youth Conservation Corps, 

Sycamore Creek, prescribed fire, and grassland monitoring.
Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF iii

Commonly Used Acronyms

ADEQ – Arizona Department of 

Environmental Quality

AMS – Analysis of the Management 

Situation

ASQ – allowable sale quantity

AZGFD – Arizona Game and Fish 

Department

BLM – Bureau of Land Management

CFR – Code of Federal Regulations

EPA – Environmental Protection Agency

ESA – Endangered Species Act

FR – Federal Register

FSM – Forest Service Manual

GIS – geographic information system

HUC – hydrologic unit code 

IRA – inventoried roadless area

MVUM – motor vehicle use map

NEPA – National Environmental Policy Act

NF – national forest

NFMA – National Forest Management Act

NFS – National Forest System

OHV – off-highway vehicle

ORV – outstandingly remarkable values

PFA – post-fledging family area

PNVT – potential natural vegetation type

ROS – recreation opportunity spectrum

SIO – scenic integrity objective

TES – Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey

USDA – U.S. Department of Agriculture

USFWS – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

WUI – wildland-urban interface

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 1

Chapter 1. Introduction

Community vision meetings during Forest Plan Revision

Location

The Prescott National Forest (Prescott NF) is one of six national forests in Arizona (figure 1). It 

covers approximately 1.2 million acres in west-central Arizona and is located in Yavapai and 

Coconino Counties. The Prescott NF consists of two geographically separate land areas (eastern 

and western) that are administered as three ranger districts: the Chino Valley Ranger District, 

which covers the areas east and west of Chino Valley; the Bradshaw Ranger District, which 

covers the area near Prescott and south into the Bradshaw Mountains; and the Verde Ranger 

District, which covers the area just north of Jerome and Clarkdale and along the southern side of 

the Verde Valley. The Prescott NF shares boundaries with: the Coconino, Kaibab, and Tonto 

National Forests; the Agua Fria National Monument; Bureau of Land Management - Hassayampa 

Field Office; Arizona State Trust lands; and several communities including Prescott, Camp Verde, 

and Cottonwood.

Role and Contributions of the Planning Area 

The Prescott NF is located in a comparatively mountainous section of central Arizona between 

the forested plateaus to the north and the arid desert region to the south. Roughly half of the 

Prescott NF lies west of the city of Prescott, Arizona, in the Juniper, Santa Maria, Sierra Prieta, 

and Bradshaw Mountains. The other half of the Prescott NF lies east of Prescott and takes in the 
Chapter 1. Introduction

2 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

terrain of Mingus Mountain, the Black Hills, and Black Mesa. Elevations range between 3,000 

feet above sea level along the lower Verde Valley to 7,979 feet at the top of Mount Union, the 

highest natural feature on the national forest.

Water Resources: The purpose of the original forest reserves, now part of the Prescott NF, was to 

protect and conserve water supplies for central Arizona. The rugged topography of the Prescott 

NF provides important watersheds for both the Verde and Colorado River systems. Within these 

watersheds are many important continuously or seasonally flowing stream courses and drainages

which provide riparian habitat for aquatic species, including native fish; water supply to local 

communities, including the Phoenix metropolitan area downstream; and destinations for visitors 

to enjoy water-based recreation such as kayaking and fishing. 

Vegetation: The vegetation on the Prescott NF is complex and diverse. South of the Bradshaw 

Mountains, there is Sonoran desert dominated by saguaro cacti and paloverde trees. Less than 10 

miles upslope from the desert, there are cool mountain forests where conifer trees grow. In 

between, there are a variety of plant and animal habitats including grasslands, chaparral, piñonjuniper woodlands, and ponderosa pine forests. 

Wildlife: There is a variety of wildlife species found on the Prescott NF that offer opportunities 

for wildlife viewing, hunting, or fishing including: elk, black bear, javelina, pronghorn antelope, 

mule deer, cougar, bobcat, coyote, bald eagle, roadrunner, turkey, rattlesnake, jackrabbit, rainbow 

trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and roundtail chub. In addition, the forest provides 

habitat for several federally listed species including: Southwestern willow flycatcher, Mexican 

spotted owl, yellow-billed cuckoo, Gila chub, Gila trout, and spikedace.

Recreation: A variety of year-round recreation opportunities exist on the Prescott NF. Visitors 

and local citizens alike enjoy having such opportunities nearby, and during the summer, recreate 

in the Prescott NF where temperatures are moderate. In the winter, people visit the Verde Valley 

and other snow-free areas to recreate where temperatures are mild. Increases in population have 

led to increased demand in trails and other recreation opportunities. If climate changes include 

continuing increases in temperatures, it is likely that there will also be increases in recreation 

visitors from hotter areas such as Phoenix. In addition to a host of trails and campgrounds, the 

Prescott NF has several unique recreation opportunities, including: a hang-glider site atop Mingus 

Mountain; Alto Pit and Hayfield Draw Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) recreation sites; Granite 

Mountain National Recreation Trail; General Crook National Historic Study Trail, a portion of the 

Great Western Trail, which traverses the western U.S. from Mexico to Canada; gold panning on 

Lynx Creek; and three historic Forest Service buildings which are a part of the “Rooms with a 

View” cabin rental program. The Prescott NF contains several heritage sites which are protected 

for their unique cultural values; a couple of popular sites for visitors include the Lynx Creek Ruin 

and Charcoal Walker Kilns.
Chapter 1. Introduction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 3

Figure 1. Vicinity map of the Prescott NF
Chapter 1. Introduction

4 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Special Areas: Eight designated wilderness areas—including Pine Mountain Wilderness which is 

shared with the Tonto NF and Sycamore Canyon Wilderness which is shared with the Coconino 

and Kaibab NFs—are scattered across the Prescott NF and provide locations where visitors can 

enjoy primitive recreation experiences. The 800-acre Grapevine Botanical Area, located in the 

Bradshaw Mountains south of Prescott, contains 12 perennial springs and supports a distinctive 

alder-walnut vegetative community. Portions of the Verde River have been designated as a part of 

the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Uses and Products: Mining has taken place in the mountains within the Prescott NF dating back 

to the mid-1800s, and today, there is continued interest in both commercial and recreational 

mining activities. Livestock grazing is also a historical use of the forest which continues today 

across the forest’s 68 allotments. Additionally, the Beaverhead-Grief Hill Sheep Driveway bisects 

the eastern end of the forest and is still used to move sheep from desert rangelands in southern 

Arizona to forested rangelands atop the Mogollon Rim. Forest products such as wood fiber, 

firewood, and Christmas trees are obtained from the forest and contribute to local communities’

social, economic, and cultural needs. Several mountaintops on the Prescott NF—including Mount 

Frances, Towers Mountain, Mingus Mountain, and Squaw Peak—are used, under permit, as sites 

for government and commercial communication towers. 

Prescott National Forest Mission and Vision

The nationwide mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity 

of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The 

overall goal of managing National Forest System lands is to sustain the multiple uses of its 

resources in perpetuity, while maintaining the long-term productivity of the land. 

The Prescott NF’s mission is to effectively and efficiently manage National Forest System lands 

and resources to meet the needs and desires of the public, while enhancing the environment. We 

foster a collaborative environment internally and externally that values dialogue, community 

engagement, partnerships, and public education to achieve our stewardship responsibilities within 

and beyond the Prescott NF’s boundaries.

Our vision is to manage the cultural and natural resources of the Prescott NF to provide healthy 

watersheds, outdoor recreational opportunities, open space, scenery, and traditional uses that 

sustain the social and economic structure and stability of our communities.

Planning Framework

The “Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott National Forest” (hereinafter referred 

to as the plan) is intended to produce responsible land management for the Prescott NF based on 

useful and current information and guidance. The plan guides the Forest Service in carrying out 

its responsibilities for stewardship under the sustainable multiple-use management concept—

which is to meet the diverse needs of people, while also protecting the resources of the Prescott 

NF. Land management plans are required by the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 

1976 (P.L. 94-588) and the Multiple Use–Sustained Yield Act (MUSYA) of 1960 (P.L. 86-517).

Sustainable multiple-use management means that various activities that have social or economic 

value may take place, while ecosystem processes and biological characteristics continue to fulfill 

their natural rhythm of change over time. In order to do that, management needs to be adaptable. 
Chapter 1. Introduction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 5

As activities take place, awareness of trends helps to determine needed modification of 

management actions.

The plan provides broad guidance and information for project and activity decisionmaking on the 

Prescott NF. The plan has these characteristics: 

 It is strategic in nature. It does not include project level decisions. Those decisions are 

made later, only after specific proposals are identified and analyzed and there is the 

opportunity for public involvement. 

 It includes the following plan components: desired conditions (or goals), objectives, 

suitability of areas, special areas, standards, guidelines, and a monitoring strategy. 

 It is intended to be adaptive, in that new knowledge and information can be analyzed and 

the plan changed, if appropriate, at any time. Changes to plan components may require an 

amendment. 

 It honors the continuing validity of private, statutory, or preexisting rights.

Needs for Change

In the “Analysis of the Management Situation” (AMS) (Forest Service, 2009b), the Prescott NF 

evaluated how management under its existing land management plan (the 1987 plan), as 

amended, was affecting conditions and trends related to the sustainability of ecological, 

economic, and social factors. The AMS summarizes key findings from both the “Ecological 

Sustainability Report” (ESR) (Forest Service, 2009c) and the “Economic and Social 

Sustainability Assessment” (ESSA) (Forest Service, 2008)—two detailed reports which were 

developed previously by the Prescott NF to identify current conditions and probable future trends. 

These documents, and all documents associated with the revision of the plan, can be viewed and 

downloaded from the Prescott NF plan revision Web site1.

Potential needs for change identified in the AMS were developed by integrating the key needs for 

change from ecological concerns in the ESR with the key needs for change from economic and 

social concerns in the ESSA. This integration considered the Prescott NF recreation niche; the 

Prescott NF contribution to social, economic, and ecological sustainability; the Forest Service 

mission; input from public meetings and informal conversations; and community visions.

Internal review of the integrated key findings resulted in a list of eight needs for change topics 

(Forest Service, 2009b, pp. 32-33). After discussions about the integrated needs for change and 

the capacity of the Prescott NF, the forest leadership team identified five priority needs for change 

topics that were recommended to focus the scope of this plan revision. 

The five needs for change topics and a brief rationale for the selection of each are listed below: 

1. Restore vegetation structure and composition and desired characteristics of fire to 

selected ecosystems, while responding to citizen concerns related to smoke 

emissions.

The restoration of desired vegetative characteristics addresses the following: (1) risk of 

severe wildland fire that could damage soils, cause uncharacteristic changes in vegetation 

 

1 www.fs.usda.gov/land/prescott/landmanagement
Chapter 1. Introduction

6 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

communities, and impact human health and safety, especially within the wildland-urban 

interface (WUI); (2) changes in ecosystems that could affect diversity of plant and animal 

species, such as spread of invasive plant species or changes in vegetation structure; and 

(3) identification of desired characteristics of fire as a disturbance, including frequency, 

severity, intensity, size, and seasonality, for ecosystems that are sustained by fire.

Mitigation of smoke that flows into communities primarily due to prescribed 

fires is a connected social concern. 

2. Retain or improve watershed integrity to provide desired water quality, quantity, 

and timing of delivery.

Addressing this need would: provide improved water quality for human health 

and safety; move watersheds toward maintaining water quantity for both 

municipal watersheds and maintenance of aquatic and riparian species habitat; 

and provide timing of delivery that is commensurate with healthy soil and 

biological function and natural geomorphology.

3. Provide sustainable and diverse recreation opportunities that consider population 

demographic characteristics, reflect desires of local communities, avoid 

overcrowding and user conflicts, and minimize resource damage.

Providing sustainable recreation opportunities was the number one concern at 

public meetings in both the Verde Valley and Prescott areas. With increasing 

population and numbers of visitors to the Prescott NF, conflicts between various 

types of activities, overcrowding, and overuse leading to resource impacts need 

to be addressed.

4. Provide desired habitat for native fish species.

Native fish and other aquatic species are in decline in some watersheds. Furthermore, 

native aquatic species are no longer known to be present in five watersheds where 

historically they were present. In order to assist in responding to the decline in native fish 

species, the Prescott NF can provide habitat and watershed characteristics that will 

support these species. It could also partner with the State of Arizona in addressing control 

of nonnative species. 

5. Enhance the value of open space provided by the Prescott NF by defining the visual 

character within areas near or viewed by those in local communities.

Retention of open space (i.e., undeveloped land near or within sight of local 

communities) is highly valued by citizens for its scenic value and contribution to 

low population density. The Prescott NF has a unique opportunity to enhance 

value and identify desired visual character on its lands as population density may 

increase on other ownership.

Three other topics were considered as needs for change during management review but were 

recommended for deferral as topics for plan revision. A complete list of the deferred needs for 

change topics is included in appendix B of the AMS. 

Along with new or deferred needs for change topics, new information and changing conditions 

may call for changes in management. As these needs become ripe for action, iterative and 

adaptive planning will facilitate the incorporation of new information into potential plan 

amendments. This adaptive planning approach is in accordance with NFMA which requires the 
Chapter 1. Introduction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 7

Forest Service to amend the plan, if necessary, every 10 to 15 years to reflect changing land

management needs. This document represents the revised “Land and Resource Management Plan 

for the Prescott National Forest” (revised plan), and it focuses on the identified needs for change 

thus far.

This revised plan was completed using direction from the 2012 Planning Rule; the transition 

provisions of that rule allow use of the provisions of the 1982 Planning Rule to revise land 

management plans. This revised plan uses the provisions of the 1982 Planning Rule.

1987 Plan Direction Included 

in the Revised Plan

Some components of the 1987 plan, including some of its amendments, are still adequate and 

timely and have been carried forward into the revised plan. 

1987 Plan Direction Not Included 

in the Revised Plan 

Other components of the 1987 plan have been modified or removed, for reasons including: they 

describe a purely administrative or procedural function; they duplicate direction that can be found 

in existing law, regulation, or Forest Service policy; they are based on outdated policies, science, 

or information; or they include out-of-date terminology. In addition, some standards and 

guidelines in the 1987 plan will not be included in the revised plan because they: were 

unnecessarily prescriptive about how to accomplish a project; did not support attaining desired 

conditions or accomplishing objectives; or were duplicative. Finally, much of the monitoring and 

evaluation guidance in the 1987 plan focuses solely on outputs rather than overall progress 

toward the desired conditions (or goals). 

Decisions Made in the Plan

Plan decisions (also referred to as plan components) include: desired conditions/goals, objectives, 

standards, guidelines, suitability of uses, special areas, and monitoring.

Desired conditions (or goals) describe the picture for the future of the Prescott NF. They are the 

social, economic, and ecological attributes toward which management of the land and resources 

of the plan area is directed. They are aspirations and not commitments or final decisions which 

approve projects or activities, and they may only be achievable over a long period. “Goals,” as 

required by the 1982 Planning Rule Provisions, are articulated as “desired conditions” in this 

plan.

Objectives describe how the Forest Service intends to achieve desired conditions for the Prescott 

NF. Objectives are concise projections of measurable, time specific intended outcomes. 

Objectives are the work that we think needs to be done and the means of achieving or maintaining 

desired conditions.

Standards are constraints that apply when an action is being taken to make progress toward

desired conditions. The direction in a standard must be followed exactly, including the intent of 

the standard. Deviation from a standard requires a plan amendment.
Chapter 1. Introduction

8 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Guidelines are also constraints that should apply when an action is being taken to make progress 

toward desired conditions. A guideline must be followed, however, unlike a standard, it may be 

modified somewhat for a specific project if the intent of the guideline is followed and the 

deviation is addressed in a decision document with supporting rationale. When deviation from a 

guideline does not meet the original intent, a plan amendment is required. 

Special areas are lands within the National Forest System (NFS) which have designations by 

Congress or other delegated authority. Special areas are designated because of their unique or 

special characteristics. Examples include: wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, research natural 

areas, botanical areas, and national recreation trails. 

Suitability refers to NFS lands which are identified as “suitable” for various uses. An area may 

be identified as suitable or not suitable for certain uses depending on its compatibility with 

desired conditions and objectives for the area. The 1982 Planning Rule Provisions require that 

suitability for timber, range, and recreation must be addressed. 

Monitoring is the part of the adaptive management strategy used to determine the degree to

which on-the-ground management is maintaining or making progress toward desired conditions. 

The monitoring plan includes questions and performance measures designed to inform 

implementation and evaluate effectiveness.

Plan Organization

Chapter Organization

This plan is organized into the following chapters: 

Chapter 1: Introduction to briefly describe the planning area, the analysis of the 

management situation, the purpose of this plan, and the plan decisions and how 

they are distributed throughout the plan. This chapter does not contain plan 

decisions.

Chapter 2: Desired conditions (i.e., goals) that apply to all of the Prescott NF 

and include descriptions of desired outcomes as a result of Forest Service 

management. 

Chapter 3: Objectives are a list of measurable, time-specific actions intended to 

help the Prescott NF achieve the desired conditions described in chapter 2.

Chapter 4: Standards and guidelines in this chapter apply to all Prescott NF 

lands and provide direction for future site-specific projects.

Chapter 5: Management area direction provides desired conditions, standards, 

and guidelines that apply to specific areas of the Prescott NF. 

Chapter 6: Monitoring and evaluation supports the adaptive management 

strategy for determining the degree to which on-the-ground management is 

maintaining or making progress toward desired conditions.

Chapter 7: Suitability of acreages for timber and range as well as recreation 

opportunity suitabilities are found in this chapter.
Chapter 1. Introduction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 9

Chapter 8: Additional plan direction includes direction which is not a part of the 

plan decisions but nevertheless must be followed to implement the plan. These 

include: (1) projects’ consistency with the plan, (2) changes to the plan, and (3) 

other vital documents which must be followed to implement the plan.

Organization of Plan Decisions

Plan decisions are contained in chapters 2 through 7 and are visually distinguished within boxes. 

Information not included in these boxes (e.g., introduction and background sections within 

chapters 2 through 7) are not plan decisions; they provide additional information or further 

clarification about the plan decisions.

To reference plan decisions more easily, a numbering scheme is used in the plan consisting of 

three parts: (1) type of plan decision (e.g., a desired condition, objective, guideline); (2) resource 

area (e.g., vegetation, recreation, heritage); and (3) number. Abbreviations are used to shorten 

these labels. The following examples illustrate this scheme: “DC-Veg-1” relates to the first listed 

desired condition for vegetation; “Obj-7” relates to the seventh objective listed2; and “Guide-AF 

MA-1” relates to the first listed guideline for the Agua Fria Management Area. See Figure 2

below for an example.

Figure 2. Visual example of a plan decision

Hypertext

Hypertext is used throughout the plan; it allows the user of the electronic version of this plan to 

click on a word (indicated by underlined text, for example glossary) and be redirected to another 

area of the plan or an external reference. Users can then click on the word again and be redirected 

back to their original location. The first occurrences of words that are found in the glossary are 

hyperlinked.

Concept Descriptions to Improve 

Reader Understanding in the Revised Plan

This section was placed in the introduction in an effort to respond to questions and feedback we 

received related to technical terminology and concepts that were used in development of this 

plan. By gaining some understanding of these concepts early on, plan clarity may be improved. 

The concepts are organized according to the five needs for change statements.

Need for Change Statement 1

Restore vegetation structure and composition and desired characteristics of fire to selected 

ecosystems, while responding to citizen concerns related to smoke emissions. 

 

2 The numbering scheme for objectives does not include abbreviations for individual resource areas.

DCResourceArea-1

 Plan decision language.
Chapter 1. Introduction

10 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Vegetation structure and composition and the frequency and severity of disturbances (e.g., fire) 

need to be modified to restore and maintain the health and sustainability of terrestrial ecosystems. 

Concepts for Understanding

During plan revision efforts, a framework was needed to classify and map areas on the Prescott 

NF based on associations of ecological factors. The Prescott NF used Potential Natural 

Vegetation Types (PNVTs) as a basis for classifying and mapping similar units of vegetation, 

soil, climate, and disturbance on a forestwide scale. The PNVT classifications were developed 

from data available in the “Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey of the Prescott National Forest”

(Robertson et al., 2000) and from information on vegetation dynamics and natural variability 

compiled by The Nature Conservancy3and the Landscape Fire and Resource Management 

Planning Tools Project4(commonly called LANDFIRE).

PNVTs represent the vegetation type and characteristics that would occur when natural 

disturbance regimes and biological processes prevail. Each PNVT can be described by its unique 

ecosystem dynamics, made up of “states” and “transitions.” States describe the life forms, 

composition, age or size, and relative density of the vegetation at different life stages. Transitions 

are events that modify the existing vegetation in various ways based on their magnitude, 

frequency, and extent. Transitions also include biological processes such as growth, development, 

and death. A “states and transitions” framework allows for simulating and testing vegetative 

dynamics using computerized models. 

Reference conditions that identified the relative amount of each state, and the frequency of 

transitions between states, were estimated based on scientific literature (Schussman and Smith, 

2006) and Forest Service experience within the western U.S. (Hann et al., 2008). Comparisons of 

the current situation to these reference conditions and the desired conditions were made to 

identify the extent of departure for each PNVT. The level of departure for the PNVTs was 

considered during development of the objectives in chapter 3. 

Need for Change Statement 2

Retain or improve watershed integrity to provide desired water quality, quantity, and timing of 

delivery.

Watershed condition is defined as the state of a watershed based on physical and biological 

characteristics and processes affecting hydrologic and soil functions. Watershed condition 

integrity is a wholeness or completeness of the watershed function in providing water quality, 

quantity, and timing of delivery. It is influenced by soil function, biological function, and 

geomorphology. In addition, vegetation structure and composition, disturbance regimes, and 

recreation activities can all affect watershed integrity. 

Concepts for Understanding

During any discussion of watersheds, scale needs to be identified. The U.S. Geological Survey 

has created a hierarchical method of mapping and identifying watersheds using hydrologic units,

 

3 www.azconservation.org/downloads/category/southwest_regional/

4 www.landfire.gov
Chapter 1. Introduction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 11

identified by hydrologic unit codes (HUCs). Within this method, the numbers used for HUCs 

increase as the size of the watershed decreases (see table 1 for an example of this hierarchy). 

Within the Prescott NF, twenty-two 5

th level hydrologic units (watersheds) help to make up eight 

4

th level hydrologic units (subbasins) that overlap the Prescott NF to some degree.

Table 1. Example of the hierarchal structure in hydrologic units

Hydrologic Unit Level Hydrologic Unit 

Code Example

Region 1

st level hydrologic unit 15 Colorado River

Subregion 2

nd level hydrologic unit 1506 Salt River

River Basin 3

rd level hydrologic unit 150602 Verde River

Subbasin 4

th level hydrologic unit 15060202 Upper Verde

Watershed 5

th level hydrologic unit 1506020207 Cherry Creek

Subwatershed 6

th level hydrologic unit 150602020701 Bitter Creek

In preparation for plan revision, watershed conditions were analyzed at the 4th, 5th, and 6th level 

hydrologic units. Desired conditions were developed to cover all three levels. At the 4th and 5th

levels, only a portion of most hydrologic units overlap with Prescott NF land ownership. 

Although the 5th level units range from about 150 to 360 square miles in size, the watershed 

integrity objectives only refer to the 1 to 230 square mile portions within the boundaries of the 

Prescott NF. Map 2 in appendix A displays the 5

th level units (watersheds) that intersect the 

Prescott NF.

Need for Change Statement 3

Provide sustainable and diverse recreation opportunities that consider population demographic 

characteristics, reflect desires of local communities, avoid overcrowding and user conflicts, and 

minimize resource damage.

With increasing populations and numbers of visitors to the Prescott NF, conflicts between types 

of activities, overcrowding, and overuse leading to resource impacts need to be addressed. 

Concepts for Understanding 

The Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) is a classification system that identifies a 

continuum of settings, activities, and recreation experiences. It is used to inventory and classify 

large areas based on national criteria involving physical, social, and managerial attributes. The 

ROS map can be found in appendix A (map 3). For the most part, it classifies recreation 

opportunities as they exist. The classifications range from remote and undeveloped (primitive) 

settings to populated and developed settings (urban). These are based on a number of factors, 

including access, remoteness, social encounters, amount of visitor management, type of 

recreation development, and extent of visitor impacts. The ROS classifications are as follows:

 Primitive (P) - The experience includes isolation from manmade sights, sounds, and 

management controls in an unmodified environment. Motorized use is not present. There 
Chapter 1. Introduction

12 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

is no primitive classification on the Prescott NF because there are no areas on the forest 

that meet the criteria.

 Semiprimitive Nonmotorized (SPNM) - There is some isolation from manmade sights, 

sounds, and management controls in a predominantly unmodified environment. Few 

visitors are present, but some evidence of use is expected. Motorized use is rare or not 

present.

 Semiprimitive Motorized (SPM) - This is very similar to semiprimitive nonmotorized 

except that both motorized and nonmotorized use is present. 

 Roaded Natural (RN) - There are about equal opportunities for isolated experiences and 

opportunities to interact with other groups. The landscape is generally natural. Onsite 

managerial controls are subtle. Both motorized and nonmotorized use is present. The 

expectation is that visitors will drive to facilities. 

 Roaded Modified (RM) - The natural environment is substantially modified by 

management activities such as mining and utility corridors. Some evidence of other users 

is likely.

 Rural (R) - The natural environment is substantially modified. Interactions with other 

visitors prevail. Sights and sounds of people are readily evident and user numbers are 

moderate to high. 

 Urban (U) - A substantially urbanized area is present, although the background may have 

natural elements. There are high levels of human activity, concentrated development, and 

developed sites and roads are designed for high use.

Need for Change Statement 4

Provide desired habitat for native fish species. 

Native fish and other aquatic species are in decline within several watersheds. Native aquatic 

species are no longer found in five watersheds that overlap with the Prescott NF. The Prescott NF 

can provide habitat and watershed characteristics that will support native fish species. The Forest 

Service can also cooperate with the State of Arizona in addressing control of nonnative species. 

Concepts for Understanding

The Forest Service is required to plan for retaining species diversity and to provide habitat 

needed to maintain viable, well distributed populations of existing native and desired nonnative 

species within the functional capacity of the landscape (FSM 1926.15, requirement 13). Species 

diversity is a measure of the number of species in an ecological community and the range or 

variation in the abundance of individuals per species within the community. A viable population 

is one that has the estimated numbers and distribution of reproductive individuals to ensure its 

continued existence is well distributed within the planning area. All else being equal, 

communities with more species are considered to be more diverse. 

For species affected by Forest Service management, potential threats that could impact species’

distribution and abundance were identified and screened to determine which species warrant more 

detailed consideration in the plan. For many species, trending toward aquatic and vegetative 

desired conditions listed in chapter 2 will maintain species diversity and viability. For others, 
Chapter 1. Introduction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 13

specific plan components, such as objectives or standards and guidelines were developed to 

respond to diversity or viability concerns.

Need for Change Statement 5

Enhance the value of open space provided by the Prescott NF by defining visual character within 

areas near or viewed by those in local communities. 

The Forest Service has an opportunity, via the plan, to ensure that open space and scenic values 

are taken into consideration on Prescott NF lands as population density is expected to increase on 

other ownerships. 

Concepts for Understanding

The Scenery Management System (SMS) provides a systematic approach for determining the 

relative value and importance of scenery on national forest lands. It analyzes a landscape’s

attractiveness, visibility, intactness, and value to the public to determine the scenic integrity 

objective (SIO) for the area. Map 4 in appendix A displays the SIOs for the Prescott NF. An area 

with a very high or high SIO has highly-valued scenic qualities and its integrity should be 

maintained. Within areas of high or medium SIOs, guidelines help retain scenic qualities. Plan 

direction for meeting SIOs can be found in the desired conditions in chapter 2, and the standards 

and guidelines in chapter 4. The five scenic integrity objective categories are described below:

 Very High – A scenic integrity level that generally provides for ecological change only. 

The landscape character is intact. Examples would include all designated wilderness 

areas.

 High – A scenic integrity level meaning human activities are not visually evident; the 

landscape character appears intact. In high scenic integrity areas, activities may only 

repeat attributes of form, line, color, and texture found in the existing landscape character. 

Examples would include the Black Hills area west of the Verde Valley and areas 

southeast of Granite Mountain Wilderness.

 Moderate – A scenic integrity level meaning human activities must remain visually 

subordinate to the attributes of the existing landscape character. Activities may repeat 

form, line, color, or texture common to these landscape characters, but changes in quality 

of size, number, intensity, direction, pattern, and so on, must remain visually subordinate 

to these landscape characters. Examples include areas immediately west and south of 

Prescott along the forest boundary.

 Low – A scenic integrity level meaning human activities begin to dominate the attributes 

of the existing landscape character, but they borrow from naturally established form, line, 

color, or texture so that its visual characteristics are those of natural occurrences within 

the surrounding area. Examples include areas on the eastern end of the Santa Maria 

Mountains along the forest boundary.

 Very Low – A scenic integrity level meaning human activities of vegetative and landform 

alterations may dominate the original, natural landscape character but should appear as 

natural occurrences when viewed at background distances. Examples include certain 

areas disturbed by flagstone quarries northeast of Drake.

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 15

Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Ponderosa pine stand near Camp Wood

Introduction

Desired conditions describe how the resources on the Prescott NF should look and function. In 

some cases, a desired condition matches the current condition; so the goal is to retain existing 

characteristics. In other cases, the desired condition is not identical to the current condition, and 

future management is expected to help Prescott NF trend toward the desired condition. Desired 

conditions are timeless in that they have no specific date by which they are to be completed. 

Desired conditions are the focus of the plan and are the basis for developing objectives and other 

plan components. A future project or activity must be consistent with or help trend toward desired 

conditions.

Forestwide desired conditions apply across the plan area. Desired conditions are described at 

multiple, nested scales. Descriptions at various scales are designed to provide detail and guidance 

for the design of future projects and activities that help achieve the desired conditions over time. 

Descriptions at the landscape scale provide the “big picture” desired conditions for terrestrialbased resources across the larger land area (10,000 acres or greater) and may be composed of 

variable elevations, slopes, landforms, and soils. Descriptions at the mid-scale level represent 

areas of 100 to 1,000 acres or greater and become more specific about characteristics such as 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

16 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

species composition and habitat features. Descriptions at the fine scale relate to areas less than 10 

acres in size and provide even more detailed information, such as desired vegetation patterns like 

groups of trees or clumps of vegetation. For instance, in descriptions for the Ponderosa PineGambel Oak PNVT, landscape-scale descriptions illustrate multiple stands and natural meadows 

and grasslands. The mid- and fine- scales illustrate open grass-forb-shrub interspaces and unevenaged stand conditions consisting of single and grouped trees of different vegetation structural 

stages and densities, and from young to old.

Desired conditions for aquatic resources and watershed integrity are described using watershed 

scales to help provide their relative importance or niche. Conditions for larger land areas are 

described under 4th to 5th level hydrologic units (subbasins and watersheds). More detailed 

descriptions for site-specific conditions are described at the 6th level hydrologic unit 

(subwatershed). Not all resources (e.g., scenery, heritage, recreation facilities) require a 

description at more than one scale. 

Desired condition descriptions are divided into three sections: physical, biological, and 

social/economic resources. Physical resources relate to nonliving, ecosystem components such as 

climate, airsheds, and watersheds. Biological resources relate to living, growing organisms such 

as vegetation and aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Social resources include recreation and 

transportation opportunities and cultural characteristics of communities such as ranching, scenic 

beauty, and open space. Economic factors include the impact of Prescott NF activities on the 

economy of the area. 

The desired conditions (plan decisions) below are the numbered statements displayed in boxes. 

The information outside of these boxes are not plan decisions and are provided for background.

Physical Resources

Physical resources include ecosystem components such as climate, airsheds, and watersheds.

Climate

Background for Climate

The climate of the Southwestern United States is often referred to as dry and hot; however, it is 

very complex. While low deserts of the Southwest experience heat and drying winds in the early 

summer, forested mountain areas and plateaus may experience cold and drifting snow during 

winter. Climate variability is the norm within this region, as temperature and precipitation 

fluctuate on time scales ranging from seasons to decades. Monsoon thunderstorms in July and 

August are often accompanied by flash flooding, while from fall to spring, the weather can be 

warm with clear skies. The Southwest also experiences periods of short and long term drought. 

Precipitation patterns are characterized by two peaks each year; winter precipitation is produced 

primarily from large frontal systems moving over the region, whereas summer precipitation 

results largely from thunderstorms within the North American monsoon circulation. 

Climate scientists agree that average air temperatures across the globe are rising (Solomon, et al., 

2007), and it is expected that continued warming will accentuate or exacerbate interactions 

among ecosystem components. For example, observed temperature increases across the western 

U.S. have been linked to: increases in fire season length and severity, increases in total area 

burned, decreases in air quality, and the creation of new fire regimes (Forest Service, 2009a). 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 17

Looking forward, there is general agreement among climate modelers that by the end of the 21st

century, the Southwest is likely to experience (Forest Service, 2010a):

 Temperature increases of 5–8 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 0.5 °F per decade on average)

 An increase in the number of hot days, with summer heat waves lasting 2 weeks or longer

 Warmer winters and reduced snowpack, and a later monsoonal season

 A 5 percent drop in precipitation in most of Arizona and New Mexico

 An increase in extreme flood events following an overall increase in tropical storms

Changes in water distribution, availability, and storage; timing of precipitation; watershed 

management; and human water use may present some of the most important challenges of climate 

change and national forest management in the Southwest. Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and 

all human socioeconomic systems in the Southwest depend on water. The prospect of future 

droughts becoming more severe because of global warming is also a significant concern.

Climate may influence the distribution and abundance of plant and animal species through 

changes in resource availability, species productivity, and survivorship. The potential ecological 

implications of climate change trends in the Southwest indicate:

 More extreme disturbance events, including wildfires, intense rain, flash floods, and wind 

events (Swetnam et al., 1999).

 Greater vulnerability to invasive species, including insects, plants, fungi, and vertebrates 

(Joyce et al., 2007).

 Long-term shifts in vegetation patterns (Westerling et al., 2006, and Millar, et al., 2007). 

 Cold tolerant vegetation moving upslope or disappearing in some areas. Migration of 

some tree species to the more northern portions of their existing range (Clark, 1998). 

 Potential decreases in overall forest productivity, due to reduced precipitation (Forest 

Service, 2005b). 

 Shifts in the timing of snowmelt (already observed) in the American West, which, along 

with increases in summer temperatures, have serious implications for the survival of fish 

species and may challenge efforts to reintroduce species into their historic range (Joyce, 

et al., 2007, and Millar, et al., 2007). 

 Effects on biodiversity, pressure on wildlife populations, distribution, viability, and 

migration patterns, because of increasing temperatures, water shortages, and changing 

ecological conditions.

The following conditions are desired to assist with building ecosystem resilience or adaptive 

capacity for plant and animal communities to accommodate expected changes imposed by future 

climate trends for the Southwest. 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

18 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Desired Conditions for Ecosystem Resilience to Climate Change

Landscape Scale (10,000 acres or greater)

DCEcosystem 

Resilience1

Ecosystems retain all of their essential components, processes, and functions 

under changing and uncertain future environmental conditions. These resilient 

ecosystems provide a wide range of ecosystem services for local and regional 

needs. 

Prescott NF landscapes retain capacity to survive natural disturbances and 

threats to sustainability such as those driven by climate change and an 

increasing human population.

Ecosystem functions (e.g., nutrient cycling, water infiltration, and carbon 

sequestration) are sustained as forests, woodlands, grasslands, and desert 

communities adapt to changing conditions. 

Ecosystems are resilient or adaptive to changing natural disturbance regimes 

(e.g., drought, wind, fire, insects, and pathogens), allowing for shifting of 

plant communities, structure, and ages across the landscape.

Ecological conditions for habitat quality, distribution, and abundance 

contribute to self-sustaining populations of terrestrial and aquatic plants and 

animals. Conditions provide for the life history, distribution, and natural 

population fluctuations of the species within the capability of the ecosystem.

Contiguous blocks of habitat are interconnected, support a wide array of 

native species, and allow for genetic and behavioral interactions.

Habitat quality distribution and abundance exist to support recovery and/or 

stabilization of federally listed and other species.

Airsheds

Background for Airsheds

In 1955, Congress passed the first Federal Clean Air Act (P.L. 84-159) with later amendments in 

1967, 1970, 1977, and 1990. Implementation of this Federal law is largely the responsibility of 

the states which may develop programs that are more restrictive than the Clean Air Act requires 

but never less. The State of Arizona has a state implementation plan that outlines how the State is 

implementing the goals of the Clean Air Act, and statutes that regulate burning, including use of 

wildland fire on Federal and State lands. Two types of air quality impacts are addressed by these 

laws and regulations: health hazards from pollutants and visibility impacts in Class I Airsheds. 

The Clean Air Act establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six 

principal pollutants that pose health hazards: carbon monoxide (CO), lead, nitrogen dioxide, 

particulate matter less than 10 microns in size (PM10), particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in 

size (PM2.5), ozone, and sulfur dioxide. The major pollutant of concern in smoke from wildland 

fire is fine particulate matter (Ottmar, 2001). Particles larger than 10 microns in size tend to settle 

out of the air; smaller particles remain airborne and can cause respiratory problems. Studies 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 19

indicate that 90 percent of smoke particles emitted during wildland fires are PM10, and about 90 

percent of PM10 is PM2.5 (Ward and Hardy, 1991).

Human health studies on the effects of particulate matter indicate that PM2.5 is largely responsible 

for health effects (Dockery et al., 1993). The small size of PM2.5 is why it has an especially long 

residence time in the atmosphere and penetrates deeply into the lungs (Ottmar, 2001). The Clean 

Air Act defines the NAAQS for PM2.5 as an annual mean of 15μg/m3(micrograms per cubic 

meter), and a 24-hour average of 35μg/m3. At this concentration or above, PM2.5 is considered to 

have a detrimental effect on public health. It is important to note that it is not the total amount of 

emissions from a fire that have effects on human health, but rather it is how concentrated 

pollutants in ambient air are for a period of time. Atmospheric conditions during a fire have a 

considerable influence on how particulate matter is distributed through the ambient air and its 

potential to affect public health. Wind speed and direction, height of atmospheric mixing, 

atmospheric temperature profile, and atmospheric stability all affect where and how well smoke 

will disperse. 

Regional haze is air pollution that is transported long distances, causing reduced visibility. The 

same particulate matter that poses human health risks is also largely responsible for impairments 

to visibility. 

In addition to establishing standards for national ambient air quality for airsheds within the U.S., 

the Clean Air Act established special goals for visibility in many national parks, wilderness areas, 

and international parks. Through the 1977 amendments to the Clean Air Act, Congress set a 

national goal for visibility as “the prevention of any future, and the remedying of any existing, 

impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I Federal areas, which impairment results from 

manmade air pollution.” The amendments required the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

to issue regulations to assure “reasonable progress” toward meeting the national goal.

Through the 1999 Regional Haze Rule, the EPA directed states to establish goals for each affected 

Class I area to: (1) improve visibility on the haziest days and (2) ensure no degradation occurs on 

the clearest days over the period of each implementation plan.

Two mandatory Class 1 Federal areas occur within or adjacent to the Prescott NF: Sycamore 

Canyon Wilderness (47,757 acres) and Pine Mountain Wilderness (20,061 acres). Baseline 

visibility data collected for these two areas (2001 to 2004) indicate increasing visibility and a 

trend toward the desired goal of 6.68 to 6.96 deciviews by the year 2064.

Fire management activities have the potential to impact airsheds of the Prescott NF. State air 

pollution agencies recognize that fire of all kinds (i.e., wildfire, prescribed fire) contributes to 

regional haze, and there is a complex relationship between what is considered a natural source of 

emissions versus a human-caused source of emissions. For example, the increased use of 

prescribed fire in some areas may lead to particulate emissions levels lower than those that would 

be expected from an uncharacteristically severe wildfire. Given that in many instances the 

purpose of prescribed fires is to restore natural fire patterns across the landscape, state air 

pollution agencies work with Federal land managers to support the development of enhanced 

smoke management plans to minimize the effects of emissions on public health and welfare.

For the Prescott NF, air quality resulting from fire is monitored by the Arizona Department of 

Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Air Quality Division for potential human health impacts using 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

20 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

data recorders usually located in local communities including Prescott, Prescott Valley, 

Cottonwood, and Camp Verde. 

To minimize air pollution and smoke impacts, the Prescott NF works with the ADEQ Air Quality 

Division and follows Arizona’s Forest and Rangeland Management Burn Rule (A.R.S. 18-15-

1500). The Prescott NF also employs emission reduction techniques to avert smoke impacts to 

mandatory Class 1 Federal areas. 

Under projected warmer and drier climate conditions, airsheds are susceptible to increased levels 

of pollutants (particulates and aerosols) resulting from longer, more severe fire seasons, increased 

occurrence of warmer air masses that can suspend higher concentrations of pollutants, and 

frequent or intense windstorms that can transport pollutants short and long distances.

The following conditions are desired to assist with keeping emissions below the NAAQS, 

protecting visibility in Class I Areas, and promoting public support for wildland fire management 

programs. 

Desired Conditions for Airsheds

Landscape Scale (10,000 acres or greater)

DCAirshed-1

Fire as a natural disturbance process occurs across the landscape. 

Smoke and dust levels meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards 

(NAAQS).

Conflicts between smoke aversion and improvement of ecosystems using fire 

are infrequent.

Smoke impacts to communities from prescribed fire are minimized through 

adherence to Arizona Revised Statute, Title 18, Chapter 2, Article 15 or the 

most current smoke management plan that outlines procedures for requesting, 

approving, and tracking emissions from prescribed fire. 

Citizens are aware of the timing, emission sources, and smoke dispersion 

patterns of prescribed fire, along with information on the role and benefits of 

fire as a landscape process.

Forest Service management activities do not contribute to diminished visibility 

or increased atmospheric deposition of pollutants, especially within the 

Sycamore Canyon Wilderness and Pine Mountain Wilderness.

Watersheds

Background for Watersheds (Watershed Integrity)

The U.S. Geological Survey has created a hierarchy of hydrologic units that places the Prescott 

NF within the Lower Colorado River region and within three subregions. Within the Prescott NF, 

twenty-two 5th level hydrologic units (watersheds) help to make up eight 4th level hydrologic units 

(subbasins) that overlap the forest to some degree. At a fine scale, the Prescott NF overlaps with 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 21

portions of one hundred and twenty-seven 6th level hydrologic units (subwatersheds). The 127 

subwatersheds vary from about 7,000 to over 48,000 acres in size, although in many cases, only a 

portion of a subwatershed covers the Prescott NF. See map 2 in appendix A. 

While the updated National Hydrologic Database identifies 79.4 miles of perennial or perennial 

intermittent streams on the Prescott NF, the Verde River is the only major perennial stream with 

continuous flow from headwaters to mouth. 

Water yield varies by subbasin, and those associated with the Bradshaw Mountains receive 

proportionately more precipitation per acre than areas at lower elevations. Instream flow, critical 

to maintenance of aquatic ecosystems, has been impacted to varying degrees by diversions and 

groundwater withdrawals. Water quality has been influenced by past mining activities. For 

example, about 19.7 miles of Turkey Creek was classified as Category 5 impaired waters due to 

copper and lead levels. Remediation was completed in 2007. 

Riparian corridors on the Prescott NF provide a link between the upland vegetation and soils 

within a watershed and the aquatic environments found in streams and rivers. Riparian corridors 

are important natural bio-filters, protecting aquatic environments from excessive sedimentation, 

polluted surface runoff, and erosion. They supply shelter and food for many aquatic organisms

and shade that is an important part of stream temperature regulation. 

Vegetation associated with riparian corridors thrive in proximity to water and are generally 

dependent upon seasonal flooding and high water tables for germination, growth, and survival. 

Life forms include emergent aquatic plants, forbs and grasses, and woody shrubs and trees that 

vary with elevation, substrate, stream gradient, and depth to groundwater. In arid regions, 

including the Prescott NF, the boundary between riparian vegetation and surrounding upland 

vegetation is often abrupt. This limits the riparian vegetation to long and narrow patterns on the 

landscape, often referred to as “gallery forest.” 

The riparian gallery forests on the Prescott NF consist of Fremont cottonwood, various willows, 

Arizona sycamore, velvet and green ash, Arizona alder, Arizona walnut, and box elder. 

Herbaceous vegetation (i.e., several species of forbs and grasses) is usually present. On occasion, 

riparian gallery forests can include various species of oak, pine, or juniper from adjacent uplands. 

Mid-scale vegetation mapping compiled in 2007 estimated about 12,400 acres of Riparian 

Gallery Forest PNVT. The accuracy of this estimate is uncertain due to the inclusion of 

nonriparian, upland soils and vegetation in the terrestrial ecosystem survey map units. Additional 

information on the occurrence of riparian vegetation is needed to accurately estimate the spatial 

extent of the Riparian Gallery Forest PNVT on the Prescott NF. 

The Riparian Gallery Forest PNVT exhibits a low departure from desired conditions for 

vegetation structure and fire regime. However, the spread of nonnative invasive species, soil 

compaction, or loss of vegetation due to visitor use remain as threats to this ecosystem.

Under projected warmer and drier climate conditions, watersheds are susceptible to changes in 

the frequency, intensity, timing, and spatial extent of extreme weather events (e.g., droughts, flash 

flooding, landslides, windstorms, and ice storms). These events, coupled with increased ambient 

air and soil temperatures, can create corresponding shifts in plant evapotranspiration rates, water 

infiltration, overland flow, erosion, sediment delivery, and loss of organic ground cover.
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

22 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

The following conditions are desired to assist with the restoration and maintenance of watershed 

integrity to increase the resilience and adaptive capacity of watersheds and riparian corridors to 

accommodate expected changes imposed by future climate trends for the Southwest. 

Desired Conditions for Watersheds

4

th to 5th Level Hydrologic Units (Subbasin to Watershed Scale)

DC-Watershed-1

The quantity and timing of waterflows in streams, seeps, springs, and 

wetlands is sustained at a level that retains or enhances essential 

ecological functions. 

Water quality is sustained at a level that retains the biological, physical, 

and chemical integrity of the aquatic systems and benefits survival, 

growth, reproduction, and migration of native and desired nonnative 

aquatic and riparian species. Characteristics include:

 Water quality meets Arizona water quality standards and 

supports designated beneficial uses and native and desired

nonnative aquatic species. 

 Short-term exceedance of water quality standards (i.e., 

temporary period of declining water quality) due to management 

activity occurs only in the anticipation of long-term 

improvement of watershed condition and water quality.

Soil and vegetation functions in upland and riparian settings are retained 

or enhanced to facilitate precipitation infiltration and groundwater 

recharge.

Watersheds support sustainable levels of forage for browsing and grazing 

animals, timber production, and recreation opportunities with no long 

term decline in watershed conditions.

DC-Watershed-2

Riparian corridors are intact and are trending toward properly 

functioning condition across the landscape. 

Stream channels and associated flood plains occur within their natural 

flow regimes.

In the flood plains and channels of deciduous forest dominated riparian 

corridors, coarse woody debris is found in sufficient quantities to provide 

instream transitory pool-like habitat, shading from intense solar 

radiation, and organic particles for use as food by fish and aquatic 

invertebrates.

Access to food, water, cover, nesting areas, and protected pathways for 

aquatic and upland species is maintained between aquatic and upland 

components (e.g., logs, ground vegetation).
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 23

DC-Watershed-3

Soil productivity, function, and inherent physical, chemical, and 

biological processes remain intact or are enhanced.

Elements necessary to sustain soil productivity and function include:

 Logs and other woody material are distributed across the soil 

surface to maintain soil function within the limitations of 

individual PNVTs.

 Soil loss does not inhibit soil function. Limited soil compaction 

does not affect ecological and hydrological functions.

 Vegetative ground cover, including biological soil crusts (i.e., 

soil consisting of lichens, mosses, cyanobacteria, and algae 

organisms), provides stability and fertility for soil function. 

 Vegetative ground cover is distributed across the soil surface in 

sufficient proportions to meet or trend toward “natural” 

conditions listed for each map unit in the terrestrial ecosystem 

survey.

 Soils with a condition rating below satisfactory (i.e., impaired or 

unsatisfactory) do not further decline in function and trend 

toward a satisfactory rating where environmental factors allow1.

DC-Watershed-4

The municipal supply watersheds contributing to the upper Verde River 

contain vegetation and soil conditions that support desired water quality 

and quantity for the communities in the Verde Valley and the 

municipality of Phoenix2.

6

th Level Hydrologic Unit (Subwatershed Scale)

DCWatershed5

The municipal watershed surrounding Goldwater Lake provides a supply of 

clean water for the city of Prescott (from Granite Creek and Groom Creek)3.

DCWatershed6

Wetlands, seeps, springs, wet meadows, and associated wetlands or riparian 

systems develop and support stable herbaceous and woody vegetative 

communities with root masses that stabilize streambanks, flood plains, 

shoreline, and soil surfaces.

The natural hydrologic and geomorphic processes inherent to these 

groundwater dependent ecosystems function at a level that allows retention of 

their unique physical and biological properties.

 

1 See “Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey of the Prescott National Forest,” p. 76 (Robertson et al., 2000).

2 Municipal supply watersheds are generally those where agreements have been approved between the Forest Service

and the municipality.

3 Based on a 1924 agreement which covers portions of Upper Granite Creek-Watson Lake and Groom Creek-Upper 

Hassayampa 6th level hydrologic units (subwatersheds).
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

24 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Biological Resources

Vegetation

Background for All Vegetation 

As first mentioned in the introductory chapter, the vegetation found on the Prescott NF is 

complex and diverse, reflecting a wide variety of growing conditions ranging from hot desert 

valleys to cool mountaintops. In between, there are a variety of plant communities including 

grasslands, chaparral, piñon-juniper woodlands, and ponderosa pine forests. 

The Forest Service carries out its responsibilities for stewardship under the concept of sustainable 

multiple-use management. It seeks to meet the diverse needs of people, while also protecting the 

terrestrial vegetation and associated resources of the 10 PNVTs found on the Prescott NF.

The conditions for all vegetation described below are desired to assist with the restoration and 

maintenance of healthy ecosystems, while providing for the sustainable use of those ecosystems. 

Sustainable uses, including livestock grazing, firewood cutting, and timber harvest, contribute to 

the social, economic, and cultural structure and stability of rural communities. The desired 

conditions displayed below apply to all PNVTs, and additional PNVT-specific desired conditions 

are described in the sections that follow.

Desired Conditions for All Vegetation 

Landscape Scale (10,000 acres or greater)

DCVeg-1

Diverse vegetation structure, species composition, and densities, provide quality 

habitat for native and desirable nonnative plant and animal species throughout 

their life cycle and at multiple spatial scales. Landscapes provide for the full range 

of ecosystem diversity at multiple scales, including habitats for those species 

associated with old growth conditions. The location of old-growth shifts on the 

landscape over time as a result of succession and disturbance.

Natural processes and human and natural disturbances provide desired overall tree 

density, structure, species composition, coarse woody debris, and nutrient cycling. 

Natural fire regimes are restored. Uncharacteristic fire behavior is minimal or 

absent on the landscape. 

Native plant communities dominate the landscape, while nonnative invasive 

species are nonexistent or in exist in low quantities. Establishment of invasive 

plant species new to the Prescott NF is prevented. Existing invasive plant species 

are prioritized for eradication, containment, or control.
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 25

DCVeg-2

A sustainable mix of forest products are offered for sale in response to local and 

regional needs; these products contribute to the social, economic, and cultural 

structure and stability of rural communities.

Harvest activities on lands deemed suitable for timber production provide for the 

diversity of plant and animal communities and other resources to meet overall 

multiple-use objectives.

Forest products are removed from unsuitable lands to benefit forest health, 

mitigate insect and disease damage, reduce hazardous fuels, improve wildlife 

habitat, create recreation opportunities, or to perform research or administrative 

studies.

DCVeg-3

Vegetation on lands deemed suitable for livestock grazing provides sustainable 

amounts of forage for authorized livestock and wildlife species, consistent with 

multiple-use objectives.

Herbivory aids in sustaining or improving native vegetation cover and 

composition. 

Livestock grazing contributes to aspects of the social, economic, and cultural 

structure and stability of rural communities.

Mid-Scale (100 to 1,000 acres)

DCVeg-4

Old or large trees, multistoried canopies, large coarse woody debris, and snags 

provide the structure, function, and associated vegetation composition as 

appropriate for each forested and woodland PNVT.

Insect and disease populations are at endemic levels with occasional outbreaks. A 

variety of seral states usually restricts the scale of localized insect and disease 

outbreaks.

Vegetation conditions allow for transition zones or ecotones between riparian 

areas, forests, woodlands, shrublands, and grasslands. Transition zones may shift 

in time and space due to changing site conditions from natural processes and 

human and natural disturbances (e.g., wildland fire, mechanical vegetation 

treatments, droughts, wildfire, insects and disease).

Ecological conditions provide suitable habitat for plants identified as 

Southwestern Region sensitive species.
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

26 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Fine Scale (less than 10 acres)

DCVeg-5

Locally endemic plant communities are intact and functioning.

Unique plant community habitats (e.g., limestone cliffs, margins of seeps and 

springs, Verde Valley Formation, basalt-lava flows/cinders, calcareous 

soil/alkaline clay, canyons/cliffs and ledges, granitic soils/igneous rocks, 

sandstone rocks/soils and riparian forest) are present to maintain well distributed 

populations of associated native plant species. 

Native plants provide nectar, floral diversity, and pollen throughout the seasons 

that pollinator species are active. Desired habitat conditions promote pollinator 

success and survival.

Species identified as culturally important are valued and, therefore, enhanced and 

protected.

Background for PNVTs

Ten PNVTs have been identified for the Prescott NF landscape. The PNVTs found on the Prescott 

NF are responsive not only to natural and human disturbances but also to the local abiotic features 

of the landscape (e.g., topography, aspect, slope, soil texture, water infiltration rates). 

Initial identification and classification of PNVTs resulted in 13 categories as reported in the 

“Prescott National Forest Ecological Sustainability Report” (Forest Service, 2009c). Additional 

data gathering and assessment since 2009 resulted in a refinement of the PNVT classification for 

the Prescott NF. Based on updated midscale vegetation inventory, field visits, data review, and 

biophysical model fitting, the number of PNVTs identified on the Prescott NF was adjusted from 

13 to 10. Table 2 lists these 10 PNVTs and their proportional area. Map 1 in appendix A displays

the PNVTs for the Prescott NF.

Table 2. Potential natural vegetation types (PNVTs) of the Prescott NF

PNVT Name Acres Percent

Semi-Desert Grassland 125,712 10

Great Basin Grassland 38,389 3

Juniper Grassland 137,274 11

Piñon-Juniper Evergreen Shrub 463,296 37

Interior Chaparral 315,445 25

Ponderosa Pine-Evergreen Oak 63,539 5

Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak 49,052 4

Piñon-Juniper Woodland 36,263 3

Desert Communities 5,919 < 1

Riparian Gallery Forest 12,439 1
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 27

PNVT Name Acres Percent

Total 1,247,328 100

Refinements to the classification of PNVTs identified in the 2009 ecological assessment included: 

 The Mixed-Conifer with Frequent Fire PNVT (6,600 acres) was combined with the 

Ponderosa Pine Forest PNVT because they are described by the same biophysical setting 

model (e.g., vegetation structure and disturbance regimes). The resulting PNVT was 

identified as Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak. 

 The Mixed-Conifer with Aspen PNVT (80 acres) was determined to be a 

misidentification and the acres were added to the Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak PNVT. 

 The Madrean Encinal Woodland PNVT (5,500 acres) map units were grouped with 

adjoining PNVT units because of concerns about their identification. Most of the 

indicator species describing this PNVT, with the exception of the Mexican pines, were 

observed during field visits to the small and scattered map units assigned to this PNVT. 

These units were found to be interspersed with Interior Chaparral and Ponderosa PineEvergreen Oak PNVTs, suggesting the possibility that multiple fire disturbance regimes 

existing in close proximity to one another could account for the observed variations in 

vegetation composition and structure. There is uncertainty in how much the observed 

vegetation structure may reflect recent land use and/or disturbance history versus the 

presence of a distinct PNVT. Until additional information is available to address the 

uncertainty associated with identification of the Madrean Encinal Woodland PNVT, it 

was decided to manage the vegetation of these map units based on their adjoining PNVT. 

As shown in table 3, some PNVTs are more similar to desired conditions than others. For most of 

the PNVTs, however, the vegetation and fire characteristics currently found in a PNVT are not the 

same as those described in the desired condition. The expectation is that future site-specific 

projects will produce a trend toward the desired conditions that are described for each of the 

PNVTs. Wildlife and plant species are often associated with a PNVT. As conditions trend toward 

those that are desired, it is intended that habitat for associated species will improve as well.

Table 3. Management concerns for the PNVTs of the Prescott NF

PNVT Name Acres

Percent 

of PNF 

Area

Similarity to 

Desired 

Conditions -

Vegetation 

Structure 

Similarity to 

Desired 

Conditions - 

Fire 

Disturbance

Management 

Concerns

Semi-Desert 

Grassland

125,712 10 Low Low Lack of desired fire 

disturbance; tree and 

shrub encroachment; 

increases in exposed

soil surface and spread 

of nonnative plants.

Great Basin 

Grassland

38,389 3 High Moderate

Juniper 

Grassland

137,274 11 Moderate Moderate Lack of desired fire 

disturbance; increased 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

28 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

PNVT Name Acres

Percent 

of PNF 

Area

Similarity to 

Desired 

Conditions -

Vegetation 

Structure 

Similarity to 

Desired 

Conditions - 

Fire 

Disturbance

Management 

Concerns

Piñon-Juniper 

Evergreen 

Shrub

463,296 37 Low Moderate tree and shrub density 

and canopy cover; lack 

of perennial grasses 

and forbs.

Piñon-Juniper 

Woodland

36,263 3 High High

Interior 

Chaparral

315,445 25 High High Wildfire threat to 

human life and 

property.

Ponderosa 

Pine-Evergreen 

Oak

63,539 5 Low Low Increased tree and 

shrub density; 

increased fuel load, 

increased risk of 

uncharacteristic high 

intensity fire, 

proximity to human 

life and property.

Ponderosa 

Pine-Gambel 

Oak

49,052 4 Low Low

Desert 

Communities

5,919 <1 High High Threat of humancaused fire.

Riparian 

Gallery Forest

12,439 1 High High Dewatering; trampling 

of vegetation.

Total 1,247,328 100

Ranges of values presented in desired conditions account for natural variation in the composition, 

structure, and disturbance patterns within a PNVT. Desired conditions may differ within a PNVT 

due to spatial variability in soils, elevation, aspect, or varying multiple-use needs. Site-specific 

areas may be managed for different aspects of desired conditions because of particular resource 

and species needs. For example, it may be desirable to have different desired conditions within a 

PNVT, such as a lower density of vegetation in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) than outside 

of the WUI to achieve the desired fire behavior within the proximity of property and human 

occupancy. The conditions described for each PNVT in the sections that follow are desired to 

restore and maintain vegetation structure and disturbance regimes and to increase ecosystem 

resilience or adaptive capacity of plant communities to accommodate expected changes imposed 

by future climate trends for the Southwest. 

Background for Piñon-Juniper PNVTs

At roughly 636,800 acres, Piñon-Juniper PNVTs cover a majority of the Prescott NF landscape 

and represent some of the most extensive PNVTs in the Southwest. These cold adapted evergreen 

woodlands are characterized by piñon and/or juniper species at elevations ranging from 4,500 to 

7,500 feet. The piñon component includes Colorado and single leaf species. The juniper 

component is a variable mix of alligator, oneseed, Utah, and Rocky Mountain. Annual and 

perennial grasses, forbs, and shrubs can be found beneath the woodland overstory. Species 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 29

composition, stand structure, and density vary by location primarily due to disturbance history, 

precipitation, elevation, temperature, and soil type. On erosive soil types within these PNVTs, 

shrub, tree, and herbaceous ground cover help to lessen raindrop intensity and soil movement.

Under projected warmer and drier climate conditions, the Piñon-Juniper PNVTs are expected to 

be susceptible to decreases in plant productivity from water limitations and increased heat; 

increases in insect attacks; colonization of invasive species; longer and more severe fire seasons; 

and altered frequency, intensity, timing, and spatial extent of disturbance events (e.g., droughts, 

flash flooding, landslides, windstorms, ice storms). It is possible that there may be some shifts in 

aerial coverage between the three Piñon-Juniper PNVTs depending on amount and timing of 

precipitation and site-specific conditions such as terrain and soils. In addition, piñon trees may 

decrease in number due to possible increased insect attack and lack of moisture.

Three distinct Piñon-Juniper PNVTs have been classified on the Prescott NF: Juniper Grassland, 

Piñon-Juniper Evergreen Shrub, and Piñon-Juniper Woodland. Each one is described in more 

detail in the following sections.

Background for Juniper Grasslands

The Juniper Grassland PNVT, with a grass and forb dominated understory and scattered overstory 

trees, generally occurs on flats, basins, gentle sloping foothills, and transitional valleys at 

generally lower elevations. The soils associated with juniper grasslands are generally deep and 

productive. Juniper grasslands cover about 137,300 acres of the Prescott NF.

Juniper grasslands are moderately departed from desired conditions. Fire has been excluded from 

this PNVT for most of the last century, allowing for increases in the age, density, and canopy 

cover of trees and shrubs and a reduction in fire stimulated regrowth and germination of perennial 

grasses and forbs. 

Desired Conditions for Juniper Grasslands

Landscape Scale (10,000 acres or greater)

DCVeg-6

Juniper Grassland PNVTs are generally uneven aged and open in appearance. 

Trees occur as individuals or in smaller groups and range from young to old. One 

or more juniper species are always present while piñon species are usually absent. 

Tree canopy cover may range from a low of 5 to 10 percent to as high as 30 

percent. A continuous herbaceous understory, including native grasses and forbs, 

are present, with incidental occurrence of shrubs that support a natural fire regime. 

Old growth occurs throughout the landscape, generally in small areas as individual 

old growth components, or as clumps of old growth. Old growth components 

include old trees, snags, coarse woody debris (downed wood), and structural 

diversity. The location of old growth shifts on the landscape over time as a result 

of succession and disturbance (tree growth and mortality). 

Snags are scattered across the landscape. Coarse woody debris occurrence, 

including logs, generally averages 1 to 2 tons per acre. 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

30 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Fires occur every 1 to 35 years with low severity favoring regrowth and 

germination of native grasses and forbs.

Background for Piñon-Juniper Evergreen Shrub

The Piñon-Juniper Evergreen Shrub PNVT, with an understory dominated by a mix of shrub 

species, generally occurs on elevated and lowland plains, hills, and lower mountain slopes. The 

soils associated with this PNVT are variable and include those derived from granite, limestone, 

basalt, sandstone, and alluvium. Covering more than 463,000 acres, this is the most common 

Piñon-Juniper PNVT on the Prescott NF.

The Piñon-Juniper Evergreen Shrub PNVT is moderately departed from desired conditions. For 

example, within-group tree and shrub density is higher than expected, and shrub canopy cover 

lacks variability. Current fire frequency and severity show some similarity to desired conditions.

Desired Conditions for Piñon-Juniper Evergreen Shrub

Landscape Scale (10,000 acres or greater)

DCVeg-7

Piñon-Juniper Evergreen Shrub PNVTs are a mix of trees and shrubs and 

herbaceous vegetation occurring on the landscape as discrete tree groups and 

shrub patches. Trees occur as individuals or in smaller groups ranging from young 

to old. One or more juniper species are always present; while piñon trees are 

occasionally absent. Typically, there is a mosaic of groups of trees that are even 

aged in structure with all ages represented across the landscape. 

The understory is dominated by low to moderate density shrubs. Shrub canopy 

cover is variable (10 to 65 percent). The shrub component consists of one or a mix 

of evergreen shrubs including oak, manzanita, mountain mahogany, cliffrose, and 

other shrub species, which are well distributed. Native perennial grasses and 

annual and perennial forbs are present in the interspaces.

Old growth occurs throughout the landscape, generally in small areas as individual 

old growth components or as clumps of old growth. Old growth components 

include old trees, snags, coarse woody debris (downed wood), and structural 

diversity. The location of old growth shifts on the landscape over time as a result 

of succession and disturbance (tree growth and mortality). 

Snags and old trees with dead limbs/tops are scattered across the landscape.

Coarse woody debris is present in varying amounts, ranging from 1 to 5 tons per 

acre on average.

Fires are typically of mixed severity while some evergreen shrub types exhibit 

occasional high severity fires. Regardless of the level of severity, fires occur with 

an average frequency of 35 to 100 years.
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 31

Mid-Scale (100 to 1,000 acres)

DCVeg-8

To reduce wildfire behavior and hazards to life and property:

 Vegetation conditions within the wildland-urban interface (WUI) may be 

composed of younger and more widely-spaced shrub patches and tree 

groups than for the same PNVTs located outside of WUI areas. 

 The frequency of disturbance (e.g., prescribed fire, vegetation treatments) 

within the WUI may be more often than for the same PNVTs located 

outside of WUI areas.

Background for Piñon-Juniper Woodlands

Covering about 36,000 acres of the Prescott NF, the Piñon-Juniper Woodland PNVT has a 

persistent tree overstory and a discontinuous understory of grasses and/or shrubs. It generally 

occurs on flats, ridgetops, rugged uplands, and steep slopes at various elevations, and on soils that 

are shallow and rocky.

Current vegetative conditions and fire regimes within the piñon-juniper woodlands are similar to 

desired conditions. Fire in this PNVT is less frequent and more variable than in the Juniper 

Grassland and Piñon-Juniper Evergreen Shrub PNVTs due to differences in vegetative ground 

cover and fine fuels.

Desired Conditions for Piñon-Juniper Woodlands

Landscape Scale (10,000 acres or greater)

DCVeg-9

Piñon-Juniper Woodland PNVTs are a mosaic of even-aged patches of juniper and 

variable amounts of piñon that form multiaged persistent woodlands. Piñon trees 

are occasionally absent, but one or more juniper species is always present. Very 

old trees (greater than 300 years old) are present. 

Tree density is variable and mid-to-old age groups of trees have greater than 40 

percent canopy cover, shrubs are sparse, and herbaceous cover is low and 

discontinuous. 

Old growth occurs throughout the landscape, generally in small areas as individual 

old growth components or as clumps of old growth. Old growth components 

include old trees, snags, coarse woody debris (downed wood), and structural 

diversity. The location of old growth shifts on the landscape over time as a result 

of succession and disturbance (tree growth and mortality). 

Snags and older trees with dead limbs and/or tops are scattered across the 

landscape. Coarse woody debris generally averages 2 to 5 tons per acre.

Fire in this PNVT is less frequent than in the juniper grassland and evergreen 

shrub types and variable due to differences in ground cover. The fires that do occur 

have mixed to high severity effects and return intervals that range from 35 to 200+ 

years.
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

32 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Mid-Scale (100 to 1,000 acres)

DCVeg-10

To reduce wildfire behavior and hazards to life and property:

 Vegetation conditions within the wildland-urban interface (WUI) may be 

composed of younger and more widely spaced shrub patches and tree 

groups than for the same PNVTs located outside of WUI areas. 

 The frequency of disturbance (e.g., prescribed fire, vegetation treatments) 

within the WUI may be more often than for the same PNVTs located 

outside of WUI areas.

Background for Interior Chaparral

The Interior Chaparral PNVT extends over 315,400 acres, and represents the second largest 

PNVT on the Prescott NF. Interior chaparral occurs at mid-elevations (3,400 to 6,600 feet) on 

foothills and lower mountain slopes. It is bordered by ponderosa pine or piñon-juniper woodlands 

at the upper elevations and semi-desert grasslands at the lower elevations. Interior chaparral has a 

uniform dense structure dominated by shrubs with thick, stiff, waxy evergreen leaves. Mixed 

shrub associations include: shrub live oak, manzanita, desert ceanothus, mountain mahogany, 

silktassles, Stansbury cliffrose, evergreen oaks, sumacs, and various cacti. Grasses are a minor 

component in chaparral and may include grama, threeawn, and muttongrass species.

The plant composition, structure, and fire regime found within the Interior Chaparral PNVT are 

similar to desired conditions; however, some nonnative invasive species, such as yellow star 

thistle and Dalmatian toadflax, are known to infest small portions of this PNVT. 

Under projected warmer and drier climate conditions, the Interior Chaparral PNVT is susceptible 

to decreases in plant productivity from water limitations and increased heat; increases in insect 

attacks; colonization of invasive species; longer and more severe fire seasons; and altered 

frequency, intensity, timing, and spatial extent of disturbance events (e.g., droughts, flash 

flooding, landslides, windstorms, ice storms).
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 33

Desired Conditions for Interior Chaparral

Landscape Scale (10,000 acres or greater)

DC-Veg11

During young stages of development, Interior Chaparral PNVT contains a grass 

and forb component in the understory. The mid-to-late development stages (i.e., 

older than 10 to 15 years) are dense thickets with considerable shrub litter. 

Standing dead material may accumulate in areas that have not burned for several 

decades. Ground cover consists primarily of shrub litter (e.g., small stems, 

leaves). Greater than 70 percent of chaparral is closed canopy with some 

openings of grasses and forbs. 

Chaparral is in a constant state of transition from young to older stages and back 

again, with fire being the major disturbance factor. High severity fires occur with 

a frequency of once every 35 to 100 years.

Mid-Scale (100 to 1,000 acres)

DC-Veg12

To reduce wildfire behavior and hazards to life and property:

 Vegetation conditions within the wildland-urban interface (WUI) may be 

composed of younger and more widely spaced shrub patches and tree 

groups than for the same PNVTs located outside of WUI areas. 

 The frequency of disturbance (e.g., prescribed fire, vegetation 

treatments) within the WUI may be more often than for the same PNVTs 

located outside of WUI areas.

Background for Ponderosa Pine-Evergreen Oak Forest

The Ponderosa Pine-Evergreen Oak PNVT covers more than 63,500 acres of the Prescott NF at 

elevations ranging from approximately 6,000 to 7,500 feet. These forests are dominated by 

ponderosa pine and can be distinguished from the Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak PNVT by one or 

more well represented evergreen oak species (e.g., Emory oak and Arizona white oak), juniper 

species, piñon pine species, and Arizona cypress in some locations. These forests have an 

understory of primarily evergreen shrubs including manzanita, turbinella oak, sumac species, and 

mountain mahogany species. 

This PNVT is currently severely departed from desired conditions. It has too many young and 

mid-aged trees and uncharacteristically high tree and shrub density. There are not enough old 

trees. The desired frequency and intensity of fires is lacking. Historically, fire burned relatively 

frequently (every 6 to 12 years) and at low intensities maintaining an open pine forest with a mix 

of young evergreen oaks and shrubs underneath. Approximately two thirds of this PNVT occurs 

within the wildland-urban interface.

Under projected warmer and drier climate conditions, the Ponderosa Pine-Evergreen Oak PNVT 

is susceptible to decreases in plant productivity from water limitations and increased heat; 

increases in insect attacks, colonization of invasive species; longer and more severe fire seasons; 

and altered frequency, intensity, timing, and spatial extent of disturbance events (e.g., droughts, 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

34 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

flash flooding, landslides, windstorms, ice storms). High risk occurrences could include 

uncharacteristically intense wildfire, increased rate of insect or disease attack due to warming 

temperatures, and increasing challenges to regeneration of ponderosa pine, especially on warmer, 

drier areas such as south-facing slopes.

Desired condition descriptions for the Ponderosa Pine-Evergreen Oak PNVT were refined

considering information published in RMRS-GTR-310 (Forest Service, 2013). This publication is 

a synthesis of research findings for restoring the composition and structure in the frequent-fire 

forests of the Southwest and provides a science-based framework for improving ecosystem 

resiliency under a changing climate.

Desired Conditions for Ponderosa Pine-Evergreen Oak Forest

Landscape Scale (10,000 acres or greater)

DC-Veg13

At the landscape scale, Ponderosa Pine-Evergreen Oak PNVT forests are

composed of structural stages ranging from young to old trees. Forest 

structure is variable but generally uneven aged and open in appearance. Areas 

of even-aged structure are present. The forest arrangement consists of small 

clumps and groups of trees interspersed within variably sized openings of 

moderate to high density shrubs and limited grass cover. The size, shape, and 

number of trees per group and the number of groups per area vary across the 

landscape. Tree density may be greater in some locations, such as north-facing 

slopes and canyon bottoms. 

Vegetation composition resembles historic situations including ponderosa pine 

overstory. Evergreen oaks are well represented and juniper, piñon pine, and 

Arizona cypress can be found in the lower tree canopy. Understory species 

consist of evergreen shrubs (e.g., manzanita, turbinella oak, sumac species, 

mountain mahogany species) and grass as scattered ground cover.

Old growth occurs throughout the landscape, generally in small areas as 

individual old growth components or as clumps of old growth. Old growth 

components include old trees, snags, coarse woody debris (downed wood), 

and structural diversity. The location of old growth shifts on the landscape 

over time as a result of succession and disturbance (tree growth and 

mortality). The forest contains various stages of development (e.g., temporary 

openings or groups of very young trees) to provide future old growth within 

the landscape. 

The ponderosa pine-evergreen oak forest is composed predominantly of 

vigorous trees and shrubs, but declining, top killed, lightning scarred, and fire 

scarred trees provide snags and coarse woody debris (greater than 3 inch 

diameter). A variety of snag species and coarse woody debris are well 

distributed throughout the landscape. Snags are typically 18 inches or greater 

diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) and average 1 to 2 per acre. Logs (greater 

than 12 inch diameter at mid-point and greater than 8 feet long) average 3 per 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 35

acre within the forested area of the landscape. Coarse woody debris, including 

logs, ranges from 3 to 10 tons per acre. 

Where it naturally occurs, Emory oak and Arizona white oak are present with 

all age classes represented. Old trees occur as dominant individuals or small 

groups in openings.

Limited grasses, forbs, and a moderate density of shrubs and needle cast (fine 

fuels) support the natural fire regime.

Fires of low severity and occasionally mixed severity, occurring every 6 to 12 

years, are characteristic of this PNVT including throughout the range of 

northern goshawks.

Mid-Scale (100 to 1,000 acres)

DCVeg-14

The Ponderosa pine-evergreen oak forest is characterized by variation in the 

size and number of tree groups depending on elevation, soil type, aspect, and 

site productivity. The more biologically productive sites contain more trees per 

group and more groups per area. Desired tree density within forested areas 

generally ranges from 30 to 70 trees per acre and from 40 to 80 square feet 

basal area per acre, but occasionally may be as low as 20 square feet per acre.

Interspaces surrounding tree groups are variably shaped and comprised of 

shrub, grass, and forb mixture. Interspaces typically range from 10 percent in 

more productive sites to 70 percent in the less productive sites. Occasionally

patches of even-aged forest structure are present. 

Fires burn primarily on the forest floor, with occasional consumption of the 

overstory as crown fire. Crown fires occur in small patches.

Basal area per mature tree group in northern goshawk post-fledgling family

areas (PFAs) is 10 to 20 percent higher than northern goshawk foraging areas

and the general forest. Northern goshawk nest areas have multiaged forest 

structure, dominated by large trees with relatively denser canopies than other 

areas in this PNVT.

DCVeg-15

To reduce wildfire behavior and hazards to life and property:

 Vegetation conditions within the wildland-urban interface (WUI) may 

be composed of younger and more widely spaced shrub patches and 

tree groups than for the same PNVTs located outside of WUI areas. 

 The frequency of disturbance (e.g., prescribed fire, vegetation 

treatments) within the WUI may be more often than for the same 

PNVTs located outside of WUI areas.
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

36 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Fine Scale (less than 10 acres)

DCVeg-16

Trees typically occur in irregularly shaped groups and are variably spaced with 

some tight clumps. Interspaces surrounding tree groups are composed of shrubs 

and limited grass cover. Some interspaces may contain a high density of shrubs 

or some individual trees.

Trees within groups are of similar or variable ages and may contain species 

other than ponderosa pine. Tree groups are typically less than 1 acre, and at the 

mature and old stages, consist of approximately 2 to 40 trees. 

Background for Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak Forest

The Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak PNVT covers approximately 49,000 acres. This PNVT 

generally occurs at elevations ranging from 5,500 to 9,000 feet on hills, mountain slopes, and 

some elevated plains. These forests are dominated by ponderosa pine and Gambel oak and 

commonly include other tree species such as New Mexico locust, juniper, and piñon. As 

previously mentioned, the Mixed-Conifer with Frequent Fire PNVT (which comprises 6,600 

acres of the Prescott NF) was combined with the Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak Forest PNVT 

because they are described by the same vegetation structure and disturbance regimes. Species 

such as aspen, Douglas-fir, and white fir are typically present in these areas, along with ponderosa 

pine and Gambel oak. Species such as aspen, Douglas-fir, and white fir may be present, especially 

in relatively moist areas. There is typically an understory of grasses and forbs with occasional 

shrubs. 

This PNVT is severely departed from desired conditions. It has too many young and mid-aged 

trees and not enough old trees. The desired fire frequency and intensity is lacking. Historically, 

fire burned relatively frequently (every 1 to 15 years) and at low intensities that kept the forest 

open with abundant herbaceous cover. 

Under projected warmer and drier climate conditions, the Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak PNVT is 

susceptible to decreases in plant productivity from water limitations and increased heat; increases 

in insect attacks; colonization of invasive species; longer and more severe fire seasons; and 

altered frequency, intensity, timing, and spatial extent of disturbance events (e.g., droughts, flash 

flooding, landslides, windstorms, ice storms). Similar to the Ponderosa Pine-Evergreen Oak 

PNVT, high risk occurrences could include uncharacteristically intense wildfire due to less 

moisture, increased rate of insect or disease attack due to warming temperatures, and increasing 

challenges to regeneration of ponderosa pine following disturbance, especially on warmer, drier 

areas such as south-facing slopes.

Desired condition descriptions for the Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak PNVT were refined

considering information published in RMRS-GTR-310 (Forest Service, 2013). This publication is 

a synthesis of research findings for restoring the composition and structure in the frequent-fire 

forests of the Southwest and provides a science-based framework for improving ecosystem 

resiliency under a changing climate.
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 37

Desired Conditions for Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak Forest

Landscape Scale (10,000 acres or greater)

DCVeg-17

At the landscape scale, Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak PNVT forests have a 

mosaic of structural stages ranging from young to old trees. Forest structure is 

variable but generally uneven aged and open in appearance. 

The forest arrangement consists of small clumps and groups of trees 

interspersed within variably sized openings of grasses, forbs, and shrubs. The 

size, shape, and number of trees per group and the number of groups per area 

vary across the landscape. Tree density may be greater in some locations, such 

as north-facing slopes and steep-sided valleys at higher elevation. 

Vegetation conditions (e.g., composition, vertical and horizontal structure and 

arrangement) provide for the life history, distribution, and natural population 

fluctuations of native species within the capability of the landscape; especially 

those birds and mammals that rely on Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak PNVT

forests for habitat (e.g., northern goshawks, Mexican spotted owls, turkeys, 

tassel-eared squirrels and other rodents).

Vegetation composition resembles historic situations including ponderosa pine 

overstory with Gambel oak occupying the lower tree canopy. Aspen or Gambel 

oak patches occur. There is typically an understory of grasses and forbs with 

occasional shrubs. Where it naturally occurs, Gambel oak is present with all 

age classes represented. It is reproducing to maintain its presence on suitable 

sites across the landscape.

Old growth occurs throughout the landscape, generally in small areas as 

individual old growth components, or as clumps of old growth. Old growth 

components include old trees, snags, coarse woody debris (downed wood), and 

structural diversity. The location of old growth shifts on the landscape over 

time as a result of succession and disturbance (tree growth and mortality). The 

forest contains various stages of development (e.g., temporary openings or 

groups of very young trees) to provide future old growth within the landscape. 

The ponderosa pine-Gambel oak forest is composed predominantly of vigorous 

trees, but declining top killed, lightning scarred, and fire scarred trees provide 

snags and coarse woody debris (greater than 3 inches in diameter). A variety of 

snag species and coarse woody debris are well distributed throughout the 

landscape. Snags are typically 18 inches or greater d.b.h. and average 1 to 2 per 

acre. Logs (greater than 12 inches in diameter at mid-point and greater than 8 

feet long) average 3 per acre within the forested area of the landscape. Coarse 

woody debris, including logs, ranges from 3 to 10 tons per acre. 

Grasses, forbs, shrubs, needle cast (fine fuels), and small trees support the 

natural fire regime. The greater proportion of ground cover is composed of 

grasses and forbs as opposed to needle cast. 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

38 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Frequent, low severity fires, occurring every 1 to 15 years, are characteristic of 

this forest including throughout the range of northern goshawks and Mexican 

spotted owls.

Mid-Scale (100 to 1,000 acres)

DCVeg-18

Ponderosa pine-Gambel oak forest is characterized by variation in the size and 

number of tree groups depending on elevation, soil type, aspect, and site 

productivity. The more productive sites contain more trees per group and more 

groups per area. Tree density within forested areas generally ranges from 10 

to120 trees per acre and 20 to 80 square feet basal area per acre, with the greatest 

amount of basal area being contributed by larger trees. Interspaces surrounding 

tree groups, containing grass, forb, and shrub vegetation, is typically high 

ranging from 70 to 90 percent of the mid-scale area. Patches of even-aged forest 

structure are present. 

Fires burn primarily on the forest floor and do not spread between tree groups as 

crown fire. 

Basal area per mature tree group in northern goshawk post-fledgling family areas 

(PFAs) is 10 to 20 percent higher than northern goshawk foraging areas and the 

general forest. Northern goshawk nest areas have multiaged forest structure, 

dominated by large trees with relatively denser canopies than other areas in this 

PNVT.

In areas that contain aspen, Douglas-fir, and white fir, tree densities range from 

30 to 100 square feet of basal area per acre and interspaces surrounding tree 

groups range from 50 to 70 percent of the midscale area.

Gambel oak clumps and tree groups with various stem diameters and lowgrowing, shrubby oak forms are present in variable amounts depending on 

biophysical site conditions. Large tree-form oaks, snags, and partial snags with 

hollow boles or limbs also occur within tree groups or as scattered individuals 

within interspaces across the mid-scale area.

DCVeg-19

To reduce wildfire behavior and hazards to life and property:

 Vegetation conditions within the wildland-urban interface (WUI) may be 

composed of younger and more widely spaced shrub patches and tree 

groups than for the same PNVTs located outside of WUI areas. 

 The frequency of disturbance (e.g., prescribed fire, vegetation 

treatments) within the WUI may be more often than for the same PNVTs 

located outside of WUI areas.
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 39

Fine Scale (less than 10 acres)

DC-Veg20

Trees typically occur in irregularly shaped groups and are variably spaced with 

some tight clumps. Crowns in the mid- to old-aged stages are interlocking or 

nearly interlocking. Interspaces surrounding tree groups are composed of a 

grass, forb, and shrub mix. Some interspaces contain individual trees. Trees 

within groups are of similar or variable ages and may contain species other than 

ponderosa pine. Tree groups are typically less than 1 acre, and at the mature and 

old stages, consist of approximately 2 to 45 trees.

Where Gambel oak comprises more than 10 percent of the basal area, canopy 

cover greater than 40 percent is common within tree groups. 

In areas with aspen, Douglas-fir, and white fir present, trees typically occur in 

irregularly shaped groups, trees within groups are variably spaced, and group 

sizes generally range from a few trees up to 1.1 acres. Crowns of trees within 

the mid-aged to old groups are interlocking or nearly interlocking.

Background for Grasslands

There are two grassland PNVTs classified for the Prescott NF: Semi-Desert and Great Basin. 

Grassland PNVTs are characterized as having less than 10 percent tree cover.

The Semi-Desert Grassland PNVT encompasses roughly 126,000 acres at elevations ranging 

from 3,000 to 4,500 feet. These grasslands are bounded by the Desert Communities PNVT at the 

lowest elevations and the Piñon-Juniper Woodlands or Interior Chaparral PNVTs at higher 

elevations. Species composition and dominance varies based on soils and topography. The more 

common grass species include black grama, blue grama, hairy grama, tobosa, and giant sacaton. 

Various shrubs species also inhabit these grasslands including: creosote bush, catclaw acacia, 

mimosa, burroweed, broom snakeweed, and mesquite.

The Great Basin Grassland PNVT encompasses almost 38,000 acres and intermingles with PiñonJuniper PNVTs adjacent to the Chino Valley. It is higher in elevation (approximately 4,700 to 

7,600 feet) and climatically cooler and moister than the Semi-Desert Grassland PNVT. Vegetation 

consists mostly of grasses and forbs with interspersed shrubs. Grass species may include, but are 

not limited to, Indian ricegrass, threeawns, blue grama, needle grass, bottlebrush squirreltail, 

James’ galleta, dropseed, and tobosa grass. Shrub and half-shrub species may include, but are not 

limited to, saltbush, snakeweed, winterfat, buckwheat, and juniper.

Healthy grasslands are important habitat for a variety of wildlife species and are essential to 

maintaining pronghorn antelope populations. The grasslands PNVTs of the Prescott NF have 

undergone dramatic changes over the last 130 years. Changes include encroachment by trees and 

shrubs, loss of perennial grass cover, loss of cool season plant species, increase in exposed soil 

surface, and the spread of nonnative annual grasses. Fire plays a key role in the maintenance of 

grasslands. Fire historically occurred every 10 to 30 years in the Great Basin Grassland PNVT 

and 2 to 10 years in the Semi-Desert Grassland PNVT. 

The Great Basin Grassland PNVT exhibits a low departure from desired conditions in structure 

and composition; however, without periodic disturbance (such as fire), conditions are expected to 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

40 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

trend away from desired conditions. In contrast, the Semi-Desert Grassland PNVT shows severe 

departure from desired conditions in both structure and fire regime.

Under projected warmer and drier climate conditions, the Grassland PNVTs are susceptible to 

decreases in plant productivity from water limitations and increased heat; increases in insect 

attacks; colonization of invasive species; longer and more severe fire seasons; and altered 

frequency, intensity, timing, and spatial extent of disturbance events (e.g., droughts, flash 

flooding, landslides, ice storms). Grasses make use of moisture in the upper soil layers. Intense 

precipitation events may lead to increased runoff, but decreased effective water infiltration. This 

could decrease vigor of native plants and lead to increased colonization of nonnative invasive 

plant species. 

Desired Conditions for Grasslands

Landscape Scale (10,000 acres or greater)

DC-Veg21

Within Semi-Desert Grassland and Great Basin Grassland PNVTs, perennial 

herbaceous species dominate and include native grasses, grass-like plants (sedges 

and rushes), and forbs and, where appropriate, a diversity of shrubs. Woody (tree 

and shrub) canopy cover is less than 10 percent. Grass communities consist of a 

diverse mix of cool and warm season species.

Composition, structure, and cover provide habitat for native animals associated 

with grasslands, especially pronghorn antelope, ferruginous and Swainson’s 

hawks, western burrowing owls, and western grasshopper sparrows.

On average, fine fuels provide for and maintain the desired fire regime. The 

desired fire return interval for the Semi-Desert Grassland PNVT is approximately 

every 10 to 15 years. The desired fire return interval for the Great Basin 

Grassland PNVT is approximately every 10 to 30 years.

Background for Desert Communities

The Desert Communities PNVT covers approximately 5,900 acres of the lowest elevations of the 

Prescott NF. They most often have the appearance of a scrubland or low woodland of leguminous 

trees with intervening spaces held by one to several open layers of shrubs, cacti, and perennial 

succulents. This PNVT is found on slopes, broken ground, and multidissected sloping plains. 

Historically, weather events such as drought, frost, and wind thinned the dominant overstory 

plants. Vegetation within the Desert Communities PNVT is not thought to have supported fuel 

loads to sustain large fires prior to European habitation of the region. Fires would have been 

associated with dry lightning coincident with monsoonal storms during years when previous 

winter precipitation was sufficient to create a thick fine fuel bed of annual plants. Replacement 

fires were very rare or absent (averaging about once in 100 to 1,000 years). If they occurred, they 

did so during conditions of extreme fire behavior after consecutive years of above average winter 

precipitation. These rare fires had tremendous influence on community structure because the 

dominant overstory plants are extremely susceptible to fires, even those of low intensity.
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 41

The vegetation composition and structure within the Desert Communities PNVT are similar to 

desired conditions. However, nonnative grasses have been invading over the last few decades, 

providing fuel for uncharacteristic and more frequent fire. Currently, the natural disturbance 

regime has been altered by the periodic occurrence of human-caused wildfires.

Under projected warmer and drier climate conditions, the Desert Communities PNVT is 

susceptible to increases in insect attacks; colonization of invasive species; longer and more severe 

fire seasons; and altered frequency, intensity, timing, and spatial extent of disturbance events 

(e.g., droughts, flash flooding, landslides, windstorms). 

In the Desert Communities PNVT, warming and drying could enhance the invasion of nonnative

plant species that are adapted to fire. These species grow quickly in the spring and then dry and 

cure so that wildfire risks increase. The natural vegetation within this PNVT is not adapted to fire 

and can require long time periods to reproduce. Fire can greatly change the plant composition 

and, thus, change the desert plant communities so that birds and other wildlife species may be 

affected.

Desired Conditions for Desert Communities

Landscape Scale (10,000 acres or greater)

DCVeg-22

The Desert Communities PNVT is comprised of cacti, succulents, trees, and 

shrubs with variable vegetation cover ranging from 1 to 20 percent of the 

dominate overstory plants. Grass cover is inherently low. Nonnative grass 

species coverage is controlled.

Dominant plants include giant saguaro, paloverde trees, cholla and prickly pear 

cacti, ocotillo, velvet mesquite, catclaw acacia, and jojoba.

Natural disturbances are infrequent from drought, frost, and wind. Fire is very 

rare or absent. 

Damage to vegetation composition, density, and structure from human-caused 

fires is infrequent and limited in duration and extent.

Saguaros, mesquite trees, and other vegetation large enough to sustain cavity 

nesting birds are present across the landscape.

Background for Riparian Gallery Forests

The Riparian Gallery Forest PNVT covers approximately 12,400 acres, representing about 1

percent of the forest. The extent of the Riparian Gallery Forest PNVT is based on mid-scale 

vegetation mapping compiled in 2007. The accuracy of this estimate is uncertain due to the 

inclusion of nonriparian, upland soils and vegetation in the terrestrial ecosystem survey map 

units.

Riparian Gallery Forest PNVT occurs along perennial or intermittent streams ranging in elevation 

from 2,000 to 8,000 feet. It contains two major vegetation communities; cottonwood-willow and 

mixed broadleaf deciduous forests. The dominant woody vegetation varies in both composition 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions – corrected 08/10/2016

42 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

and structure according to elevation, substrate, stream gradient, and depth to groundwater. 

Common species include Fremont cottonwood, narrowleaf, Gooding and Bebb willow, Arizona 

sycamore, velvet and green ash, Arizona alder, Arizona walnut, and box elder. On occasion it can 

also include various species of oak, pine, or juniper from adjacent uplands. Herbaceous plants 

include several forbs, sedges, rushes, and grasses. 

The Riparian Gallery Forest PNVT exhibits a low departure from desired conditions for 

vegetation structure and fire regime. However, the spread of nonnative invasive species and soil 

compaction or loss of vegetation due to visitor use remain as threats to this ecosystem.

Under projected warmer and drier climate conditions, the Riparian Gallery Forest PNVT is

susceptible to decreases in plant productivity from water limitations and increased heat; increases 

in insect attacks; colonization of invasive species; longer and more severe fire seasons; and 

altered frequency, intensity, timing, and spatial extent of disturbance events (e.g., droughts, flash 

flooding, landslides, windstorms, ice storms). These events, coupled with increased ambient air 

and soil temperatures, can create corresponding shifts in plant evapo-transpiration rates, water 

infiltration, overland flow, erosion, sediment delivery, and loss of organic ground cover.

Desired Conditions for Riparian Gallery Forests

Mid-Scale (100 to 1,000 acres)

DC-Veg23

Natural ecological processes (e.g., periodic flooding and scouring) promote a 

diverse plant structure necessary for the recruitment of riparian-dependent 

species.

Compared to surrounding uplands, riparian corridors have characteristics (e.g., 

surface water, saturated soils) that reduce the frequency and severity of fire. 

Infrequent fires of high severity and occasionally mixed severity, occurring 

approximately every 600 years, are characteristic of this PNVT.

Vegetation consists of native species that support a range of invertebrate and 

vertebrate species and are free of invasive plant and animal species.

Herbaceous vegetation and other ground covers are present to filter sediments, 

stabilize streambanks, mitigate effects of flooding, and contribute to infiltration 

and groundwater recharge.

Woody riparian species such as cottonwood, willow, ash, and alder are 

reproducing with all age classes present. A diverse vegetation structure, 

including mature trees, snags, logs, and coarse woody debris, is present to 

provide habitat for riparian-dependent species.

Terrestrial Wildlife

Background for Terrestrial Wildlife

Species diversity and distribution are important to retaining natural components of ecosystems. 

The Prescott NF evaluated 222 bird and 98 mammal species (Forest Service, 2009c) to determine 

terrestrial species diversity and viability across the forest. Species were not considered further if: 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 43

(1) management activities did not affect the species; (2) there was so little information known that 

management direction could not be identified; or (3) species appeared to be secure and well 

distributed. Thirty-three birds, 11 mammals, and 1 reptile1 were considered further. The majority

of those species’ habitat requirements could be associated with one or more PNVTs. Therefore, 

desired conditions for PNVTs and for ecosystem resilience or adaptation provide for conditions 

that most species require. For a smaller group of species, additional guidance was developed, 

including desired conditions, objectives (chapter 3), standards and guidelines (chapter 4), or all 

three. 

The following conditions are desired to assist with the protection of terrestrial wildlife species 

and their associated habitats and to increase the resilience and adaptive capacity of these species 

and habitats to accommodate expected changes imposed by future climate trends for the 

Southwest.

Desired Conditions for Terrestrial Wildlife2

Landscape Scale (10,000 acres or greater)

DCWildlife1

Habitats that support populations of Southwestern Region sensitive species

provide the ecological conditions that facilitate the life history, distribution, and 

natural population fluctuations of the species within the capability of the 

ecosystem.

Fire plays a role in maintaining wildlife habitat for species associated with fireadapted systems. 

Wildlife in habitats associated with animal movement corridors are free from 

human harassment3. 

Avian and mammal fatality and habitat alteration associated with existing and 

proposed power lines, corridors, energy development (i.e., wind and solar), and 

cell towers is minimized through implementation of design features and 

guidelines. 

Terrestrial habitats are free of negative impacts from nonnative or feral species.

 

1 Sonoran desert tortoise (Gopherus morafki).

2 These wildlife desired conditions are in addition to those related to vegetation and found in the “Vegetation” section 

of chapter 2.

3 Human activities which could potentially harrass wildlife include, but are not limited to, shooting, camping in 

developed sites, and OHV recreation.
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions 

44 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

DCWildlife2

Ecological conditions provide habitat for associated federally listed species. 

Habitat conditions generally contribute to survival and recovery, and contribute 

to the delisting of species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 

(P.L. 93-205).

Improved habitats for candidate and proposed species help preclude species 

listings as threatened or endangered under ESA.

Aquatic Wildlife

Background for Aquatic Wildlife

Aquatic wildlife includes not only fish but also reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrate species 

(e.g., insects, springsnails). Aquatic habitats occur in perennial and perennial intermittent rivers4

and streams, as well as groundwater dependent systems, such as springs and seeps. A similar 

process as that described above for terrestrial species was applied to determine species that may 

need guidance in the plan. Of 183 aquatic species considered, 2 reptiles, 2 amphibians, 12 fish, 

and 3 invertebrates are thought to exist on the Prescott NF and required development of plan 

guidance (Forest Service, 2009c). Aquatic wildlife are addressed here and also as part of 

“Watersheds” desired conditions, objectives (chapter 3), and standards and guidelines (chapter 4). 

Under projected warmer and drier climate conditions, aquatic species are susceptible to increased 

water temperatures, altered seasonal discharge events, increases in drought severity during 

summer flows, and increased predation pressure. Concerns include decreases in waterflow and, 

possibly, a shorter period of sustained flows in the spring due to reduced winter snowpack. 

Sustained flows and desired temperatures in the spring are needed for successful spawning. 

Another concern is the potential for fragmentation of habitat with resulting increases in 

competition and predation in pools, due to little or no waterflow in some stream segments.

The following conditions are desired to assist with the protection of aquatic wildlife species and 

their associated habitats, and to increase the resilience and adaptive capacity of these species and 

habitats to accommodate expected changes imposed by future climate trends for the Southwest.

 

4 Streams other than the Verde River on the Prescott NF are predominantly discontinuous, meaning that there are 

perennial flowing segments separated by reaches that have intermittent flow; or that they cease to be perennial prior to 

confluence with a larger stream, with flow sinking into the underlying porous soil or fault/fracture conditions.
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 45

Desired Conditions for Aquatic Wildlife

4

th Level Hydrologic Unit (Subbasin Scale)

DCAquatic-1

Streams, springs, and wetlands with the potential to support native fish and/or 

other aquatic species provide habitats that are resilient or adaptive to natural 

disturbances and projected warmer and drier climatic conditions. 

Quantity and timing of waterflows

5

are maintained in streams, seeps, springs, 

and wetlands to retain or enhance aquatic habitat and ecological functions. 

Water quality is sustained at a level that retains the biological, physical, and 

chemical integrity of the aquatic systems and benefits survival, growth, 

reproduction, and migration of native aquatic species. 

Riparian vegetative communities within these aquatic habitats are intact and 

trending toward properly functioning condition.

Aquatic habitats are free of negative impacts from nonnative plant and animal 

species.

5

th Level Hydrologic Unit (Watershed Scale)

DCAquatic-2Desired nonnative fish6species are present only where recreational fishing 

opportunities are emphasized.

DCAquatic-3

Ecological conditions provide habitat for associated federally listed species. 

Habitat conditions generally contribute to survival and recovery, and 

contribute to the delisting of species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 

of 1973 (P.L. 93-205).

Improved aquatic and riparian habitats for candidate and proposed species 

help preclude species listings as threatened or endangered under ESA.

Social and Economic Resources

The recreation program produces the largest indirect influence on the local economy by providing 

features that draw tourists to the area. Tourists then spend money on food and lodging. The 

livestock grazing program has the greatest direct impact on the economy within Yavapai County. 

Changes in the program could directly affect jobs or income. Some desired conditions that relate 

 

5 Generally, sustained spring waterflows as well as cooler water temperatures are needed by fish for spawning. 

Therefore, the time of year of flows, as well as the stream depth, are important.

6 Nonnative fish species include bass, sunfish, certain trout species, and other fish that anglers enjoy. Many of these 

fish are stocked in streams or lakes to provide a fishing experience, but they can act as predators to native fish species. 

The desired condition indicates that places where recreational fishing opportunities are emphasized should be separated 

from places where native fish habitat is emphasized. 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions 

46 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

to social or economic factors are also referenced in desired conditions for vegetation. In 

particular, see DC-Veg-2 and DC-Veg-3.

Recreation, Transportation, and Facilities

Background for Recreation, Transportation, and Facilities

In 2006, the Prescott NF developed a niche statement to identify and emphasize the unique types 

of recreation opportunities provided by the forest: 

The Prescott National Forest – Where the Desert Meets the Cool Pines

“The Prescott’s unique mix of climate zones provide for ‘cool zone’ heat relief 

from the Arizona sun in the summer and a ‘warm zone’ in the winter. The forest 

offers short duration, day use recreation on trails supported by development that 

provides staging areas and resource protection. Adventure activities are 

strategically managed to be compatible with one another to preserve the natural 

setting and the ecosystems of the forest.”

The mild climate of the Prescott NF encourages year-round recreation activity. Trail and day use 

are primary activity types and include: off-highway vehicle riding, horseback riding, hiking, 

biking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Most visitors to the forest live in Yavapai County. 

Maricopa County residents comprise the next largest group, with portions of the Prescott NF 

located less than 50 miles from the Phoenix metropolitan area. 

The developed sites on the Prescott NF encompass campgrounds, picnic areas, lake access, 

equestrian areas, rental cabins, and a recreational shooting range. Those with the highest use 

include Thumb Butte, Lynx Lake, Mingus Mountain, Horsethief Basin, and Granite Basin 

Recreation Areas. The area surrounding the city of Prescott, the Prescott Basin, has the highest 

concentration of recreation activity on the Prescott NF and limits dispersed camping to designated 

sites. 

The Prescott NF also contains over 800 miles of both motorized and nonmotorized trails. The 

forest’s recreation niche statement identifies trail and day use as primary uses by visitors; 50 

percent of these visitors are from a 20-mile radius of the forest. The Prescott NF had 1,230,500 

annual visitors in 2007. Top recreation activities listed as a primary activity by visitors on the 

forest include hiking and walking, viewing natural features, and driving for pleasure (Forest 

Service, 2008).

Under projected warmer and drier climate conditions, recreation and transportation facilities are 

susceptible to increased use for relief from increased temperatures in urban areas and to damage 

from altered frequency, intensity, timing, and spatial extent of disturbance events (e.g., fire, 

droughts, flash flooding, landslides, windstorms).
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 47

Desired Conditions for Recreation, Transportation, and Facilities

DC-Rec-1

Recreation on the Prescott NF provides opportunities for current and future 

demographics, as well as those of all abilities, to discover and enjoy the 

landscape.

The number, location, and types of recreation facilities respond to changes 

in demand. They concentrate use at key locations so that visitors enjoy the 

cultural and biophysical resources while protecting those resources. Forest 

users learn from their experience on the Prescott NF and have a better 

understanding of the ecology of the area. 

Conflicts between different recreation uses are infrequent. 

Visitors experience friendly and positive interactions with Forest Service 

employees and volunteers.

Developed recreation sites are safe, clean, and sanitary. 

Recreation facilities and constructed features (e.g., trails, trailheads) 

minimize resource impacts, especially those related to watershed integrity. 

Trails, facilities, or areas eligible for State or National special designation 

retain their qualifying characteristics.

Vegetation within developed recreation areas is diverse, healthy, and free 

from hazards to public safety. Vegetation contributes to scenic, healthy, 

natural, and sustainable recreation areas and enriches the visitors’ 

experience. 

Designated dispersed recreation occurs in areas that can accommodate 

concentrations of use, thereby lessening impacts to natural and cultural 

resources of other areas. 

Signage is accurate, effective, and in appropriate numbers for the recreation 

setting. Information provided matches that found in brochures and other 

printed material.

Visitors are aware of, and comply with, forest regulations.

Permitted recreation uses (e.g., recreation special events or guided 

activities) are consistent with recreation settings, protection of natural and 

cultural resources, and community goals.
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions 

48 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

DC-Rec-2

Trails

Trail opportunities are available in a variety of settings that provide 

differing levels of challenge and seclusion. 

Trail routes include both point-to-point trails that connect communities and 

interconnected loops of varying lengths.

On designated maintenance level 2 NFS roads, motorized vehicles and their 

operators comply with State motor vehicle regulations.

Trails and trailheads meet the needs of the intended recreation use. For 

example, trailheads to be used by horseback riders provide adequate 

parking and turning space for vehicles with trailers.

Trail systems meet the diverse needs of a growing population.

Conflicts between various types of trail activities are addressed and 

resolved.

Resource impacts due to trail location and use are identified and mitigated.

Alternate access is available where changes in land ownership or increased 

development have eliminated historic access to the national forest.

Use of trails and trailheads are consistent with the desired recreation 

opportunities identified for the trail or area.

DCTransportation 

and Facilities1

A safe, sustainable, and economical transportation system (roads and trails) 

exists at a level commensurate with use and need, and balances desire for 

public access with potential for ecological impacts. 

A system of sustainable, well maintained and marked roads and trails 

provides diverse opportunities to safely explore the forest and does not 

impede wildlife and fish movement. 

Transportation and trail systems and their classifications are clearly 

understood by forest visitors. 

Recreation sites, buildings, dams, and other infrastructure operate as 

intended and provide a safe environment for people, while minimizing 

negative impacts to natural resources.

Energy efficient and economical facilities incorporate emerging 

technologies and are placed when and where they can be used effectively.
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 49

Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers, Inventoried Roadless Areas, 

and Other Special Areas

Background for Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers, Inventoried Roadless Areas, 

and Other Special Areas

The Prescott NF contains 8 designated wilderness areas, totaling over 100,000 acres, and a 

portion of the Verde Wild and Scenic River. The largest wilderness area on the Prescott NF is 

Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, which encompasses parts of three national forests: the Prescott 

NF, Coconino NF, and Kaibab NF. Management of the area is shared among the three units 

following direction contained in the Coconino National Forest Land and Resource Management 

Plan. Pine Mountain Wilderness is also managed cooperatively, as it sits atop the boundary 

between the Prescott NF and the Tonto NF. Direction for the management of the Pine Mountain 

Wilderness is contained in this Prescott National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. Of 

the remaining six wilderness areas managed by the Prescott NF, Granite Mountain Wilderness 

receives the highest level of visitation due to its proximity to the Prescott Basin. 

Extending upstream from Clarkdale to the Prescott NF boundary, approximately 38 miles of the 

upper Verde River have been determined to be eligible for wild and scenic river designation

(Forest Service, 2010b). This is in addition to the 41 miles of existing designated wild and scenic 

river south of Camp Verde (Forest Service, 2004).

The Prescott NF also contains 11 inventoried roadless areas (IRAs) identified in the national 2001 

Roadless Area Conservation Rule (RACR). The RACR prohibited road construction and 

reconstruction in IRAs and outlined roadless area characteristics. IRAs are characterized as 

having an undeveloped character and are valued for many resource benefits including wildlife 

habitat, biological diversity, and dispersed recreation opportunities. 

Special areas, such as research natural areas, botanical areas, and geological areas, are designated 

to ensure protection of specific biological and geological communities. By definition, they must 

have unique or special characteristics for which specific management is required. Grapevine 

Botanical Area, a special area located in the Bradshaw Mountains south of Prescott, was 

designated to protect the 12 perennial springs and associated Arizona alder-Arizona walnut 

vegetation community found in the area.
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions 

50 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Desired Conditions for Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers, Inventoried Roadless 

Areas, and Other Special Areas

DC-Wild-1

The wilderness character of designated wilderness areas (see map 5 in 

appendix A) consists of outstanding opportunity for exploration, solitude, 

risk, and challenge where natural processes influence ecosystems with little 

or no human intervention.

The wilderness character of each recommended wilderness (see map 5 in 

appendix A) remains intact until a determination for designation has been 

made by Congress. 

Within designated wilderness and on related trails and trailheads, native 

plant communities dominate the landscape and invasive species are 

nonexistent or in very low abundance.

DC-Wild 

and Scenic-1

The designated wild and scenic portion of the Verde River and its adjacent 

areas retain their free-flowing character and outstandingly remarkable values

and classifications (see map 5 in appendix A).

For the portion of the Verde River that is eligible for wild and scenic rivers 

designation: outstandingly remarkable values (i.e., archaeological, scenic, 

fishery, wildlife, recreational, and botanical) and recommended 

classifications remain intact until further study is conducted or designation 

by Congress.

DC-IRA-1

The undeveloped character of inventoried roadless areas identified in the 

2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule is retained by restricting the 

occurrence of road construction and timber harvest activities within their 

existing boundaries. 

DC-Special 

Areas-1

Special areas contain excellent examples of the ecological features for which 

they were designated. Their inherent physical and biological processes 

flourish, with little evidence of human intervention or disturbance.

The unique characteristics of the area are protected and maintained, with 

visitor access and use limited to environmentally sustainable levels that do 

not compromise the values of the area.

Special areas provide opportunities for research, study, observation, 

monitoring, and educational activities.

Open Space, Lands, and Scenic Values

Background for Open Space, Lands, and Scenic Values

The high rate of population growth within Yavapai County, combined with limited lands for 

expansion, raises awareness of land use issues involving development and land exchange. The 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 51

Prescott NF provides a scenic backdrop of undeveloped and natural appearing landscapes. This 

contributes to a sense of open space for visitors and those who live in the communities near the 

forest.

Scenery management on the Prescott NF uses the Forest Service Scenery Management System, a 

tool for inventory and management of scenic resources. The lands program oversees permits for 

special uses, such as power line corridors, and responds to opportunities for acquiring or 

exchanging land within the Prescott NF.

Under projected warmer and drier climate conditions, open space and valued scenic elements are 

susceptible to changes in landscape vegetation patterns. These alterations in vegetation could 

result from variations in the frequency, intensity, timing, or spatial extent of wildfires or from 

other disturbances such as insect and disease outbreaks, drought induced vegetation die-off, or 

extreme weather events (e.g., flash flooding, landslides, windstorms, ice storms).

Desired Conditions for Open Space, Lands, and Scenic Values

DC-Open 

Space-1

Open space values including those related to naturally appearing landscapes, 

wildlife habitat, recreation opportunity, riparian/wetland character, and 

community needs are retained.

DC-Open 

Space-2

The natural appearing visual character, free-flowing water, and habitat for 

federally listed and sensitive species along and within the Verde River are 

retained or enhanced. 

DC-Lands-1

Rights-of-way are in place for legal access needs for private land, public 

access, administrative access needs, or to resolve legal status deficiencies7at 

a level that is commensurate with need. Roads that provide access to 

multiple properties are well maintained. 

Electronic sites help fulfill public and government need for adequate 

communication. Sites are co-located where possible to minimize visual, 

wildlife, recreation and other natural resource impacts. 

Towers are nonreflective, self-supporting, and less than 200 feet in height to 

reduce visual impacts. They do not interfere with fire detection or cause 

radio frequency interference with senior uses8, and they are not a source of 

unacceptable human exposure to radio frequency radiation9.

 

7 An example is gaining a right-of-way to cross private land on a road or trail that previously was located on public 

land. 

8 Senior communication uses predate later communication applications. The most senior use forms the basis for the 

communications site designation.

9 High-powered radio broadcast towers must have radio frequency radiation studies by the Federal Communications 

Commission or licensed contractor to determine need for mitigation such as fencing and hazard signage around the 

tower to prevent public exposure. 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions 

52 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Power lines and pipelines are located and co-located within existing energy 

corridors when compatible. Distribution lines (less than 69 kV) are 

generally underground and rights-of-way for aboveground lines retain 

existing low growing plant communities that do not interfere with overhead 

lines growing within the corridors.

Existing recreation residences10 are stable in number and blend into a 

natural forest setting. 

DC-Scenic-1

The landscape generally appears natural within the context of native 

vegetation and landforms. 

Landscapes on a majority of the Prescott NF appear intact and unaltered by 

human activity.

Evidence of prescribed fire, such as black char on the bases of trees, or 

evidence of thinning activities, such as slash piles, may be visible but are 

only present for a relatively short duration.

Minerals

Background for Minerals

The Prescott NF is generally a mineral rich region as demonstrated by the large number of 

existing and historic mineral patents. The mix of patented (mining claims) lands and NFS lands 

creates a patchwork of private and Federal ownership within the boundaries of the Prescott NF. 

While mining gold and copper were important historically, current mining activities on the 

Prescott NF include five mineral material contracts for removal of flagstone, one contract for 

schist removal, and one contract for removal of decomposed granite. One large, locatable 

limestone operation exists. Today, there is interest in both commercial gold mining and 

recreational gold panning/sluicing on the forest. Placer gold operations involve extracting gold 

from alluvial deposits such as panning or using a sluicebox. Lode operations, also known as hard 

rock mining, consist of mining a vein bearing gold or a rock in-place valuable mineral deposit. 

Most placer mining is conducted by recreational users or small commercial operators.

 

10 The recreation residence program began in 1915 after the passage of the Occupancy Permits Act (P.L. 63-293) that 

allowed summer homes to be constructed in certain parts of Forest Service lands with multiyear occupancy permits. 

The Forest Service retains ownership of the underlying land. 
Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 53

Desired Conditions for Minerals

DCMinerals-1

Mineral exploration and development has few impacts on natural and cultural 

resources. 

Past and present mine facilities are sufficiently reclaimed to provide for public 

safety and minimize impacts to cultural and natural resources.

Developed recreation areas, such as Lynx Lake Recreation Area, and 

administrative sites are free from commercial mining activity.

Mineral material development balances Forest Service, community, and 

private needs with potential resource impacts.

Heritage Values

Background for Heritage Values

The Prescott NF heritage program manages a multitude of prehistoric and historic properties. The 

focus of this effort includes five primary aspects: protection, preservation, stabilization, 

interpretation, and research. Direction for the management of heritage resources is guided by 

existing law, regulation, and policy in addition to consultation with tribes that are affiliated with 

the Prescott NF. Archaeological inventories and tribal consultation are typically completed before 

ground-disturbing activities occur. If sites or areas are discovered during inventories or project 

actions, they are evaluated according to National Register criteria, followed by consultation with 

the State Historic Preservation Officer concerning how these properties might be affected by 

proposed management activities. Tribes that are affiliated with the Prescott NF are also brought 

into the consultative process, particularly if sites or areas are involved that might be sacred to 

them. Compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-

665) and other relevant law, regulation, and policy is not repeated in this plan. 

Desired Conditions for Heritage

DCHeritage1

Historic and prehistoric sites, including known American Indian sacred places and 

traditional cultural properties, are preserved and protected for their cultural 

importance and are free from adverse impacts. 

Opportunities for interpretation, research, stewardship, and enjoyment of the 

cultural past are available. 

Site integrity is protected and maintained for sites which are listed or eligible for 

listing on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as sites whose status is 

undetermined.

DCHeritage2

Use of forest products by affiliated American Indian nations, tribes, and 

communities is available for traditional practices. 

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 55

Chapter 3. Objectives

Trail maintenance with volunteers in the Castle Creek Wilderness

Introduction

Objectives are measureable and time-specific outcomes or accomplishments that contribute to 

maintaining or trending toward desired conditions during the planning period. They represent 

proposed projects or activities intended to be accomplished. While objectives are not considered 

to be targets, they should be feasible and set the priorities for the planning period. The planning 

period consists of the 10 to 15 years immediately following plan approval. If an objective is no 

longer appropriate or relevant to achieving desired conditions, the responsible official may 

determine that a plan amendment or revision is necessary to remove or replace that objective.

Objectives are not required for every desired condition; however, every objective relates to a 

desired condition. Desired conditions that are linked to each objective are shown in parentheses 

following each objective statement. Objectives provide the strategy for trending toward desired 

conditions and are expected to be realistic; however, accomplishment of objectives can be 

influenced by ecological events, current staffing levels, climatic conditions, and anticipated nearterm budgets.

Objectives are also closely related to the monitoring strategy described in chapter 6 of this plan.

Questions we ask ourselves in that strategy include, “Did we accomplish the objective?” and “Did 
Chapter 3. Objectives

56 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

that accomplishment create the outcomes we desired, that is, trending toward forestwide or 

management area desired conditions?”

The objectives (plan decisions) below are the numbered statements displayed in boxes. The 

information outside of these boxes are not plan decisions but are examples, estimates, or 

additional detail to help the reader understand the intent of the objective. The intent is to 

accomplish the objectives within 10 years after plan approval, but operationally, it may take up to 

15 years to achieve some objectives if there are unexpected environmental events or changes in 

staffing or budget levels.

Vegetation

Vegetation in the plan is organized by potential natural vegetation type (PNVT). PNVTs are 

coarse-scale units of land that share similar climate components, soil types, vegetation, and 

natural disturbances. Map 1 in appendix A shows where the various PNVTs are found across the 

planning area. The vegetation need for change statement reads as follows: “Restore vegetation 

structure and composition and desired characteristics of fire to selected ecosystems, while 

responding to citizen concerns related to smoke emissions.” The following objectives (Obj-1 

through Obj-6) and associated desired conditions (chapter 2), and standards and guidelines 

(chapter 4) for vegetation are intended to respond to that need for change.

Obj-1

Within the Semi-Desert Grassland PNVT, allow or introduce wildland fire on

25,000 to 65,000 acres to restore ecosystems conditions, during the 10 years

following plan approval. (DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, DC-Airshed-1, DC-Veg-1,

DC-Veg-21, DC-Wildlife-1)

Background and Rationale

 Wildland fire includes prescribed fire and wildfire managed to meet resource objectives. 

Both tools would be used to maintain or trend toward desired conditions. The opportunity 

to manage wildfires to meet resource objectives cannot be predicted; however, when 

conditions allow, such wildfires would be used in conjunction with prescribed fires to 

meet acreage targets.

 Western meadowlarks are the focal species associated with the grassland PNVTs. 

 There are approximately 126,000 acres in this PNVT. The treatments could affect 12 to 

67 percent of the PNVT over a 10-year period. Encroachment by trees and shrubs is 

taking place within this PNVT due to the exclusion of fire. While “natural” fire frequency 

is estimated at once every 2 to 10 years, current fire frequency averages once every 94 

years in this PNVT. Benefits of increasing the frequency of fire disturbance include 

inhibition of woody species and certain types of nonnative invasive plant species.

 It may be more beneficial to use prescribed fire (as opposed to managed wildfire) along 

with pretreatment of nonnative invasive species to provide a natural disturbance agent 

with fewer risks of nonnative plant species invasion and fewer unintended impacts to 

fences and pastures. 

 Accomplishing this objective is expected to provide benefit to pronghorn in most 

locations and may lead to meeting the intent of objectives 26 and 27 as well as this 

objective.
Chapter 3. Objectives

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 57

 The wide range in acreage to be accomplished reflects uncertainty in being able to time 

prescribed fires so that: (1) precipitation is adequate to encourage grass recovery and 

restore ground cover for inhibition of invasive species, (2) prefire preparation is done to 

avoid spread of nonnative invasive plant species, and (3) coordination with grazing 

permittees leads to desired fuel levels and understanding on needs for fence protection or 

postfire fence repair. 

Obj-2

Within the Great Basin Grassland PNVT, allow or introduce wildland fire on 1,000 

to 5,000 acres to restore ecosystem conditions, during the 10 years following plan

approval. (DC-Airshed-1, DC-Veg-1, DC-Veg-21, DC-Wildlife-1)

Background and Rationale

 Wildland fire includes prescribed fire and wildfire managed to meet resource objectives. 

Both tools would be used to maintain or trend toward desired conditions. The opportunity 

to manage wildfires to meet resource objectives cannot be predicted; however, when 

conditions allow, such wildfires would be used in conjunction with prescribed fires to 

meet acreage targets.

 Western meadowlarks are the focal species associated with the grassland PNVTs.

 Approximately 38,000 acres has been classified as Great Basin Grassland PNVT on the 

Prescott NF. Historically, frequent (10 to 30 years) high severity fires maintained these 

open grasslands dominated by perennial bunchgrasses, forbs, and few shrubs. Current 

vegetation species and arrangement is generally at desired levels. The amount of activity 

stated in the objective reflects the need to maintain that situation using fire. 

 Accomplishing this objective is expected to provide benefit to pronghorn in most 

locations and may lead to meeting the intent of objectives 26 and 27 as well as this 

objective.

 Because portions of this PNVT fall within the checkerboard area of the Prescott NF, the 

intermixture of national forest and non-Federal ownership could limit the size of 

treatment areas.

Obj-3

Treat 20,000 to 90,000 acres in Juniper Grassland, Piñon-Juniper Evergreen Shrub, 

and Piñon-Juniper Woodland PNVTs using mechanical treatments, wildland fire, 

or browsing by domestic goats to improve watershed and rangeland conditions, 

vegetation structure, and wildlife habitat, during the 10 years following plan

approval. (DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, DC-Veg-1 to 7, DC-Veg-9, DC-Wildlife-1, 

DC-Watershed-1, DC-Watershed-3)

Background and Rationale

 Wildland fire includes prescribed fire and wildfire managed to meet resource objectives. 

Both tools would be used to maintain or trend toward desired conditions. The opportunity 

to manage wildfires to meet resource objectives cannot be predicted; however, when 

conditions allow, such wildfires would be used in conjunction with prescribed fires to 

meet acreage targets.

 Juniper Grassland and Piñon-Juniper Evergreen Shrub PNVTs tend to be highly 

intermixed, especially where there is an elevation gradient. Therefore, the two PNVTs 
Chapter 3. Objectives

58 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

were combined in the objective. Piñon-Juniper Woodland PNVT was included in this 

objective to respond to needs for wildlife habitat improvement.

 Using gross acreage from terrestrial ecosystem units, treatment would range from 3 to 16 

percent of the total area classified as juniper grasslands, piñon-juniper evergreen shrub, 

and piñon-juniper woodlands.

 Evidence of erosion has increased in some areas due to less herbaceous ground cover. 

Lack of herbaceous ground cover can also decrease infiltration of water into the soil. 

 Within the Piñon-Juniper Evergreen Shrub PNVT, increasing density of juniper trees and 

shrubs leads to increased competition for water, especially if climate predictions of 

warmer and drier conditions take place. By removing some trees or shrubs, the remaining 

vegetation would have less competition for water and better survival. In some locations, 

depending on site conditions, herbaceous ground cover may expand. 

 Within the juniper grasslands, the exclusion of fire has allowed encroachment of juniper 

trees. Reintroducing fire as a disturbance will increase the vigor of grasses and will kill 

some trees and bushes. Mechanical tree removal will decrease density of juniper trees in 

locations where fire is not desired or will not carry. The result will be healthier grasslands 

and enhanced pronghorn habitat including the creation of a more open environment, a 

trend toward fewer trees and shrubs, and maintenance of the desired open environment 

within relevant Arizona Game and Fish Department linkages. 

 Meeting this objective is expected to provide benefit to pronghorn in many locations and 

may lead to accomplishment of objectives 26 and 27, as well as this objective.

 Natural fire would be expected to occur once in 30 years within juniper grasslands and 

once in 60 years within piñon-juniper evergreen shrub. The wide range of acreage to be 

treated in this objective is based on uncertainty of being able to get fire to spread in these 

PNVTs, given reduced coverage of herbaceous ground cover. Mechanical treatments 

could vary due to uncertainties in demand for biomass. A third source of uncertainty 

includes projected warmer and drier temperatures along with more intense precipitation 

activity during the summer season. The net effect would be more runoff and less effective 

water infiltration due to precipitation intensity. If juniper or woody plant encroachment in 

grasslands increases as a result of response to changing climate conditions, juniper 

removal might be effective only in the short term.

Obj-4

Treat 40,000 to 100,000 acres in the Interior Chaparral PNVT using wildland fire,

mechanical treatments, or domestic goats to maintain current conditions, during 

the 10 years following plan approval. (DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, DC-Airshed1, DC-Veg-1, DC-Veg-3, DC-Veg-11 to 12)

Background and Rationale

 Wildland fire includes prescribed fire and wildfire managed to meet resource objectives. 

Both tools would be used to maintain or trend toward desired conditions. The opportunity 

to manage wildfires to meet resource objectives cannot be predicted; however, when 

conditions allow, such wildfires would be used in conjunction with prescribed fires to 

meet acreage targets.

 Western scrub-jays are the focal species associated with the interior chaparral PNVT.

 Treatments in interior chaparral are designed to maintain this fire-adapted system (fire 

frequency in any one location of once every 35 to 100 years) and to protect communities 
corrected 08/10/2016 – Chapter 3. Objectives

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 59

at the wildland-urban interface. While the objective acreage figures predict that up to 30 

percent of the PNVT could be treated, many of these activities would take place near 

wildland-urban interface areas such as in the vicinity of Cherry, Crown King, or within 

the Hassayampa River watershed. Desired conditions (DC-Veg-12) allow for shortened 

fire return intervals in such areas. 

 Mechanical treatments were included with the fire acreage to allow response to the 

possible demand for biomass and to allow treatment near structures at the wildland-urban 

interface. 

 If projected warmer and drier conditions do occur, timing of prescribed fire treatments 

could be adjusted to later fall and winter to find time periods when fuel moistures are 

such that fires can be controlled, safety goals can be met, and management objectives can 

be achieved. 

Obj-5

Within the Ponderosa Pine-Evergreen Oak and Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak 

PNVTs, thin or harvest 2,500 to 8,000 acres and introduce or allow wildland fire 

on 25,000 to 50,000 to restore ecosystem conditions, during the 10 years following 

plan approval. (DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, DC-Airshed-1, DC-Veg-1 to 2, DCVeg-13 to 20, DC-Wildlife-1)

Background and Rationale

 Wildland fire includes prescribed fire and wildfire managed to meet resource objectives. 

Both tools would be used to maintain or trend toward desired conditions. The opportunity 

to manage wildfires to meet resource objectives cannot be predicted; however, when 

conditions allow, such wildfires would be used in conjunction with prescribed fires to 

meet acreage targets.

 Northern goshawks are the focal species associated with the ponderosa pine PNVTs.

 The ponderosa pine PNVTs (Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak and Ponderosa Pine-Evergreen 

Oak) were combined for this objective because they have similar unnatural structural 

characteristics due to past fire suppression. These characteristics include an increase in 

young forest with dense canopy cover as well as older forest with dense canopy cover. 

Both PNVTs have “natural” fire frequencies of every 6 to 15 years.

 Multiple treatments in the same locations could be carried out, especially at the wildlandurban interface near Prescott and on Mingus Mountain. An example might be thinning 

and then burning on the same site.

 Dense young and mid-age forests with more than 30 percent tree canopy cover 

predominate in these PNVTs. This is due to several factors but is primarily attributed to 

past fire suppression. The density of trees leads to uncharacteristic crown fires when 

wildfires do occur. This type of fire is unnaturally severe, can burn so intensely that 

postfire natural conifer regeneration is delayed, and can threaten lives and property. 

 The relatively low number of acres shown for mechanical treatment is due to limitations 

such as steep slopes, lack of access, and fewer acres that are suitable for commercial 

thinning and timber harvest (see Chapter 7 – Timber Suitability). Acres of noncommercial mechanical treatment are not included in this objective. If a demand for 

biomass increased, it is possible that the acreage of mechanical treatments of small 

woody vegetation could increase, however, slopes and access limitations could still 
Chapter 3. Objectives

60 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

prevent large scale mechanical treatments. Mechanical treatments could be emphasized in 

the vicinity of Prescott to decrease smoke impacts. 

Obj-6

Treat at least 50 percent of nonnative invasive plants species populations within 1 

to 2 years of detection during the 10 years following plan approval. (DC-Veg-1, 

DC-Veg-4, DC-Veg-5)

Background and Rationale

 With the future possibility of warmer, drier climatic conditions and with the Prescott NF

location in a transitional elevation between warm desert and the Mogollon Rim, it is 

likely that higher numbers of nonnative invasive species will begin to be found in the 

area. 

 The 1- to 2-year period between location and treatment allows for treating plants at the 

stage of their development where methods used can be most effective and allows for 

doing environmental analysis related to treatment methods. If the opportunity arises to do 

treatments sooner than 1 to 2 years, this objective should not be viewed as a reason to 

delay.

Recreation

The recreation need for change statement reads as follows: “Provide sustainable and diverse 

recreation opportunities that consider population demographic characteristics, reflect desires of 

local communities, avoid overcrowding and user conflicts, and minimize resource damage.” The 

following objectives (Obj-7 through Obj-17), as well as related desired conditions (chapter 2) and 

standards and guidelines (chapter 4) for recreation, transportation, wilderness, and wild/scenic 

rivers are intended to respond to that need for change. 

Obj-7

Add 1 to 2 developed recreation areas during the 10 years following plan approval. 

(DC-Rec-1, DC-Wild and Scenic-1)

Background and Rationale

 The Prescott NF proposes new sustainable recreation area development that would 

respond to changing conditions and help provide recreation opportunities desired by the 

community. New facilities could include a campground, a day-use area, a boat ramp or 

developed river access, developed trailheads with toilet facilities, or an interpretive area.

 There may be an opportunity to coordinate with the Verde River communities and add 

developed recreation sites in a location within the Verde Valley. Other possible locations 

could include the vicinity of Bear Siding, Perkinsville Bridge, Forest Road 638, or Camp 

Wood. Such development could provide desired recreation opportunities as well as a 

Forest Service presence to discourage illegal activity.

Obj-8

Create up to 4 designated dispersed camping areas during the 10 years following 

plan approval. (DC-Rec-1, DC-Watershed-2, DC-Watershed-6)
Chapter 3. Objectives

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 61

Background and Rationale

 In the absence of specific restrictions, a person can camp in any location on the forest 

outside of a developed recreation site; this is often called dispersed camping. However, 

the number of suitable camping spots can be limited by steep slopes, uninviting 

vegetation, distance to water, and lack of access. Desirable spots are usually occupied 

during weekends and holiday periods, and more often if they are near water. This high 

level of use can lead to soil compaction, trampling of ground vegetation, and unplanned 

site expansion. 

 In an effort to decrease the extent of resource impacts, the Prescott NF proposes to 

manage dispersed camping in certain areas by designating specific dispersed campsites 

that would have fewer amenities than developed campgrounds. Following the model 

established within the Prescott Basin, the Prescott NF now wants to designate dispersed 

camping in other areas to prevent further damage and to restore natural vegetation. 

 Designated dispersed camping would be located in areas where resource impacts could be 

minimized; possible locations could include selected areas near Crown King, on Mingus 

Mountain, Camp Wood, the upper Verde River, or in the vicinity of Yellow Jacket Creek.

Obj-9

Reduce the backlog of needed maintenance (i.e., deferred maintenance) at 

developed recreation areas by 50 to 60 percent from baseline levels during the 10 

years following plan approval (DC-Rec-1, DC-Rec-2-Trails, DC-Transportation 

and Facilities-1)

Background and Rationale

 A backlog of needed maintenance can build up as visitor impacts increase; this is referred 

to as deferred maintenance. Future budget allocations may not be sufficient to eliminate

this backlog entirely; however, the Prescott NF will strive to stay current on maintenance 

needs and continue to reduce the deferred maintenance costs by roughly $164,000 over 

10 years. This would represent a 50 percent decrease from the approximately $327,000 of 

deferred maintenance costs as shown in INFRA in December 2012. Deferred 

maintenance at a recreation site includes minor constructed features, buildings, water 

systems, and wastewater systems.

Obj-10

Develop and implement at least 3 additional strategies to raise awareness of 

responsible target shooting practices within the Prescott NF to promote visitor 

safety during the 10 years following plan approval. (DC-Rec-1)

Background and Rationale

 Uncontrolled recreational target shooting surfaced as a source of conflict in meetings in 

several locations. These conflicts include concerns for personal safety and the 

accumulation of trash as targets. The communities of Jerome and Castle Hot Springs 

referenced the need to control recreational target shooting in their community vision 

statements.

 The Prescott NF has a history of providing a designated target shooting opportunity 

operated by others through permit. Such a situation has been located west of Prescott for 

about 50 years, but with population expansion and developments near the range, this 

permit will not be reissued in the same location. Recreational target shooting is an 

activity that is desired by many.
Chapter 3. Objectives

62 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

 The Prescott NF is open to establishing partnerships to create and operate a new 

designated target shooting area as a means of promoting visitor safety and raising 

awareness of responsible target shooting practices.

Obj-11

Construct or improve the facilities at 5 to 20 trailheads during the 10 years 

following plan approval. (DC-Rec-1, DC-Rec-2-Trails, DC-Transportation and 

Facilities-1)

Background and Rationale

 Trailheads may lack adequate signage, parking, or cause erosion from the parking area 

due to poor location or inadequate planning for drainage. Improvements to the trailheads 

and signage help to mitigate the potential for conflict among trail users by physically 

separating different user groups. 

 The construction or improvement of trailheads could reduce impacts such as soil 

compaction or loss of vegetation by providing adequate facilities to meet the needs of a 

diverse range of users. Examples could include larger parking spots for vehicles with 

trailers, hitching posts for horses, and designated loading and unloading areas.

Obj-12 Maintain 10 to 20 percent of signage annually. (DC-Rec-1, DC-Transportation and 

Facilities-1)

Background and Rationale

 During recreation strategy meetings, people from all three zones (Verde Valley, Agua 

Fria/Crown King, and Prescott/Drake) consistently referred to lack of signage or lack of 

effective signage along trails and at trailheads. Adequate signage was deemed very 

important if more than one type of trail began at the same trailhead. Improved signage 

could lead to better managed recreation.

Obj-13 Work with partners to maintain and enhance recreational fishing opportunities in 2

lake/pond sites during the 10 years following plan approval. (DC-Aquatic-2)

Background and Rationale

 Activities could include lakeshore clean-up, enhancing opportunities for shoreline 

fishing, and lake dredging for habitat improvement. Likely partners for these efforts 

include AZGFD and local volunteer groups.

Obj-14 Develop 2 to 5 additional methods for providing visitor information and education 

during the 10 years following plan approval. (DC-Rec-1)

Background and Rationale

 In order to “provide sustainable and diverse recreation opportunities that consider 

population demographic characteristics and reflect desires of local communities,” better 

communication with visitors and potential visitors is needed. In order to increase 

communication and gather feedback, the Prescott NF expects to increase and improve 

effectiveness of visitor contacts through multiple avenues. 
Chapter 3. Objectives

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 63

 Possible methods could include, but are not limited to, increased interpretation 

opportunities, information kiosks, improved use of Web site opportunities or social 

media, and multiple languages.

Obj-15

Mark boundaries of portions of 2 to 5 designated wilderness areas where risk of 

motorized or mechanized access is high during the 10 years following plan

approval. (DC-Wilderness-1)

Background and Rationale

 Wilderness boundaries are important because the wilderness experience is defined, in 

part, by the type of activities and number of people that are allowed within the area. A 

key aspect of this is that no mechanized use is allowed within designated wilderness 

areas, including bicycles or motorized vehicles.

Obj-16

Protect, relocate, or rehabilitate 2 to 5 recreation areas or locations (including 

trails) that show evidence of resource damage during the 10 years following plan

approval. (DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, DC-Watershed 2 to 5, DC-Rec-1)

Background and Rationale

 The areas or locations could include, but are not limited to: (1) areas where soils are 

compacted and vegetation is nearly nonexistent; (2) sites or areas that are located too near 

streams or watercourses where visitor use adds to problems, such as streambank erosion 

and sedimentation; (3) areas needing treatment of invasive species along trails or within 

developed sites; (4) sites that are located near Southwestern Region sensitive plant 

species where recreation patterns lead to trampling these plants; or (5) sites that are too 

near cultural resource locations. 

 Possible activities that could fulfill this objective include closing and rehabilitating a 

dispersed site that is located at a spring source, locating camping farther away from 

Yellow Jacket Creek, or relocating a recreation site out of the upper Verde River flood 

plain and hardening the pathway to the river to prevent streambank erosion.

Obj-17 Implement 5 to 10 management actions on trails to meet desired conditions listed 

as part of DC-Rec-2-Trails during the 10 years following plan approval.

Background and Rationale

 The Prescott NF provides approximately 800 miles of trails, equally divided between 

motorized and nonmotorized recreation opportunities. Portions of these trails receive high 

use, especially near the Prescott Basin. Other trails have relatively little use. Recreation 

managers would like to do comprehensive trail planning to determine which trails need 

improvement in order to provide the desired trail opportunities and attract more use, as 

well as which trails may not be providing the desired recreation opportunities and are not 

needed. 

 Conflicts occur between different types of recreationists. In order to minimize these, 

some multiuse trails may be limited to fewer types of recreation opportunities.

 The completion of a comprehensive trail plan could increase recreation opportunities for 

all users by prioritizing improvements to existing trails or adding new trails to the system.
Chapter 3. Objectives

64 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Watersheds

The watersheds need for change reads as follows: “Retain or improve watershed integrity to 

provide desired water quality, quantity, and timing of delivery.” Watershed condition is defined as 

the state of a watershed based upon physical and biological characteristics and processes affecting 

hydrologic and soil functions (FSM 2521.05). Watershed condition integrity is having all parts 

(soils, vegetation, streamflow, aquatic species) interacting as they should to provide healthy 

watershed function that produces desired water quality, quantity, and timing of delivery. The 

following objectives (Obj-18 through Obj-23), as well as desired conditions (chapter 2), and 

standards and guidelines (chapter 4) for watersheds respond to the need for change.

Obj-18

Within each high priority watershed, implement 5 to 50 essential projects that 

improve or maintain watershed conditions during the 10 years following plan 

approval. (DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, DC-Watershed-1 to 6)

Background and Rationale

 Macroinvertebrates are the focal species associated with water quality and aquatic 

habitat.

 High priority watersheds are those identified through an interdisciplinary process that is 

based on resource value and estimated costs, as well as national and regional policy for 

watershed condition. 

 Activities could include, but are not be limited to: range improvements to distribute 

grazing, treatments to increase vegetative ground cover, stream stabilization, and mining 

restoration. 

Obj-19

Within 2 to 3 years of detection, implement projects to counter 1 to 3 critical 

threats to riparian system functionality during the 10 years following plan 

approval. (DC-Watershed 2, DC Watershed-6)

Background and Rationale

 Functioning riparian systems include those that have the desired assemblages of 

vegetation, appear to be within acceptable limits for sediment deposit in flood plains, are 

not eroded or compacted due to recreation or other uses, and are able to support aquatic 

related species associated with the habitat. 

 While proper functioning condition methodology is considered, other national or regional 

protocols to determine riparian function may be adopted.

 Activities could include, but are not limited to: vegetation reestablishment, nonnative

invasive plant treatments, erosion control, instream habitat improvement, adjusting the 

timing and season of grazing, or fencing. 
Chapter 3. Objectives

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 65

Obj-20

Repair or relocate 20 to 100 miles of National Forest System roads or trails that 

impact watershed integrity during the 10 years following plan approval. (DCEcosystem Resilience-1, DC-Watershed-1 to 6)

Background and Rationale

 Macroinvertebrates are the focal species associated with water quality and aquatic 

habitat.

 Projects could include, but are not limited to, the following activities related to roads and 

trails: relocation, decommissioning, recontouring, revegetating, improving to standard, or 

maintaining features for resource protection.

 Adverse impacts to watershed integrity could include, but are not limited to: adding 

sediment to streams, damaging riparian vegetation, streambank erosion, production of 

gullies, and flood plain soil compaction.

Obj-21

Obliterate, recontour, or revegetate a minimum of 10 miles of unauthorized routes 

that are impacting watershed integrity during the 10 years following plan approval. 

(DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, DC-Watershed-1 to 6, DC-Transportation and 

Facilities-1)

Background and Rationale

 Macroinvertebrates are the focal species associated with water quality and aquatic 

habitat.

 An unauthorized route is a former road or trail that is not designated for motorized use, or 

a user-created route that was never designated for motorized use. 

 Evidence of adverse impacts to watershed integrity include, but are not limited to:

directly or indirectly adding sediment to streams, damage to riparian vegetation, 

streambank erosion, production of gullies, or flood plain soil compaction.

Obj-22

Improve 15 to 25 stream or drainage crossings associated with roads or trails to 

facilitate flow and sediment transport during the 10 years following plan approval. 

(DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, DC-Watershed-1 to 6, DC-Rec-1)

Background and Rationale

 Macroinvertebrates are the focal species associated with water quality and aquatic 

habitat.

 Examples of activities that could be done to fulfill this objective include: ensuring that 

culvert sizes match what is needed to handle flood flows and avoid washouts that deposit 

road material into a stream, adjusting culvert height to ensure aquatic species are not 

prevented from moving along the stream, or installing drainage structures across roads

where needed.

Obj-23

Maintain or enhance 25 to 55 discrete sites that are groundwater dependent 

ecosystems containing seeps and springs during the 10 years following plan 

approval. (DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, DC-Watershed-6)
Chapter 3. Objectives

66 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Background and Rationale

 Macroinvertebrates are the focal species associated with water quality and aquatic 

habitat.

 Seeps and springs occur where water emerges from the ground. They serve as habitat to 

sustain a variety of plant and animal species. Emergent riparian areas within these 

systems typically include a combination of sedge species, cattails, bull rushes, and 

various forbs or woody species. 

 Animals, both wildlife and livestock, are attracted to these water sources. Sometimes the 

spring source is fenced and a portion of the flowing water is piped to a trough a distance 

from the spring. 

 Motorized travel within groundwater dependent ecosystems can cause soil compaction, 

disturbance to vegetation, or interruption of waterflow. Travel in these locations would 

generally be restricted. 

 Types of activities that could be completed to fulfill this objective include: relocation or 

closure of designated roads or trails, or obliteration of illegal routes that are located too 

near a spring or seep. Maintaining or improving fencing around groundwater dependent 

systems, pasture rotation, or seasonal grazing use could also be applied. 

Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat

The need for change related to aquatic habitats states: “Provide desired habitat for native fish 

species.” The following objectives, along with desired conditions (chapter 2), and standards and 

guidelines for vegetation, terrestrial wildlife habitat, and aquatic habitat (chapter 4) are intended 

to respond to the need for change and Federal requirements.

Obj-24

Restore native fish species to 2 to 3 stream reaches during the 10 years following 

plan approval. (DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, DC-Wildlife-1 to 2, DC-Watershed-2, 

DC-Watershed-6, DC-Aquatic-1, DC-Wild and Scenic-1)

Background and Rationale

 Possible locations for restoration of native species include reaches along the upper Verde 

River as well as portions of Sycamore Creek, downstream from Pine Mountain 

Wilderness. 

 While the Forest Service manages habitat, work that directly changes fish populations or 

species composition is achieved in collaboration with the Arizona Game and Fish 

Department. In addition, any work involving federally listed threatened or endangered 

fish species could only proceed via consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Therefore, any direct removal or transplant of fish species would need to be 

accomplished as a partnership effort with the agencies listed and others.

 Aquatic and riparian species that would benefit from work on the upper Verde River 

include:

○ Razorback sucker (federally listed as endangered), spikedace (federally listed as 

threatened), and northern Mexican gartersnake and narrow-headed gartersnake 

(federally listed as threatened).
Chapter 3. Objectives

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 67

○ Southwestern Region sensitive species include: lowland leopard frog, desert sucker, 

Sonora sucker, and roundtail chub.

Obj-25

Modify or remove at least 3 to 5 miles of fence to facilitate pronghorn antelope 

movement during the 10 years following plan approval. (DC-Ecosystem 

Resilience-1, DC-Wildlife-1)

Background and Rationale

 Pronghorn are highly dependent on moving long distances in order to retain genetic 

diversity and to escape predators. Fences can be modified to allow pronghorn to pass 

under them. A possible location where fence modification is needed is along the 

southwest corner of Yavapai Ranch.

Obj-26

Treat 15,000 to 90,000 acres to increase pronghorn antelope habitat quantity and 

quality during the 10 years following plan approval. (DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, 

DC-Veg-6, DC-Veg-21, Obj-1 to 3)

Background and Rationale

 Arizona Game and Fish Department pronghorn habitat evaluations (Ockenfels et al., 

1996a and 1996b) indicate that the grasslands are shrub invaded and lack species 

richness. Shrub diversity in the open woodland areas is good, although most are so tall 

that they obstruct pronghorn vision and favor predation of pronghorn. The evaluation 

further suggests that juniper and tall shrub encroachment has reduced the amount of open 

grassland, and these areas would benefit from removal of juniper and shrubs. The Central 

Arizona Grasslands Conservation Strategy is an ongoing interagency effort to prioritize 

and fund grassland restoration projects in the central Arizona landscape and may be used 

to determine areas needing treatment.

 Prescribed burning, mechanical tree removal, or other treatments included as part of 

objectives 1, 2 and 3 may help to fulfill the intent of this objective.

Obj-27 Treat 2 to 3 areas to facilitate pronghorn migration during the 10 years following 

plan approval. (DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, DC-Wildlife-1)

Background and Rationale

 The importance of pronghorn migration is referenced in Arizona Game and Fish 

Department, Game Management Unit plans. Doing this habitat improvement activity 

focuses on providing open habitat that allows pronghorn to avoid predators and move 

across the landscape. An example of one area is the one-quarter mile to one-half mile 

wide corridor along Forest Road 677.
Chapter 3. Objectives

68 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

 Prescribed burning, mechanical tree removal, or other treatments included as part of 

objectives 1, 2, and 3 are expected to help fulfill this objective.

Obj-28 Improve up to 25 existing and 5 new water developments for wildlife during the 

10 years following plan approval (DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1)

Background and Rationale 

 While the Forest Service manages habitat, work that directly changes wildlife populations 

or species composition is achieved in collaboration with the Arizona Game and Fish 

Department. 

 Water developments are structures that provide sources of water for wildlife that inhabit 

the area. Trick tanks are a type of water development that catch precipitation and direct it 

to a storage tank. From the storage tank, the water is distributed to drinking troughs for 

wildlife use. 

Open Space, Land Adjustment, and Scenic Values

The need for change related to open space states: “Enhance the value of open space provided by 

the Prescott NF by defining the visual character within areas near or viewed by those in local 

communities.” This can be done by maintaining the visual and “wild” character of Prescott NF 

lands within the viewshed or within and near communities. In addition, during land adjustment 

activities, open space and scenic quality are considered to be a community need. 

Obj-29

Act on up to 10 opportunities, as presented and feasible, to acquire lands within 

and around the Prescott NF to retain open space values during the 10 years 

following plan approval. (DC-Aquatic-1, DC-Open Space-1 to 2, DC-VV MA-1.)

Background and Rationale

 Open space is an important factor in the Verde Valley as evidenced by the following 

excerpts from the “Verde Valley Regional Land Use Plan” (Yavapai County, 2006): 

○ “Open space is possibly the most prized asset of the Verde Valley region’s residents.”

○ “Concerns include...preventing the loss of openness, which epitomizes the sense of 

place in the Verde Valley.”

 The Verde Valley Land Preservation Institute has produced maps of areas where 

retaining or adding to public land ownership is desirable. 

 Opportunities may exist for extending the Verde Greenway along the Verde River. 

 The Prescott NF provides a scenic backdrop of undeveloped and natural appearing 

landscapes. These conditions contribute to a sense of open space for visitors and those 

who live in the communities near the forest.
Chapter 3. Objectives

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 69

Obj-30

Identify and act on up to 10 opportunities to secure legal access to areas where 

historic access to the national forest has been lost during the 10 years following 

plan approval. (DC-Lands-1, DC-Transportation and Facilities-1, DC-Recreation2, DC-WVN MA-1.)

Background and Rationale

 Access to some areas of the Prescott NF has historically involved National Forest System 

(NFS) roads that pass through private sections of property. For some of these roads, the 

Forest Service has formal easements or rights-of-way recorded. However, the majority of 

these roads have only “prescriptive access rights” involving commonly known, accepted,

and continued road use, and there is no formal legal documentation establishing access 

across the private property to the public lands beyond.

 Some property owners have eliminated public access to national forest lands by installing 

gates and locks on NFS roads at property boundaries (more than 100 listed on 2012 

locked gate inventory).

 The management tools available for acquiring access across private property would 

depend on the specific circumstances but could include: obtaining or purchasing 

easements or rights-of-way through direct negotiations with land owners; filing for legal 

access based on “prescriptive rights” determinations with the help of the Office of 

General Council; or designing and constructing reroutes where feasible and affordable.

 Opportunities to pursue easements or rights-of-way actions would consider long term 

transportation system viability, connectivity, public access needs, and partnership 

opportunities (e.g., AZGFD, BLM).

Obj-31

Apply for 8 to 10 in-stream flow water rights to enable the Prescott NF to provide 

for channel and floodplain maintenance and recharge of riparian aquifers during 

the 10 years following plan approval.

Background and Rationale:

 National forests may apply to the State (Arizona Department of Water Resources) to 

obtain water rights on instream flows within rivers that flow through a national forest. 

Usually this is based on the need for water to support wildlife and/or recreation.

 If approved, the priority date of the instream flow right would be the date that the 

application, including 5 years of continuous flow data, is made to the State. 

 In Arizona, Federal rights must be registered through the State administrative system 

where there are ongoing general stream adjudications. These rights are subject to vested, 

prior appropriation water rights, and therefore, do not interfere with water rights that predate Federal rights.

 Currently, instream flow water rights have been received for the portion of the lower 

Verde River designated as wild and scenic and for Sycamore Creek that flows out of Pine 

Mountain Wilderness. In addition, an application has been submitted on the upper Verde 

River, and data collection for four instream flow water rights applications have 

commenced including Big Bug Creek, Cienega Creek, Cherry Creek, and upper Ash 

Creek. Further instream flow data collection on other streams will be based on a resource 

risk assessment analysis.

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 71

Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

Mexican spotted owl perched on a Gambel-oak tree

(Photo courtesy of Brian Wooldridge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Introduction 

Standards and guidelines provide sideboards and guidance for project and activity 

decisionmaking to help achieve desired conditions and objectives. Standards must be followed 

and can only change with a plan amendment. Guidelines must be followed, but they may be 

modified somewhat for a specific project if the intent of the guideline is followed and the 

deviation is addressed in a decision document with supporting rationale. When deviation from a 

guideline does not meet the original intent, however, a plan amendment is required.

Neither standards nor guidelines restate existing law or policy. For example, there are few related 

to heritage resources, because the majority of guidance already exists in law or policy direction. 

They also do not include statements that recommend an analysis, inventory, or monitoring. 

Management direction not included in the plan is found in numerous laws, regulations, executive 

orders, Forest Service policies, and additional guidance documents. 

The standards and guidelines in this chapter apply to all parts of the Prescott NF. In chapter 5, 

management area standards and guidelines are listed that apply to only a subset of the Prescott 

NF—that is, an individual management area. 

Similar to desired conditions (chapter 2), standards and guidelines have been divided into three 

sections: physical, biological, and social/economic factors. Standards and guidelines related to 
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

72 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

watershed and soils are found in the “Physical Resources” section. Vegetation standards and 

guidelines including those for plants, fire as a disturbance process, and wildlife standards and 

guidelines are found in the “Biological Factors” section. Finally, standards and guidelines related 

to the management of the following areas are found in the “Social/Economic Resources” section: 

recreation, land ownership, energy and communication sites, permits, recreation residences, 

scenic values, minerals, heritage values, range, and scenery. 

The standards and guidelines (plan decisions) below are the numbered statements displayed in 

boxes. The information outside of these boxes are not plan decisions but are provided for 

background. In addition, standards are differentiated from guidelines with bold text.

Associated maps are attached in appendix A.

Physical Resources

Watersheds

Watersheds standards and guidelines provide guidance for trending toward or achieving the 

following desired conditions labeled as DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, DC-Watershed-1 to 6, DCVeg-1, DC-Aquatic-1, and DC-Transportation and Facilities-1 in chapter 2 of this document.

Watersheds (See also Vegetation Standard 2; Range Standard 2 and Guidelines 1 and 5; 

Minerals Materials Guideline 1 and Locatable Minerals Guideline 2; Wildland Fire

Guideline 7; Transportation Guidelines1, 2, and 6; and Wilderness Standard 2.)

Std-WS1

Construction or maintenance equipment service areas shall be located at 

least 100 feet from the edges of all riparian corridors, seeps, and springs 

to prevent gas, oil, or other contaminates from washing or leaching into 

aquatic and riparian habitats.

Std-WS2

Equipment working on open water and wetlands shall be cleaned prior to 

entry into such areas to remove gas, oil, and other contaminants.

Std-WS3

Containment measures shall be employed within 100 feet from the edge of 

all riparian corridors, seeps, and springs for storage of fuels and other 

toxicants to prevent degradation of water quality and aquatic habitat.

GuideWS-1

Ground-disturbing projects should not alter the long-term hydrologic regime 

within 6th level hydrologic units (subwatersheds). The long-term hydrologic 

effects analysis should evaluate:

 Level of disturbance

 Type of activity

 Soil, geologic, and streamflow characteristics and expected recovery 

periods

GuideWS-2Watershed projects that provide surface water for municipal use should be 

given high priority.
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 73

GuideWS-3

Riparian-dependent resources should be managed to maintain and improve 

productivity and diversity of riparian-dependent species. Riparian 

communities should provide for the sustainability of aquatic and riparian 

species.

GuideWS-4

Adverse impacts to stream channel features (e.g., streambanks, obligate 

riparian vegetation) should be minimized by modifying management actions. 

Examples of modification could include, but are not limited to: adjusting 

timing and season of grazing, limiting use and location of heavy machinery, or 

avoiding placing trails or other recreation structures where recreation use 

could negatively affect stream channel features.

GuideWS-5Ground cover sufficient to filter runoff and prevent erosion should be retained 

in riparian corridors, seeps, and springs.

GuideWS-6

New infrastructure or facilities (e.g., roads, trails, parking lots, trailheads, 

energy transmission lines) should be located outside of riparian corridors. If 

crossing such areas with transmission lines is unavoidable, design features 

should be used to maintain hydrologic function and minimize impacts on 

riparian habitats. 

GuideWS-7

Infrastructure or facilities locations that lead to erosion or negative impacts to 

riparian systems should be mitigated/corrected. If no permanent correction is 

possible, they should be relocated outside of riparian corridors as 

opportunities arise.

GuideWS-8

Operation of heavy equipment, such as dozers, backhoes, or vehicles, in 

stream channels, seeps, and springs should be avoided. If use of equipment in 

such areas is required, site-specific design features should be implemented to 

minimize disturbance to soil and vegetation. Restoration or stabilization 

should occur immediately following disturbance.

GuideWS-9

Along perennial streams, perennial intermittent streams, and spring ponds, 

mitigations such as offsite water for livestock should be provided to reduce 

impacts on riparian communities and groundwater dependent sites.

GuideWS-10

Measures that restrict use should be considered as a way to mitigate recurring 

negative impacts to aquatic species and riparian plants. These could include, 

but are not limited to: installation of barriers, road closures, area closures, or 

seasonal restrictions.

GuideWS-11Watershed projects that increase herbaceous ground cover within piñonjuniper PNVTs should be given high priority.
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

74 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Soils

Soil guidelines provide guidance for trending toward or achieving desired conditions labeled as 

DC-Watershed-1, DC-Watershed-3, DC-Veg-6 to 7, DC-Veg-9, DC-Veg-13, DC-Veg-17, DCVeg-23, and DC-Transportation and Facilities-1 in chapter 2 of this document.

Soils (See also Watersheds Guidelines 1, 5, 7, and 8; Vegetation Guideline 3; Transportation

Guidelines 2 and 6; Wilderness Standard 2; Scenic Guideline 2; All Minerals Standard 1;

Locatable Minerals Standard 3 and Guideline 1; and Heritage Guideline 1.)

GuideSoils-1

Projects should be designed to limit activities that would cause long term 

impacts to soils such as loss of ground cover, severely burned soils, detrimental 

soil displacement, erosion, puddling, or compaction. Where disturbance cannot 

be avoided, project-specific soil and water conservation practices should be 

developed.

GuideSoils-2

Down logs and coarse woody debris should be retained at the appropriate 

tonnage per PNVT as outlined in the “Vegetation” desired condition sections to 

retain soil productivity.

GuideSoils-3

Operation of heavy equipment, such as dozers, backhoes, or vehicles, on slopes 

with a grade of 40 percent or greater should be avoided. If use of equipment in 

such areas is required, site-specific design features should be implemented to 

minimize disturbance to soil and vegetation.

GuideSoils-4

Project-specific design features to avoid soil impacts should be used when 

projects occur on slopes with a grade of 40 percent or greater or on soils that 

are sensitive to degradation when disturbed.

GuideSoils-5Ground disturbing activity should be avoided when the soil moisture level is 

such that activity would cause damage to the soil character or function.

Biological Resources

Vegetation

Vegetation standards and guidelines provide guidance for trending toward or achieving desired 

conditions labeled as DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, DC-Watershed-3, DC-Veg-4 to 5, DC-Veg-22, 

DC-Aquatic-1, DC-Transportation and Facilities-1, and DC-Minerals-1 in chapter 2 of this 

document. 

Vegetation (See also Range Guidelines 4, 5, and 6; Minerals Materials Guideline 5;

Locatable Minerals Guideline 2; Lands Guidelines 5 and 6; Recreation Guideline 4; and 

Wilderness Standard 2.)

Std-Veg-1

Collection of Southwestern Region sensitive plants shall occur for 

research or scientific purposes only.
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 75

Std-Veg-2

When treating nonnative and invasive plant species, design features in 

appendix B of the “Final Environmental Impact Statement for 

Integrated Treatment of Noxious or Invasive Weeds” (Forest Service, 

2005a) or the most current direction must be followed to protect 

endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate wildlife and plant 

species and their habitats. 

Guide-Veg-1

Design features and/or mitigation measures should be incorporated in all 

Forest Service projects, as needed, to insure that Southwestern Region 

sensitive plant species do not trend toward listing as threatened or 

endangered species.

Guide-Veg-2

Applicable design features in appendix B—Design Features, Best 

Management Practices, Required Protection Measures and Mitigation 

Measures—from the “Final Environmental Impact Statement for Integrated 

Treatment of Noxious or Invasive Weeds” (Forest Service, 2005a) or more 

current direction—should be followed in treating nonnative invasive plant 

species and for managing site disturbing projects and maintenance.

Guide-Veg-3

Efforts to improve severely disturbed sites, especially those within the 

vicinity of occupied Southwestern Region sensitive plant species habitat, 

should be undertaken to reduce nonnative invasive plant species 

colonization, protect soils, and improve watershed condition.

Guide-Veg-4

In choosing materials for revegetation, the following should be used:

 Plant or seed materials that are appropriate to the site, capable of 

becoming established, and are not listed as a State noxious weed 

species.

 Certified weed-free seed and weed-free erosion control materials. 

Guide-Veg-5

In cases where plant collection permits are issued, collecting seeds or 

cuttings should be encouraged; while digging or physically removing whole 

plants should be discouraged.

Guide-Veg-6

Within the Verde Formation:

 New developments for mineral materials and motorized trails 

should be located outside of areas identified as medium or high 

potential rare plant habitat. 

 Plant surveys for Southwestern Region sensitive species should be 

carried out before using any heavy equipment for the 

implementation of projects.
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

76 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Guide-Veg-7

 Projects in forested and woodland communities that change stand 

structure should generally retain at least historic frequencies of trees 

by species across broad age and diameter classes at the mid-scale. 

As such, the largest and oldest trees are usually retained. 

 Project design should also identify replacement features to assure 

continuous representation of old growth over time. Features that 

should be retained include: old trees, dead trees (snags), downed 

wood (coarse woody debris), and diverse stand structure.

Guide-Veg-8

Landscape scale restoration projects should be designed to spread out 

treatments (e.g., wildland fire, mechanical thinning) spatially and/or 

temporally to reduce implementation impacts and allow for recovery, 

establishment, and regrowth of native vegetation.

Terrestrial Wildlife

Terrestrial wildlife standards and guidelines provide guidance for trending toward or achieving 

desired conditions labeled as DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, DC-Veg-1, DC-Veg-4, DC-Veg-6 to 

23, DC-Wildlife-1 to 2, DC-Transportation and Facilities-1, DC-Lands-1, and DC-Minerals-1 in 

chapter 2 of this document.

Terrestrial Wildlife (See also Wildland Fire Guidelines 2, 5, and 7; Locatable Minerals

Guideline 2; Lands Guidelines 2, and 4; Range Standard 1 and Guidelines 2 and 6; Wildland 

Fire Guidelines 2, 5, and 7; and Transportation Guidelines 1, 3, and 5.)

GuideWL-1

Habitat management objectives and terrestrial species protection measures 

from approved recovery plans should be applied to activities and special uses 

occurring within federally listed species habitat1.

GuideWL-2

 Design features and mitigation measures should be incorporated in all 

Forest Service projects as needed to ensure that Southwestern Region 

sensitive species do not trend toward listing as threatened or 

endangered species.

 Design features and mitigation measures should be incorporated in all 

Forest Service projects as needed to ensure compliance with other 

Federal laws governing wildlife such as, but not limited to, Migratory 

Bird Treaty Act and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

GuideWL-3

For pronghorn antelope, the following should occur:

 When scheduling activities in pronghorn fawning areas, provide 

adequate cover and time activities to minimize disturbance.

 

1 Recovery plans can be found on the following Web site: www.fws.gov/endangered/
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 77

 Evaluate opportunities to enhance pronghorn migration routes when 

identifying priorities for vegetation treatments within grassland 

PNVTs.

 Use fencing that allows pronghorn passage when replacing fences or 

building new fences. Specifications should be based on most recent 

AZGFD fencing guidelines related to wire heights, distance between 

posts, and distances between strands of fence wire.

 As pronghorn habitat improvements to maintain pronghorn travelways 

are proposed, work done by AZGFD and other partners should be 

considered.

Within identified pronghorn habitat, juniper trees that have been cut down 

should be treated so that pieces lie no higher than 18 inches above the ground.

GuideWL-4

For cavity nesting birds, snags should be retained at levels indicated in PNVT 

desired condition statements, if available, and replaced at natural recruitment 

rates.

GuideWL-5

For raptors as each nest site (e.g., stick nest, cliff, ledge, cavity) is identified:

 Size and structure of raptor species’ nest stands2should be maintained.

 Disturbance at nest sites during the breeding season should be 

minimized.

GuideWL-6

For bats, the following should occur:

 Where known bat use and concentrations of bats occur (e.g., maternity 

colonies, hibernacula, or seasonal roosts), measures to maintain habitat 

and reduce disturbance by human activities through use of seasonal or 

permanent access restrictions should be used. These habitats generally 

include abandoned mines, caves, bridges, rock crevasses, old 

buildings, or tree snags.

 Bat occupancy should be assessed when considering closing 

abandoned mines (and caves).

 When closing mines or caves occupied by bats, use appropriate closure 

protocols, and consider the installation of bat-friendly closure devices.

 Containment and decontamination procedures should be used to avoid 

spread of white-nose syndrome (Geomyces destructans fungus). Forest 

Service guidance dated July 21, 2010, or most recent decontamination 

procedures should be used.

 

2 A nest stand includes the nest site and surrounding area that provides nest protection and desired vegetative structure

to enhance reproductive success of the species using the nest.
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

78 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

GuideWL-7

Where goshawks exist: 

 A minimum of six nest areas (known and replacement) should be 

located per territory. Goshawk nest and replacement nest areas should 

generally be located in drainages, at the base of slopes, and on 

northerly (northwest to northeast) aspects. Nest areas should generally 

be 25 to 30 acres in size.

 Goshawk post-fledgling family areas (PFAs) of approximately 420 

acres in size should be designated surrounding the nest sites. 

 Human presence should be minimized in occupied goshawk nest areas 

during nesting season of March 1 through September 30. 

Management activities and human uses for which the Forest Service issues 

permits (excluding livestock permits) should be restricted within active nest 

stands during the active nesting period unless disturbance is not likely to result 

in nest abandonment.

GuideWL-8

Projects should be designed to minimize the long-term impacts to wildlife from 

human activities in or adjacent to animal movement corridors.

GuideWL-9

Water developments or open impoundments, such as those for wildlife, 

livestock, or mining operations, should incorporate design features to prevent 

animal entrapments or assist in escape.

GuideWL-10

All open top vertical pipes with an inside diameter greater than one inch should 

incorporate design features to prevent animal entrapments. Examples could 

include pipe used for fences, survey markers, building plumbing vents, or sign 

posts.
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 79

Aquatic Wildlife

Aquatic wildlife standards and guidelines provide guidance for trending toward or achieving 

desired conditions labeled as DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1 and DC-Aquatic-1 in chapter 2 of this 

document.

Aquatic Wildlife (See also Vegetation Standard 2; Locatable Minerals Guideline 2; and 

Transportation Guidelines 1 to 3.) 

GuideFish/Aquatics1

Habitat management objectives and aquatic/riparian species protection 

measures from approved recovery plans should be applied to activities and 

special uses occurring within federally listed species habitat3.

Guide-Fish/ 

Aquatics-2

Design features, mitigation, and project timing considerations should be 

incorporated into ground-disturbing projects that may affect Southwestern

Region sensitive species’ occupied habitat near streams, seeps, and springs. 

Examples include, but are not limited to: undisturbed areas, timing 

restrictions, adjusted intensity of use, and avoiding use of large equipment.

Guide-Fish/ 

Aquatics-3

Water developments (e.g., a diversion or well) should be avoided near 

streams or seeps and springs where there is high risk of dewatering aquatic 

habitats.

Guide-Fish/ 

Aquatics-4

To prevent the spread of invasive species and fungal disease within aquatic 

habitats, the following should be cleaned of plant, animal, and mud 

material before coming into the Prescott NF:

 Mechanized equipment and tools used for projects

 Equipment (including suction dredges and hoses)

 Watercraft, boating equipment, and personal gear (e.g., personal 

flotation devices, waders, wading boots/shoes) used for projects or

surveys

 Gear used for permitted activities 

Items should again be cleaned at takeout and suction devices should be 

drained and cleaned prior to leaving the project site.

 

3 Recovery plans can be found on the following Web site: www.fws.gov/endangered/
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

80 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Wildland Fire

Fire standards and guidelines provide guidance for trending toward or achieving desired 

conditions labeled as DC-Ecosystem Resilience-1, DC-Airshed-1, DC-Watershed-1, DC-Veg-6 to 

15, DC-Veg-17 to 19, and DC-Veg-21 to 23 in chapter 2 of this document.

Wildland Fire (See also Wilderness Standards 2 to 4 and Guidelines 8 to 10.)

StdWildland 

Fire-1

During response to wildland fire, risks to firefighters and the public 

shall be mitigated4. Protection of human life overrides all other 

priorities.

StdWildland 

Fire 2

Within the PNVT called Desert Communities (see map 1 in appendix 

A), fire shall not be used as a tool for management and all fires will be 

suppressed.

StdWildland 

Fire-3

Slash piles shall not be located in places or burned at times that will 

impact identified cultural or heritage sites.

GuideWildland 

Fire-1

Determinations of responses to wildfire should be based on risk 

assessments that include preseason analysis and review as well as on-scene 

and immediate risk assessments by those initially responding to the wildfire 

incident. Such assessments should be on an appropriate scale and timeline 

relative to the time of the assessment and the time available during the 

incident. Such risk assessments should include, but are not limited to, the 

following:

 Evaluation of the threats to firefighter and public safety

 Evaluation of the threats to both natural and human-made resource 

values

 Evaluation of seasonal and/or climatic conditions

 Evaluations of cost-effective strategies that contribute to the 

success of the appropriate wildfire objective(s)

GuideWildland 

Fire-2

Strategies to manage wildland fire (wildfire and prescribed fire) that restore 

and maintain the natural fire regime of affected PNVTs, should be 

encouraged. 

GuideWildland 

Fire-3

Within the protection zone boundary on map 6 (see appendix A), a 

management objective of protection should be used to manage wildfires to 

minimize the risk of loss or damage to human life and property.

GuideWildland 

Fire-4

Outside of the protection zone boundary on map 6 (see appendix A), 

responses to wildfire should consider including other objectives beyond a 

single objective of suppression or protection.

 

4 Mitigation such as early detection, evacuations, or indirect suppression tactics can be used to minimize risks to 

firefighters and the public; however, risks are always present to a varying degree depending on weather, terrain, and 

fuel conditions. 
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 81

GuideWildland 

Fire-5

Mechanical or manual treatment of hazardous fuels should be considered

where the use of wildland fire (wildfire and prescribed fire) may cause 

unacceptable damage to other resources or pose an unacceptable risk to life 

and private property.

GuideWildland 

Fire-6

For fires managed for resource benefits and prescribed fires, amount of 

scorch and char should be minimized on trees in areas with a high scenic 

integrity objective that are visible from concern level 1 and 2 roads, unless 

risk to firefighters and public make this impractical. 

GuideWildland 

Fire-7

Project-specific design features to avoid undesired impacts should be used 

when fire operations occur within or near riparian corridors or seeps and 

springs. For example, provide screens on water hoses when drafting water 

to prevent the entrapment of fish.

GuideWildlandFire8

Give wildland-urban interface areas high priority for fuel reduction 

treatments5. 

GuideWildland 

Fire-9

Project-specific design features to avoid undesired impacts should be used 

when fire operations occur within a quarter of a mile of a developed 

campground. Example could include a no fire treatment buffer around 

campsites, using existing fire barriers when possible and retaining 

vegetation between campsites for screening purposes.

Social and Economic Resources

Recreation, Transportation, and Facilities

Recreation management includes providing a variety of recreation opportunities, such as 

camping, hiking, or driving. It also includes education and interpretation. Standards and 

guidelines related to recreation management provide guidance for trending toward or achieving 

DC-Aquatic-2, DC-Rec-1, DC-Rec-2-Trails, DC- Transportation and Facilities-1, and DCMinerals-1 in chapter 2 of this document.

Recreation (See also Vegetation Standard 2; Locatable Minerals Standard 1; and Lands

Guideline 2.)

Std-Rec-1

Only designated roads, motorized trails, and motorized use areas as 

depicted and described on the motor vehicle use map are open to public 

motorized vehicle use. 

 

5 Wildland-urban interface includes those areas of resident populations at imminent risk from wildfire, as well as 

human developments having special significance. These areas encompass not only the sites themselves, but also the 

continuous slopes and fuels that lead directly to the sites regardless of the distance involved. 
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

82 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Std-Rec-2

Only designated roads, motorized trails, and motorized use areas depicted 

and described on the motor vehicle use map are open for motorized big 

game retrieval. Motorized big game retrieval is precluded in areas where 

motorized travel is prohibited, such as wilderness.

GuideRec-1

For the purpose of motorized big game retrieval:

 Use of motor vehicles should be limited to within 1 mile of designated 

roads and motorized trails to retrieve a legally hunted and tagged elk 

during elk hunting seasons as designated by the Arizona Game and 

Fish Department, and for 24 hours following the end of each season.

Only one vehicle (i.e., one trip in and one trip out) per harvested 

animal should be operated off of designated roads and motorized trails.

 Hunters should use the most direct and least ground-disturbing route to 

accomplish the retrieval.

 Motorized big game retrieval should not occur when conditions are 

such that travel would cause damage to natural and/or cultural 

resources.

 Motor vehicles should not cross riparian corridors, streams, and rivers 

except at hardened crossings or crossings with existing culverts.

GuideRec-2

When projects are carried out, they should meet the minimum characteristics 

for recreation opportunities and settings as classified in the Recreation 

Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) inventory and displayed in map 3, appendix A.

 Areas that are identified as roaded modified and located one-half mile 

on each side of existing power or gas lines should be managed as 

semiprimitive motorized.

 Motorized use within areas identified as providing a nonmotorized 

recreation setting may take place on a case-by-case basis as 

documented in site-specific permits. Examples of such permits include, 

but are not limited to: grazing permits, recreation event permits, or 

communication site permits.

GuideRec-3

Customer services should meet evolving customer needs by being available in 

a variety of formats, locations, and timeframes.

GuideRec-4

Native plant species, when suitable and available, should be used during the 

design of new or improved recreation sites. Invasive weeds should be removed 

or treated on existing sites before they become widespread within recreation

sites. 

GuideRec-5Unauthorized travel routes should be returned to natural conditions to 

discourage continued use.

GuideRec-6

Management tools (e.g., education, engineering, enforcement) should be used 

to prevent resource damage due to recreation activities. Examples of such tools 

include, but are not limited to: traffic control devices, designation of campsites, 

time limits, site rotation, group size limitation, registration, public contact, 
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 83

written information, permits, seasonal closures, fencing, enforcement activity, 

and current information posted on the Internet.

GuideRec-7

Redesign, restoration, or rehabilitation of recreation sites should be carried out 

where recreation activities have caused unacceptable natural and social 

resource impacts.

GuideRec-8

New developed campgrounds and designated dispersed campsites should be 

located away from riparian areas, flood plains, and other environmentally 

sensitive areas. 

GuideRec-9

To guide appropriate motorized use, accurate and understandable signs should 

be placed in effective locations to discourage encroachment of motorized 

vehicles into nonmotorized areas.

GuideRec-10

Engineering tools should be used to minimize recreation and livestock grazing 

conflicts. Tools could include, but are not limited to: trail design that avoids 

stock tanks, incorporation of self-closing gates, use of ATV cattle guards, or 

gates around cattle guards for horseback riders.

GuideRec-11

Within developed campgrounds, vegetation removal should promote visitor 

safety, scenic values, and vegetation health.

GuideRec-12

In areas outside of the Prescott Basin Management Area, camping by each 

individual or group should not exceed a period of 14 days in a 30 consecutive 

day period within the Prescott NF, unless specifically designated otherwise6.

Education/Interpretation (See also Recreation Guidelines 6 and 9; Heritage Guideline 2.)

GuideInterp-1

Activities should be designed to inform and educate forest visitors about the 

following topics related to natural and cultural resources:

 Awareness and appreciation of resource and land stewardship 

principles

 Wilderness ethics, values, and opportunities

 Rationale for limitations on visitor use such as designation of 

motorized trails and areas or short-term restrictions related to wildlife 

reproduction 

 Multiuse trail etiquette

 Ecological importance of riparian systems

 Cultural heritage values

 Geology and mining history

 Forest health activities, such as fuels management that leads to reduced 

risk of intense fire; complexity, risks and benefits of wildland fire 

management; and the nature of visual changes due to such activities.

 

6 See Prescott Basin Management Area in chapter 5 for guidance related to this area.
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

84 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

 Livestock grazing and the need to respect fences, gates, and vegetation 

for multiple uses

 Value of native plant and animal species and awareness of nonnative

invasive species issues

Transportation and Facilities (See also Watershed Guidelines 1, 4, 6 to 8, and 10; Soil

Guidelines 4 and 5; Wildlife Guidelines 2 and 8 to 10; Fish/Aquatics Guidelines 2 and 4; 

Recreation Standard 1 and Guidelines 5 to 10; Scenic Values Guideline 2; and Heritage

Guideline 2.)

GuideTrans-1

Where the creation of alternate routes does not lead to excessive damage to 

other resources, opportunities to relocate and restore motorized roads or trails 

in riparian areas, and in proximity to other watercourses, should have priority.

GuideTrans-2

Roads and trails removed from the transportation network should be 

rehabilitated as soon as possible. Treatments may include: reshaping 

travelways, removal of stream crossing structures, restoring and armoring 

natural drainages, stabilizing ground surface, revegetation, and maintenance or 

restoration of fish passage.

GuideTrans-3Roads and trails should be designed to not impede terrestrial and aquatic 

wildlife species movement and habitat connectivity. 

GuideTrans-4Seasonal road and trail closures or other management methods should be used 

to manage and protect resources and infrastructure.

GuideTrans-5To avoid unintended entrapment, wildlife friendly design for cattle guards 

should be incorporated for new and replacement installations. 

GuideTrans-6

When system roads are constructed or reconstructed, efforts should be focused 

on reducing cumulative watershed effects. This could include, but is not 

limited to: using design features that minimize sedimentation, reduce the

number or length of system roads, or rehabilitate unneeded system roads and 

user-created routes.

Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers

Wilderness is managed to perpetuate and, where needed, to restore wilderness character. 

Preserving wilderness characteristics is the overriding consideration; economy, convenience, 

commercial value, and comfort are not criteria of wilderness management. Wild and scenic rivers 

are managed to maintain their outstandingly remarkable values. Standards and guidelines related 

to wilderness and wild and scenic rivers provide guidance for trending toward or achieving DCWild-1and DC-Wild and Scenic-1.
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 85

Wilderness (See also Minerals Materials Guideline 4.) 

Std-Wild1Wilderness characteristics and values shall take precedence over 

recreation uses where conflicts occur.

Std-Wild2

Natural ecological processes shall be allowed to occur freely in wilderness 

to the extent that they retain the wilderness character, except where public 

and firefighter safety and private property is put at risk. Activities allowed 

in wilderness shall be managed to preserve the wilderness character and 

value.

Std-Wild3

All fire management actions within wilderness shall be conducted in a 

manner compatible with overall wilderness desired conditions including 

the character and values associated with each individual wilderness area. 

GuideWild-1Where agency or applicant objectives can be met outside of designated 

wilderness, special use permits should not be issued in wilderness.

GuideWild-2

Wilderness maximum group size should be limited to 15 people except for 

occasional Forest Service maintenance crews, organized rescue parties, or 

firefighting forces performing official duties.

GuideWild-3

Unless otherwise approved under permit, the maximum size of a party 

traveling or camping at one location with riding or pack animals should be 

limited to 10 animals.

GuideWild-4Wilderness boundary posting should be maintained in areas where 

nonconforming use is likely to occur.

GuideWild-5

Where active intervention is warranted to preserve the wilderness character, 

corrective activities should be initiated for areas that become degraded as a 

result of human activities.

GuideWild-6Facilities at wilderness trailheads should be consistent with the level of use and 

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) setting.

GuideWild-7Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) should be used when managing 

both wildfire and prescribed fire within wilderness.

GuideWild-8Helispots, spike camps, and water source locations outside of wilderness 

should be considered over locations within designated wilderness.

GuideWild-9

Decisions for the appropriate suppression tool or tactic in the wilderness should 

receive the same considerations for firefighter and public safety and the 

protection of values at risk as they would outside of wilderness. If such 

considerations are not urgent, the use of retardant in wilderness should be 

avoided if possible. 

GuideWild-10

Management actions should maintain the wilderness characteristics of a 

recommended wilderness area until a determination for designation has been 

made by Congress.
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

86 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Wild/Scenic Rivers (See also Minerals Materials Guideline 4.)

StdW&S-1

Management Standards found in chapter 3 of the “Verde Wild and Scenic 

River Comprehensive River Management Plan for Coconino, Prescott and 

Tonto National Forests” (Forest Service, 2004) shall be incorporated into 

management activities.

StdW&S-2

Within river segments that are eligible for wild/scenic river designation, 

identified outstandingly remarkable values shall be afforded adequate 

protection, subject to valid existing rights, until the eligibility 

determination is superseded (i.e., the segment is determined not suitable 

for designation or Congress makes a decision regarding designation). 

Authorized uses shall not be allowed to adversely affect either eligibility or 

the tentative classification, (i.e., actions that would change a classification 

from wild to scenic).

Lands and Special Uses

Standards and guidelines related to management of NFS lands (including acquisition and 

exchange, rights-of-way, energy corridors, communication sites, and recreation residences)

provide guidance for trending toward or achieving DC-Wildlife-1, DC Watershed-1, DC-Open 

Space-1, and DC-Lands-1 in chapter 2 of this document.

Lands Management and Special Uses (See also Recreation Guideline 2.) 

StdLands-1

New recreational residences shall not be established.

StdLands-2Recreational residences shall be occupied no less than 15 days per year 

and shall not be used as full-time residences.

GuideLands-1

Right-of-way authorizations should help provide adequate access to the 

Prescott NF. When responding to requests for new access authorizations, 

reciprocity should be sought to ensure administrative and public access to 

forest land.

GuideLands-2

When responding to land exchange proposals as presented, consideration 

should be given to the effects they have on visual characteristics; cultural 

resources; recreation opportunities; threatened, endangered or sensitive species 

impacts; and community vision statements. In coordination with general 

factors to consider in 36 CFR 254.3(1), proposals for acquisition should meet 

one or more of the following criteria:

 Lands within designated wilderness 

 Lands that contain important wildlife habitat, including that needed for 

species viability, such as habitat needed to maintain migration patterns 

or important habitat linkages

 Wetlands, riparian areas, and other water oriented lands 
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 87

 Lands that contain unique, natural, or cultural values 

 Lands that provide needed access, protect public lands from fire or 

trespass, or prevent damage to resources

GuideLands-3

Lands offered by the United States in land exchange should generally meet one 

or more of the following criteria:

 Lands needed to meet the needs of communities and the public, such as 

land for a water treatment plant

 Lands where public land management would be improved by 

transferring them to others

 Lands that have lost their wildland character

GuideLands-4

The following guidelines apply to communication sites:

 Height of towers, including appurtenances (attachments), should be 

less than 200 feet above natural ground level7. Exceptions to the height 

limitation may be granted by the forest supervisor, if allowing an 

increase in height would result in placement of fewer towers, or if a 

greater height is necessary for emergency services or homeland 

security. The applicant must prove that the requested height is the 

minimum necessary to provide communication services. 

 They should help fulfill the public and government need for adequate 

communication sites and should strive to find a balance between the 

availability of low power versus high power sites.

 Communication site management plans, including site boundaries, 

should be implemented at each communication site. 

 The use of existing facilities (i.e., colocation) should be maximized 

prior to authorizing new facilities.

 Access to electronic sites should be maintained at a level sufficient to 

provide day-to-day commercial frequency management.

 New authorizations for facility managers should include the 

requirement that the facility manager provide shared resources such as 

backup generators and grounding systems, fuel containers, solar 

generating systems, access ways, and parking areas as needed for all 

tenants upon request.

 Lot plans as previously established should be eliminated. Sites should 

be allocated only the actual ground space (footprint) they occupy. 

 Vegetation clearing should be limited to defensible space within: (a) 

the communication sites; (b) fuel breaks around the perimeter of the 

 

7 Towers greater than 200 feet in height require lights and guy wires, which could increase impact to bats and migratory 

birds.
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

88 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

sites; and (c) areas that pose a hazard to facilities and operational 

efficiency. 

 All uses should be designed, operated, and maintained to not 

physically or electronically interfere with the senior uses. Senior uses8

generally take precedence over new uses. High power uses should be 

physically separated from low power uses by one mile or more. The 

responsibility for correcting interference problems lies with the holder 

of the communications site authorization for the facility, the user 

causing the interference, and the affected parties. 

 New and replacement towers should be self-supporting and should 

incorporate design features to minimize bat and bird impacts.

 All new and replacement microwave radome covers should be dark 

grey, or as specified by the forest representative.

 Visual resource objectives should be maintained by using design 

standards that make towers unobtrusive and by using nonreflective 

surface materials and colors which blend in with the surroundings.

 New towers and tower additions should not be authorized if they 

adversely affect the fire tower lookouts’ lines-of-sight or present radio 

frequency radiation hazards to Forest Service employees or the general 

public9. 

GuideLands-5

Energy sources should be managed according to the guidelines below:

 New energy proposals should be located within existing corridors 

including the Westwide Energy Corridor unless valid concerns about 

the reliability and integrity of the state’s electrical grid indicate 

otherwise. 

 Towers for 69 kV lines and above, should be self-weathering with 

nonreflective lines, and where geomorphology allows, located in areas 

that blend in with the terrain or background.

 Low growing plant communities that do not interfere with overhead 

lines, should be maintained within power line corridors. 

 Less than 69kV power lines should be placed underground where 

physically and economically feasible.

 Overhead utilities should have approved corridor management plans or 

operating plans in place prior to all vegetation treatments

 Solar and wind power facilities should be co-located within compatible 

corridors or located in areas with the least visual impacts to maintain

natural appearing vistas.

 

8 Senior communication uses predate later communication applications. The most senior uses form the basis for the 

communications site designation. 

9 For Federal Communications Commission purposes, this applies to human exposure to radio frequency fields when 

the general public is exposed, or in which persons who are exposed as a consequence of their employment may not be 

fully aware of the potential for exposure or cannot exercise control over their exposure.
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 89

 When locating new power line corridors, areas in proximity to existing 

power line corridors or substations should be considered first. 

 Utility companies and wind power facilities should incorporate design 

features to minimize bat and avian collisions.

 Current USFWS and AZGFD guidelines for wind and solar energy 

development should be considered for avoiding or minimizing impacts 

to wildlife.

 Wildlife movement corridors should be considered when energy 

sources and transmission lines are located.

GuideLands-6

Recreation residences should be managed according to the guidelines below:

 Recreation residences, decks, outbuildings, and other structures should 

be colored and designed to blend in with the natural landscape. All 

improvements should be preapproved by the Forest Service 

representative.

 Recreation residences should be maintained in good condition to 

prevent vandalism and wildlife access.

 Native plants should be used for landscaping. Type of species and 

placement should be consistent with maintaining a low fire risk. 

Nonnative invasive species should not be introduced; infestations 

should be removed where they exist.

Scenic Values

Guidelines for scenic values provide guidance for trending toward or achieving DC-Ecosystem 

Resilience-1, DC-Watershed-1, DC-Veg-3, DC-Veg-6 to 10, DC-Wildlife-1, and DC-Scenic-1 in 

chapter 2 of this document. 

Scenic Values (See also Wildland Fire Guidelines 7, 8 and Minerals Materials Guideline 2.)

GuideScenic-1Scenic integrity objectives (see map 4 in appendix A) should be met or 

exceeded.

GuideScenic-2

All improvements (including permanent structures), vegetation manipulation, 

and ground-disturbing activities and/or construction should be compatible with 

the scenic integrity objective (SIO) for the area and should be designed to 

complement the character of the surrounding natural landscape. 

 Methods to disguise or minimize visual effects of constructed features 

by use of colors and materials that blend with the existing landscape 

should be considered.

 Vegetation that screens views of structures should be protected or 

enhanced. 
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

90 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

GuideScenic-3

For projects to maintain or improve forest health or for fuels treatments, the 

scenic integrity objectives (SIOs) may be temporarily reduced one SIO level 

during critical project or management activities. Written documentation in the 

project-level decision will elaborate on the timeline for completion and final 

expectation for appearance.

GuideScenic-4

Along visually sensitive roads (concern level 1 and 2) within high scenic 

integrity objective areas (see map 4 in appendix A) or next to recreation sites, 

branches and tree tops from management activity (slash) should be piled and 

burned or removed from the visible area up to 50 feet from the edge of the 

road. 

GuideScenic-5

When management activities require cutting trees in piñon-juniper vegetation 

within the viewshed of concern level 1 roads, cut trees should be treated so that 

pieces lie no higher than 18 inches above the ground.

GuideScenic-6

Log landings should be out of sight of concern level 1 roads and developed 

recreation areas, except where steep slopes, archaeological sites, sensitive soils, 

Southwestern Region sensitive species habitat, lack of road access, or other 

similar factors prevent it. 

GuideScenic-7Within the viewshed of concern level 1 and 2 roads, timber markings should be 

located so that they are not visible from the road. 

GuideScenic-8

When located within the viewshed of concern level 1 roads or within developed 

recreation sites, log landings and skidding areas should be reclaimed and slash 

treatments completed as quickly as possible after timber harvest has been 

completed in each payment unit. 

GuideScenic-9Flagging visible from concern level 1 roads and trails should be removed 

within one year after project completion to avoid impacting the viewshed. 

Minerals and Minerals Material

Standards and guidelines related to minerals

10 and minerals material11 management provide 

guidance for trending toward or achieving DC-Minerals-1 in chapter 2 of this document.

All Minerals (See also Wildlife Guidelines 6 and 9.) 

Std-All 

Minerals-1

Surface disturbance shall be limited to the minimum necessary for the 

extraction of minerals; however, land management decisions must not 

preclude the ability of private mineral owners to make reasonable use of 

the surface, as defined by deed and public law.

 

10 Minerals management on the Prescott NF primarly includes locatable minerals which are defined as hard rock 

minerals and are mined and processed for the recovery of metals. Locatable minerals may also include certain 

nonmetallic minerals and uncommon varieties of mineral materials, such as valuable and distinctive deposits of 

limestone or silica. Management of this type of mining falls under the authorities related to the 1872 Mining Law.

11 Minerals material includes common variety material such as rock or gravel. Their management does not fall under 

the 1872 Mining Law and royalties for removal are paid to the government.
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 91

Locatable Minerals (See also Watershed Guidelines 6 and 7; Heritage Guidelines 1 and 2.)

StdLocatable 

Minerals-1

Heritage sites, administrative sites, and recreation sites that have an 

investment in facilities shall be requested for withdrawal from mineral 

entry and location.

StdLocatable 

Minerals-2

Closed roads or routes not on the motor vehicle use map shall not be 

used for mining activity without written authorization.

StdLocatable 

Minerals-3

Approval of mining activities shall include the use of reclamation bonds 

to protect and restore surface resources.

GuideLocatable 

Minerals-1

Provisions should be provided for recreational gold panning and dry mining 

activities that are allowed on the Prescott NF. These could include but would 

not be limited to: 

 Only operating one area at a time and refilling holes and restoring 

areas of operation as nearly as possible to their premining 

appearance

 Minimizing disturbance to riparian vegetation

 Avoiding disturbance to upland vegetation

 Guidance found in 36 CFR Part 228

GuideLocatable 

Minerals-2

Given that the Forest Service function is the management and protection of 

surface resources in a manner compatible with reasonable and logical mining 

operations, the following should be included in plans of operations for 

locatable minerals:

 Structures and support facilities for mining activity should be located 

outside riparian areas. Where no alternative to locating facilities in 

riparian areas exists, site-specific design features should be 

developed to minimize impacts.

 Mine waste that has the potential to generate hazardous material 

should be located outside of riparian areas. If there is no reasonable 

alternative, design features should be applied to minimize impacts.

 Mitigation measures should be used for Southwestern Region 

sensitive species to minimize impacts to populations due to mineral 

exploration or extraction activity.

 Watershed protection and mitigations should be incorporated to 

avoid degradation of aquatic systems, including water quality, during 

mineral extraction.

 Closing and reclaiming abandoned mine lands should be given high 

priority.
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

92 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Minerals Materials (See also Vegetation Guideline 6.)

StdMinerals 

Materials-1

Restoration plans shall be prepared before development and use of new 

mineral material sources. Existing pits that have not been utilized as a 

source for mineral materials for 2 years shall require a reclamation plan 

and bonding before approval is granted to new applicants.

StdMinerals 

Materials-2

Mineral activity shall not be permitted in designated wilderness and 

other withdrawn areas.

GuideMinerals

Materials-1

Adverse effects to aquatic and other riparian dependent resources from 

mineral material operations should be avoided.

GuideMinerals

Materials-2

Visual impact assessments should accompany new mineral material pit 

proposals. Pit proposals should meet scenic integrity objectives for the area 

of activity.

GuideMinerals 

Materials-3 

Mineral material sites open for public use versus those only available for 

Forest Service use should be determined and the information shared with the

public. 

GuideMinerals

Materials-4

Mineral material activities should not be permitted in designated or 

recommended special areas (e.g., wilderness, wild/scenic rivers).

GuideMinerals 

Materials-5

Occupied Southwestern Region sensitive species habitat should be avoided 

during development of new mineral material extraction sites. Heavy 

equipment use and material removal should not take place in occupied 

Southwestern Region sensitive species habitat within current or new 

permitted sandstone or dolomitic limestone quarries.

Heritage Values

Standards and guidelines related to management of heritage values provide guidance for trending 

toward or achieving DC-Heritage-1 to 2, and DC-Minerals-1 in chapter 2 of this document. There 

are few guidelines for heritage because most direction exists as law and Forest Service policy.

Heritage Values (See also Locatable Minerals Standard 1.)

GuideHer-1

Heritage sites on the deferred maintenance list should be protected from 

impacts due to erosion or natural weathering as well as potential human 

activity.

GuideHer-2

Development, access, signage, and interpretation should be minimized for sites 

eligible for and listed on the National Register of Historic Places to better 

provide protection. 
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 93

Range 

Standards and guidelines related to range management provide guidance for trending toward or 

achieving DC-Watershed-1, DC-Veg-1, DC-Veg-3, and DC-Veg-5 in chapter 2 of this document.

Range (See also Watersheds Guidelines 4, 5, 9, and 10; Soils Guideline 1; and Vegetation

Standard 2.)

StdRange-1Water troughs shall incorporate escape devices to prevent animal 

entrapments.

StdRange-2

Year-long livestock grazing in riparian areas (streams, springs, and seeps) 

shall be avoided to prevent adverse impacts to water quality and riparian 

habitat in those areas. 

GuideRange-1

The placement of salt, minerals, and/or other supplements for the purposes of 

livestock management should be located further than one-quarter mile from 

riparian areas or seasonally present water. 

GuideRange-2

For structural improvements:

 Implement design features that incorporate wildlife needs and reduce 

barriers to movement and entrapment hazards.

 Consider wildlife needs in fence placement and design to reduce 

barriers and hazards to movement and minimize chances of 

entrapment.

 Remove fencing when it is no longer needed.

GuideRange-3

After occurrence of wildland fire or mechanical activity that removes most 

vegetation, a time period for recovery, establishment, and regrowth of 

vegetation should be determined and applied to meet site-specific objectives.

GuideRange-4

Livestock salting should be located away from known locations of 

Southwestern Region sensitive plant species so that plants are not adversely 

affected by associated trampling.

GuideRange-5

Livestock use of woody riparian species (e.g., cottonwood, willow, ash, alder) 

should provide for maintenance of those species and allow regeneration of new 

individuals leading to diverse age classes of woody riparian species where 

potential for native woody vegetation exists.

GuideRange-6

Grazing intensity, frequency, occurrence, and period should provide for growth 

and reproduction of desired plant species while maintaining or enhancing 

habitat for wildlife.

Forest Products

Forest products sold on the Prescott NF include sawtimber, pulpwood, and firewood. The harvest 

of sawtimber and pulpwood is solely a byproduct of thinning forested areas where the primary 
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

94 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

purpose is to improve forest health and wildlife habitat or to reduce hazardous fuels in the WUI. 

The demand for other wood products has been driven by local and regional needs for firewood.

Restoration work in ponderosa pine and piñon-juniper PNVTs is focused on uneven-aged forest 

management using two primary silvicultural prescriptions: free thinning all sizes to a target basal 

area and group selection cuts with matrix thinning to a target basal area. On occasion, even-aged 

regeneration methods might be included in site-specific project design, but only after a 

determination that these methods are the best approach for achieving desired conditions (see DCVeg-2 and DC-Veg-17 to 20).

The standards listed below are required by NFMA for those infrequent occasions when even-aged 

regeneration methods will be employed on lands classified as suitable for timber production.

Forest Products (See also Vegetation Guidelines 1, 2, 3, and 4; Wildland Fire Guidelines 5 

and 8; and Scenic Values Guidelines 1 to 9.)

Std-FP-1

Regulated timber harvest activities shall occur only on those lands 

classified as suitable for timber production.

Lands deemed suitable for timber production shall be on a regulated 

timber harvest schedule. 

Intermediate treatments, such as precommercial thinning between harvest 

intervals, shall be used to maintain tree vigor, provide growing space for 

regeneration, and reduce hazardous fuels.

Std-FP-2

If individual harvest openings created by even-aged silvicultural practices 

are proposed that would exceed 40 acres, then NFMA requirements 

regarding public notification and approval shall be followed. 

These requirements do not apply to the size of areas harvested because of 

catastrophes such as, but not limited to: fire, insect and disease attacks, or 

windstorms.

Std-FP-3

Regulated timber harvest activities shall only be used when there is 

reasonable assurance of restocking within 5 years after final regeneration 

harvest. 

Restocking level is prescribed in a site-specific silviculture prescription for 

a project treatment unit and is determined to be adequate depending on 

the objectives and desired conditions for the plan area. 

In some instances, such as when lands are harvested to create openings for 

fuel breaks and vistas or to prevent encroaching trees, it is adequate not to 

restock.
Chapter 4. Standards and Guidelines

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 95

Std-FP-4

Even-aged stands shall generally have reached or surpassed culmination of 

mean annual increment (95 percent of CMAI as measured by cubic 

volume) prior to regeneration harvest, unless the following conditions have 

been identified during project development:

 When such harvesting would assist in reducing fire risk within the 

wildland-urban interface. 

 When harvesting of stands will trend landscapes toward vegetation 

desired conditions.

Guide-FP1Harvesting systems should be selected based on their ability to meet desired 

conditions and not on their ability to provide the greatest dollar return.

Guide-FP2

Ponderosa pine site treatment timing and residual green slash accumulations 

should be managed to reduce opportunities for Ips beetle populations to 

increase.

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 97

Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

Riparian vegetation along the upper Verde River

Introduction

The 1987 “Prescott National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan” included specific 

direction on how to manage different land areas based on ecological characteristics. In this 

revised plan, we have addressed ecological variation using other methods (see chapters 1 and 2).

Management area boundaries were selected based on human geographic boundaries, so that 

guidance in response to social or economic issues could be better identified to meet each 

community’s needs. As plan revision steps progressed, we asked ourselves which aspects of the 

plan needed to be addressed differently based on geographic location. The response was that 

recreation needs and desires were likely to be different for various parts of the Prescott NF. In 

addition, the Verde Valley area had specific desires relative to maintaining and enhancing open 

space. 

The Prescott NF was divided into human geographic areas based on descriptions of communities 

located near and within the Prescott NF (Komar and Schultz, 2007). Using methods developed by 

James Kent and Associates, geographic areas were mapped indicating where people from various 

communities feel strongly about conditions and events. Communities were then invited to 

develop community visions for the Prescott NF and other surrounding lands.
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

98 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

In a more recent effort to develop a recreation strategy for the Prescott NF, similar boundaries 

were used to divide the forest and surrounding area into three zones. In this plan, those zone 

boundaries were adjusted slightly and are called geographic areas. Management areas are 

subdivisions of geographic areas. The relationship between geographic areas and management 

areas in this plan is shown in table 4 and figure 3.

Table 4. Geographic and management areas on the Prescott NF

Agua Fria/Crown King 

Geographic Area

Prescott/Chino/Drake 

Geographic Area

Verde Valley 

Geographic Area

Agua Fria

Management Area

Crown King

Management Area

Upper Verde

Management Area

Williamson Valley

North Management Area

Williamson Valley

South Management Area

Prescott Basin

Management Area

Verde Valley

Management Area
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 99

Figure 3. Map of geographic areas and management areas on the Prescott NF

Community vision statements related to recreation or open space are included for each of the 

three geographic areas shown in figure 3. They were developed during community vision 

workshops held in 2007 and 2008 (see appendix C for the full community vision statements). 

Only statements related to recreation or open space were included. Forestwide desired conditions 

(chapter 2) address community vision statements related to other topics. While the source of each 

community vision statement is indicated in parentheses, the statements apply to the whole 

geographic area and may include desired community characteristics that overlap both the Prescott 

NF and other land ownership. 

Desired conditions that apply to all of the Prescott NF have been included in chapter 2 of this 

plan. The desired conditions included for each management area are those that are specific to that 

land area. Forestwide desired conditions apply to these areas, as well all other areas on the 

Prescott NF. Management area desired conditions refine the forestwide descriptions. Objectives 
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

100 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

developed in response to management area desired conditions have been included in chapter 3, 

“Objectives.”

Forestwide standards and guidelines are found in chapter 4 of this plan. The management area 

standards and guidelines described for each management area in this chapter provide more 

specific guidance for each individual management area. If there appears to be a conflict between 

forestwide standards and guidelines and those found in management areas, the most restrictive

apply.

The management area plan decisions below are the numbered statements displayed in boxes. The 

information outside of these boxes are not plan decisions but are provided for background. In 

addition, standards are displayed in bold text (same as in chapter 4).

Agua Fria/Crown King Geographic Area

Historic Context

When the Spanish arrived in Arizona, the Agua Fria River Basin was occupied primarily by the 

Yavapai people, although Apache people were also present. With the discovery of precious metals 

in the Bradshaw Mountains and the Black Hills in the 1860s, “gold fever” hastened the migration 

of industrialism and capitalism to the area. Numerous mining camps and towns sprang up. In the 

1920s, a quarter million sheep seasonally moved through the Agua Fria watershed from the Salt 

River Valley to the high plateau, with many stopping at the Old Cordes Ranch for shearing. Bales 

of wool eventually were moved by wagon from Old Cordes to the Cleator railroad siding and then 

to markets.

The largest mine in the Bradshaw Mountains, and the one that gave its name to the local 

settlement, was the Crowned King Mine. The first claim was in 1875. Years later the name was 

shortened to its current form, Crown King. Miners transformed the area with picks, machinery, 

explosives, smoke stacks, industrial chemicals, logging, and the construction of roads and 

railroads. The Crown King mill pounded away at ore from the mine through 1890, at one time 

making 3 tons of high grade concentrates per day. Surrounding forests were cut down to feed the 

boilers that drove the mill. In the 1930s, the city of Phoenix leased almost 2,000 acres of land in 

Horsethief Basin from the Forest Service. Through the Works Progress Administration and 

Civilian Conservation Corps programs, a dam was built to create a lake. Cabins, tennis courts, 

and playgrounds were constructed and used by families escaping the summer heat. After the land 

reverted to the national forest, the cabins became summer home dwellings as part of the 

recreation residence program.

Characteristics of the Agua Fria/Crown King Geographic Area

Approximate acres: 373,000, of which 97 percent is National Forest System land

Miles of trail limited to nonmotorized uses: 101

Miles of motorized trails or multiuse trails: 126

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum setting:

Semiprimitive Nonmotorized 102,465 acres

Semiprimitive Motorized 176,515 acres
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 101

Roaded Natural 82,358 acres

Roaded Modified 12,612 acres

Rural 269 acres

Scenic Integrity:

Very High 44,656 acres

High 137,151 acres

Moderate 173,491 acres

Low 6,512 acres

Special Areas:

Castle Creek Wilderness

Cedar Bench Wilderness (west portion)

Pine Mountain Wilderness

Grapevine Botanical Area

Recommended Wilderness Areas:

Castle Creek Contiguous Recommended Wilderness Area

Pine Mountain Contiguous B Recommended Wilderness Area

Inventoried Roadless Areas

Arnold Mesa Inventoried Roadless Area

Blind Indian Creek Inventoried Roadless Area

Grief Hill Inventoried Roadless Area (west portion)

Pine Mountain Wilderness Contiguous Inventoried Roadless Area

Management Areas:

Agua Fria Management Area

Crown King Management Area

Community Visions for the Agua Fria/Crown King Geographic Area

Recreational opportunities are common. Trails and signage are in good condition. Evidence of 

trash accumulation and illegal dumping is rarely seen. Use of trails by motorized vehicles takes 

place on designated roads, trails, or use areas (from Agua Fria community vision).

As new, sustainable, efficient, nonpolluting conservation practices are identified, they are 

incorporated into management activities (from Agua Fria community vision).

There is equal access to services, amenities, and recreational opportunities. Developed public 

facilities—such as campsites and trails—are adequate to accommodate visitors (from Crown 

King community vision).

Forest Service roads provide safe access to local citizens and visitors (from Crown King 

community vision).

Interactions and partnerships between local communities and municipal, State, and Federal 

agencies help to move toward achieving desired conditions (from Cherry community vision).

The rural nature and natural beauty is valued and retained (from Black Canyon City community 

vision).
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

102 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Agua Fria Management Area

The Agua Fria Management Area generally includes lower elevation desert grasslands, piñonjuniper woodlands, and chaparral. This area includes the communities of Cordes Junction, Dugas, 

and Cherry. Access is provided by State Highways 69 and 169, Interstate 17, and single lane 

roads. Permitted livestock grazing is common and agriculture remains a way of life. 

Pine Mountain Wilderness is located within this management area and crosses over onto the 

Tonto National Forest. Although it is co-located on two forests, the Prescott and Tonto, the 

management direction is guided by the Prescott NF’s land management plan. Information in this 

land management plan is a substitute for individual wilderness management plans for each 

designated wilderness on the Prescott NF.

Most recreation opportunities are dispersed. Horseback riding, OHV use, hunting, and hiking are 

common. While OHV policy restricts such use to designated roads, trails, and areas, the open 

areas prove to be attractive to riders who want to leave trails and roads even though it is unlawful. 

Desired Conditions for the Agua Fria Management Area

DC-AF 

MA-1

Motorized use is found on designated trails and roads. Developments and 

interactions between visitors are few. Motorized and nonmotorized opportunities 

are often separated but may share trailhead access. Visitors and citizens make use 

of trails that provide the opportunity for their desired experiences and “unofficial” 

trails are not evident. The nonmotorized Black Canyon Trail stretches from BLM 

land ownership through the Prescott NF connecting Black Canyon City to Camp 

Verde.

Hunting is common. OHV use and motorized access to dispersed camping remains 

within the legal distance from roads, especially near Yellow Jacket Creek north of

the Agua Fria National Monument. Small, dispersed campsites are scattered along 

designated roads and outside of riparian corridors. Their use only minimally 

affects resources, and the riparian corridors remain in functional condition.

Interactions between grazing permittees and recreationists are generally positive or 

benign. Signing and other tools are used to communicate the need to respect gate 

closures for livestock and natural resources. 

Objectives for the Agua Fria Management Area

All objectives, including those related to management area desired conditions are found in 

chapter 3, “Objectives.”

Guidelines for the Agua Fria Management Area

GuideAF 

MA-1

Management actions should reduce recreation impacts, such as soil compaction or 

loss of vegetation, in the riparian corridor along Yellow Jacket Creek.
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 103

GuideAF 

MA-2

Management actions should retain the scenic integrity objectives associated with 

the Grief Hill Inventoried Roadless Area.

Crown King Management Area

The Bradshaw Mountains are the major feature of the Crown King Management Area. Elevation 

ranges from 3,000 to over 7,500 feet. Vegetation on the eastern side of the management area 

includes desert communities. A major attraction for visitors is the cooler temperatures and 

ponderosa pine found at higher elevations. This area includes the communities of Cleater, Old 

Cordes, and Crown King. Access via Senator Highway, Forest Road 177, or County Road 59 can 

be primitive, with single lane roads threading their way through switchbacks to Crown King and 

the Horsethief Basin Recreation Area. The major recreation points include trails such as the offhighway vehicle (OHV) connection to Lake Pleasant Recreation Area, the native surface 

roadways traveled by both vehicles and OHVs, and the hiking and horseback riding in Castle 

Creek Wilderness. Developed camping opportunities are found in Horsethief Basin, and dispersed 

camping takes place where there is enough accessible level area to camp. The 800-acre Grapevine 

Botanical Area contains 12 perennial springs which support a variety of plants and wildlife, 

including a distinctive alder-walnut vegetative community, and it provides a popular day-use 

destination for hikers.

Desired Conditions for the Crown King Management Area

DC-CK 

MA-1

Recreation information is available to visitors to Crown King; OHV visitors 

remain on legal, designated trails and routes that are well signed and well 

maintained. Areas are generally trash free.

There are several dispersed campsites near the community of Crown King that 

show minimal compaction and have vegetative cover at a density similar to that 

found in the surrounding area. Developed facilities in Horsethief Basin are well 

maintained and respond to the demand for use. Hazlett Hollow Campground 

allows OHV access to developed campsites.

Recreation use provides a sustainable contribution to the local economy during 

summers at Crown King.

Recreational target shooting is not common in the Crown King area.

Palace Station historic stage stop retains its historic value, and facilities there are 

well maintained.
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

104 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

DC-CK 

MA-2

West of Forest Road 52 (Senator Highway) and Forest Road 362, the recreation 

setting is largely nonmotorized with occasional OHV trails crossing from east to 

west. The setting is one of moderate isolation from sights and sounds of people, 

and the environment is predominantly unmodified.

To the east of Forest Road 52, the setting is largely motorized, with the exception 

of Castle Creek Wilderness. There is a high degree of interaction with the natural 

environment throughout the area. Visitor use is high nearer Crown King and 

Horsethief Basin, especially on weekends, and interaction between visitors is 

common in the summer time.

Castle Creek Wilderness provides the opportunity to experience nonmotorized and 

nonmechanized activity within a predominantly unmodified environment. The 

concentration of visitors is low, and the terrain and limited water availability make 

activities challenging.

Forest Road 711, provides access from the south to Crown King, and it remains a 

4-wheel drive, very high clearance vehicle route that provides extreme challenge.

DC-CK 

MA-3

The area in and around the Grapevine Botanical Area provides a nonmotorized 

setting for recreation. Within the Grapevine Botanical Area, Grapevine Creek and 

riparian areas are healthy, the watershed is properly functioning, and sensitive 

plant and animal species are protected. The unique botanical characteristics that 

make the area valuable for scientific research are protected and maintained (see 

map 5 in appendix A for location).

Objectives for the Crown King Management Area

All objectives, including those related to management area desired conditions are found in

chapter 3, “Objectives.”

Standards for the Crown King Management Area

StdCK 

MA-1

Within the Grapevine Botanical Area:

 No livestock grazing, trailing, or driving shall take place within the 

botanical area except that livestock may trail through the BootleggerGrapevine Unit on established roads to Forest Road 87A and then 

Trail 304. This movement shall be controlled and not be accomplished 

by drifting. 

 Motorized or mountain bike use shall not take place on Trails 4, 304, 

and 9432 below the rim of Big Bug Mesa.

 Recreation use shall be limited to day use.
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 105

Guidelines for the Crown King Management Area

GuideCK 

MA-1

Management actions should reduce recreation impacts such as soil compaction or

loss of vegetation and provide a sanitary, primitive camping opportunity in the 

vicinity of Horsethief Basin and the Crown King community.

Prescott/Chino/Drake Geographic Area

Historic Context

From 1853 to 1854, Lieutenant Amiel W. Whipple led a military expedition into northern Arizona 

and established the first access routes to nearby gold fields. After the Walker party found gold 

near Granite Creek and near the Hassayampa River, Arizona was organized as a separate territory 

and its first temporary capital was located at nearby Fort Whipple. The city of Prescott was 

designated the capital of the new territory of Arizona from 1865 to 1867 and again from 1877 to 

1889. The early economy of the area centered on cattle ranching and mining. Prescott’s first 

rodeo was held in 1888, and that annual event has continued to the present. The city places great 

emphasis on historic preservation, with over 600 buildings on the National Register of Historic 

Places. 

Chino Valley, about 16 miles north of Prescott, is thought to have been named by Lieutenant

Whipple after the curly grama grasses that were common and called “del china” by Mexicans. 

What is now Prescott Valley was originally called Lonesome Valley and was part of the Fain 

family ranch for years. In the 1960s, speculators from Phoenix bought land about 7 miles east of 

Prescott and incorporated under the name Prescott Valley. They sold lots to those in northern 

areas who were looking for warmer, sunny winters. The towns of Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, 

and Prescott together make up an area known locally as the “Tri-City” area with a combined 

population estimated at 88,000 in the 2006 census. Yavapai-Prescott tribal lands are located next 

to and partially within the borders of Prescott.

Characteristics of the Prescott/Chino/Drake Geographic Area

Approximate acreage is 896,000, of which 87 percent is National Forest System land.

Miles of trail limited to nonmotorized uses: 235

Miles of motorized or multiuse trails: 224

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum setting:

Semiprimitive Nonmotorized 171,395 acres

Semiprimitive Motorized 398,524 acres

Roaded Natural 254,093 acres

Roaded Modified 65,654 acres

Rural 3,869 acres

Urban 1,653 acres

Scenic Integrity:

Very High 54,074 acres

High 247,258 acres

Moderate 446,917 acres
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

106 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Low 26,104 acres

Very Low 2,942 acres

Special Areas:

Juniper Mesa Wilderness

Apache Creek Wilderness

Sycamore Canyon Wilderness

Woodchute Wilderness (west portion)

Granite Mountain Wilderness

Upper Verde River, eligible for wild and scenic river designation

Recommended Wilderness Areas:

Apache Creek Contiguous A Recommended Wilderness Area

Juniper Mesa Contiguous A Recommended Wilderness Area

Sycamore Canyon Contiguous A Recommended Wilderness Area

Woodchute Contiguous Recommended Wilderness Area

Inventoried Roadless Areas:

Ash Creek Inventoried Roadless Area

Connell Mountains Inventoried Roadless Area

Fritsche Inventoried Roadless Area

Muldoon Inventoried Roadless Area

Sheridan Mountain Inventoried Roadless Area

Management Areas:

Upper Verde Management Area

Williamson North Management Area

Williamson South Management Area

Prescott Basin Management Area

Community Visions for the Prescott/Chino/Drake Geographic Area

Recreation access for all ages and physical conditions is available. Roads, trails, and signage, as 

well as water source access for horses is available and well maintained (from Wilhoit community 

vision).

There is a thoughtful balance between available access and protection of forest resources and 

aesthetics. A comprehensive system of meaningful and sustainable trails, trailheads, and 

designated campsites is present. Conflicts between types of uses are rare, especially those that 

take place on nonmotorized and multiuse trails. All user groups, including hikers, equestrians, 

bicyclists, motorized vehicle operators, and hunters enjoy a reasonable amount of access (from 

Prescott community vision).

Many portions of the geographic area retain open areas and a feeling of “space.” Areas for 

activities like horseback riding, hiking, and taking the dogs for walks is found throughout the 

geographic area and provide the feeling of openness that people enjoy (from Paulden community 

vision).

Upper Verde Management Area

The focus of this management area is the headwaters and upper portion of the Verde River. The 

Verde is a perennial river with continuous flow, and the upper portion is eligible for designation 
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 107

as a wild and scenic river. There has been great public interest in such designation, as it would 

complement the existing wild and scenic designated section south of Camp Verde.

The management area also includes Sycamore Canyon Wilderness which is located within and is 

managed by three national forests—the Coconino, Kaibab, and Prescott. Management direction 

for this wilderness is found within the Coconino NF’s land management plan. 

On the southern end, the management area extends to just outside the community of Cherry, on 

the western slopes of the Black Hills. Access to the area is via State Highways 89 and 89A and 

the Perkinsville Road.

Desired Conditions for the Upper Verde Management Area

DC-UV 

MA-1

The upper Verde River retains its outstandingly remarkable values, while 

recreation facilities are found in several locations along the river. These facilities 

provide for day use or overnight camping, make use of existing roads as access, 

and minimize resource impacts, including heritage resources.

DC-UV 

MA-2

Recreation sites are found in areas where:

 The landscape is generally natural with modifications moderately evident.

 Opportunities for challenge and risk are generally moderate to low.

 Opportunities for both motorized and nonmotorized activities are present.

DC-UV 

MA-3

Motorized use is consistent with existing regulations. Control systems, such as law 

enforcement activity or citizen interactions, ensure resource impacts are 

minimized as population and visitor use increase.

The opportunity for a nonmotorized experience is found in the area south of the 

river between Forest Roads 638 and 9110H and continues along the river corridor 

to Bear Siding. East of Perkinsville Road, opportunities for nonmotorized 

experiences continue along the river and connect with Sycamore Canyon 

Wilderness.

The opportunity for a variety of experiences exists, with motorized uses limited to 

designated roads and trails and a less developed setting found between those 

routes.

DC-UV 

MA-4

There are opportunities to experience isolation from manmade sights, sounds, and 

management controls in Sycamore Canyon Wilderness and Woodchute 

Wilderness. 

North of the upper Verde River, existing NFS roads provide access for hunting and 

driving for pleasure. 

Permitted firewood cutting and dispersed camping are common.
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

108 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Objectives for the Upper Verde Management Area

All objectives, including those related to management area desired conditions are found in 

chapter 3, “Objectives.”

Guidelines for the Upper Verde Management Area

GuideUV MA1Recreation facilities developed in the vicinity of the upper Verde River should be 

placed near existing roadways to retain opportunities for isolation along the river 

where designated roads and motorized trails are rare.

GuideUV MA2

Management tools (e.g., increased signage, visitor contacts, or education efforts) 

should be used to highlight appropriate trail use near the upper Verde River.

GuideUV MA3Interpretive programs and enforcement activity should encourage appropriate 

behaviors and provide recreationists with information about the Verde River 

ecosystem.

Williamson Valley North Management Area

This management area includes checkerboard ownership in the northern half of the area, Walnut 

Creek that flows east and west through the area, and two wilderness areas near the western side of 

the area. It can be accessed by Williamson Valley Road (County Road 5) and Forest Road 664. 

Most recreation activity is related to trail use or other dispersed activity. There are no developed 

campgrounds in this area. 

Desired Conditions for the Williamson Valley North Management Area

DCWVN 

MA-1

The trail system is formally designated, well maintained, and signed. The area 

includes a mixture of both motorized and nonmotorized recreation opportunities; 

however, nonmotorized opportunities are more common. Trails with various 

intended uses are located to minimize conflict.

Hiking trails are designed to take advantage of spring locations. Trails and 

trailheads located along the interface between Forest Service and other ownership 

efficiently and effectively provide access to the Prescott NF, while avoiding 

resource damage.

DCWVN 

MA-2

Opportunities for primitive experiences with few interactions between visitors and 

isolation from manmade sights and sounds are found within Apache Creek 

Wilderness and Juniper Mesa Wilderness and the immediate area surrounding 

each.

Conflicts between recreation uses are infrequent.

Opportunities are available to view wildlife, and negative effects to wildlife and 

water resources from recreation use are identified and mitigated.
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 109

Objectives for the Williamson Valley North Management Area

All objectives, including those related to management area desired conditions are found in

chapter 3, “Objectives.”

Guidelines for the Williamson Valley North Management Area

GuideWVN 

MA-1

As trail facilities are developed at the interface between national forest and other 

ownership in the Williamson Valley North Management Area, consideration 

should be given to providing public access on a designated system of roads and 

trails.

GuideWVN 

MA-2

Management tools (e.g., timing restrictions, increased signage, visitor contacts, or 

education efforts) should be used to minimize recreation impacts to wildlife 

species.

Williamson Valley South Management Area

This area extends from the vicinity of Camp Wood Road south toward the city of Prescott and 

surrounds the Prescott Basin Management Area. It includes: Granite Mountain Wilderness, Alto 

Pit Off-Road Motorized Use Area, and 317 miles of trails where motorized use is allowed. It is 

accessed primarily via Camp Wood Road (County Road 68) in the northern part of the area and 

County Roads 66 and 121 on the east and south. 

Desired Conditions for the Williamson Valley South Management Area

DCWVS 

MA-1

The predominant settings in this management area include: 

 A mixture of opportunities to affiliate with other groups or to be isolated 

from people.

 A generally natural landscape where the few facilities blend in with the 

surroundings. 

 A concentration of visitors that varies from low in the Sheridan Mountains 

to high in the area that surrounds Prescott Basin.

DCWVS 

MA-2

Opportunities for both motorized and nonmotorized activities are present, with 

motorized activities being more common. 

Conflicts between recreation uses are minimized.

Facilities that support trail systems, such as trailheads or camping, are found in the 

vicinity of Camp Wood Road (County Road 68). Visitors and citizens use 

designated trails or areas that provide opportunities for their desired experiences 

and “unofficial” trails are not evident.

Motorized access for dispersed camping or firewood gathering occurs near 

designated roads.
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

110 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

DCWVS 

MA-3

Impacts to ecology and water resources are uncommon. The Hassayampa River 

and the area along Copper Basin Wash support healthy, properly functioning 

riparian areas, are trash free, and show few natural resource impacts due to 

recreation use. 

Granite Mountain Wilderness provides quiet recreation in a location that is easy to 

access.

Objectives for the Williamson Valley South Management Area

All objectives, including those related to management area desired conditions are found in 

chapter 3, “Objectives.”

Standards for the Williamson Valley South Management Area

StdWVS 

MA-1

Within Granite Mountain Wilderness:

 New fixed anchor climbing routes shall not be created; however,

existing fixed anchors may be maintained for rock climbing. 

 Power drills and other electro-mechanical or pneumatic devices shall 

not be used for maintaining fixed anchors.

Guidelines for the Williamson Valley South Management Area

GuideWVS 

MA-1

Within Granite Mountain Wilderness:

 All dogs should be on a leash.

 Camping should not take place within 200 feet of either side of Trail 261.

 Campfires should not be used.

GuideWVS 

MA-2

Recreation facilities developed in the vicinity of the Camp Wood Road (County 

Road 68) should be placed near existing roadways to retain opportunities for 

isolation from people in areas where designated roads and motorized trails are 

rare. 

Prescott Basin Management Area

Recreation within the Prescott Basin is concentrated around the city of Prescott. Residents can 

often drive for less than 15 minutes and enjoy the natural environment. The Prescott Basin area 

was first identified in 1999 and incorporated by amendment into the 1987 plan in order to respond 

to needs to provide more controls on recreation use related to dispersed camping. These controls 

have been integrated with the direction found in this plan. 
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 111

Desired Conditions for the Prescott Basin Management Area

DC-PB 

MA-1

Interaction between recreation users is common. 

Conflicts between recreation uses are infrequent.

There are multiple recreation opportunities, including developed campgrounds, 

designated dispersed camping, day use sites, an OHV off-road area, and multiple 

trails for both motorized and nonmotorized use.

Existing facilities are well maintained. 

Parking is available for high-use periods, including holiday weekends.

Recreational target shooting does not occur due to density of visitors and 

recreation facilities.

Recreation use is moderate at sites that are not located near water. Occurrences of 

vandalism and graffiti are minimal, and if they occur, are obvious for only a short 

time.

Impacts to ecology and water resources, such as soil compaction or loss of 

vegetation, are uncommon.

Educational activities, such as campfire programs or naturalist tours, are provided 

within campgrounds or in other areas where people congregate.

DC-PB 

MA-2

Developed and designated dispersed recreation sites support both community 

based and Prescott NF based recreation opportunities. 

Designated dispersed sites provide an inviting, sanitary, more primitive place to 

camp. Expansion of individual sites and evidence of overuse is minimal. Resource 

impacts due to recreation use, such as soil compaction or lack of vegetation, are 

minimized.

DC-PB 

MA-3

There is a balance between motorized and nonmotorized recreation opportunities. 

Nonmotorized opportunities are expanded near existing urban populations by 

connecting existing small, nonmotorized parcels (see map 3 in appendix A).

Both motorized and nonmotorized trail systems consist of interconnecting loops, 

as well as trails that connect communities or to other destinations. Visitors and 

citizens use designated trails or areas that provide opportunities for their desired 

experiences, and “unofficial” trails are not evident.

Objectives for the Prescott Basin Management Area

All objectives, including those related to management area desired conditions are found in 

chapter 3, “Objectives.”
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

112 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Guidelines for the Prescott Basin Management Area

GuidePB 

MA-1

Dispersed camping within the Prescott Basin Management Area should be limited 

to designated dispersed camping sites and should not exceed a total of 7 days 

within a 30-day consecutive period.

GuidePB 

MA-2

Intensive recreation control systems, such as permits, temporary closures, or 

reservation systems, should be used for resource protection or to prevent 

recreation use conflicts.

GuidePB 

MA-3

Interpretive programs should focus on minimizing user conflicts, encouraging 

appropriate behaviors, and providing recreation users with information about 

natural ecosystems and the wildland-urban interface.

GuidePB

MA-4

Recreational target shooting should be restricted in areas where it has the potential 

to create safety problems.

Verde Valley Geographic Area

Historic Context

Inhabited 5,000 years or more ago by hunter-gatherers, the Verde Valley has long been populated.

Around 800 AD, an agricultural-based culture settled and made use of irrigation to grow crops.

Starting in 1,500 AD, the area was used by nomadic Yavapai and the Apache people, who still call 

the area home. As settlers from Europe and the eastern part of the U.S. migrated to the West, 

conflicts erupted between them and the native people. Fort Verde, originally called Fort Lincoln, 

was established in January 1864 by a group of volunteers from New Mexico. Later the fort was 

used by U.S. Army regulars to mount offensive operations against the Yavapai and Apache. In 

1875, acting on presidential executive order, about 1,500 Yavapai and Dilzhe’e Apache from the 

Rio Verde Indian Reserve were transferred to the Indian agency at San Carlos, 180 miles away.

This led to the loss of many lives and the loss of treaty lands promised to the Yavapai-Apache.

When the Yavapai and Apache were released, only about 200 made their way back to the Verde 

Valley. Currently, the Yavapai-Apache have purchased lands and are a cultural and economic

contributor to the area.

Many communities in the area, including Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Beaver Creek, and 

Cornville, were formed to support agricultural activity. These communities are located near the 

Verde River or its tributaries, where fertile land, views, and green vegetation are still found.

Mining has also been an important factor within the Verde Valley. The town of Jerome originated 

as a copper mining camp and was incorporated in 1876. Railroads were built to support the mine, 

including one to the smelter in Clarkdale. In 1882, the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad was completed 

connecting Jerome with Ash Fork to the north. A portion of this line is now called the Verde 

Canyon Railroad and is operated as a tourist attraction in Clarkdale. Jerome’s population peaked 

in the 1920s at about 15,000, but dwindled as the demand for copper decreased after World War 

II. Its population is now about 450, and it is a thriving tourist and artist community, as well as a 

designated National Historic District (Yavapai County, 2006; Komar and Schultz, 2007; and 

Forest Service, 2005c).
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 113

Characteristics of the Verde Valley Geographic Area

Approximate acreage: 141,000 of which 82 percent is land under management by the Prescott NF

Miles of trails limited to nonmotorized uses: 58

Miles of motorized or multiuse trails: 58

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum setting:

Semiprimitive Nonmotorized 24,516 acres

Semiprimitive Motorized 54,202 acres

Roaded Natural 33,536 acres

Roaded Modified 21,212 acres

Rural 6,145 acres

Urban 1,249 acres

Scenic Integrity:

Very High 9,896 acres

High 57,654 acres

Moderate 47,128 acres

Low 757 acres

Very Low 17 acres

Special Areas:

Cedar Bench Wilderness (east portion)

Woodchute Wilderness (east portion)

Verde River Wild and Scenic segments 

Recommended Wilderness Areas:

Cedar Bench Contiguous A Recommended Wilderness Area

Cedar Bench contiguous B Recommended Wilderness Area

Inventoried Roadless Areas:

Black Canyon Inventoried Roadless Area

Grief Hill Inventoried Roadless Area (east portion)

Hackberry Inventoried Roadless Area

Management Areas:

Verde Valley Management Area

Community Visions for the Verde Valley Geographic Area

Wide open spaces are free of litter and illegal uses. Prescott NF lands provide panoramic views

(from Verde Valley community vision).

Each community retains its own identity and character. Unincorporated residential 

neighborhoods, farms, and ranches are intermingled and all are buffered by Prescott NF lands that 

provide natural open spaces and big mountain views (from Verde Valley community vision).

A system of nonmotorized multiuse trails connects communities, allows access to public lands 

and encourages people to improve health and vitality by exploring the outdoors. Roads, 

designated trails, and selected areas are managed for responsible use of off-highway vehicles;
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

114 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

while other areas are set aside for protection or managed for nonmotorized uses (from Verde 

Valley community vision).

Recreationists—including anglers, birders, hunters, hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, gun 

enthusiasts, river runners, hang gliders, and off-highway vehicle drivers—respect and use the 

national forest in harmony with each other and the environment (from Verde Valley community 

vision).

Federal, State, and county agencies work cooperatively and effectively with neighboring 

municipalities, groups, and individuals to protect public lands and enforce the rules that govern 

them (from Verde Valley community vision).

Recreational shooting takes place in designated areas and educational programs encourage safe 

and wise use of firearms (from Jerome community vision).

Verde Valley Management Area

The Verde Valley Management Area includes the Prescott NF land area on the east side of the 

Black Hills and west of the Verde River. The communities of Camp Verde, Clarkdale, 

Cottonwood, and Jerome are located here. 

Desired Conditions for the Verde Valley Management Area

DC-VV 

MA-1

The Black Hills continue to provide a scenic backdrop for the Verde Valley. Lands 

within the boundaries of the Prescott NF that enhance open space, scenic, 

watershed, or other natural resource values remain in national forest ownership or 

are obtained through land adjustment. The land exchange process is open to the 

public, and there are opportunities to provide feedback regarding the land 

exchange.

DC-VV 

MA-2

The viewshed associated with the State Highway 89A Scenic Byway retains its 

scenic qualities and natural character. Visitors encounter a landscape that appears 

natural within the context of native vegetation and landforms and generally 

unaltered by human activity.

DC-VV 

MA-3

Recreation opportunities are abundant and varied. Multiple opportunities exist for 

motorized and nonmotorized trail use, picnicking, developed camping, hunting, 

and river-based activities along the Verde River. Visitors have opportunities to visit 

historic sites, view scenic vistas, birdwatch, and appreciate undeveloped, naturally 

occurring open space between the vibrant communities of Jerome, Clarkdale, 

Cottonwood, and Camp Verde. 

Local user groups are well informed about recreation opportunities and 

restrictions, providing helpful information to users and self-patrol of recreation 

activities.

Evidence of overuse, such as soil compaction or lack of vegetation, is minimal at 

all recreation sites. Occurrences of vandalism and graffiti are minimized, and if 

they occur, are obvious for only a short time.
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 115

Local residents and visitors feel safe from the hazards of recreational target 

shooting activity that occurs within Prescott NF boundaries.

DC-VV 

MA-4

Recreation use within the Verde Valley Management Area is concentrated 

primarily at areas along the Verde River corridor and on top of Mingus Mountain. 

There are multiple recreation sites along the Verde River, including developed 

campgrounds, designated dispersed camping, and day-use areas. Parcels of 

National Forest System land along the river provide a nonmotorized setting for 

visitors, and river access points meet public use needs. Educational efforts enhance

visitor experiences by informing people about the history and ecology of the river 

and the area. Visitors find that recreation opportunities complement those provided 

by city, State, tribal, other agency, and private entities.

Mingus Mountain contains multiple recreation sites, including developed 

campgrounds, designated dispersed camping, and day-use areas. Designated 

dispersed sites at Mingus Mountain provide an inviting, sanitary, and primitive 

place to camp as an alternative to developed campgrounds. Trails are well

maintained and trailheads have space to safely handle parking demand. 

Information on recreation opportunities is available at obvious and convenient 

locations. Developed camping opportunities are fulfilling demand.

DC-VV 

MA-5

Cedar Bench Wilderness and Woodchute Wilderness provide opportunities for

remote experiences and quiet, secluded hunting.

DC-VV 

MA-6

Both motorized and nonmotorized trail systems consist of interconnecting loops, 

as well as trails that connect communities or other non-Prescott NF destinations. 

Motorized and nonmotorized opportunities are generally separated. Visitors and 

citizens make use of trails that provide opportunities for their desired experiences,

and “unofficial” trails are not evident. Trailheads efficiently provide parking and 

access to trails where they are most critically needed. OHV trailheads provide a 

relatively dust-free environment that prevents erosion.

Objectives for the Verde Valley Management Area

All objectives, including those related to management area desired conditions are found in 

chapter 3, “Objectives.”

Guidelines for the Verde Valley Management Area

GuideVV 

MA-1

Management actions should discourage unsafe and inappropriate winter recreation 

on Mingus Mountain.
Chapter 5. Management Area Direction

116 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

GuideVV 

MA-2

Recreation control systems including, but not limited to, reservation systems, 

physical and spatial control structures, and designated dispersed sites should be 

used to reduce recreation impacts such as soil compaction or loss of vegetation 

along the crest of Mingus Mountain.

GuideVV 

MA-3

Land acquisition and exchange opportunities should emphasize retaining or adding 

to Prescott NF lands in the Verde Valley and on the east side of the Black Hills

between Cottonwood and Camp Verde.

GuideVV 

MA-4

Management actions should retain the scenic integrity objectives associated with 

the Grief Hill Inventoried Roadless Area.

GuideVV 

MA-5

Recreational target shooting should be restricted in areas where it has the potential 

to create safety problems.
Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 117

Chapter 6. Monitoring and Evaluation

Grassland monitoring near Chino Valley

Introduction

Monitoring and evaluation are separate and sequential activities required by National Forest 

Management Act regulations to determine how well the plan is working. Monitoring involves 

collecting data by observation or measurement. Evaluation involves analyzing and interpreting 

monitoring data. 

The general purpose of monitoring is to detect changes or trends in a resource. Detection of a 

change or trend may trigger a management action, or it may generate a new line of inquiry. 

Monitoring data is most useful when the same methods are used to collect data at the same 

locations over time. It is important to note that cause and effect relationships usually cannot be 

demonstrated with monitoring data, but monitoring data might suggest a cause and effect 

relationship that can then be investigated with a research study.

Monitoring and evaluation activities provide ongoing feedback about management effectiveness 

and are essential elements of an adaptive management cycle that includes problem identification, 

solution, and implementation (figure 4). Monitoring and evaluation activities keep direction 

found in the plan up-to-date and relevant by being responsive to changing conditions and issues, 

including public desires, and to new information, such as research results or outcomes from 

management activities.
Chapter 6. Monitoring and Evaluation – corrected 07/01/2106

118 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Figure 4. Elements of an “Adaptive” Management Cycle

Monitoring Strategy

A strategy for plan monitoring and evaluation has been designed to answer these three basic 

questions:

1. Did we do what we said we were going to do? The answers to this question should tell 

us how well the direction in the plan is being implemented. Collected information is 

compared to objectives, standards, guidelines, and management area direction.

2. Did it work how we said it would? The answers to this question should tell us whether 

the application of standards and guidelines is achieving objectives, and whether 

objectives are achieving or moving toward desired conditions.

3. Is our understanding and science correct? The answers to this question should tell us 

whether the assumptions and predicted effects used to formulate the desired conditions 

and objectives are valid.

The following guiding principles are key elements of the Prescott NF’s monitoring strategy and 

serve as a framework for implementing an effective monitoring and evaluation program: 

 Monitoring efforts are efficient, practical and affordable; take into consideration the best 

available science; and do not duplicate the collection of data already underway for other 

purposes.

 Monitoring tasks are scaled to the desired condition, objective, or management area 

direction to be monitored. Data that is collected for other purposes, but can also answer 

monitoring questions herein, are identified, compiled, and evaluated as part of the 

monitoring report.

 Monitoring considers effects of management on Forest Service lands and resources as 

well as adjacent lands and communities. Monitoring results from adjacent non-Forest 

Assess 

Management 

Problem

Craft 

Management 

Solution

Implement 

Management 

Solution

Monitor 

Effectiveness

Evaluate 

Monitoring 

Information

Adjust 

Management 

Actions
corrected 07/01/2106 – Chapter 6. Monitoring and Evaluation

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 119

Service lands are reviewed to identify how threats and resources may be crossing 

boundaries, and how pressures and management of surrounding lands may impact 

resources or activity on National Forest System lands.

 Opportunities to complete monitoring and evaluation activities through partnerships and 

citizen collaboration are examined on a regular and ongoing basis. 

 Monitoring is not performed on every single activity, nor does it need to meet the 

statistical rigor of formal research. 

 A monitoring action plan is prepared initially and updated regularly. The monitoring 

action plan identifies and schedules various site-specific, on-the-ground monitoring 

activities. It also describes the methods, locations, responsible persons, and estimated 

costs. Budgetary constraints may affect the level of monitoring that can be done in a 

particular fiscal year. If budget levels limit the Prescott NF’s ability to perform all 

monitoring tasks, then those items specifically required by law are given the highest 

priority (e.g., items in table 5 under theme 1). 

 A monitoring and evaluation report is prepared using an interdisciplinary approach that 

summarizes the results of completed monitoring and evaluates the data for indicators of 

trends or effects.

 The forest supervisor evaluates the monitoring information displayed in the evaluation 

reports through a management review and determines if any changes are needed in 

management actions or the plan itself. 

 The public is given timely, accurate information about plan implementation and 

effectiveness. This is accomplished through the release of a forestwide monitoring and 

evaluation report. 

The specific monitoring questions and performance measures that should be used to evaluate 

movement toward plan desired conditions under this monitoring strategy are displayed below in

table 5 and arranged according to six monitoring themes: 

1. Legally Required Monitoring

2. Conserving Biological Diversity 

3. Retaining Ecosystem Resilience

4. Maintaining Watershed, Soil, and Air Quality

5. Sustaining Recreational and Social Benefits

6. Maintaining Infrastructure Capacity

In some cases, the monitoring questions and performance measures directly assess 

accomplishment of desired conditions. In other cases, they gauge objectives or standards and 

guidelines associated with the desired conditions.

The information gathered through plan monitoring will be evaluated and reported out every other 

year, with the first monitoring report covering fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY16 and FY17) 

issued in 2018.
Chapter 6. Monitoring and Evaluation – corrected 07/01/2106

120 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

For each monitoring question/performance measure listed in table 5, additional monitoring 

descriptors are included to provide context for the type of information to gather during 

monitoring and how often to gather it. These descriptors are defined here:

 Frequency of Monitoring: Describes how often information is gathered or measured 

such as annually, every 2 to 4 years, or every 10 years.

 Data Precision and Accuracy: Precision refers to how close the repeated measurements 

of the same quantity are to each other. Accuracy is a measure of how close a 

measurement is to the actual value of the variable being measured.

Two categories of reliability are appropriate at the plan scale: 

 Class A: Methods generally are well accepted for modeling or quantitative measurement. 

Results have a high degree of repeatability, accuracy, and precision.

 Class B: Methods or measurements are based on project records, personal 

communications, ocular estimates, pace transects, informal visitor surveys, and similar 

types of assessments. The degree of repeatability, accuracy, and precision are not as high 

as class A methods, but they still provide valuable qualitative information.
corrected 07/01/2106 – Chapter 6. Monitoring and Evaluation

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 121

Table 5. Monitoring Questions

Action, Effect, or 

Resource to be 

Measured

Monitoring 

Question

Performance 

Measure

Monitoring

Frequency

Data 

Reliability

Theme 1 – Legally Required Monitoring

Progress toward 

meeting the desired 

conditions and 

objectives in the plan. 

(Section 219.12(a)(5) 

(vii))

Are we achieving plan

objectives within the 

estimated ranges?

Proportion of 

objectives 

accomplished

Annually A

The effects of each 

management system to 

determine that they do 

not substantially and 

permanently impair the 

productivity of the 

land. (Section 

219.12(a)(5) (viii))

Are the effects of 

forest management 

resulting in significant 

changes to the

productivity of the 

land?

Changes in watershed 

condition class (6th

level hydrologic units)

Annually A

Status of focal species29 

to assess ecological 

conditions due to 

management actions 

(Section 219.12(a)(5) 

(iii)).

What is the habitat 

occupancy of focal 

species in response to 

management actions 

within the plan area?

Focal species habitat 

attributes; focal species 

occurrence and 

distribution

Every 1-5 

years, 

depending on 

species

A

Lands not suited for 

timber production. 

(Section 219.11(a)(2))

Have areas classified 

as unsuited for timber 

production become 

suitable?

Amount of unsuited 

versus suitable acres

Every 10

years

A

Theme 2 – Conserving Biological Diversity

Vegetation diversity

(Obj-1, Obj-2, Obj-3,

Obj-4, Obj-5, Obj-6, 

DC-Veg-1)

What are the current 

condition and trend of 

key characteristics for 

vegetation identified in 

the desired conditions 

for the plan area?

Vegetation size class, 

percent canopy cover, 

and composition; 

carbon stored in 

vegetation; acres of 

treatment by treatment 

type

Every 4 

years

A

How effective are 

management actions at 

maintaining or making 

progress toward 

desired conditions for 

the key characteristics 

of vegetation within 

the plan area?

 

29 The transition to the new monitoring requirements at 36 CFR 219.12(a)(5) resulted in some changes to this plan monitoring 

program. The Management Indicator Species (MIS) used to compare and evaluate the plan alternatives were replaced and 

supplemented with four focal species: northern goshawk, western scrub-jay, western meadowlark, and aquatic macroinvertebrates.
Chapter 6. Monitoring and Evaluation – corrected 07/01/2106

122 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Action, Effect, or 

Resource to be 

Measured

Monitoring 

Question

Performance 

Measure

Monitoring

Frequency

Data 

Reliability

Species diversity

(Obj-1, Obj-2, Obj-3,

Obj-4, Obj-5, Obj-6, 

Obj-25, Obj-26, Obj27, Obj-28, DCEcosystem Resilience1, DC-Wildlife-1 to 2)

To what extent are 

management activities 

providing ecological 

conditions to maintain 

habitat for populations 

of terrestrial native and 

desired nonnative 

species?

Habitat acres treated; 

miles of fence 

modified; number of 

water developments 

improved; species 

surveys (e.g., fish, 

reptiles and 

amphibians, breeding 

birds, bats)

Every 2-4

years,

depending on 

species

A

Aquatic species

(Obj-24, DC-Aquatic-1, 

DC-Aquatic-3)

Are management 

actions maintaining or 

making progress 

toward desired habitat 

conditions for native 

fish, amphibian, and 

aquatic reptile species?

Aquatic habitat 

quality; stream miles 

improved

Every 2-4

years,

depending on 

species

A

Species Conservation

(DC-Ecosystem 

Resilience-1)

Have recovery actions 

for federally listed 

species or conservation 

strategies for 

regionally sensitive 

species 30 been 

implemented?

Number of actions 

completed

Every 2-4

years,

depending on 

species

A

What are the habitat 

trends for federally 

listed species on the 

Prescott NF?

Habitat attributes (e.g. 

acres of habitat, ctitical 

habitat improved)

Theme 3 – Retaining Ecosystem Resilience

Nonnative invasive 

plant species

(Obj-6, DC-Ecosystem 

Resilience-1, DC-Veg1)

What are the status and 

trend of areas infested 

by invasive plant 

species?

Acres of invasive 

species surveyed; acres 

of infestation treated

Annually A

Destructive insects and 

disease 

(DC-Ecosystem 

Resilience-1 )

To what extent are 

undesirable outbreaks 

of insects and 

pathogens occurring 

within the plan area?

Acres of infestation 

and tree mortality

Annually A

 

30 Under current direction, the Prescott NF has chosen to consider regionally sensitive species to be species of conservation concern
corrected 07/01/2106 – Chapter 6. Monitoring and Evaluation

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 123

Action, Effect, or 

Resource to be 

Measured

Monitoring 

Question

Performance 

Measure

Monitoring

Frequency

Data 

Reliability

Fire

(Obj-1, Obj-2, Obj-3, 

Obj-4, Obj-5, DCAirshed-1, DCEcosystem Resilience1)

Are management 

actions moving fire 

regimes toward desired 

conditions?

Acres treated by fire 

severity level and 

frequency

Annually A

To what extent is 

wildland fire used to 

maintain desired fuel 

levels and vegetation 

characteristics? To 

what extent is 

unwanted wildfire on 

the landscape 

suppressed?

Acres of fire managed 

for multiple objectives; 

acres of unwanted fire 

suppressed; postfire 

fuel loadings

To what extent is 

prescribed fire used to 

maintain desired fuel 

levels, mirror natural 

processes, and/or 

restore desired 

vegetation 

characteristics?

Acres of prescribed 

fire by fuel type; 

postfire fuel loadings; 

vegetation species 

structure and density

Has the risk for active 

crown fire been 

sufficiently reduced in 

fire-adapted 

ecosystems where 

crown fires were not 

frequent occurrences 

historically?

Predicted fire behavior 

by fuel type/loading

To what extent are 

extreme weather 

patterns (e.g., 

precipitation and air 

temperature) affecting 

fire season length and 

severity?

Monthly/daily energy 

release component 

(ERC) estimates by 

fuel type

Ecosystem resilience

(DC-Ecosystem 

Resilience-1)

What management 

actions, measures, or 

decisions is the Forest 

Service taking to 

enhance ecosystem 

resilience or adaptation 

in response to 

changing 

environmental 

conditions?

Project level design 

features or mitigations

Every 2

years

A
Chapter 6. Monitoring and Evaluation – corrected 07/01/2106

124 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Action, Effect, or 

Resource to be 

Measured

Monitoring 

Question

Performance 

Measure

Monitoring

Frequency

Data 

Reliability

What interacting 

stressors 31 are 

impacting the plan 

area?

How are these stressors 

trending, and how are 

these trends affecting 

the plan area?

Project level 

identification of 

measurable changes 

resulting from climate 

change

Monthly energy 

release component 

(ERC) estimates by 

fuel type

Acres of unwanted 

wildfire

Acres of infestation 

and tree mortality

Acres of invasive 

species surveyed

Visitor use trends

Annually A

Theme 4 – Maintaining Watershed, Soil, and Air Quality

High priority 

watersheds

(Obj-18)

Are management 

actions being 

implemented to 

improve watershed 

conditions?

Number of projects 

implemented

Annually A

Watershed features 

(Obj-19, Obj-23)

Are management 

actions being 

implemented to 

improve conditions of 

at-risk riparian areas, 

seeps, and springs? 

Number of projects 

implemented

Annually A

Watershed Conditions

(Obj-20, Obj-21, Obj22, Obj-31)

Are management 

actions being 

implemented to reduce 

negative impacts to 

watershed conditions?

Miles of repaired or 

improved roads, 

routes, or trails

Annually A

Number of improved 

drainage crossings, 

stream channels, and 

floodplains.

Annually A

 

31 Interacting stressors may include fire, insects, invasive species, loss of spatial connectivity, disruption of natural disturbance 

regimes, geologic hazards, water withdrawals and diversions, and changes in social, economic, and cultural conditions, among 

others.
corrected 07/01/2106 – Chapter 6. Monitoring and Evaluation

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 125

Action, Effect, or 

Resource to be 

Measured

Monitoring 

Question

Performance 

Measure

Monitoring

Frequency

Data 

Reliability

Airshed conditions

(DC-Airshed-1)

Are management 

activities contributing 

or responding to air 

quality effects on 

human health or 

human enjoyment?

Are air quality related 

values (e.g., visibility)

of the Sycamore 

Canyon and Pine 

Mountain Wilderness 

areas being 

maintained?

Particulate matter 

(PM2.5) recorded at 

smoke sensitive sites

Annually A

Visibility using

Interagency 

Monitoring of 

Protected Visual 

Environments

(IMPROVE) program

Annually A

Theme 5 – Sustaining Recreational and Social Benefits

Diverse recreation 

opportunities 

(Obj-8, Obj-10, Obj-13,

Obj-14, Obj-16, DCRec-1, DC-Rec-Trails2)

How many new 

recreation 

opportunities have 

been added to the 

system?

How many recreation 

sites or locations have 

been improved, 

relocated, or 

decommissioned in 

response to known 

resource damage?

Number of facilities or 

dispersed sites

Every 2

years

A

Does the number of 

recreation 

opportunities limit 

overcrowding, reduce 

user conflicts, and 

minimize resource 

damage?

Does the range of 

recreation 

opportunities consider 

population 

demographic 

characteristics and 

desires of the local 

communities?

Visitor use trends, 

recreation impact 

assessments, user 

satisfaction surveys 

(e.g., National Visitor 

Use Monitoring)

Every 4-6 

years

A

To what extent are 

visitor information 

opportunities/ 

education activities 

being provided to the 

public?

Number and type of 

visitor information and 

education activities

Annually B
Chapter 6. Monitoring and Evaluation – corrected 07/01/2106

126 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Action, Effect, or 

Resource to be 

Measured

Monitoring 

Question

Performance 

Measure

Monitoring

Frequency

Data 

Reliability

Wild and scenic rivers

(DC-Wild & Scenic-1)

Has there been 

adequate protection of 

outstandingly 

remarkable values 

(ORVs) of wild and 

scenic river segments 

that are eligible or 

designated?

Changes to ORVs Every 4-6 

years

B

Wilderness areas 

(DC-Wilderness-1)

Has there been 

adequate protection of 

wilderness 

characteristics of areas 

that are existing 

wilderness or 

recommended for 

wilderness 

designation?

Changes to wilderness 

character

Every 4-6 

years

B

Land adjustment

(DC-Open Space-1, 

DC-Lands-1, Obj-29, 

Obj-31)

To what extent is the 

Prescott NF land 

adjustment program 

supporting or 

enhancing plan desired 

conditions (e.g., open 

space, scenery values, 

historic access)? 

Area of land 

adjustment that meets 

community open space 

needs and provides for 

natural resource values

Every 4-6 

years

B

Theme 6 – Maintaining Infrastructure Capacity

Roads, trails, and 

facilities 

(Obj-9, Obj-11, Obj-12, 

Obj-15, Obj-17)

(DC-Rec-Trails-2, DCTransportation & 

Facilities-1)

How many miles of the 

designated roads and 

trails are maintained to 

standard?

Miles of roads and 

trails

Annually A

How many developed 

and designated 

recreation sites are 

being maintained?

Percentage of sites 

maintained

Annually A

What proportion of 

trailheads and 

wilderness boundaries 

are adequately signed 

or marked?

Percentage of total 

trailheads; miles of 

wilderness boundary

Annually A
Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 127

Chapter 7. Suitability

Commercial timber sale operation

Introduction

The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) states that national forest plans shall provide for 

multiple use and sustained yield of products and services through management of renewable 

surface resources to best meet the needs of the American people. NFMA also requires that NFS 

lands be classified as to their suitability for various uses including timber production, forage 

production for grazing animals, and recreation opportunities. 

In the context of the plan, suitability refers to the appropriateness of applying certain resource 

management practices to a particular area of land, in consideration of the relevant social, 

economic, and ecological factors. Suitability determinations are one of the decisions made as part 

of revising the plan.

Suitability is determined based on compatibility with desired conditions and objectives in the plan 

area. Lands within the plan area are not identified as suitable for a certain use if that use is 

prohibited by law, regulation, or policy; would result in substantial and permanent impairment of 

the productivity of the land or renewable resources; or if the use is incompatible with the desired 

conditions for the relevant portion of the plan area. 
Chapter 7. Suitability

128 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

The suitability determinations (plan decisions) are summarized below and displayed in tables 6, 

7, and 8. The information outside of these tables are not plan decisions but are provided for 

background.

Suitability Determinations for Timber, Grazing, and Recreation

SuitTimber-1

The amount of land suitable for timber production is 38,875 acres.

SuitGrazing-1

The amount of land suitable for grazing animals is 913,078 acres.

Suit-Rec-1

The suitability of areas for recreation use varies by the activity and setting, as 

shown in the recreation suitability matrix.

Timber Suitability

The Forest Service Manual (FSM 1900) defines timber production as, “the purposeful growing, 

tending, harvesting, and regeneration of regulated crops of trees for cutting into logs, bolts, or 

other round sections for industrial or consumer use.” For purposes of forest planning, timber 

production does not include firewood or harvests from unsuitable lands. FSM 1900 defines forest 

land as land which is at least 10 percent occupied by forest trees or formerly having had such tree 

cover and not currently developed for nonforest use. Lands developed for nonforest use include 

areas for crops, improved pasture, residential or administrative areas, improved roads of any 

width, and adjoining road clearing and power line clearing of any width. 

Unsuitable forest land is forest land not managed for timber production because: (a) Congress, the 

Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, or the Chief of the Forest Service has withdrawn it; 

(b) it is not producing or capable of producing crops of industrial wood; (c) technology is not 

available to prevent irreversible damage to soils productivity or watershed conditions; (d) there is 

no reasonable assurance based on existing technology and knowledge that it is possible to restock 

lands within 5 years after final harvest, as reflected in current research and experience; (e) there 

is, at present, a lack of adequate information about ecological responses to timber management 

activities; or (f) timber management is inconsistent with or not cost efficient in meeting the 

management requirements and multiple-use objectives specified in the plan. Table 6 displays the 

amount of lands suitable for timber production on the Prescott NF. For additional information, see 

the “Timber Suitability, Long-Term Sustained Yield Capacity, and Allowable Sale Quantity 

Report” (Forest Service, 2011b). 

Table 6. Timber suitability on the Prescott NF (in acres)

Total NFS Lands 1,255,804 

Nonforest lands -1,182,829

Lands withdrawn from timber production -12,136

Lands where irreversible resource damage likely 0
Chapter 7. Suitability

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 129

Total NFS Lands 1,255,804 

Lands where adequate restocking not assured 0

Total lands tentatively suitable for timber production 60,839

Lands where management area prescriptions preclude timber production -25

Lands where management objectives limit timber harvest -16,426

Lands that are not economically cost efficient -5,513

Total lands not appropriate for timber production 21,964

Total lands suitable for timber production 38,875

Total lands not suitable for timber production 1,216,929

Range Suitability

The capability of the land to produce forage for grazing animals depends primarily upon site 

conditions such as climate, slope, landform, soils, and geology. The capability of the lands on the 

Prescott NF to produce forage for grazing animals was determined in the 1980s during the first 

round of forest planning. Most landscape-scale conditions that determine capability have not 

changed significantly since the first evaluation.

Table 7. Grazing capability on the Prescott NF (in acres)

Total NFS Lands 1,267,515

Lands generally not capable for livestock grazing

Forage productivity less than 100 lbs. per acre per year 127,508

Soils that are Inherently Unstable1 114,786

Steep slopes greater than 60 percent 15,400

Total lands generally not capable for livestock grazing 257,694

Lands generally capable for livestock grazing (total – not capable) 1,009,8212

1 This classification is displayed in TES under Landscape features and is an interpretation based on climate, 

soils, rock features, and slopes. It indicates conditions where annual soil renewability is less than soil loss 

under natural conditions described in Potential Plant Community in the TES document. Therefore, retention 

of vegetative cover may not slow erosion or soil creep processes even with management intervention, such as 

seeding.

2 This area is about 4 percent less than the pre-GIS calculation in the 1983 Analysis of the Management 

Situation due to increased accuracy in the mapping.

Suitability is determined based on compatibility with desired conditions and objectives in the plan 

area. Lands within the plan area are not identified as suitable for a certain use if that use is 

prohibited by law, regulation, or policy; would result in substantial and permanent impairment of 

the productivity of the land or renewable resources; or if the use is incompatible with the desired 

conditions for the relevant portion of the plan area.
Chapter 7. Suitability

130 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

An identification of an area as suitable for a particular use does not mean that the use will occur 

over the entire area. Likewise, identifying that a particular use is not suitable in a management 

area does not mean that the use will not occur in specific areas. The identification of an area as 

suitable for various uses is guidance for project and activity decisionmaking and is not a resource 

commitment or final decision approving projects and activities. Final decisions on resource 

commitments are made at the project level. The final decision to authorize livestock grazing 

would be made at a project (allotment) level.

The 1987 Forest Plan (1987 plan) identified Management Area 7 as unsuitable for livestock 

grazing. It consisted of three recreation areas: Lynx Lake Recreation Area, Granite Basin 

Recreation Area and summer home group, and the Verde Wild and Scenic River. In addition to 

Management Area 7, the Prescott Municipal Watershed was considered unsuitable for grazing as 

part of a 1924 agreement, and Lane Mountain Watershed was excluded beginning in 1975. These 

exclusions were carried over into the new suitability analysis.

Since the 1987 plan was completed, site-specific grazing allotment analyses and decisions have 

resulted in exclusion of grazing within certain areas of the Prescott NF. Table 8 displays the 

acreage of these large exclusions that have been included in the grazing suitability calculation. 

For additional information, see the “Determination of Livestock Grazing Capability and 

Suitability Report” (Forest Service, 2015).

Figure 5 displays areas excluded from grazing since 1987, areas excluded as part of Management 

Area 7, and areas excluded as part of the Prescott Municipal Watershed in the 1987 plan. The 

remainder of the Prescott NF displayed is suitable for grazing. Note that exclusions at the 

allotment or pasture level are not shown due to the scale of the map.
Chapter 7. Suitability

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 131

Table 8. Grazing suitability on the Prescott NF (in acres)

Lands generally capable for livestock grazing 1, 009,821

Lands generally not suitable for livestock grazing

1987 Forest Plan Management Area 7 4,547 

1987 Forest Plan Excluded Watersheds 35,141 

Lands generally not suitable for livestock grazing in the 1987 

Forest Plan

- 39,688

Allotments where a portion of 

acreage was excluded since the 

1987 plan was approved

Crown King -15,380

Big Bug -1,215

Maverick -13,000

Crooks Canyon -8,700

Brady -1,920

Cold Springs -10,806

Burnt Ranch -4,048

Goat Peak -1,986

Total allotment exclusions -57,055

Lands generally suitable for livestock grazing in the 2015 Forest Plan 

(1987 suitable acres – allotment specific exclusions)

913,078 
Chapter 7. Suitability

132 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Figure 5. Large area grazing exclusions
Chapter 7. Suitability

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 133

Recreation Suitability

A broad spectrum of outdoor recreation opportunities are provided on the Prescott NF. 

Opportunities provided are to be consistent with needs and demands for all major resources.

An area or setting is deemed suitable if it is appropriate for the activity, regardless of whether the 

opportunity exists. This does not mean that the activity will occur over the entire area. National 

Forest System lands are generally suitable for a variety of uses, including recreation, unless 

restricted by presidential, congressional, or administrative constraints. 

A setting is not suitable if it is not appropriate for the activity or the activity is not allowed by law, 

regulation, or policy within the area. Areas that are permitted for other resource use, such as 

communication sites, electric substations, mining operations, or energy development, are not 

suitable for recreation; these settings are also not listed in the suitability matrix. The following 

setting definitions are provided for clarity:

Administrative Facilities – buildings and areas where the primary purpose is to 

support Forest Service functions and administration. Examples include forest 

supervisor and ranger district offices, work centers, and aviation facilities.

Designated OHV Area – an area set aside for motorized cross-country travel as 

identified in the “Prescott National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map.”

Developed Recreation Facilities – buildings or structures designed to enhance 

the visitor’s recreation experience and provide a greater level of convenience at 

the site. These include campgrounds and picnic areas with designated sites, day 

use areas with toilet facilities, designated shooting ranges, and developed 

trailheads.

Motorized Forest System Trails – trails that have been identified on the 

“Prescott National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map” as open for motorized use.

Nonmotorized Forest System Trails – trails that are constructed or maintained 

by the Forest Service and which are open for travel by foot, horse, or bicycle.

Heritage Interpretive Area – an area with unique opportunities to expand 

cultural or historic knowledge.

Wild and Scenic River – a congressionally designated river or river segment 

that meets at least one of three classifications: wild, scenic, or recreation. These 

classifications are dependent upon access, shoreline development, and flow 

restrictions.

Wilderness – refers to existing designated wilderness areas.

Table 9 indicates suitability of various recreation activities within the various identified settings.
134 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Chapter 7. Suitability

1 Recreation suitability in recommended wilderness is at the discretion of the forest supervisor.

2 Developed recreation activities are suitable in river segment corridors classified as “recreational.”

Table 9. Recreation Suitability Matrix

Activities

Suitable – the area or site 

is appropriate for the 

activity, whether the 

opportunity is available or 

not.

Not Suitable – the area or 

site is not appropriate for 

the activity or the activity 

is not allowed by law or 

regulation within the area. 

Developed 

Recreation

Activities that are

dependent upon 

facilities provided 

by the Forest 

Service. 

Examples include 

developed 

camping, 

picnicking, or 

group gatherings.

Dispersed 

Camping

Camping outside 

of a developed 

campground, 

including 

designated 

dispersed camping, 

dispersed car 

camping, and 

back-country 

camping.

Nonmotorized 

Dispersed 

Recreation

Activities which are 

not dependent upon 

developed facilities 

or motorized 

equipment, including 

hiking, backpacking, 

hunting, wildlife 

viewing, rock 

climbing, equestrian 

use, or mountain 

biking.

Motorized 

Recreation

The operation of 

motorized 

vehicles such as 

all-terrain 

vehicles, offhighway vehicles, 

or motorcycles 

for recreation as 

opposed to 

transportation.

Water-based 

Recreation

On water and 

water adjacent 

activities such as 

rafting, tubing, 

kayaking, boating,

swimming, 

wading, and 

fishing. Includes 

both motorized and 

nonmotorized use.

Education / 

Interpretation

Recreation based on 

the pursuit of 

knowledge and 

understanding.

Ranges from formal 

displays and 

programs to outdoor 

classrooms, 

interpretive field 

trips, and citizen 

scientist projects.

Settings

Developed 

Recreation Facilities Suitable Not Suitable Not Suitable Not Suitable Suitable Suitable

Heritage 

Interpretive Area Suitable Not Suitable Suitable Not Suitable Not Suitable Suitable

Wilderness1 Not Suitable Suitable Suitable for 

nonmechanized only Not Suitable Suitable Suitable

Wild and Scenic 

River Suitable2 Suitable Suitable Not Suitable Suitable Suitable

Grapevine Botanical 

Area Not Suitable Not Suitable Suitable Not Suitable Suitable Suitable

Nonmotorized 

Forest System Trails Not Suitable Suitable Suitable Not Suitable Not Suitable Suitable

Motorized Forest 

System Trails Not Suitable Suitable Suitable where allowed Suitable Not Suitable Suitable

Designated OHV 

Area Suitable Not Suitable Not Suitable Suitable Not Suitable Suitable

Administrative 

Facilities Not Suitable Not Suitable Not Suitable Not Suitable Not Suitable Suitable
Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 135

Chapter 8. Additional Plan Direction

Sycamore Canyon Wilderness

Introduction

In addition to the plan decisions (i.e., plan components) outlined in the previous chapters, other 

direction exists which must be followed in implementing the plan. The direction found in this 

chapter addresses: (1) projects’ consistency with the plan, (2) changes to the plan, and (3) other 

vital documents which must be followed to implement the plan.

Project Consistency with the Plan

As required by the National Forest Management Act and the National Forest System Land 

Management Planning Rule, all projects and activities1authorized by the Forest Service must be 

consistent with decisions in the plan (i.e., desired conditions, objectives, standards, guidelines, 

special areas, suitability of areas, and monitoring). Projects are not required to be consistent with 

nonplan decisions such as: introduction, background, existing conditions, management 

 

1 Projects and activities as defined in 16 U.S.C. 1604(i); these include resource plan and permits, contracts, and other 

instruments for the use and occupancy of National Forest System lands.
Chapter 8. Additional Plan Direction

136 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

approaches, community visions, glossary, possible actions, and information included purely for 

reference.

Where a proposed project or activity would not be consistent with a plan decision, the responsible 

official has the following options:

 To modify the proposal so that the project or activity will be consistent;

 To reject the proposal; or 

 To amend the plan at the same time as the approval of the project or activity so that the 

project or activity is consistent with the plan as amended. The amendment may be limited 

to apply only to the project or activity.

Typically, projects or activities are developed specifically to achieve the desired conditions or 

objectives of the plan; however, some projects or activities may not necessarily be tied to any 

specific desired condition or objective in the plan (e.g., routine road maintenance, facility 

maintenance). In such cases, these may still be considered consistent with the plan if they do not 

prevent the attainment of these plan components; these projects and activities should be briefly 

evaluated for any conflicts with the plan’s desired conditions and objectives. In implementation of 

the plan, projects are expected to comply with the plan’s standards and guidelines, suitability, and 

management area direction. Early in the project planning process, these applicable plan 

components should be identified and documented to ensure consistency with the plan.

It is important to note that while the plan is to be used as direction for future projects, it is not 

expected that this new direction be used to reevaluate or change decisions that have been made 

under the previous land management plan. A smooth and gradual transition to the new plan is 

anticipated, rather than one that forces an immediate reexamination or modification of all 

projects, contracts, permits, and other activities that are already in progress. As new project 

decisions, contracts, permits, renewals, and other activities are considered, consistency with the 

new plan is expected.

The following paragraphs describe in greater detail how a project or activity is consistent with the 

plan components and the requirements for documenting consistency.

Plan Desired Conditions

Most projects and activities are developed specifically to maintain or move conditions toward one 

or many of the desired conditions of the plan; consequently, it is not likely that a project or 

activity can maintain or contribute to the attainment of all desired conditions. In addition, it 

should not be expected that, in every instance, a project could clearly point to a specific desired 

condition as the reason the project was proposed.

There will also be instances when negative effects related to achieving a specific desired 

condition are appropriate, either for long-term progress toward that same desired condition or for 

progress toward or maintenance of another desired condition. In this situation, the responsible 

official for the project needs to identify and disclose these effects in the project documentation 

and make a decision that balances these considerations.

It is also important that project consistency with a desired condition be assessed at the appropriate 

scale. For example, if a desired condition addresses watershed functionality at the scale of a 5th
Chapter 8. Additional Plan Direction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 137

level watershed, then the contribution of any proposal to that desired condition should be 

considered at that scale. 

To be consistent with the desired conditions of the plan, a project or activity, when assessed at the 

appropriate spatial scale described in the plan, must be designed to meet one or more of the 

following conditions:

 Maintain or make progress toward one or more of the desired conditions of the plan

without adversely affecting progress toward, or maintenance of, other desired conditions;

or

 Be neutral with regard to progress toward plan desired conditions; or 

 Maintain or make progress toward one or more of the desired conditions over the long 

term, even if the project or activity would adversely affect progress toward or 

maintenance of one or more desired conditions in the short term; or

 Maintain or make progress toward one or more of the desired conditions over the long 

term, even if the project or activity would adversely affect progress toward other desired 

conditions in a negligible way over the long term. 

The project documentation should explain how the project is consistent with desired conditions 

and describe any short term, or negligible long term, adverse effects the project may have on the 

maintenance or attainment of any desired condition.

Plan Objectives

A project or activity is consistent with the objectives of the plan if it contributes to or does not 

prevent the attainment of any applicable objectives.

The project documentation should identify any applicable objectives to which the project 

contributes and document that the project does not prevent the attainment of any objectives. If 

there are no applicable objectives, the project can still be considered consistent with the 

objectives component of the plan. The project documentation should state that there are no 

applicable objectives. 

Plan Standards

A project or activity is consistent with a standard if the project or activity is designed in exact 

accord with the standard. 

The project documentation should confirm that the project is consistent with applicable standards. 

Plan Guidelines

A project or activity must be consistent with all guidelines applicable to the type of project or 

activity and its location in the plan area. A project or activity can be consistent with a guideline in 

either of two ways:

 The project or activity is designed exactly in accord with the guideline; or 
Chapter 8. Additional Plan Direction

138 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

 A project or activity design varies from the exact words of the guideline, but it is as

effective in meeting the purpose of the guideline to contribute to the maintenance or 

attainment of relevant desired conditions and objectives.

The project documentation should describe how the project is consistent with the guidelines. 

When the project varies from the exact words of the guideline, the documentation must 

specifically explain how the project design is as effective in contributing to the maintenance or 

attainment of relevant desired conditions and objectives. 

Plan Suitability

A project with the purpose of timber production may only occur in an area identified as suitable 

for timber production (16 U.S.C. 1604(k)). The documentation for the project should confirm the 

project area meets the suitability for timber production criteria set out in Section 219.14 of the 

1982 Planning Rule Provisions. 

Except for projects with a purpose of timber production, a project or activity can be consistent 

with plan suitability determinations in either of two ways: 

 The project or activity is a use identified in the plan as generally suitable for the location 

where the project or activity is to occur; or

 The project or activity is not a use identified in the plan as generally suitable for the 

location (i.e., the plan is silent on the use or the plan identifies the use as generally not 

suitable), but the responsible official determines that the use is appropriate for that 

location’s desired conditions and objectives.

The project documentation should describe that the project or activity is either: (1) a use for 

which the area is specifically identified in the plan as generally suitable or (2) not a use for which 

the area is specifically identified in the plan as general suitable but is nonetheless appropriate for 

that location. 

Special Areas

Where the plan provides plan components for a special area, a project or activity must be 

consistent with those area-specific components. The project documentation should describe how 

the project or activity is consistent with the area-specific components of the plan.

Monitoring

Monitoring is used to determine the degree to which on-the-ground management is maintaining 

or making progress toward desired conditions. The questions and performance measures in the 

monitoring strategy are designed to evaluate this progress at the forest level and not the project 

level. Therefore, the project documentation does not need to describe plan level (i.e., forest level) 

monitoring, but it may describe monitoring measures specific to the project.
Chapter 8. Additional Plan Direction

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 139

Changes to the Plan

A change to the plan requires either an administrative correction or a plan amendment. The 

following paragraphs summarize circumstances that warrant corrections or amendments to the 

plan.

Administrative Corrections

Administrative corrections are minor changes to the plan that do not substantively affect the 

management direction or create additional environmental consequences. These minor changes 

include the following:

 Changes made in sections of the plan that are considered “other content” or do not 

represent plan decisions.

 Corrections and updates of data published in the plan and minor changes to maps.

 Changes in projections of timber management activities expected to occur during the 

planning period.

 Minor changes in text such as typographical errors and clarification of explanatory text.

An administrative correction must be initially published as a proposed correction either on the 

Prescott NF Web site or in a local newspaper of record. The proposed correction must identify the 

language or map to be corrected, the proposed correction, and the reason for the correction. The 

public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed correction within a 30-day period 

following publication. After reviewing the comments received, the final correction may be 

similarly published and the plan corrected.

Site-Specific Plan Amendments

Site-specific plan amendments allow specific projects or other activities to deviate from certain

direction in the plan. These amendments occur only for a specific area or a specific project. They 

do not lead to changes in plan language, and if changes are made to management area map layers, 

they are made only for the area affected. Proposals for such amendments are usually accompanied 

by the appropriate NEPA analysis for the site-specific project in question. The procedures for 

processing a site-specific plan amendment are outlined in the applicable planning regulation (i.e., 

the planning rule).

Programmatic Plan Amendments

Programmatic plan amendments change the text and language of plan decisions (i.e., plan 

components) and any other changes that cannot be addressed through administrative corrections 

or site-specific plan amendments. The procedures for addressing a programmatic plan amendment 

are outlined in the applicable planning regulation.

Other Sources of Direction

The following sources contain direction which must be followed to implement the plan. 
Chapter 8. Additional Plan Direction

140 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Motor Vehicle Use Map 

The “Prescott National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map” (MVUM) is the decision document which 

implements the Travel Management Rule. The MVUM displays the network of National Forest 

System roads, trails, and areas on National Forest System land that are designated for motor 

vehicle use.

Coconino National Forest Land Management Plan

The “Coconino National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan” provides direction for 

Sycamore Canyon Wilderness which is located within and managed by three national forests—the 

Coconino, Kaibab, and Prescott. 

Verde Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive River 

Management Plan for Coconino, Prescott, and Tonto National Forests

The “Verde Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive River Management Plan” provides direction 

for managing the segments of the Verde River on the Coconino, Prescott, and Tonto NFs which 

have Congressional Wild and Scenic River designation.

Appendix B of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Integrated 

Treatment of Noxious or Invasive Weeds

The “Final Environmental Impact Statement for Integrated Treatment of Noxious or Invasive 

Weeds” provides direction for an integrated program to treat noxious or invasive weeds in central 

Arizona on the Coconino, Kaibab, and Prescott NFs.
Sunset on the Prescott National Forest
142 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

List of Preparers

The following lists the names, titles, education, and experience of individuals who contributed to 

the development of the final “Prescott National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.”

Name Title Education and Experience

Frances Alvarado Geologist M.S. Geology, University of Texas at San Antonio

5 years experience with the Forest Service

Christopher J. 

Brown

Planning 

Social/Economic/

Recreation Lead

B.S. Forest Resource Management, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & 

State University 

12 years experience with the Forest Service

Noel Fletcher Wildlife Biologist B.S. Wildlife Management, University of Idaho

30 years experience with the Forest Service

Ann May Landscape 

Architect

M.L.A. (Masters of Landscape Architecture), University of 

Michigan

21 years experience with the Forest Service 

Dave Moore Soil Scientist B.S. Environmental Resources, Arizona State University

15 years experience with the Forest Service and 1 year with the 

Natural Resource Conservation Service

Gregory Olsen Hydrologist B.S. Environmental Earth Science, Eastern Connecticut State 

University

4 years experience with the Forest Service and 16 years experience 

with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

Tom Potter GIS Coordinator M.S. Watershed Management, University of Arizona 

13 years experience with the Forest Service and 8 years experience 

with the National Park Service

Adriane Ragan Writer/Editor M.A. English, Northern Arizona University

9 years experience with the Forest Service

Mary Rasmussen Planning 

Ecological Lead/

Forest Planner 

M.S. Forest Ecology, Oregon State University

17 years experience with the Forest Service and 11 years experience 

with the National Park Service

Dan Salcido Engineer B.S. Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

32 years experience with the Forest Service

Sheila Sandusky Lands/Special 

Uses Specialist

Graduate, Bureau of Land Management Lands and Realty Academy 

and A.A. Liberal Arts, Cochise College

22 years experience with the Forest Service

Albert Sillas Fisheries Biologist B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Science, New Mexico State University

22 years experience with the Forest Service and 7 years experience 

with the Fish and Wildlife Service

Christine Thiel Natural Resources 

Planner/Range 

Program Lead

M.S. Environmental Resources in Agriculture, Arizona State 

University

16 years experience with the Forest Service
List of Preparers

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 143

Name Title Education and Experience

Jodi Wetzstein Planning Forester B.S. Forestry, Northern Arizona University; certified silviculturist

11 years experience with the Bureau of Land Management and 5 

years experience with the Forest Service

Kurt Wetzstein Forest Health 

Team Leader

B.S. Environmental and Natural Resource Science, University of 

Nevada Reno

17 years experience with the Forest Service

Jason Williams Trails/Wilderness/

Dispersed 

Recreation 

Program Manager

M.A. Public Lands Management, Prescott College

3 years experience with the Forest Service and 7 years experience 

with the Arizona Wilderness Coalition

Other Forest Service Contributors

Review and input in the development of the final plan was received from the staffs of the 

Bradshaw, Chino Valley, and Verde Ranger Districts; the Prescott NF Supervisor’s Office; and the 

Southwestern Region Regional Office.
144 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Glossary

Adaptive capacity – The capacity of a system to adapt if the environment where the system 

exists is changing. As applied to ecological systems, adaptive capacity is determined by: (1) 

genetic diversity of species, (2) biodiversity within a particular ecosystem, and (3) heterogeneous 

ecosystem mosaics as applied to specific landscapes or biome regions.

Age class – Trees that originated within a relatively distinct range of years. Typically the range of 

years is considered to fall within 20 percent of the average natural maturity (e.g., if 100 years is 

required to reach maturity, then there would be five 20-year age classes).

Basal area – The cross-sectional area at breast height (4.5 feet above the ground) of trees 

measured in square feet. Basal area is a way to measure how much of a site is occupied by trees. 

The cross-sectional area is determined by calculating the tree’s radius from its diameter 

(diameter/2 = radius) and using the formula for the area of a circle (π x radius2 = cross-sectional 

area). Basal area per acre is the summation of the cross-sectional area of all trees in an acre or in a 

smaller plot used to estimate basal area per acre. Diameter at root collar (defined below) is used 

to calculate the cross-sectional area of multistemmed trees such as juniper and oak.

Class I Federal areas – A classification where areas require the highest level of protection under 

the Clean Air Act (CAA). The CAA defines mandatory Class I Federal areas as certain national 

parks (over 6,000 acres), wilderness areas (over 5,000 acres), national memorial parks (over 

5,000 acres), and international parks that were in existence as of August 1977.

Clump – A tight cluster of two to five trees of similar age and size originating from a common 

rooting zone that typically lean away from each other when mature. A clump is relatively isolated 

from other clumps or trees within a group of trees, but a stand-alone clump of trees can function 

as a tree group.

Coarse woody debris – Woody material, including logs, on the ground greater than 3 inches in 

diameter—a component of litter.

Concern level roads – Concern level 1 roads are travel routes where forest visitors have a high 

interest in scenic qualities. Concern level 2 roads are travelways where forest visitors have a 

moderate interest in scenic qualities. These routes are displayed in the “Scenery Management 

System Inventory Report” planning record (Forest Service, 2009d).

Connectivity – The arrangement of habitats that allows organisms and ecological processes to 

move across the landscape; the opposite of fragmentation. Patches of similar habitats are either 

close together or linked by corridors of appropriate vegetation.

Culturally important plant species – Plant species that either have specific requirements for 

survival and are found in few locations or have importance to American Indian tribes, 

communities, and nations.

Deciview – A measurement of visibility. A low deciview number reflects clearer visibility; while 

a high deciview number reflects increased haziness. 

Declining – Refers to the senescent (aging) period in the lifespan of plants that includes the 

presence of dead and/or dying limbs, snag tops, and other characteristics that indicate the later life 

stages of vegetation.
Glossary

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 145

Diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) – The diameter of a tree typically measured at 4.5 feet above 

ground level.

Diameter at root collar (d.r.c.) – The diameter typically measured at the root collar or at the 

natural ground line, whichever is higher, outside the bark. For a multistemmed tree, d.r.c. is 

calculated from the diameter measurements of all qualifying stems (≥ 1.5" diameter and at least 1

foot in length).

Deferred maintenance – Maintenance that was not performed when it should have been or when 

it was scheduled and which, therefore, was put off or delayed for a future period. When allowed 

to accumulate without limits or consideration of useful life, deferred maintenance leads to 

deterioration of performance, increased costs to repair, and decrease in asset value. Deferred 

maintenance needs may be categorized as critical or noncritical at any point in time. Continued 

deferral of noncritical maintenance will normally result in an increase in critical deferred 

maintenance.

Ecosystems – These are spatially explicit, relatively homogeneous units of the earth that include 

all interacting organisms and elements of the abiotic environment within its boundaries. An 

ecosystem is commonly described in terms of its:

 Composition – The biological elements within the different levels of biological 

organizations, from genes and species to communities and ecosystems.

 Structure – The organization and physical arrangement of biological elements such as 

snags and down woody debris, vertical and horizontal distribution of vegetation, stream 

habitat complexity, landscape pattern, and connectivity.

 Function – Ecological processes, such as energy flow; nutrient cycling and retention; soil 

development and retention; predation and herbivory; and natural disturbances such as 

wind, fire, and floods that sustain composition and structure.

Ecosystem services – Benefits that people obtain from ecosystems. The Prescott NF provides 

clean water and air, productive soil, riparian and aquatic resources, diverse wildlife habitats, 

educational and cultural values, scenery, recreation, timber, forage, and forest products.

Endemic – A population that has unique genetic characteristics and likely exists in a very limited 

geographic area.

Even-aged – Stands of trees that are comprised of one distinct age class of trees.

Federally listed species – Threatened or Endangered species listed under the Endangered Species 

Act, as amended. Candidate and proposed species are species which are being considered for 

Federal listing. 

Fire regime – The patterns, frequency, and severity of fire that occur over a long period of time 

across a landscape and its immediate effects on the ecosystem in which it occurs. There are five 

fire regimes which are classified based on frequency (average number of years between fires) and 

severity (amount of replacement of the dominant overstory vegetation) of the fire. These five 

regimes are: 
Glossary

146 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

 Fire regime I – 0 to 35 year frequency and low (surface fires most common, isolated 

torching can occur) to mixed severity (less than 75 percent of dominant overstory 

vegetation replaced).

 Fire regime II – 0 to 35 year frequency and high severity (greater than 75 percent of 

dominant overstory vegetation replaced).

 Fire regime III – 35 to 100+ year frequency and mixed severity.

 Fire regime IV – 35 to 100+ year frequency and high severity.

 Fire regime V – 200+ year frequency and high severity.

Fire severity – Degree to which a site has been altered or disrupted by fire; also used to describe 

the product of fire intensity and residence time; usually defined by the degree of soil heating or 

mortality of vegetation.

Goshawk foraging areas – The areas that surround the PFAs (see definition below) that northern 

goshawks use to hunt for prey. They are approximately 5,400 acres in size.

Goshawk nest areas – The areas immediately around a nest that are used by northern goshawks 

in relation to courtship and breeding activities. They are approximately 30 acres in size and 

contain multiple groups of large, old trees with interlocking crowns.

Goshawk post-fledgling family areas (PFAs) – The areas that surround northern goshawk nest 

areas. They represent an area of concentrated use by the northern goshawk family until the time 

the young are no longer dependent on adults for food. PFAs are approximately 420 acres in size 

(not including the nest area acres).

Groundwater dependent ecosystem – Wetlands, seeps, or springs that sustain a variety of plant 

and animal species. They are generally found where groundwater emerges at the land surface.

Emergent riparian areas within these systems typically include a combination of sedge species, 

cattails, bull rushes, and various forbs or woody species, and on the Prescott NF are classified as 

part of the Riparian Gallery Forest PNVT.

Group – A cluster of two or more trees with interlocking or nearly interlocking crowns at 

maturity surrounded by an opening. Size of tree groups is typically variable depending on forest 

type and site conditions and can range from fractions of an acre such as a 2-tree group) (i.e.,

ponderosa pine, dry mixed conifer) to many acres (i.e., wet mixed conifer, spruce fir). Trees 

within groups are typically nonuniformly spaced, some of which may be tightly clumped.

Herbivory – The act of feeding on plants.

Hydrologic unit – The U.S. Geological Service created hydrologic units to describe the hierarchy 

of watersheds within the country. Hydrologic units are identified by hydrologic unit codes 

(HUCs). As the unit code increases, the size of the watershed referenced decreases (e.g., several 

6

th level watersheds can be combined to make up a 5th level watershed). The average size of a 4th

level watershed (subbasin) is 1 million acres, 5th level watersheds (watersheds) are around 

165,000 acres, and 6th level watersheds (subwatersheds) are about 21,000 acres.

Impaired waters – Polluted or degraded waterbodies (e.g., lakes, streams, segments of streams) 

which do not meet state water quality standards. 
Glossary

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 147

Instream flow – Seasonal streamflows needed for maintaining aquatic and riparian ecosystems, 

wildlife, fisheries, and recreation opportunities at an acceptable level.

Intactness – Untouched or unaltered, especially by anything that harms or diminishes its 

character.

Interspaces – Areas that are not currently under the vertical projection of the outermost perimeter 

of tree canopies. They are generally composed of grass-forb-shrub communities but could also be 

areas with scattered rock or exposed mineral soil. Interspaces do not include meadows, 

grasslands, rock outcroppings, and wetlands.

Litter – Dead, unattached organic material on the soil surface that is effective in protecting the 

soil surface from raindrop splash, sheet, and rill erosion and is at least one-half inch thick. Litter 

is composed of leaves, needles, cones, and woody vegetative debris, including twigs, branches, 

and trunks.

Maintenance levels – Maintenance levels define the level of service and maintenance 

requirements for a road. Maintenance levels 1 to 5 are described below:

 Level 1 – These roads have been placed in storage between intermittent uses. They are 

not shown on motor vehicle use maps and are closed to vehicular traffic but may be 

available for nonmotorized uses.

 Level 2 – These roads are for use by high-clearance vehicles; passenger car use is 

discouraged or prohibited.

 Level 3 – These roads are open and maintained for passenger car use. Roads in this 

maintenance level are typically low speed with single lanes and turnouts.

 Level 4 – These roads provide a moderate degree of user comfort and convenience at 

moderate travel speeds. Roads in this maintenance level are typically double lane and 

aggregate surfaced.

 Level 5 – These roads provide a high degree of user comfort and convenience. Roads in 

this maintenance level are typically double lane and paved. 

Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) – The strategy and tactics that meet fire 

management objectives with the least environmental, cultural, and social impacts, including in 

this case, wilderness values. 

Mosaic – The pattern of patches, corridors, and matrix (forest or nonforest) that form a landscape 

in its entirety.

National Forest System (NFS) – As defined in the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 

Planning Act (P.L. 93-378), the “National Forest System” includes all national forest lands 

reserved or withdrawn from the public domain of the United States, all national forest lands 

acquired through purchase, exchange, donation, or other means; the national grasslands and land 

use projects administered under Title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tennant Act (P.L. 75-210); 

and other lands, waters, or interests therein administered by the Forest Service or are designated 

for administration through the Forest Service as part of the system.
Glossary

148 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

National Forest System (NFS) road or trail – A road or trail wholly or partly within or adjacent 

to and serving the National Forest System that the Forest Service determines is necessary for the 

protection, administration, and utilization of the National Forest System and the use and 

development of its resources. A forest road or trail other than a road or trail which has been 

authorized by a legally documented right-of-way held by a state, county, or other local public 

road authority (36 CFR 212.1).

Natural fire regime – The fire regime that existed prior to human-facilitated interruption of 

frequency, extent, or severity. 

Nonnative invasive species – Species that are not native to the ecosystem being described and 

that cause, or have the potential to cause, ecological or economic harm.

Old growth – “Old growth” refers to specific habitat components that occur in forests and 

woodlands—old trees, dead trees (snags), downed wood (coarse woody debris), and structure 

diversity. These important habitat features may occur in small areas, with only a few components, 

or over larger areas as stands or forests where old growth is concentrated. In the Southwest, old 

growth is considered “transitional,” given that that the location of old growth shifts on the 

landscape over time as a result of succession and disturbance (tree growth and mortality) (Forest 

Service, 2012). Some species, notably certain plants, require “old forest” communities that may 

or may not have old growth components but have escaped significant disturbance for lengths of 

time necessary to provide the suitable stability and environment. In Southwestern forested 

ecosystems, old growth is different than the traditional definition based on Northwestern 

infrequent fire forests. Due to large differences among Southwestern vegetation types and natural 

disturbances, old growth forests vary extensively in tree size, age classes, presence and 

abundance of structural elements, stability, and presence of understory. 

Openings – Spatial breaks between groups or patches of trees, as large as or larger than groups, 

which contain grass, forb, shrub, and/or tree seedlings but are largely devoid of big trees, with a 

total tree cover of less than 10 percent in openings.

Outstandingly remarkable value (ORV) – The unique, rare, or exemplary qualities that 

constitute the eligibility of a river segment for wild and/or scenic designation. ORV categories 

include: archaeology, scenery, fish, wildlife, recreation, and botany. A river must have one or 

more ORVs to be eligible for wild and/or scenic designation.

Patches – Areas larger than tree groups in which the vegetation composition and structure are 

relatively homogeneous. Patches comprise the mid-scale, thus they range in size from 100 to 

1,000 acres. Patches and stands are roughly synonymous.

Perennial intermittent stream – Streams where flow is discontinuous; perennial flowing 

segments are separated by reaches that have intermittent flow.

Productive sites – Sites that provide needed nutrients, light, and moisture that allow for vigorous 

growth of trees.

Properly functioning condition – Riparian areas are functioning properly when adequate 

vegetation, landform, or large woody debris is present to: dissipate stream energy associated with 

high flows (thereby reducing erosion and improving water quality); filter sediment; capture 

bedload and aid in flood plain development; improve floodwater retention and groundwater 
Glossary

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 149

recharge; develop root masses that stabilize streambanks; develop diverse ponding and channel 

characteristics to provide habitat for fish, waterfowl, and other uses; and support greater 

biodiversity. 

 Functional-at-risk – Riparian areas that are in functional condition but an existing soil, 

water, or vegetation attribute makes them susceptible to degradation. 

 Improperly functioning – Riparian areas that clearly are not providing adequate 

vegetation, landform, or large woody debris to dissipate stream energy associated with 

high flows and, consequently, are not reducing erosion and improving water quality.

Recommended wilderness – A potential wilderness area within the National Forest System 

which has been recommended for official designation to the Chief of the Forest Service. The 

Chief may elect to forward the recommendation with wording for a congressional bill to the 

Secretary of Agriculture, who may then elect to transmit the proposed bill to Congress. It takes an 

act of Congress to designate a wilderness area.

Reference conditions – Environmental conditions that infer ecological sustainability. When 

available reference conditions are represented by the characteristic range of variation (not the 

total range of variation), prior to European settlement and under the current climatic period. For 

many ecosystems, the range of variation also reflects human-caused disturbance and effects prior 

to settlement. It may also be necessary to refine reference conditions according to contemporary 

factors (e.g., invasive species) or projected conditions (e.g., climate change). Reference 

conditions are most useful as an inference of sustainability when they have been quantified by 

amount, condition, spatial distribution, and temporal variation. 

Resilience – The ability of an ecological system to absorb disturbances while retaining the same 

basic structure and ways of functioning; the capacity for self-organization; and the capacity to 

adapt to stress and change.

Restoration – A process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, 

damaged, or destroyed. Ecological restoration focuses on establishing the composition, structure, 

pattern, and ecological processes necessary to facilitate terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem 

sustainability, resilience, and health under current and future conditions.

Riparian corridor – A riparian corridor consists of the stream and an adjacent area of varying 

width where management practices that might affect water quality, fish, or other aquatic resources 

are modified. It is an area that acts as an effective filter and absorptive zone for sediment; protects 

aquatic and terrestrial riparian habitats; protects a channel and streambanks; and promotes flood

plain stability. 

Soil condition – There are four types of soil condition classes: satisfactory, impaired, 

unsatisfactory, and inherently unstable. 

 Satisfactory – Indicators signify that soil function is being sustained and soil is 

functioning properly and normally. The ability of the soil to maintain resource values and 

sustain outputs is high. 

 Impaired – Indicators signify a reduction in soil function. The ability of the soil to 

function properly and normally has been reduced and/or there exists an increased 

vulnerability to degradation. An impaired category indicates there is a need to investigate 
Glossary

150 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

the ecosystem to determine the cause and degree of decline in soil functions. Changes in 

land management practices or other preventative measures may be appropriate. 

 Unsatisfactory – Indicators signify that a loss of soil function has occurred. Degradation 

of vital soil functions result in the inability of the soil to maintain resource values, sustain 

outputs, or recover from impacts. Unsatisfactory soils are candidates for improved 

management practices or restoration designed to recover soil functions. 

 Inherently Unstable – These soils have natural erosion exceeding tolerable limits. Based 

on the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), these soils are eroding faster than they are 

renewing but are functioning properly and normally. 

Slash – The residue (e.g., branches, bark) left on the ground after a management activity, such as 

logging, or natural disturbance such as a storm or fire.

Snags – Standing dead or partially dead trees (snag topped), often missing many or all limbs. 

They provide essential wildlife habitat for many species and are important for forest ecosystem 

function.

Southwestern Region sensitive species – Those plant and animal species identified by a regional 

forester for which population viability is a concern as evidenced by: (a) significant current or 

predicted downward trends in population numbers or density or (b) significant current or 

predicted downward trends in habitat capability that would reduce the existing distribution of a 

species (FSM 2670.5 Definitions).

Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey (TES) – Also called the Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory, the 

TES identifies ecological units for the Prescott NF that are distinct from each other in terms of 

their soil, vegetation, and climate components. The ecological units (TES or TEUI units) are 

mapped at the scale of 1:24,000. There are 147 TES units mapped for the Prescott NF. TES units 

were aggregated into 10 PNVTs for the purposes of assessing vegetation and soil characteristics 

across the Prescott NF.

Traditional cultural property – Defined in the National Register Bulletin as a location, building, 

structure, community, and individual objects that are considered eligible for inclusion in the 

National Register as a historic property because of its association with cultural practices or beliefs 

of a living community that are (1) rooted in that community’s history and (2) important in 

maintaining the continuing cultural identity of the community.

Uneven-aged – Forests that are comprised of three or more distinct age classes of trees, either 

intimately mixed or in small groups. 

Wildland fire – Wildland fire is any nonstructural fire that occurs in vegetation or natural fuels. It 

includes both wildfires and prescribed fires. Wildfires are fires with unplanned ignitions including 

lightning or unauthorized and accidental human-caused actions. Prescribed fires are intentionally 

ignited by the Forest Service under an approved plan to meet specific objectives.

Wildland-urban interface (WUI) – Wildland-urban interface includes those areas of resident 

populations at imminent risk from wildfire and human developments having special significance. 

These areas may include: critical communications sites, municipal watersheds, high voltage 

transmission lines, church camps, scout camps, research facilities, and other structures that, if 

destroyed by fire, would result in hardship to communities. These areas encompass not only the 
Glossary

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 151

sites themselves, but also the continuous slopes and fuels that lead directly to the sites, regardless 

of the distance involved.
Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 152

References

Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act of 1937, P.L. 75-210, 50 Stat. 525, as amended.

Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1962. P.L. 87-884, 76 Stat. 1246.

Clark, J.S. (1998). Why trees migrate so fast: Confronting theory with dispersal biology and the 

paleorecord. The American Naturalist, 152(2), 204-224.

Clean Air Act of 1963. P.L. 88-206, 77 Stat. 392.

Dockery, D.W., Pope, C.A. 3

rd, Xu, X., Spengler, J.D., Ware, J.H., Fay, M.E., Ferris, B.G. Jr., and

Speizer, F. E. (1993). An association between air pollution and mortality in six U.S. 

cities. New England Journal of Medicine, 24, 1753-9.

Endangered Species Act of 1973. P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884, as amended.

Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. P.L. 93-378. 88 Stat. 476.

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (1989). Cultural Resources Overview. Report 

No. 89-062. Prescott, AZ: Prescott National Forest.

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2004). The Verde Wild and Scenic River 

Comprehensive River Management Plan. Flagstaff, Prescott, and Phoenix, AZ: 

Coconino, Prescott, and Tonto National Forests.

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2005a). Final Environmental Impact Statement 

for the Treatment of Noxious or Invasive Weeds. Coconino, Kaibab, and Prescott 

National Forests. Flagstaff, Williams, and Prescott, AZ.

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2005b). Monitoring for Sustainability. Prepared 

by the Inventory and Monitoring Institute. Fort Collins, CO. 

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2005c). Socio-Economic Assessment for the 

Prescott National Forest. Prescott, AZ: Prescott National Forest.

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2008). Economic and Social Sustainability 

Assessment. Prescott, AZ: Prescott National Forest.

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2009a). Adapting to Climate Change: A Short 

Course for Land Managers. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-789, Portland, OR: 

Pacific Northwest Research Station. DVD online at:

www.fs.fed.us/ccrc/hjar/index_st.html

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2009b). Analysis of the Management Situation. 

Prescott, AZ: Prescott National Forest.

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2009c). Ecological Sustainability Report. 

Prescott, AZ: Prescott National Forest.

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2009d). Scenery Management System Inventory 

Report. Prepared by USDA TEAMS. Prescott, AZ: Prescott National Forest.

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2010a). Southwestern Region Climate Change 

Trends and Forest Planning. Albuquerque, NM: Southwestern Regional Office.
References

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 153

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2010b). Upper Verde River Eligibility Report 

Update for the National Wild and Scenic River System. Prescott, AZ: Prescott National 

Forest.

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2011a). Determination of Livestock Grazing 

Capability and Suitability Report. Prescott, AZ: Prescott National Forest.

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and Allowable Sale Quantity Report. Prescott, AZ: Prescott National Forest.

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2012). Old growth definition paper. 

Albuquerque, NM: Southwestern Regional Office.

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2013). Restoring Composition and Structure in 

Southwestern Frequent-Fire Forests: A science-based framework for improving 

ecosystem resiliency. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-310. Fort Collins, CO: 

Rocky Mountain Research Station. 76 pp.

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2015). Determination of Livestock Grazing 

Capability and Suitability Report. Prescott, AZ: Prescott National Forest.

Halvina, et al. (2007). Interagency Fire Regime Condition Class website. U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service; U.S. Department of the Interior; The Nature Conservancy; 

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Joyce, L., Haynes, R., White, R., & Barbour, R.J. (tech. cords.). (2007). Bringing climate change 

in to natural resource management proceedings. Prepared for Forest Service, U.S. 

Department of Agriculture. Portland, OR: Pacific Northwest Research Station.

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Revision. Parts I, II, and III. Hamilton, MT: Confab. 

Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. 16 U.S.C. 710, as amended.

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Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 155

Appendix A. Maps

Map 1. Potential natural vegetation types (PNVTs) on the Prescott NF
Appendix A. Maps

156 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Map 2. 5th Level hydrologic units (watersheds) on the Prescott NF
Appendix A. Maps

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 157

Map 3. Recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) on the Prescott NF
Appendix A. Maps

158 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Map 4. Scenic integrity objectives (SIOs) on the Prescott NF
Appendix A. Maps

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 159

Map 5. Special areas on the Prescott NF
Appendix A. Maps

160 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Map 6. Strategic fire management response on the Prescott NF
Appendix A. Maps

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 161

Map 7. Inventoried roadless areas (IRAs) on the Prescott NF

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 163

Appendix B. Proposed and Probable 

Management Practices

Introduction

This appendix describes proposed and probable management practices that may take place on the

Prescott NF at the project or activity level during the planning period to help maintain existing 

conditions or achieve the desired conditions described in the plan. These practices are not 

intended to be all-inclusive, nor are they intended to be decisions. They are simply projections of 

what actions may take place in the future. A plan amendment is not required to change or modify 

any of these proposed practices; instead, they can be updated at any time through an 

administrative correction of the plan.

Management Approaches

Management approaches are not part of the plan components or decisions but are expressions of 

intent for how the Prescott NF will likely apply aspects of future management. Management 

approaches are also based on public feedback the Prescott NF received on the draft plan regarding 

suggested methods for carrying out activities. Therefore, this section has been added to reflect our 

intent and those suggestions.

Collaboration/Volunteers

There are many who have suggested that they would like to assist with aspects of national forest 

management. The Prescott NF intends to create increasing opportunities for volunteers and 

partners to be more active as part of national forest management. One area where this approach 

could work well is in natural resource and heritage education and interpretation. Citizen 

involvement would also benefit the Prescott NF by increasing contact with recreation visitors to 

encourage appropriate behavior. Assistance with plan monitoring is also a possibility. Finally, 

collaborative methods with interest groups and volunteers are ideally suited to addressing the 

problem of dumping trash, appliances, etc., on the Prescott NF, including the collecting and 

disposing of dumped material.

Recreation Strategy

The Prescott National Forest initiated a sustainable recreation planning process in September of 

2009 with the goal of establishing a landscape scale “all hands all lands” approach to recreation 

management. This process would address common recreation challenges and enhance the ability 

of land managers, communities, and forest visitors to jointly implement shared recreation goals.

Existing collaborative groups interested in recreation agreed to lead this effort. The Prescott NF

was divided into three geographic zones that were based on social network mapping. The Upper 

Agua Fria Watershed Partnership (UAFWP) took the lead in the southern—or gateway—zone; 

the Prescott NF Stewardship Forum represents the northern and western sections of the forest,

including the area around Prescott known as the Prescott Basin; and the Verde Valley, on the east 

side of the Prescott NF, is represented by the Verde Front Group. An areawide multistakeholder 

coordination team has been leading the process. 

Community meetings were held in each zone to learn more about local recreation interests and 

from the results of these meetings the zone leadership teams developed a vision, goals, and 
Appendix B. Proposed and Probable Management Practices – corrected 08/10/2016

164 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

strategies for the area and the communities in and around the Prescott NF. This input was 

incorporated into the revision of the “Prescott National Forest Land and Resource Management 

Plan.”

The vision that was developed states, in part, that “...through ongoing dialogue among land 

managers, recreation providers, and communities, a thoughtful and sustainable balance of social, 

economic, and environmental benefits will be achieved.”

The results of this collaborative effort include a prioritizing of the strategies, establishing a 

recreation coalition plan, and sharing of the results and initial strategy implementation proposals 

with local communities. The meetings are open to all who wish to improve recreation in the area, 

and the group would like to expand participation to include more members of the public, other 

key State and Federal agencies, and more representatives from local jurisdictions.

Recommended Wilderness Areas

Per Wilderness Guideline 10 (Guide-Wild-10), Recommended Wilderness Areas are managed to 

maintain their wilderness characteristics. Activities with short term (less than 2 years) impacts to 

the wilderness character may be considered when weighed against long term (10+ years) benefits. 

Greater support is given to those activities that trend the Recommended Wilderness Areas 

towards Desired Conditions and promote the viability of protected and otherwise desired native 

species. Generally, motorized access is not allowed, but exceptions may be made by the 

Responsible Official on a case-by-case basis if it is necessary to an activity that must occur in a 

Recommended Wilderness Area. The following constitutes general guidance for activities in 

Recommended Wilderness.

Access

Aircraft. Overflights are allowed. There are no authorized landing strips or sites in Recommended 

Wilderness and none will be constructed. Landing an aircraft in a Recommended Wilderness 

should be on an emergency basis. Any refueling of aircraft in Recommended Wilderness, or 

anywhere else on the forest, must be coordinated with the Forest Service and requires certain fuel 

handling protocols. 

Emergency Access. Emergency access by law enforcement officers using a motorized vehicle is 

allowed in Recommended Wilderness. Immediate threats to human health and safety constitute 

emergencies. 

Recreational Access. Recreational access in Recommended Wilderness must follow the 

guidance found in Recreation Standard 1 (Std-Rec-1). According to the Prescott NF Motor 

Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), driving up to 300 feet off of a system road for dispersed camping is 

allowed. Other motorized recreational access is not allowed. Travel by Off-Highway Vehicles 

(OHVs) is subject to the same limitations as access by full-sized vehicles.

Roads and Motorized Trails. There are no system roads or motorized trails in Recommended 

Wilderness. No new permanent roads will be constructed. If motorized access is determined to be 

necessary, a temporary route may be developed. Temporary routes should follow a route that is 
corrected 08/10/2016 – Appendix B. Proposed and Probable Management Practices

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 165

least damaging to soils and vegetation and its impacts should be rehabilitated to as natural a 

condition as possible after use.

Research

Research using mechanized or handheld motorized equipment is allowed and should be 

coordinated with the Forest Service. Research using 

motorized vehicles is generally not allowed but may be approved on a case-by-case basis if it is 

deemed necessary by the Responsible Official. 

Vegetation Management

Thinning and use of prescribed fire in Recommended Wilderness is allowed only to trend towards 

or achieve desired conditions. Treatments should be designed to minimize the appearance of 

human intervention.

Structures

Generally, new construction is not allowed in Recommended Wilderness. If the case can be made 

why a structure should be in Recommended Wilderness, that structure should use native materials 

and be designed to blend with the scenery and minimize the man-made appearance. Maintenance 

of existing structures in Recommended Wilderness may be allowed using motorized or 

mechanized equipment, if necessary.

Southwestern Region Strategic Action Plan

The Prescott NF strategic action plan (SAP) is a process for identifying, characterizing, and 

prioritizing the landscapes on the Prescott in preparation for restoration efforts. This process 

would adapt the methodology and format of the watershed condition framework assessment to 

determine which watersheds on the Prescott NF are in need of restoration. The SAP will involve 

collaboration efforts with partners, resource specialists, scientists, and the public throughout the 

process to help identify important aspects of the landscapes and determine restoration priorities. 

Cooperation with Tribal Groups and Agencies

Heritage

Most heritage resource management is guided by laws, existing regulations, and Forest Service

policy. For that reason, few plan components are found in the revised plan that relate to such 

management. However, heritage resources management will be consistent with the State cultural 

resource plan and planning activities of the State Historic Preservation Officer, as well as 

coordination with other tribal, State, and Federal agencies. This could include periodic meetings, 

data sharing, coordination on National Register nominations, interpretation, site protection, and 

participation in the State heritage resources planning process. In addition, American Indian tribes, 

communities, and nations will be consulted when heritage resources having religious or 

traditional cultural values for living communities of American Indian tribes may be present. 

These communities or tribes will be consulted concerning location and importance of those 

resources and alternatives for protecting them.
Appendix B. Proposed and Probable Management Practices

166 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Bureau of Land Management

Arizona is 1 of 19 states where one may locate mining claims or sites. The Forest Service 

manages minerals found on the surface of National Forest System (NFS) lands and the Bureau of 

Land Management (BLM) is responsible for subsurface minerals on NFS and BLM lands. 

Therefore, if the Forest Service desires to have an area withdrawn from mineral entry, it requests 

such a closure from the BLM. Examples of areas which are withdrawn from mineral entry 

include: a designated wilderness, a portion of a designated wild and scenic river, or a designated 

recreation area. For areas not withdrawn, the Forest Service may apply mitigations for mining, 

but it may not prohibit mining.

Arizona Game and Fish Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) directly manages wildlife populations; while 

the Forest Service manages wildlife habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is the 

agency that oversees direct management of animals and fish across the Nation, including 

administration of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-205). The Prescott NF will 

cooperate with one or both of these agencies in order to carry out management activities. For 

example, management of native fish could involve removal of nonnative species, as well as 

adjustments in habitat, which could require working with AZGFD or USFWS. The Prescott NF 

also expects to coordinate with AZGFD in development of wildlife linkages (movement 

corridors) within the Prescott NF so that local populations of species, such as pronghorn antelope, 

remain viable where habitat is being fragmented. Finally, the Prescott NF intends to facilitate 

partnerships that lead to maintenance of year-round water structures for wildlife.

Watershed Management

In several plan components, high priority watersheds or high risk riparian areas are referenced 

(see objective Obj-18 in chapter 3). The intent of the plan is to address the needs of these priority 

watersheds by: (1) classifying watershed condition across the Prescott NF including the 

determination of potentially high risk riparian areas and (2) implementing integrated 

enhancement activities with emphasis on priority watersheds. In addition, partnership 

opportunities to cooperate with others to accomplish monitoring are expected to be explored.

Open Space

The Forest Service intends to participate in meetings hosted by the Verde Valley Land 

Preservation Institute regarding the East Mingus Land Exchange Task Force. The Verde Valley 

Land Preservation Institute was formed after the Verde Valley Forum on Open Space took place. 

The purpose of the group is to acquire, manage, and enhance the natural open space in the Verde 

Valley. East Mingus lands occur on steep slopes approximately between Jerome and Clarkdale 

and south of Jerome.

Probable Projects

Plan Objectives

The objectives in chapter 3 represent proposed projects or activities intended to be accomplished

over the life of the plan. These are outlined in the table below.
Appendix B. Proposed and Probable Management Practices

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 167

Table 1. List of plan objectives

Project/Activity Timeframe to 

Complete

Vegetation

Allow or introduce wildland fire on 25,000 to 65,000 acres of the Semi-Desert 

Grassland PNVT

10-year period following 

plan approval

Allow or introduce wildland fire on 1,000 to 5,000 acres of the Great Basin 

Grassland PNVT

10-year period following 

plan approval

Use mechanical treatments, wildland fire, or browsing by domestic goats on 

20,000 to 90,000 acres of the Juniper Grassland, Piñon-Juniper Evergreen Shrub, 

and Piñon-Juniper Woodland PNVTs

10-year period following 

plan approval

Use wildland fire, mechanical treatments, or domestic goats on 40,000 to 100,000 

acres of the Interior Chaparral PNVT

10-year period following 

plan approval

Thin or harvest 2,500 to 8,000 acres and introduce or allow wildland fire in 25,000

to 50,000 acres in the Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak and Ponderosa Pine-Evergreen 

Oak PNVTs

10-year period following 

plan approval

Treat at least 50 percent of nonnative invasive nonnative plant species populations

within 1 to 2 years of detection

10-year period following 

plan approval

Recreation

Add 1 to 2 developed recreation areas 10-year period following 

plan approval

Create up to 4 designated dispersed camping areas 10-year period following 

plan approval

Reduce the backlog of needed maintenance (i.e., deferred maintenance) at 

developed recreation areas by 50 to 60 percent from baseline levels

10-year period following 

plan approval

Develop and implement at least 3 additional strategies to raise awareness of 

responsible target shooting practices within the Prescott NF to promote visitor 

safety

10-year period following 

plan approval

Construct or improve the facilities at 5 to 20 trailheads 10-year period following 

plan approval

Maintain 10 to 20 percent of signage Annually

Work with partners to maintain and enhance recreational fishing opportunities in 2 

lake/pond sites

10-year period following 

plan approval

Develop 2 to 5 additional methods for providing visitor information and education 10-year period following 

plan approval

Mark boundaries of portions of 2 to 5 wilderness areas where risk of motorized or 

mechanized access is high

10-year period following 

plan approval

Protect, relocate, or rehabilitate 2 to 5 recreation areas or locations (including 

trails) that show evidence of resource damage

10-year period following 

plan approval

Implement 5 to 10 management actions on trails to meet desired conditions 10-year period following 

plan approval
Appendix B. Proposed and Probable Management Practices

168 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Project/Activity Timeframe to 

Complete

Watershed Integrity

Within each high priority watershed, implement 5 to 50 essential projects that 

improve or maintain watershed conditions

10-year period following 

plan approval

Within 2 to 3 years of detection, implement projects to counter 1 to 3 critical 

threats to riparian system functionality

10-year period following 

plan approval and within 

2-3 years after detection

Repair or relocate 20 to 100 miles of National Forest System roads or trails that 

impact watershed integrity

10-year period following 

plan approval

Obliterate, recontour, or revegetate a minimum of 10 miles of unauthorized routes 

that are impacting watershed integrity

10-year period following 

plan approval

Improve 15 to 25 stream or drainage crossings associated with roads or trails to

facilitate flow and sediment transport

10-year period following 

plan approval

Maintain or enhance 25 to 55 discrete sites that are groundwater dependent 

ecosystems containing seeps and springs

10-year period following 

plan approval

Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat

Restore native fish species to 2 to 3 stream reaches 10-year period following 

plan approval

Modify or remove at least 3 to 5 miles of fence to facilitate pronghorn antelope 

movement 

10-year period following 

plan approval

Treat 15,000 to 90,000 acres to improve pronghorn antelope habitat quantity and 

quality

10-year period following 

plan approval

Treat 2 to 3 areas to facilitate pronghorn migration 10-year period following 

plan approval

Improve up to 25 existing and 5 new water developments for wildlife 10-year period following 

plan approval

Open Space, Land Adjustment, and Scenic Values

Act on up to 10 opportunities, as presented and feasible, to acquire lands within 

and around the Prescott NF to retain open space values

10-year period following 

plan approval

Identify and act on up to 10 opportunities to secure legal access to areas where 

historic access to the national forest has been lost

10-year period following 

plan approval

Apply for 8 to 10 in-stream flow water rights to enable the Prescott NF to provide 

for channel and floodplain maintenance and recharge of riparian aquifers

10-year period following 

plan approval

Timber Sale Schedule and Allowable Sale Quantity

The timber sale schedule for the Prescott NF is formulated to provide a nondeclining flow of 

timber as specified in the 1982 Planning Rule provisions (Section 219.16). The quantity of timber 

planned for sale and harvest for any future decade is equal to or greater than the planned sale and 

harvest for the preceding decade. For any given decade, the planned sale and harvest is not 

greater than the long-term sustained yield capacity of the suitable timber land.
Appendix B. Proposed and Probable Management Practices

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 169

Table 2 below outlines the expected maximum harvest volumes for the Prescott NF for the 10 

years following plan approval. The total of these volumes is the allowable sale quantity (ASQ). 

For the first decade, the ASQ is 40,447 ccf (hundred cubic feet).

Table 2. Expected maximum harvest levels

Vegetation Type Acres Pulp (ccf) Saw (ccf) Total (ccf)

Ponderosa Pine-Evergreen Oak PNVT 5,000 4,987 13,569 18,556

Ponderosa Pine-Gambel Oak PNVT 3,000 5,613 16,278 21,891

Totals 8,000 10,600 29,847 40,447

Yavapai County Resource Advisory Committee

The Yavapai County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) was formed in 2010 as a part of the 

Secure Rural Schools Act (SRSA) of 2000 and as amended in 2008 (P.L. 110-343). The RAC 

recommends projects for Federal funds which benefit resources on public lands (e.g., watersheds, 

habitats, roads, trails). Per the requirements of the SRSA, a project can be funded if it is 

compliant with laws and regulations, consistent with the forest plan, and properly submitted and 

recommended by the RAC.

The following table is a sampling of the projects that were approved and funded by the RAC. 

These projects are examples of the type of activities which may take place on the Prescott NF in 

the future. They represent ways in which the Prescott NF can address the needs for change, 

achieve objectives, and move towards the desired conditions outlined in the plan.

Table 3. Examples of projects approved by the Resource Advisory Committee

Type of Project Description

Needs for 

Change 

Addressed1

Youth Conservation 

Corps (YCC) for 

Yavapai County and 

the Prescott NF

YCC crews will carry out various projects to improve forest 

infrastructure and enhance ecosystems such as trail maintenance, trash 

removal, habitat restoration, noxious weed removal, and reestablishment 

of native species.

1, 2, 3, 4

Forest health 

treatments

Forest Service will prepare and implement a contract to thin 

approximately 500 acres of ponderosa pine forest in an area adjacent to 

subdivisions in the Prescott Basin.

1, 2

Community 

Restitution Program

Court ordered probationers will carry out various projects to improve 

lands within Yavapai County (including the Prescott NF) such as trail 

maintenance and trash removal.

1, 2, 3

Volunteer 

Stewardship of 

Natural and 

Recreational 

Resources of the 

Prescott NF

A volunteer coordinator will work to engage volunteers for a range of 

natural resource and recreation projects on the Prescott NF such as trash 

removal, invasive species monitoring and removal, and development of 

an OHV ambassador program.

1, 2, 3, 4
Appendix B. Proposed and Probable Management Practices

170 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Type of Project Description

Needs for 

Change 

Addressed1

Riparian Habitat 

Improvement in the 

Upper Verde River 

Wildlife 

Area/Headwaters

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Arizona Game and Fish Department 

will remove riparian invasive plants and nonessential fencing from the 

Upper Verde River Wildlife Area and TNC’s Verde Springs Preserve.

1, 4

Verde Valley Youth 

Restore Native 

Habitat on Federal, 

State, and Tribal 

Lands

A YCC crew will carry out various projects to restore riparian 

ecosystems along the Verde River and its tributaries such as removing 

invasive plants and reestablishing native plants.

1, 4

Stewards of the Wild A volunteer coordinator will work to engage volunteers of the 

Wilderness Stewards Program for projects that will improve ecosystem 

and watershed health within the Prescott NF’s eight wilderness areas 

such as trail work, habitat restoration, and control of noxious weeds. 

1, 2, 3, 4

Verde River 

Greenway Habitat 

Improvement Phase I

Contract crews and volunteers will remove invasive plants along the 

Verde River near its confluence with Oak Creek and near its confluence 

with Clear Creek.

1, 2, 3, 4

Williamson Valley 

Road Improvement

Yavapai County Public Works and contract crews will improve the 

quality and drainage of the Williamson Valley Road by laying down 

material, grading, and installing two culverts. 

2

Verde River Boater 

and Floater 

Recreation Guide

Volunteers and a GIS contracted consultant will document, design, and 

publish a Verde River Recreation Guide (from Bridgeport to Beasley 

Flats) in print and electronic formats.

3

Horse Camp Corrals Back Country Horsemen of Central Arizona and the Forest Service will 

purchase and install a total of 6 corrals for the Groom Creek Horse 

Camp.

3

Hike/Equestrian 

Access Gates 

Excluding Motorized 

Vehicles

Back Country Horsemen of Central Arizona will purchase 10 gates 

specifically designed to exclude motorized vehicles but allow hiking and 

equestrian users access and make these gates available for installation on 

public or private lands.

1, 3

1 Needs for change: (1) restore ecosystems, (2) provide or sustain watershed integrity, (3) provide sustainable and diverse 

recreation opportunities, (4) provide native fish habitat, and (5) retain open space values.
Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 171

Appendix C. Community 

Landscape Vision Statements

Introduction

Community landscape vision statements were developed as a part of early plan revision efforts to 

better understand local citizens’ future vision for how areas of the Prescott NF near their 

communities should look and the ecological, economic, and social resources they should provide. 

During winter 2007 to spring 2008, the Prescott NF held a series of community vision workshops 

for the following communities neighboring the forest: Ash Fork, Black Canyon City, Castle Hot 

Springs, Cherry, Cottonwood/Verde Valley, Crown King, Jerome, Mayer, Paulden, 

Prescott/Prescott Valley/Chino Valley, and Wilhoit. Within these workshops, diverse groups of 

citizens shared their ideas, discussed differences, identified issues, learned from one another, and 

discovered many common interests. Dialogue between citizens and Forest Service plan revision 

employees was facilitated by a third party, and the resulting vision statements were drafted by 

community volunteers.

The Prescott NF used these vision statements to guide the development of plan components (e.g., 

desired conditions, standards, guidelines) for specific management areas in the revised plan such 

as the Agua Fria, Prescott Basin, and Verde Valley Management Areas. Summaries of these vision 

statements are captured in chapter 5 of the plan; however, they are included to provide context for 

the subsequent management area plan components and do not constitute actual plan direction. 

The vision statements in their entirety are displayed, by community, in italic text in the following 

paragraphs.

Community Landscape Vision Statements

Ash Fork

Ash Fork has successfully managed change to maintain its small town character while reviving 

the bustling community of the 1950s.

The community is still authentic Route 66, a western town where nature’s experiences abound.

The character has been kept through a strict adherence to a community based set of values and 

good communication. 

We value:

 Cleanliness

 History

 Respect

 Quality education and healthcare

 Safety

 Families

 A place where individuals can still make a difference!
Appendix C. Community Landscape Vision Statements

172 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Black Canyon City1

The ultimate desire of the citizens of Black Canyon City is the preservation of the rural nature of 

our community and the natural beauty of our surroundings. Coincidental to that desire is the 

retention of open space to be used for designated public recreational activities. The community 

would like a sufficient amount of BLM lands surrounding the town dedicated to future 

development of public trails, nature preserves, and riparian areas. A sufficient amount of land 

would be a minimum depth of 5 miles from the private property lines around the community. The 

State Trust Lands within that area would be purchased by BLM for inclusion in the designated 

open space. 

The community would like the viewshed protected from the town to the mountaintops in all 

directions. Limiting further commercial or residential development will also help protect the 

limited water supply in our area. In support of these considerations, many residents have 

expressed an interest in working with BLM and other communities to assure continued 

protection, cleanliness, access, and enjoyment of the public lands in our area.

Castle Hot Springs1

Our community has a vision to maintain our remote yet reachable lifestyle, yet we also recognize 

that recreational use will increase and needs to be accommodated. This is not only an 

enforcement issue for the BLM, Yavapai and Maricopa Counties, and the city of Peoria, but also 

an increasing social issue for our community. With this in mind, our community embraces the 

following as a means to maintain our way of life, as well as deal with increased outside pressure: 

 Existing, historically described roads on BLM land must be mapped, legally described, 

and dedicated so as to ensure that residents and property owners can continue to access 

and use their lands into perpetuity. 

 We need to seriously consider a recreational-user fee, earmarked for the local 

community, imposed on nonresidents to help fund the substantially increasing costs 

associated with recreational uses. 

 Existing roads (whether public, private, or easement) located in areas subject to 

occasional inundation will be exempt from permitting requirements for continued 

maintenance in this area. 

 In considering changes in the use of private property in this area, the county or city will 

not be permitted to consider Federal goals and objectives for the surrounding property. 

 All Federal lands in the Lake Pleasant area are to be treated the same as private 

property with regard to obtaining new or perfecting existing legal and physical access. 

 Mineral rights retained by BLM in this area under private property will be transferred 

gratis to the surface owners. 

 We want a community-based stewardship group to proactively plan and later provide 

expertise, labor, and cultural wisdom with BLM on all recreational uses, including but 

not limited to nonmotorized and motorized trails. 

 Many of the existing water wells are in the “younger alluvium” as currently defined by 

recent case law. 

 

1 Statements for Black Canyon City and Castle Hot Springs were taken from the vision statements in the Bureau of 

Land Management “Agua Fria and Bradshaw-Harquahala Draft Resource Management Plan” (2005).
Appendix C. Community Landscape Vision Statements

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 173

 Encourage the reestablishment of a northern loop road around Lake Pleasant linking to 

Table Mesa Road at I-17 for health/safety/welfare purposes. 

 Target shooting needs to be encouraged in appropriate and safe areas. Our community is 

willing, as a stewardship group, to counsel BLM on appropriate areas for target 

shooting. 

 Encourage appropriate discreet cell site development to provide for better law 

enforcement telecommunications. 

Cherry

Maintain community outreach programs to foster voluntary community involvement, input, and 

feedback to inform policy development and facilitate implementation.

Utilize communities as onsite resources to monitor both natural and human induced occurrences 

in the national forest setting.

Recognize that private interests maintain a tangible stake in best outcomes strategic planning.

Whenever desirable and feasible promote partnerships between local communities, municipal, 

state and Federal agencies to formulate and achieve goals.

Maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct as trustees of a national asset.

Identify controversial issues and attempt resolution through public educational campaigns.

It was noted that the national forest is the backyard and garden of all citizens and most individual 

operators would not damage their own personal property in the way they do in the national forest 

setting. A public educational campaign to increase environmental awareness.

Cottonwood/Verde Valley

The Verde Valley landscape, west of the Verde River, includes the city of Cottonwood and the 

towns of Jerome, Clarkdale and Camp Verde, each with their own identity and community 

character. Intermingled are unincorporated residential neighborhoods, farms, and ranches. All 

are buffered by Prescott National Forest lands, which provide natural open spaces and big 

mountain views. The Black Mountain Range, featuring Mingus Mountain and Woodchute 

Wilderness on the north and Squaw Peak and Cedar Bench Wilderness to the south, forms a 

scenic backdrop for the entire valley. 

These wide open spaces and urban interface areas are highly regarded by communities for their 

natural and cultural resource values, and their social and economic benefits. They are free of 

litter and illegal uses; and they are protected from wildfire. In addition to providing a panoramic 

viewscape, the forest protects the region’s watershed by storing groundwater and sustaining 

renewable and nonrenewable resources for future generations. 

Forest and range vegetation are healthy, providing habitat diversity, forage for grazing animals, 

and natural corridors for wildlife. The Verde River flows year round through a lush riparian 

greenway, providing water for agricultural production, habitat for animals, and a large variety 

of recreational opportunities. All recreationists—including anglers, birders, hunters, hikers, 

bicyclists, equestrians, gun enthusiasts, river runners, hang gliders and off-highway vehicle 

drivers—respect and utilize the forest in harmony with each other and the environment. 

A system of nonmotorized multiuse trails connects communities, allows access to public lands 

and encourages people to improve health and vitality by exploring the outdoors. Roads and 
Appendix C. Community Landscape Vision Statements

174 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

selected areas are managed for responsible use of off-highway vehicles, while other areas are set 

aside for protection or managed for nonmotorized uses. 

Especially important are the geologic, prehistoric, and historic attributes of the Verde Valley. 

People—including the Sinagua, Yavapai-Apache, miners, pioneer settlers and today’s residents—

have occupied the valley for over 900 years. Visitor centers and educational activities that raise 

public awareness of cultural values attract locals and tourists alike. 

Federal, State and county agencies work cooperatively and effectively with neighboring 

municipalities, groups, and individuals to protect public lands and enforce the rules that govern 

them. 

Crown King

To be known as a community that values the heritage and natural beauty of this region. That 

encourages and provides equal access to services, amenities, and recreational activities. That 

sustains and provides protection to the sociological, economical, and ecological health of public 

and private lands, through enforcement of the rules that govern them. To be a community that 

values cooperation and participates in effective communication with Federal, State and local 

agencies and that will contribute time and resources to enhance the safety and security of 

residents, property owners, and guests of the Crown King area.

 Active forest management through agency/community collaborative efforts to help 

maintain forest health and reduce danger of catastrophic fires.

 Adequate public facilities to accommodate the many visitors that frequent Crown King 

and the surrounding area.

 Increase the number of improved campsites, including existing and previously closed 

campsites.

 Regular maintenance of all roads to provide safe public accessibility and evacuation if 

needed.

 Provide and maintain adequate and designated motorized and nonmotorized trails.

 Consistent and timely enforcement of existing laws and rules that govern use of public 

and private lands.

 Preservation of the unique history of Crown King and the Southern Bradshaws as an 

historic mining area.

 Cooperation between the community and the Forest Service will help to maintain the 

ecological, economical, and sociological health of Crown King and the surrounding 

area.

Jerome

Looking ahead 50 years, we, the community of Jerome, envision a community landscape where 

our views are maintained views, air quality protected, and open space surrounding Jerome 

preserved.

We envision areas adjoining our town where we can go to escape the traffic noise of our busy 

community—motorized vehicles, recreational shooting, and other negative impacts on our town.
Appendix C. Community Landscape Vision Statements

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 175

We envision retaining the natural environment as close to our town limits as possible, thus 

ensuring nearby places of refuge to enjoy the outdoors and reflect on the beauty of the Prescott 

National Forest (PNF).

We envision a preserved landscape free of commercialization and development, and feel strongly 

that existing PNF boundaries be kept intact.

We hold a strong sense that PNF should focus on proactive protection of natural and cultural 

resources, ensuring their existence for future generations.

We envision the PNF actively working to minimize activities that pose a threat to wildlife and 

low-impact recreation (i.e., hiking and horseback riding).

Specifically, we would like the PNF to strictly limit OHV and shooting activities, as well as 

provide programs that educate and inform these users to reduce reckless practice of these sports.

Finally, we envision that the PNF will have the capacity to enforce existing laws.

Mayer

As stewards of the upper Agua Fria Landscape, which provides beauty, bounty and sustenance, 

we envision a sustainable future of health and continued abundance through considerate, wise 

use of its resources. 

Good water quality and adequate water supply in our watershed directly affects our success and 

survival. We encourage and support projects to minimize runoff of rainfall and prevent erosion, 

increasing water retention within our watershed. Along riparian zones, we support projects to 

preserve topsoil, control invasive plant species, and maintain plant and animal diversity. Projects 

which slow perennial streamflow and control runoff conserve land which would otherwise 

disappear. Low impact recreational use is to be encouraged in these areas. 

Healthy forests and rangelands are keys to sustainability. We support least impact timber 

management practices and managed grazing to control excess combustible vegetation. We 

support ranching practices that utilize renewable forage resources in a sustainable fashion, and 

that develop and maintain range improvements. Ranching and farming allow for preservation of 

open space, limiting housing and industrial encroachment. 

We support projects to ensure stable, noninvasive wildlife populations. Maintenance and 

development of permanent water resources, interagency cooperation on hunting and education, 

and enforcement of allowable motorized vehicle access provide us with the open space needed to 

respectfully experience wildlife, especially important in times of drought. We support efforts to 

control the invasion of feral hogs, and request continued research into the effects of the 

increasing population of elk and its expanding habitat in our watershed. We recognize fire as a 

management tool and respect its role in the evolution of the forest and a critical component of 

forest health. We desire continued research into the potential positive and negative effects of fire 

on the lands. Recreational opportunities abound on our forest. We support and desire the 

maintenance of trails and signage, control of trash accumulation and illegal dumping, and 

designation of motorized vehicles to roads and specific “OHV use areas.”

The increasing demand on our natural resources compels us to keep abreast of conservation 

practices that prove to be more efficient, sustainable, nonpolluting, and respectful of diversity. As 

these improved practices become available, we support their timely implementation, with our 

vision remaining optimistic for the future.
Appendix C. Community Landscape Vision Statements

176 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

Paulden2

Paulden residents have made a strong statement that the community they desire will be rural in 

character and lifestyle. But it is in the details of that statement that defines what “rural” and 

“character” mean. For Paulden, that means low density in all aspect of the community; housing, 

traffic, commercial uses, etc. They note that it is critical to maintain the historic 2-acre minimum 

lot zoning in all future development, planned or not. Commercial and residential development 

should always be of a small scale, even if that means residents must travel to other parts of the 

Prescott area for many commercial goods and services. There is no expressed feeling that 

Paulden needs a “downtown.” Although there is a concern for maintenance and reduction of 

trash and clutter, many citizens also appreciate the dirt roads that are characteristic through 

much of the area. 

Paulden residents have already taken some steps to assure the character of their community. 

First, by deciding to remain unincorporated, the community will be working with Yavapai County 

officials, departments, and zoning and development codes to guide its growth. Then by requesting 

a community plan be prepared, they will receive official recognition by county, State and Federal 

agencies of the specifics of how Paulden is to grow. 

But beyond density, the sense of openness is critical to the sense of remaining rural. Paulden is 

fortunate to be surrounded by State and Federal lands. They not only help set the character of the 

community, but offer close by recreational opportunities. Maintaining these lands and access to 

them, thus, is very important to this community. Also, open areas and the feeling of “space” 

distinguish Paulden from other, more built-up communities. Access throughout the area for 

horseback riding, hiking, taking the dogs out for walks and rides allow residents to take 

advantage of the openness the community enjoys. 

Rural communities come from an agricultural and ranching heritage and Paulden’s heritage 

stretches for more than a century. Paulden feels it is fortunate to have working ranches adjacent 

to it and has maintained the rural traditions of providing homes for horses and many animals as 

part of the daily life of residents. Preserving both the ranches and appreciation for animals is a 

goal almost universally stated by residents. 

Finally, Paulden enjoys the benefits of pure environment, bountiful fresh water, clear skies, and 

starry nights. These all contribute to the sense of a rural community and maintaining them is a 

priority to be met in the plan. Foremost among these is a protection of the community’s water 

supply. Minimizing night lights, protecting the water supply, and avoiding any sources of air 

pollution are critical to maintaining this environment. 

Challenges: In its visioning process, the community recognized there are challenges to be met if it 

is to achieve its goals in a general plan. Within the community there are areas that will need 

special attention, notably old platted areas with substandard sized lots, old manufactured homes 

that need maintenance, potential groundwater pollution and trash and litter. The community 

recognizes that it will need to partner with County and State agencies to be successful in 

improving these locations. Whether it is area-wide trash cleanup needs or reducing dust on the 

roads by ATC drivers, the plan must address methods to maintain and improve the environment 

of Paulden. 

Of equal concern is the ability to preserve the underground aquifer that supplies water to 

residents. Residents are aware of the desirability of using this resource and that there are 

 

2 Statements for Paulden were taken from the draft “Paulden Community Plan” (2007).
Appendix C. Community Landscape Vision Statements

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 177

challenges to ensuring the water supply remains available to residents living in the Big Chino 

basin. All efforts must be made to partner with groups working to accomplish this. 

Finally, the Paulden plan needs to clearly state the unique vision for itself as a rural community 

and the elements that will maintain that vision. In order to maintain the character that many have 

found desirable here, residents accept several tradeoffs. The plan must express this balance so 

that as new residents consider Paulden as a home, they are aware of this character that has been 

chosen by Paulden residents and can accept it and help to reinforce and maintain it.

Prescott/Prescott Valley/Chino Valley

Overall Forest Health and Fire: The Prescott/Prescott Valley/Chino Valley community values the 

Prescott National Forest (PNF) for the many recreational, economic and ecological services that 

it provides. The natural beauty and rural character of the surrounding public lands are a vital 

part of this community. Our vision of those lands 50 years from now is that they remain in the 

public domain, a resource shared across generations. We envision a forest where...

 Diverse, primarily native vegetation will protect soil from erosion, both in upland and 

riparian areas. Healthy wildlife populations will play an integral role in these 

ecosystems.

 The risk of forest fires will be reduced in the wildland-urban interface where the forest 

and community partners will actively work to reduce hazardous fuel loads. Ecologically, 

socially, and economically sustainable uses of forest products will support these projects.

 Active forest management, with an emphasis on restoration of natural ecological 

processes, developed through agency-community collaborative efforts, will help maintain 

forest health and reduce the risk of stand-replacing wildfires forestwide.

 All of this, in turn, will promote healthy watersheds where storage of water in the soil, 

stream courses and local aquifers is maximized.

 The healthy forest will contribute to global sustainability and will be a natural, trash-free 

place with quiet settings.

 The PNF will have sufficient financial resources to meet its management obligations, 

including adequate law enforcement.

Recreation: Through ongoing dialogue among land managers and communities, a thoughtful 

balance will be achieved between the need for access and the protection of forest resources and 

aesthetics. In our vision, a comprehensive recreational travel plan regionwide will protect forest 

health and promote robust economies in our cities and towns. The Prescott National Forest 

(PNF) will maintain a comprehensive system of meaningful and sustainable trails, trailheads,

and designated campsites. Low maintenance facilities built collaboratively among citizens and 

agencies will be valued by all. The PNF, with user participation, will minimize user conflict 

through enhanced separation between nonmotorized and multiuse trails. The trails will be 

enjoyed by hikers, equestrians, bicyclists, motorized vehicle operators, and hunters, with a 

reasonable amount of access to all user groups. Cross-country* motor vehicle travel will

continue to be prohibited.

Economic: All economic activities on the forest will be managed to minimize forest damage while

promoting healthy ecosystems and public safety. Grazing allotments will be adaptively managed 

to promote healthy and productive grasslands and watersheds, while supporting ranch families 

who are good stewards of the land and represent an important part of our local history and 
Appendix C. Community Landscape Vision Statements

178 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF

culture. The PNF will continue to support a range of activities that directly contribute to local 

economies.

Community Involvement/Partnerships: Citizens will recognize an ethical obligation to protect the 

forest for the future; this land ethic will be shared with all newcomers to the area. Vibrant 

partnerships with emerging or established community groups will enhance the Forest Service’s 

ability to provide services, enabling a large group of citizen volunteers to respond to the needs of 

the forest, including trail maintenance, user education, and fire prevention. This informed, 

engaged citizenry—through a multiinterest nonprofit and/or stewardship group—will actively 

participate in an ongoing collaborative process of forest planning that ensures the PNF will be 

enjoyed by more generations to come.

*Unauthorized motor vehicle travel off of designated roads, trails and areas.

Wilhoit

Wilhoit is rural in character with a strong desire to remain that way. We are surrounded by 

Prescott National Forest and State Trust Lands. Our quiet, private community has few public 

attractions and amenities. “Low impact” commercial growth might be welcomed on SR 89 (fuel 

pumps?).

The public areas surrounding our community should allow recreational access for all ages and

physical conditions where practical. Example: Thunderbird Meadows access to FR 72.

Reasonable fees should be charged for access; the income earmarked for: 

 Forest Road maintenance 

 Rules signage. Examples: “OHV allowed trails,” “No litter,” etc. 

 Trails and water source access for horses 

 Volunteer program for trail management 

Fire prevention is paramount and should be ongoing. 

 Continue prescribed burns and brush thinning around our community for fuel reduction. 

The north side of our community must be attended to next. Brush removed must be 

chipped or removed immediately after clearing. 

 Manage the public areas to reduce fuel buildup. A clean forest makes for a safer 

community. Encourage the public to remove deadfalls for firewood after fires. 

 Widen Highway 89 shoulder clearing. 

 Widen the Forest Road system and trails for firebreaks. 

 Enforce building codes to restrict structure density. 

 Tougher law enforcement/greater punishments for those who start fires. 

 Reforestation efforts should be stepped up. 

 Plant seedlings to introduce more favorable varieties. 

 Should be done soon after prescribed or involuntary burns. 

 Better use of greater financial resources. 

 How can we increase budget allotments for our desired community vision? 

 More call boxes. 

 Water reservoirs for fire fighting. 
Appendix C. Community Landscape Vision Statements

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 179

 Funding for our fire department. 

 Interagency coordination.

 Federal – State – County (FSC) communication network to feed down to local level.

 FSC policy coordination.

 FSC plan parity.

Land and Resource Management Plan for the Prescott NF 181

Appendix D. Index of Other 

Supporting Plan Documentation

The following is a list of documents which substantially contributed to development of the plan

components (i.e., desired conditions, objectives, standards, guidelines, suitability, and 

monitoring) and/or are evaluations which were required by the 1982 Planning Rule Provisions.

These documents are available on the Prescott NF plan revision Web site35.

 Analysis of the Management Situation

 Ecological Sustainability Report

 Economic and Social Sustainability Assessment

 Final Environmental Impact Statement for Integrated Treatment of Noxious or Invasive 

Weeds on the Coconino, Kaibab, and Prescott National Forests

 Southwestern Region Climate Change Trends and Forest Planning

 Public Collaboration Report for Plan Revision

 Timber Suitability, Long-Term Sustained Yield, and Allowable Sale Quantity Report

 Range Capability and Suitability Determination Report

 Recreation Suitability Matrix

 Special area analyses (wilderness, research natural areas, wild and scenic rivers, etc.)

 Management indicator species (MIS) selection process

 Species viability reports

 Minimum Management Requirements

 Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey

 

35 www.fs.usda.gov/land/prescott/landmanagement