Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective 

CHAPTER 3—AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 

3.1 INTRODUCTION 

This chapter describes the existing physical, biological, cultural, social, and economic characteristics 

within the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) planning area in the States of Alabama and Mississippi. 

Management of resources and resource uses on public lands and minerals administered by the BLM is 

directed by a variety of laws, regulations, policies, and other requirements (as specified in Appendix C). 

By describing existing conditions for resource programs in the planning area, this chapter serves as the 

baseline against which the impacts of the different alternatives are analyzed and compared. 

3.1.1 How to Read This Chapter 

This chapter is divided into four sections: 

• Introduction (Section 3.1)—This section presents an overview of the chapter and provides 

direction on How to Read This Chapter (Section 3.1.1). 

• Alabama Statewide Perspective (Section 3.2)—Oil and gas leasing of BLM-administered 

non-United States Forest Service (USFS) Federal mineral ownership (FMO) could occur 

anywhere in the State; therefore, a statewide perspective is needed to cover the full geographic 

range for the environmental baseline. This statewide discussion is organized by resource 

according to the BLM Land Use Planning Handbook (H-1601-1). 

• Alabama Surface tract Description (Section 3.3)—This section provides available information 

specific to each of the surface tracts in Alabama: the Coosa River tracts, Fort Morgan Beach 

tracts, Fort Morgan Highway tracts, Fowl River tract, Geneva tract, and Jordan Lake tract (as 

described in Chapter 2). 

• Mississippi Statewide Perspective (Section 3.4)—Oil and gas leasing of BLM-administered 

non-USFS FMO could occur anywhere in the State; therefore, a statewide perspective is needed 

to cover the full geographic range for the environmental baseline. This statewide discussion is 

organized by resource according to the BLM Land Use Planning Handbook (H-1601-1). 

• Mississippi Surface tract Description (Section 3.5)—This section provides available 

information specific to the Hancock County tract in Mississippi (as described in Chapter 2). 

3.2 ALABAMA STATEWIDE PERSPECTIVE 

3.2.1 Air Quality 

Alabama is located in a humid, subtropical climatic region characterized by temperate winters; long, hot 

summers; and an evenly distributed annual rainfall. The region, however, is subject to periods of drought 

and flood—its climatic conditions are rarely average. A feast-or-famine situation attributed to weather 

conditions is typically expected as the climate delivers energy and moisture in subtropical latitudes 

between a large landmass to the north and the Gulf of Mexico to the south (Southeastern Regional 

Climate Center 2005). 

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Typical mean annual temperatures range from 60°F in the north to 70°F along the coast. Temperatures 

regularly exceed 100°F at many places in Alabama and drop to zero or lower about once a year. Freezing 

temperatures reach the gulf coast almost every winter. Normal precipitation ranges from 50 to 65 inches 

across the State (NOAA 2007a). 

Air Quality Meteorology 

Surface wind speeds are variable depending on terrain and proximity to the coast. Average wind speeds 

vary from 6 to 10 miles per hour in most locations and follow water drainage features of the land or are 

driven by sea breezes. Dispersion can also be related to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA) Stagnation Index, which primarily focuses on ozone (NOAA 2005). On the basis 

of this index, Alabama was prone to air stagnation for 25 to 50 percent of the days from May through 

September of 2002 – 2004. This dispersion index compares moderately to other areas in the country. 

Baseline Air Quality 

Ambient Air Quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established ambient air quality 

standards for criteria pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. The ambient air 

quality measurements in Alabama for sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide 

(CO), ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) are shown in Table 3-1. Ambient air quality 

measurements made by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) indicate that 

ambient air quality is within the standards, except for carbon monoxide, particulates, and ozone in 

Birmingham, Alabama (Shelby and Jefferson Counties), and particulates in Russell County (near 

Columbus, Georgia). Ozone is formed from the chemical reactions of nitrogen oxides, volatile organic 

compounds (VOCs), and sunlight. Several Alabama locations exceed the ambient air quality standards. 

Table 3-1. Recent Highest Ambient Air Quality Measurements in Alabama1, 2 

Pollutant Averaging 

Time 

Highest 

Measured 

Value (ppm3) 

Location 

National Ambient 

Air Quality 

Standard (ppm3) 

1 year 0.004 Jefferson County 0.03 

SO2 24 hours 0.020 Jefferson County 0.14

3 hours 0.046 Jefferson County 0.50 

NO2 1 year 0.008 Helena 0.053 

8 hours 25.1 North Birmingham 9 

CO 

1 hour 36.9 North Birmingham 35 

8 hours 0.102 Shelby County 0.080 

O3 

1 hour 0.140 Arrant City 0.120 

1 year 38 μg/m3 Birmingham 50 μg/m3 

PM10 

24 hours 185 μg/m3 Birmingham 150 μg/m3 

1 year 21.5 μg/m3 Jefferson County 15 μg/m3 

PM2.5 

24 hours 57 μg/m3

 Wylam 65 μg/m3 

1 ADEM Annual Air Quality Report 2001 (ADEM 2002). 

2 Three-year averages for 1999 through 2003 found at www.adem.state.us/AirDivision/AirDivision.htm (ADEM 2005). 

3 ppm = parts per million 

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Visibility and Atmospheric Deposition. Visibility and atmospheric deposition measurements are not 

available for Alabama. 

Area Air Quality Designations 

Prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) of areas meeting the ambient air quality standards are 

divided into the following three categories—Class I for areas of restricted growth, Class II for areas of 

moderate growth, and Class III for industrialized areas (Clean Air Act of 1977, as amended). All of 

Alabama is designated as PSD Class II, except for the Sipsey Wilderness in northwest Alabama, which is 

Class I, and the areas listed previously that did not meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards 

(NAAQS) and are unclassified. Other Class I areas (within 100 kilometers of the potential development 

activities) include the Breton National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) off the coast of Louisiana, St. Marks 

NWR in the Florida Panhandle (each managed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS]), Cohutta 

Wilderness Area in northern Georgia, and Bradwell Bay Wilderness Area in the Florida Panhandle (each 

managed by USFS). 

3.2.2 Soil Resources 

Physiographic Regions and Soil Types 

Alabama can be divided into four major physiographic regions—Coastal Plain, Piedmont, Valley and 

Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau (Highland Rim and Cumberland Plateau). Each physiographic region is 

described in Appendix F. 

Soil formation and character are all determined by parent material, surface slope, climate, biological 

activity, and time. Because Alabama is located within the humid subtropics, its soils are transitional 

between the cool climatic regions and the tropics. Podzolization, a soil-forming process of humid cool 

climates, and laterization, a soil-forming process of lowland tropics, are represented by the red and yellow 

podzolic soils and reddish-brown lateritic soils in Alabama. The State has seven major soil areas, 

including limestone valleys and uplands, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont Plateau, prairies, coastal plains, 

major flood plains and terraces, coastal marshes, and beaches (Mitchell 2004). A brief description of the 

major parent soil units and their locations in Alabama is provided in Appendix F. 

The characteristics of soils in BLM-administered non-USFS FMO areas are described in Appendix F. 

Prime and Unique Farmlands 

The Farmland Protection Policy Act requires the identification of proposed actions that would affect any 

lands classified as prime and unique farmlands. The U. S. Natural Resources Conservation Service 

(NRCS) administers this act to preserve farmland. 

Prime farmland is defined as having the availability and best combination of physical and chemical 

characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops. Its soil quality, growing season, 

and moisture supply can produce economically sustained high yields of crops when treated and managed 

according to acceptable farming methods, including water management. In general, prime farmlands have 

an adequate and dependable water supply from precipitation or irrigation, a favorable temperature and 

growing season, acceptable acidity or alkalinity, acceptable salt and sodium content, and few or no rocks. 

The land is permeable to water and air. Prime farmlands are not excessively erodible or saturated with 

water for a long period of time, and they neither flood nor require protection from flooding. 

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Prime farmlands occur in dispersed areas across Alabama. Counties in Alabama with areas having high 

potential for oil and gas or coal development likely include soil units that have been identified as prime 

farmland by NRCS. Appendix F includes prime farmland classification information that is available for 

soils within non-USFS FMO. 

3.2.3 Water Resources 

Surface Water 

Alabama is divided into 14 major river basins containing 77,272 miles of rivers and streams (47,072 

miles of perennial rivers and streams and approximately 30,200 miles of intermittent streams). These 14 

basins are the Tennessee, Upper Tombigbee, Lower Tombigbee, Black Warrior, Coosa, Cahaba, 

Tallapoosa, Chattahoochee, Choctawhatchee, Chipola, Perdido-Escambia, Alabama, Mobile, and 

Escatawpa River Basins (ADEM 2004) (Map 3-1). Appendix H briefly describes each major river basin. 

Alabama has ponds, lakes, and reservoirs in excess of 490,472 acres. Freshwater wetlands occupy an 

estimated 3.6 million acres (ADEM 2004). 

Alabama’s surface water is generally of high quality. An indication of full-use support (i.e., meeting 

established water quality criteria for its designated use classification) of rivers and streams can be found 

in Alabama’s Final 2004 §303(d) List, as presented in ADEM 2004. As of 2004, Alabama has a high 

percentage of full-use support for rivers and streams. 

Similarly, Alabama’s publicly accessible lakes and reservoirs have 82.6 percent full-support status. 

However, much of the nonsupport acreage is related to historical, as well as recent, polychlorinated 

biphenyl (PCB) contamination (primarily from industrial point sources in the Upper Coosa River) and 

eutrophic conditions in the Coosa River Basin reservoirs. Naturally higher nutrients in Coosa River Basin 

soils largely dictate the eutrophic conditions of the basin’s reservoirs (ADEM 2004). Several lakes and 

reservoirs are considered to be degrading in the Coosa River Basin, including the Neely Henry, Logan 

Martin, Lay, Mitchell, and Jordan. These reservoirs are characterized by increases in nutrient 

concentrations; implementation of fish tissue consumption advisories; increases in undesirable algal 

species; and violations of water quality standards, or a combination thereof (ADEM 2003). Several of 

BLM’s Coosa River tracts (Foshee Island, Little Rock Island, Big Rock Island, and Gilchrist Island) are 

within Mitchell Lake. One of BLM’s Coosa River (Jordan Lake) surface tracts is located approximately 

10 river miles upstream from Jordan Lake and about 5.5 miles downstream from Mitchell Lake. The 

Coosa River tract at Smith Island is located about 10 miles upstream from Lay Lake. The Coosa River 

tract at Prince Island is located approximately 11 river miles upstream from Lay Lake. 

About 25 river miles in Alabama are within BLM-administered non-USFS FMO areas. Eight river miles 

flow over areas with potentially high mineral development prospects. Oil and gas leases exist on a total of 

about 0.6 river miles. The Cahaba River Basin is of particular interest, as there are nine leases in this area 

and there is renewed interest in coalbed methane natural gas production. Approximately 2,060 lake acres 

occur within non-USFS FMO areas. National Wetland Inventory (NWI) data are limited for Alabama. 

Because of the lack of available digital data for freshwater wetlands in Alabama, non-USFS FMO acreage 

within freshwater wetland areas in the State could not be estimated. 

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Ground Water 

Alabama has 19 major aquifers and aquifer systems that supply drinking water to about 44 percent of the 

State’s total population using a public water supply (an additional 6 percent use private wells) (ADEM 

2003). The lack of chronic pollutants in public water supply ground water sources is a good indication of 

Alabama’s high quality ground water and effective resource management (ADEM 2004). 

Precipitation is the sole source of water for the ground water system, but only a small part of the annual 

precipitation actually recharges the ground water system. Because the recharge of aquifers entirely 

depends on precipitation, natural ground water levels in Alabama follow the same pattern of seasonal 

fluctuation as precipitation (USGS 2003). Information on major ground water recharge zones in Alabama 

was not available for evaluation relative to non-USFS FMO. 

Coastal Zone 

The National Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program is a voluntary partnership between the Federal 

government and U. S. coastal states and territories authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 

1972. The Coastal Programs Division, within NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource 

Management, administers the program at the Federal level and works with State CZM partners. 

Alabama’s Coastal Area Management Program (ACAMP) was approved and has been in effect since 

1979. The program regulates various activities on coastal lands and waters seaward of the continuous 

10-foot contour in Baldwin and Mobile Counties of Alabama. The Fort Morgan Beach and Highway 

tracts in Baldwin County in addition to BLM-administered non-USFS FMO fall within the ACAMP. 

Alabama’s coastal wetlands are estimated at 27,600 acres (NWI estimates, as presented in ADEM 2004). 

Coastal Alabama also has an estimated 610 square miles of estuaries and a coastal shoreline that is 337 

miles long (including Mobile Bay and island shorelines) (ADEM 2004). 

EPA has identified the Mobile Bay coastal drainage as a wetland restoration priority area. EPA’s Gulf of 

Mexico program has also identified the Mobile Bay area as a priority for water quality and habitat 

improvement projects (ADEM 2004). In 2000, ADEM’s coastal programs received a wetlands restoration 

grant to implement restoration strategies and address State lands within ADEM’s Alabama Coastal 

Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program’s (ACNPCP) management area, which includes all of Mobile 

and Baldwin Counties. The project has targeted restoration and protection of priority tracts in the 

approximately 5,000 acres of wetlands in Baldwin County. ADEM identified the Bon Secour Bay and 

Fort Morgan Peninsula as priority candidate wetlands restoration sites (ADEM 2004). USFWS is the 

technical adviser to projects conducted under the wetlands restoration grant. 

Wetland types in Baldwin County include riverine (overbank flooding of associated rivers and streams); 

fringe (shoreline of coastal ecosystems, marshes); flat (wet pine flats, pine savannas, and pitcher-plant 

bogs); and depressional (ponds, interdunal swales) (ADEM 2004). On the basis of a rough geospatial 

analysis, about 5,850 acres of BLM-administered non-USFS FMO are within coastal wetland areas in 

Alabama. 

3.2.4 Vegetative Communities 

For this planning effort, Gap Analysis Program (GAP) was used to delineate land cover types on nonUSFS FMO in Alabama. This land cover map is based on Landsat-7 satellite imagery using the National 

Land Cover Data (NLCD), which includes 21 very broad land cover classifications. The decision to use 

this data set was based on its statewide application and availability in a geographical information system 

format at the time this planning effort was initiated. Analysis of the GAP land cover map resulted in the 

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identification of seven dominant cover types on non-USFS FMO lands in Alabama. These cover types 

include deciduous (25 percent); mixed (23 percent); evergreen (19 percent); wetland forest/shrubland (10 

percent); pasture/hay (8 percent); row/crops (5 percent); and open water (2 percent). Less dominant cover 

types (approximately 8 percent) are not discussed further. The following brief discussions provide an 

overview of the cover types found on non-USFS FMO in Alabama. 

• Deciduous (25 percent)—This classification is dominated by trees, of which 75 percent or more 

are hardwoods. Common trees in these areas include a wide variety of oak (Quercus spp.) and 

hickory (Carya spp.) species; red maple (Acer rubrum); ash (Fraxinus spp.); hackberry (Celtis 

laevigata); yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera); beech (Fagus grandifolia); elm (Ulmus spp.); 

sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua); persimmon (Diospyros virginiana); and black cherry 

(Prunus serotina). 

• Mixed (23 percent)—This classification delineates areas where neither hardwood nor pine 

species represent more than 75 percent of the cover. These mixed hardwood/pine areas are 

typically dominated by loblolly (Pinus taeda); longleaf pine (Pinus palustris); slash pine (Pinus 

elliottii); or shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata), with a wide variety of oak and hickory species, plus 

hackberry, elm, sweetgum, common persimmon, and yellow poplar. 

• Evergreen (19 percent)—This classification delineates areas where 75 percent or more of the 

tree species are evergreen. In Alabama, the dominant pine species are loblolly, longleaf pine, 

slash pine, and shortleaf pine. This classification includes commercial pine plantations, which 

according to the Alabama Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS) comprised 24 

percent of the forested acreage in Alabama in 2000. Loblolly is the most commonly planted pine 

species. An additional species, sand pine (Pinus clausa) dominates a narrow band of scrub 

habitats behind the coastal dune systems along the Gulf of Mexico. 

• Wetland Forest/Shrubland (10 percent)—This classification comprises areas in which forest or 

shrubland vegetation accounts for 25 to 100 percent of the cover and the soil or substrate is 

periodically saturated or covered with water. These encompass diverse communities ranging from 

forested wetlands, bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) swamps, to bogs and coastal marshes. 

Dominant species in seasonally flooded forests are sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana), sweetgum, 

wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), various oaks, and titi (Cyrilla racemiflora). Typical wetland or bog 

species include pitcher plants, various rushes, sedges, arrowhead, and St. John’s wort (Hypericum 

spp.). Typical species of coastal wetlands and marshes include sawgrass (Cladium spp.), black 

needlerush (Juncus roemerianus) and bulrush (Scirpus spp.). 

• Pasture/Hay (8 percent)—Vegetation in this community is composed of introduced grasses, 

legumes, or grass-legume mixtures planted for livestock grazing or the production of hay crops. 

• Row/Crops (5 percent)—This classification includes areas being actively cultivated. 

• Open Water (2 percent)—This classification includes areas with less than 25 percent cover of 

vegetation/land cover. 

Alabama Invasive/Exotic Species 

The Alabama Invasive Plant Council lists 45 invasive plants as occurring in the State. The top ten include 

Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera); Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense); multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora); 

tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum); Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum); kudzu (Pueraria 

montana var. lobata); cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica); hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata); alligator weed 

(Alternanthera philoxeroides); and Eurasian milfoil (Myriophyllum spictum). The most likely to be 

encountered on non-USFS FMO are Chinese tallow, Chinese privet, and cogon grass. Cogon grass, in 

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Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

particular, has the potential to affect future land use practices because of its ability to alter natural fire 

regimes, its thick growth habit that excludes other vegetation and the difficulty to control it. Chinese 

privet is a common invasive plant that occurs along edges and disturbed sites. Chinese tallow tree is often 

found near or in wetlands, and along fence rows and roads. 

3.2.5 Fish and Wildlife 

Game Species 

Alabama’s major game species include whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus), eastern turkey (Meleagris 

gallapavo silvestris), mourning dove, northern bobwhite quail, squirrel and waterfowl species. Alabama 

held its first alligator hunt since the recovery of the species in 2006. The whitetail deer population in 

Alabama was estimated at 1.75 million in 2000, up from an estimated 2,000 in the early 1900s, due in part 

to major restocking efforts during the 1950s and 1960s. The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries 

Division estimates the current population of eastern wild turkey at 350,000. Turkey prefer hardwood and 

mixed pine-hardwood forestlands interspersed with open areas in both upland and bottomland regions. 

Mourning doves are common throughout the State on farms, and in towns, woodlots, agricultural fields, 

and grasslands. Quail occurrence is incidental across the State, generally associated with abandoned 

weedy fields and open pinelands or savanna with extensive groundcover of forbs, native grasses, and 

scattered brush thickets. Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and fox squirrel are both found statewide. 

The gray squirrel is common in hardwood forests, mixed forests, and urban areas. The less common fox 

squirrel favors mature deciduous and pine-oak woodlands, but also occurs at forest edges and in riparian 

woodlands. Twenty-six species of ducks are found in the coastal and inland waters of Alabama. The wood 

duck (Aix sponsa) and the hooded merganser (Mergus cucullatus) occur Statewide throughout the year 

and breed extensively in Alabama. As part of the Mississippi Flyway Alabama provides important winter 

habitat for waterfowl that are produced in the Prairie Pothole Region and Great Lakes States. Alabama 

provides varied and abundant sport fishery with 26 game species. Reservoirs, ponds, lakes and swamps 

throughout the State provide important habitats for sport fishes. 

Neotropical Migratory Birds 

The Alabama Ornithological Society State list includes 420 species of birds known to occur in the State. 

A total of 178 species are known to breed in Alabama, including 158 species that regularly breed in the 

State. Additionally, 174 species regularly winter in and 80 species migrate through Alabama. This list 

also contains 38 accidental, three extinct, two extirpated (no longer occurring in Alabama, but may occur 

in other States), and four exotic (non-native) species. Maritime forests and shrub lands along coastal 

Alabama provide important staging areas for migrating songbirds and hawks, and are critical when 

weather in inclement or when exhausted birds make landfall. 

3.2.6 Special Status Species 

For the purposes of this document, special status species are defined as all Federally- and State-listed, 

species proposed or candidates for Federal or State listing, and those species identified by BLM as 

sensitive species. BLM Eastern States policy designates as “BLM sensitive” those additional species that 

are considered to be critically imperiled (S-1) or imperiled (S-2) by the State Natural Heritage programs. 

The USFWS currently lists 130 Federally-listed species which historically or currently occur in Alabama. 

The Alabama Natural Heritage Program (ANHP) inventory lists 712 species ranked as either critically 

imperiled (S-1) or imperiled (S-2) being tracked in the State in 2006. A complete list of S-1 and S-2 

species being tracked by ANHP is included in Appendix E. Much of the following discussions are based 

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on the Alabama CWCS, which includes a complete list of the wildlife species of conservation concern in 

the State. 

This discussion of special status species takes a statewide perspective, even though management of 

BLM’s scattered surface acreage and oil and gas development would probably directly affect less than 

264 acres in total. Oil and gas leasing of non-USFS FMO in particular could occur anywhere in the State, 

and future oil and gas development has the potential to affect aquatic systems downstream from locations 

substantially increasing the area potentially affected. Therefore, a statewide perspective is needed to cover 

the full geographic range of potential impacts. 

Overview 

The high number of special status species in Alabama is a factor of the State’s exceptional biodiversity, 

high rate of endemism, and a history of impacting land uses in the State. Physiographically, the State 

crosses five provinces: Interior Plateau, Southwestern Appalachians, Ridge and Valley, Piedmont and 

East Gulf Coastal Plain, and is situated at the periphery of many species’ ranges (see Section 3.4.2). It is 

also a well-known global hotspot for aquatic biodiversity. Alabama surpasses all eastern States in plant 

and animal diversity, ranking fifth in the nation after California, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico 

(ANHP 2003). Alabama ranks first in the nation in freshwater species diversity. Of the 307 species of 

freshwater mussels recorded in the nation, 180 have been recorded in Alabama. The Nature Conservancy 

has ranked the Tennessee River and the Mobile River, including its major tributaries, the first and second 

most biologically diverse rivers in the country. 

This diverse fauna is affected by a history of impacting land uses. Most of Alabama’s larger rivers are 

impounded for navigation, hydropower, and flood control, resulting in the loss of many aquatic species 

during this century. The Black Warrior River Basin is the largest coal-producing area in the South and 

coalbed methane production is among the highest in the nation (Alabama Oil and Gas Board), and the 

river system has been degraded by past coal mining, gas development and other uses. Throughout the 

State, aquatic systems have been adversely affected by intensive silviculture and urbanization. Longleaf 

pine, once the State’s most abundant tree (Harper 1928), was reduced to 732,800 acres by 2000 (Hartsell 

and Brown 2002). In the Southeast, longleaf pine forests now exist on only 3 percent of their previous 

range (Frost 1993). Throughout much of its range, these longleaf sites have been converted to loblolly 

pine or slash pine for commercial production and/or degraded by the absence of fire, to the detriment of 

many terrestrial species associated with this once widespread habitat. These factors have contributed to 

Alabama having more wildlife species at risk than any State east of the Colorado River. Only Hawaii, 

California, and Nevada have more imperiled species, and only Hawaii has lost more species to extinction 

(Stein 2002). At least 108 animal species: 47 mussels, 44 aquatic snails, 11 fishes, five birds, and four 

mammals have been extirpated in the State (Alabama CWCS). Of the 117 Federally-listed species in 

Alabama, 70 percent are associated with freshwater aquatic or wetland habitats. 

There is non-USFS FMO in both major oil and gas producing regions of Alabama: the Black Warrior 

River Basin Region and the Southwest Alabama Region, and both of these regions have substantial 

special status species issues. The Black Warrior River Region includes the Black Warrior and Tombigbee 

Rivers and the upper portions of the Cahaba River, all part of the Mobile River basin. Forty-two fish 

species have been identified as endemic to the basin, and according to the Alabama Natural Heritage 2006 

Tracking List, there are now 35 aquatic species either Federally-listed or considered imperiled or 

critically imperiled in the Black Warrior basin alone. The Southwest Alabama Region includes the 

Conecuh, Mobile, Escatawpa, Perdido, and Blackwater River basins. These basins support 26 special 

status aquatic animal species, including the Federally-listed Alabama sturgeon and Gulf sturgeon. 

Uplands in this area contain almost 90 percent of the longleaf pine acreage, both natural and planted, 

remaining in the State (Hartsell and Brown 2002). Eighteen special status species are associated with this 

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once widespread habitat (Alabama CWCS), including keystone species such as the red-cockaded 

woodpecker and gopher tortoise. Coastal areas in Mobile and Baldwin counties support ten special status 

species, including critical habitat for Alabama beach mouse, nesting habitat for loggerhead sea turtle, and 

critical habitat for wintering piping plover. 

Outside of these producing oil and gas regions, there is non-USFS FMO in all but ten southeastern 

counties in Alabama. Future development in these areas could occur in response to new finds or new 

technology that makes recovery of the oil/gas more economical. For instance, recently there have been 

new wells drilled on private minerals in St. Clair and Etowah Counties. These counties are located in the 

Coosa River Basin, the largest and most biologically diverse portion of the Mobile River Basin, with 39 

special status species. Nine of these are considered to be extirpated from this river basin and an additional 

four are considered to be extirpated from the State. 

On non-USFS FMO across the State there are a number of small, often isolated high-value habitats that 

support special status species. These include many wetland communities such as bogs, seeps, and 

swamps, prairie and glade openings and karst habitats. BLM-administered non-USFS FMO has been 

estimated to include 38,898 acres of shrub and forested wetlands at least periodically inundated. There are 

12 special status amphibians found in the State that utilize these habitats. There are also a number of plant 

species restricted to these habitats, including the green pitcher plant and white fringeless orchid, both 

candidates for Federal listing. Glades, in the northeastern half of the State and prairies in the “Black Belt” 

areas are scarce in this forest dominated State and tend to support rare assemblages of plants. Karst areas 

in the northeastern portion of the State support a high number of endemic species. In Jackson County, 

caves support 24 species found nowhere else and caves in Morgan and Madison counties are designated 

as National Natural Landmarks. 

Species Accounts 

The following Federally-listed or candidate species are known to occur or to have potential to occur on 

BLM non-USFS FMO. There are currently no species proposed for Federal listing in Alabama 

(Natureserve 2006). A list of species ranked by ANHP as critically imperiled (S-1) or imperiled (S-2) is 

provided in Appendix E. 

Mammals 

Gray myotis (Myotis grisescens), Federally-listed as endangered 

Gray myotis roost almost exclusively in caves, generally utilizing different caves for summer and winter 

hibernaculum. Bats may migrate hundreds of kilometers between summer and winters caves. Only a very 

limited number of caves meet the thresholds for temperature, humidity, and isolation. Most records in 

Alabama are from near the Tennessee River and there are small populations in the central and southern 

parts of the State. Water courses and associated forested riparian corridors are important foraging areas 

for gray myotis. 

Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), Federally-listed as endangered 

Indiana bat hibernates in caves, typically limestone with pools where the mean midwinter temperature is 

4-8 degrees Celsius. In Alabama, suitable caves are utilized by bats migrating hundreds of kilometers 

from breeding grounds in more northern States. Indiana bat records are primarily from the northern third 

of the State, particularly the Bankhead National Forest and in the karst region of extreme south-central 

portion of the State in Jackson County. 

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Alabama beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus ammobates), Federallylisted as endangered and ranked 

The Alabama beach mouse is restricted to coastal dunes and scrub/shrub habitats along the Fort Morgan 

Peninsula in Baldwin County. Although the highest population numbers occur in primary dunes, higher 

secondary dunes and scrub habitats, which are less likely to be inundated, provide crucial habitat from 

which mice can recolonize after major storm events. All of the BLM-administered beach tracts in 

Baldwin County are within the designated critical habitat. On January 30, 2007, the Alabama beach 

mouse critical habitat was revised to include addition areas north of the coastal dunes. All of the BLMadministered highway tracts are now within areas designated as critical habitat for Alabama beach mouse. 

Approximately 365 acres of non-USFS FMO are within designated critical habitat. 

Birds 

Piping plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), Atlantic Coast and Great Plains 

populations listed as Federally-threatened and Great Lakes populations 

listed as Federally-endangered 

All three populations of piping plover winter along the south Atlantic and Gulf coasts where they are 

classified as threatened. On July 3, 2001, USFWS designated 165,211 acres along 1,798 miles of 

coastline in eight southern States as critical habitat for the wintering population of piping plover. This 

included several barrier islands and the western tip of the Fort Morgan Peninsula. Piping plover can be 

present in Alabama from August to May, but numbers peak during the winter months. 

Wood stork (Mycteria americana), Federally-listed as endangered 

The wetlands of the Coastal Plain of Alabama provide important foraging habitat for wood storks that 

disperse from breeding areas in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina in late summer and early fall. There 

are no recent breeding records in Alabama, although wood storks may breed in remote swamps of the 

State (Imhof 1976). Primarily, habitats are marshes, swamps, lagoons, ponds, and flooded fields and 

ditches. During extended drought, depressions in marshes and brackish wetlands have increased 

importance. 

Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), Federally-listed as 

endangered 

Red-cockaded woodpeckers are found in open, mature, old-growth pine woodlands and savannahs. Cavity 

trees are pines generally over 60 years old, located in open stands with little or no hardwood midstory and 

few or no overstory hardwoods. Hardwood encroachment resulting from fire suppression can result in 

cluster abandonment. Potentially suitable foraging habitat is located within 0.5 miles of nesting habitat 

and contains at least 50 percent pines which are 30 years or older. 

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Federally-listed as threatened, 

proposed for delisting 

Bald eagles are found throughout the State primarily along rivers and large bodies of water. Alabama 

supports an influx of wintering eagles. A January survey of bald eagles in Alabama has averaged about 

100 – 150 birds in recent years. Concentrations occur on Pickwick Lake near Waterloo and Guntersville 

Lake near Guntersville State Park. A breeding population of bald eagles has been reestablished in the 

State. The Alabama Restoration Project hacked 91 juvenile bald eagles in the State from 1985 – 1991. In 

2006, 100 nests were being monitored in the State. 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-11 
Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

Reptiles 

Flattened musk turtle (Sternotherus depressus), Federally-listed as 

threatened 

The flattened musk turtle is endemic to Alabama, and restricted to Black Warrior River watershed where 

it is found in medium-sized creeks to larger streams and even impoundments. Optimal stream habitat 

consists of a drainage at least 80.5 square kilometers (50 square miles); alternating pools and riffles, with 

pools at least 3-4.5 feet deep; an abundance of submerged boulders and rocks, with crevices; an abundant 

molluscan and benthic invertebrate fauna; a low silt load; and clean water (Mount 1981a). Streams with a 

predominant sandy substrate are also suitable as long as adequate boulder and crevice refugia are present 

(Ernst et al. 1989). 

Alabama red-belly turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis), Federally-listed as 

endangered 

The Alabama red-belly turtle is restricted to the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta in Mobile and Baldwin 

Counties adjacent to Mobile Bay. They are rarely found north of Interstate 65. Systematic sampling of 

major tributaries in coastal Alabama have shown them to be present in major rivers and tributaries of the 

Mobile Bay, Bayou La Batre, Fowl, Dog, Fish, Magnolia, and Bon Secour Rivers. Specimens have also 

been recorded from Daphne and Point Clear, Alabama. Alabama red-bellied turtles are found in shallow 

vegetated backwaters of freshwater streams, rivers, bays, and bayous in or adjacent to Mobile Bay. 

Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), population west of the Mobile 

and Tombigbee Rivers is Federally-listed as threatened 

In Alabama, gopher tortoise populations usually occur below the Fall line in the Southern Pine Plains and 

Buhrstone/Lime Hills ecoregions. Small populations are found along alluvial sandy ridges that occur 

along south Alabama waterways. In Alabama, gopher tortoises are protected by Federal and State laws 

and found in the following counties: Choctaw, Washington, Mobile, Baldwin, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, 

Clarke, Crenshaw, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Monroe, 

Montgomery, Pike, and Wilcox. Small populations occur in Autauga and Macon counties where they 

were introduced by man. The largest populations occur in dry, deep sandy soils where the overhead 

canopy is open. The best populations in Alabama are found in longleaf pine-scrub oak-wiregrass sand 

hills that are frequently burned. The more loamy soils found in the longleaf-wiregrass flatwoods support 

small scattered populations. Clear cuts created by timber operations where gophers occur will support the 

tortoise for the first few years, but will be abandoned as the canopy closes, usually causing the tortoises to 

move to the edges of the woodland roads. Pine plantations that are managed for open canopy by thinning 

and burning will provide the minimum requirements to support a tortoise population. Dense hardwood 

and unburned pine/hardwood habitats are unsuitable for tortoise populations. Agricultural fields and 

wildlife food plots will support some individuals but are considered marginal habitat. Tortoises found in 

these habitats are usually found on the field edges and fence lines where they are not disturbed by annual 

plantings. Loss of habitat and historic over hunting have caused a large statewide decline of tortoise 

populations. There are very few public places that have tortoise populations in Alabama and only the 

Conecuh National Forest and Fort Rucker Military Base have more than 100 individuals. Research has 

shown that gopher tortoises move up to 600 feet between burrows for breeding purposes and two or more 

burrows within 600 feet of each other can be defined as a population (McDearman personal 

communication). 

Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi), Federally-listed as threatened 

The historical range of the eastern indigo snake was from the east coast of South Carolina through 

southern Georgia, Florida, into south Alabama, and southwest Mississippi, and is often associated with 

gopher tortoises. Particularly outside of southern Florida, gopher tortoise burrows provide important 

3-12 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective 

refugia from temperature extremes. Naturally occurring populations are now found only in southern 

Georgia and Florida. Indigo snakes were historically found in the lower coastal plain along with the 

burrowing gopher tortoise. In the 1980s indigo snakes were reintroduced in its historical range within the 

State, including releases in Autuaga, Baldwin, Bullock, Covington, Escambia, Mobile, and Washington 

counties. There have been subsequent sightings. 

Black pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi), Candidate for Federal 

listing 

Black pine snakes are endemic to the upland longleaf pine forests that once covered the southeastern 

United States. Habitat consists of sandy, well-drained soils with an overstory of longleaf pine, a fire 

suppressed mid-story, and dense herbaceous ground cover. In Alabama, there are recorded sightings in 

Mobile County. 

Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), Federally-listed as threatened 

The most common nesting sea turtle in Alabama, loggerheads nest on open sandy beaches above the hightide mark, seaward of well-developed dunes from the Florida border to Dauphin Island, with the majority 

nesting between Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores. Nesting normally occurs from early May through August, 

with the majority of nests being laid during June and July. Females lay three to five nests, and sometimes 

more, during a single nesting season. The eggs incubate approximately two months before hatching 

sometime between late June and mid-November. 

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Federally-listed as threatened 

Green sea turtles are rarely seen in Alabama. There have been two recent nesting records in the State. 

Small numbers of this herbivorous species, most often subadults, occur in State waters, but feeding areas 

of submerged grass beds are limited in Alabama. 

Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), Federally-listed as 

endangered 

Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle is an occasional visitor to Alabama waters, where it is sometimes caught in 

shrimp nets. Although virtually the entire population nests in Mexico and southern Texas, at least two 

nests have been documented in Alabama. 

Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Federally-listed as 

endangered 

Leatherback sea turtle is an occasional visitor to Alabama waters, but not known to nest in the State. 

Amphibians 

Mississippi gopher frog (Rana sevosa), Federally-listed as endangered 

This species is currently known from a single population in Mississippi, but it has also been recorded 

from Gulf Coast Flatwoods of Alabama (at the mouth of Dog River). It is highly terrestrial. Breeding 

occurs late January to March in open temporary ponds. Habitat includes both upland sandy habitats 

historically forested with longleaf pine and isolated temporary wetland breeding sites imbedded within 

this forested landscape. 

Flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum), Federally-listed as 

threatened 

Flatwoods salamander’s historic distribution in Alabama was confined to southernmost tier of counties 

(Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Covington, Geneva, and Houston). The most recent records are from 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-13 
Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

Covington and Houston Counties, 1980 and 1981, respectively. The species has not been recorded in over 

two decades, despite surveys from 1992 to 1995. Characteristic habitat is pine flatwoods, where larvae 

utilize shallow pondcypress or blackgum ponds, marshy pasture ponds, roadside ditches, or small, 

shallow borrow pits. 

Red Hills salamander (Phaeognathus hubrichti), Federally-listed as 

threatened 

This salamander is irregularly distributed within a narrow belt of two geological formations (Tallahatta 

and Hatchetigbee) in parts of five counties (Crenshaw, Butler, Covington, Conecuh, and Monroe) in the 

Red Hills (Schwaner and Mount 1970, Mount 1975). Characteristic habitat is on steep slopes (especially 

north-facing) of ravines and bluffs dominated by hardwood trees such as magnolias, American beech, 

tuliptree, oaks, and hickories. Older-growth timber is preferred. Complete removal of forest canopy in 

most cases results in extirpation of a resident population. 

Black Warrior waterdog (Necturus alabamensis), a candidate for Federal 

listing 

The Black Warrior waterdog inhabits streams above the Fall Line within the Black Warrior River Basin in 

Alabama. Currently, the species is known from 14 sites in 5 counties: Blount, Marshall, Tuscaloosa, 

Walker, and Winston. Within these counties, occupied river systems including the North River, Locust 

Fork, and Mulberry Fork are all on the EPA’s list of impaired waters. Black Warrior waterdogs are 

associated with clay substrates lacking silt. Stream depths range from 3.3 to 13.1 feet and contain large 

leaf packs supporting mayfly and caddis fly larvae. 

Fish 

Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus dosotoi), Federally-listed as 

threatened 

Adult Gulf sturgeons migrate into large river systems between late March and early April to spawn, 

sometimes moving as much as 140 miles upstream. Adults and subadults return to the Gulf of Mexico in 

late fall. The young generally stay in the river mouth through winter and spring. Critical habitat has been 

designated in Alabama and includes reaches of the Escambia/Conecuh River system in Escambia, 

Conecuh and Covington Counties, and the Choctawhatchee River in Geneva County. 

Alabama sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus suttkusi), Federally-listed as 

endangered 

The Alabama sturgeon is now restricted to a 130-mile reach of the Alabama River below Miller’s Ferry 

Lock and Dam. The Alabama sturgeon currently inhabits only about 15 percent of its historic range which 

originally included about 1,000 miles of the Mobile River system in Alabama (Black Warrior, 

Tombigbee, Alabama, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Mobile, Tensaw, and Cahaba Rivers) and Mississippi 

(Tombigbee River). 

Blue shiner (Cyprinella caerulea), Federally-listed as threatened 

In Alabama, the blue shiner occurs in Weogufka Creek in Coosa County; Choccolocco Creek, and the 

lower reach of Shoal Creek in Calhoun County; and Little River in Cherokee County. The blue shiner 

prefers a sand or sand and gravel substrate sometimes with cobble, low to moderate velocity current, and 

a depth of about 0.15 to 1 meters. 

3-14 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective 

Palezone shiner (Notropis albizonatus), Federally-listed as endangered 

Palezone shiner habitat is described as upland large creeks and small rivers with permanent flow, in runs 

and flowing upper portions of pools over clean substrates of bedrock, cobble, and gravel mixed with clean 

sand. The currently documented range includes two widely disjunct populations, one of which is a 25-km 

reach of the Paint Rock River in Jackson County, Alabama. The other population is found in portions of 

the Cumberland and Tennessee River systems in Kentucky and Tennessee. 

Cahaba shiner (Notropis cahabae), Federally-listed as endangered 

The stronghold for the species is limited to about 15 river miles between the Fall Line and Piper Bridge in 

Bibb County, Alabama. The species occurs in large shoal areas of the main channel of the Cahaba River, 

particularly in the quieter water less than 1.64 feet deep just below swift riffle areas. The species prefers 

patches of sandy substrate at the edge of or scattered throughout gravel beds or downstream of larger 

rocks and boulders. This shiner probably requires a river with sufficient small crustaceans, insect larvae, 

and algae for food, similar to its close relative, the mimic shiner. 

Alabama cavefish (Speoplatyrhinus poulsoni), Federally-listed as 

endangered 

The Alabama cavefish is known only from the type locality, Key Cave in Lauderdale County, Alabama. 

Pygmy sculpin (Cottus paulus), Federally-listed as threatened 

The pygmy sculpin is an Alabama endemic known from Coldwater Spring and its adjacent downstream 

spring run, a tributary to Choccolocco Creek in Calhoun County. 

Slackwater darter (Etheostoma boschungi), Federally-listed as threatened 

The slackwater darter is know from disjunct populations in the Cypress Creek, Swan Creek, upper Shoal 

Creek, and Flint River systems in north Alabama and south-central Tennessee, and from the headwaters 

of the Buffalo River in Tennessee. 

Vermillion darter (Etheostoma chermocki), Federally-listed as endangered 

The vermillion darter is limited in distribution to upper Turkey Creek, a tributary to the Locust Fork of 

the Black Warrior River system in Jefferson County, Alabama. The vermilion darter occurs in moderateto-swift currents in streams of alternating riffles and pools. 

Watercress darter (Etheostoma nuchale), Federally-listed as endangered 

The watercress darter is only known to occur in three springs in Jefferson County. A new population has 

been successfully established by transplanting individuals from Roebuck Springs to Tapawingo Springs, a 

tributary of Turkey Creek. 

Boulder darter (Etheostoma wapiti), Federally-listed as endangered 

Boulder darters currently occur in the Elk River system in Giles and Lincoln Counties, Tennessee, and 

Limestone County, Alabama. In 1993, in an effort to reestablish the species within its historic range, 

boulder darters were released at three locations in the Elk River, all upstream of Alabama Highway 127 in 

Limestone County. 

Rush darter (Etheostoma phytophilum), a candidate for Federal listing 

The rush darter is endemic to upland portions of the Black Warrior River system in Alabama where it 

occurs in shallow headwater streams. This species is uncommon and sporadic within its range, as it favors 

shallow, flowing water in spring runs and spring-associated streams with emergent vegetation. Only three 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-15 
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Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

disjunct populations are known: one in the Clear Creek system in Winston County, one in spring-fed 

tributaries of Turkey Creek in Jefferson County; and one population in Little Cove Creek in Etowah 

County. 

Goldline darter (Percina aurolineata), Federally-listed as threatened 

The goldline darter continues to exist in fragmented populations in the Coosawattee River, Georgia, in 

about 7 miles of the Little Cahaba River, and in 27 miles of the 49 miles of historic range in the Cahaba 

River, Alabama. This species prefers moderate to swift currents and water depths greater than two feet. It 

is found over sand or gravel substrata interspersed among cobble and small boulders. 

Snail darter (Percina tanasi), Federally-listed as threatened 

The snail darter is presently known from only six Tennessee River tributaries and from the main stem of 

the Tennessee River near the mouth of three tributaries. In Alabama, the snail darter is restricted to the 

Paint Rock River in Jackson and Madison Counties. This species prefers two types of habitat: relatively 

shallow gravel shoal areas with moderate to swift current; and deep slackwater pools in large streams and 

rivers. 

Mussels 

The following mussel species in Alabama are Federally-listed as endangered, threatened, or are 

candidates for Federal listing. Most of these species require flowing water, over clean, stable sand and 

gravel. Pollution, construction of dams and impounding of major rivers, such as the Tennessee, Coosa, 

Black Warrior and Alabama, and dredging and channelization have resulted in the declines and 

extirpation of many mussel species in Alabama. The occurrence records below were based on historic and 

current records from Nature Serve (2006). 

Table 3-2. Federally-listed Mussel Species in Alabama 

Federally listed Mussel Species in Alabama 

Federal 

Status* County Occurrence Records 

Acornshell, southern (Epioblasma othcaloogensis) 

probably extirpated 

E* Bibb, Cherokee, Etowah, 

St. Clair, and Shelby 

Bean, Choctaw (Villosa choctawensis) C 

Barbour, Bullock, Coffee, Covington, 

Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike 

Counties. 

Blossom, turgid (pearlymussel) (Epioblasma turgidula) 

probably extinct 

E Colbert, Franklin, and Lauderdale 

Counties 

Blossom, yellow (pearlymussel) (Epioblasma florentina 

florentina) 

probably extirpated 

E Lauderdale and Colbert Counties 

Catspaw (Epioblasma obliquata obliquata) 

probably extirpated 

E NA ( Muscle Shoals) 

Clubshell, black (=Curtus' mussel) (Pleurobema curtum) 

probably extirpated 

E NA (Tombigbee River) 

Clubshell, ovate (Pleurobema perovatum) E* 

Blount, Greene, Fayette, Lee, Lamar, 

Lee, Etowah, Macon, Pickens, St. Clair, 

Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and 

Winston Counties 

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Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective 

Federally listed Mussel Species in Alabama 

Federal 

Status* County Occurrence Records 

Clubshell, southern (Pleurobema decisum) E* 

Cherokee, Dallas, Etowah, Fayette, 

Greene, Lamar, Pickens, St. Clair, and 

Tuscaloosa Counties 

Combshell, Cumberlandian (Epioblasma brevidens) E* Colbert and Etowah Counties 

Combshell, southern (=penitent mussel) (Epioblasma 

penita) E Etowah, Lamar, and Marion Counties 

Combshell, upland (Epioblasma metastriata) 

probably extirpated 

E* Bibb, Shelby, and Jefferson Counties 

Fanshell (Cyprogenia stegaria) E Colbert, Lauderdale and Marshall 

Counties 

Heelsplitter, Alabama (=inflated) (Potamilus inflatus) T 

Baldwin, Bibb, Choctaw, Clarke, 

Greene, Hale, Marengo, Pickens, 

Sumter, Tuscaloosa, and Washington 

Counties 

Kidneyshell, triangular (Ptychobranchus greenii) E* 

Blount, Cherokee, Cullman, Etowah, 

Jefferson, Lawrence, St. Clair, Walker, 

and Winston Counties 

Kidneyshell, Southern (Ptychobranchus jonesi) C Barbour and Coffee Counties 

Lampmussel, Alabama (Lampsilis virescens) E Jackson County 

Lilliput, pale (pearlymussel) (Toxolasma cylindrellus) E Jackson County 

Moccasinshell, Alabama (Medionidus acutissimus) T* 

Cherokee, Etowah, Greene, Lamar, 

Lawrence, Pickens, St. Clair, Shelby, 

and Winston Counties 

Moccasinshell, Coosa (Medionidus parvulus) E* Cherokee, Talladega, and Winston 

Counties 

Moccasinshell, Gulf (Medionidus penicillatus) 

Probably extirpated 

E NA ( Chattahoochee River drainage) 

Monkeyface, Cumberland (pearlymussel) (Quadrula 

intermedia) E Limestone County 

Mucket, orange-nacre (Hamiota (Lampsilis) perovalis) T* 

Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Jefferson, 

Lamar, Lawrence, Pickens, Shelby, 

Tuscaloosa, and Winston Counties 

Mucket, pink (pearlymussel) (Lampsilis abrupta) E 

Colbert, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, 

Marshall, Lauderdale, Lawrence, and 

Limestone Counties 

Oyster mussel, (Epioblasma capsaeformis) E* NA ( Tennessee and Cumberland river 

drainages) 

Pearlshell, Alabama (Margaritifera marrianae) C Conecuh and Crenshaw Counties 

Pearlymussel, cracking (Hemistena lata) E Colbert and Lauderdale Counties 

Pearlymussel, dromedary (Dromus dromas) 

probably extirpated, possible reintroduction 

E Colbert and Lauderdale Counties 

Pearlymussel, littlewing (Pegias fabula) 

probably extirpated 

E Lauderdale County 

Pearlymussel, slabside (Lexingtonia dolabelloides) C Colbert, Jackson, Madison, and 

Marshall Counties 

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Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

Federally listed Mussel Species in Alabama 

Federal 

Status* County Occurrence Records 

Pigtoe, dark (Pleurobema furvum) E* Fayette, Lawrence, Tuscaloosa, 

Winston, and Jefferson Counties 

Pigtoe, fine-rayed (Fusconaia cuneolus) E Jackson, Marshall, and Madison 

Counties 

Pigtoe, flat (=Marshall's mussel) (Pleurobema marshalli) 

probably extirpated 

E Greene and Sumter Counties 

Pigtoe, fuzzy (Pleurobema strodeanum) C 

Barbour, Bullock, Coffee, Conecuh, 

Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, and 

Pike Counties 

Pigtoe, oval (Pleurobema pyriforme) E Houston County 

Pigtoe, heavy (=Judge Tait's mussel) (Pleurobema 

taitianum) E 

Baldwin, Clarke, Dallas, Greene, 

Monroe, Sumter, Pickens, and Wilcox 

Counties 

Pigtoe, rough (Pleurobema plenum) E 

Colbert, Lauderdale, Madison, Morgan, 

Marshall, Lawrence, and Limestone 

Counties 

Pigtoe, shiny (Fusconaia cor (=edgariana)) E Jackson, Marshall, and Madison 

Counties 

Pigtoe, southern (Pleurobema georgianum) E* Cleburne County 

Pimpleback, orangefoot (pearlymussel) (Plethobasus 

cooperianus) E Madison and Marshall Counties 

Pink, ring (mussel) (Obovaria retusa) E Colbert and Lauderdale Counties 

Pocketbook, finelined (Hamiota (=Lampsilis) altilis) T* 

Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Elmore, 

Etowah, Macon, Shelby, St. Clair, 

Talladega, Lawrence, Walker, Winston, 

Dekalb, Lee, Dallas, Clay, Bibb, 

Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Fayette, 

Tallapoosa, and Cullman Counties 

Pocketbook, shinyrayed (Hamiota (Lampsilis) 

subangulata) E Russell County 

Purple bankclimber (Plectomerus (=Elliptoideus) 

sloatianus) T NA (Chattahoochee River) 

Sandshell, southern (Lampsilis australis) C Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, 

Geneva, Henry and Pike Counties 

Stirrupshell (Quadrula stapes) 

probably extinct 

E Pickens County 

Wartyback, white (pearlymussel) (Plethobasus 

cicatricosus) E Colbert and Lauderdale Counties 

Note: E=Endangered, C=Candidate, and T=Threatened 

*Denotes species with designated critical habitat in Alabama 

Aquatic Snails 

The following Federally-listed snails utilize many of the same riverine habitats discussed above under 

Mussels and have been affected by many of the same land use practices including impoundments and the 

general deterioration of water quality from siltation and other pollutants contributed by past mining 

3-18 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
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Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective 

activities, poor land-use practices, and waste discharges. Seven of these aquatic snails are endemic to the 

Mobile River Basin, where they inhabit shoals, rapids, and riffles of large streams and rivers above the 

Fall Line. All have disappeared from more than 90 percent of their historic ranges. 

Table 3-3. Federally-listed Aquatic Snail Species in Alabama 

Federally listed Aquatic Snail Species in Alabama 

Federal 

Status County Occurrence Records 

Armored snail (Pyrgulopsis pachyta), Federally-listed as 

endangered E Limestone County 

Cylindrical lioplax (Lioplax cyclostomaformis), Federallylisted as endangered E Bibb and Shelby Counties 

Flat pebblesnail (Lepyrium showalteri) E Bibb and Shelby Counties 

Lacy elimia (Elimia renetella) T Talladega County 

Painted rocksnail (Leptoxis taeniata) T Calhoun, Chilton, Shelby, and 

Talladega Counties 

Plicate rocksnail (Leptoxis plicata) E Blount and Jefferson Counties. 

Round rocksnail (Leptoxis ampla), Federally-listed as 

threatened T Bibb and Shelby Counties 

Slender campeloma (Campeloma decampi) E Limestone County 

Tulotoma snail (Tulotoma magnifica), Federally-listed as 

endangered E Calhoun, Coosa, Elmore, Shelby, St. Clair, and Talladega Counties 

Note: E=Endangered, C=Candidate, and T=Threatened 

Crayfish 

Although there are no Federally-listed crayfish in Alabama, the state is home to 83 species of crayfish, 

more species than any other state. Twenty are listed as critically imperiled (S-1) or imperiled (S-2) by 

ANHP. 

Cave Shrimp 

Alabama Cave Shrimp (Palaemonia alabamae), Federally-listed as 

endangered 

This freshwater shrimp is known from only two caves in Madison County. 

Insects 

Mitchell’s satyr butterfly (Neonympha mitchellii mitchellii), Federally-listed 

as endangered 

There are recent isolated records of this butterfly in calcareous wetlands dominated by sedges and eastern 

redcedar. 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-19 
Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

Plants 

Alabama canebrake pitcher plant (Sarracenia rubra ssp. alabamensi), 

Federally-listed as endangered 

This pitcher plant is found in sand hills, swamps, and sloping bogs along the Fall Line Hills in saturated, 

deep peaty sands or clay soils. This species is now restricted to three counties: Autauga, Chilton, and 

Elmore in Alabama. One of the largest populations is located in the Roberta Case Pine Hills Preserve in 

Autauga County managed by The Nature Conservancy. 

Price’s potato bean (Apios priceana), Federally-listed as threatened 

Price’s potato bean is an herbaceous twining perennial vine typically located under mixed hardwoods or 

in associated forest clearings, often where bluffs or ravine slopes meet creek or river bottoms. Soils are 

generally well-drained and loamy, formed on alluvium or over calcareous boulders. Several populations 

extend onto road or powerline rights-of-way (ROW). Three extant populations are known from Alabama 

in Madison, Autsuga, and Marshall Counties. Two of the populations are located along the floodplain of 

the Alabama River. 

American chaffseed (Schwalbea americana), Federally-listed as 

endangered 

American chaffseed is a perennial member of the figwort family found in acidic, sandy or peaty soils in 

open pine flatwoods, pitch pine lowland forests, seepage bogs, palustrine pine savannahs, and other grassand sedge-dominated plant communities. It frequently grows in ecotonal areas between peaty wetlands 

and xeric sandy soils. In these situations, individuals sometimes extend well into the drier communities, 

but seldom into the areas that support species characteristic of wetter soils. Surrounding plant 

communities are typically species-rich. There are historic records in Baldwin and Geneva Counties in 

Alabama. 

Panhandle lily (Lillium iridollae), a candidate for Federal listing 

In the Gulf Coastal Plain of Florida and Alabama, this species inhabits baygalls, wet flatwoods, seepage 

slopes, and the edges of bottomland forests. It is typically found in sandy peat or loamy soils which are 

saturated for at least part of the year and include soils classified as Bibb-Kinston-Johns complex, 

Dorovan-Pamlico complex, Lynchburg fine sandy loam, and Rutledge loamy sand. The sites are open to 

full sun or filtered light. This species often occurs in the ecotone between the more open pine/wiregrass 

uplands, or along the stream corridor itself. In Alabama there are records from Baldwin, Covington, and 

Escambia Counties. 

Mohr’s Barbara buttons (Marshallia mohrii), Federally-listed as threatened 

This aster is found in moist to wet prairie-like openings in pine woodlands, along shale-bedded streams, 

and in meadows. Other populations are located in swales on roadside ROW and in Ketona dolomite 

glades. It prefers full sunlight or partial shade. The soils are sandy clays, which are alkaline, high in 

organic matter and seasonally wet. Common associates include various grasses, sedges, and prairie 

species. In Alabama, there are records in Bibb, Calhoun, Cherokee, and Walker Counties. 

Tennessee yellow-eyed grass (Xyris tennesseensis), Federally-listed as 

endangered 

Although Xyris species are usually found on acidic soils, X. tennesseensis is restricted to basic or neutral 

soils that thinly cover calcareous substrates with year-round seepage or mineral-rich water flow. This 

species is found in open or thin canopy woods in gravelly seep-slopes or gravelly bars and banks of small 

3-20 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective 

streams, springs, and ditches. In Alabama there are records from Bibb, Calhoun, Franklin, and Shelby 

Counties. 

Georgia rockcress (Arabis georgiana), a candidate for Federal listing 

Typically found in shallow soil accumulations on rocky bluffs, ecotones of gently sloping rock outcrops, 

outcrops along rivers, and sandy loam along eroding riverbanks. It is occasionally found in adjacent mesic 

woods, but it will not persist in heavily shaded conditions. In Alabama, there are records from Bibb, 

Elmore, and Wilcox Counties. 

Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgiana), a candidate for Federal listing 

This aster prefers dry open woods, roadsides, and other openings. In Alabama, there are records in Bibb, 

Blount, Etowah, Shelby, St. Clair, and Tuscaloosa Counties. 

White fringeless orchid (Platanthera integrilabia), a candidate for Federal 

listing 

White fringeless orchid is generally found in wet, flat, boggy areas at the head of streams or seepage 

slopes. The species is often found in acidic muck or sand, and in partially, but not fully shaded areas. In 

Alabama, there are records in Calhoun, Cleburne, Jackson, Marion, Tuscaloosa, and Winston Counties. 

Alabama leather flower (Clematis socialis), Federally-listed as endangered 

The Alabama leather flower is an erect, non-viney perennial herb known from only five sites in northeast 

Alabama and one in northwest Georgia. One population is protected on The Nature Conservancy’s Dry 

Creek Preserve in St. Clair County. Locations are described as having silt and clay of alluvial, grass-sedge 

openings extending into the adjacent hardwood edge. 

Kral’s water plantain (Sagittaria secundifolia), Federally-listed as 

threatened 

Kral’s water plantain typically occurs on frequently exposed shoals or rooted among loose boulders in 

quiet pools up to 3.2 feet or 1 meter in depth. In Alabama, this aquatic perennial is known to occur in only 

12 sites scattered along 25 miles of the Little River drainage system in Dekalb and Cherokee Counties. 

Whorled sunflower (Helianthus verticullatus), a candidate for Federal listing 

The whorled sunflower is restricted to remnant prairie habitat. In Alabama, there are records in Cherokee 

County. 

Leafy prairie-clover (Dalea foliosa), Federally-listed as endangered 

Leafy prairie-clover is a perennial herb found in open, thin-soiled limestone glades and limestone barrens. 

In Alabama there are records in Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, and Morgan Counties. 

Louisiana quillwort (Isoetes louisianensis), Federally-listed as threatened 

Louisiana quillwort appears to be restricted to shallow blackwater streams in riparian woodland and 

bayhead forest areas of pine flatwoods. The plants are found on stable sand and gravel bars, moist 

overflow channels with silty sand substrates, and on low, sloping banks near and below water level. In 

Alabama, there are records from Conecuh and Monroe Counties. 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-21 
Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

Pondberry (Lindera melissifolia), Federally-listed as endangered 

Pondberry habitat is characterized as seasonally flooded wetlands, such as floodplain hardwood forests 

and forested swales, usually in shade, but tolerates full sun. In Alabama, there are 2004 records in 

Covington County. 

Harperella (Ptillimnium nodosum), Federally-listed as endangered 

Harperella is an annual that typically occurs in two habitat types: rocky or gravelly shoals of clear, swiftflowing streams, usually in microsites that are sheltered from rapidly moving water; and the edges of 

intermittent pineland ponds or low, wet savannah meadows on the Coastal Plain. In Alabama, there are 

records from Cherokee and Dekalb Counties. On non-USFS FMO, there are 642 acres of potential habitat 

within 200 meters of known occurrences. 

Lyrate bladder-pod (Lesquerella lyrata), Federally-listed as threatened 

Lyrate bladder-pod is found in red soils, limestone outcroppings, disturbed cedar glades and glade-like 

areas, including open pastures, cultivated fields, and roadsides in calcareous areas. In Alabama, there are 

records in Colbert, Franklin, and, Lawrence Counties. 

Gentian pinkroot (Spigelia gentianoides var. entianoides), Federally-listed 

as endangered 

Gentian pinkroot is a herbaceous perennial found in sandy or dry-mesic pine-oak woods or in longleaf 

pine-oak woods with a sparse herbaceous element, including wiregrass (Aristida stricta). It is known only 

from Bibb County. 

Relict trillium (Trillium reliquum), Federally-listed as endangered 

Relict trillium is a species of mesic hardwood forests. The forests can be on slopes of various aspects and 

inclinations or on bottomlands and floodplains. Soils and subsoils range from rocky clays to alluvial 

sands; all soils have high organic matter content in the top level. In Alabama, there are records from 

Bullock, Henry, and Lee Counties. 

Morefield’s leather-flower (Clematis morefieldii), Federally-listed as 

endangered 

Morefield's leather flower is a perennial vine found in basic clay-loam soils in rocky limestone woods on 

the south and southwest facing slopes of mountains. It is currently known from only five locations in 

Madison County. 

American hart’s-tongue fern (Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana), 

Federally-listed as threatened 

This species is typically found in areas with shady, moist areas and in dolomitic limestone. The two 

populations known in Alabama are associated with caves. One population occurs in a Jackson County 

sinkhole on lands managed as a NWR. The other population is in Morgan County, in the privately owned 

pit entrance to a limestone cave. 

Fleshyfruit gladecress (Leavenworthia crassa), candidate for Federal listing 

The fleshyfruit gladcress occurs in limestone cedar glades, as well as disturbed roadsides, pastures, 

cultivated fields, and old fields. In Alabama, there are records from Lauderdale, Lawrence, and Morgan 

Counties. 

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Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective 

Green pitcher plant (Sarracenia oreophila), candidate for Federal listing 

Green pitcher plants are found in seepage bogs, sandstone streambanks, and mixed oak or pine flatwoods, 

where soils are sandy and highly acidic. In Alabama, records are from the northeastern counties of 

Jackson, Marshall, Dekalb, Cherokee, and Etowah Counties. There are confirmed records of green pitcher 

plant on 635 acres of non-USFS FMO in Cherokee, DeKalb, and Etowah Counties and an additional 646 

acres of non-USFS FMO within 200 meters of known occurrences. 

3.2.7 Wildland Fire Ecology and Management 

There are two wildfire seasons each year in southeastern States. The first wildfire season usually begins in 

late October with the first frost and hardwood leaf drop and runs through December. The second wildfire 

season usually begins in February and runs to mid-April or until spring green-up. These seasons vary 

from year to year, depending on rainfall, wind, and other weather factors. Wildfires in the South are 

normally not as large as those that occur in the West because of aggressive initial fire control. However, 

wildfires in the South cause extensive damage and can be an avenue for decay in individual trees, 

weakening them and making them susceptible to insect disease and infestation (Southern Group of State 

Foresters 2004). 

Alabama’s forests and associated species are adapted to regular wildland fire. However, changing land 

use practices, urban sprawl, land fragmentation, natural disasters such as hurricanes, increasing land 

values, population increases, and the transition from urban to rural populations results in a build up of 

fuels and a need to increase fuels management and wildland fire activities (Southern Group of State 

Foresters 2004). Through the course of an average year in Alabama, there are 4,000 individual wildland 

fires that burn 40,000 acres (Southern Group of State Foresters 2004). The average wildfire size is 

approximately 12 acres per fire (AFC 2004). Escaped fires from debris burning and arson are major 

causes of wildland fire, though lightening accounts for approximately 7 percent of wildfires (Southern 

Group of State Foresters 2004). “Each year Alabama wildfires damage or destroy 46 homes, 114 

structures, and 1,100 vehicles” (Southern Group of State Foresters 2004). A rapidly expanding population 

has led to large and expanding areas of wildland-urban interface (WUI) across the State, with an 

estimated 1,350 WUI communities with potential wildland fire damage risk (Southern Group of State 

Foresters 2004). 

The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) is responsible for suppression of all wildland fires in the State, 

except on lands under Federal ownership (Southern Group of State Foresters 2004). This includes 

suppression of wildland fires on nearly 28 million of the 32 million acres in Alabama and 23 million acres 

of forestland. These suppression activities apply to State and private forested acres plus other vegetated 

areas, such as farms and pastures. On Federally managed lands (5% of the forestland base), the AFC has 

mutual aid agreements to support Federal wildland fire suppression efforts. 

Since forestlands and species in Alabama are adapted to regular disturbance by wildland fires to maintain 

forest health, but suppression activities limit the role of natural wildland fires, managed fuel treatments 

are needed to maintain forest health. Table 3-4 shows the fuels treatments completed in Alabama by 

Department of the Interior agencies and USFS. The BLM did not conduct any fuels treatments in 

Alabama over these four years. Over 98 percent of these treatments were completed by the USFS using 

prescribed fires approximately 90 percent of the time. Over 97 percent of Federal fuels treatments were 

applied in WUI areas. 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-23 
Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

Table 3-4. DOI and USDA Fuels Treatment Accomplishments for Alabama (Acres) 

Year Wildland-Urban Interface 

Fire Mechanical Total Fire 

Other 

Mechanical Total 

Total 

2006 69,112 3,602 72,714 3,529 5,190 8,719 81,433 

2005 84,804 12,313 97,117 157 282 439 97,556 

2004 82,391 6,336 88,727 0 0 0 88,727 

2003 76,884 16 76,900 0 0 0 76,900 

Source: http://www.fireplan.gov/overview/States/al.html, accessed March 2, 2007 

Fuels treatments, including prescribed fire, are also implemented by the AFC on the private and Stateowned forests. In addition, the AFC provides training and permitting to ensure that fuels treatments in 

these areas, and prescribed fire in particular, are completed in a manner that protects firefighter and public 

safety, as well as capital improvements and natural resources. 

3.2.8 Cultural Resources 

The Alabama surface and non-USFS FMO tracts have not been fully surveyed for cultural resources. 

Surveys that have been conducted are usually initiated by project proponents on a project-specific basis, 

such as for oil and gas, coal mining, transportation, or water projects, to comply with the requirements of 

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), outlined in 36 Code of Federal 

Regulations (CFR) Part 800. Section 106 requires Federal agencies to identify prehistoric and historic 

properties potentially affected by an undertaking; assess the effects of the undertaking; consult with 

appropriate entities; and seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects to the property. 

A cultural resources literature and records search was conducted for BLM surface and non-USFS FMO 

tracts in the State of Alabama. The results of the research are presented in an overview (Panamerican 

Consultants, Inc. 2005a) on file at the BLM office in Jackson. The following cultural resource 

information was taken from Panamerican Consultants, Inc. (2005a), unless otherwise noted. 

Prehistory 

A variety of cultural resource site types attributed to a range of culturally distinct chronological periods 

ranging from more than 10,000 years ago to the present day has been recorded in the southeastern United 

States. The cultural time periods represented include Paleoindian, Archaic, Gulf Formational, Woodland, 

Mississippian, and Protohistoric. Descriptions of the prehistoric periods and general types of cultural 

materials associated with each one are provided in Table 3-5 below. Cultural resources from any of these 

time periods may be present on BLM-administered surface and non-USFS FMO tracts. 

Table 3-5. Prehistoric Periods Present in Southeastern United States 

Cultural Time 

Period (Years Before 

Time Frame 

Present [B.P.]) 

Characteristics 

PALEOINDIAN 12,500 – 10,000 Specialized nomadic hunters of now-extinct megafauna. 

Early Paleoindian 12,500 – 10,900 Fluted lanceolate points resembling western Clovis forms. 

3-24 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective 

Cultural Time 

Period (Years Before 

Time Frame 

Present [B.P.]) 

Characteristics 

Middle Paleoindian 10,900 – 10,500 

Fluted and unfluted points with broad blades and 

constricted hafts, such as Cumberland, Suwannee, 

Simpson, Quad, and Beaver Lake. 

Late Paleoindian 10,500 – 10,000 Resharpened lanceolate corner- and side-notched forms, 

such as Dalton, San Patrice, and Bolen. 

ARCHAIC 10,000 – 3,000 

Marked by a shift in lifeways indicated by development of a 

more complex material culture, nomadism giving way to 

more sedentism, localized habitat exploitation, and 

dramatic population increase. Many tool forms appeared 

for the first time during this stage. 

Early Archaic 10,000 – 8,000 

A directional shift from highly curated tool forms associated 

with Paleoindian sites to highly expedient forms linked to 

Early Archaic corner-notched assemblages. An increase in 

residential mobility, as indicated by greater numbers of 

expedient tools in Early Archaic assemblages. 

Middle Archaic 8,000 – 5,000 Demarcated by the appearance of stemmed bifaces. 

Late Archaic 5,000 – 3,050 

Increased sedentism and a practice of a dichotomous 

pattern of resource exploitation that shifted between 

riverine and uplands locations. 

GULF FORMATIONAL 4,000 – 1,850 

Primarily recognized as an intermediate stage of social and 

economic change. The rise and development of baked clay 

ceramic technology during which Archaic peoples learned 

the manufacture of stone and ceramic vessels. 

Middle Gulf 

Formational 3,200 – 2,500 Characterized by fiber-tempered plain and punctate wares. 

Late Gulf Formational 2,500 – 2,100 Represented by disappearance of fiber-tempered ceramics 

and the rise of more decorative ceramic series. 

WOODLAND 2,600 – 850 

Marked by the advent of cord-marked, fabric-impressed, 

and stamped pottery, construction of burial mounds, and 

increased reliance on domesticated cultigens. The bow 

and arrow was introduced. 

Early Woodland 2,950 – 2,050 

Three phases including the Kellog phase (sand-tempering 

fabric-impressed pottery types), Dry Branch phase (sandtempered incised, punctated, and pinch pottery types), and 

Cedar Bluff phase (limestone-tempered fabric-impressed 

pottery). 

Middle Woodland 2,150 – 1,550 

Diversity in style and manufacture of pottery increased 

markedly. There was also an increase in burial mound 

construction, shared artifacts, and iconography, suggesting 

that a wide trade interaction continued across the United 

States. 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-25 
Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

Cultural Time 

Period (Years Before 

Time Frame 

Present [B.P.]) 

Characteristics 

Late Woodland 1,550 – 950 

A period of cultural decline related to turmoil across much 

of the East; however, this was not the case in every region 

of the Southeast. Some diffusion of exotic and decorative 

motifs on pottery, and mound construction continued to 

play a crucial role in some regions of the eastern United 

States. Population growth exploded early in this period; 

consequently, small communities and households were 

widely scattered across the landscape. The increase in 

population stress, particularly over food resources, and 

increased use of the bow and arrow heightened warfare. 

MISSISSIPPIAN 1,050 – 450 

Complex sociopolitical organizations (chiefdoms) marked 

by the development of institutional inequality. Large 

fortified settlements and civic-ceremonial centers 

distinguished by elaborate temple mounds were 

widespread phenomena during the Mississippian period. 

Early Mississippian 1,050 – 750 A very complex society and diversity varied greatly 

throughout the Southeast. 

Mature Mississippian 750 – 450 A very complex society and diversity varied greatly 

throughout the Southeast. 

PROTOHISTORIC 400 – 235 

Defined in the southeastern United States as the era of 

transition from occupation of the region by preliterate 

societies to occupation by literate societies. Widespread 

destruction of Indian villages and fields and introduction of 

previously absent Euro-Asian diseases caused massive 

demographic upheaval. Trade and political networks were 

altered or broken down, and whole populations relocated 

or were devastated by illness. 

Source: Panamerican Consultants, Inc. 2005a, 2005b. 

History 

A wealth of Alabama history is associated with American Indian inhabitants, European exploration, 

multiple battles, and the evolution of southern culture. The events discussed below provide the context 

and relative importance of the cultural site types that may be encountered on BLM-administered surface 

and non-USFS FMO tracts. 

From the 16th to the 19th century, Spain, France, and England fought for domination and possession of 

the territories and resources in the southeastern United States. Led by Hernando De Soto, Spanish 

explorers in search of gold were the first Europeans to reach this territory in 1539. During the Pontotoc 

Battle of 1541, many members of De Soto’s expedition were killed in an attack by the Chickasaw Indians. 

An initial settlement in the Mobile Bay area by Spanish colonists from Mexico was abandoned in 1559, 

and Spain made no further effort to settle the area. The French were the first to successfully colonize 

Alabama. Early settlements were fortified trading posts along major rivers. French influence waned as the 

American Indians began to favor British traders from the Carolinas and Georgia. Great Britain and France 

fought a series of wars, climaxing with the French and Indian War (1754 – 1763). By the terms of the 

treaty ending the war, France ceded its North American lands to England. Britain created Reservation 

Lands for the American Indians in portions of the southeastern States. 

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Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective 

American Indians had low immunity to new diseases brought by Europeans. By the 18th century, their 

numbers had been reduced and many tribes approached extinction (Dobyns 1983; Milner 1980; 

Ramenofsky 1987). Most of the survivors in present-day Alabama were members of four major Indian 

nations—the Creek, the Cherokee, the Chickasaw, and the Choctaw. The Cherokee Indians inhabited the 

northeastern corner, and the Chickasaw Indians claimed the northwestern corner of the State. The 

Choctaw Indians lived in the west-central portion, and the Creek Indians occupied the east-central and 

southern portions of the State. 

In the language of the local Creek Indians, the word Alabama means “tribal town.” The American 

Revolution (1775 – 1783) had a profound effect on Alabama and American Indians, as did the Louisiana 

Purchase, the War of 1812, and Creek War. Until 1817, Alabama was a part of the Mississippi Territory, 

but in 1819, it became the 22nd State to enter the Union. From 1829 – 1837, the remaining Indian nations 

were forced to give up their lands and were moved west of the Mississippi. From the early 19th century, 

Alabama’s economy was dominated by cotton. The highly productive regions of the State, namely the 

Black Belt region and the Tennessee Valley, soon brought a shift from independent, small farms to large 

plantations. Slavery was vital to the growth and production of cotton and became a contentious issue in 

Alabama and the other States. The pro-slavery States began to move toward secession from the Union, 

and in 1861, Alabama also voted to secede (Butterworth 1959). The people of Alabama played a major 

role in the Civil War; multiple battles were fought on State soil; and Montgomery was the first capital of 

the Confederacy, which was later moved to Virginia. In 1865, the Civil War ended and slaves were 

emancipated. Sharecropping and tenant farming became the common mode of farming. 

In the late 1870s, railroads were built and cities that focused on the steel and iron industry emerged in 

north and north-central Alabama. Boll weevil damage to cotton crops in 1915 and exorbitant shipping 

charges caused farmers to concentrate on raising livestock and crops other than cotton. Coal mining also 

increased and brought new industry and economic opportunities to relatively poor regions of the State. In 

the 1930s, low-cost power provided by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) encouraged industrial 

development and provided some rural residents with electricity for the first time. Alabama industry and 

farming further prospered under the demands of World War II (Rogers 1994). Alabama retained 

segregation as a policy until the civil rights movement from the 1950s through 1960s. Many of the major 

events and court cases that defined the modern civil rights movement in the United States took place in 

Alabama, including equal access for black americans to public and private transportation, schools, voting 

booths, economic opportunities, and housing. Manufacturing remained the dominant economic sector 

through the 1990s. Alabama’s gross product also received significant contributions from the government 

and service sectors. 

Cultural Resource Sites 

Prehistoric or historic cultural resource sites, structures, or objects listed on or eligible for listing on the 

National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) are protected and managed as directed by 36 CFR 800. A 

resource is considered eligible for listing in NRHP if it is at least 50 years old, unless of exceptional 

historical significance; retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and 

association; and has one or more of the following characteristics: 

• Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history 

• Associated with the lives of persons significant in its past 

• Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction 

• Represents the work of a master, has high artistic values, or represents a significant and 

distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction 

• Yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history (36 CFR 60.4). 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-27 
Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

Cultural resources found ineligible for the NRHP require no further archaeological work and are not 

protected by law. Sites identified as undetermined or unknown need additional work to determine the 

site’s eligibility. 

Under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA; 16 United States Code [USC] Section 

470hh), the nature and location of any archaeological resource cannot be disclosed to the public unless the 

Federal land manager determines that such disclosure would provide further protection and there is no 

risk of harm to the site. To adequately address the existing condition of these resources while protecting 

their importance, only the general types of resources are discussed herein. 

Records were searched for 2,847 non-USFS FMO tracts in Alabama. The records revealed 1,348 cultural 

sites within the BLM-administered non-USFS FMO tracts, of which 315 were considered eligible for 

NRHP. Components of these sites ranged from Paleoindian to 20th-century historic. Most of the tracts 

have never been surveyed. There is a high potential for finding additional archaeological sites. 

Records were searched for scattered BLM surface tracts in Alabama. None of the BLM surface tracts 

contain previously recorded NRHP properties. Thirteen sites were recorded within one-half mile of the 

BLM surface tracts and could provide information on the potential for occurrence sites on adjacent BLM 

surface tracts; however, these sites are not and will not be affected by BLM activities and management. 

Identified cultural sites are summarized in Table 3-6. 

Table 3-6. Cultural Sites on BLM Surface and non-USFS FMO Tracts in Alabama 

NRHP Status 

Tract Type Total Sites Potentially Eligible/ 

Eligible Ineligible Undetermined/ Unknown 

Non-USFS FMO 

Tracts 1,348 315 669 364 

Surface Tracts1 0 0 0 0 

Areas Adjacent to 

Surface Tracts2 13 0 13 0 

1 Sites located on surface, belong to surface owner.

2 Reflects sites within one-half mile of the surface tract boundaries. 

3.2.9 Visual Resources 

Visual resources consist of the natural and manmade features that contribute to a particular environment’s 

aesthetics. These features may be natural (e.g., canyon views) or manmade (e.g., city skyline). Together, 

they form the overall impression of an area referred to as the landscape character. Visual resources also 

have a social setting, which includes public values, awareness, and concern about visual quality. Visual 

Resource Management (VRM) classifications are established for public lands so that visual resource 

values can be maintained through informed management decisions. 

The visual resource inventory process contained in BLM Handbook H-8410-1 provides BLM managers 

guidance for determining visual values. The inventory consists of scenic quality evaluation, sensitivitylevel analysis, and delineation of distance zones. Based on these three factors, BLM-administered lands 

are placed into one of four visual resource inventory classes. These inventory classes represent the 

relative value of the visual resource: Classes I and II are the most valued, Class III represents a moderate 

value, and Class IV has the least value. Management objectives have been assigned to each class. An area 

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Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective 

may be inventoried as VRM Class III, but a decision may be made to manage it as VRM Class IV, or vice 

versa. Cultural modifications may detract from the scenery, complement it, or improve the overall scenic 

quality of an area. Cultural modifications in landform/water and vegetation values and addition of 

structures will be considered in examining proposed resource management actions. 

The following VRM Class objectives from BLM Handbook H-8410-1 have been amended for the purpose 

of developing and implementing this resource management plan (RMP). Amendments incorporate the 

visual resource values provided by existing cultural features that are significant to the character of the 

landscape in Alabama and Mississippi. 

• VRM Class I Objective: The objective of this class is to preserve the existing natural and 

cultural character of the landscape. This class provides for natural ecological changes; however, it 

does not preclude very limited management activity. The level of change to the characteristic 

landscape should be very low and must not detract from the existing landscape character. 

• VRM Class II Objective: The objective of this class is to retain the existing natural and cultural 

character of the landscape. The level of change to the characteristic should be low. Management 

activities may be visible but should not attract the attention of the casual observer. Any changes 

must repeat the basic elements of form, line, color, and texture found in the predominant natural 

and/or cultural features of the characteristic landscape. 

• VRM Class III Objective: The objective of this class is to partially retain the existing natural 

and cultural character of the landscape. The level of change to the characteristic landscape should 

be moderate. Management activities may be visible but should not dominate the view of the 

casual observer. Changes should blend with the natural environment. 

• VRM Class IV Objective: The objective of this class is to provide for management activities 

that require significant modification of the existing landscape or the existing character of the 

natural and cultural landscape. The level of change to the characteristic landscape can be high. 

These management activities may dominate the view and be the major focus of the casual 

observer’s attention; however, every attempt should be made to minimize the impact of these 

activities through selective location, minimal disturbance, and repetition of basic elements. 

3.2.10 Minerals 

There are 313,819 acres of non-USFS FMO in Alabama that underlie various surface ownership. Surface 

owners include BLM, the Department of Defense (DoD), USFWS, National Park Service (NPS), and 

other Federal agencies. Table 3-7 shows BLM-administered FMO by surface ownership in Alabama. 

Table 3-7. BLM-administered Federal Mineral Ownership by Surface Ownership in 

Alabama 

Surface Owners Federal Mineral Ownership (Acres) 

BLM 159 

DoD 1,495 

NPS 3,300 

USFWS 3,384 

Other Federal Agencies 2,041 

Non-Federal surface 303,440 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-29 
Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

Surface Owners Federal Mineral Ownership (Acres) 

TOTAL non-USFS FMO 313,819 

USFS 585,394 

TOTAL FMO (included USFS FMO) 899,213 

Minerals—Oil and Gas 

Oil and gas exploration began in Alabama in 1884 with the drilling of the Trowbridge #1 well near 

Bladen Springs in Choctaw County. This first well was a dry hole with a depth of 1,345 feet. Eighteen 

years later (1902), the New York–Alabama Oil Company discovered the Huntsville Gas Field, which 

started the commercial extraction of oil and gas in the southeastern States. As of April 2005, there were 

31 active oil and gas wells on BLM-administered non-USFS FMO according to data from the Automated 

Fluid Mineral Management System. 

According to available data from the Alabama Oil and Gas Board on Alabama oil and gas production 

from 1992 to 2002, oil production steadily decreased from 19,328,444 barrels to 8,631,227 barrels. 

During the same period, gas production increased from 336,129,406 thousand cubic feet (mcf) in 1992 to 

388,631,710 mcf in 2002. Gas production peaked in 1995 at 438,838,497 mcf. As of April 2005, 136 

Federal leases are authorized in Alabama. There area 30 existing leases on non-USFS FMO and 106 

existing leases on USFS FMO. 

Map 3-2 shows counties in Alabama with historical oil and gas production. Reasonable foreseeable 

development is anticipated in the areas of historical oil and gas production (BLM 2004). The areas of 

historical production are the Warrior Basin and the southern Alabama Basin. BLM projects that 20 wells 

accessing non-USFS FMO in Alabama would be drilled over the next 20 years (BLM 2004). 

3-30 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-31 
Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

Warrior Basin1 

The roughly triangle-shaped Warrior Basin covers approximately 35,000 square miles in parts of 

Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The northern boundary of the Warrior Basin is 

formed by the Ozark Uplift to the northwest and the Nashville Dome to the northeast. To the east and 

southeast, the basin is bound by the Appalachian system, and the Ouachita Fold and thrust belt bound the 

basin on the west and southwest. 

Most of the oil and gas production is from the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian strata. The basin has a 

variety of trapping mechanisms with possibilities for multiple pay zones, which has led to a success rate 

of more than 50 percent. The Carter Sandstone of the Parkwood Formation is the most prolific oil- and 

gas-producing reservoir; however, a considerable amount of petroleum is produced from the Chandler and 

Nason Sandstones of the Pottsville Formation. 

The major targets for coalbed natural gas production are the major coal groups in the Warrior Coal Field. 

These groups are the Black Creek, Mary Lee, and Pratt coal groups. However, all the coals can be 

potential sources of coalbed natural gas (BLM 2004). Most of the coalbed natural gas wells in this area 

are producing from coals between 15 to 25 feet thick and at depths between 500 and 3,000 feet. The 

median product per well is 82 mcf per day. 

Southern Alabama Basin 

These lands are in an area dominated by the Gulf Coast geosyncline. This large basin was formed in the 

Jurassic period with a southward downwarping. The basin has accumulated sedimentary deposits as much 

as 30,000 feet thick. Zones of faults parallel the basin hinge line and can trap hydrocarbons (Murray 

1964). Other structural features, such as small basement highs, also trap hydrocarbons. 

The deposits in the major geologic units of southern Alabama mainly consist of alternating layers of sand 

and clay, with occasional beds of carbonates and anhydrite. Permeable horizons exist in all formations, 

and oil and gas are produced from each horizon in the region, with the Haynesville, Smackover, and 

Norphlet Formations having more importance (Cate 1982; Poe 1979; May 1974; Moore 1971; Dinkins 

1968). 

Leasable Minerals—Coal 

There are three major coal fields in Alabama—the Coosa Coal Field, Cahaba Coal Field, and Warrior 

Coal Field. Farthest to the southeast, the Coosa Coal Field covers approximately 134,400 acres in 

Jefferson, Shelby, and St. Clair Counties in an elongated syncline along the trend of the Appalachian 

Mountains. Southwest of the Coosa Field and separated by the Cahaba Valley, the Cahaba Field includes 

approximately 230,400 acres of Bibb, Shelby, St. Clair, and Jefferson Counties. The largest of the three 

coal fields in Alabama, the Warrior Coal Field, includes approximately 2,324,470 acres in Walker, 

Fayette, Jefferson, and Tuscaloosa counties. 

Consideration of Alabama coal leasing in this RMP is limited to the Warrior Coal Field. Coal leasing 

potential within the planning area is limited to the Warrior Basin in Alabama because of the distinctive 

presence of the appropriate geological conditions (e.g., continuity of coal beds, thickness of coal, quality 

of coal seams) and existing infrastructure (e.g., existing subsurface mining operations and access roads) 

for development of coal resources. Non-USFS FMO available for coal leasing is located in Walker, 

Fayette, Jefferson, and Tuscaloosa counties. 

1 The term Warrior Basin is a geologic province. The Black Warrior Basin is the drainage area of the Black Warrior River. 

3-32 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective 

Within the Warrior Coal Field, BLM retains 70,610 acres of coal mineral rights, 45,950 acres of which 

have been identified as high potential for development in the reasonably foreseeable development 

scenario (RFDS). It is anticipated 9,000 acres of new Federal coal leases and 18.8 million tons of Federal 

coal would be produced (an average of 1.9 million tons per year) as part of existing underground mines 

with no new surface disturbance. This field includes two regions, the Plateau coal region and Warrior coal 

basin (Map 3-3). The Plateau coal region is composed of several coal-bearing areas in the upland regions 

of northeastern Alabama. Federal coal ownership in the Plateau coal region is limited to the Talladega 

National Forest. The Plateau coal region is the largest of the Alabama coal fields covering an area greater 

than all the other coal fields combined (2,880,0000 acres). The Warrior Basin is the most productive and 

covers 2,240,000 acres in Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, Lamar, Marion, Winston, Fayette, Cullman, Blount, and 

Walker Counties. These coalbeds in the Plateau coal region and the Warrior coal basin are the major 

targets for the recovery of coalbed natural gas in the area, but all the coals can be sources of potential 

coalbed natural gas reserves (BLM 2004). There is no BLM-administered surface in the Warrior coal 

basin. The Warrior coal basin contains more than 20 coalbeds, some of which are known to extend into 

the BLM-administered non-USFS FMO of Mississippi. Most coal in the Warrior Basin is high-volatile 

“A” bituminous. Coal thickness generally varies from a few inches to about 75 inches with ash content 

ranging between 3 and 15 percent, and the sulfur from 1.1 to 3 percent. The thickest and most 

economically valuable coals within the Warrior coal basin are located in Tuscaloosa, Walker, Fayette, and 

Jefferson Counties. Coal is also present to a lesser degree in Marion and Winston Counties, but the 

development of Federal coal in these counties is unlikely. However, because of the depth of the mines and 

the availability of other easily obtainable resources such as oil and gas, much of the coal resources within 

the Warrior Coal Field have yet to be developed (Tew and Mancini 1986). On the basis of current 

information on and availability of other fuel resources, coal development will likely continue at the 

current rate. 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-33 
Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

3-34 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective 

3.2.11 Recreation and Travel Management 

Recreation encompasses various human activities that affect and are affected by resources and other 

resource uses. Dispersed recreation is characterized by unstructured activities that are not confined to 

specific locations (such as developed recreation sites). Dispersed recreation can involve various activities, 

which on the Alabama surface tracts can include the following: 

• Saltwater beach activities 

• Hunting 

• Fishing 

• Bicycle riding 

• Horseback riding 

• Nature study 

• Boating 

• Picnicking 

• Freshwater swimming 

• Hiking 

• Rock climbing 

The BLM-administered non-USFS FMO includes the mineral estate where the surface is managed by 

another Federal surface management agency. These properties and installations managed by other Federal 

agencies as well as non-Federal agencies such as private, State, or county are summarized in Table 3-8 

and shown on Map 1-1 and Map 1-2. 

For those tracts where the surface is managed by other surface management agencies and where public 

access for recreation and oil and gas leasing are permitted, recreation experiences and resulting benefits 

could be affected by BLM-allowable uses and management actions proposed in this RMP. Information on 

public recreation and minerals leasing on other Federal surface management agencies is shown in Table 

3-8. 

Table 3-8. BLM-administered non-USFS Federal Mineral Ownership1 by Surface 

Management Agency in Alabama 

Surface 

Management 

Agency 

Installations/Areas 

Public Access 

for Recreation 

(Yes/No)2 

Mineral Leasing 

(Open/Closed)

2 

Bon Secour NWR Yes Closed 

USFWS 

Wheeler NWR Yes Closed 

Barin Field (Navy) ND Open 

Summerdale Outlying Landing Field (Navy) ND Open 

Silverhill Outlying Landing Field (Navy) ND Open 

Fort Rucker Military Reservation (Army) Yes Open 

Fort McClellan Military Reservation (Army, 

Closed) Yes Open 

Anniston Army Depot (Army) No Open 

Redstone Arsenal (Army) No Open 

DoD 

Lake Tholocco (Army Corps of Engineers) Yes Open 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-35 
Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

Management 

Surface 

Agency 

Installations/Areas for Recreation 

Public Access 

(Yes/No)2 

Mineral Leasing 

(Open/Closed)

2 

Coffeeville Lake (Army Corps of Engineers) Yes Open 

William Dannelly Reservoir (Army Corps of 

Engineers) Yes Open 

Maxwell Air Force Base (Air Force) No Closed 

NPS Little River Canyon Preserve Yes Closed 

Other Areas Managed by Other Federal Agencies No Varies 

ND means no information was available from the surface managing agency.

1 Does not reflect BLM FMO for BLM surface tracts (159 acres). 

2 Closed means closed to new leases. Existing leases could be present on areas currently closed. 

BLM administration of travel resources in Alabama is limited to access routes and associated 

access/maintenance routes for ROW such as transmission lines. Public travel routes are administered and 

maintained by other Federal, State, and local agencies. Some surface tracts are adjacent to these travel 

routes. Information on tract-specific travel resources are contained in Section 3.3. 

3.2.12 Lands and Realty 

The goals of the lands and realty program are to manage the public lands to support the goals and 

objectives of other resource programs, provide for uses of public lands in accordance with regulations and 

compatibility with other resources, and improve management of the public lands through land tenure 

adjustments. The lands and realty program is a support program to all other resources to help ensure that 

BLM-administered lands are managed to benefit the public. Current conditions of lands and realty on the 

BLM-administered surface tracts is discussed in Section 3.3. 

3.2.13 Social and Economic 

The affected environment in Alabama centers on the counties in the coal region where energy minerals 

development could occur. Over the last 10 to 20 years, oil and gas development has occurred primarily in 

the counties with high potential for coal (BLM 2004). Therefore, the socioeconomic description is limited 

to the counties with high potential for coal: Tuscaloosa, Walker, Fayette, and Jefferson Counties. 

Demographic, economic, and service data were collected from the U. S. Census, Bureau of Economic 

Analysis (BEA), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) from 1990 to 2002. 

Economic Characteristics 

Household and Personal Income 

Median household income information for the four-county study area was obtained from the U. S. Census 

Bureau. In 2003, Jefferson County’s median household income of $38,558 is slightly higher than the 

median household income estimated for Alabama, which is $36,131. The median household incomes for 

Fayette, Walker and Tuscaloosa Counties ($30,133, $31,201, and $35,192 respectively) are slightly lower 

than Jefferson County and the State in 2003. 

Information on per capita income was obtained from BEA. Jefferson and Tuscaloosa Counties reported 

higher per capita incomes ($36,041 and $28,833, respectively) than Walker and Fayette Counties 

3-36 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective 

($24,734 and $22,073, respectively) for 2004. Jefferson and Tuscaloosa Counties’ per capita incomes are 

higher than those of the State ($27,695) for 2004. Trend information on per capita income was also 

obtained from BEA and adjusted for inflation (Figure G-5). Jefferson County’s per capita income 

averaged $33,065 over the 15-year period and has been consistently higher than the State average 

($26,594). Over this same time period, the average per capita income for Tuscaloosa County ($27,136) 

has been similar to the State average, while Walker and Fayette Counties have had lower average per 

capita income ($24,221 and $21,902, respectively) than the State average. 

Employment and Compensation 

Information on employment by industry for the study area was obtained from BEA and U. S. Census 

County Business Patterns.2 There were 610,890 estimated jobs in the study area in 2004, which represent 

24.9 percent of the Alabama labor force. The 610,890 jobs were distributed among the industries shown 

in Figure G-7. Government and government enterprises (15.1 percent) composed the largest percentage of 

jobs. Retail trade (12.0 percent), health care (9.7 percent), and manufacturing (7.5 percent) were the next 

largest employers. 

Unemployment trends information for the non-USFS FMO study area and the State of Alabama was 

obtained from BLS and are summarized in Figure G-4. The unemployment rates in Tuscaloosa and 

Jefferson Counties have remained below the State unemployment rate from 1990 to 2005. Walker and 

Fayette Counties unemployment rates were generally higher than the State’s rate for the same time period. 

Overall, the unemployment trends of the four counties generally mirror the trend of the State, although 

Fayette County unemployment trends have greater magnitude in their movements. 

In the four county study area, BLM administers the leasing of coal resources, allowing for the production 

of 1.9 millions tons of coal per year from these BLM minerals. In Alabama, mining (non oil and gas) 

accounts for approximately 6,773 employees and employee compensation of $482,361,000 (BEA, 2005). 

Currently coal produced from BLM-administered minerals accounts for approximately 10 percent of the 

total amount of coal produced in the State, 19.5 million tons of coal (Energy Information Agency, 1999). 

If 10 percent of this employment and employee compensation can be attributed to BLM-administered 

minerals, this activity provides for 677 employees in mining, with total mining employee compensation 

of $48,236,100. The average annual employee compensation for these workers is $71,218, compared with 

average annual compensation from all industries in the State of $34,877 (BEA, 2005). Mining in the fourcounty study area likely provides fiscal revenues to local and state governments, supporting community 

and emergency services, schools and infrastructure. 

Oil and gas also provides employment and income within the four study county area. However, over the 

past 20 years, BLM has permitted 17 wells of a total of 8,068 wells permitted within the state. Therefore, 

although these BLM-administered oil and gas resources do contribute to employment and earnings in this 

area, it is a fairly small amount. 

Social Characteristics 

Demographics 

Population trend data were obtained from BEA. Data for the non-USFS FMO study area between 1990 

and 2004 are summarized in Figure G-1 (Appendix G). Total population in the combined study area in 

2004 was 913,707 and comprised 20.2 percent of the population of Alabama. Jefferson County’s 

2 U. S. Census County Business Patterns data was used to estimate employment by industry data that were not disclosed by the 

BEA. 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-37 
Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

population was the largest in 2004 with 658,468 residents. For the same year, Tuscaloosa County 

(167,178), Walker County (69,876), and Fayette County (18,185) populations were considerably smaller. 

All four counties experienced small population growth over the 15-year period. The total population in 

the combined study area increased by 2.8 percent from 888,982 in 1990 to 913,707 in 2002. The median 

age of the combined study area population in 2000 was estimated to be 35.6—slightly lower than the 

State median of 35.8 (U. S. Census 2000). 

Housing 

The average number of people per household in Walker County (2.46), Jefferson County (2.45), Fayette 

County (2.42), and Tuscaloosa County (2.42) are similar. The average number of people per family in 

Jefferson County (3.04), Tuscaloosa County (3.00), Walker County (2.93), and Fayette County (2.92) are 

also similar (BEA 2000). In the study area, 91 percent of the 363,639 housing units were occupied in 

2000. Homeowners occupied 67 percent of the total housing units. 

All four counties in the study area have low homeowner vacancy rates—1.9 percent in Jefferson County, 

1.8 percent in Walker County, and 1.7 percent in Fayette and Tuscaloosa Counties. Rental vacancy rates 

are somewhat higher—14.1 percent in Walker County, 12.3 percent in Tuscaloosa County, 11.1 percent 

in Fayette County, and 10.2 percent in Jefferson County (U. S. Census 2000). The median value of 

owner-occupied housing units for Tuscaloosa and Jefferson counties ($106,600 and $90,700, 

respectively) were higher than the State median ($85,100). Walker and Fayette counties median value of 

owner-occupied housing units ($66,700 and $64,100, respectively) were lower than the State’s median 

(U. S. Census 2000). 

Educational Attainment 

Educational attainment of the population that is 25 years of age and older varies between the four counties 

in the study area. In Jefferson County, 80.9 percent of the population has graduated high school or higher 

and 24.6 percent hold a bachelor’s degree or higher (U. S. Census 2000). Tuscaloosa County has a similar 

populace, with 78.8 percent graduating high school or higher and 24.0 percent with a bachelor’s degree or 

higher. The percentage of the population graduating from high school or higher for Walker and Fayette 

Counties is 67.2 percent and 66.1 percent, respectively, and those having a bachelor’s degree or higher is 

9.1 percent and 9.2 percent, respectively. The educational attainment in figures in Walker and Fayette 

Counties are lower than those in Jefferson and Tuscaloosa Counties. 

Attitudes and Beliefs of Alabama Stakeholders 

In Alabama, the BLM has responsibility for a number of issues and decisions that could be important to 

stakeholders and their beliefs, including Federal land disposal, mineral development, including coal and 

oil and gas. This section will briefly describe stakeholders' attitudes and beliefs related to these specific 

issues to provide a social context for these decisions. 

Public lands are important in providing a natural resource base for economic activities. Oil and gas, as 

well as coal, development will be supported by some stakeholders and not by others. Stakeholders who 

support mineral development believe that domestic production of resources provides products on which 

the public relies heavily, generating economic and social benefits. Without the availability and access for 

development of these resources, stakeholders feel that many adverse impacts could occur, including trade 

gaps, increasing prices, and strategic vulnerabilities. Additionally, the mineral industries have contributed 

to the tax base of both counties and the State, providing funds for local, regional, and State governments, 

infrastructure, schools, and other community services. Many people believe that this funding is vital to the 

economy of Alabama Counties and the State. Some stakeholders will support these mining activities due 

3-38 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective 

to the economic benefits in income, jobs, and government revenues, while others will be concerned that 

the economic benefit may not offset the risks to environmental and water resources from the activity. 

Conservation-focused stakeholders may not support mineral development or might support conditions and 

stipulations on development and production to reduce negative impacts to the surface and subsurface. 

These environmental stakeholders are concerned about erosion and water quality impacts associated with 

road and wellpad construction as well as water disposal in the production process. Some stakeholders 

believe that the potential long-term environmental risks of development are considerable compared to the 

short-term benefit of the resource extracted. Additionally, these types of stakeholders believe that mineral 

development impacts such as increased road building, associated road traffic, dust, and noise add to the 

negative impacts associated with this type of development. 

Public land disposal may also be a contentious issue with the public. The BLM in Alabama manages a 

number of pocket properties scattered across the State, totaling 159 acres. Preservation-oriented 

stakeholders are concerned about protecting open spaces and limiting development on these lands, often 

to maintain a quality of life that the property provides. For example, quality of life attributes could 

include recreation, such as bird-watching or walking, solitude, and the knowledge that the property 

provides important wildlife habitat. Therefore, these types of stakeholders believe that keeping the surface 

lands in Federal ownership is preferable or selling these lands to organizations interested in preserving the 

lands. Developers might be interested in purchasing these lands for their economic value due to their 

location on the coast if the lands are buildable. Additionally, some people may feel that disposing of 

Federal lands provides important fiscal revenues as private property taxes can be collected. 

Environmental Justice 

Environmental justice is another component of the community that considers minority or low-income 

populations to determine whether or not any of the proposed alternatives have a disproportionately high 

and adverse human health or environmental effect on those populations. Environmental justice analysis is 

conducted in compliance with Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice 

in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations. On the basis of Council on Environmental Quality 

(CEQ) guidance, minority populations should be identified where (a) the minority population of the area 

exceeds 50 percent; or (b) the minority population percentage of the affected area is significantly greater 

than the minority population percentage in the general population or other appropriate unit of geographic 

analysis.3

 Low-income populations are defined as those below the Federal poverty thresholds. Those 

populations are identified using statistical poverty thresholds from the Bureau of Census—$17,463 for a 

family of four (U. S. Census 2000). EPA identifies a low-income community as an area with a 

significantly greater population of low-income families than a statistical reference area.4

 For the purposes 

of this socioeconomic analysis, low-income population areas will be defined as an area where the lowincome population exceeds 20 percent poverty or if isolated pockets of large low-income populations are 

present. 

The poverty levels in three of the four counties (Fayette, Tuscaloosa, and Walker Counties) are higher 

than the Statewide estimate of 16.1 percent, as summarized in Figure G-2. Fayette County has the largest 

percentage of the population below the poverty level (17.3 percent). Jefferson County has the smallest 

percentage of the population below the poverty level (14.8 percent). The poverty levels in all four 

counties are below the set threshold of 20 percent for low-income populations, and therefore do not 

3 Council on Environmental Quality, Environmental Justice Guidance Under the National Environmental Policy Act, 1997. 

4 Environmental Protection Agency, Final Guidance for Incorporating Environmental Justice Concerns in EPA’s NEPA 

Compliance Analysis, 1998. 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-39 
Chapter 3-Alabama Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

represent environmental justice populations. In comparison, in 2004, there were 19 of a total of 67 

counties in Alabama that had populations that were greater than 20 percent in poverty status. 

The ethnicity data for the study area in Figure G-3 were also obtained from the U. S. Census Bureau. The 

four-county study area is predominantly white (62.4 percent). The remaining race distribution in the study 

area includes Black or African American (34.3 percent), Hispanic or Latino (1.4 percent), Asian (0.8 

percent), two or more races (0.7 percent), American Indian or Native Alaskan (0.2 percent), other race 

(0.1 percent), and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (0.0 percent). The ethnic representation in the 

study area is similar to race distribution for the State, but has higher Black or African American estimates. 

The overall percentages of minority populations in Walker County (8.3 percent) and Fayette County (13.5 

percent) are lower than the minority percentage for Alabama (29.7 percent), whereas the minority 

percentages for Tuscaloosa County (32.5 percent) and Jefferson County (42.6 percent) are higher than the 

State’s percentage. However, the minority percentages for all four counties are below the CEQ threshold 

of 50 percent and not significantly higher than the State average of 29.7 percent. 

3.2.14 Hazardous Materials 

BLM-administered public lands and minerals provide opportunities for a variety of commercial uses in 

addition to resource management. Both activities can lead to releases of hazardous substances and 

creation of hazardous waste sites. The BLM engages in hazardous material emergency response actions, 

site evaluations, and prioritization of cleanups in accordance with laws and regulations. This involves 

working with the EPA, State environmental quality departments, counties, and potentially responsible 

parties (both public and private) to fund and expedite the cleanup of hazardous sites. Those sites that are 

an imminent threat to public health and safety, as well as those sites that are under a consent order and 

can therefore generate penalties and fines, are a priority for the Bureau. There are no known hazardous, 

toxic, or unapproved solid waste sites on public lands within the planning area. 

3-40 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Surface Tract Description 

3.3 ALABAMA SURFACE TRACT DESCRIPTION 

The surface tract descriptions in this section include available detail on each of the surface tract groupings 

described in Chapter 2. General information and tract-specific information on soil resources, water 

resources, vegetative communities, fish and wildlife, special status species, cultural resources, visual 

resources, recreation and travel management, and lands and realty are provided for each tract grouping. 

Air quality, wildland fire ecology and management, minerals, and social and economic conditions are 

discussed in Section 3.2 

General. This section provides basic location and size of the surface tracts, as well as available 

background information. 

Soil Resources. This section provides a table of the soils present at the tracts, the erosion hazard potential 

as indicated by NRCS, and the presence of prime or unique farmlands (defined in Section 3.2.2). 

Water Resources. This section describes which drainage basin the surface tract is within. 

Vegetative Communities. This section summarizes the vegetative communities related to the tracts. An 

analysis of the available GAP data was used to delineate the vegetative communities on the surface tracts. 

The GAP is coordinated by the Biological Resources Division of the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS). 

Fish and Wildlife. This section summarizes the fish and wildlife species associated with the tracts. GAP 

provides geographic information on the status and location of species and their habitat. The GAP is 

coordinated by the Biological Resources Division of USGS. 

Special Status Species. This section summarizes the special status species associated with the tracts. 

GAP provides geographic information on the status and location of species and their habitat. The GAP is 

coordinated by the Biological Resources Division of USGS. Available special status species occurrences 

on the tracts are discussed. Appendix E provides additional information on special status species in the 

areas around the surface tracts. 

Cultural Resources. This section summarizes the known sites and cultural resources survey information 

for the surface tracts. 

Visual Resources. This section addresses the visual setting of BLM-administered surface tracts. The 

surface tracts are not currently classified according to a VRM system. VRM Classifications are described 

in Section 3.2.9. The surface tracts in Alabama have not been inventoried for VRM classification. 

Recreation and Travel Management. This section addresses the existing recreational and travel 

management activities on BLM-administered surface tracts. 

Lands and Realty. This section addresses the lands and realty actions associated with surface tracts, 

including withdrawals, disposals, and ROW actions. 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-41 
Chapter 3-Alabama Surface Tract Description Draft EIS – August 2007 

3.3.1 Coosa River Tracts 

General 

The Coosa River tracts are 12 island tracts totaling approximately 42 acres in Calhoun, Coosa, Shelby, 

and Talladega Counties. These tracts are Federally-owned, surveyed islands that have never been patented 

to private ownership. The islands range from water level to only a few feet above water level. 

Soil Resources 

There is no soil classification for this tract. The tracts are characterized as vegetated islands in the middle 

of the Coosa River. 

Water Resources 

All the Coosa River tracts are located within the Coosa River drainage basin. 

Vegetative Communities 

The Coosa River islands are located in areas inundated by a series of three dams constructed along the 

Coosa River between 1914 and the 1960s. The larger islands reflect the vegetation communities found in 

adjacent areas, primarily dry hardwood forest, with pine interspersed in the interior on the larger islands, 

in Lake Mitchell. On these islands, the hardwood component tends to be more diverse around the lower 

elevations of the islands and includes hickory (Carya spp.); common persimmon (Diospyros virginiana); 

sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua); southern hackberry (Celtis occidentalis); eastern sycamore 

(Platanus occidentalis); southern red oak (Quercus falcata); water oak (Quercus nigra); and loblolly pine 

(Pinus taedai). The interior of the islands are generally dominated by larger water oak and loblolly pine 

with diameters up to 24 inches and 70-80 inches tall. The understory is relatively clear with young red 

maple (Acer rubrum); common wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera); blueberry (Vaccinium spp.); American 

beautyberry (Callicarpa americana); and bracken (Pteridium aquiline). There are some burn scars on 

larger pine, indicating past burns on some of the islands. Big Rock Island in Mitchell Lake rises 

approximately 120 feet above the lake and as its name denotes has sheer rock faces around much of the 

island, with seepage areas, ferns, and Spanish moss draping these areas. Smith and Prince Islands above 

Mitchell Lake tend to be flatter, lower, and dominated by mature water oak, with the additional species 

such as silver maple (Acer saccharinum), ashleaf maple (Acer negundo), and southern catalpa (Catalpa 

bignonoides). The leading edges of the smaller islands in the main river channel show signs of eroding, 

with downed trees and bare soils. The most northerly of the Coosa River tracts in Calhoun County was 

not visited, but from aerial photos it appears to be a sandbar with little or no vegetation. 

Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), and mimosa tree (Albizia 

julibrissin) are present on most of the islands. Chinese privet occurs on the edges of the flatter islands 

north of Mitchell Lake and particularly frequently on the eroding leading edges of some islands. The 

Alabama Power Company treats aquatic invasive plant species throughout much of Coosa River. In 2002, 

over 200 acres were treated for emergent and submersed aquatic invasives in Lay, Jordon/Bouldin, and 

Mitchell Lakes, including alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeriodes), floating water hyacinth 

(Eichhornia crassipes), parrot-feather (Myriophyllum aquatica), and spinyleaf naiad (Najas minor) 

(http://www.southerncompany.com/alpower/hydro/pdfs/E7_Issue_Recommendations.pdf). 

3-42 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Surface Tract Description 

Fish and Wildlife 

The Coosa River islands provide a variety of shoreline habitats for resident and migratory wading birds, 

including great blue heron, black-crowned night heron, and little blue heron. The wetland and upland 

habitats on the islands provide nesting habitat for neotropical migrants, such as prothonotary warbler, 

summer tanager and solitary vireo, and year-round residents such as belted kingfisher, rufous-sided 

towhee, Carolina wren, and downy woodpecker. Typical reptiles include midland water snake (Nerodia 

sipedon pleuralis) and common five-lined skink (Eumeces fasciatus). Those tracts outside of Mitchell 

Lake, particularly the Calhoun County tract, could provide basking areas and even nesting sites for river 

turtles. Typical mammals would include otter (Lutra canadensis), mink (Mustela vison), and raccoon 

(Procyon lotor), while armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) are common in the upland areas of larger 

islands. 

Special Status Species 

A bald eagle nest was located on these islands in 2005. Most of the larger islands support suitable nest 

trees and roosting habitat, and the Coosa River provides optimal foraging habitat. The islands do not 

provide suitable nesting habitat for red-cockaded woodpecker, although some of the larger islands provide 

marginally suitable foraging habitat. 

There are no known records of Federally-listed plants on the Coosa River islands; however, there have 

been no surveys of the tracts. 

Cultural Resources 

The Coosa River tracts have not been surveyed. However, two cultural sites are located within one-half 

mile of four tracts—the single tract in Calhoun County and three tracts in Talladega County. 

Visual Resources 

The islands that make up the Coosa River tracts are visible from the shore; there is little or no 

development or other human activity on the shores opposite the islands, except for residences opposite 

Prince Island. 

Recreation and Travel Management 

The Coosa River tracts are used for dispersed recreation. Opportunities for recreation on the islands, 

however, are limited by their small size and the fact that they are only accessible through travel by water. 

Fishing, picnicking, rest stops of boaters and canoeists, and wildlife observation are examples of 

recreation opportunities on the islands. 

Although use on the islands is limited, they are identified as supporting water-based recreation 

opportunities by the Coosa River Recreation Plan (Alabama Power Co. 2005). The lakes that surround 

these islands (Mitchell Lake, Lay Lake, and H. Neely Henry Lake) are all popular for recreation activities 

such as boat fishing, pleasure boating, swimming, and picnicking. In 2000, these three developments 

combined to support 1,134,400 recreation days. Boat fishing was by far the most popular activity with 

989,100 recreation days. Lay Lake hosted the 2007 Bassmasters Classic fishing tournament, and smaller 

tournaments are regularly held on these lakes. 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-43 
Chapter 3-Alabama Surface Tract Description Draft EIS – August 2007 

Lands and Realty 

All of the Coosa River Islands are within areas impounded for hydroelectric purposes. Big Rock Island, 

Little Rock Island, and the Foshee Islands are in Mitchell Lake; Smith Island and Prince Island are in Lay 

Lake; and the unnamed island is within H. Neely Henry Lake. These projects are licensed under the 

authority of the Federal Water Power Act of 1920, which created the Federal Power Commission (FPC), 

now the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Mitchell Dam was originally licensed as 

Project No. 82, and Lay Dam and H. Neely Henry Dam were included in Project No. 2146. Now, these 

projects are combined for licensing purposes as Project No. 2146-111. 

Public domain lands within project areas were withdrawn for water power purposes. After projects were 

completed FPC often relinquished the withdrawal of the lands no longer needed for project purposes. In 

the case of the Coosa River Islands, this generally included relinquishment of the land above the water 

level. For example, in 1955 the land withdrawn for the Mitchell Dam (Project No. 82) was modified to 

include only the land below the 360 foot elevation contour. 

There are historical records of application to acquire some of the Coosa River Islands. In 1959, for 

example, the State of Alabama Department of Conservation applied for Big Rock Island, Little Rock 

Island, and the Foshee Islands under the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, but the application 

was later withdrawn. In addition, several color-of-title applications were submitted in the 1950s, but all 

were rejected. 

There are no BLM-authorized ROW or other uses on the Coosa River Islands. A power line, however, 

crosses the southern end of Prince Island (with no ground supports on the island). 

3.3.2 Fort Morgan Beach Tracts 

General 

Seven tracts in Baldwin County totaling 28.7 acres comprise the Fort Morgan Beach tracts. These tracts 

provide access recreation activities on the gulf and its beaches, which were severely damaged by 

Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Boardwalks partially destroyed by Ivan may be rebuilt. These tracts fall within 

the CZM Program. 

Soil Resources 

The soil classification for this tract is displayed in Table 3-9. 

Table 3-9. Soil Classification for the Fort Morgan Beach Tracts 

Soil Type Description Erosion Hazard Prime Farmland 

Coastal beaches 

Moderately deep and poorly drained to 

excessively drained soils that border 

saltwater and freshwater lakes 

None No 

Water Resources 

The Fort Morgan Beach tracts are located within the Mobile River drainage basin. 

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Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Surface Tract Description 

Vegetative Communities 

The Fort Morgan Beach tracts border the Gulf of Mexico and include back beach, primary dunes, and in 

some cases extend landward sufficiently to encompass secondary dunes. Throughout these tracts, the 

dominant species is sea oats (Uniola paniculata). Other species characteristic of this habitat include 

marsh-elder (Iva frutescens), and Gulf bluestem (Schizachyrium maritimum), sandhill rosemary 

(Ceratiola ericoides), woody goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa), beach sand-squares (Paronychia 

erecta), and Gulf rockrose (Helianthemum arenicola). These tracts, along with the rest of the Fort Morgan 

peninsula, were heavily impacted by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, when storm surges inundated much of the 

peninsula. Coastal dunes throughout this area were destroyed and dune vegetation was obliterated. These 

dunes are dynamic systems adapted to these storm cycles. Since Hurricane Ivan and other major storms 

that hit this coastline in 2005, these dunes have continued to accrete, accelerated by pioneering sea oats. 

There are no known exotic plant species identified on the Fort Morgan Beach tracts. 

Fish and Wildlife 

The coastal dunes and back beach areas of the Fort Morgan Beach tracts provide important foraging 

habitat for a host of shorebirds, gulls, terns and others, such as Wilson’s plover, willet, sanderling, shortbilled dowitcher, ring-billed gull, royal tern, and black skimmer. Feral and domestic cats are a 

management concern in this area because of predation on beach mice and nesting shorebirds. 

Special Status Species 

All of the Fort Morgan Beach tracts are designated critical habitat for Alabama beach mouse and contain 

primary dunes, the preferred habitat for this species. Populations are recovering after Hurricane Ivan 

inundated much of this area in 2004, and Alabama beach mouse was found on BLM beach tracts in early 

February 2007 (Matt Falcey, personal communication). The tracts also provide nesting habitat for 

loggerhead sea turtle, and potentially green sea turtle and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle. The adjacent Bon 

Secour NWR has documented loggerhead nests to be 4.5 to 5 nests per mile, higher than many areas 

along the Gulf Coast (USFWS 2004). The tracts also provide habitat for wintering piping plover, likely a 

mixture of the threatened Atlantic Coast and endangered Great Lakes populations, although the 

designated critical habitat for wintering piping plover at Fort Morgan is west of the BLM tracts. Snowy 

plover, Wilson’s plover, and American oystercatcher are known to nest on the refuge. There are no 

known records of Federally-listed plants on these tracts. 

Cultural Resources 

The Fort Morgan Beach tracts have been surveyed. Four cultural sites are located within one-half mile of 

three of the beach tracts. 

Visual Resources 

Visual features of the Fort Morgan Beach tracts include sand dunes, beach and open sea, mixed 

vegetation, boardwalks, and adjacent residential and other development. 

Recreation and Travel Management 

The Fort Morgan Beach tracts provide access for recreational use of the beach, including saltwater 

fishing. There are no developments on the tracts, but some parking is available on adjacent roadways. In 

2004, the vast majority of recreational use of similar tracts on the nearby Bon Secour NWR was classified 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-45 
Chapter 3-Alabama Surface Tract Description Draft EIS – August 2007 

as either beach/water use or saltwater fishing. There were a total of 53,395 visits for these two activities 

with 32,721 of the visits by residents, defined as people living within 30 miles. 

Lands and Realty 

In the early 1950s, much of the remaining public domain land on the Fort Morgan Peninsula was 

classified (by Alabama Small tract Classification Orders No. 1 and 2) for disposal pursuant to the Small 

tract Act of 1938. This land was subdivided into about 190 lots ranging in size from 0.72 to 2.61 acres. 

By 1960, the BLM had sold most of the lots, many to World War II veterans who were given a statutory 

preference. 

The lots identified in this document as the Fort Morgan Beach tracts were not classified for disposal, and 

were specifically “set aside” by the classification orders “and reserved as recreation areas for use by the 

general public.” The classification orders also reserved “a 33-foot ROW for roads and public utilities” on 

the border of each lot. The legacy of the Small tract Act is still evident in the land use patterns in the area 

immediately surrounding the Fort Morgan Beach tracts. Other than the ROW reserved by the small tract 

classifications, there are no authorized uses on the Fort Morgan Beach tracts. 

3.3.3 Fort Morgan Highway Tracts 

General 

The Fort Morgan Highway tracts are located in Baldwin County along the Dixie-Graves Highway 

(SH 180), which provides access to the end of the Fort Morgan Peninsula. There are five tracts totaling 

approximately 41 acres within this tract group. High-density development and highway expansion near 

these tracts could be planned for the future. 

Soil Resources 

The soil classification for the tracts is provided in Table 3-10. 

Table 3-10. Soil Classification for the Fort Morgan Highway Tracts 

Soil Type Description Erosion Hazard Prime Farmland 

Leon sand 

Deep, poorly drained, nearly level soils 

on uplands; sandy surface layers and 

sandy and loamy subsoils 

Slight No 

St. Lucie sand, 0 to 5 

percent slopes 

Deep, excessively drained, nearly level 

to steep soils on undulating ridges and 

short side slopes on uplands; sandy 

surface layers and underlying material 

Very Severe No 

St. Lucie–Leon–Muck 

complex 

Deep, poorly drained, nearly level soils 

on uplands; sandy surface layers and 

sandy loamy subsoils 

None to Severe, 

depending on 

water saturation 

No 

Water Resources 

The Fort Morgan Highway tracts are located within the Mobile River drainage basin. 

3-46 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Surface Tract Description 

Vegetative Communities 

The narrow Fort Morgan Highway tracts are dominated by a sand pine/oak scrub plant community with 

scattered clusters of slash pine. Pine coverage is generally 10 to15 percent and trees are generally 5 to 10 

inches diameter at breast height. In the more xeric sites, the shrub layer is dominated by 8 to 12 feet tall 

scrub oak species, including scrub live oak (Quercus geminata) and myrtle oak (Quercus myrtifolia). 

Other understory species include rosemary (Conradina canescens), gopher apple (Licania michauxii), St. 

John’s wort (Hypericum crux-andreae), and saw palmetto (Serenoa repens). Reindeer lichen (Cladonia 

rangifera) and British soldier (Cladonia cristella) occur as a groundcover in protected areas of the scrub. 

These highway tracts were inundated by Hurricane Ivan’s storm surge in the fall of 2004. Although direct 

damage from wind was minimal, low areas where brackish waters stood for extended periods resulted in 

die-offs of pine and saw palmetto. A 30 foot utility corridor has been cleared on the southern edge of the 

tracts and contains more ruderal species, including blackberry/dewberry (Rubus spp.), groundsel-tree 

(Baccharis halimfolia), and common wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera). 

In Lot 5 and 15, there are a small series of isolated wetlands dominated by sawgrass (Cladium 

jamaicense) with scattered patches of needlerush (Juncus roemerianus) and fringed by saw palmetto 

(Serenoa repens). Wild hibiscus (Hibiscus grandiflora), arrowhead (Sagittaria lancifolia), and titi 

(Cyrilla racemiflora) are also common in these low lying areas. Both of these tracts show evidence of a 

previous burn. 

Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrical) and Chinese tallow both occur sporadically along disturbed edges of 

the Fort Morgan Highway tracts. 

Fish and Wildlife 

Fort Morgan Peninsula, and the Bon Secour NWR in particular, provide the best remaining stopover and 

staging habitats for neotropical migratory songbirds along the Alabama coastline. In addition, the area is 

famous for its fall hawk migration. Over 370 species of birds have been identified at the Bon Secour 

NWR during migration seasons (USFWS 2007). Both the Bon Secour NWR and the nearby Fort Morgan 

State Park are designated Globally Important Bird Areas by the American Bird Conservancy. Several 

locations on the Fort Morgan Peninsula are listed on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, including several 

close to BLM tracts. 

Wetlands on Lots 5 and 15 of the Fort Morgan Highway tracts provide habitat for reptiles, amphibians, 

wading birds, and furbearers such as muskrat, mink, raccoon, and rabbit. The refuge has documented at 

least 15 species of turtles, 9 species of lizards, more than 30 species of snakes, and the American alligator 

(Alligator mississippiensis) in the area. 

Special Status Species 

The original critical habitat designation for Alabama beach mouse was recently modified to include the 

higher elevation scrub habitats determined to be important for the mouse during and after hurricane 

events (Federal Register, Vol. 71, No. 21, Wednesday, February 1, 2006). This expanded critical habitat 

includes all of the Fort Morgan Beach tracts. 

Cultural Resources 

The Fort Morgan Highway tracts have been surveyed. Four cultural sites are located within one-half mile 

of five of the highway tracts. 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-47 
Chapter 3-Alabama Surface Tract Description Draft EIS – August 2007 

Visual Resources 

The Fort Morgan Highway tracts are forested with pine and scrub vegetation and are generally flat. The 

visual setting is dominated by human activity. 

Recreation and Travel Management 

Recreation use on the Highway tracts is primarily associated with Highway 180 and the parkway corridor, 

which is designated as part the Alabama Scenic Byway. Activities along the highway corridor include 

driving and sightseeing, bicycling, and hiking. Several hiking trails on the Bon Secour NWR can be 

accessed from the parkway corridor. Historic Fort Morgan State Park at the end of the peninsula is a 

popular destination. 

Lands and Realty 

The Fort Morgan Highway tracts are within the same small tract area as the Fort Morgan Beach tracts. 

The plats of survey for the small tract area, however, made separate lots of the public domain lands within 

the 330-foot wide Dixie Graves Parkway. These lots are referred to in this document as the Fort Morgan 

Highway tracts, and were exempted from disposal by the small tract classification orders. While the BLM 

plats of survey identified the parkway as separate lots, there is no record that BLM granted any ROW or 

other authorized uses within the parkway lots. 

3.3.4 Fowl River Tract 

General 

There is no legal vehicle access to this 41.73-acre tract in Mobile County. Adjacent land is privately 

owned. Bellingrath Gardens, a 65-acre estate with formal gardens, is located just north and the Dauphin 

Island is to the south. There are some adjacent homes, and a Shell oil refinery is located across the river 

about one-half mile east of the tract and homes are adjacent to the tract. 

Soil Resources 

The soil classification for this tract is provided in Table 3-11. 

Table 3-11. Soil Classification for the Fowl River Tract 

Soil Type Description Erosion Hazard Prime 

Farmland 

Bayou-Escambia 

association, gently 

undulating 

Deep, moderately well-drained, nearly level 

soils on uplands and stream terraces; loamy 

and sandy surface layers and loamy subsoils 

low in clay 

Slight No 

Lafitte muck, 0 to 1 

percent slopes 

Level, very poorly drained, moderately, and 

rapidly permeable soils; in brackish marshes 

adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico 

Slight No 

Pactolus loamy sand, 

0 to 2 percent slopes 

Deep, moderately well-drained, and 

somewhat poorly drained, nearly level to 

gently sloping soils on uplands; sandy 

throughout 

Moderate No 

3-48 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Surface Tract Description 

Water Resources 

The Fowl River tract is located within the Mobile River drainage basin. 

Vegetative Communities 

This tract is located on the western bank of the Fowl River and contains four wetland plant communities. 

These include an emergent wetland composed of black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus) and a scrubshrub wetland dominated by black titi (Clitftonia monophylla), inkberry (Ilex glaba), common wax myrtle 

(Myrica cerifera), fetter-bush (Lyona lucida), and several species of pitcher plants and ferns. Portions of 

the tract are a seasonally flooded, hardwood-pine forest composed of sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia 

virginiana), sweetgum, loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus), Florida maple (Acer barbatum), various oak 

species, such as water oak, laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), and flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), and 

saw palmetto (Serona repens), with grasses as the principal ground covers. A fourth type is a slash pine 

flatwoods with dahoon holly (Ilex cassine), gallberry (Ilex coriacea), and saw palmetto. 

This tract was not surveyed for exotic/invasive plant species, but Chinese privet, tallow tree, mimosa, and 

Japanese honeysuckle occur in the area. 

Fish and Wildlife 

This wetland tract provides habitat for a variety of species in association with the adjacent river, wetland 

habitats, and flatwoods. The tract provides suitable foraging habitat for wading birds such as the great 

blue heron, black-crowned night heron, and snowy egret. The wetland habitats provide foraging and 

nesting habitat for both resident and neotropical migratory songbirds. Southern water snake (Nerodia 

fasciata), cottonmouth water moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) are likely common on the tracts. 

Mammals are expected to include river otter (Lutra canadensis), raccoon (Procyon lotor), mink (Mustela 

vison), and gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). 

Special Status Species 

This tract could provide habitat for the endangered red-belly turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis). There are 

no known records of Federally-listed plants on this tract. 

Cultural Resources 

The Fowl River tract was surveyed for cultural resources in 1983 (Jackson Field Office files). No cultural 

artifacts were found during shovel testing. One cultural site is located within one-half mile of the tract. 

Visual Resources 

The geography of the Fowl River tract is low lying and consists of several types of wetlands and 

associated forest and scrub vegetation. The visual setting is low-lying wetlands with relatively dense 

vegetation and some human activity. 

Recreation and Travel Management 

The Fowl River tract lies on the western side of the Fowl River. A portion of the tract is a wetland and is 

intermittently flooded. The tract may be accessed from the river, but there is no terrestrial access for the 

general public. Neither Delchamps Road, which formerly crossed the southern end of the tract, nor the 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-49 
Chapter 3-Alabama Surface Tract Description Draft EIS – August 2007 

power line ROW, provide public access. The tract is likely used by local residents for dispersed recreation 

such as fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. 

In the 1960s, the tract was proposed as a recreation site and was transferred to the Alabama Department 

of Conservation for recreation purposes. The tract reverted to BLM, however, because development as a 

recreation site proved to be infeasible. 

Lands and Realty 

On April 7, 1964, the Fowl River tract was patented to the State of Alabama, Department of Conservation 

for recreation purposes, under the R&PP Act. Under the terms of the patent, the site was required to be 

developed as a public recreation site. On October 8, 1976, the title to the tract was revested in the United 

States because the planned development had not occurred. 

In 1983, BLM proposed the Fowl River tract for sale, but the tract did not sell. The fact that the sale was 

subject to a “covenant running with the land” to restrict use in floodplains may have been a contributing 

factor to the fact that the tract was not sold. 

In 1990, BLM granted a power line ROW across the tract, running from west to east in the southern 

portion (lot 5) of the tract. There are no other BLM ROW or use authorizations on the tract. 

3.3.5 Geneva Tract 

General 

The Geneva County tract consists of an approximately 1-acre sandbar in the bend of Choctawhatchee 

River (near the Florida State line). 

Soil Resources 

The is no soil classification for this tract. It is a sandbar adjacent to the river. 

Water Resources 

The Geneva tract is located within the Choctawhatchee River drainage basin. 

Vegetative Communities 

This very small (0.95 acres) tract is located on a bend on the East Fork of the Choctawhatchee River. As 

mapped, this tract is primarily a sandbar or open water. A 1997 aerial photo of the area shows the area 

dominated by pine, including a clear-cut on the opposite side of the river. 

There are no exotic invasive plant species known to occur on the tract at this time. 

Fish and Wildlife 

This tract is likely used by wading birds and nesting river turtles. 

Special Status Species 

This portion of the Choctawhatchee River has been designated as critical habitat for the Gulf sturgeon. 

3-50 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Alabama Surface Tract Description 

Cultural Resources 

The Geneva tract has not been surveyed. Three cultural sites are located within one-half mile of the tract. 

Visual Resources 

The visual setting of the Geneva tract is a river sandbar adjacent to dense forest vegetation. 

Recreation and Travel Management 

Because the Geneva County tract is remote and inaccessible, its value for public recreation is very 

limited. Any recreational use would probably be related to the use of the river and include activities such 

as canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. 

Lands and Realty 

According to subdivision of sections by a survey approved December 9, 1890, the Geneva County tract is 

identified as lot 4 in the northeast corner of section 22, west of the Choctawhatchee River. It is apparent 

that change of the river’s course has affected the boundaries of lot 4, which now may be at least partially 

in the channel of the river. There are no approved use authorizations on this tract, and no requests are 

expected. 

3.3.6 Jordan Lake Tract 

General 

This 4.3-acre tract, located in Chilton County on the Coosa River below the Mitchell Dam (on the bank of 

Jordan Lake), is a steep, rocky slope with mixed hardwoods. The Coosa River Wildlife Management Area 

is located to the north and east of the tract. 

Soil Resources 

There is no soil classification for this tract. It is characterized as a rocky steep slope adjacent to the lake. 

Water Resources 

The Jordan Lake tract is located within the Coosa River drainage basin. 

Vegetative Communities 

The Jordon Lake tract is a very narrow strip of land on the west bank of Jordon Lake. North of State 

Highway 22, the steep shoreline is dominated by hardwoods, typically hickory, persimmon, sweetgum, 

hackberry, sycamore, southern red oak, water oak, and scattered loblolly pine. South of the highway, the 

tract is flatter with mature trees and little understory. 

Fish and Wildlife 

General wildlife use is similar to the Coosa Island tracts discussed above. The presence of multiple 

campsites in the area limits use of the area by more reclusive species. 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-51 
Chapter 3-Alabama Surface Tract Description Draft EIS – August 2007 

Special Status Species 

There are no records of Federally-listed plants or animals on this tract. 

Cultural Resources 

The Jordan Lake tract has been surveyed. Three cultural sites are located within one-half mile of the tract. 

Visual Resources 

The Jordan Lake tract sits high above the river and is visible from the highway as well as the homes 

across the river. 

Recreation and Travel Management 

This long, narrow tract is bisected by State Highway 22. The recreation opportunity of the Jordan Lake 

tract is primarily as an access to Jordan Lake for swimming and fishing. Due to the tract’s location and 

size, however, its value as a public recreation site is very limited. The owners of the adjacent small tracts 

and their guests undoubtedly use the tract for travel access to the lake. 

In 1966, the tract was transferred to Chilton County under the R&PP Act to be used for recreational 

purposes. Because of difficulty in managing the tract for recreation, the County filed a quitclaim deed in 

2000 to revert the tract to the United States. 

Lands and Realty 

The Jordan Lake tract is an extremely narrow strip of land on the west side of Jordan Lake. This narrow 

strip was created by a peculiar set of circumstances. The fractional portion of section 14, west of the 

Coosa River, was withdrawn from the public domain by Power Site Classification No. 7, Alabama No. 1, 

approved July 30, 1921, (FPC Project 82). When the FPC relinquished withdrawal of lands above the 

290-foot contour, BLM completed a resurvey in 1956 to subdivide the lands for disposal. The Jordan 

Lake tract (lot 1), because it was still withdrawn, had to be separated from the lands that were to be 

disposed. A 16.16-acre portion south of State Highway 22 was subdivided into 10 lots and classified for 

disposal under the Small tract Act of 1938. By 1960, all of the small tracts had sold, and several small 

houses, or fishing camps, were built on these lots adjacent to the BLM Jordan Lake tract. 

By 1966, the FPC allowed the BLM to convey the Jordan Lake tract to Chilton County, Alabama, subject 

to a reservation under Section 24 of the Water Power Act. The Jordan Lake tract was patented to Chilton 

County under the R&PP Act to be used for recreational purposes only and subject to reversion to the 

United States. The reversionary clause was invoked on April 17, 2000 when Chilton County filed a 

quitclaim deed to re-convey the tract back to the United States. 

The ROW for State Highway 22 was granted as a Federal Aid Highway under the Act of November 9, 

1921 (42 Stat. 212). This highway crosses the narrow Jordan Lake tract (less than 100 feet wide at this 

point) at west side of the bridge that crosses the lake. There are no other ROW or authorized uses on the 

Jordan Lake tract. 

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3.4 MISSISSIPPI STATEWIDE PERSPECTIVE 

3.4.1 Air Quality 

Mississippi has a humid, subtropical climate characterized by temperate winters; long, hot summers; and 

an evenly distributed annual rainfall. The region is subject to periods of drought and flood, and the 

climatic conditions are rarely average. A feast-or-famine situation attributed to weather conditions is 

typically expected as the climate delivers energy and moisture in subtropical latitudes between a large 

landmass to the north and the Gulf of Mexico to the south (SERCC 2005). 

Normal mean annual temperatures range from about 60°F in the north to 70°F along the coast. 

Temperatures regularly exceed 100°F throughout Mississippi and drop to zero or lower an average of 

once a year. Freezing temperatures reach the Gulf Coast almost every winter. Normal precipitation ranges 

from about 50 to 65 inches across the State from north to south (NOAA 2007a). 

Air Quality Meteorology 

Surface wind speeds vary depending on terrain and proximity to the coast. Average wind speeds vary 

from 6 to 10 miles per hour in most locations and follow water drainage features of the land or are driven 

by sea breezes. Dispersion can also be related to the NOAA Stagnation Index, which primarily focuses on 

ozone (NOAA 2005). On the basis of this index, Mississippi was prone to air stagnation on 25 to 50 

percent of the days from May through September from 2002 – 2004. This dispersion index compares 

moderately to other areas in the country. 

Baseline Air Quality 

Ambient Air Quality. EPA has established ambient air quality standards for criteria pollutants 

considered harmful to public health and the environment. The ambient air quality measurements in 

Mississippi for SO2, NO2, CO, O3, and PM10 and PM2.5 are shown in Table 3-12. Ambient air quality 

measurements made by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) indicate that 

ambient air quality is within standards. Ozone is formed from the chemical reactions of nitrogen oxides, 

VOCs, and sunlight. No exceedances of ambient air quality standards are noted. 

Table 3-12. Recent Highest Ambient Air Quality Measurements in Mississippi1, 2 

Pollutant Averaging 

Time 

Highest 

Measured 

Value 

(ppm3) 

Location 

National Ambient 

Air Quality 

Standard (ppm3) 

1 year 0.002 Pascagoula 0.03 

SO2 24 hours 0.019 Pascagoula 0.14

3 hours 0.035 Pascagoula 0.50 

NO2 1 year 0.004 Hancock County 0.053 

8 hours 3.9 Jackson 9.0 

CO 

1 hour 5.0 Jackson 35.0 

8 hours 0.096 Hancock County 0.080 

O3 

1 hour 0.112 Hancock County 0.120 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-53 
Chapter 3-Mississippi Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

Pollutant Averaging 

Time 

Highest 

Measured 

Value 

(ppm3) 

Location 

National Ambient 

Air Quality 

Standard (ppm3) 

1 year 18.0 Jackson County 50.0 μg/m3 PM10 

24 hours 41.0 Jackson County 150.0 μg/m3 

1 year 13.6 Hattiesburg 15.0 μg/m3 PM2.5 

24 hours 36.2 Hattiesburg 65.0 μg/m3 

1 MDEQ Annual Data Summary 2003 (MDEQ 2004). 

2 One-year maximum—this is not technically a violation until the fourth-highest value exceeds the design value of 0.085 ppm. 

3 ppm = parts per mjllion 

Visibility and Atmospheric Deposition. Visibility and atmospheric deposition measurements are not 

available for Mississippi. 

Area Air Quality Designations 

PSD of areas meeting the ambient air quality standards are divided into three categories: Class I for areas 

of restricted growth, Class II for areas of moderate growth, and Class III for industrialized areas (Clean 

Air Act of 1977, as amended). All of Mississippi is designated as PSD Class II. 

In addition to this area designation for the entire State, other nearby Class I areas (within 100 kilometers 

of the potential development activities) include the Breton NWR off the coast of Louisiana (managed by 

USFWS) and the Sipsey Wilderness Area in northwestern Alabama. 

3.4.2 Soil Resources 

Physiographic Regions and Soil Types 

The State of Mississippi is located entirely within the Coastal Plain Physiographic Province (Fenneman 

1938). Most of the State is located within the East Gulf Coastal Plain section of the province, and the 

remainder is found within the Mississippi Alluvial Plain section. Within the East Gulf Coastal Plain, the 

physiography is characterized by a distinctive series of belts that largely reflect the underlying geology. 

Nine of the 10 physiographic regions are belts of the East Gulf Coastal Plain—Loess Hills, Flatwoods, 

Pontotoc Ridge, Black Prairie, Tombigbee Hills, Jackson Prairie, Longleaf Pine Belt, Coastal Pine 

Meadows, and North Central Hills. The 10th physiographic region is the Yazoo Basin, which is part of 

the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. 

Eight of the 12 soil orders (broad soil groups) recognized in the United States are found in Mississippi, 

which has great soil diversity (Pettry 2004). Soils in Mississippi are largely correlated with the State’s 

topographic regions; due in part, to effects that parent material and relief have on the soil formation 

process. 

From an agricultural perspective, the two most productive soil areas of Mississippi are the Mississippi 

Delta (the Yazoo Basin physiographic region) and the Blackland Prairies (the Jackson Prairie and 

Blackbelt Prairie physiographic regions). Appendix F briefly describes the major parent soil units and 

their locations. 

The characteristics of soils in BLM-administered non-USFS FMO areas are described in Appendix F. 

3-54 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Mississippi Statewide Perspective 

Prime and Unique Farmlands 

The Farmland Protection Policy Act requires the identification of proposed actions that would affect any 

lands classified as prime and unique farmlands. NRCS administers this act to preserve farmland. 

Prime farmland is defined as having the availability and best combination of physical and chemical 

characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops. Its soil quality, growing season, 

and moisture supply can produce economically sustained high yields of crops when treated and managed 

according to acceptable farming methods, including water management. In general, prime farmlands have 

an adequate and dependable water supply from precipitation or irrigation, a favorable temperature and 

growing season, acceptable acidity or alkalinity, acceptable salt and sodium content, and few or no rocks. 

The land is permeable to water and air. Prime farmlands are not excessively erodible or saturated with 

water for a long period of time, and they neither flood nor require protection from flooding. 

Prime farmlands occur throughout most of Mississippi. Counties in Mississippi with oil and gas 

development likely include soil units that have been identified as prime farmland by NRCS. Appendix F 

includes prime farmland classification information that is available for soils within non-USFS FMO. 

3.4.3 Water Resources 

Surface Water 

The surface waters of the State of Mississippi are divided into 10 major drainage areas or river basins— 

the Big Black River Basin, Coastal Streams Basin, Mississippi River Basin, North Independent Streams 

Basin, Pascagoula River Basin, Pearl River Basin, South Independent Streams Basin, Tennessee River 

Basin, Tombigbee River Basin, and Yazoo River Basin (Map 3-4). Appendix H briefly describes each of 

these major river basins. 

Wetlands occupy an estimated 4 million acres in Mississippi. Since the 1800s, almost 6 million acres of 

wetlands (including 10,000 acres of coastal wetlands) have been lost. Historically, loss was mainly the 

result of converting wetlands to agricultural lands. Today, wetland loss is primarily associated with 

residential and commercial development (MDEQ 2005). 

The surface water quality of most of Mississippi’s approximately 84,000 miles of rivers fully or partially 

supports designated uses. The major cause of impaired water quality is nonpoint agricultural runoff. 

Minor causes are industrial and municipal point-source discharges and runoff from nonagricultural 

nonpoint sources (USGS 2003b). 

About 47 river miles are within BLM-administered non-USFS FMO areas in Mississippi. Oil and gas 

leases exist on about 0.6 river mile. About 32,000 lake acres occur within non-USFS FMO areas. NWI 

data are limited for Mississippi. Because available digital data for freshwater wetlands in Mississippi is 

lacking, the non-USFS FMO acreage in freshwater wetland areas in Mississippi could not be estimated. 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-55 
Chapter 3-Mississippi Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

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Ground Water 

Mississippi has 15 major aquifers that provide 80 percent of its public water supply for domestic and 

commercial, industrial, mining, thermoelectric power, and agricultural users (USGS 1998). Only two 

municipalities, Jackson and Tupelo, receive some public water from surface water sources. Mississippi 

has an abundant supply of ground water, which at some locations occurs at depths exceeding 3,000 feet 

(USGS 1998). 

Ground water withdrawals are concentrated in the urbanized and industrialized areas of Mississippi and in 

the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain in northwestern Mississippi, where large withdrawals are made for 

crop irrigation and catfish production. These withdrawals have resulted in significant, long-term declines 

in water levels in some areas. Declining ground water levels and the ability of the aquifers to meet the 

increasing demand for water continue to be an important water resources concern in the State. For 

example, in central Mississippi, Cockfield and Sparta are two major aquifers. Water levels in the 

Cockfield Formation have slightly decreased at selected sites, whereas levels in a few wells near pumping 

centers have decreased by 1 to 4 feet. Some wells screened in the Sparta Sand indicated declines of 2 to 6 

feet (USGS 2003b). 

Precipitation is the ultimate source of water that recharges the major aquifers in Mississippi. Studies show 

that less than 50 percent of the annual precipitation ends up in stream runoff. Only a small amount of 

water recharges aquifers that are either exposed or buried to shallow depths, and an even smaller amount 

percolates downward and enters the deep-flow system (USGS 1998). 

Map 3-5 presents the areas that are primary ground water recharge zones in Mississippi. On the basis of a 

rough geospatial analysis, 4,470 acres of non-USFS FMO occur in primary ground water recharge zones 

(defined as recharge greater than 3 inches per year). 

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Coastal Zone 

The National CZM Program is a voluntary partnership between the Federal government and U. S. coastal 

states and territories authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. The Coastal Programs 

Division, within NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, administers the program 

at the Federal level and works with State CZM partners. Mississippi CZM Program (MSCZMP) focuses 

primarily upon coastal wetlands below the watermark of the ordinary high tide and adjacent wetlands. 

The Hancock County tracts, in addition to BLM-administered non-USFS FMO, fall within the MSCZMP. 

The Mississippi Gulf Coast encompasses 370 miles of shoreline and nearly 56,000 acres of emergent 

wetlands. The coastal wetlands habitat of Mississippi is among the most ecologically diverse systems in 

the country. This system provides for ecological functions such as pollution filtering, sediment trapping, 

and flood control and is an important nursery area that increases the productivity of an abundant fishery 

resource. These ecological functions also provide economic benefits through commercial and recreational 

fisheries, hunting, trapping, and many other forms of recreation and commerce (MPA 2005). The 

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is preparing a Comprehensive Resource 

Management Plan (CRMP) that will include management and protection applications for coastal wetlands 

and marine resources in the six coastal counties of Mississippi (including Hancock County, where a BLM 

surface tract is located) by coordinating agency efforts, developing the necessary partnerships among 

public and private entities, and integrating wetlands protection and management into the lifestyle of the 

coastal community. The Mississippi CRMP was unavailable for reference in this plan. 

On the basis of the rough geospatial analysis, about 32,440 acres of BLM-administered non-USFS FMO 

are within Mississippi coastal wetlands. However, about 24,000 of these acres are within 10 miles of the 

Stennis Space Center, one of NASA’s primary centers for rocket propulsion testing, and are not likely to 

be developed. Of about 8,380 acres of non-USFS FMO in wetlands, 990 acres are in high-potential areas 

for future mineral development. 

3.4.4 Vegetative Communities 

For this planning effort, GAP was used to delineate land cover types on non-USFS FMO in Mississippi. 

This land cover map is based on Landsat-7 satellite imagery using the NLCD, which includes 21 very 

broad land cover classifications. The decision to use this data set was based on its statewide application 

and availability in a geographical information system format at the time this planning effort was initiated. 

Analysis of the GAP land cover map resulted in the identification of eight dominant cover types on nonUSFS FMO lands in Mississippi. The dominant vegetation cover types on non-USFS FMO within 

Mississippi include evergreen forest/woodland (23 percent); wetland forest/shrubland (14 percent); 

deciduous forest/woodland (11 percent); row/crops (10 percent); grassland/herbaceous (9 percent); open 

water (9 percent); pasture/hay (6 percent); and mixed forest/woodland (4 percent). Several less dominant 

communities (14 percent) are not discussed herein. A brief description of each community follows. 

• Evergreen Forests/Woodlands (23 percent)—This classification delineates areas where 75 

percent or more of the tree species are evergreen. In Mississippi, the dominant pine species are 

loblolly, longleaf, slash, and shortleaf. This classification includes commercial pine plantations, 

where loblolly is the most commonly planted pine species. An additional species, sand pine, 

dominates a narrow band of scrub habitats behind the coastal dune systems along the Gulf of 

Mexico. 

• Wetland Forest/Shrubland (14 percent)—This classification is dominated by bottomland 

hardwood vegetation that is periodically inundated by water and encompasses diverse 

communities ranging from forested swamps and bogs to coastal marshes. Common vegetation in 

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seasonally flooded forests are sweet bay, southern magnolia, sweetgum, wax myrtle, various 

oaks, and titi. Typical wetland or bog species include pitcher plants, various rushes, sedges, 

arrowhead, and St. John’s wort. Typical species of coastal marshes include sawgrass, needlerush, 

and bulrush 

• Deciduous Forests/Woodlands (11 percent)— This classification is dominated by trees of 

which 75 percent or more are hardwoods. Common trees in these areas include a wide variety of 

oak and hickory species, maple, ash, hackberry, yellow poplar, beech, elm, sweetgum, 

persimmon, and cherry. 

• Row/Crops (10 percent)—This classification includes areas being actively cultivated. 

• Grassland/Herbaceous (9 percent)—Grassland/herbaceous communities are composed of dry 

systems dominated by low herbaceous vegetation and are absent of woodlands. 

• Open Water (9 percent)—This classification denotes water and does not support terrestrial 

vegetation species. 

• Pasture/Hay (6 percent)—Vegetation in this community is largely composed of introduced 

grasses, legumes, or grass-legume mixtures planted for livestock grazing or the production of hay 

crops. 

• Mixed Forests/Woodlands (4 percent)—This classification delineates areas where neither 

hardwood nor pine species represent more than 75 percent of the cover. These mixed 

hardwood/pine areas are typically dominated by loblolly, shortleaf, slash, and/or longleaf pine, 

with a wide variety of oak and hickory species, plus hackberry, elm, sweetgum, persimmon, and 

yellow poplar. 

Mississippi Invasive/Exotic Species 

The Mississippi Exotic Pest Plant Council lists the top ten worst invasive plants as tallowtree (Triadica 

sebifera); Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense); Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica); tropical soda 

apple (Solanum viarum); purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria); kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata); 

cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica); Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense); water hyacinth (Eichornia 

crassipes); alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides); and Eurasian milfoil (Myriophyllum spictum). 

To date, Chinese tallow, Chinese privet, Japanese honeysuckle, kudzu, and cogon grass have been the 

most frequent exotic species occurring on BLM non-USFS FMO. Cogon grass, in particular, has the 

potential to affect future land use practices because of its ability to alter natural fire regimes, its thick 

growth habit that excludes other vegetation, and the difficulty to control it. Chinese privet is a common 

invasive along edges and disturbed sites throughout the State. Chinese tallow tree is often found near 

wetlands and disturbed areas including fence rows and roads. 

3.4.5 Fish and Wildlife 

Game Species 

Mississippi has abundant and diverse game populations actively managed across the State. The State 

supports the highest white-tailed deer density in the nation with the population estimated at 1.75 million. 

The wild turkey population is estimated at 300,000. Both species were brought back by extensive 

restocking efforts during the 1950s and 1960s. Mourning dove is common throughout farms, woodlots, 

agricultural fields, and grasslands. Small game species include rabbit, gray squirrel, and fox squirrel. 

Naturalized populations of wild hog are now found in at least 65 of Mississippi’s 82 counties. Mississippi 

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is part of the Mississippi Flyway; reservoirs, ponds and swamps across the State provide important winter 

habitat for waterfowl that are produced in the Prairie Pothole Region and Great Lakes States. In most 

years, Mississippi winters significant numbers of mallards and wood ducks across the State. Historically, 

flooded forests in the Delta region of northwestern Mississippi provided reliable, high-quality habitat for 

millions of mallards, wood ducks, and other waterfowl. This region is the focus of major waterfowl 

conservation efforts, including the Lower Mississippi Joint Venture program. 

Neotropical Migratory Birds 

According to the Mississippi Ornithological Society, 396 bird species have been seen in Mississippi. The 

State is an important migration route for many migratory songbirds. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is a key 

staging area for migrants as they replenish fat reserves for the trans-Gulf flight during the fall and 

provides the first landfall for tired migrants during spring migrations. 

3.4.6 Special Status Species 

For the purposes of this document special status species are defined as all Federal and State-listed, species 

occurring in the State, species proposed or candidates for Federal or State listing, and those species 

identified by BLM as sensitive species. BLM Eastern State’s policy designates as “BLM sensitive” those 

additional species that are considered to be critically imperiled (S-1) or imperiled (S-2) by the State 

Natural Heritage programs. The USFWS lists 37 Federally-listed species which currently or historically 

occurred in Mississippi. The Mississippi Natural Heritage Program (MNHP) inventory lists 339 species 

ranked as either critically imperiled (S-1) or imperiled (S-2) in the State. A list of S-1 and S-2 species 

being tracked by MNHP is included in Appendix E. A complete list of the wildlife species of 

conservation concern in the State is available in the Mississippi CWCS. 

This discussion of special status species takes a statewide perspective, even though management of 

BLM’s scattered surface acreage and oil and gas development would probably directly affect less than 

229 acres in total. Oil and gas leasing of non-USFS FMO in particular could occur anywhere in the State, 

and future oil and gas development has the potential to affect aquatic systems downstream from locations 

substantially increasing the area potentially affected. Therefore, a statewide perspective is needed to cover 

the full geographic range of potential impacts. 

Overview 

The State of Mississippi covers four ecoregions: the East Gulf Coastal Plain, the Upper East Gulf Coastal 

Plain, the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, and the Northern Gulf Coastal Plain (see Section 3.4.2). The 

following discussions highlight the special status issues in each of these ecoregions. 

The East Gulf Coastal Plain is one of the most biologically rich ecoregions in the country. Many of the 

special status species in this area are associated with the vast longleaf pine forests and embedded wetland 

bogs that once stretched across much of the southern United States. Longleaf forests are now found on 

about three percent of the original acreage, much of it converted to commercial pine plantations for 

loblolly and slash pine. What acreage remains is often degraded by exclusion from the frequent fires that 

historically maintained this system and by habitat fragmentation. Species endemic to the ecoregion, many 

of which were never common, have been further imperiled by these changes (Mississippi CWCS). 

Keystone species in this habitat are the red-cockaded woodpecker and gopher tortoise, both Federally and 

State-listed. Others include the highly restricted Mississippi gopher frog found only in a handful of ponds 

in Harrison and Jackson counties. 

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Wet savannas in the East Gulf Coastal Plain are estimated to be reduced to less than five percent of their 

original acreage (Mississippi CWCS). Most of the largest patches of this habitat are located in the 

Sandhill Crane NWR. This region’s pitcher bogs and pine seeps support an exceptionally diverse flora 

and endemic crawfish species, including one Federally-listed crayfish and six other crayfish listed as 

imperiled or critically imperiled. 

Two large and biologically important rivers systems flow through this portion of the East Gulf Coastal 

Plain: the Pearl River and the Pascagoula River. Both are considered vulnerable (Mississippi CWCS). 

The lower Pearl River is affected by impoundment at the Ross Barnett Reservoir, as well as 

channelization and increased sediments from surrounding land uses. The Pascagoula is America’s longest 

unencumbered river and one of the most intact in the southeast (Mississippi CWCS). These river systems 

support 13 Federally or State-listed species, and 19 other special status species, mostly fish and mussels. 

The rivers and major tributaries are designated critical habitat for Gulf sturgeon. 

The Mississippi River Alluvial Plain bordered by the Mississippi River on the west is dominated by 

bottomland hardwood forests. These rich frequently flooded forests and associated habitats support over 

240 fish species, 45 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 37 species of mussels. In addition, 50 species 

of mammals and approximately 60 percent of all bird species in the contiguous United States currently 

utilize this ecoregion (Mississippi CWCS). This area is important to the recovery of the endangered 

Louisiana black bear, and recently supported one of the two litters recorded in the State in over 30 years. 

Old-growth hardwoods are crucial habitat for 11 of 18 bat species in the southeast (Mississippi CWCS). 

At least four Federally-listed species and seven other special status species occur in this area. 

The Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain in Mississippi ranges from the northern edge of the longleaf pine 

forests grading to the north through oak-hickory-pine forests to oak-hickory forests. Many of the most 

vulnerable special status species occurring in this area are associated with the river systems, wetland 

habitats and prairie opening scattered through Jackson and larger Black Belts. This region supports a large 

number of endemic crayfish, mussel species, and fish. Key rivers include the Tombigbee, Yazoo, and Big 

Black Rivers, all of which have been substantially altered by impoundments and channelization. 

Tributaries and streams in this area have been subjected to increased sedimentation from agricultural and 

forestry. The Mississippi CWCS lists 45 crayfish, fish and mussel special status species as critically 

imperiled (S-1) or imperiled (S-2) in the Tombigbee River system, this in addition to thirteen Federallylisted species. Six of these mussel species in Tombigbee are presumed or expected to be extirpated from 

the State. Karst areas in Mississippi are primarily associated with the “Vicksburg Group” of soils in 

Clark, Jasper, and Wayne counties in east central Mississippi, and Union and Tishomingo counties. About 

65 caves covering less than 100 acres support several special status species, including cave salamander, 

spring salamander, and many of the State’s bat species. 

The Mississippi Northern Gulf Coastal Plain includes barrier islands with beaches, coastal marshes, 

and maritime scrub and woodlands. At the coastline, these habitats grade through salt marshes to 

productive estuaries (Mississippi CWCS). Mississippi has established an 83,000-acre coastal preserve 

system to protect and enhance coastal wetlands and barrier islands. The system is dominated by coastal 

wetlands that support a number of special status shorebirds, including the piping plover, American 

oystercatcher, and Wilson’s plover; wading birds, such as reddish egret and white ibis; and others such as 

the brown pelican. They also support the Mississippi diamondback terrapin. Natural beaches in the State 

tend to be mud shores often associated with the estuaries of larger rivers and provide important foraging 

areas for wading birds and shorebirds. Maritime woodlands dominated by live oak, laurel oak, and saw 

palmetto provide crucial staging areas for neotropical migrants to rest and build or replenish fat reserves, 

particularly during inclement weather and for exhausted birds making landfall. This habitat is considered 

critically imperiled due to its extreme rarity and because of the threats of urbanization and exotic weeds. 

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Species Accounts 

The following Federally-listed or candidate species are known to occur or to have potential to occur on 

BLM non-USFS FMO (Natureserve 2006). A list of species ranked by MNHP as critically imperiled (S1) or imperiled (S-2) is provided in Appendix E. 

Mammals 

Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus), Federally-listed as 

endangered, State-listed as endangered 

The Louisiana black bear prefers forested areas with dense understory vegetation, particularly bottomland 

hardwoods which include hard and soft mast, escape cover, denning sites, corridor habitat, and distance 

from humans. Escape cover is especially critical for bears that live in fragmented habitat and close to 

humans. Access to a variety of habitat is consistent with the black bear’s need for a seasonal assortment 

of foods during the year. Louisiana black bears have been known to travel long distances in search of 

food, habitat, and mates. Modification and loss of habitat are the primary reasons for the decline of the 

black bear (USFWS 1995). There are an estimated 50 Louisiana black bears in Mississippi. Recent litters 

in Washington County and in the Mississippi Delta are the first recorded in 30 years. 

Gray myotis (Myotis grisescens), Federally-listed as endangered, Statelisted as endangered 

Gray myotis roost almost exclusively in caves, generally utilizing different caves for summer and winter 

hibernaculum. Gray bats were last documented in Mississippi in 1967 in the northeastern corner of 

Tishomingo County. A male was found on private property in Tishomingo County on September 20, 

2004. The location is approximately 90 km southwest of the closest known gray bat maternal colony, 

located at Blowing Springs Cave, Alabama (Sherman and Martin 2006). 

Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), Federally-listed as endangered, State-listed as 

endangered 

Indiana bat hibernates in caves, typically limestone with pools where the mean midwinter temperature is 4 

– 8 degrees Celsius. During the summer, their habitat consists of wooded or semiwooded areas, often but 

not always along streams. Indiana bats roost in hollow trees or under loose bark during the summer, 

including the season for rearing their young. Foraging habitats include riparian areas, upland forests, 

ponds, and fields (Menzel et al. 2001). There are no known hibernacula in Mississippi, but there is 

potential for this species to occur in Tishomingo County, utilizing summer habitats. 

Birds 

Southeastern snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus tenuirostris), Statelisted as endangered 

This species occurs year round on the coastal beaches, dry mud or salt flats, sandy shores of rivers, lakes, 

and ponds. The species nest on ground on broad open beaches or salt or dry mud flats, where vegetation is 

sparse or absent (small clumps of vegetation are used for cover by chicks); nests are found beside or 

under objects or in the open. 

Interior least tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos), Federally and State-listed 

as endangered 

This population is Federally-listed where it occurs along sand bars and beaches along the Mississippi 

River. 

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Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), Federally-listed as 

endangered, State-listed as endangered 

This non-migrating subspecies is currently restricted to an area in southern Jackson County, Mississippi, 

extending from the Pascagoula River west to the Jackson County line, south to Simmons Bayou, north 

latitude about four miles north of Vancleave; part of this area is within the Mississippi Sandhill Crane 

NWR. Typical habitat is open savannas, swamp edges, young pine plantations, and wetlands along edges 

of pine forests; associated trees and shrubs include longleaf pine, slash pine, bald cypress, gallberry, wax 

myrtle, black gum, sweet bay, and yaupon. 

Bewick’s wren (Thryomanes bewickii), State-listed as endangered 

An extremely rare bird east of the Mississippi River, Bewick’s wrens are seen occasionally in Mississippi 

during the winter, rarely breeding in the State. 

Piping plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), Atlantic Coast and Great Plains 

populations listed as Federally-threatened and Great Lakes populations 

listed as Federally-endangered, State-listed as endangered 

All three populations of piping plover winter along the south Atlantic and Gulf coasts where they are 

classified as threatened. On July 3, 2001, USFWS designated 165,211 acres along 1,798 miles of 

coastline in eight southern States as critical habitat for the wintering population of piping plover. This 

includes much of the Mississippi coastline. Wintering birds are present from August to May, but numbers 

peak during the winter months. 

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Federally-listed as threatened, 

proposed for delisting, State-listed as endangered 

Bald eagles are found throughout the State primarily along larger rivers and numerous reservoirs. In 2006, 

there were 31 active nests in the State being monitored with up to 62 chicks, and the possibility of 13 

additional nests (Nick Winstead, personal communication). 

Wood stork (Mycteria americana), Federally-listed as endangered, Statelisted as endangered 

The wetlands of the Coastal Plain of Mississippi provide important foraging habitat for wood storks that 

disperse from breeding areas in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina in late summer and early fall. 

Primarily habitats are marshes, swamps, lagoons, ponds, and flooded fields and ditches. During extended 

drought, depressions in marshes and brackish wetlands have increased importance. In Mississippi, wood 

storks occur primarily in the coastal counties, including Hancock, Jackson, and Harrison Counties. 

Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), Federally-listed as endangered, 

although under status review for delisting (Federal Register, May 24, 2006), 

State-listed as endangered 

The brown pelican is a coastal species that makes extensive use of sand spits, offshore sand bars, and 

islets for nocturnal roosting and daily loafing, especially by nonbreeders and during the non-nesting 

season. Dry roosting sites are essential. Some roosting sites eventually may become nesting areas. 

Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), Federally-listed as 

endangered, State-listed as endangered 

Red-cockaded woodpeckers require open pine woodlands and savannahs with large old pines for nesting 

and roosting habitat. Large old pines are required as cavity trees and are typically in open stands with 

little or no hardwood midstory and few or no overstory hardwoods. Hardwood encroachment resulting 

from fire suppression is a well-known cause of cluster abandonment. Suitable foraging habitat typically 

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consists of mature pines with an open canopy, low densities of small pines, little or no hardwood or pine 

midstory, few or no overstory hardwoods, and abundant native bunchgrass, and forb groundcovers. The 

Federal threshold for minimally suitable foraging habitat is stands of at least 50 percent pine where the 

dominant trees are pines over 30 years of age. Minimum criteria for nesting habitat is pines, 60 years or 

older, which may be dispersed among younger stands, located within 0.5 miles of suitable foraging 

habitat. 

Reptiles 

Black pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi), a Federal candidate for 

listing, State-listed as endangered 

Black pine snake habitat is characterized as sandy, well-drained soils with an overstory of longleaf pine, a 

fire-suppressed mid-story, and dense herbaceous ground cover. In Mississippi, there are recent records in 

nine out of 14 counties with historic records (Forrest, George, Harrison, Jones, Marion, Pearl River, 

Perry, Stone, and Wayne). The distribution of populations within these counties has become highly 

restricted due to the fragmentation of the remaining longleaf pine habitat. In seven of the nine occupied 

Mississippi counties, populations of black pine snakes are concentrated in the DeSoto National Forest. In 

the remaining occupied Mississippi counties, one population is known from the Marion County Wildlife 

Management Area and one occurs on private land. 

Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), Federally-listed as threatened and 

State-listed as endangered 

The most common nesting sea turtle in Mississippi, loggerheads nest on open sandy beaches above hightide mark, seaward of well-developed dunes primarily on barrier islands. Nesting normally occurs from 

early May through August, with the majority of nests being laid during June and July. Females lay three 

to five nests, and sometimes more, during a single nesting season. The eggs incubate approximately two 

months before hatching sometime between late June and mid-November. 

Rainbow snake (Farancia erytrogramma) State-listed as endangered 

This snake lives primarily in or near rivers, creeks, swamps, springs, and open marshes, including 

brackish tidal areas; in some areas hibernation occurs in uplands near water. In Mississippi there are 

records for this snake in Forrest, Hancock, Jackson, and Lamar Counties. 

Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), Federally-listed as threatened, 

State-listed as endangered 

In Mississippi, gopher tortoise populations are restricted to the well-drained sandy soil that once 

supported the vast longleaf forests across the State and much of the southeast. These habitats limit the 

tortoise's range in Mississippi to the lower 14 counties of the State. Research has shown that gopher 

tortoises move up to 600 feet between burrows for breeding purposes and two or more burrows within 

600 feet of each other can be defined as a population (McDearman, personal communication) 

Yellow-blotched map turtle (Graptemys flavimaculata), Federally-listed as 

threatened, State-listed as endangered 

The yellow-blotched map turtle is found only in the Pascagoula River system, including its tributaries: the 

Leaf, Chickasawhay, and Escatawpa Rivers in southern Mississippi. 

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Black-knobbed map turtle (Graptemys nigrinoda), State-listed as 

endangered 

Black-knobbed map turtle habitat consists of rivers and streams with moderate current, sand or clay 

bottom, and logs and other basking sites in northeastern Mississippi in Clay, Lowndes, and Monroe 

Counties. 

Ringed map turtle (Graptemys oculifera), Federally-listed as threatened, 

State-listed as endangered 

Typical habitat is medium size streams and rivers with moderate to fast current, numerous basking logs, 

nearby sand and gravel bars, and channel wide enough to allow sun to reach basking logs from 10:00 a.m. 

to 4:00 p.m. (McCoy and Vogt 1980, Dickerson and Reine 1996). This species requires high water quality 

to support main food sources. Eggs are laid in nests dug in sandy beaches or gravel bars. In Mississippi, 

the ringed map turtle is found in the Pearl River system from the vicinity of Philadelphia, Neshoba 

County, downstream in the Pearl (including Ross Barnett Reservoir) and West Pearl rivers to near the 

town of Pearl River. Distribution includes habitats in Copiah, Hinds, Lawrence, Leake, Madison, Marion, 

Neshoba, Pearl River, Rankin, Scott, and Simpson Counties. 

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Federally-listed at threatened, Statelisted as endangered 

The green sea turtle may be an occasional visitor to Mississippi waters, but is not known to nest in the 

State. 

Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), Federally-listed at 

endangered, State-listed as endangered 

Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle is an occasional visitor to Mississippi waters, where it is sometimes caught in 

shrimp nets. Almost the entire population nests in Mexico and southern Texas. 

Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Federally-listed at 

endangered, State-listed as endangered 

The leatherback sea turtle is an occasional visitor to Mississippi waters, but not known to nest in the 

State. 

Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi), Federally-listed as threatened, 

State-listed as endangered 

The historical range of the eastern indigo snake was from the east coast of South Carolina through 

southern Georgia, Florida, into south Alabama and southwest Mississippi, often associated with gopher 

tortoises. Particularly outside of southern Florida, gopher tortoise burrows provide important refugia from 

temperature extremes. Naturally occurring populations are now found only in southern Georgia and 

Florida. Indigo snakes were historically found in the lower coastal plain along with the burrowing gopher 

tortoise. This species is very rare and possibly extirpated in Mississippi. 

Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Federally-listed as 

endangered, State-listed as endangered 

Hawksbill sea turtles may be an occasional visitor to Mississippi waters, but are not known to nest in the 

State. 

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Southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), State-listed as endangered 

Historically this snake occurred in open, xeric habitats with well-drained, sandy soils in the Coastal Plain 

from eastern North Carolina to southern Florida, west to southeastern Mississippi. It is now presumed to 

be extirpated in Mississippi and possibly extirpated in Alabama. 

Amphibians 

One toed amphiuma (Amphiuma pholeter), State-listed as endangered 

This species is found in deep, organic, liquid muck in alluvial swamps of low-gradient 2nd or 3rd order 

streams, spring runs, and occasionally floodplain swampy terrace streams. There are records from Jackson 

County in Mississippi. 

Mississippi gopher frog (Rana sevosa), Federally-listed as endangered, 

State-listed as endangered 

This species once existed in the longleaf pine forests of the lower coastal plain from east of the 

Mississippi River in Louisiana to the Mobile River delta in Alabama. It has not been seen in Louisiana 

since 1967 or in Alabama since 1922. It is currently known to exist in three limited locations. The largest 

and best known population is at Glen’s Pond located in Harrison County, Mississippi on the De Soto 

National Forest. Two other occupied ponds were found in 2004; one pond is owned by the State of 

Mississippi and the other on private land in Jackson County. 

Green salamander (Aneides aeneus), State-listed as endangered 

This salamander is limited to northeastern Mississippi with records from Tishomingo County. It prefers 

damp (but not wet) crevices in shaded rock outcrops and ledges. It sometimes reaches high population 

densities in logged areas where tree tops are left. 

Cave salamander (Eurycea lucifuga), State-listed as endangered 

This salamander is found in caves (usually limestone); also rocky streams and springs, and wooded areas 

and fields, usually near caves or limestone outcrops in northern Mississippi. There are records from 

Tishomingo County. 

Spring salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) State-listed as endangered 

This salamander is found in small, clear upland streams; clear springs; caves; shaded seepages; 

occasionally in swamps and lake margins, sometimes also in forested wet areas away from streams, 

especially during rainy periods. There are records of this salamander from Tishomingo County. 

Fish 

Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi), Federally-listed as 

threatened, State-listed as endangered 

Adult Gulf sturgeon migrate into large river systems between late March and early April to spawn, 

sometimes moving as much as 140 miles upstream. Adults and subadults return to the Gulf of Mexico in 

late fall. The young generally stay in the river mouth through winter and spring. Critical habitat has been 

designated and in Mississippi includes the Pearl and Pascagoula Rivers and their major tributaries. 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-67 
Chapter 3-Mississippi Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus), Federally-listed as endangered, 

State-listed as endangered 

The pallid sturgeon is a species of large, turbid, free-flowing rivers; occurs in strong current over firm 

gravel or sandy substrate. In Mississippi, records are from the Mississippi River and Sunflower 

River/Yazoo Rivers. 

Alabama sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus suttkusi), Federally-listed as 

endangered, State-listed as endangered 

The Alabama sturgeon was found historically throughout the Mobile River basin in Mississippi and 

Alabama. It is now restricted to a 216 km (130 mi) reach of the Alabama River in Alabama. 

Crystal darter (Crystallaria asprella), State-listed as endangered 

The crystal darter is found in large creeks and rivers with extensive clean sand and gravel raceways. In 

Mississippi, crystal darters may be extirpated from the Tombigbee River, as they have not been collected 

since shortly after it was completed. There are other records from Pearl River system and Bayou Pierre. 

Bayou darter (Etheostoma rubrum), Federally-listed as threatened, Statelisted as endangered 

The bayou darter distribution is very localized and found in Bayou Pierre and its tributaries in Copiah 

County. The largest concentrations occur in sections of Bayou Pierre and Foster Creek, north of State 

Highway 548. Bayou darter prefers stable, moderately swift riffles of large gravel and rock in creeks and 

small to medium rivers. 

Ironcolor shiner (Notropis chalybaeus), State-listed as endangered 

This shiner occurs in low gradient coastal streams along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. In Mississippi, 

surveys in 1995 – 1996 did not find any ironcolor shiners at 15 historic locations. During this survey, a 

new locality was recorded in extreme southeastern Mississippi in the Escatawapa River (Albanese and 

Slack 1998). 

Frecklebelly madtom (Noturus munitus), State-listed as endangered 

This fish occurs chiefly in rocky riffles in medium to large rivers. In Mississippi the current range is 

restricted to the Tombigbee and Pearl River systems. 

Greenside darter (Etheostoma blennioides), State-listed as endangered 

Habitat preferences are variable; often in medium-sized to large creeks and small to medium rivers with 

gravel- or rubble-strewn riffles, although they also occur in silt-free, shallow bedrock pools with steady 

current, and sometimes inhabit relatively quiet lake shores. In Mississippi, records are from the 

northeastern corner of the State in Tishomingo County. 

Saltmarsh topminnow (Fundulus jenkinsi) Federal candidate for listing 

This coastal species is found in cord grass marshes. During a recent survey, 90 percent of the saltmarsh 

topminnow were found in water with ≤ 12% salinity. In Mississippi, there are scattered records along the 

coast, including the Simmons Bay, Old Fort Bayou, Biloxi Bay, and Bay St. Louis. 

Bigeye shiner (Notropis boops), State-listed as endangered 

This fish is generally confined to upland streams in the Mississippi River basin from the Tennessee and 

Ohio River basins west to Missouri and Arkansas. In Mississippi, there are records from the Tennessee 

River system in the northeastern portion of the State. 

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Slenderhead darter (Percina phoxocephala), State-listed as endangered 

This species is found in runs and riffles of creeks and small to medium rivers with moderate to strong 

flow and gravel, rubble, or bedrock substrate. In Mississippi, records are from Tishomingo County in the 

northeast corner of the State. 

Suckermouth minnow (Phenacobius mirabilis) State-listed as endangered 

This bottom-feeding minnow is found in low-gradient and moderate-gradient rivers and large creeks. In 

Mississippi, there are records in Tishomingo County. 

Southern redbelly dace (Phoxinus erythrogaster) State-listed as 

endangered 

This dace is generally found in headwater streams and upland creeks. In Mississippi, there are records 

from Tallahatchie, Tishomingo, Warren, Wilkinson, and Yazoo Counties. 

Slender madtom (Noturus exilis) State-listed as endangered 

This species uses a wide range of depths and current velocities. In Mississippi, there are records from 

Tishomingo County. 

Mussels 

The following mussel species are Federally or State-listed in Mississippi. 

Table 3-13. Federally and State-listed Mussel Species in Mississippi 

Federally and State listed Mussel 

Species in Mississippi 

Federal 

Status 

State 

Status County Occurrence Records 

Alabama moccasinshell (Medionidus 

acutissimus) T E Lowndes and Monroe Counties 

Black clubshell (Pleurobema curtum) E E Monroe County 

Delicate spike (Elliptio arctata) E George, Leake, Lowndes, Monroe and 

Simpson Counties 

Fat pocketbook (Potamilus (=Proptera) caprax) E E Adams, Issaquena and Jefferson 

Counties 

Flat pigtoe (Pleurobema marshalli) E E Lowndes County 

Heavy pigtoe (Pleurobema taitianum) E E Lowndes and Itawamba Counties 

Inflated heelsplitter (Potamilus inflatus) 

likely extirpated from the State 

T E NA (Pearl and Tombigbee Rivers) 

Kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus fasciolaris) E Tishomingo County 

Monkeyface (Quadrula metanevra) E Clay, Lowndes and Monroe Counties. 

Orange-nacre mucket (Lampsilis perovalis) T E Itawamba, Lowndes and Monroe 

Counties 

Ovate clubshell (Pleurobema perovatum) E E Clay, Itawamba, Lowndes and Monroe 

Counties 

Pyramid pigtoe (Pleurobema rubrum) E 

Coahoma, Hinds, Humphreys, 

Sunflower, Warren, and Washington 

Counties 

Sheepnose mussel (Plethobasus cyphus) E Sunflower County 

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Chapter 3-Mississippi Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

Federally and State listed Mussel 

Species in Mississippi 

Federal 

Status 

State 

Status County Occurrence Records 

Slabside pearlymussel (Lexingtonia 

dolabelloides) E NA (Lake Pontchartrain) 

Snuffbox (Epilblasma triquetra) E Tishomingo County 

Southern clubshell (Pleurobema decisum) E E Clay, Itawamba, Lowndes and Monroe 

Counties 

Southern combshell (Epioblasma penita) E E Clay, Itawamba, Lowndes and Monroe 

Counties 

Spike (Elliptio dilatata) E Benton and Sunflower Counties 

Stirrupshell (Quadrula stapes) E E Lowndes County 

Crayfish 

Camp Shelby burrowing crawfish (Fallicambarus gordoni), a Federal 

candidate for listing, State-listed as endangered 

This crayfish is restricted to bogs in pitcher plant wetlands in the Leaf River watershed, in the DeSoto 

National Forest in Perry County, Mississippi. 

Plants 

Louisiana quillwort (Isoetes louisianensis), Federally-listed as threatened 

Louisiana quillwort is restricted to shallow blackwater streams in riparian woodland and bayhead forest 

areas of pine flatwoods. The plants are found on stable sand and gravel bars, moist overflow channels 

with silty sand substrates, and on low, sloping banks near and below water level. In Mississippi, there are 

records from Jackson and Perry Counties. 

Pondberry (Lindera melissifolia), Federally-listed as endangered 

Pondberry habitat is characterized as seasonally flooded wetlands, such as floodplain hardwood forests 

and forested swales. Pondberry is usually found in shade, but tolerates full sun. In Mississippi, there are 

records of approximately 204 colonies, primarily in the Delta National Forest (192 colonies in the Delta 

National Forest and 12 colonies on private lands approximately 65 miles north of the Forest) (GSRC 

2002). 

Price’s potato bean (Apios priceana), Federally-listed as threatened 

Price’s potato bean is an herbaceous twining perennial vine typically located under mixed hardwoods or 

in associated forest clearings, often where bluffs or ravine slopes meet creek or river bottoms. Soils are 

generally well-drained and loamy, formed on alluvium or over calcareous boulders. Several populations 

extend onto road or powerline ROWs. There are four populations in Mississippi located in three counties: 

Clay, Oktibbeha, and Lee (Norquist 1990). 

American chaffseed (Schwalbea americana), Federally-listed as 

endangered 

American chaffseed is a perennial member of the figwort family found in acidic, sandy or peaty soils in 

open pine flatwoods, pitch pine lowland forests, seepage bogs, palustrine pine savannahs, and other grassand sedge-dominated plant communities. It frequently grows in ecotonal areas between peaty wetlands 

and xeric sandy soils. In these situations, individuals sometimes extend well into the drier communities, 

3-70 Alabama and Mississippi RMP 
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but seldom into the areas that support species characteristic of wetter soils. Surrounding plant 

communities are typically rich in species diversity. There are historic records from Jackson County. 

3.4.7 Wildland Fire Ecology and Management 

Characteristics of wildfire in southeastern States are discussed in Section 3.2.7, however, the southern 

one-third of Mississippi generally tends to have the most wildland fire activity (Southern Group of State 

Foresters 2004). Mississippi’s forests and associated species are adapted to regular wildland fire. 

However, changing land use practices, urban sprawl, land fragmentation, natural disasters such as 

hurricanes, increasing land values, population increases, and the transition from urban to rural populations 

results in a build-up of fuels and a need to increase fuels management and wildland fire activities 

(Southern Group of State Foresters 2004). Through the course of an average year in Mississippi, there are 

3,635 individual wildland fires that burn 47,597 acres per year over the last five years (fiscal years 2000– 

2004) (MFC 2004). The average wildfire size is approximately 10 acres per fire (MFC 2004). 

Although Mississippi has WUI areas across the State, relatively few homes and structures are lost to 

wildland fires annually. An average of 12 homes and eight other structures are lost each year to wildland 

fires. There are usually 15 vehicles damaged or destroyed by wildland fire each year (Southern Group of 

State Foresters 2004). 

The Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) is responsible for protecting 14.8 million acres of private 

non-industrial forestland within the State (Southern Group of State Foresters 2004). MFC provides forest 

protection through the placement of county fire crews and by working closely with Federal agencies 

through cooperative agreements and Memoranda of Understanding MOUs (Southern Group of State 

Foresters 2004). On Federally managed lands (9.8% of the forestland base), the MFC has mutual aid 

agreements to support Federal wildland fire suppression efforts. Timber companies suppress wildland 

fires on their property and at times assist in suppression efforts on private lands (Southern Group of State 

Foresters 2004). 

Since forestlands and species in Mississippi are adapted to regular disturbance by wildland fires to 

maintain forest health, but suppression activities limit the role of natural wildland fires, managed fuel 

treatments are needed to maintain forest health. Table 3-14 shows the fuels treatments completed in 

Mississippi by Department of the Interior agencies and USFS. The BLM did not conduct any fuels 

treatments in Mississippi over these four years. Over 95 percent of these treatments were completed by 

the USFS using prescribed fires approximately 80 percent of the time. Over 96 percent of Federal fuels 

treatments were applied in WUI areas. 

Table 3-14. DOI and USDA Fuels Treatment Accomplishments for Mississippi (Acres) 

Year Wildland-Urban Interface 

Fire Mechanical Total Fire 

Other 

Mechanical Total 

Total 

2006 101,385 117,052 218,437 2,847 846 3,693 222,130 

2005 256,138 18,879 275,017 10,312 27 10,339 285,356 

2004 251,924 10,496 262,420 16,820 672 17,492 279,912 

2003 264,855 605 265,460 6,598 466 7,064 272,524 

Source: http://www.fireplan.gov/overview/States/ms.html, accessed March 2, 2007 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-71 
Chapter 3-Mississippi Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

Fuels treatments, including prescribed fire, are also implemented by the MFC on the private and Stateowned forests. In addition, the MFC provides training and permitting to ensure that fuels treatments in 

these areas, and prescribed fire in particular, are completed in a manner that maintains protects firefighter 

and public safety, as well as capital improvements and natural resources. 

3.4.8 Cultural Resources 

Mississippi surface and non-USFS FMO tracts have not been fully surveyed for cultural resources. The 

surveys that have been conducted were usually initiated by project proponents on a project-specific basis, 

such as for oil and gas, coal mining, transportation, or water projects, to comply with the requirements of 

Section 106 of NHPA, 36 CFR Part 800, described in Section 3.2.8. 

A cultural resources literature and records search was conducted for BLM surface and non-USFS FMO 

tracts in the State of Mississippi. The results of the research are presented in an overview (Panamerican 

Consultants, Inc. 2005a) that is on file at the BLM office in Jackson. The following cultural resource 

information was taken from Panamerican Consultants Inc. (2005b), unless otherwise noted. Descriptions 

of the prehistoric periods are provided in Table 3-5. Cultural resources from any of these time periods 

may be present on BLM-administered surface and non-USFS FMO. 

Prehistory 

A variety of cultural resource site types attributed to a range of culturally distinct chronological periods 

from 10,000-plus years ago to the present day have been recorded in the Southeast. The cultural periods 

represented include Paleoindian, Archaic, Gulf Formational, Woodland, Mississippian, and Protohistoric. 

Descriptions of the prehistoric periods and general types of cultural materials associated with each one are 

provided in Table 3-5 in Section 3.2.8. 

History 

A wealth of Mississippi history is associated with American Indian inhabitants, European exploration, 

multiple battles, and the evolution of southern culture. These events, discussed below, provide the context 

and relative importance of the cultural site types that may be encountered on BLM-administered surface 

and non-USFS FMO. 

From the 16th to the 19th century, Spain, France, and England fought for domination and possession of 

the territories and resources in the southeastern United States. European exploration of this area was 

discussed in Section 3.2.8. Mississippi was home to many American Indian groups during this time, but 

European disease epidemics and Chickasaw slave raids greatly reduced their populations (Galloway 

1995). The three best known American Indian groups in Mississippi are the Choctaw, Chickasaw, and 

Natchez (Cushman 1899). The Choctaw, who had the largest population, occupied most of southeastern 

Mississippi and a portion of western Alabama. The Chickasaw occupied the northeastern section of 

Mississippi and claimed western Tennessee as a hunting ground. The Natchez occupied the loess bluffs 

overlooking the Mississippi River in southwestern Mississippi. If any cultural material potentially tied to 

these Indian Nations is encountered, Federally-recognized Native American tribes will need to be 

consulted before any undertaking, as discussed in Section 3.2.8. 

After the American Revolution, the lands east of the Mississippi River became part of the United States. 

The Mississippi Territory was created in 1798, and Mississippi became a State in 1817 (Bettersworth 

1959; Haynes 1973). The largest population growth and county organization in Mississippi history 

occurred between 1832 and 1854 (Gonzales 1973). Numerous railroads were chartered, seagoing 

steamboats came upriver to Natchez, and many domestic travel improvements were made. Land 

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Draft EIS – August 2007 Chapter 3-Mississippi Statewide Perspective 

development, the rise of cotton as a major cash crop, and easier means of transporting goods contributed 

to the State’s growing prosperity. Slavery played a vital role in the growth and production of cotton and 

became a contentious issue in Mississippi and the other States. The pro-slavery States began to move 

toward secession from the Union, and in 1861, Mississippi voted to secede (Bettersworth 1959). The 

Mississippi River was of great importance to the Union because it kept the Midwest commerce moving 

and was a major focus for northern generals during the Civil War. In 1865, the war ended and the slaves 

were emancipated, which dramatically affected southern agriculture and economics. Sharecropping and 

tenant farming became the common mode of farming after the abolition of slavery 

In the late 1800s, manufacturing in the State was in the form of textile mills. The lumber industry became 

a growing economic force, as did the cottonseed and fertilizer industries (Bettersworth 1959). 

Mississippi’s centennial celebration was overshadowed by the entry of the United States into World 

War I. Camp Shelby, near Hattiesburg, was made a major training camp. One of the few air bases in the 

country was located near the town of Columbus (Bettersworth 1959). Following World War I, the 

Mississippi River Flood of 1927 covered nearly half of the delta with 30 feet of water for months (Barry 

1998; Bettersworth 1959). Nearly 300,000 black americans migrated to northern cities as a result of this 

flood. Another result was the creation of several large flood-control steps by the U. S. Army Corps of 

Engineers in Vicksburg (Barry 1998). The Depression followed the flood and Mississippi’s economy was 

once again shattered (Emmerich 1973). World War II and military mobilization brought significant 

change to the State’s economy. 

Cultural Sites 

As discussed in Section 3.2.8, prehistoric or historic cultural resource sites, structures, or objects listed on 

or eligible for listing on NRHP are protected and managed as directed by 36 CFR 800. Cultural resources 

found ineligible for NRHP require no further archaeological work and are not protected by law. Sites are 

identified as undetermined/unknown when additional work is required to determine the site’s eligibility. 

The nature and location of any archaeological resources are protected under ARPA (also discussed in 

Section 3.2.8. 

Records were searched for 3,698 non-USFS FMO tracts in Mississippi. The records revealed 601 sites, of 

which 28 sites were considered eligible for NRHP. Most of the tracts have never been surveyed, and there 

is a high potential for finding additional archaeological sites. There are two sites listed on NRHP that are 

located near BLM-administered non-USFS FMO tracts. 

Records were searched for the BLM surface tract in Mississippi, which cover 174 acres in Hancock 

County. This tract does not contain any previously recorded sites; however, there are three cultural sites 

recorded within one-half mile of the tract. There are 20 NRHP-listed properties in Hancock County 

(NRHP 2004), but only one NRHP-listed archaeological site is located within 800 meters of the tract. 

Cultural sites on adjacent lands could provide information on the potential for the occurrence and types of 

sites that could be discovered on the BLM surface tracts; however, these sites are not affected by BLM 

activities and management. Table 3-15 summarizes the cultural sites identified. 

Table 3-15. Cultural Sites on BLM Surface and Non-USFS FMO Tracts in Mississippi 

NRHP Status 

tract Type Total Sites Potentially Eligible/ 

Eligible Not Eligible Undetermined/Unknown 

Non-USFS FMO 

Tracts 

601 28 173 400 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-73 
1 

Chapter 3-Mississippi Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

NRHP Status 

tract Type Total Sites Potentially Eligible/ 

Eligible Not Eligible Undetermined/Unknown 

Hancock County 

Surface Tract 0 0 0 0 

Areas Adjacent to the 

Surface Tract1 3 3 0 0 

One NRHP-listed archaeological site is located within 800 meters of the surface tract. 

3.4.9 Visual Resources 

Visual resources consist of the natural and manmade features that contribute to a particular environment’s 

aesthetics. These features may be natural (e.g., canyon views) or manmade (e.g., city skyline). Together, 

they form the overall impression of an area referred to as the landscape character. Visual resources also 

have a social setting, which includes public values, awareness, and concern about visual quality. VRM 

classifications are established for public lands so that visual resource values can be maintained through 

informed management decisions. 

The visual resource inventory process contained in BLM Handbook H-8410-1 provides BLM managers 

guidance for determining visual values. The inventory consists of scenic quality evaluation, sensitivity 

level analysis, and delineation of distance zones. Based on these three factors, BLM-administered lands 

are placed into one of four visual resource inventory classes. These inventory classes represent the 

relative value of the visual resource: Classes I and II are the most valued, Class III represents a moderate 

value, and Class IV has the least value. Management objectives have been assigned to each class. An area 

may be inventoried as VRM Class III, but a decision may be made to manage it as VRM Class IV, or vice 

versa. Cultural modifications may detract from the scenery, complement it, or improve the overall scenic 

quality of an area. Cultural modifications in landform/water and vegetation values and addition of 

structures will be considered in examining proposed resource management actions. 

The following VRM Class definitions from BLM Handbook H-8410-1 have been amended for the 

purpose of developing and implementing this RMP. Amendments incorporate the visual resource values 

provided by existing cultural features that are significant to the character of the landscape in Mississippi. 

• VRM Class I Objective: The objective of this class is to preserve the existing natural and 

cultural character of the landscape. This class provides for natural ecological changes; however, it 

does not preclude very limited management activity. The level of change to the characteristic 

landscape should be very low and must not detract from the existing landscape character. 

• VRM Class II Objective: The objective of this class is to retain the existing natural and cultural 

character of the landscape. The level of change to the characteristic should be low. Management 

activities may be visible but should not attract the attention of the casual observer. Any changes 

must repeat the basic elements of form, line, color, and texture found in the predominant natural 

and/or cultural features of the characteristic landscape. 

• VRM Class III Objective: The objective of this class is to partially retain the existing natural 

and cultural character of the landscape. The level of change to the characteristic landscape should 

be moderate. Management activities may be visible but should not dominate the view of the 

casual observer. Changes should blend with the natural environment. 

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• VRM Class IV Objective: The objective of this class is to provide for management activities 

that require significant modification of the existing landscape or the existing character of the 

natural and cultural landscape. The level of change to the characteristic landscape can be high. 

These management activities may dominate the view and be the major focus of the casual 

observer’s attention; however, every attempt should be made to minimize the impact of these 

activities through selective location, minimal disturbance, and repetition of basic elements. 

3.4.10 Minerals 

There are 517,934 acres of BLM-administered non-USFS FMO in Mississippi that underlie various 

surface ownership. Surface owners include BLM, DoD, NPS, USFWS, and other Federal agencies. Table 

3-16 shows BLM-administered FMO by surface ownership in Mississippi. 

Table 3-16. BLM-administered Federal Mineral Ownership by Surface Ownership 

Surface Ownership Federal Mineral Ownership in Mississippi (Acres) 

BLM 174 

DoD 40,580 

NPS 2,797 

USFWS 60,207 

Other Federal Agencies 12,766 

Non-Federal surface 401,410 

TOTAL non-USFS FMO 517,934 

USFS 1,055,227 

TOTAL FMO (includes USFS) 1,573,161 

Minerals—Oil and Gas 

The first oil and gas exploration in Mississippi was undertaken in 1903. The Alabama-Mississippi 

Investment and Development Company in Enterprise, Mississippi, drilled the first well just east of 

Enterprise in Clarke County. It was a dry hole that was drilled to 1,842 feet. The first commercial 

discovery occurred near Amory, Mississippi, in Monroe County in October 1926, when gas flowed from 

the 2,404-foot Amory Petroleum Company Carter Oil #1 well. As of April 2005, there are 27 active oil 

and gas wells on BLM non-USFS FMO according to data from the Automated Fluid Mineral 

Management System. 

Mississippi oil and gas production data from the Mississippi Oil and Gas Board were available for the 

period 1951 – 2004. The number of wells increased from 1,780 in 1951 to 4,307 in 2003. The number of 

wells peaked at 4,530 wells in 1990. Oil production decreased from 27,494,492 barrels in 1990 to 

17,238,528 barrels in 2004. Oil production was at its lowest in 2004 and peaked at 65,119,072 barrels in 

1970. Gas production decreased from 200,980,232 mcf in 1990 to 174,438,213 mcf in 2004. As of April 

2005, 1,223 Federal leases are authorized in Mississippi. There are 42 existing leases on non-USFS FMO 

and 1,181 leases on USFS FMO. 

Map 3-1 shows counties in Mississippi with historical oil and gas production. Reasonable foreseeable 

development is anticipated in the areas of historical oil and gas production (BLM 2004). The areas of 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP 3-75 
Chapter 3-Mississippi Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

historical production are the salt basin and the coastal plain. BLM projects that 10 wells accessing 

non-USFS FMO in Mississippi will be drilled over the next 20 years (BLM 2004). 

Salt Basin 

The salt basin is part of the Gulf Coast geosyncline that contains more than 50 piercement-type salt 

domes (Spiers and Gandl 1980). The individual salt domes evolved from the uprising of salt from the 

extensive Jurassic Louann Salt Formation through the overlying sediments. These piercement structures 

have deformed the younger units. Oil and gas have been found on the dome flanks in the past 20 years. 

The oldest rocks in the area penetrated by drilling are those of the Louann Salt. The salt is overlaid by 

Upper Jurassic sandstones, followed by a thick sequence of cretaceous deposits, which consist primarily 

of sandstone, limestone, and shale. The Cretaceous deposits are overlain by Tertiary deltaic deposits and 

alluvium of Quaternary or Recent age. 

Coastal Plain 

The coastal plain is a continuation of the same feature in the southern Alabama Basin. These lands are in 

an area dominated by the Gulf Coast geosyncline. This large basin formed in the Jurassic period with a 

southward downwarping. The basin has accumulated sedimentary deposits as thick as 30,000 feet. Fault 

zones parallel the basi hingeline and can trap hydrocarbons (Murray 1964). Other structural features, such 

as small basement highs, also trap hydrocarbons in this area. 

The deposits in the major geologic units mainly consist of alternating layers of sand and clay, with 

occasional beds of carbonates and anhydrite. Permeable horizons exist in all formations, and oil and gas 

are produced from each horizon in the region, with the Haynesville, Smackover, and Norphlet Formations 

being important (Cate 1982; Poe 1979; May 1974; Moore 1971; Dinkins 1968). 

Leasable Minerals – Coal 

Coal resources in Mississippi are not described because consideration of coal leasing in this Draft RMPEIS is limited to the Warrior coal basin in Alabama. Development of Federal coal resources in 

Mississippi over the next 20 years is not economically viable because of the depth to the coal. 

3.4.11 Recreation and Travel Management 

Recreation encompasses various human activities that affect and are affected by resources and other 

resource uses. Dispersed recreation is characterized by unstructured activities that are not confined to 

specific locations (such as developed recreation sites). Dispersed recreation can involve various activities, 

which on the Mississippi surface tract can include saltwater marsh activities such as hunting, fishing, 

nature study, and boating. 

There are no roads on the Hancock County tract. The only effective means of transportation is by 

watercraft. 

The BLM-administered non-USFS FMO includes the mineral estate where the surface is managed by 

another Federal surface management agency. These properties and installations managed by other Federal 

agencies as well non-Federal agencies such as private, State, or county are summarized in Table 3-17 and 

shown on Map 1-1 and Map 1-2. 

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For those tracts where the surface is managed by other surface management agency, and where public 

access for recreation and oil and gas leasing are permitted, recreation experiences and resulting benefits 

could be affected by BLM management actions. Information on public recreation and minerals leasing on 

other Federal surface management agencies is listed in Table 3-17. 

Table 3-17. BLM-administered non-USFS Federal Mineral Ownership1 by Surface 

Management Agency in Mississippi 

Surface 

Management 

Agency 

Installations/Areas 

Public Access 

for Recreation 

(Yes/No)2 

Mineral Leasing 

(Open/Closed)

2 

Grand Bay NWR Yes Closed 

Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR No Closed 

Bogue Chitto NWR Yes Closed 

Panther Swamp NWR Yes Closed 

Hillside NWR Yes Closed 

USFWS 

Noxubee NWR Yes Closed 

Meridian Naval Air Station (Navy) ND Open 

Alpha Naval Auxiliary Station (Navy) ND Open 

Multipurpose Target Range (Navy) ND Open 

Aliceville Lake (Army Corps of Engineers) Yes Open 

Columbus Lake (Army Corps of Engineers) Yes Open 

Aberdeen Lake (Army Corps of Engineers) Yes Open 

Grenada Lake (Army Corps of Engineers) Yes Open 

Enid Lake (Army Corps of Engineers) Yes Open 

DoD 

Sardis Lake (Army Corps of Engineers) Yes Open 

Vicksburg National Military Park Yes Closed 

Natchez-Trace National Parkway Yes Closed 

Gulf Island National Seashore Yes Closed 

NPS 

Other small NPS sites Yes Closed 

Other Areas Managed by Other Federal Agencies No Varies 

ND means no information was available from the surface managing agency.

1 Does not reflect BLM FMO for BLM surface tracts (174 acres). 

2 Closed means closed to new leases. Existing leases could be present on areas currently closed. 

BLM administration of travel resources in Mississippi is limited to access routes associated 

access/maintenance routes for ROW such as transmission lines. Public travel routes are administered and 

maintained by other Federal, State, and local agencies. Information on tract-specific travel resources are 

contained in Section 3.5. 

3.4.12 Lands and Realty 

The goals of the lands and realty program are to manage the public lands to support the goals and 

objectives of other resource programs, provide for uses of public lands in accordance with regulations and 

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Chapter 3-Mississippi Statewide Perspective Draft EIS – August 2007 

compatibility with other resources, and improve management of the public lands through land tenure 

adjustments. The lands and realty program is a support program to all other resources to help ensure that 

BLM-administered lands are managed to benefit the public. Current conditions of lands and realty on the 

BLM-administered surface tracts is discussed in Section 3.5. 

3.4.13 Social and Economic 

BLM surface lands for this planning effort in Mississippi are located in an isolated section of Hancock 

County. BLM-managed non-USFS FMO is scattered throughout the State. Thus, the description of 

affected environment for Mississippi will focus on general socioeconomic information for the State, in 

addition to descriptions of notable statistics in counties within the State. 

Economic Characteristics 

Household and Personal Income 

Median household income for Mississippi was $32,397 in 2003 (U. S. Census Bureau). Information on 

per capita income was obtained from U. S. Census Bureau and indicates that average per capita income 

reported for 2004 in Mississippi is $24,518. Gross State Product in 2003 was $72 billion (BEA). In 2005, 

Mississippi ranked 50th in the United States in per capita income (including the District of Columbia). 

According to BEA, Mississippi per capita income is 71 percent of the national average of $36,608 

(2006$). 

Some of the nation's poorest counties are located in Mississippi, with approximately 13 counties that are 

within the 100 poorest counties in the nation in terms of per capita income. The counties and their 

associated average per capita income are located in Figure G-7. These counties are located primarily 

along the western border of the State. In contrast, Mississippi does not have any counties that are within 

the wealthiest 100 counties in the nation. Rankin County, encompassing many of the suburbs of Jackson, 

has the highest per capita income of $30,849 in 2006$. 

Employment and Compensation 

Employment for the State was 1.5 million in 2005 (BLS). Figure F-8 summarizes the employment by 

industry for 2005. In 2005, there were three large employers in Mississippi: government (18%), 

manufacturing (12%), and retail trade (11%), comprising 41 percent of the total employment for the State. 

Other industries in the State include healthcare, accommodation and food service, and construction. Table 

3-18 summarizes the employment by industry between 2000 and 2005. 

Table 3-18. Employment by Industry, 2000 – 2005 

Industries 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 

Percent 

Change 

2000 

2005 

Retail Trade 171,882 171,104 170,592 172,291 172,384 174,166 -1 

Transportation 51,141 50,901 49,587 49,506 48,992 50,193 2 

Finance and 

Insurance 47,734 47,357 47,282 47,530 47,128 47,986 -1 

Real Estate 38,092 35,730 32,986 32,833 32,070 32,089 19 

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Industries 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 

Percent 

Change 

2000 

2005 

Professional 

Services 56,268 52,825 50,148 48,683 48,081 46,980 20 

Administrative and 

Waste Services 68,605 63,810 59,262 57,212 54,206 57,252 20 

Health Care 124,422 122,515 120,171 116,127 111,908 108,386 15 

Accommodation and 

Food Services 118,503 119,166 117,468 114,441 106,631 106,168 12 

Other Services 84,969 84,979 80,702 80,009 76,930 75,441 13 

Government 277,404 281,982 281,442 277,815 275,254 273,722 1 

Farming 50,367 50,874 51,031 53,668 53,062 54,955 -8 

Construction 90,915 85,724 85,348 86,899 86,020 88,129 3 

Manufacturing 183,425 184,519 183,613 192,715 205,517 224,759 -18 

Wholesale Trade 39,751 39,250 38,667 38,814 39,102 41,262 -4 

Other 101,789 102,410 102,265 104,382 112,102 111,184 -8 

Total Employment 1,505,277 1,493,146 1,470,564 1,472,925 1,469,614 1,492,672 6 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 

Government, retail trade, and construction industries have remained relatively stable over the past several 

years, while the manufacturing industry has decreased its employment in the State by 18 percent and the 

health care and accommodation and food services industries have increased employment by 15 and 12 

percent, respectively. 

The unemployment rate in Mississippi has been consistently above the national average, as depicted in 

Figure G-9. The employment rate peaked to 8.8 percent in 2005, likely as a result of the devastation of 

Hurricane Katrina. Figure G-10 shows a map of Mississippi unemployment rates by county and indicates 

that the highest unemployment rates are in Jefferson, Sharkey, Humpreys, Holmes, and Noxubee 

Counties. 

Oil and gas also provides employment and income within the State. However, over the past 20 years, 

BLM has permitted 7 wells of a total of 7,362 wells permitted within the state. Therefore, although these 

BLM-administered oil and gas resources do contribute to employment and earnings in this area, it is a 

fairly small amount. 

Social Characteristics 

Demographics 

Population trend data were obtained from the Census Bureau. Figure G-11 (Appendix G) shows the 

State's population trend between 2000 and 2005, a percentage change of three percent over the six-year 

time period. The densest counties include Hinds and Rankin, both comprising the Jackson metropolitan 

area, as well as Harrison and Jackson Counties, on the southeastern coast. DeSoto County, comprising the 

suburbs of Memphis, Tennessee, also has a relatively dense population. Counties that have fairly low 

population densities relative to the other counties in the State include Webster, Choctow, Quitman, 

Franklin, Jefferson, Issaquena, and Benton. Counties experiencing very high growth rates between 2000 

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and 2005 include DeSoto (26%), Lamar (13%), and Rankin (13%). On the other hand, Issaquena and 

Sharkey Counties are decreasing in population—15 and 9 percent, respectively. The median age of the 

State population in 2000 was estimated to be 33.8, which is slightly lower than the nation's median of 

35.3 (U. S. Census 2000). 

Housing 

In the State, 90.1 percent of the 1.1 million housing units were occupied in 2000. Homeowners inhabited 

72.3 percent of the total occupied housing units. The State has a low homeowner vacancy rate, 1.6 

percent, indicating that most of the owner-occupied homes in Mississippi are occupied by owners and are 

not second homes. The average household size for owner-occupied units is 2.67 people, as compared to 

2.52 for rental-occupied units (U. S. Census Bureau 2000). In 2000, the median value of a housing unit 

was $71,400, 59 percent of the national median value of $119,600. Although the personal income is less 

than the national average (71%), the cost of housing is significantly lower (59%), indicating that the cost 

of living in Mississippi is likely lower than the nation, on average. 

Education 

Of the State's population above age 25, 72.9 percent has graduated from high school and 16.9 percent 

hold a bachelor’s degree (U. S. Census 2000). This is lower than the national average for high school 

graduates (80.4%) and bachelor’s degree (24.4%). Ninety-six percent of the State’s population speaks 

English at home. 

Attitudes and Beliefs of Mississippi Stakeholders 

In Mississippi, BLM has responsibility for a number of issues and decisions that could be important to 

stakeholders and their beliefs, including Federal land disposal and oil and gas development. This section 

will briefly describe stakeholders’ attitudes and beliefs related to these specific issues to provide a social 

context for these decisions. 

Public lands are important in providing a natural resource base for economic activities. The potential 

additional oil and gas development will be supported by some stakeholders and not by others. 

Stakeholders who support oil and gas development believe that domestic production of resources will 

reduce the nation's dependency on foreign oil and gas sources and potentially affect prices. Additionally, 

the oil and gas industry has contributed to the tax base of both counties and the State, providing funds for 

local, regional, and State governments, infrastructure, schools, and other community services. Many 

people believe that this funding is vital to the economy of Mississippi Counties and the State. 

Conservation-focused stakeholders may not support oil and gas development or might support conditions 

and stipulations on development and production to reduce negative impacts to the surface and subsurface. 

These environmental stakeholders are concerned about erosion and water quality impacts associated with 

road and wellpad construction and water disposal in the production process. Some stakeholders believe 

that the potential long-term environmental risks of development are considerable compared to the shortterm benefit of the resource extracted. Additionally, these types of stakeholders believe that oil and gas 

impacts such as increased road building, associated road traffic, dust, and noise add to the negative 

impacts associated with this type of development. 

Public land disposal may also be a contentious issue with the public. The BLM in Mississippi manages 

one pocket property, the Hancock County tract, located on the southern coast of Mississippi. 

Preservation-oriented stakeholders are concerned about protecting open spaces and limiting development 

on these lands, often to maintain a quality of life that the property provides. For example, quality of life 

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attributes could include recreation, such as bird-watching or walking, solitude, and the knowledge that the 

property provides important wildlife habitat. Therefore, these types of stakeholders believe that keeping 

the surface lands in Federal ownership is preferable or selling these lands to organizations interested in 

preserving the lands. Developers might be interested in purchasing these lands for their economic value 

due to their location on the coast if the lands are buildable. Additionally, some people may feel that 

disposing of Federal lands provide fiscal revenues as private property taxes can be collected. 

Environmental Justice 

The environmental justice purpose and threshold criteria are provided in Section 3.2.13. 

Poverty level estimates for the State were estimated to be 19.9 percent, compared to the national average 

of 12.5 percent, as shown in Figure G-12 The poverty levels in the State are below the set threshold of 20 

percent for low-income populations. Table 3-19 shows the 10 poorest counties in Mississippi and the 

associated percentage of the population below poverty, located primarily along the western border of the 

State. 

Table 3-19. Poorest Counties in Mississippi 

Counties Percent of Population Below Poverty 

Wilkinson County 28.1 

Jefferson County 28.2 

Coahoma County 28.4 

Washington County 28.5 

Leflore County 29.5 

Sharkey County 29.5 

Issaquena County 29.6 

Humphreys County 30.2 

Sunflower County 30.5 

Holmes County 32.4 

Source: Bureau of Census, 2000 

Ethnicity information for the State was obtained from the U. S. Census Bureau and is summarized in 

Figure G-13. In 2005, the State was predominantly Caucasian (61.2 percent). The remaining race 

distribution is Black or African American (36.9 percent); Hispanic or Latino (1.7 percent); Asian (0.7 

percent); two or more races (0.6 percent); American Indian or Native Alaskan (0.4 percent); and Native 

Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (0 percent). The ethnic representation in Mississippi indicates than on 

average Mississippi has fewer minorities than the rest of the nation. There are obvious variations in 

ethnicity across the State. In 2000, 24 of the 82 counties in Mississippi have Black or African American 

populations of greater than 50 percent (Bureau of Census, 2000). Sixteen counties in Mississippi have 

Blacks or African Americans representing 60 percent or greater of the population. These 16 counties and 

the percentage of Black and African Americans are shown in Table 3-20. 

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Table 3-20. Mississippi Counties with Black or African American Populations, 2000 

Counties Percent of County Representing Black or African 

American Ethnicity 

Bolivar 65.1 

Claiborn 84.1 

Coahoma 69.2 

Hinds 61.1 

Holmes 78.7 

Humphreys 71.5 

Issaquena 62.8 

Jefferson 86.5 

Leflore 67.6 

Noxubee 69.3 

Quitman 68.8 

Sharkey 69.3 

Sunflower 69.9 

Tunica 70.2 

Washington 64.6 

Wilkinson 68.2 

Source: Bureau of Census, 2000 

3.4.14 Hazardous Materials 

BLM-administered public lands and minerals provide opportunities for a variety of commercial uses in 

addition to resource management. Both activities can lead to releases of hazardous substances and 

creation of hazardous waste sites. The BLM engages in hazardous material emergency response actions, 

site evaluations, and prioritization of cleanups in accordance with laws and regulations. This involves 

working with the EPA, State environmental quality departments, counties, and potentially responsible 

parties (both public and private) to fund and expedite the cleanup of hazardous sites. Those sites that are 

an imminent threat to public health and safety, as well as those sites that are under a consent order and 

can therefore generate penalties and fines, are a priority for the Bureau. There are no known hazardous, 

toxic, or unapproved solid waste sites on public lands within the planning area. 

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3.5 MISSISSIPPI SURFACE TRACT DESCRIPTION 

The surface tract descriptions in this section include available detail on the Hancock County tract 

described in Chapter 2. General information and tract-specific information on soil resources, water 

resources, vegetative communities, fish and wildlife, special status species, cultural resources, visual 

resources, recreation and travel management, and lands and realty are provided. Air quality, wildland fire 

ecology and management, minerals, and social and economic conditions are discussed in Section 3.4. 

General. This section provides basic location and size of the surface tract, as well as available 

background information. 

Soil Resources. This section provides a table of the soils present at the tract, the erosion hazard potential 

as indicated by NRCS, and the presence of prime or unique farmlands (defined in Section 3.4.2). 

Water Resources. This section describes which drainage basin the surface tract is within. 

Vegetative Communities. This section summarizes the vegetative communities related to the tract. An 

analysis of the available GAP data was used to delineate the vegetative communities on the surface tracts. 

The GAP is coordinated by the Biological Resources Division of USGS. 

Fish and Wildlife. This section summarizes the fish and wildlife species associated with the tract. GAP 

provides geographic information on the status and location of species and their habitat. The GAP is 

coordinated by the Biological Resources Division of USGS. 

Special Status Species. This section summarizes the special status species associated with the tract. GAP 

provides geographic information on the status and location of species and their habitat. The GAP is 

coordinated by the Biological Resources Division of USGS. Available special status species occurrences 

on the tracts are discussed. Appendix E provides additional information on special status species in the 

areas around the surface tract. 

Cultural Resources. This section summarizes the known sites and cultural resources survey information 

for the surface tract. 

Visual Resources. This section addresses the visual setting of the surface tract. The surface tract is 

currently classified according to a VRM system. VRM Classifications are described in Section 3.4.9. The 

Hancock County tract has not been inventoried for VRM classification. 

Recreation and Travel Management. This section addresses the existing recreational and travel 

management activities on the surface tract. 

Lands and Realty. This section addresses the lands and realty actions associated with the surface tract, 

including withdrawals, disposals, and ROW actions. 

3.5.1 Hancock County Tract 

General 

One tract comprising about 174 acres in Hancock County, Mississippi, was patented to the University of 

Mississippi in 1961 under the R&PP Act; however, the patent contains a reversionary clause. This Draft 

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RMP-EIS provides for management of these tracts should the patent be revoked and the tracts returned to 

BLM administration. 

Soil Resources 

The soil classification for the Hancock County tract is provided in Table 3-21. 

Table 3-21. Soil Classification for the Hancock County Tract 

Soil Type Description Erosion Hazard Prime 

Farmland 

Eustis loamy fine sand, 

2 to 5 percent slope 

Somewhat excessively drained soils, 

nearly level to steep areas of coastal plain; 

surface and subsurface consisting of 

sands and subsoils consisting of a fine 

loamy sand 

Slight No 

Handsboro association 

Very poorly drained soils in tidal marshes; 

surface layers of mucky silt loam 

None No 

Water Resources 

The Hancock County tract is located within the Coastal Streams drainage basin. 

Vegetative Communities 

The 174-acre Hancock County tract is located in the Hancock Marshes Coastal Preserve, part of a Statedesignated 83,000-acre estuarine preserve system bordering the Mississippi Sound from the Pearl River to 

Point Clear. The 13,570-acre Hancock County Marshes unit protects the second largest continuous marsh 

area in the State. These coastal marshes include several low ridges and small hammocks, the most 

prominent in this unit being Point Clear Island and Campbell Island. These elevated sandy areas have 

characteristics similar to the barrier islands and include forested areas supporting slash pine with redcedar 

and sand live oak (Quercus geminata). The BLM tract is located in the center of the preserve and is 

bordered by Bryan Bayou to the north. The very southeastern corner of the tract includes a portion of 

Point Clear Island. The bulk of the tract is part of a needlerush marsh that dominates the area between 

Bayou Caddy/Bryan Bayou and Point Clear Island. Hurricane Katrina deposited substantial amounts of 

flotsam in some areas of the marshes. 

No exotic invasive species are known to occur on this tract, but cogon grass and torpedo grass are a 

concern in the area of Point Clear Island. 

Fish and Wildlife 

The marsh area is well known for an abundance of waterfowl and wading birds, including white-faced 

ibis and black-crowned night heron. Swallowtail kite numbers are high during the summer months. 

Special Status Species 

The special status species utilizing the Hancock County Marshes include mottled duck (Anas fulvigula); 

royal tern (Sterna maxima); Mississippi diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin pilea); Gulf salt 

snake (Nerodia clarkii clardii); brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis); least tern (Serna antillanum); 

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American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliates); and gull-billed tern (Sterna nilotica). The islands of this 

marsh support several rare plant species including the tiny-leaved buckthorn (Sageretia minutiflora), 

which in this area is restricted to rare shell middens. 

Cultural Resources 

The Hancock County tract has not been surveyed. However, three cultural sites are recorded within onehalf mile of the tracts. 

Visual Resources 

The Hancock County tract is remote and not visible from residential or other types of development. The 

visual character is low-lying wetlands with relatively dense vegetation and limited human activity. 

Recreation and Travel Management 

The Hancock County tract is patented to the University of Mississippi for the purposes of research and 

recreation. The tract is used for dispersed recreation, but it is primarily wetland and is not easily 

accessible to the public. Travel to the area is generally by boaters and anglers on an occasional and 

seasonal basis for fishing and waterfowl hunting. 

Lands and Realty 

The Hancock County tract was patented to the University of Mississippi in 1961, under the authority of 

the R&PP Act. The tract is still owned by the University. Under terms of the patent, the tract is to be used 

only for recreational and research site purposes. The patent contains a clause stating that ownership of the 

surface estate will revert to the United States if the land is devoted to a use other than that for which the 

land was conveyed. It is expected that the university will relinquish this tract and that title will revert to 

the United States. In anticipation of the title transfer, this tract is being considered BLM-managed surface 

estate for land use planning purposes. There are no ROW on the tract, and no request for ROW or other 

uses are expected in this relatively remote area. 

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