Appendix A 

Wilderness Characteristics 
WILDERNESS CHARACTERISTICS INVENTORY 

INVENTORY AREA EVALUATION 

 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-1
FORM 1 

Documentation of BLM Wilderness Inventory Findings on Record 

1. Is there existing BLM wilderness inventory information on all or part of this area? 

No: _____ Yes__X__ (If yes, and if more than one area is within the area, list the 

names of those areas.): 

a) Inventory Source: Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming Wilderness 

Inventory Situation Evaluation, January 1979.

b) Inventory Area Name(s)/Number(s): Seven Lakes, WY-030-409

c) Map Name(s)/Number(s): N/A

d) BLM District(s)/Field Office(s): Rawlins, WY

2. BLM Inventory Findings on Record 

Existing inventory information regarding wilderness characteristics (if more than one 

BLM inventory area is associated with the area, list each area and answer each question 

individually for each inventory area): 

Area # /Name 

Sufficient 

Size? 

Yes/No 

(acres) 

Naturalness? 

Yes/No 

Outstanding 

Solitude? 

Yes/No 

Outstanding 

Primitive & 

Unconfined 

Recreation? 

Yes/No 

Supplemental 

Values? 

Yes/No 

Seven Lakes/ 

WY-030-409 

Yes 

400,000 

acres 

No No No No 

 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-2
FORM 2 

Current Conditions: Presence or Absence of Wilderness Characteristics 

Evaluation of Lost Creek ISR Permit Area as a subsection of WY-030-409 

Area Unique Identifier Seven Lakes/WY-030-409 Acreage: 400,000 

Lost Creek Permit Area Acreage (area being analyzed): _4,254_(plus adjacent lands) 

If the inventory consists of subunits, list the acreage of each and evaluate each separately). 

In completing steps (1)-(5), use additional space as necessary. 

(1) Is the area of sufficient size? (If the area meets one of the exceptions to the size criterion, 

check “Yes” and describe the exception in the space provided below), 

Yes ____X____ No ________ 

Note: If “No” is checked the area does not have wilderness characteristics; check “NA” for the 

remaining questions below. 

Description (describe the boundaries of the area--wilderness inventory roads, property lines, etc). 

The Permit Area is located in the northeast portion of Sweetwater County, southcentral Wyoming. The Permit Area is within Township 25 North and Ranges 92 

and 93 West of the Sixth Principal Meridian; and approximately centered at 42 

degrees, eight minutes North latitude and 107 degrees, 51 minutes West 

longitude. It includes portions or the entirety of Sections 13 and 23 to 26 of 

Township 25 North, Range 93 West, and Sections 16 to 21 and 29 to 31 of 

Township 25 North, Range 92 West. 

(2) Does the area appear to be natural? 

Yes __________ No ____X____ N/A ___________ 

Note: If “No” is checked the area does not have wilderness characteristics; check “NA” for the 

remaining questions below. 

Description: (include land ownership, location, topography, vegetation, and summary of major 

human uses/activities): 

The 4,254 acres that create the Permit Area is owned almost entirely by BLM; 

most of the adjacent lands are BLM-owned as well. Approximately 15 percent of 

the Permit Area (Township 25 North, Range 92 West, Section 16) is owned by the 

State of Wyoming. Additionally, most of the surrounding land is also owned by 

the BLM. The Permit Area is geographically located in the northeastern portion 

of the Great Divide Basin. The regional rolling landscape has draws, rock 

outcroppings, ridges, and bluffs. The Permit Area is characterized by low relief 

(without notable geographic features), sagebrush-dominated plains, dissected by 

small, ephemeral drainage networks. The drainages are entirely ephemeral; there 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-3
is no perennial surface water present. Five major land uses have been identified: 

livestock grazing, wildlife habitat, dispersed recreation, minerals and energy 

development, and infrastructure. Three grazing allotments are found within the 

Permit Area: Stewart Creek, Cyclone Rim, and Green Mountain. The Permit 

Area also falls within the Sage Grouse Core Area and two Horse Management 

Areas, identifying the region as habit for these particular species. Dispersed 

recreation activities of the region include, but are not limited to, sightseeing, wild 

horse viewing, hunting, hiking, picnicking, rock hounding, horseback riding, 

mountain biking, and camping. Minerals and energy development in the region 

includes uranium, oil and natural gas, wind power, and coal and coal bed 

methane. Infrastructure in and around the project area includes dirt roads, fences, 

wells, and power lines. 

While most of the human influence would be substantially unnoticeable when 

examined alone, the cumulative effect of the dirt roads, fences, wells, and power 

lines creates a landscape that has been significantly impacted by man. As such, 

the region was determined to not meet the naturalness criteria, and could not be 

considered as land with wilderness characteristics. See the attached photo 

documentation, which demonstrates several forms of human influence on the 

Permit Area and adjacent lands. 

(3) Does the area (or the remainder of the area if a portion has been excluded due to 

unnaturalness and the remainder is of sufficient size) have outstanding opportunities for 

solitude? 

Yes __________ No __________ N/A _____X_____ 

Description: 

(4) Does the area (or the remainder of the area if a portion has been excluded due to 

unnaturalness and the remainder is of sufficient size) have outstanding opportunities for 

primitive and unconfined recreation? 

Yes __________ No __________ N/A _____X_____ 

Description: 

(5) Does the area have supplemental values (ecological, geological, or other features of 

scientific, educational, scenic or historical value)? 

Yes __________ No __________ N/A _____X_____ 

Description: 

 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-4
Summary of Analysis 

Area Name and/or Number: Lost Creek Permit Area (Subsection of WY-030-049) 

Summary

Results of analysis: 

(Note: explain the inventory findings for the entirety of the inventory unit. When wilderness 

characteristics have been identified in an area that is smaller than the size of the total inventory 

unit, explain why certain portions of the inventory unit are not included within the lands with 

wilderness characteristics (e.g. the inventory found that certain parts lacked naturalness). 

1. Does the area meet any of the size requirements? _X_Yes ___No 

2. Does the area appear to be natural? ___Yes _X_No ___N/A 

3. Does the area offer outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type 

of recreation? ___Yes ___No _X_N/A 

4. Does the area have supplemental values? ___Yes ___No _X_N/A 

Check one: 

___ The area, or a portion of the area, has wilderness characteristics and is identified as Land 

with Wilderness Characteristics (LWC). 

_X_ The area does not have wilderness characteristics. 

Prepared by: 

Team members: 

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________ 

(Name, Title, Date) 

Reviewed by (District of Field Manager): 

Name: __________________________________ Title: _____________ 

Date: ________________ 

* This form documents information that constitutes an inventory finding on wilderness characteristics. It does not 

represent a formal land use allocation or a final agency decision subject to administrative remedies under either 43 

CFR parts 4 or 1610.5-3. 

 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-5
WILDERNESS CHARACTERISTICS INVENTORY 

ROUTE ANALYSIS 

 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-6
ROUTE ANALYSIS1

(Factors to consider when determining whether a route is a road2 for wilderness inventory purposes.) 

Wilderness Inventory Area Unique Identifier: Lost Creek ISR Permit Area 

Route or Route Segment3

 Name and/or Identifier: East and West Access Road 

(Include Transportation Plan Identifier, if known; include route number supplied by citizen 

information when available.) 

I. LOCATION: refer to attached map _Figure 2 Aerial Photo of the Permit Area__ and BLM 

corporate data (GIS). List photo point reference (where applicable) or reference attached 

photo log:

Describe: The East Access Road travels from Sooner Road to the Lost Creek Permit Area. 

The West Access Road travels from Wamsutter-Crooks Gap Road t the Lost Creek Permit 

Area. The two roads meet in the middle of the Permit Area 

II. ROUTE CONTEXT 

A. Current Purpose4

 (if any) of Route: (Examples: Rangeland/Livestock facilities (Stock 

tank, developed spring, reservoir, fence, corral), Inholdings (ranch, farmhouse), Mine 

Site, Concentrated Use Site (camp site), Recreation, Utilities (transmission line, 

telephone, pipeline), Administrative (project maintenance, communication site, 

vegetation treatment). 

Describe: This road is used to access a Mine Site. There is also a significant amount of 

ranchland that could be accessed via this roads. 

 

1

 This form documents information that constitutes an inventory finding on wilderness characteristics. It does not 

represent a formal land use allocation or a final agency decision subject to administrative remedies under either 43 

CFR part 4 or 1610.5-3. 

2

 Road: An access route which has been improved and maintained by mechanical means to insure relatively regular 

and continuous use. A way maintained solely by the passage of vehicles does not constitute a road. 

a. Improved and maintained – Actions taken physically by people to keep the road open to vehicle traffic. 

“Improved does not necessarily mean formal construction. “Maintained” does not necessarily mean annual 

maintenance. 

b. Mechanical mean – Use of hand or power machinery or tools 

c. Relatively regular and continuous use – Vehicular use that has occurred and will continue to occur on a 

relatively regular basis. Examples are: access roads for equipment to maintain a stock water tank or other 

established water sources, access roads to maintained recreation sites or facilities, or access roads to mining 

claims. 

3

 If a portion of a route is found to meet the wilderness inventory road criteria (See Part III) and the remainder does 

not meet these criteria (e.g., a cherrystem road with a primitive route continuing beyond a certain point), identify 

each segment and explain the rationale for the separate findings under pertinent criteria. 

4

 The purpose of a route is not a deciding factor in determining whether a route is a road for wilderness 

characteristics inventory purposes. The purpose of a route does not provide context for factors on which such a 

determination may be based, particularly the question of whether maintenance of the route ensures relatively regular 

and continuous use. The purpose also helps to determine whether maintenance that may so far have been 

unnecessary to ensure such use would be approved by the BLM when the need arises. 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-7
B. Right-of-Way (ROW): 

1. Is there a ROW associated with this route? 

Yes ____ No ____ Unknown __X_ 

2. If yes, what is the stated purpose of the ROW? 

__________________________________________ 

3. Is the ROW still being used for this purpose? 

Yes ____ No ____ Unknown or N/A ____ 

Explain: 

III. WILDERNESS INVENTORY ROAD CRITERIA 

A. Evidence of construction or improvement using mechanical means: 

Yes _____(if either A.1 or A.2 is checked “yes” below) No _X__(if both A.1 and A.2 

are checked “no” below) 

1. Construction: (Is there evidence that the route or route segment was originally 

constructed using mechanical means?) Yes _____ No _X__ 

Examples: Paved___ Bladed___ Graveled___ Roadside Berms___ Cut/Fill___ 

Other___ 

Describe: ________________________ 

2. Improvements: (Is there evidence of improvements using mechanical means to 

facilitate access?) Yes ___ No _X_ If “yes”: by Hand Tools ___ by Machine ___ 

Examples: Culverts____ Hardened Stream Crossings____ Bridges____ 

Drainage____ Barriers____ Other____ 

Describe: ____________________________________ 

B. Maintenance: (Is there evidence of maintenance that would ensure relatively regular and 

continuous use?): Yes ___ (if either B.1 or B.2 I checked “yes” below) No _X_ (is 

bother B.1 and B.2 are checked “no” below) 

1. Is there Evidence or Documentation of Maintenance using hand tools or machinery? 

 Yes_____ No_X__ If “yes”: by Hand Tools ____ by Machine ____ 

Explain: ____________________________________ 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-8
2. If the route or route segment is in good5

 condition, but there is no evidence of 

maintenance, would mechanical maintenance with hand tools or machines be 

approved by BLM to meet the purpose(s) of the route in the event this route became 

impassable? 

 Yes_____ No_X__ 

Explain: ____________________________________ 

C. Relatively regular and continuous use: (Does the route or route segment ensure relatively 

regular and continuous use?) Yes _X__ No ____ 

Describe evidence (e.g., direct, vehicles or vehicle tracks observed, or indirect, evidence of 

use associated with purpose of the route such as maintenance of facility that route accesses) 

and other rationale for whether use has occurred and will continue to occur on a relatively 

regular basis (i.e., regular and continuous use relative to the purpose(s) of the route).

Vehicle tracks are observed on this road frequently, as such, regular vehicle use is 

expected. 

IV. CONCLUSION 

Does the route or route segment meet the definition of a wilderness inventory road (i.e., are items 

III.A and III.B and all checked yes)? 

Yes _______ = Wilderness Inventory Road 

No ___X___ = Not a road for wilderness inventory purposes 

Explanation: 

Evaluator(s): Samantha Fox and Justin Seweryn Date: October 19, 2011 

 

 

5

 Good condition would be a condition that ensures regular and continuous use relative to the purposes of the route. 

Consider whether the route can be clearly followed in the field over its entire course and whether all or any portion 

of the route contains any impediments to travel. 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-9
WILDERNESS CHARACTERISTICS INVENTORY 

INVENTORY MAPS 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-10
Figure 1 Land Ownership Within and Near the Lost Creek Project 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-11
Figure 2 Aerial Photo of the Permit Area 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-12
Figure 3 Existing Road Disturbance 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-13
Figure 4 BLM Grazing Allotment 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-14
WILDERNESS CHARACTERISTICS INVENTORY 

PHOTO DOCUMENTATION 

 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-15
PHOTOLOG 

Photographer(s): Ethan Brown and Justin Seweryn 

Inventory Area Name & No.: Seven Lakes Inventory Unit, WY-030-049 

Subunit: Lost Creek ISR Permit Area 

No. Date Camera 

Direction Description GPS/UTM Location 

1 10/17/2011 N View from center of Lost Creek Permit 

Area facing north 

0263877 

4668203 

2 10/17/2011 NE View from center of Lost Creek Permit 

Area facing northeast 

0263877 

4668203 

3 10/17/2011 E 

View from center of Lost Creek Permit 

Area along potential Project Access 

Road, facing east 

0263877 

4668203 

4 10/17/2011 SE View from center of Lost Creek Permit 

Area facing southeast 

0263877 

4668203 

5 10/17/2011 S View from center of Lost Creek Permit 

Area facing south 

0263877 

4668203 

6 10/17/2011 SW View from center of Lost Creek Permit 

Area facing southwest 

0263877 

4668203 

7 10/17/2011 W 

View from center of Lost Creek Permit 

Area along potential Project Access 

Road, facing west 

0263877 

4668203 

8 10/17/2011 NW View from center of Lost Creek Permit 

Area facing northwest 

0263877 

4668203 

9 10/17/2011 W Mineral Exploration Road, looking 

west 

N 42o 02.822” 

W 107o 51.717” 

10 10/17/2011 E BLM Well 4451, facing east 0266496 

4668264 

11 10/17/2011 S BLM Well 4777, facing south 023575 

4665834 

12 10/17/2011 SW Deep injection well water tank, facing 

southwest 

0261372 

4665688 

13 10/17/2011 E 

Deep injection well located in the 

southwest portion of the Permit Area, 

facing east 

0261372 

4665688 

14 10/17/2011 N 

Power lines and drilling operation 

along the western boundary of the 

permit area, looking north 

0260941 

4666716 

15 10/17/2011 W Fencing in the northwest corner of the 

Permit Area, facing west 

0264224 

4668437 

16 10/17/2011 SE Fencing in the northwest corner of the 

Permit Area, looking southeast. 

0260986 

4668437 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-16
1. View from center of Lost Creek Permit Area facing north 

2. View from center of Lost Creek Permit Area facing northeast 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-17
3. View from center of Lost Creek Permit Area along potential Project Access Road, facing east 

4. View from center of Lost Creek Permit Area facing southeast 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-18
5. View from center of Lost Creek Permit Area facing south 

6. View from center of Lost Creek Permit Area facing southwest 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-19
7. View from center of Lost Creek Permit Area along potential Project Access Road, facing 

west 

8. View from center of Lost Creek Permit Area facing northwest 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-20
9. Mineral Exploration Road, looking west 

10. BLM Well 4451, facing east 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-21
11. BLM Well 4777, facing south 

12. Deep injection well water tank, facing southwest 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-22
13. Deep injection well located in the southwest portion of the Permit Area, facing east 

14. Power lines and drilling operation along the western boundary of the permit area, looking 

north 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-23
15. Fencing in the northwest corner of the Permit Area, facing west 

16. Fencing in the northwest corner of the Permit Area, looking southeast 

Lost Creek In Situ Recovery Draft EIS Appendix A A-24