The Bureau of Land Management is mspon~e for the b~anced management of the public ~nds and msou~es and thor va~ous 

values so that they an con~demd in a com~na~on that will best serve the needs of the American peo~ Management is based 

upon the pHn~es of mu~e use and sust~ned ~d, a com~na6on of uses that takes into account the ~ng-term needs of 

future generations for renewa~e and nonrenewa~e resources. These resou~es in~ude mcrea6o~ range, ~mbe~ minerals, 

watershed, fish and wi~lif~ wi~erness and nature, scenic, s~en6fic and cu~ur~ values. 

BLM/A~PL~012 + 4332 
Dear Reader: 

United States Department of the Interior 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 

PHOENIX DISTRICT OFFICE 

2015 WEST DEER VALLEY ROAD 

PHOENI~ ARIZONA 85027 

m 

I 

i i 

H B 

IN REPLY REFER TO: 

AZA 25486 

AZA 25487 

AZA 25489 

AZA 25490 

8560 (026) 

The document accompan~ng this letter cont~ns the final Maricopa ComNex Wilderness 

Management Plan, En~ronment~ Assessment and Rnding of No ~gn~cant Impact/Decision 

Record. This plan will enable the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to improve its management 

of the Sierra EsE~la, North Maricopa Mount~ns, South Madcopa Mount~ns and Table Top 

wi~ernesses. The En~ronment~ Assessment analyzes the impacts expected from im~emendng 

the plan. Based on this ana~s, and as stated in the Finding of No S~n~cant Impact, these 

impacts are not expected to be ~gn~cant. The Dec~ion Record documents the BLM's final 

de~on. 

The Draft Maricopa Complex Wilderness Management Ran was r~eased on September 13, 1994 

for public renew and comment. Comments on the draft plan were an~yzed and appear with the 

BLM's responses in Part VIII of the plan, ent~led Pu~ic Involvement. Changes made to the plan as 

a resuE of public comment are documented in these responses. Most notate are: the add~on of 

a management acdon to disallow the construction of any livestoc~watefing fa~l~es w~hin the 

wildernes~ the allowance for add~on~ mecha~za~on related to wildlife management acd~e~ 

and changes to the Natur~ness Alternative and asso~ated impact analysis in the En~ronment~ 

Assessmen~ Also, mistakes in arithmetic and grammar were corrected and current data added 

where available. 

The Environmental Assessment and Decision Record are su~ect to appe~ in accordance w~h the 

procedures in 43 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 4. Im~ementa~on of this plan will begin 30 

days after the date of this letter. 

A spe~al thanks is due to all who pard~pated in this planning process and contributed to the 

dev~opment of the final document. 

~ncereW, 

Lower Gila Resource Area 
Maricopa Complex 

Wilderness Management Plan, 

Environmental Assessment 

and Decision Record 

Sierra Estrella Wilderness 

North iVladcopa Mlountains Wilderness 

South IViaricopa Mountains Wilderness 

Table Top Wilderness 

U.S. Depa~ment of the lntedor 

Bureau of Land Management 

Phoenix District 

Lower Gila Resource Area 

EA AZ-026-94-20 

Recommended by: 

Recommended by: 

ger, Lo~Gila Resource Area 

h/.~- y~- 

Date 

~- =¢- ~ 

Approved by:.~~ District 

~e Director,'-''-" Arizona 

Date 

'-f'- ~ 7-~---" 

Date 
Table of Contents 

Pag~ 

Summa~ ........................................................... 1 

Scope of Document ................................................. 1 

Ma~ F~s of t~s WiMemess M~ement H~ ..................... ; ....... 1 

O~er Altemativ~ Analyzed ............................................ 2 

Pan I -- htroducfion ................................................... 3 

H~ Pu~ose~kgrouad .............................................. 3 

Wfldem~s Ove~iew ................................................ 3 

Loeatio~Acc~s ........................................... ~ ..... 3 

Wfldem~s V~u~ ~d U~que Attfibut~ ................................. 5 

General M~agement ~tuat~n ........................................ 6 

E~g Developmen~ .......................................... 6 

Inh~d~gs .................................................. 6 

Airera~ Ove~igh~ ............................................ 6 

S~rch ~d R~cue ~d Law Enforcement ............................... 11 

M~erals ................................................... 11 

Approv~ Mo~dzed/M~hanized Us~ ................................. 11 

R~r~tion ................................................... 11 

Cul~ral R~ourees ............................................ 12 

Soil, Water ~d Air ............................................ 12 

V~e~tion .................................................. 13 

Fi~ ...................................................... 13 

Wild~ .................................................... 13 

Thr~ten~, Endanger~ and Sp~i~ S~s Sp~ies .......................... 14 

Liv~ck Grazing ............................................. 14 

Mo~ring ............................................. .... 15 

Pad ~ -- Nation~ Wiretaps M~ement Go~s ................................... 17 

Part IH -- ~sues ...................................................... 19 

Acfi~ PI~ Issues .................................................. 19 

Issu~ S~v~ Through Poh~ or Administrative Action ............................ 20 

Issu~ B~ond ~e S~pe of This H~ ................................ ...... ~ 

Part IV -- M~agement Strategy ............................................ 25 

Pad V -- Wildem~s M~ement ............................... ~ ............ 27 

~troducfion ...................................................... 27 

Obj~t~e 1 ....................................................... " 27 

M~ement Actions .............................................. 27 

Mortaring .................................................... 35 

Ad~fional Action, ff R~u~ ...................................... 36 

Obj~tive 2 .............................. .......... .............. 37 

M~ement Act~ .............................................. 37 

Mo~ring .................... ; ............ ~ .................. 40 

Add~onal Actions, if R~uir~ ....................................... 41, 
Obj~t~e 3 ...................................................... 41 

M~ement Aeries ............................................... 41 

Mortaring .................................................... ~ 

O~fi~ 4 ...................................................... 45 

M~agement Aefio~ .............................................. 45 

Mo~ring .................................................... 48 

Add~onfl A~s, ff R~r~ ........................................ 48 

P~t VI - PI~ Eviction ................................................ 49 

P~t VH - ~ Implemen~ti~ ............................................. 51 

Ongohg A~fi~ .................................................. 51 

Sp~iM Proj~ .................................................... 51 

Exi~g Ve~cle W~s m be R~der~ Imp~sable ............................ 51 

Verde Ba~s ................................................. 51 

De~gum~ Tr~s ~d Ame~ti~ ...................................... 51 

Other Sp~iM Proj~ts ............................................. 55 

Pa~ VHI ~ P~c hvd~mem ............................................. 59 

P~Hc Commit Let~m .............................................. 60 

Re~o~ ....................................................... 75 

P~t IX - List ~ Preparers ................................................ 81 

P~t X ~ Environm~l Am~sm~t .......................................... 83 

~troduction ..................................................... 83 

Pu~o~ ~d Need ................................................ 83 

Con~rman~ wi~ Land U~ ~ ...................................... 83 

Rdations~p ~ S~tes, Regulations or Other Plus .......................... 83 

D~cfipfion ~ Prop~ Act~n ~d M~mativ~ ............................... 83 

Mtem~ A -- P~pos~ A~on ...................................... 84 

Mtem~ B - Vifi~r U~ ~d WHdli~ Enh~m~t Mtem~ .................. ~ 

Mtemati~ C ~ Na~s Enh~me~ M~m~ .......................... 91 

Al~mati~ D ~ No Action .......................................... 91 

Aff~t~ En~nment ............................................... 91 

Environm~l Impa~s .............................................. 92 

Al~mati~ A ~ ~op~ Action ...................................... 92 

M~mati~ B - ~ U~ ~d Wildfi~ Enh~m~t M~m~ ................. 95 

Al~mati~ C ~ Narrates Enh~m~t M~mative ......................... 97 

Al~mati~ D ~ No Action .......................................... 99 

Con~l~fion ~d Coo~ation .......................................... 101 

~n~ng ~ No S~~ Impa~/D~ifion R~ord ............................ 109 

Pa~ XI - App~d~ 

A. 

B. 

C. 

D. 

E. 

F. 

................................................. 111 

Wfl~m~s V~ues ~d O~ F~ ~om ~e Mafi~pa Complex W~m~s ............. 113 

W~i~ ~d ~s~ D~opm~ within ~e Mafi~ Compl~ Wfldem~s ............ 117 

Pl~t Sp~i~ Di~fibution ~ ~e Mafi~ Compl~ Wildemess~ ..................... 119 

Fire Suppm~ion Pmc~ums ~r ~e Mad~pa Compl~ Wildernesses ................... 123 

G~ma~ ........................................................ 127 

Bibliography ...................................................... 131 
~I~ 

1. ~ R~ifimfion of F~ ~ ~s ................................ 28 

2. E~s~g ~ck ~d ~ D~~ ~ be Mo~fi~ or ~n~ ............... 34 

3. ~e ~ ~e ~~ m ~ ~ ............................... 36 

4. ~Hs m ~ ~h~ ~d MaM~ ..................................... 38 

5. Tra~ ~e~fi~ ................................................. 38 

6. General D~edption ~ ~ds ~ough ~ Access E~men~ M~ Be R~uir~ ........... 40 

7. R~ge Devel~men~ ~ M~ R~u~ M~h~ Tm~o~ ~d Access 

~r Ped~ic Major Ma~tea~ee ........................................ ~ 

8. Mo~m~g ~, K~ ~es, Sm~rd, F~uency ~d Target User ~ WHdem~s .......... ~ 

9. Implemen~tion Sch~ule of ~go~g Aefi~fi~ ................................ 52 

10. Implementation Seh~ule ~ S~ P~: Foyer Ve~e "Ways 

m ~ Render~ Imp~b~ .......................................... 54 

11. ~pMmenmtion Seh~ule ~ ~iM P~: Ve~ele Ba~ers ....................... 55 

12. Implementation Sch~ule ~ ~M P~ts: T~ls ~d T~ds .................... 56 

13. ~pMmenmtion S~Mule ~ ~iM P~: Other Sp~M P~ts .................... 57 

14. Draft Mafi~pa Complex Wildeme~ M~agement H~ Envkomen~ ~ssment 

-- Summa~ Comp~son ~ Mtemativ~ ..................................... 1~ 

15. Draft Maficopa Co~lex Wil~me~ M~agement H~ Enviromen~ ~sessment 

-- Impact ~mp~son ................................................ 1~ 

M~s 

1~ 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. Table 

10. Sie~ 

11. No~ 

12. Sou~ 

13. Table 

Location M~ ..................................................... 4 

~erra E~reUa WH~m~s Present Situation ................................... 7 

North Maricopa Mound,s Wildeme~ Presem ~tuation ........................... 8 

South Maricopa Mound, s Wil~me~ Presem ~tuation ........................... 9 

Table Top Mound,s WH~m~s Pr~ent ~tuation .............................. 10 

Siena Estmlh Wildcats Furore Con~fion ................................... 29 

NoRh Maficopa Mountains Wildcats Fumm Con~tion ........................... 30 

South Maficopa Mountains Wilde~ess Future Con~tion ........................... 31 

Top Wilde~e~ Fu~ Con~fion ..................................... 32 

Estmlla Wildem~s Visitor Use ~d W~dfi~ Enh~cement Al~ve ............... $7 

Maficopa Mound,s Wilderness ViCtor Use ~d Wfl~i~ Enla~ment ~tem~ve ....... 88 

Mafieopa Moun~ins Wildem~s Visitor Use ~d Wfldi~ Erda~eement M~m~ve ....... 89 

Top WHdem~s ~fitor Use ~d WRd~ Enh~cement ~mat~e ................ 90 

III 
Summary 

Scope of Document 

This plan covers the management of four 

wildernesses -- the Siena Estrell~ Noah Maficopa 

Mountains, South Madeopa Mountains and Table 

Top, totaling 172,100 acres, in the Sonoran Desea of 

southwestern Arizona, southern Maficopa and 

western PinM count,s. The wildernesses are 12 to 

45 miles south of the metropolitan Phoenix area. 

TMs ~ a 10-year plan, to be implemented ~om 

1995 to 2005. 

An environmental assessment of the impac~ of 

the sdected M~rnative and three other alternatives are 

included in this documenL A Finding Of No 

Significant Impact and a Decision Record are Mso 

incorporated. 

Main Features of this 

Wilderness Management 

Plan 

• A to~l of 642 acres of sm~ of Arizona surface 

inholding and 5,120 acres of s~te subsurface 

inhold~g identified for aeqniMtion along wi~ 

o~er access easement needs. 

• A to~l of 79 miles of former vehi~e ways 

reclaimed, 16 miles conve~ed to pedestrian 

and/or equestrian trails, 25 vehicle barriers 

constructed and three "cherrystemmed" access 

routes may be slight~ shoaened. 

• Four new trails and seven trai~eads es~b~shed 

and one exiM~g trail and trai~ead improved and 

ma~m~ed. ~gn~ defined parking areas and 

minimal camp~g facilities provided ~ some 

trai~eads; maps and oth~ in~rmation prov~ed. 

Two ve~e safety sho~d~s may be created 

Mong Inters~te 8. 

• Visi~r encounter and endmnmen~l standards 

adopted and mo~red so unaccep~bM changes 

can be responded to appropfiatel~ 

• Comme~ial recreation outfit~ and guides may 

be permitted. 

= FNe eaten fivesto~ w~er ~ ~andoned and 

construction of ~mre fivesto~ wate~g f~ififies 

prohi~ted ~ ~e wildernesses. ~n l~es~ 

control fences ~ed. 

• Reduction ~ low-levd d~Iim ~rcra~ ~gh~ 

encouraged. 

• ~-t~ ~s~ces of motofi~/m~h~ 

~e ~owed ~1~ over ~e y~rs, dropp~g to 

~ per y~ ~erea~r to: 

-- ~ 13 fivesto~ fences and mo~ s~ 

wfldfi~ water ~tc~en~ 

-- ~ and haul water to ~ese ~te~en~ 

~d ~o others, 

-- rep~c~ pu~ ~d ~ one wfl~ 

water w~, 

-- ce~us or tra~ ~om sh~p and mule d~r 

~d ch~k wfldfi~ wamr tangent levels 

~g summer mon~s and 

-- ~pond to ~t~g emergencies, 

r~ue si~ fivesto~, pursue ~ons or ~or 

g~e ~olators. 

• ~s~l~on of new ~1~ catc~ents to be 

eval~ted on a c~e~se ba~s. ~ghom sh~p 

tr~ Mlowed. 

• ~ wildfire supposed but some ~efi~t~g- 

~ated ae~fies res~e~. 

• Coercion ~ mulfi~ufisdictionM law 

e~orcement ~d search and r~cue ~enc~ and 

o~tions improved. 

• No~h~ animM ~ge control aefi~fies 

a~owed. 

• Res~ons to be ~fia~ and e~orced ~clude: 

-- no campfires, ~ar~ fire~ wood 

~e~ wood cutt~ ~d o~er su~ce 

~s~rban~s, 

-- dogs prohi~ted on one t~l; ~es on one 

o~er, 

-- no ~mp~g ~t~ 200 f~t or ~ ~ the 

es~bh~ed trails, 

-- fiv~y ~mp~g s~ limit ~ some 

t~eads ~d 

-- pa~ sto~ ~g and f~g actNifies 

li~. 

• Esfi~ted to~ cost over the 10-year 

implemen~tion pe~od would ~ 2~ wor~onths 

~d $~0~ ~ ~u~ment and ~te~s. 
Other Alternatives 

Analyzed 

A ~r ~e ~d ~H~ ~~t 

M~e ~ ~fi~ ~g ~ ~ 

~, t~i~ m~fies ~d ~ n~ ~1~ 

• A ~m~ ~~ M~mafive wi~om 

~M t~ls ~ t~i~ d~m~t; 

~~~~ ~~ of ~ 

~k ~ ~ ~ ~~. 

Fi~ ~s~c~ of ~wq~d ~m~ ~e w~ 

~. 

• A ~ ~n ~m~e ~~g ~e smms 

~. 

2 
Part I -- Introduction 

Plan Purpose/Background 

The Arizona Dese~ Wilderness Act of 1990 

estab~shed the Sierra E~rel~, North Maricopa 

Moun~in~ South Maricopa Mountains and Tab~ Top 

wildernesses. The Bureau of Land Management 

(BLM) 8560 Manual requires that management plans 

be prepared for these areas and recommends th~ 

environmental assessment documen~ be completed as 

appendices. Due to the ~milarity of the ecosystems 

and ~sues to be addressed, these four above-named 

wildernesses are covered under this sin~e 

management plan. 

This plan presenB management objectives and 

ac~ons for protecting and enhancing wilderness 

resources over the next 10 years. It ~so addre~es 

the levd of uses to be ~lowed as intended by 

Congresm ~ provides a schedule for implementing 

management actions and ev~uating thor effectiveness 

and assesses the impac~ of these and ~ternafive 

acfion~ 

The management actions proposed in this plan 

are consistent with the Lower Gila South Resource 

Management Plan (U.S. Depa~ment of Intefio~ 

1988@. The Phoenix District's Search and Rescue 

Plan (U.S. Depa~ment of Interior, 1992~ is 

supplemented. The Lower Gila South Habitat 

Management Plan (U.S. Depa~ment of Interio~ 

1990a) would be amended with the adoption of 

Alternative C of the environmental assessment (Pa~ 

XI of this documen0. The Phoenix D~trict's Interim 

Guidance for Fire Suppression in Wilderness (U.S. 

Department of Intefio~ 1991a), the range 

improvement maintenance plans for the Sierra 

Estrella Wilderness (U.S. Depaament of Interior, 

1991b) and the Table Top Wilderness (U.S. 

Depa~ment of Interio~ 1992b) and the wild~fe 

operations and maintenance plans for the Noah and 

South Marieopa mountains and Siena Estrella 

wildernesses (U.S. Depa~ment of Interio~ 1991~ 

and the Table Top Wilderness CLI.S. Depa~ment of 

Interior, 1994~ are superseded by this plan. 

Management actions 1.2, 3.2 and 4.2 of this 

proposed wilderness management plan and ~milar 

aet~ns presented under Alternative B of the 

environmen~l assessment (Paa XD affect 

nonwflderness corridors (cherrystem road~ and areas 

~ ~ ~ w~m~s ~dafies. ~ese 

proposed ~fi~s ~ a ~c~ p~ of managing ~ 

aff~ ~dem~es and, ~ere~ ~ approprat~ 

addressed ~ ~s ~an. 

Wilderness Overview 

The Maficopa Complex Wilderness Management 

Plan covers about 172,000 acres (Geographic 

Information System data) within four separate 

wildernesses (see Map 1). Appendix A includes total 

acreage of public, state surface and state subsurface 

ownership as weft as information regarding the 

wilderness values and other attributes of each. 

Loca~on/Access 

The four wildernesses are in the Sonoran Desea 

of southwestern Arizona in southern Marcopa and 

western Pinal counties. They are within two hours 

driving distance of the metropolitan Phoenix area, 

w~ch has a popdation of 2.1 milfion (Maficopa 

Assodation of Governments, 1993). Specific 

~eations, boundaries and access are described by 

area brow. 

Sierra Estella 

The 14,400-acre S~na Estrella Wilderness, 

w~ch includes roughiy one-fou~h of the Siena 

E~rella Moun~ins, ~ 15 miles south of m~ropohtan 

Phoenix and east of Rainbow Valley, Arizona. It is 

bounded on the noah and ea~ by the Gih River 

Indian Reservation; in the l~ter cas~ the Reservation 

boundary is ~so the Maficop~Pin~ coun~ line. The 

western boundary is a combination of a powerline 

fight-of-way and jeep tra~s. The southern boundary 

~ a wash at the ~e of a steep ridge. 

Although distinguished as one of the wilderness~ 

closest ~ metropolitan Phoenix, four-wheel-drve 

ve~es are required ~ approach the wilderness 

boundary. Primitive dim roads near the wilderness 

boundary are extremely sandy or sil~ and wash 

crossings are rugged and deep. Only the western 

boundary of the wilderness is accessible ~ the pubfie. 

However, due ~ landowners~p patterns, legal access 

is not assured. Vi~ can reach the wilderne~ ~a 

Iute~te 10 ~ exit 121 and south on Jackrabbit Road 

to the Rainbow Valley Road. Unmainmined ~a 
MARICOPA COMPLEX 

WILDERNESS LOCATION MAP 

s"""w," ~:#~;L. 

~i::i::i --~__ 

~~ %~ 

NORTH / MARICOPA t ~ MOUNTAINS ~ ~~~ 

WILDERNESS~i,~ i! ' 

SOUTH ~ MARICOPA MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS 

UTAH 

~ " 

~~R i Z 0 N A ~ 

- ~~ ~~ ~ 

! ~ ~°~'~~~ 

N I 

~ TUCSON t I 

~~'-~ .... ] 

"°~~ !1 

I 

Ioz J 

| ~ Phoenix 

L 

SCALE 

10 miles 

MARICOPA CO. 

PINAL CO. 

~____o~~S,an.e~ ,~®_____~.__~~Grande

~'BLEW,LOE.~~ 

J 

N 
m~ ~s~g some s~ and priv~ lands ~d 

~a~ to the wilderness boundary ~om th~ point. 

Noah ~copa Mo~ 

The ~,2~-aere Noah M~pa Mo~tains 

Wi~ernes~ appro~mately 12 mi~ no~t ~ Gila 

Bend, ~n~ includes roug~ the no,hem one- 

~ of the M~c~a Mountain~ R ~ ~t of Sta~ 

~ghway 85, south and west of the ~ P~ Natu~ 

G~ ~eline and no~ of Rou~ 238 ~obil~Gila 

Bend Road) and the Southern Pac~e ~Rroad. The 

noahern boun~ is a eomb~t~n of a j~p traH, a 

w~h, a ~g allotment ~fion fen~, a ~ land 

descfi~on and a pro~nent ri~ The west is 

bounded ~ a ~ land ~bd~sion des~on 

pamlle~g a ~0-kV powerline 6ght~f-way. The 

southern boun~ is a combha~n of a legal land 

d~on, jeep tra~s ~d the ~ B~terfid~ 

OvOid Stage Route. ~e ~tern boundary ~ a 

jeep trail. ~s w~derness ~ a two-hour drive from 

metrop~ ~oe~x. High~earance and ~urwh~rive v~des are r~uired. The wilderness 

~ be ~ed from the south using d~ roads 

extending no~hward from Roum 238. Access from 

the noah is vh diR roa~ extend~ south from the 

g~ ~e~e ma~tenance road. The ~tern and 

w~tern bo~daries ~ be reached ~ extremely 

rough jeep t~ls. ~I ~or access is across p~fic 

lands. 

South ~copa Mo~im 

The 60, l~-aere wilderness indudes roughiy the 

southern one-~ ~ the mounta~ ~. It ~ 

~proxim~dy dgN ~les ea~ of Gila Bend, ~n~ 

fix ~es west of the M~co~inal county ~ 

be~een htersta~ 8 to the muth ~d Route 238 

~obi~G~ Bend Road) and the Southern Paei~ 

R~lroad to the noah. The no~hern boundary ~ a 

~ l~d description and jeep t~l. The ~rn and 

wes~rn bo~daries are ~ land description. The 

southern boundary is a combin~on of a 5~-~ 

o~et paral~ing the no~rn fi~f-w~ ~nce of 

h~rs~te 8, a wash and a jeep t~l. 

~s wildern~s ~ a two-hour ~ve ~m 

m~rop~ Pboe~x, b~ a~ss ~ ~cdE 

r~ui~g hi~ clearance and four-wh~-dfive 

vehicles, hterstate 8 parallds ~e somh boundary of 

the wilderness, b~ o~rs no safe access to ~e 

wilderness. The noah bo~d~ can be acce~ 

from pfi~five di~ roads south of Rou~ 238, but 

active railroad tracks and figh~-of-way res~ct publ~ 

eross~s. No ro~ 1~ to the western boundary of 

the wildernes~ however, prince roads access the 

eastern boundary. Due to landownersMp patterns, 

legal access ~ not ~sured. 

Table Top 

This 34~00-aere w~derness, 45 miles ~uth of 

Phoe~x and 20 miles west of C~a Grand~ Arizon~ 

is almost entkely within Pin~ Count. It ~cludes the 

majority of the Table Top Mountains south of 

h~rs~te 8, north and we~ of the Tohono O'odham 

in'an Rese~ation and primarily east of the 

Maricopa-Pinal county line. I~ northern boundary is 

jeep trails, a w~h, IegM land descriptions and a 

powerline right-of-way. The wes~m boundary 

consis~ of a jeep tra~ and a legal land descripfiom 

The southern boundary is a jeep trail and the bo~ 

of the R~e~ation. Jeep tra~s ~rm the eas~rn 

bounda~ of the wi~erness. 

This wiretaps is a two-hour drive from 

maropolitan Phoe~x. Road conditions require ~gh 

clearance and four-wheel-drive ve~el~. The 

wildern~s can be accessed ~a hte~ta~ 8 north of 

• e w~dernes~ then south through the private 

Mghway se~e fae~ties ~ efit 15I (the junction of 

h~rsta~ 8 and State Route 8~ or exff 144 (Vekd 

Road). Vekd Road ~ maintained, but can be rough 

or wa~ed ore. Access Mong this road Mso crosses 

priva~ly owned lands. 

Wilderness Values and Unique 

A~Hbutes 

These four wildernesses currently provide a 

standard of sofitude and naturalness that ranges from 

good to ou~tanding. They contain little to no 

evidence of surface disturbance other than former 

vehicle ways the majority of which appear in the 

NoAh and South Maricopa mountains wildernesses. 

The Sierra E~rdla Wilderness ~ comparatively 

sma~, but pa~icularly inaccessible due to its 

extremely rugged and deeply dissected topography. 

The striking Sierra Estrella mountain range rises 

2,750 feet from the lower ropes within the 

wilderness. Topography, vegetative screening and 

the size of the Noah and South Marieopa mountains 

and Tab~ Top wildernesses provide visitors with an 

exceflent opportunity to experience solitude 

Unob~ru~ed vistas and ou~tanding natural values 

add to the character of the Table Top Wilderness. 

The rugged and diverse terrain of ~1 four 

wildernesses in the Maricopa Complex generally 

provides good to outstanding opportunities for 
prince recrea~n including hu~ing, rock ~mbing, 

~c~ounding, hiking, omping, hot,back tiding, 

sigh~eeing and backpackin~ 

The Sonoran DeseA ecosystems in ~ese ~ur 

wildernesses may Mso be ~und in ~gnificant ~ons 

of 22 oth~ areas of the Nafi~ Wfl~mess 

P~~ Sy~em. These vary in ~ from ~e 

~3,00~m C~e~ Prie~ Re~ge Wfl~rness 

~~ed by ~e U.S. Fish and W~H~ ~ ~ 

• e 5,80~m White Canyon Wfl~rn~s ov~seen by 

the BLM. Combined, these areas prese~e a 

~gni~ant ~ ~ S~thwestern des~ 

~od~. 

General Management S~uafion 

Exis~ng Developments 

There are approximately 95 miles of former 

vehi~e ways within the Maricopa Complex. 

Boundary ~dations by vehi~es continue ~ong these 

tracks ~ee maps 2 through 5), occasionally creating 

new routes. There ~ a lack of ground cover in these 

areas and cros~country trav~ resul~ in new trails 

w~ch may be d~ected for as long as 20 years. The 

potenfi~ for t~s activity may increase over the next 

10 years due to population growth in the maropoHtan 

Phoenix area. 

The wildernesses have been posted at all poin~ 

where these vehic~ tracks cross or emana~ from the 

boundaries. Also, much of the periphery of all the 

areas has been po~ed. Several rou~s have been 

ba~icaded in each wilderness. Sign vandalism is a 

common oecu~ence. Efforts to main~in ~gns and 

barricades will continu~ P~ro~ are conducted 

wee~y by BLM employees to assess boundary 

compliance and ~enfify new surface disturbance. 

Acce~ into the wilderness by mechanized ground 

transpoA ~ong some of these vehi~e ways is 

authorized under certain con~t~ns ~ee "Approved 

Mo~rized/Mechanized Uses~. 

There are 27 wildlife and fivestock developments 

within the Maricopa Complex (see maps 2 through 5 

and Appendix B). 

Nine water developmen~ are exdusive~ for 

wi~fe. Eight are rainw~er catchmen~ and one is a 

well. The ht~r development, Butterfidd Well, has 

been an important deer water source in the Noah 

Maricopa Moun~ins since February 1985; it was 

vandalized in 1991 and is cu~ently nonfunction~. 

NOTE: There are ~x catchments cherrystemmed or 

a~acent to the Noah Maficopa Moun~ins Wi~erness 

and two ~errystemmed out of the T~le Top 

Wilderness which sere wildH~ ranging in the 

wi~emes~s (s~ maps 3 and 5). 

Po~o~ of 10 grazing ~btme~ boundary ~nces 

~lling 11 3⁄4 mi~s a~ within the Mafi~ 

Complex. Another seven miles ~ boundary ~ncing 

make up the ~tual wHderness boundary of the NoAh 

Mafi~ Moun~ins and Tab~ Top wildernesses. 

Catt~ permiaed to gm~ public lands a~ confined ~ 

thor resp~tive g~ng all~ments by these fences. 

Ano~ t~ g~ ~nces within these wil~rnes~s 

~lling 3 1⁄4 miles corral fives~ck mo~ment within 

the g~zing ~otm~. Of the 13 in~rior wi~ern~s 

fences, ~ght a~ ~1~ ~tionM at p~m. 

Howler, all fends a~ rel~dy o~ -- 10 ~ 50 

years -- and the~ need period~ repots due ~ 

wear and v~da~ 

~ ~fion to the fences, five eaAh~ s~ck tanks 

~thin the w~dernes~s h~e not b~n mainlined ~r 

many y~ and a~ not ~ncfion~. Thr~ d~es 

~thin the wil~rnesses w~ch diveA water into 

~n~ion~ ~ahen s~ck tanks ~jacent ~ and out, de 

~e wil~rness~ will need to be main~in~ 

period~, however (refer ~ "~sues SAved 

Through Polly or Ad~n~rat~e A~n ~ in Pan III 

of t~s ~cumen0. 

Inholdings 

The s~te of Arizona owns 642 acres of land 

within the S~a E~reHa Wilderness and 5,120 acres 

of subsurface mineral figMs within the NoAh 

Maficopa Mountains and Siena EstrelM wildernesses 

~ee maps 2 and 3 and Table 3). 

Aircraft Overflights 

Annual low-~vd fixed wing and hdicop~r 

inventories of deer and jav~ina populations in herd 

areas which in~ude these wildernesses are conducted 

by the Arizona Game and Fish DepaAment. A deseA 

~ghorn sheep census is Mso made twice a year by the 

agency using a h~icop~ 

The NoAh and South Maricopa moun~ins and 

Tab~ Top wildernesses are within es~blished 

raillery training corridor. These corrido~ facili~te 

training exercises for ~rcrafl trav~ing from several 

Air Force and N~nM Guard bases to the Barry M. 

G~dw=er Air Force Range. Ground-hovering at~ck 

helicop~ and various j~ figh~ flying ~ high 

speeds and low devations are commo~y encountered 

by victors. BLM estimates of the number of so~ies 

per day vary from ~x over the NoAh and South 

6 
~ ~, 

R1W 

Map 2: Sierra EstreHa WHderness 

Present Situation 

~~i~iii~i~iiii~iiii~i~i~#i;i~ii!i~i~i!~i~ii~i~i~i!i!i~.~i~i~!~!~!~!~.!~!~!~~i~i~~ i 

':'~::::i: ~:!::.::.:!:!:!:!:!:!: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::i:i:i:i:i.i'iiiiii 

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=~ ~~~i!iii~i~i~i~i~i~?~i~i~~.~:~!~~ 

:>""""~:~~i:i::::~::::::::::::.> ,,,:...............~ ....... " iii~ii!~iii!~ 

'~ ::~::::::::::~~ ~ " ~:~i 

~:::~::::: .................... ::~:~::::~::::::::~ 

:'~+:':':+~,'~'.. ............ "'~ 

~:::::::~ 

T2S 

.... 

): SE f 

% 

T3S 

R1E R2E 

LEGEND 

SE 1 Form~ Vehicle Way 

--. -- & Reference Code 

~474~ Fence & Pr~ect N~ 

.......... Trail 

0 Wildlt~ Weter 

Catchm en t 

[] Monitoring S~dy 

L ocaffon 

~ PHv~ Lnnd 

W S~Lend 

~ S~M~er~E~(~ubsur~c~ 

~ indian Reservanon 

I I BLML.nd 

~ Wildern eas 

CO~TOU~ I"NTE~VJ~ 

600 ~T 

SCALE 

1 

MILES 

~S~A~F 

~b'LY 

SA 0~ 

~U'R~.~ DF-I'~T~I~'NT INTY~J~I, It O~.~ ~IT~D OF C ~ D~TRI~T OF ~T~T~H~ M~A~L~G~MI?~T OYI~I 

y~m~" 1~$ 

N 
Map 3: North Maricopa Mountains 

Present Situation 

Wilderness 

1 

.................. 

'- ili 

....... ' ....... . ............ 

.................. , ,~ ,~,. ,.. ,..,,.... ,~...,,,..... ,,.,.,.,.,.,,,., ,... \ 

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~ "~'~i:::::::: :::i:i:i:::i::: ::::i:::i:::::: I ::::::::::;:::: :i;:~4~:::::::: :::::::::::::::: :k::::::k::;: ~ ~ 

~ "./.'.' :.i.i.:.:.i.::: .:.i.:::::.:.v :.:.:.i.;.:.:.: :.;.:.:.~.~.i.: ~.:.:.:::::::.:: .:.:::.:.:.;..~ .,....-i-~,,\:~..~~.~:~~~4 ~ 

:::::: i:i:~l l:::::: ::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::":::: ~::i::# ~!~ ~/~ ~ ~,~i~i~ ~:~:,~ ~ ~/~<~;.~.~.i"~,, 

~~~~~~ 

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~i~i~~i~i~i~i~i~i~i~i~'""" 

NM 3 

4~5 

I 

31 

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T3S 

f4S 

..... ..... 

R3W R2W 

NM 1 

O 

e 

[] 

~ 

~ ~ 

LEGEND 

Former Vehicle Way 

& Referen~ C~e 

Fen~ & Proj~t No. 

Ea~hen S~ ~nk 

L~es~ck Well 

Wildlife Water 

~tchment 

Wildlife Well 

Mo~ring Study 

L~n 

Priva~ ~nd 

$~ ~nd 

S~ Mineml Es~ 

~u~ur~) 

BLM ~nd 

Wilderness 

CONTOUR INTERVAL 

600 FEET 

SCALE 

0 1 2 3 _ 

MILES 

BUI~J~U DEPArTMeNT EP~ORpH OE ~NITRD NI OF X L~ND DISTRICT o¥ gTA ~L~NAGEMENT TH~ TES I~T OYFICK 

F~-~ I~ 

N 
Map 4: South MaHcopa Mountains Wilderness 

Present Situation 

~ ~~~~~~+ + +' + + ~'' + ++ ~''' ........................... + + +'' + +' + +' + + + + + + + + + ~ .... ++''''+++'~+ .......... ~[ + 

i 

2O 

:::::::::::::::~: 

~':+N'N,N ......... 

N+:.'..:+N.;.~ 

36 t 

..N.N.:.N.N.N.N.N.N.N,~,N.:.~:,~.N,:~:,~:9 ?,,, ............................................ . , 

7!~i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i!i ii~: iiii!ii ii!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!!!!!?!!!!!!!~?!i:i:i: :i:i:!:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:?:i:!:i:!:!:i:!:!:!:!:!~4:!:!:!::~:?!:!:~i :i:i:!;?:~:i:i:i 

~ ~S~.;.;~.~:~.~.~.~(;~.~+~:~.~+~+~+~.:.:.~ .';:~[:':': ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 

~ : ~ ~ : : ~ : : : ~ : ~ ~ : : : ~ : : : ~ : ~:~: ~:~ : ~ :i:;~:~:~,~i~::i~i:~; ~ ~~~N~N~N~N~.~N~N~`~N~.~.~.~ ~ ~ ................. : .... :.:T. +:*:+N+:+:*:.I.N*N*I.:*~.*..N.N.~'~+I.: • .~.~`~.~.~.N`~.~.~.~.~.N~N~N~N~N~N~N~N~N~`~N~`~.N~N`N~`~ '

+~ ....... . ............... m ................... ~ ...... z+. +,Y..++++ +~+~+~+~+~+~+~+++~.~'+~+~+++~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~.~.~+++~+~+~+~+~.~+~+++++++++~' ~ ....................... +..++.... ++...+.....+++++.+.....~++...++......++.+.+ .+.+?.+++++++ +++++.++.+.+..++ ++++.+++....+.+..+.+++.+.+++++.:.+.~+N.++N+~+N+N.:+:.~+I+N+:+N.~+N+N+++N+N+N.: 

• m+ ...... ~.+. +.+....++++~+...++~...++++..+..++~....+++.+.+.....++.++.'.'+'++~'.'.'++++ '++.'++++++.'+++'+++~+:+:+:+:+..:.+++~:.......+......+.+..++++.+...++...+.++ ++.++~++ ..... . 

%% p~+ • ,,+,+ , ,++++,,+,+ +p++,++ + • +++'+','+','+', • ~,,,,++,,+,,+,,,,,,,+,+,,,,++++,,.,++,,++ ,,+,,,+,,,,,,,.,+,+++,,, +~ ............................. + ....... 

.... ~+ ,'~ ~+ , ,~+ . ~+~ .... ~ ................. ~ ~ ~ ........... < ....... 

' + ' , + , ' , ' , ' +~ , ,~P~+~,+~ + + ' . + , '3, ' , ' + , + 1~ ~ ' + : ' " ' + ' ' + + ,~+ ~'~+~+:+~' ~ ' : '~+''~'+ '+ '~+~' : ~ .................. ' : ' ~ + : ' ~ + ~ ' ~ + : ' ~ + ~ + ~ ' : + ~ + ~ + ~" ~ + + "~+p~ + 1~ : ' : ',+pOp ~+ + ' ' ' ' .......: ' : + ~ + ~ + : ' ~ ' : 1~: + : + ..................... ~ + ~:, +~ + ,~ ' : ' : [ ~ + ~ ' ~ ' ~+ ~ + ~ ' ~ ' : ' ~ + ~ + ~ ' 

~ +~ • ...++ ++ +++ . .+. +.+ .+ ++ .+ .. +++ ++ .... ~ +.+... +.++++ +. ++ .. ++ .~ ++++++++ +. ++++.+... ~?~ •. +.. ++ ++ +....... ++ ++. ~+,.++.... +. ++ .+ .+ ++ ++..+.....+++. ~.~.~++.++++..+++++++..!++ ........ .,+,+++..o~++..+++++..+..+.+..+.~u++:+:.:+:+:+:.:.+ ......... ..+.++++,++++++i.+.+.+++++. .......... ~ .......... , ...... .+++++++~.++.+.....+.....++++++ ++ '.'.'.++'+'+'+++~+'+'.'+~+~+ 

~+ • +~+, ,%%%% +%%+ 

..I+N+~.:+N+N+:+~.++++.jN+..++++N...~.+ .................. 

+++++..++.+++++++++.+.+++...+++++..N+++I.~ .......... +. •. ~+ • ....+....++++..+..++~.++++ 

++N+N+N+N.N+:+:.:.N+N.N+N+. ~ ............ .>~.N+:.N+N.ItN.++I.+I+N~ N+N.~+:+:.:.~.:~+.~ .... ~ ................ 

................................ ~ .......... r " " " ~ ............. ~ .... %' " ' '+~'"'"+ '+'+'+'+-+'+'"+++++ 

~ ~:::~:;:;:::::::::::;:~:~:~:;~;;::~ :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ~+~+~N~N~N~N~~.~N~N~+ 

~ ~ ............. ~ .................... :+ +:+:+ +:.:.~:+:.N+: ,' ~;~`;~;~.N~N~~+~`~!~+~+;~7~i~ 

~ =============================================================================== ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 

= .+.+ +..+ .+ .................. :+:+;+;. +;+;.~..+:++++....+++.... +....++......+..+..++.+.+.. .................... ~,~+ + +~ ........ ~ :~+ 

~++....++,+,...,+++,+,+,...++++++++..+++++..+++++++~+.++++++.,+.++.++. ~~+~.~+~!+sM~+~++~+~+~+~+~]~+ 

~:,:,:+:+:,:,:+:+:+:+:+:+:,:+:+:+:+:+:+:++~++:.:+:,:.:.:.:+:.:.: ~`~`~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+++~+~+t++~+~+~t++~+~+~+~++~+~+~+~+~++~ 

==================================================================== ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::: : 

+ +,;+:+;+;,;.::;;;;;.::.,:+;,,:.,::.:+;;:,:,N,:~+..~+~ ~;~;+;~;~;`~;+;+;~+;+:`~`;`;`~;+~+;+;+~+;+;+~+`+~+~;+;~;+;.;+;~;`;`;+~.~';+;';`~+;.:`~`~:+;+~+~'~`~+~+;'~ 

~+. ;. :; ;.. ;.:+ +;. +;+;.:.:.:+;.~i~+;+;.:.:+;, ~,+;,;+;+;+;+;+;.;+~+%;.;~I+;+;+;Y;+;+;+.~.~ ~+;+;+;+:+;Y;.;.:.:+;+:+;+;+I+;+;.:.;; :+; :.;~;~;+;+i; .+....++.+....+.++.+.+.......+++...+.+..+..++++..++..++++...+.+ + ++..+++.....+.+.++..+++..~...+.+++++....++++..+. +......+++............+.+++...+++.+....N+N++.~N+N. 

"1 ' ~'+'.+.+.'.'.'.++++:.++++:.:.:++~'+N+'.+.:~+ +;.;+I.;+N.:+N.;+++:N++.:.:.+.N.+.;+:+N+;+:':+:++ .+:+:.;+:':+N';';':':':';+;':+N':':'N'++++.';'~'.++': ' 

~;;:::::;:;;;:::;;::;:::~:::;:::;;::+;;; ,....,..,.,,+.,+,,,.+.+.+,..+.,.+++,,., ,., ;+:;:::+:;;;:::;:~+;::::;:;:;:;:;:;!~'::::;;;::~+~ ~ ",'+',','+'.',~.%'+','+',',','+','+'~:.'+!~.'.'++ ;::;:;;;:::;;~;;::::::::;;;;:::;;::::::;;;;;;::;;;;::'~i;;;; ~,.,.,,,,,,,,,.,++.+.,,+,+,+,+,,+.+.,+,,++,++,+,++,.,+, ~,+, 

~::::::!:i:::i:~;~:i:...~+..,+++, :::!;:;:;:;:::;;~::::::::::::::::::i:::':~!:!:i:i:i:!,+ ~ ........... +~ :i3;:i:;:i:i:i:;:;:i:i:;:i:;:i:;:;:;:i:i:i:i:i:i:;::~ iii:! 

~:::::: :~,::'!:!:;~::!:!:!:!:!:!:!:i:i:i:i:i:....i:i:i:i:i:i:: !:i:i~:i:i:!:i:!:?:?:!:?:i:i:!:i:!:?:!:i:i:i:i:i~!:~:i:i: 

~ ~ :i!;;~.:::i:i:i:i:!:i:!:!:!:!:!:~::!:!:!:~i:?:~:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:~i:i:i:i: ~ ==================================================== 

,, 

~ ' • +,N;::;::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::+~::::::::::~:::::::::::+ 

..................... .,'. i'o 

R3W R2W RIW R!E 

TSS 

LEGEND 

~_M_~ Form~ Vehicle Way 

& Reference Code 

~. 

~ ~ Fence&Proje~N~ 

0 Earthen S~ck Tank 

• Wlldll~ W~er 

Catehm ent 

• ~onitorlng Study 

Location 

~ Pfiva~ Land 

~ S~ Land 

I I BL"Land 

~ Wilderness 

CONTOUR INTERVAL 

700 FEET 

SCALE 

o 1 

MILES 

T6S 

STA~ 

B~~ 

~ ~$~ ~ 

~ 1~ 

~TAF~ 

~ 
N 

~ ~ 

~1~ ~o ~&~vd~u u~ ~° ~ ~&&N~VN~ &DI~&~IU ~Dl~° ~Ol~&~ 

.... - ~?~, 

\ / 

\~ ~,>~.; 

~ ~-~_~ 

-~ ~s~ ~ 

~~ 

Sgql~ 

~ ~ 

~3VOS 

3 ~L~I_O&~O ~VAH~I 

OSL &~A 

*'~"* ~P-J1 

~ fi~d 

~ peaql!~-~l 

211 ; ,.i " ~, **~uJ*PI!Alt 

I ~ w~. pue~ 

~] ~,~ ~o~**~ 

~ ~ pu~ 

~ ~ ~u~ 

u~q~ 

• 6W~o;~uow ~pNS 

~ua~q=;~ 

~ a~lPl~ Ja;~ 

0 uaq~ ~0;5 ~U~l 

~ ~ ~aua~ e ;a#O~d "oN 

~ ~ ~ou~U a~O 

~ ~ la~JOd al~qoA ~ 

ONg~gq 

$8~ 

S~£ 

~£H 

~,,i~i,i,i,i,i,i~i~i~i 

i! i ""~ii .... ' ..... " ~i ~ ~,~,~, ~~ .......... ~ iiiii~iiiii ~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~, ~ i~i~iiiiiiiiiil ~,~,~, ~~ ii~ ~ ~,~ ~ ~r~.......~.~.r~.~.... ̧~.~...~.~..~ ~ ~,~ ~ ~'. ~,~  ̧ ~, !iii~~ ~~ ~,~,~,~,~, ~, ~i!i!i!iiiiii!ii~! ~, ii~i~iii~~i~~ 

,,.,~.~,;~%,,,,,,~/,,//,~////, 

, i,i,.~,-~-f,i,i ~ 7 i,i. 7 7 i,i,i~, 7 7 ~ ,~,I,I' ~;,~, ~i~i i~ 71,i,i~ 7 71~'i'i' ~ ,I,I~, 71 ~ 'I~I~I 71' ~I' ~I'I'I,I~I 71'i ~ ~,i ~i~,.i ~I'I, i,i~i~ ~ ~i~~ 7 7 71'i'i'i' ~ ' ~ ~i' 'I~I'I 71 ~ 7 ~ ~i'i ~I'I,I~I'I'I~I ~i' 71,i. 'I' ~i'i'~'i'i~i 7 ~ 71'i'i/i'i 7 i,i~i;',~,i,i,i,i~i~.i~ 

~uoso~d uog~n~!s 

d~lA~ :~ olq~ do± ssou~opl!AX 

~9 

/ 

3I~ 

9£ 
Marcopa mountains wildernesses to 35 or more over 

the Table Top Wfldernes~ The helicopter activity in 

the latter wilderness will increase dramatically if the 

proposed Wes~rn Army Natant Guard Aviation 

Training Si~ (WAATS) is Ioe~ed southeast of the 

wilderness in Marana, Arizon~ Although impac~ to 

the wilderness vifitor from these activities are usually 

of sho~ duration, they create a lasting impressiom 

Several complain~ ~om the pubfie have been 

recdved. See flso ~Issues Beyond the Scope of this 

Plan" in PaR IU of this document. 

Cu~ently, indden~ of low-levd flights by 

sailplanes occur over the Siena Estrella Wilderness. 

In addition, low-levd overfligh~ associated with 

priv~e eommerci~ train~g activities occur over the 

Noah and South Marcopa moun~ins wildernesses. 

Other occurrences of wilderness overfligh~ include 

inddenml commercial and pfiva~ aircra~ tither 

enroute to or orgin~ing from numerous firports 

including priva~ ~mtrps as well as outlying Phoenix 

metropolitan ~rports. These activities inter~re with 

opportunities for sofitude in these areas, as evidenced 

by eomphints rec~ved from wilderness users. 

All akcra~ are requested through a feder~ 

aviation adv~ory to maintain an ~fitude of 2,000 feet 

above ground lev~ or higher over the sur~ce of 

federal wildernesses. Sur~ce ~ defined as the 

highest terrain within 2,000 feet la~ragy of the route 

of flight, or the uppermost Am of a canyon or valley. 

This flfitude limitation advisory does not apply to 

military ~rcraff operating within an es~b~shed 

mili~ry training corrido~ 

Search and Rescue and Law 

Enforcement 

Emergency response and law enforcement 

activities are pursued by a variety of agen~es and 

volunteer organizations; at present, there is no 

es~blished coordina~on among these activities to 

mmtmtze"" " impac~ to the wildernesse~ See ~so 

"Approved Motorized/Mechanized Uses" under this 

part and "Issues Solved Through Policy or 

Adm~istration Aetiou" under Pa~ III, ~sues. 

Minerals 

There ~ no active ruling h thee wildernesses, 

nor are there any mining d~ms, mineral leas~ or 

permi~ to remove mineral ma~r~s (U.S. 

Depa~ment of In~ror, 1994b). The Arizona Desea 

Wilderness Act of 1990 pro~ the filhg of new 

d~ms within these designated wildernesses. 

Approved Motodzed/Mechanized Uses 

Certain motorzed/mechanized uses are 

authorzed within the wildernesses. Emergency 

respons~ some law enforcement ae~es and other 

accepted uses are prov~ed for in the Arizona Dese~ 

W~derness Act of 1990 and in~rm operation ~ans 

for wildlife and ~vestoek grazing activities. 

Nine livestock permittees operating within the 

Marcopa Complex may use motorized access ~r 

emergency rescue of sick anim~ 

Under current approved interim operation plans, 

11 of the 27 wi~ and ~vestoek structures may be 

pefo~eal~ ma~tained using motorized/mechanized 

transpoa and eq~pmenL Ground transpo~ asso~ated 

wi~ this maintenance is limited to former vehicle 

ways. 

The ~ght wfld~fe rainwater catchmen~ described 

under "E~sting Developmen~" are checked 

periodical~ by air or ground by the Arizona Game 

and Fish Depa~ment. When an inspection reveals a 

lev~ bdow 16 percent of water ~oragn eapaei~ or it 

~ anticipated to last less than four weeks, water is 

added to the low-devation ca~hmen~ by tanker 

truck. Water is added to the two high~levation 

c~chmen~ in the Sierra Estrella Wi~eruess by 

helicop~ 

Presently, U.S. Depaament of Agreulmre 

persound may conduct predator control activities 

within the wilderne~es when so requested by 

fivestock permittees. Approval of requested 

motorized/mechanized predator control aefi~fies ~ 

currently han~ed on a case-by~ase basi~ The 

Phoenix Distret BLM has dra~ed an Animal Damage 

Control Annual Plan of Work in conjunction with the 

Depa~ment of Agrc~ture's Anim~ and Plant Health 

Inspeet~n Service, Anim~ Damage Control to 

standardize these acfi~fies within the Phoenix 

Di~reL This #an of work does not Mlow 

mechanized/motorized activities within wilderness ~r 

these purposes. 

Recrea~on 

The four wildernesses currently rec~ve relatively 

low levds of dispersed reereation~ day us~ More 

victors travd by foot than by howe. High use 

periods are from October through May. Overnight 

s~ys are primarily assodated with hunting; however, 

hunting camps are usuagy ou~ide the wilderness 

boundaries. There ~ virtuagy no surface evidence of 

camping within these wildernesses, including no 

visual evidence of wood gathering or fire rings. 

11 
Overall use is largdy ~sed. Previous wilderne~ 

~mnm~l impact s~temen~ (U.S. D~aame~ of 

Interior, 19~a and 198~ ~fimated ~ ~e areas 

rec~ved a combined ~1 of 1,350 v~r ~e ~ys 

annualS. Howeve~ morn recent ~r regist~ ~m 

inhere an ~erage of 730 ~r u~ days atmual~ 

~ong ~e T~le Top T~ ~one. NOTE: This figu~ 

is probably less ~an wh~ ~ ~tual~ occurrin~ 

becanse not all ~rs ~gn ~e regi~e~ 

The Butterfield-Overland S~ge Route, ~ong ~e 

sou~ern bounda~ of ~e Noah Maficopa Moun~ins 

Wilderness, is probably ~e most pop~ area ~r 

ve~cle touring and ~tion and ~e use of t~s 

wilderness ~ ~so~aW.zl wi~ t~s ~uring. Howev~, 

~ecific wilderness ~r dam are un~ail~le. 

Based on reg~nfl popdation grow~ ~timates, 

use l~ds ~r fll ~ur wildernesses co~d increase 25 

~t ov~ ~e next 10 y~rs. Ev~ wi~ ~e 

in.ease in ~fi~tion, day use ~ expected to ~ma~ 

the pfima~ ~pe of activi~ in ~e~ areas. 

Two tmfts exist within the areas ~ee maps 2 and 

~. The Tab~ Top Trail, in~orated in~ ~e 

Ari~na Sm~ Trail System, is in ~e Tab~ Top 

Wfl~rness. The Qua~z Peak Trail ~ ~e S~a 

Estella Wilderness has been used by the publ~ ~r 

pe~aps more ~an 40 years. ~mited parking areas 

e~ ~ bo~ trai~. The T~ Top Traft has 

ad~fion~ fac~ties, ~c~d~g a ~r ~s~ 

~room, ~c~c ~b~ and meal fire ~t. 

The Qua~z Peak Tra~ is a st~p, bo~de~, 

na~ow path ~ is unsui~b~ for equeafian travd. 

The mas~ve grani~ bou~ers and ~allow soil depths 

do not allow ~ ~ be engin~red ~r t~s us~ Whi~ 

the so~tude v~ue ~ good, ~ is anfi~p~ed ~ 

vi~r-to-visitor encoun~rs on ~e Qua~z Peak Trail, 

the most ~y traversed rou~ in the Siena E~re~a 

Wi~erness, wi~ become more fr~uent as public use 

increases. 

Vi~-vi~r encoun~r information ~ not 

available, but is believed to be ve~ infr~uent in all 

~ur wil~rnesses. It is assumed ~at urban growth ~ 

• e metropolitan Phoe~x area will co~inue and 

~ufism wifl increase. Because of aeces~, ~e 

grea~ increases will probably o~ur in ~e Noah 

Maficopa Moun~ins W~dem~s and, wi~ improv~ 

access, ~e Siena Eard~ W~mes~ 

Acce~ and ~em~m encounters am not expected 

to change ~ ~e Sou~ Maficopa Mound,s and T~ 

Top wilderness. 

The avail~ of firewood on a sus~ed ba~s 

is ~mited due ~ the slow gow~ ~te ~d dec~ence 

~ ~eci~ ~.g., m~q~, ironw~d, pMoveMe, 

saguaro and ehoH~. 

O~er than guided hun~, ~em is no comme~iM 

~uestfian ~ pede~fian recr~fion~ use of the 

Mafi~ Complex. Demand ~r ~ese ~fi~fies is 

~pected ~ eme~e over ~e n~t I0 y~rs, ~wev~ 

O~asi~ ~ommerc~ g~up ~fian use has 

occu~ed in ~e Noah M~ Moun~ins 

Wilderness. G~ded hun~g ~r game specks is 

permitted and oc~rs ~ ~e Mafi~pa Complex under 

Ari~na Game and Fi~ D~aam~t and BLM 

regulation~ 

Cultural Resources 

The Mafi~ Comp~x mounm~ ranges con~in 

~veral ~fifi~ a~ha~lo~cM ~t~ and pmb~ 

~untle~ o~ers thin a~ p~ntly u~nfified. A 

ve~ small ~~ of ~e land has been 

~s~mafical~ ~w~ed ~r c~tural ~s. 

Pre~stofic and ~s~fic ~ofiginM g~ups g~eral~ 

used dese~ moun~ins s~h as ~ese ~r wftd ~od 

p~mem, i.e., legume and c~tus f~it hawe~g 

and hunting of ~rge and small animals. ~e~stofic 

and ~s~fic travd ~rrido~ such as ~o~hs and 

wagon trails h~e been dominated in ~e Mafi~pa 

Com~ex. Po~ons of ~e Mormon Bat~lion/ 

Butte~d~Overland S~ge Route flong the so,hem 

bounda~ of ~e Noah Maficopa Mound,s 

WH~mess are berg used ~day as jeep trafts; 

po~ons ~ ~suse can ~11 be recognized ~ ~aces. 

Soil, Water and Air 

The wilderness landscapes are typic~ of ~e 

Sonoran Desea section of the Bas~ and Range 

physiograp~c provhee described by Fennemen 

(1928). In the Sierra Estrella and Noah and South 

Maficopa moun~ins wildernesses, soils of recent 

alluvium, ~ the base of the moun~ins, are deep and 

gravelly or cobb~. Those of the gentle-sloping 

alluvi~ fan ~aces are gravelly loams. Softs of 

~eep te~aces, hills and moun~ins are sh~low to 

deep gravelly loams (U.S. Depadment of Agficdture, 

1977a and 1977b). Soils within the Tab~ Top 

Wilderness are simi~r to the three u~ to ~e noah 

with the exception of those found ~ the hills and 

mountains, w~ch are shallow (U.S. Depadment of 

Agriculture, 1991). All soils within the four areas 

are excessively or well-dra~ed and dissected. Rock 

outcrops are common throughout. 

There are no known springs or other permanent 

natur~ water sources within the wildernesses. 

12 
Howeve~ ~e ~g~ wHdfi~ wa~r ca~tunen~ and one 

well described und~ "Ex~t~g Devdopmen~" of this 

pa~ were present prior m pas~ge of the Arizona 

DeseR Wilderness Act of I990. 

Under cu~ent Clean Air Act regulations, ~ese 

wildernesses are das~fied as Class II ~r quality 

areas. This means that the ~r should be of a quality 

norma~y experienced wi~ modem~, wefi-controHed 

human developmenL These regulations ~enti~ 

unaccepmb~ increases of certain air pollutant. The 

noRhem half of the ~e~a Estrella Wilderness is ~so 

included in an area which does not cu~enfly meet the 

nation~ ~r qtmli~ standards ~r paRicula~ ma~er 

and, there~re, ~ subject ~ stricter standards than 

those identified for Class H areas. On-fi~ a~ quality 

measuremen~ are not availab~. 

None of ~e Oant species has evolved wi~ or is 

dependent on fires for survival, nor are any ~ant 

species ~ereasing within ~e wildern~ses due ~ lack 

of fire. ~ appea~ ~ ~e recent human-caused fires 

during extremdy excep~oual fuel year~ i.~, 1992 

and 1993, damaged the dominant sueculen~ and ~ees 

(U.S. Depa~ment of In,tier, 1993). His~e 

records of fire oeeu~ence have been kept since 1980. 

There is no record of na~ral fire within these 

w~deru~ses. Five human-caused fires which 

oceu~ed were suppressed. 

Cu~ent procedures allow for certain 

meehanized/mo~rized uses under very specific 

conditions when authorized by ~e Area Manager. 

To da~, there has been no surface damage ~om 

firefight~g activities. 

Vegetadon 

Two ~ant eommtmifies of ~e Sonoran 

Deseasernb ~ome as described by Brown (1982) are 

found in ~e Mafieopa Complex -- ~e creoso~bushw~ bursage series of ~e Lower C~orado River 

Valley asso~ation and ~e p~overde-cacti-mixed 

scrub series of the Arizona U~and association. 

Though the later is predominant (perhaps 80 p~cent 

of the wildernesses), both occur in the ~erra Estrel~ 

and Noah Madcopa Moun~ins wi~ernesses. 

Vege~tion of ~e Tab~ Top and Sou~ Maricopa 

Moun~ins wildernesses is pdmafily of the p~overd~ 

cacti-mixed scrub, series. The predominant ~an~ 

found ~ each of these ~pes and the~ general 

Mcations in the Maficopa Complex landscape are 

presented in Append~ C. 

"lXvo sma~, but unique, areas of desert.scrub and 

gras~and occur atop the Sierra EstrelM and Table 

Top mountains within ~e wildernesses (U.S. 

Depa~ment of In,riot, 1988b). 

Soil and vegetation inventories conducted by the 

BLM in 1979 in~ca~ ~ #ant composition within 

~e Maricopa Complex approaches ~e natural 

ee~o#eM po~nfiM for ~ese areas. Fu~hermore, 

mo~ring sm~es conducted by ~e BLM ~ 1981 

and 1993 ~d~a~ relatively low -- zero ~ 30 percent 

-- grazing use of key ~rage species. This sugges~ 

• ~ ~ant sucees~on has been relativ~y unaffected by 

~ves~ck and wild~ ~ ~ese wilderne~es in ~e last 

10 year~ 

~re 

Na~ral wi~fires do not ~pear to have had an 

influence on ~e eeo~s~ ~t~ ~ ~ur areas. 

Wildlife 

Many species of w~dfi~ irdaab~ the four 

wildernesses. Past and present management actions 

have pfimari~ focused on de.sea b~horn sheep (Ov~ 

canadens~ mexicana), mule deer (Odocoi~us 

hemMnus crooMi) and dese~ ~rtoise (Gopherus 

agassaziO. 

ToAo~e are ~scussed ~rther in ~e ~Howing 

secfio~ "ThreaMned and Endangered and Speci~ 

Smms Species." In add~on m dese~ Mghorn sheep 

and mum deer, common game species within the 

w~dern~ses include javelina (Dico~les tajacu), 

GambdM qua~ (Lophortyx gambelii), w~te-winged 

dove ('Zenaida asaitica), mourning dove (Z. 

macroura) and cottontail rabbit (~ylvilagus audubonO. 

Mountain lion (Felis conco~O Mso inhabit the areas. 

Important non-game species present are ~scussed in 

• e "Threatened, Endangered and SpeciM S~tus 

Species" section. 

The S~a Estrella Mountains conm~ an 

~fimated popMation of 26 ~ 40 dese~ Mghorn 

sheep. The Noah and Sou~ Marieopa mounm~s are 

considered one habitat area for this species by the 

BLM and ~e Arizona Game and Fish Depa~menL 

suppo~g a popMation eu~ently estimated m be 200 

animals (Arizona Game and Fish Depa~ment, 199~. 

Thi~y~igM de.sea bighorn sheep were counted ~ 

TabM Top in April 1993; the cu~ent popMation is 

estimated ~ 51 (Arizona Game and Fish Depa~menL 

1993). PopMations dynamics are complex, however, 

and numbers may fluctua~ from year ~ year. 

Male deer are widdy ~stributed throughout ~e 

Maficopa Complex, having benefited great~ by 

13 
c~~ of ~e ~inwater catchmen~ in and 

aro~d ~ese wildernesses. 

A numb~ ~ pm~s we~ identified in ~e 

Lower Gi~ S~ Habi~t Man~ement ~an ~.S. 

D~a~ment of ~6o~ 1990~, which was prepared 

prior to ~s~ge of ~e Arizona Des~ WH~rness 

Act. The~ ind~ed improving ~e wa~ ~o~ge and 

~Hecfi~ c~a~ of ~x rainwater ca~hrn~ 

~du~ of those ~thin ~e Siena Estrella 

W~erness. Al~ pmp~ed by ~e Arizona Game and 

~ D~ment and ~e Arizona Desert Bighorn 

Sheep So~ety a~ new ~sen ~orn sheep water 

developmen~ ~r ~e Noah and South Mafi~ 

moun~ins and T~le Top ~l~rnes~s. 

Approved motorized/mechanized ~fi~ties ~ated 

to ~1~ population c~sing and water eatctmae~ 

ma~an~ are de~Hed ~d~ "Approved Motorized/ 

Mechanized Use" prese~ed ~flier in ~s section. 

Threatened, Endangered and Special 

Status Species 

No ~sted threatened or endangered plant specks 

are known to occur in the Maficopa Complex. 

Acuna cactus (Echinomastus ereaocentrus vat. 

acunensis) and Hohokam agave (Agave murpheyO, 

two species which are candidates for fiaing, may 

occur but have not y~ been found there. 

No proposed or listed threa~ned or endangered 

animals are known to occur ~ these wildernesses, but 

three candida~ reptiles -- ~e desert tono~e 

(Gopherus agass~O, the chuckwal~ (Sauromalus 

obesus) and the canyon spotted whip~il 

(Cnemidophorus bu~O -- and one bird, the 

loggerhead shrike (Lan~ tudovicianus), inhabit the 

Maficopa Complex. The whip~il fizard is assorted 

with the Siena Estrella and Table Top moun~in 

summit habi~t. The shrike is considered a candida~ 

due to its rareness in the no~hern pan of iB 

di~fibution. It is a common inhabitant of this pan of 

the Sonoran DeseX, however. 

All four wildernesses are categorized as desert 

togoise habi~L The majority of the Noah and South 

Maficopa moun~ins wildernesses are considered 

C~egory 1, i.e., good to excellent ha~t essenti~ to 

pop~ation maintenance. The Table Top and S~a 

Estrella wildernesses are considered Ca~gory 2 

habi~t, i.e., those which may be essenfifl to 

pop~ation maintenance (U.S. Depa~ment of In~fior, 

1994~. Monitoring stud,s contracted by the BLM 

and ~e Arizona Game and F~h Depa~ment in~c~e 

that the popdation in the North Maficopa Moun~ins 

Wilderne~ has declined. The decline has been 

~so~ated with ~ur y~rs of rel~Ndy poor moistu~ 

cond~ons from 1988 to 1992. Status of ~e ton~ 

~ dosdy mo~tored. 

The pres~ of the lesser ~ng~ed b~ 

(Lepmny~eris cur~oae yerbabuenae), fisted ~ 

endangered, has not been confirmed within ~ese ~ur 

wildernesses, fl~ough ~ey con~in ~nfive 

potenfifl ~mging habi~t. Future res~h on species 

dis~bution may occur to ga~er morn information. 

The ~rrugino~ c~s pygmy owl (Glaucidium 

br~ilianum caaorum) is a Ca~gow 1 can~da~ and 

is l~dy to become federally fisted. As fi~e is 

known about this ~ec~s, area ~eys may be ~ 

o~er to ddin~ species ~s~bution. 

Livestock Grazing 

Al~ough all of the wildernesses include pon~ns 

of BLM grazing allotmen~ ~ee Appendix A), 

vege~fion within the wildernesses has not been 

phyfi~o~e~ impaled by grazing. All e~ht of 

these fllotmen~ are c~sfified as perennifl/ephemeral 

~ee Glossary). Yearlong fivestock grazing has 

occu~ed in no more than 10 percent of the to~l 

wilderness acreage, while oily 30 percent has 

experienced ephemeral grazing by fivestock three 

years out of 10. This is due to herd~g pra~es and 

the use of gap fencing w~ch has ~scouraged grazing 

within ~e core of the wildernesses. 

Also, steep topography restricts cattle movement 

in most areas and with few exceptions, no permanent 

fivestock waters exi~ within several miles of the 

wilderness boundaries. For more de~iled 

information regarding these fllotmen~, rear to the 

Lower Gila South Resou~e Management Plan (U.S. 

Depa~ment of ln~rior, 1988~. 

This low levd of grazing use is expected to 

continue over the fife of this ~an as cu~ent land use 

~ans and BLM pdicy fimit ~e con~ruction of new 

fivestock water sources within two mi~s of high 

quality dese~ to~se habi~t ~ee ~so "~sues Solved 

Through Pol~y or Admi~ration ActionD. The 

entire Maricopa Comp~x falls into this c~egory 

(U.S. Department of In,riot, 1994~. Also, ~e use 

of most key vege~tion species by wild ungulates 

remains low. 

Although plant succession has not been impacted, 

there is visual ev~ence of grating within the 

moun~in pasture of the Bdo~ Al~tment upflope 

from Gap Fence in the Siena E~rd~ Wilderness and 

near Tucker and Don's tanks in the Bdoat Allotment 

14 
~ ~e North Maficopa Mounm~s Wilderness. R is 

~so evMe~ ~ ~e west~entml pa~ of ~e Tab~ Top 

WiMemess from cattle rang~g around Red Tank, 13⁄4 

miMs west of ~e wilderness bounda~, h ~e Sou~ 

Vek~ All~menL Visual impac~ ~dud~ 

• ~e oeeasion~ lack of Mwer Hmbs (five feet 

above gound levd) on paloverde and 

ironwood trees as a result of c~fle ~adhg 

under the trees, 

• ~g~ use of galle~ g~s h ~e ~ring and 

summer ~ ~e moun~ pasture within ~e 

~erra Estrella W~demes~ 

• pefiod~ ~gh use of shrubs by roden~ and 

• ~e presence of cow dung and ~me trail~ 

The ~sual presence and odor of cattle and fecal 

matter ~crease during petiole seasonal hcreases ~ 

s~eking, w~ch occurs t~ee years out of 10, on ~e 

Bdoat, Hahn, Codey, Vekd, Lower Vekd, South 

Vekd and Table Top allotmen~ The ~on~ 

animals are usual~ au~ofized for no more ~an 90 

days. Most feeal remahs ~shtegrate within three 

years. 

Grazing permi~ees are responr~e ~r 

mainlining all fivestoek grazing developments ~ ~e 

wildeme~es. Activ~es w~eh ~volve ~e use of 

mo~fized/meehanized tran~oa and/or eq~pment ~r 

• ese pu~oses ~e de~ed under ~e previous 

head~g "Approved Mo~fized/M~hanized Uses." 

MonRo~ng 

Cuffent resource mo~ring focus~ on wildlife 

and fives~ck use of forage ~ant species and 

census~g deseR ~rtoise and ~g game pop~ations. 

Efforts to cdleet vi~r use ~formation have been 

Hmited to a tra~ reg~ter at the Tab~ Top tr~ea& 

Ranger patro~ on weekends and during hunt~g 

season ~dkeet~ provide visi~r use ~formation. 

The s~dies of w~di~ and fives~ek ~gn and 

vegetation con~fions ~ ~e areas were esmbfished 

as par of a b~ game ~ventory of ~e so~hern 

po~ion of the BLM's Lower G~a Resource Area ~ 

198L 

FeeM rgn and some vege~tion comportion dab, 

as well ~ g~fing use of certa~ shrubs and grasse~ 

were recorded and photographs were taken. Thirteen 

of ~ese permanent~ located studies far within ~e 

Maficopa Complex (see maps 2 through 5). The 

~mpM Mze, ~pe and frequency of measuremen~ 

need ~ be updated, on a limited basi~ m provide a 

better assessment of vegetation u~ and condition ~ 

the Maricopa Complex. 

A permanent one-square-mile study #ot was 

es~bHshed ~ 1988 ~ census d~eA ~oise 

populations ~ ~e North Madcopa Mountains 

Wilderness. Within ~e couneethg quaRers of sees. 

17 through 2~ T. 4 S., R. 2 W., ~e study consis~ 

of ~enti~g, measuring and marking M1 ~rtoises 

seen within ~e #or during each ~siL This #~ is 

read every throe year~ ~ilizing nonmo~Hzed means. 

A mortality study is cu~enfly underway on ~e #ot. 

htensive rad~ tdem~ry survival sm~es are Mso 

beMg conducted near ~e study ~, outside of ~e 

wilderness. These studies may be pu~ued on ~e plot 

o~y when other avenues have been exhausted. In ~e 

furore, ~e htervM between plot read~gs may be 

leng~ened. 

In addition ~ a #armed fuH-seaM reread~g of 

the #ot, a one-rough-mile transect for riga will be 

undertaken on the ~ annual~ ~ ~off years" ~ 

de,rinSe ff unusual acfi~, mortafi~ or other 

fac~ are present ~ warrant uuseheduled reread~g 

of ~e ~. A review team set up as pa~ of the 

Arizona stra~gy ~r d~e~ ~o~e management 

(U.So Department of Inte6o~ 1990b) was, and wffi 

eont~ue ~ b~ consulted on plot design, loeation and 

s~dy me~ods ~ assure consistency and effi~ency 

and hdp avo~ duplication of effo~ and undue 

dism~ance of ~rtoises. 

Ceasus~g of ~g game populations conducted by 

~e Arizona Game and Fish Depa~ment is ~seu~ed 

previously under Approved Moto6zed/Mechanized 

Uses ~ t~s seefion. 

15 
Part !1-- National Wilderness 

Management Goals 

The ~flowing ~Ms direct the objectives, policy, 

management stm~gi~ and actious dev~ed ~ this 

#an. 

. To provide for ~e ~ng-~rm protect~n and 

preservation of the area~ wilderne~ eharac~r 

under a principle of nondegmdation. The area's 

natural condition, opportunities for solitud~ 

opportunities for primitive and unconfined ~pes 

of recreation and any ecdo#cal, geolo#cal or 

other features of scientific, edueation~, ~e~e or 

his~fieM value present will be managed so that 

they wi~ rema~ unimpMred. 

To manage the wfldem~s area for the use and 

enjoyment of ~ in a manner th~ will leave 

the area unimpaked for ~mre use and enjoyment 

as wilderness. The wildeme~ r~ource will be 

dominant in all management decisions where a 

choice must be made between preservation of 

wilderness eharacter and victor use. 

. To manage the area using the mi~mum ~M, 

equ~ment or ~rucmre necessary ~ suceessfuUy, 

safely and economically aecompHsh the objective 

The chosen tool, equipment or structure shodd 

be the one ~at least degrades wiMemess values 

~mporafily or permanently. Management w~l 

seek ~ preserve spontanei~ of use and as much 

freedom ~om regulation as pos~M~ 

To manage nonconforming but accepted uses 

permitted by the WOderness Act and subsequent 

laws in a manner that wilt prevent unnecessary or 

undue degradation of the area's wilderness 

character. Nonconforming uses are the exception 

rather than the rul~ therefore, emphasis is placed 

on maintaining wiMerness charac~ 

17 
Part III --Issues 

~sues were ~entified by BLM specialists, other 

agendes and ~e pubfie during five scop~g meet~gs 

from July 9 through Augu~ 27, 1992 and from 

written commen~ recdved ~om Augua through 

October 1992. Addition~ concerns were added 

during preparation of the ~an. Those addressed in 

this ~an are listed under Acfid~ Plan ~sues. 

Those issues w~ch can be resolved through 

existHg regulations or BLM Manual guidance, i.~, 

routine administrative actions, are listed under Issues 

Salved Through Poficy or Administrative Action. 

Those beyond the scope of this ~an, such ~ mature 

of federal or state law or those not appficable ~ the 

Sonoran Dese~ ecosystem, appear under Issues 

Beyond the Scope of t~s Plan. A ~scus~on of how 

these issues will be addressed or why they are not 

addressed H this ~an is also provMed. 

Activity Plan Issues 

. Protecting and enhandng the naturaI 

character of the wilderness. Questions to be 

addressed are: 

• what characteristics of the wildernesses 0.~, 

naturalnes~ so~tude, etc.) are desirable? 

• How will unauthorized off-road vehicle use 

be discouraged? 

• Will existing closed vehicle routes and new 

routes created by emergency and 

unauthodzed mechanized transpo~ be 

rehabRitated? 

• How wi~ Hholdings affect naturainess? 

• How wi~ changes to present conditions be 

monitored? 

. Providing opportunities for solitude and 

primitive recreation. Questions to be addressed 

• Will expected increases H ~fitor use require 

recreation facifities to ensure ~e quali~ of 

~ese experiences? What facilities shoed be 

prodded? 

Should a network of hiking trails be 

es~b~shed and ma~mHed? 

How should equestrian use be managed? 

Wh~ use standards and o~er regulations 

should be es~b~shed for recreational 

acfi~fies, ~g., group ~ze, encoun~r or 

season-of-use limit? Wh~ techniqu~ wi~ 

be used m measure ~ese standards? 

• If allowed, how will commercial outfittHg 

and guide use be managed? 

• Should current access be ma~tained? 

Should leg~ access be acq~red? 

* Wh~ Ievd of public awareness shou~ be 

promoted through Hterpre~tion and 

education? 

• How shoed sailplane and flight tmln~g 

act~i~es impacting solitude ~ the Sierra 

Estrella and Noah Maricopa wildernesses be 

addressed? 

. Managing other land uses and acti~fies 

provided for by the Wilderness AcL Questions 

~ be addressed are: 

• What uses of mo~fized equ~ment and 

mechanized transpoR are aeeep~ble to: 

-- main~H e~stHg l~estock grazing 

development? 

-- retrieve ~ck or ~jured livestock? 

-- main~H or upg~de exi~Hg wildlife 

wa~r sources7 

-- condu~ game survey~ 

-- respond ~ wild~ emergencies? 

-- retrieve transmitte~ and caresses? 

-- suppress wildfires? 

-- conduct BLM admlni~rafive acfi~ties? 

• How will law en~ement and search-andrescue aeti~ties HvolvHg other federal, s~te 

or coun~ agendes or agen~ be coordinated? 

What BLM acfi~ties of t~s nacre w~l be 

allowed? 

• What fu~re Hventory or research is needed, 

~g., regarding mp~rs and o~er wildlife, 

ecosys~m management, cul~ral si~s? Wh~ 

mechanized equ~men~ if any, will be 

allowed ~r these activities? 

Managing W~ife. Qu~tions ~ be addre~ed 

are; 

• Wh~ actions ~ ma~ wi~ pop~ations 

wi~ be allowed? Sp~i~ re~troduction or 

supp~men~tion? New water developmen~ 

• Wh~ act~ns shoed be taken m mi~miz~ 

19 
trampl~g of ~oise by fivestock? 

W~ ~creas~ ~ ~M~r use eause 

~smrbances ~ d~e~ Mghom ~eep and 

deseR ~Ro~? 

Do wire fences ~ound~g exi~Mg wildfi~ 

eatchmen~ need ~ be mottled to promom 

dese~ Mghom ~eep use and ~cili~ 

wildli~ managemen~ 

. Managing Vegetafiom Quest~ns m be 

addressed are: 

* What actions will be taken ~ ma~ or 

improve vege~tive eondition~ 

® Wh~ tim regime shodd be ma~ed? 

* How wit ~rage competition between 

IN~ck and d~e~ ~oi~ be mi~mized? 

* What mo~ring standards and techniques 

will be used to measure changes ~ 

vege~tive condition? 

issues Solved 

Through Policy or 

Administra6ve Action 

1. 

. 

Mi~ng acfififies 

There is no active m~g ~ ~ese 

wildernesses, nor are ~ere any mining d~ms, 

mineral leas~ or permi~ to remove mineral 

martials (U.S. Depa~ment of ~terioq 1994b). 

The Arizona Desea Wildern~s Act of 1990 

pro~ ~e fil~g of any new d~ms. 

Them~re, ~wances ~r certa~ va~d exist~g 

rigNs under 43 CFR 8560.4-6 no longer app~ ~ 

these ~ur wildernesses. 

Law enforcement and search-and-rescue 

acti~fies conduced by other ~deral, sta~ or 

coun~ agendes or agen~ 

Us~g mo~fized eq~pme~ to meet 

~mporary law enforcement eme~ene~s 

~vo~g cfiminM law ~dations and ~e pursuit 

of ~tiv~ ~ approved per 43 CFR 8560.3 and 

BLM Manual 856~39C(11). These activities 

~dud~ but are not fimited ~, ~e use of 

mo~fized equipment, mechanized transpoR or 

~rcra~ and ~e construction of ~mporary 

~ruc~res, helispo~ and camps. 

Mechanized or motorized eq~pment may 

~so be used for Arizona Game and Fish 

Depa~ment law enforcement activities per 

. 

. 

, 

Section 101(e) of ~e Arizona Dese~ WHdern~s 

Act of 1990, where major wildfi~ violations 

(e.g., illegal taking of multiple anima~ or 

sen~tive, threa~ned or endangered species) have 

occu~ed. These uses ~dude, but are not limited 

m, land veeries or Mrcraff and the construction 

of ~mporary structures, helispo~ and camps. 

Land veeries used for ~ese purposes will be 

subject ~ the prescriptions of Management 

Action 1.6. 

Seamh-and-m~ue responsibilities are 

ddegmed from the Governor of Arizona m 

coumy boards of superviso~ and ~e respective 

sheriffs. Acti~fies ~ response ~ human heal~ 

and safety emergencies conducted by ~ese 

entities am hereby approved per 43 CFR 8560.3 

and BLM Manual 8560.39C(4). These actifit~s 

~dud~ b~ are not ~mited ~, the use of 

mo~dzed eq~pme~, mechanized transpo~ or 

~rcraff and construction of ~mporary ~rucmre~ 

helispo~ and camps. As soon as pestle, &ese 

law en~rceme~ and sea,h-and-rescue actifit~s 

will be coord~ated per Management Action 1.5. 

Enforcement of wilderness regulations and 

d~ecfion of ~ato~ 

All regulations will be enfo~ed by BLM law 

en~ement age,s and rangers. Violatom will 

be detected through periodic p~rol and 

~vestigative follow-up ~ repoas by ~e pu~, 

BLM and o~er agency employees. Any 

pro~ted acts defined at 43 CFR 8560.1~, 

ou~ide of those authorized ~ t~s ~an, are 

subject ~ ~e penflfies profided ~r at 43 CFR 

8560.5. 

Remov~ of existing deer water catchmen~ in 

the Noah Maficopa Mountains Wildernms to 

~cafions ou~ide the wilderness 

As the benefits of ma~ining e~g 

c~chme~s ~ the Noah Maficopa Moun~ins 

Wilderness appear ~ outweigh ~e need ~r 

removfl, no catchment is proposed for remov~ 

~ t~s ~an. Remov~g an e~g wHdfi~ w~er 

devdopment will req~re a jo~t decision of the 

BLM and ~e Arizona Game and Fish 

Depa~me~ as per Append~ B of the Arizona 

Dese~ W~derness Act of 1990. 

Water dgh~ 

Federal reserved water righ~ were created 

for each wi~erness by ~e Arizona Desefl 

W~dern~s Act of 1990. The priority date of 

thee fights is ~e dam of ~e ena~me~. Water 

20 
s~es wi~ ~h wi~ will be 

hven~fi~ q~fified and nofifi~tion submitted 

~ the ~na D~aamem of Water Resour~. 

6. H~fi~ outfitte~ and g~d~ 

Hunthg ~des will be ~t~ under the 

re~l~o~ ~r ~uhg ~M recr~tion ~ 

~3 CFR 837~ co~stent wi~ wiMeme~ 

~agement ~lations ~3 CFR 856~. ~e 

use of pack ~ls ~iated with #ded 

h~t~ wffi be ~owed. 

7. DeveIo# ~h~d aefi~ties 

Rules of conduct at the developed tra~eads 

wffi be enforced h ae~r~ee wi~ 43 CFR 

83~. 

8. P~e ~s~e ~~n and o~ 

proMems from s~yed pack ~ L~, 

b~os, H~, ~a~, e~. 

These ~mals are n~ cu~enfly used ~r 

comme~M acfi~des ~ ~ wi~emess~, nor 

~ A anti~a~ ~ thor use will occur. ~pac~ 

~ nam~Mess from su~ ~ma~ ~ ~dressed ~ 

~agement ~fions 1.8 and 1.9. Comme~M 

use ~v~v~g such ~mals be regul~ed t~ough 

the te~ of a use ~t authori~ under 43 

CFR 8372. ~ problems with ~y ~ma~ 

o~ur, these will be ~dr~ ~ s~e of 

~na estray Iaws. If d~ ~ a fac~r, 

~ damage control co~d be impleme~ed ~ 

number 11 bMo~. 

9. Refine and deb~ cl~-up, ~p~y 

~andon~ au~ and do~ed Mr~t 

The~ ~ no ~fi~t d~ M th~ 

wilde~ess~. The d~ris w~ch is ass~ia~ 

wi~ the ~d ~e ~ ~ ~. 32, ~ 5 S., R. 1 

W. ~ ~e South Maricopa Mound,s Wi~emess, 

w~ is not ~ ~sto~M ~an~, will be 

M~ed ~ ~ co~ction wi~ const~ction of ~e 

ve~cle control ba~er on ~er ve~e way 

SM1. Gene~I litter ~ be ~ed ~ ~ BLM 

empMy~. New d~fis ~timt~g a ~or 

~pa~ ~ namra~ess will be ~ed ~ and 

removed us~g the ~nimal a~ep~ble ~ol 

n~ssa~. 

10. Management of c~t~M r~o~ 

~fi~t ~storic and pre~sto~ resour~ 

will be protected ~ appropriate m~s, ~ud~g 

su~eillance and s~b~tion. Smb~tion #ans 

w~l be d~t with on a c~-~e ba~s, 

ensu~g pro~tion ~ wBdemess vMues, ~H~g 

the m~imum t~l. 

The appropriate use (~location) of e~m~l 

resources will be ev~uated as ~tes are ~entified. 

Those of ~ientific value will be managed for 

~ienfifie use and made av~Iab~ ~ ~d~Muals 

and ~sfimtions with legitimate resea~h interest. 

Research ~ans will specify utilizat~n of the 

minimum ~ to protect wilderness values. 

11. Predator inventory and anim~ damage control 

Predators am not currently ~ventoded, nor 

are ~ere ~ans ~ inifia~ such survey~ Animal 

damage control activities are conducted by ~e 

U.S. Depaament of Agdcul~re, Anim~ and 

Plant Heal~ Inspection Servic~ Animal Damage 

Control. 

Such activities ~dude the control of 

preda~m, roden~ and other wfldli~ species 

w~ch cause damage or pose threa~ ~ human 

health, native wild~ and ~ves~ck. These 

acfi~fies will conform wi~ BLM Manual 8560 

and 6830 and ~e BLM Phoe~x D~tri~'s Animal 

Damage Control Annual Plan of Work. 

Briefly s~ted, ~ese act~ifies ~ wilderness 

will be approved by the Area Manager on a e~ 

by-ease basis us~g nonmotorized, 

nonmechanized methods. Ai~raR w~l not be 

used. Pro~bitious assodated with Management 

Act~n ~8 do not ap~y ~ dogs used for animM 

damage control activities. 

IL Insect ing~tathn 

ff ~fes~t~ns oeeu~ control measures will 

be guided by BLM Manual 856~ Problems 

heifer e~st nor are expected ~ occur. 

13. Competition for ephemeral forage between 

livestock and d~e~ to~o~e 

Grazing use potties have been initiated by 

the Phoe~x D~tri~ BLM ~ mi~mize t~s 

competition (U.S. Depa~ment of In~fio~ 

1990~. The policy requires ~ a range 

management speciali~ and a wfld~ ~o~ 

jo~tly evalua~ whe~er permitt~g fivestock use 

of epheme~l ~ge within categories 1 and 2 

deseR toaoise habi~t, during th~ animal~ active 

pe6o~ wou~ be detrimental ~ the speci~. If 

permi~ are ~lowed, they can o~y be issued ~ 

15- ~ 30-day ~erements and are subject ~ 

add~on~ joht evaluation ~r any subsequent 

renewS. Potential competition ~r perenni~ 

forage ~ mitigated by Management Aet~n 3.1 of 

this ~an. 

21 
14. N~ liv~t~ wateH~ so~ n~ the 

~ldem~ 

All four wil~rnesses eompri~ ~ori~ 1 

and 2 dese~ ~oise h~imt ~.S. D~a~ment of 

M~rior, 1~. Any new water source 

propo~s ~t~ ~o ~1~ of ~s h~i~ are 

subject ~ sernt~y. G~ee ~ ~s ~tter 

app~rs ~ ~e ~wer Gila ~u~ R~ou~e 

Man~ement ~an (1988~, ~e Strategy ~r 

D~e~ To~o~ Management on ~b~c ~ds ~ 

~na (199~ and ~e ~wer G~a Sou~ 

H~i~ Man~ement ~ (1990~. 

Briefly, ~e ~euments ~met ~ a wa~r 

souse ~y ~ eonstmc~ ~t~ ~o ~ of 

categories 1 and 2 h~t oMy if impae~ to ~e 

~goise c~ be ~fi~ted ~ a poMfive or neut~ 

level. The ~na Game and Fish Depa~ment 

mu~ be consumed ~ ~e detemlna~n of 

impacts. 

15. M~h~d mMntenance of ~v~n ~k~ 

wM~ ~tend imo the ~ldem~s~ ~om 

Hv~ wat~ r~e~ (~hen ~ 

ou~de of the ~Mem~s bo~d~ 

~ee din ~s constrncted and ~ed 

prior ~ wilderness d~ign~on are ~aeent ~ the 

~Mern~s ~undaries. ~en ~e ~da~s 

were dra~ by Congre~ ~ 1990, it w~ ~r 

~nt ~ exclude ~ese ~rncmres ~om ~e 

wilderness. Due ~ ~r ~e and len~h, 

however, ff is ~ffic~t ~ exclude ~me of ~e 

~version d~ asso~Med ~ the d~ ~s 

~m ~e wildemess~ ~out crea~g ~r use 

and unauthori~ v~de ~emem p~b~. 

To avoM ~ese ~mre ~ement proMe~ 

w~ ~g ~ eong~onM ~ent, ~e use of 

mech~ ~pment ~ ~m~ ~e water 

•version d~es ~11 ~ ~owed ~t~ ~e 

wildem~ses. ~s ~tenance ~H en~l ~e 

use of a ~o~r or bac~oe m rep~ breach~ 

~ these d~es. Wo~ ~H occur on an as-n~ed 

bas~ and ~H not be subject m any ~er 

req~remen~ o~er ~an ~ose prodded ~r ~ ~e 

pe~ and ~reemen~ for ~n~ ~ese 

devd~men~. 

~fi~, ~e m~emres are (see raps 3 

and 4): 

[] ~e d~e ex~nd~g 2,910 feet southw~t 

from Don's T~ ~ect ~7~ ~ T. 3 

S., R. 2 W., sec. 26, NE1⁄4NE1⁄4 ~ 

the Noah M~co~ Moun~Ms 

WiMern~s, 

[] ~e d~e extend~g 500 feet southwest 

from Tucker Tank ~roject 477~ ~ T. 3 

S., R. 2 W., see. 20, NE1⁄4NE1⁄4 ~ ~e 

NoAh Maricopa Mound,s Wildern~s 

and 

[] ~e d~e extend~g 200 feet east from ~e 

Southwest Di~ Tank ~roject 2095B) ~ 

T. 5 S., R. 1 W., see. 22, NE1⁄4SW1⁄4 

~ ~e Sou~ Maricopa Mound,s 

Wildem~s. 

16. A~ustmen~ in fiv~ck numbe~ 

A~ustments ~ fiv~tock numbers and/or 

seasons on a grazing Mlotment-wide b~is will be 

determined ~ accordance wi~ Hves~ck grazing 

regulations (43 CFR 4100). Lives~ck grazing 

use within ~e Maricopa Complex will be 

evMuated us~g mo~ring standards established 

by t~s #an and changed when needed as per 

Management Action 3.1. 

17. Ad~tionM mo~Hng wor~oads to asses #an 

objecfiv~ 

Proposed mo~ring ~ ~e #an has been 

Hmited m mo~g exi~g stud,s whe~ 

po~M. Also, proposed actions have been 

~mpered wi~ realistic ~ndMg estimate. An 

adequate budg~ is assumed. 

18. Scientific r~earch 

S~entific research proposals will be dea~ 

wi~ on a c~e-by~e basis. Any au~orized 

project will be conducted us~g ~e minimum tom 

so as m not degrade wilderness vMues. 

Issues Beyond the Scope 

of This Plan 

. 

. 

Defi~on of "moto~zed eq~pmen~ 

"Motorized eq~pmem, mechanicM transpo~ 

and motor vetch" are defined at 43 CFR 8560 

and Mso appear ~ the Gbssary of t~s plan. 

These definitions cannot be changed by a 

wildem~s #an. 

Impac~ ~ naturain~s and solitude from lowfl#ng mifitary Mrcraft 

Title I, Section 101(i) of the Arizona D~e~ 

WHdemess Act of 1990 excludes any restriction 

of bwdevd military fligh~ ~ appficable 

designated wilderness. 

Cuffenfly, ~e BLM ~rwards reports of MI 

encounters or repots of unusual or unsa~ 

military M~ra~ operations to ~e appropriate 

22 
command. These reports are eneottraged by 

Barry M. G~dwater Air Force Range personnel. 

3. Access to pla¢~ used for tractional Native 

Amehcan religious purpos~ 

Although some ~duals from several 

Nat~e American tribes may use~e Sieffa 

Estrel~ and Table Top wildem~s ~r reli~ous 

or tradition~ purposes (see Paa VIII, "Pubfic 

InvolvementS, none of the ~ven Tfib~ Coun~ls 

or Nations contacted voiced a need ~ use 

mechanized transpo~ for eonduet~g these 

acfi~fies. If such need arises, mechanized ace,s 

may be accommodated ~ avo~ unnecessary 

~terferenee wi~ religious praet~es. Ifsueh use 

is allowed, R wi~ be carried o~ ~ sueha 

manner as ~ minimize impac~ ~ wildem~s 

v~u~. 

4. Impac~ to historical v~u~ ~ong the 

Butterfidd-Overland Stage Rou~ from an 

expected increase in vehide use 

A Bu~erfidd-Ovedand S~ge Route 

Recreation Management Plan, w~ch will be 

prepared ~ ~e near ~ ~ manage use ~ong 

this ~sto6e ~ail, will address this issue. 

5. Fa~fifi~ f or the physicaIIy challenged 

The Ame6cans wi~ Diabetics Act of 1990 

(U.S. Congr~ 1990~ ~sures ~ wheelch~ 

are aflowed within wildemess. Many of~e 

proposed and exig~g tmils can be negotiged by 

wheelch~. SpeeiM faeiHfi~or land 

mo~fieations ~ accommodate wildem~s use by 

• e phy~e~ly challenged are not req~red under 

~e Disab~ti~ Act. T~ es~bfishment and 

rehab~tion proposed ~ t~s ~an wiH not be 

speeifieaI~ modified for ~ese purest. 

. 

. 

. 

~t~ incr~ ~ pop~ ~fion ~t~ 

a~a~t ~ ~~ 

~e ar~ ~dr~ ~ ~s ~w~ ~ 

~e d~at~ ~ldem~s~. ~s pmblem 

~y ~ r~uc~ ~ ~e tmi~ facilifi~ 

pro~s~ ~ ~s ~. Du~d fitte~g are 

• egal ~der 43 ~R ~2~1~d 8365.1. 

~pac~ ~ ~lde~ ~om ou~ acfivifi~ 

~ Appen~ A ~d~ Other Fac~) 

M~ement ~ activiti~ ou~de of the 

~ldem~s~ ~ not ~ ~e scope of ~s ~. 

However, ~e~ is~ we~ ~ider~ ~ 

devd~g~ann~g stmtegy. Pro~s~ Mr 

~n mo~g ~fio~ prov~ ~ ~e ~ 

were ~so a r~ult of~e conce~. 

Noxio~ w~d con~M m~~d 

in~oducfion ~ non-n~ve ~ot~ pl~t 

sp~ 

~e ~ ~mperamre ~d low ra~falI ~t~ 

~s region of~e Sonom D~e~ have ~nat~ 

• e ~bfis~ent of most exotics. Ex~pt ~ra 

few ~r ~ar~pema~ra)m ~o 

non~ctio~g ~en s~ ~s, ~1 ~ofic 

~mm~fi~ ~ ~ ~e~s~ are ~ ~m 

exotic p~e~ 

Non-n~ve w~ter ~ ~ ~trodu~ 

~om ~e M~ite~ region, probably ~ ~e 

I6~d 17~ ~nm~, are ~oA-l~, 

prolife~t~g o~y when ~r ra~s ~d o~er 

env~omenml conditions are favorable. 

R~ui~g native f~ ~r r~r~t~nM Hv~m~ 

would n~er r~uce nor e~ce non-native 

#~. Re~tions ~r h~d~g r~r~tional 

fiv~ ~r o~er r~ons, however, are 

~dr~s~ ~ ~e #~ (s~ M~agement Action 

~.9). 

23 
Part IV-- Management Strategy 

The ~mtegy of ~e Maricopa Complex 

Wfldern~s Management ~an is ~ mahm~ or 

impure ~e na~ral charac~r of each of ~e ~ur 

w~dernes~s by protect~g many of ~e near-prist~e 

cond~ons while ~habilimt~g exia~g human 

impacm. The strategy recognizes ~at ~ metropofitan 

Phoe~x and ~e su~oand~g rur~ eommunifi~ 

expand ~dr borders and populations over ~e next 10 

years, the wildem~ses w~ be subj~t ~ dramat~ 

~creas~ ~ ~fi~r use and i~ ~sochted 

consequences. 

To identi~ actions neces~ ~ p~tect and 

enhance cu~ent cond~ons, ~sumptions we~ made 

reg~d~g t~s ~mre ~si~r demand. Though 

documented ~formation about current visitor use 

levds w~ fimited, thee dam, ~ong wi~ an 

ev~uation of phy~c~ and legal acc~s and relative 

pro~mi~ m population centre, were used ~ ~s~s 

~mre demand~ 

S~ce four wi~em~s~ were considered, 

comparisons of each ~ea's cha~c~fisti~ were mad~ 

De~rmlnation of what measu~s should be applied 

w~ b~ed on each area's potenfi~ ~ture demand. 

For exampl~ the NoAh Maricopa Mounm~s 

WiMem~s is mo~ acc~e ~ ~tors ~an the 

Sou~ Maricopa Mountains WiMem~s; ~erefore, a 

trail system ~ ident~ed ~r the ~rmer, but not the 

I~te~ By ~r~t~g ~creased ~mtion ~ong a trail 

~s~m ~ ~e North Maricopa Mountains W~dem~s, 

imp~ ~ na~raln~s will be confined. On ~e o~er 

hand, ~e relative obscufi~ of ~e Soul Maficopa 

Mountains W~dem~s do~ not n~simte t~ils ~ 

mainmh nam~h~s for ~ture gene~t~ns. 

Measurement standards of accepmb~ change are 

adopted ~r trail cond~ions, ~fi~-vi~r tra~ 

encoun~, vege~tion ~raghg by native and 

demotic animals and approved m~hani~ed tran~oa. 

HoweveG o~ sufface-d~tarbing activities w~ch 

have ~s~fica~y resulted h ~e most detrimentaI 

impac~ ~ namrah~s, b~ed on experiences ~ o~er 

wildem~s and primitive areas, ~e pro~ted. 
Part V--Wilderness Management 

Introduction 

~s section provi~s 2e m~ for r~olv~ the 

Aefi~ ~an Issues ~enfified, ~ven 2o Nat~n~ 

Wiretaps Management Go~s and stm~gy pr~en~ 

~ov~ 

O ective 1 

Main~in or enhance 2e natural charac~r of the 

four Maricopa Complex wfldern~ses by: 

a reducing 2e evidence of 95 mil~ of former 

verde ways by 2004, 

= diminating unau~ofized vehi~e use ~ong 20 

former vehicle ways by 1997, 

a reducing 2e need ~r appro~mately fix 

instances of au2ofized mechanized transpoR 

per year by 2001 by mo~hg ~x wildfi~ 

catchment, 

• coordinating mulfiagency emergency and law 

en~ement responsg 

• limiting motorized/mechanized firefight~g 

aetiviti~, 

a mahtaining aecep~ble trail standard~ 

• managing certain paekstock acfiviti~, 

• assuring 2e cont~ued absence of fire tings, 

damaged trees, es~blished campfites, spur 

tra~s and o2er surface d~tu~ances, 

• rehabili~t~g unplanned or unauthorized 

impae~ within one year of occu~eneg 

• elimh~g posfi~e impac~ to natura~s 

from 2e po~nfi~ development of s~ 

surface and mineral inholdings by 2004 and 

• prohi~t~g 2e construction of new livestock 

wa~r developmen~ within 2e wilderness. 

Rationale: This objective addresses aefi~ 

~an ~su~ 1 and 3 and a~ ~ur Nation~ 

Wi~emess Management Goals. 

Management Actions 

1.1 Rehabili~te five former vehicle ways (16 miles) 

to trail standards by 2005, activdy rehabilim~ 18 

former vehicle ways (19 mile~ to a natural condition 

by 1997 and ~low 41 addition~ ways (60 miles) to 

rehabili~te naturalS, pro~d~g vehicle barriers as 

needed (see Table 1). 

The prefe~ed method of this rehabili~tion work 

will employ volunteer labor us~g hand to~ 

wheelba~ows or wheeled carts. However, where 

appropriate preplznnlng has been completed, some 

former vehicle ways lead~g to wildli~ ea~hmen~ 

Gee Management Action 1.4) may be ~red with the 

use of motorized/mechanized eq~pment. This 

would be done if ~ wi~ ~d in preventing 

unauthorized verde travd or accelerate revege~tion. 

R may be aecompfished concurrently with planned 

catchment work or ~ some later da~. This ~teration 

of wild~ ca~hment access routes, rendering them 

impassablg will be determhed jo~tly by 2e BLM 

and the Arizona Game and Fish Department. 

Planting native species may ~so be employed on a 

small scale over ~1 routes. 

Wi2 the exception of access routes N--M 5 and 

NM 6 Gee Map 7) to the But~rfidd Gap fences 

(project 030~, 2e use of certah routes for peyote 

major fivestock fence ma~nance will be subject to 

the conditions provided in Management Action 3.3. 

BuRerfidd Gap Fence ace,s w~l be subject to 2ese 

same eon~fions until wi~fi~ wa~r catehment 454 is 

adequa~ly mottled as per Management Action 1.4. 

Then, further ma~tenance of 2ese gap fences will be 

by nonmotorized/nonmechanized mean~ 

Rationale Rehabili~ting former vehide ways 

and ins~ll~g ve~ele barrie~ will deter unautho~zed 

verde travd, allow~g 2era ~ be na~rafiy 

recl~med. Ma~ining some of these tracks as 

hiking and fid~g trails is consistent with Objective 2 

of t~s ~an. 

1.2 When needed to control unau2orized use or 

man~e ~tor me more effectively, allow for 2o 

do~re of ~errys~m roads ~ 2o Margie's Cove 

East, Margie's Cove West and Bfi~u~ trailheads 

Gee map 7). 

Ration~ Sho~ening cherrys~ms ~ 2~e 

t~i~ead ~t~ will p~v~e a na~ral transition ~om 

2e parking areas ~ 2e tra~. It will ~so elimina~ 

2e eviden~ of any verde t~s a6s~g ~om 

~peated unauthorized verde use beyond 2e 

t~i~eadm This will ma~ 2e namraI quafi~ of 

2e trai~ ~r the ~to~ 

27 
Table 1 -- Planned Rehabg~adon of Former Vehicle Ways 

(Alpha-numeric codes refer to maps 2 through 13) 

iiiiiii!iiiiii i iiii!iiiiiii i ii iiiii!iiiii!iiiiiiiiii !!!iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!ii!iiiiiiiiill 

S~rra EsW~ Wg~mess 

SE 6 SE 7 (upon acquisi~on 

from state of Adzona) 

SE 1 through 5 

SE 8 through 11 (SE 10 and 

11 for range improvemen~ 

Noah MaHcopa Mounta~s Wild~ness 

NM 5 (to C~chment 454) 

NM 11 

NM 15 (to Ca~hment 445) 

NM 2 

NM 8 

NM 23 and 24 

NM 1 

NM 3 

NM 4 (~nge impmveme~ 

NM 6 ~lim~e gates in drift 

fences) 

NM 7 

NM 9 (Bu~ed~ld well) 

NM 10 

NM 12 (range improvemen~ 

NM 13 

NM 14 (range improvemen~ 

NM 16 ~rough 22 

South Mar~opa Mounta~s Wildemess 

SM 3 through 6 (SM 3 and 4 

for catchments 708 and 707) 

SM 1 (range imwovemen~ 

SM 2 

SM 7 ~rough 10 

SM 11 (range imwovemen~ 

SM 12 

Table Top Wilderness 

711 ~ 3 ~mugh 5 (~ 4 for 

C~chme~ 554) 

~ 7 and 8 

~10 

714~mugh 16 

71 

7 2 (range improvemenU 

76 

79 

712 

7 13 (C~chment 705) 

~17 

28 
Map 6: Sierra EstreHa Wilderness 

Future Cond~ion 

;~ 

...... 

~ 

1 

~ : 

:~,~ /.,::~ :::::::~::;:~::::~: 

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RlW R1E 

Montezumn Pk 

R2E 

T2S 

T3S 

LEGEND 

SE 1 F~ ~ ~y 

.... * & RefereneeCode 

, ff~ ~eaee~p,~e~No. 

0 Wildli~ Wn~r 

C~ment 

[] Monitoring Sffi~ 

L ocaffon 

~ ONvn~Lnnd 

W S~te Land 

~ M~nn Re~ervnffon 

~BLM Lnnd 

~ Wilderne~ 

~ Federal En~ement 

D Trailh ead 

• Pnrking 

.......... Trail 

CONTOUR INTERVAL 

600 FEET 

SCALE 

1 I 

MILES 

2 

GSTAF~ 

EI~X 

UNITED ~T~TES 

DI~PA~TMI~'T OF T~ ~4~O~ 

B~U OF ~ ~ 

PH~ D~T 0~I~ 

N 
Map 7: North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness 

Future Condition 

~"~ " ~ i " ~._ - .... 

, E 

._ ~ Manias Peak 

"- ~ - 

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6 

31 

;I 

~L-__~:3= --~ - :~-- 

.................... 

..... LZ 

I~._~ 

R3W R2W 

zf 

Y4S 

LEGEND 

NM 1 Former Veh~ Way 

..... & Reference Code 

~?#3)( Fence & Project No. 

0 EaRhen Stock Tank 

/~ L~estock Well 

~ Wildlife Water 

Catchment 

~ Wildfire Well 

[] Monitoring Study 

Loca~on 

~ ~ate Land 

~ S~te Land 

I ] BLMLand 

~ Wilderness 

O Traflhead 

~ Paring 

Trail 

CONTOUR 1Nq'ER\LCL 

600 FEET 

SCALE 

I 2 3 

~_ ~- -~ ::~ 

MILES 

ARIZ¢~.~ 

, 

~ GM~ GST~F 

l,l~i[NIX 

~~c%on 

BI'REAuFM~NoF DE~gR )R~NIX TM IANDrEDr DB OFS~IBLtNAGKMENY FRIC H1ErgSI f OF~( NFER~ 

v~h~ i~o~ 

N 
Map 8: South MaHcopa Mountains WHderness 

Future Cond ion 

36 

1 

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1 6 

~ t 6 

I I 

R3W R2W R1W R1E 

TSS 

T6S 

LEGEND 

SM 1 Fo~ V~icle Way 

...... & Reter~ Code 

~'~ Fe~. ~ ~oie~ 

0 E~en ~o~ Tank 

• WOdlite W~ 

Cat~m~! 

• MoMMfing Sffidy 

Loca~on 

~ Pfi~ Land 

~ Sm~ Land 

~ I BLMLanO 

~ Wilderness 

CONTOUR INTERVAL 

g0 FEET 

SCALE 

0 1 ~2 

..... 

MILES 

~TI~D ~TATE~ 

Dg~RT~NT OF Tl~g gI,~r g~o~ 

~I~AU O¥ I~b~D MA~A~gM~NT 

~HOZNIX DI~TI~I~T Ol~l~g 

~m~, 1~$ 

3 

GSTA~F 

E I'I1X 

SA ORE 
36 

Map 9: Table Top Wilderness 

Future Condition 

........ 

-- 1 ~ 

~ioi~i~i~!~,,i~i~iiiii~i~,i~.i~i~.ii.,ii..~.~.~-~. ~o_~__. ~ ,~ _..: ~( 

J 

r7s 

LEGEND 

TT 1 Former Vehicle Way 

.... & Re.fence Code 

~7~3~ ~ Fence & Project No. 

0 Ea~hen Stock Tank 

• Wild#~ Wa~r 

Ca~hment 

[] Monito~ng S~dy 

Loc~tion 

~ PHva~ Land 

~ State Land 

~ ~d~n Reserva~on 

J__i BLM Land 

~ Wilderness 

~ Federal Easement 

D Trailhead 

~ ParMng 

"~* Trail 

750 FEET 

CONTOUR INTERVAL 

_.~, @, 

.~/~ 

R1E 

Tohono O~dham Reservation 

~2E R3E 

TSS 

SCALE 

0 1 2 

.... 

MILES 

.... i 

.... ~~ -~ 

~ " ~ST ~FF 

~ I'I~L NIX 

~ ~ ~,~ 

~URE DKRg~ OFpHoENI ~U [MEN UNIX~gND D~ F rRV S NLg~gGEMKN Hg rKSFH E rIN OF~CK fKRH)R t 

F ebrn ~ 1~95 
1.3 Elim~ate two verde access gates in the two 

noahem segmen~ of the But~rfield Gap fences 

(project 0308) on the east ~de of the North Madcopa 

Moun~ins Wilderness and one where former vehicle 

way SM 5 crosses the In~rsmte 8 fight-of-way fence 

and construct hiker p~s-throughs ~ these locations. 

Rafional~ These gates no longer serve a 

function as vehi~e access is prohiMted and the routes 

are not needed ~ access any accepted devdopmen~. 

ElJmin~ing the gates will reduce the potential ~r 

tmauthodzed vehi~e use. Ins~I~g hiker passthroughs will Mlow hikers to e~eumvent the fence 

conveniently. 

1.4 Redesign or mo~fy six existing wildlife water 

eatehmen~ and abandon five ea~hen tanks ~ 

elimlna~ or lessen their impac~ on wilderness values 

and reduce the need for at least six instances of 

asso~ated mechanized transpo~ per year by 2001 

~ee Table 2). 

Rationale: Increased ~orage and collection 

capacity of the wildlife developmen~ will reduce the 

need for a truck to periodically ha~ water to these 

catchments. This will reduce anthodzed and 

• scourage unauthorized travd Mong the routes of 

access to these facilities and eventually diminam the 

need for motorized ground transpoa ~together. 

This, in turn, would ultimately faeii~te reclamation 

of these routes to a more natural s~te. This action 

Mso addresses Objective 4 by reducing the 

dependency on water hauls. Once ca~kments are 

filled naturally or suppMmented by hauled wate~ the 

need for ad~fion~ filling~ which depend on agency 

funding, is decreased. See "Monitoring ~ section 

under this objective for further ~seussion. 

1.5 Improve coordination, develop pro~eol and 

fos~r understanding with s~te, coun~ and muni~pal 

agen~es and volunteer organizat~ns for search-andrescue response and law enforceme~ activities. 

Pro~de a witdern~s adv~or to fac~te these 

activities. 

RafionM~ Improved eoord~ation and the 

presence of a BLM wildem~s speciali~ during these 

activities will reduce the potenfi~ for impacm m 

namra~ess pfimad~ from the proliferation of ve~ele 

tracks resulting from these aefififies. 

1.6 Confine mechanized land transpoa to ~passable 

routes ~ within the wildernesses under emergency 

~tuafions when: 

• the BLM serves as the lead search-andrescue agency when authorized by the local 

Sheriffs Office and the Arizona Sm~ 

Dkector or BLM S~ Search-and-Rescue 

Coordinato~ 

• BLM or Arizona Game and Fish Department 

employees pu~ue escaped felons and 

suspec~ of assault or sefions game violations 

or 

• Hvestock permi~ees ret6eve ~ek or injured 

Hvestoek. 

Land routes con~dered "passab~ ~ are defined as 

those former vehicle ways and washes which can be 

traversed with a fou~wheel-dfive vehicle, ATV or 

motorcycle with minimal hand tool main~nance. 

1.7 Limit the use of mo~fized/mechanized 

firefighting eq~pment and ve~cles within the ~ur 

wildernesses ~ tho~ specified in Append~ D, "Fke 

Suppression Procedures ~r ~e Mafieopa Complex 

WiMemesses." 

Rafion~e: Reducing cross~ount~ tmv~ and 

mm~tmzmg" " " " the use of mo~fized ground transpo~ and 

equ~ment will limit the creation of ve~e routes and 

damage to vege~tion. 

1.8 Maintain the following physical resource 

standards for ~1 four wildernesses. 

Off Trail 

• No detec~ble evidence of new surface 

dismrbane~ includ~g tra~s or camp~tes 

On TrM! (see management actions ~ 1 and 2.2) 

• A ma~m~ed tread width and depth to be 

de, trained ~ the time the asso~ated ~rmer 

verde rou~ is rehabili~ted ~ trMl standards 

• No mo~ than one occurrence of pack stuck 

manure p~ 250 feet of linear ~stanee of 

tmil 

Rafional~ Main~hing these standards will 

~sure th~ present off-t~t eond~ons do no 

dete6orate and th~ trais conve~ed ~om former 

ve~cle ways .(see Management Action 1.1) will 

continue in thdr mainm~ed trail condition. 

1.9 Adopt the follow~g recreat~n~ Hvesto~ (fid~g 

and pack stock) polices. 

= Feed will be suppled and packed in~ the 

widemes~ The use of hay is pro~Mted. 

• A~m~s will be hobbled or restrained during 

Mngthy rest stops and overnight s~ys ~ 

#aces w~ are not ~s~ptible to oven 

33 
,' 

Madcopa 445 T.4S., R.3W., NM 15 Cement apron Noah 

Mount~ns sec. 3, wi~lffe rain Madcopa 

N o. 3 SE 1⁄4 SE 1⁄4 c~chment Mount~ns 

Madcopa 454 T.4S., R.2W., NM 5 Cement apron Noah 

Mount~ns sec. 17, wildlife rain Madcopa 

No. 12 SE1⁄4 NE1⁄4 c~chmem Moum~ns 

Butterfield .= 

Well 

T.4S., R.3W., NM 9 Well, trough, 

sec. 36, ~p~ 

NW1⁄4 SW1⁄4 storage for 

wi~life 

Noah 

Madcopa 

Mount~ns 

Madcopa 

Moun~ins 

No. 13 

707 T.6S., R.lW., SM 4 Cement apron South 

sec. 16, wildlife rain Madcopa 

N E 1⁄4 N E 1⁄4 catchment Mounta~s 

M~icopa 

Mound,s 

No. 14 

708 T.6S., R.2W., SM 3 Cement apron South 

sec. 12, wildlife rain Madcopa 

SW1⁄4 NE 1⁄4 catchment Mounta~s 

Bighorn 

Reservoir * 

3516 T.6S., R.lW., 

sec. 21, 

NE1⁄4SE1⁄4 

N~ Earthen tank South 

dike for Madcopa 

~vestock Mounta~s 

Unnamed 

Tank * 

T.4S., R.4W., 

sec. 24, 

NE1⁄4NW1⁄4 

N~ Ea~hen tank North 

for ~vestock Madcopa 

Mounta~s 

Unnamed 

Tank * 

T.6S.,R.2W., N/A Ea~hen tank South 

sec. 23 for ~vestock Madcopa 

Mountains 

Table Top 554 T.7S., R.3E., TT 4 Cement apron Table Top 

Mounta~s sec. 30, wi~life rain 

No. 1 NW1⁄4 NW1⁄4 catchment 

Table Top T.8S., R.2E., 

Mounta~s I sec. 8, wi~lffe rain 

No. 4 i INE1⁄4NE1⁄4 catchment 

~ = = 

705 TT 13 Cement apron Table Top 

Jake Tank * I 2082 T.8S., R.2E., N/A Earthen tank 

sec. 6, for livestock 

NW1⁄4 SW1⁄4 

Table Top 

Malpi Tank * 0486 T.7S., R.3E., N/A Earthen tank Table Top 

sec. 28, for livestock 

SE1⁄4NW1⁄4 J 

~ Abandon 

34 
surface disturbances ~.~, gravel wash bottoms, 

bedrock surfaces, e~.) and in such a manner that 

vegetation will not be #~led, earn or otherwi~ 

damaged by the animus or their restrain~. 

Rafional~ These measures w~ assure that 

exees~ve soil compaction, defoliation and the 

a~umulation of hay residue wifi not o~ur. These 

measur~ Mso meet the renmlning three object~es ~r 

management of these w~demesses. 

1.10 Prohibit campfires, charcoM fires, wood 

gathering, woodeutting and the displacement or 

disturbance of rocks (other than casual surface 

collection) within the wildernesses. Allow the use of 

campstoves and casual surface collection of rocks. 

Management prescriptions for trailheads and areas 

ou~ide of wilderness boundaries wiH be established 

as necessary as per the rules for conduct on pubfie 

lands addressed at 43 CFR 8365. 

Rationale: These prohibitions will assure the 

absence of fire tings, chareoM remains, damaged 

trees, rock ~ignmen~ and other surface disturbances. 

They will Mso assure that dead plant materiM wifi 

remain on the ground for nutrient cycling and ground 

cover. Finally, they may Mso reduce the chances for 

human-caused fires. 

1.11 Respond to the following unwanted surface 

disturbances in the manner described. 

= ObfiteraR a~ fire ring~ rock alignments and 

sh~ters, e~., not of prehistoric or historic 

value as they are detected. 

= Close spur trams which deviate from 

established trails and areas around 

unaecepmbM campMRs or other surface 

disturbances as soon as posMble and 

according to public land closure regulations 

addressed at 43 CFR 8560.1-1. The Mze, 

configuration and period of the ~osure will 

be adequaR to promoR rehabifimtion of the 

MR and prevent the profi~ration of more 

surface disturbane~ 

= Rehabifitate these surface disturbances and 

those aris~g from unauthorized vehie~ar 

transpoa and emergency acfi~fies 0.~, 

search and rescue, law enforcement and fire 

suppres~ou) within one year of oeeu~ence. 

Rafional~ Quick rehabilitation of these 

disturbances will promoR natural reclamation and 

reduce the continued unwanted use of the traH~ 

routes and ~tes. 

i. 12 By ~ ~ ~5, ~ the ~s lis~ 

in~M 3. 

RatbnM~ ~oMings iner~e the ~Rntial for 

incomp~ble acfi~fies to ~e ~ace ~t~ th~ 

~l~mes~s. Federal control of these lands wBl 

~naR ~s ~tent~ problem. 

1.13 Prohibit the co~t~ction of any new water 

devd~men~ for fivesto~ ~ ~e wildernesses. 

New l~estock control st~ctu~, such as gap fence, 

~y be constmc~ by no~ech~ m~ ~ their 

pu~o~ is to pro~t the w~demess and w~dli~ 

resources. ~R-~ifie National Env~omenml 

Pofi~ Act compHanee ~H be r~ui~ #or to 

co~tmct~ ~ese deve~men~ 

~fio~e: New Hvesto~ water developmen~ 

wOl impact the natural eharacRr of the wilderness ~ 

incr~ the ev~ence of ~ devd~ment and 

fivesto~. ~s action ~ Mso s~ve ~ o~ecfives 

3 and4. 

Mon oring 

All routes which are barricaded and/or 

rehabifi~ted win be vifited on the ground ~ least 

twice a year, once soon after work has been 

completed and laRr to deRrmhe the success of the 

project. This will also be done in conjunction with 

the annual fall high-elevation overfligh~ to assess 

hunter comp~ance. If unauthorized vehicle use 

continues, modifications will be planned and 

imp~mented on a schedule deRrmhed by the 

~gnificance of the problem and funding. Progress 

toward natural reclamation of these r~aRs will be 

ev~uated in 2000. 

Success in meeting traB tread width and depth 

and pack stock manure standards and in rehabilitating 

surface d~turbances such as spur trails, camp~tes, 

fire rings, etc., will be evMuated ~ least once a year. 

Occurrences of pack stock manure on the trails 

will be averaged for a representative segment, several 

segmen~ or for the entire trail, whichever is 

determined to be the most feasible and accuraR 

measure of impact at the time of the study. 

Progress in main~Ming trail width and depth 

standards will be documented using any number of 

methods deRrmMed at the time the vehicle way is 

conve~ed to a tra~. Common methods are described 

in Cole (1983). Success or progress in rehabili~ting 

unwarranted surface disturbances win be deRrmined 

35 
' Table 3 -- Surface and Subsurface Inholdings to be Acquired 

 !! ii ii ! ii! iiii i i ! i!ii !!i!!!!ii !i iiiiiii iiiiiii !!iiiiiii!!i!i iii i ii!iiii!i !ii!iiii iiiii i !iiiiiii!iii ! !! !iiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiii i!iiiiiii i !iiii iiii!

Noah Maficopa Mounta~s 

T. 3 S., R. 2 W. see. 16, all 640.00 

sec. 32, all 640.00 

I I II 

T. 3 S., R. 3 W. see. 32, all 640.00 

sec. 36, all 640.00 

II I I II 

T. 3 S., R. 4 W. see. 36, all 640.00 

II I I II 

T. 4 S., R. 4 W. sec. 36, all 640.00 

II ' I g 

Sierra Estrella 

li II 

T. 3 S., R. 1 E. sec. 2, lots 1 through 4, S1⁄2N1⁄2, S1⁄2 641.92 * 

II I I 

T. 2 S., R. 1 E. see. 32, all 640.00 

see. 36, all 640.00 

II ' I II 

* Surface ownership to be acquired; all others are subsurface mineral ownership. 

I' I I 

quaHtatively by ~e wi~erness ~eciali~ and 

documented wi~ sdected photos and fidd notes. 

This monitoring wo~ wiU be ~corporated into at 

least ~ennifl hikes of each trail conducted by staff 

during ~e normal ~gh~month use period. Pubfie 

repoas through any med~m wi~ flso be used to 

detect changes in ~e standards. A repo~ of resd~ 

will be completed yearly as pa~ of ~an evfluation. 

The success of wi~fi~ catchment mo~fications 

in reducing the need to haul water will be evMuated 

yearly by ~e BLM and ~e Arizona Game and F~h 

Depa~ment. This will be documented by ~e 

wilderness speciali~ or wildli~ ~ologis~ using fidd 

notes. The decision to end Arizona Game and ~sh 

Depa~me~ access to a modified catchment will be 

made jointly by ~e two agen~es at anytime during 

• e fi~ of this ~an. Succe~ in meeting Management 

O~ect~e 4 of t~s ~an will ~so affect t~s decision. 

The number of all au~ofized mechanized and~r 

mo~fized uses w~ be ~talled year~ and kept on file 

at ~e BLM's Phoe~x D~tfict Offic~ 

If ~nding ~ available, at least one ~r quality 

monitoring device will be set up near ~e NoAh 

Maficopa Mountains Wilderness by 2004. The 

frequency of da~ collection wiH be de~rm~ed by ~e 

dev~e installed. 

Rationale: Success in deterring unauthorized 

vehicle use or unwanted trail proliferation must be 

continuously evaluated in order to respond to new 

~tuations. Considering the scope of the wilderness 

program in the Lower Gila Resource Area, qualitative 

assessmen~ of route reclamation are the most reaGsfic 

and cost-effective monitoring methods available. 

Natural reclamation and revegetation of vehicle 

routes are relatively ~ow in the Sonoran Dese~ 

environmenL Total reclamation wiU likely take 50 to 

100 years. Monitoring this progress systematically in 

a shoR fimeframe is of fimited vMue. A qualitative 

assessment at the end of five years is the most 

appropriate for the mileage involved and resources 

available. 

The dispo~tion of wildGfe catchment access 

routes must be decided jointly due to respon~bi~fies 

of each agency. 

Air quality data will be useful in determining 

Class II Air Quality Standards and impacts to these 

standards. 

Add on Actions, if Required 

If the phy~e~ resource standards adopted in 

Management Action 1.8 are not met, the following 

36 
indkect or d~eet methods separably or ~ 

cerebration will be implemented ~ ~e s~ of the 

next use period, i.e., October through May. 

Similarly, ff rehabili~tion of unwanted surface 

~sturbanees is not progress~g satisfactorily a~er one 

year of the response outlined in Management Action 

1.11, the following methods may ~so be 

implemented. 

Indirect methods 

• Inform vifitors about less congested areas. 

• Improve access to tribu~ry, tightly used areas. 

• Provide information to encourage the use of 

tightly used or relatively unknown areas or to 

stress the experience and v~ues to be found 

outside the peak use period. 

• Minimize the promotion of an outdoor experience 

in wilderness and emphasize such uses of 

undeveloped areas outside wilderness. 

• Reroute primary transportation away from major 

destination areas. 

• Redesign and manage trailhead areas, inelud~g 

access roads and parking areas. 

• Educate visito~ about good wilderness manners 

and ethics. 

• Neglect access roads. 

• Remove trailhead improvemenm and/or restrict 

travel into areas akeady overused. 

~r~t Methods 

• Man~e ar~ for f~t or pack sto~ use o~y. 

• ~mit the humor of p~p~ ~ddle horses and/or 

pack sto~ in p~i~ or the n~ber pe~aed to 

s~ ove~ ~ ~e loc~on~ 

= L~t the to~ num~ ~ users, length of s~y 

or ~on of ~. 

• Charge f~ for use. 

Exc~g aetions under 1.1 I, the no~e~lato~ 

indict methods wifi ~ the prefe~ed t~ques 

~. 

Objective 2 

Pro~de a dNersity of primitive recreational 

opportunities and a ~gh degree of solitude for 

wilderness ~to~ by: 

• es~blishing and/or main~in~g five trails and 

improv~g or defining eight trailheads by 2001, 

• esmbfishing use restrictions ~ trai~eads and on 

certain tra~s in 1995 and pom~g these 

restrictions as trailheads are devdoped, 

• d~~ ~ ~~ ~ri~ victor 

in~n by 1997, 

• ~ low~dence ~tor eneo~ter 

s~s to ~e ~tor ~e ~ 1995, 

= ~o~g commerc~ recreat~n and h~r ~de 

se~ic~, ~ well ~ nonstoP, speci~ event 

aefi~fies to ~ pe~t~ ~der ~in 

~om, 

• pur~g safe a~s ~ the South M~eopa 

Moun~ins Wi~ern~s ~e~stem ro~s and 

~cess ~ements to the ~e~a Estrega and Table 

Top wildernesses ~ough 2~4 and 

• encourag~ ~va~ ~r se~es to reduce Iowlevd ~ghts over the No~ M~pa Mo~ 

and Sie~ ~trella ~ldern~ ~nnlng in 

199~ 

~s ~ective ~dresses aefi~ ~an isle 2 and 

st6v~ to at~in Nafio~l Wi~erness Man~ement 

Goal ~ 

Management Ac ons 

~1 By 2001, es~bHsh and mainmM four trai~ and 

seven associated trai~eads, as Hsted in rubles 4 and 5 

and depicted on maps 6, 7 and g TraU standards 

will be defined prior to conveR~g former vehicle 

ways to trails (see Table t). 

Rationale A traU network with defined 

trai~eads in the North Marieopa Mountains and 

Table Top wildernesses will encourage ~fitors to 

cont~ue using the most ~equently travded routes and 

fos~r the use of several othe~. This will ~sperse 

greater future use over several rou~s while providing 

~sitom with a variety of primitive trail experiences. 

These maintained trails will Mso meet Objective 1 by 

encouraging the majority of ~sitom to remain on 

these trails rather than creating others. Development 

of many new pathways would degrade the prevailing 

tmtrammded appearance of the areas. Defi~ng and 

main~hing the well-used Quartz Peak Trail in ~e 

~erra Est~a Wilderness and provMing visitor 

improvements ~ the trailhead will have the same 

results. No trMis or trailhead developments are 

~anned for ~e South Maricopa Mountains 

WHderness. 

2.2 Restore the 4.5-mile-long Table Top Trail and 

improve the associated trailhead facilities (see Map 9) 

by 1999. 

Rationale: Maintenance and improvement of 

this trail and its associated facilities are needed to 

37 
Ta~e 4 -- Trags to be Establ~hed and Ma~ta~ed 

Sierra Estrella Qua~z Peak 2.5 miles 

North Madcopa Mountains Margie's Cove 8.5 miles 

North Madcopa Mountains Bdtdebush 5.6 miles 

Table Top Lava Flow 7.5 miles 

I' 

Table 5 --~h~d Amen~es 

Qua~z Peak 7 Y Y Y Y 

Margins Cove East 5 Y Y Y N 

Margie's Cove West 1 5 Y Y Y Y 

Bdtdebush 5 N N Y N 

Lava Row South 3 N Y Y N 

Lava Flow West 10 Y Y Y N 

Lava Row CheEystem 3 Y Y Y N 

~: 

P -- Paring av~e (number of pa~ng spaces) 

C -- Rvmday camping stay lim~ 

I -- I~e~dve signs of va~ng detail and design pm~de~ including information on 

en~mnmen~l hazards and Io~im~ ethics 

V -- Viskor ~f~madon provided 

R -- ResEooms av~e 

Y-- Yes 

N-- No 

check traH e~fion and ~ur traH proliferation and to 

cominue prov~ing access ~ ~e ame~ti~ availab~ at 

this popular recr~tionM ~. 

2.3 Extend and define both the Quaaz Peak and 

Tab~ Top trails approximatdy one-qua~er mile to 

thdr respective summi~ (see maps 6 and 9) by 1999. 

Rationale: Both trails ~rminate or are poorly 

defined sho~ of their natural topographically defined 

condufion. Trail building ~ needed to hMt the 

resultant increase of spur tra~s. 

2.4 ~h and po~ ~e ~o~g ~1 ~ 

t~ me ~~s ~ t~s am ~vd~. 

= H~ers oMy on ~e ~az P~ T~I. 

= No camp~ ~t~ 2~ f~t or ~t~ ~gM 

of m~mM~ trails ~ TabM 4 and 

~agement actions 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3). 

NOTE: T~ are exd~ from ~s 

m~ 

= A fiv~y leng~-o~ ~t m some 

tra~. 

RafionM~ ~e Q~az P~ T~I ~ e~mdy 

38 
steep and, as much of it ~ a ~ramble over granite 

bedrock, ~ d~s not l~d itself to tither safe 

equestrian travd nor can R be maintained ~r ~s 

purpose. These restri~ons are necessary to ~nate 

potenfi~ impae~ to so~tude for visitors hiking or 

riding the trats. They ~ as~re th~ a~ess ~ the 

tr~ ~ av~ to ~ ~tors. Po~ing and ~gning 

are needed to ~figate impacts to ~de and 

naturaInes~ e~orce restrictions and provide 

in~rmation to ~rs. 

2.5 Devdop in-house small-scale brochure-~ze (I1" 

x 17") maps for traithead distribution and devdop and 

produce maps of each of the four wildernesses for 

publ~ sale by 1997. 

Rationale Though not intended to increase 

vi~tation, information ~ needed for publ~ education, 

law enforcement and facilitating publ~ enjoyment of 

the wilderness resource. Currenfl~ adequate 

information is lackin~ 

2.6 Through appropriate response techniques ~ee 

"Addifion~ Actions, ff Required," for O~ective 1), 

maintain so~M encounter standards ~ong maintained 

trais at three encounters per day within a maximum 

of five individuals per encounter and no more than 10 

individuals per day. Main~in off-trail encounter 

standards at two encounters per day with a maximum 

of P~o individuals per encounter and no more than 

four individuals per day. NOTE: This may be 

exeeeded ~x days per year. 

Rationale: Encounters among wilderness victors 

is a useful measure of the quality of thek experience 

of so~tude. The levds identified are estimates of 

what ~ likely to occur on any given weekend during 

the normal use period based on current trailhead 

register information. Accepting these standards wifl 

ensure that the solitude experience will not degrade in 

the future. The standards allow for periodic increases 

in use over hofiday weekends, which are considered 

exceptions to the general use levd. 

2.7 Assure th~ activities and services autho~zed 

under the speciM reereat~n use permit regulations ~ 

43 CFR 8372 con~rm with the ~an~ polices and do 

n~ degrade the mo~toring standards ~enfified. Such 

uses or serv~es which are not compatible or w~ch 

can be accommodated dsewhe~ ou~ide of wilderness 

shall not be permitted. Permitted activities or 

serv~es wil be sehedded so as not to infringe on the 

so~de or primitive experience of the general public. 

Base camps will be pro~ted within the 

wildernesses. Sp~e eamp~ ff compatible with poli~ 

and reentering standard, are permissibl~ Mo~tor 

permitted acfi~fies and se~es ~r permit 

eompHance and thor eff~t on reentering standards. 

See the Glos~ry ~r definitions of b~e camp, ~e 

camp, eommerci~, non~ro~ and ~i~ event. See 

~ "Isles Solved Through Policy or Admi~strative 

Action" in Pan IH reg~ding hunting ont~ters and 

the use of pa~ stock and Management Action 1.9 ~r 

pack st~k man~ement restriction. Finally, 

management act~ns 1.8, 2.6 and the mo~ring 

sect~n ~r Obj~tive 3 ~enti~ mo&~ring standards 

w~ must not be d~raded. 

Ratonal~ Regulated ~i~ r~reation use 

aefi~fi~ ~r the enjoyment of name, ~gh~eeing, 

photography ~d hunting, ~, are consistent with 

this o~fiv~ 

2.8 Acquire easements to assure legal access to the 

Sierra E~reHa and Table Top wildernesses ~ee Table 

6 and maps 6 and 9) by 1999. 

Rationale: A federal right of access over these 

enstomary routes to the Sierra Estrella and Table Top 

wildernesses should be guaranteed and ~ the most 

cost-effective way to maintain access. However, 

easement acquisition depends on the willingness of 

the landowner. 

2.9 Coordinate with the Arizona Depa~ment of 

Transportation to provide safer vehicle access to the 

South Maricopa Mountains Widerness at Interstate 8 

milepos~ 130 and 137 by 1999. 

Rationale: There is no opportunity to safely 

reduce vehicle speed in order to access the widerness 

from Interstate 8, the only access to the south end of 

the area. A shoulder for reducing freeway speeds 

could be provided without adve~ising the widerness 

to random freeway travelers. This is preferred in 

order to maintain the current amount of visitation 

while ensuring safe access. 

2.10 Encourage EstreI~ Sailplanes and Luflhansa to 

reduce the in~dence of lowqevel overfligh~ of the 

Noah and South Marieopa mountains and Sierra 

Estrella wildernesses beginning in 1995. 

Rationale As the flight ~mit of 2,000 feet 

above ground level ~ o~y a Federal Aviation 

Admi~stration advisory and not a regulation, the 

BLM can only encourage cooperation in these 

practices. 

39 
Table 6 -- General Description of Lands Through Which Access Easements 

May Be Required 

 iiii!!ii i ii iiii!i ! i ! i ! ii!i!i iiii iiiii!iii i iii iiii!ii!!!ii ii!iii !ii iii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii !iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiii ii!ii i iiiii! i ! ! i! !i!i

Sierra Estrega T. 2S.,R. 1E. sec. 29, SW1⁄4 

see. 30, NW1⁄4 NW1⁄4, S1⁄2, par of NE1⁄4 NE1⁄4 

sec. 31, all 

T. 2S.,R. 1 W. sec. 34, NW1⁄4 

sec. 36, all 

T. 3 S., R. 1W. sec. 2, all 

sec. 3, SW1⁄4 

sec. 9, NW1⁄4 NW1⁄4 

sec. 10, all 

= 

T. 3 S., R. 1 E. sec. 5, NW1⁄4 

sec. 6, NE1⁄4 NE1⁄4 

Table Top T. 7S.,R. 3E., see. 16, all 

T. 7S.,R. 1 E., see. 3, SW1⁄4 

sec. 10, NW1⁄4 

see. 15, W1⁄2 

T. 8S.,R. 1 E., sec. 14, NW1⁄4 

sec. 26, E1⁄2 

T. 7 S., R. 3 E. sec. 16, all 

,! 

Mon~odng 

On-trail and off-trail visitor encounters w~l be 

monitored in several ways. Visitor comment cards, 

to be provided at aH trailheads, will be collected 

pefiod~Mly and reviewed yearly by the wilderness 

(park) ranger, who will Mso hike each trail at least 

tw~e during the normal eight-month use period and 

document eneoun~rs. Pubfie commen~ recdved via 

other med~ will Mso be recorded and filed. The 

encounter standards wiB be evMuated within two 

years of estabfishing the associated trailhead regi~eL 

AnMy~s will be qualitative. Data which can be 

statistically manipulated will not be gathered. 

All trailheads will be viMted tw~e each month on 

weekends by ~ther the wilderness (park) ranger or 

law enforcement ranger. Patrols will be paaicularly 

required during the heavily used holiday period~ 

Contac~ will be noted in fidd notes and violations 

documented following law enforcement procedures. 

Lowqevd overfligh~ are recorded by the BLM 

when eomp~in~ ~om wilderness ~to~ are 

rec~ved. ~ accura~ identification of he cra~ is 

reposed, the information is passed on ~ he Federal 

A~afion Administration. This agency hen contac~ 

the owner, informs he owner of he nature of he 

comp~int and recommends bat he acti~ be 

av~ded ~ be furore. 

Rafion~ Accura~ information regarding the 

experience of soli~de must be ga~ered in order to 

~spond appropriately ~ maintain the prese~ ~gh 

quali~ experience available. Qualitative dam are he 

most reasonab~ me~od of mo~ring these standards 

in ~ese wi~ernesses during be fi~ of he Oan. 

The BLM has no regul~ory aubori~ in matters 

of ~lian or private ~ra~ use when not under 

contract with be agency; berefore, all co~ective 

actions must be done by be Federal A~afion 

Administration. 

40 
Law en~rcement ranger patro~ are necessary to 

enforce rest6cfions and educa~ ~tors. Limited 

securi~ and publ~ assurance can be prodded by law 

enforcement of-fleers when the opporttmi~ a6ses. 

Ad tion Actions, if Required 

If pubfic opinion sugges~ th~ standards are 

inaccurate, adju~men~ will be made every three 

years. If the encoun~r standards appear accurate but 

are not being met, any of the methods fisted under 

"Addifion~ Actions, ~ Required" to meet the 

physic~ resource standards outlined for Objective 1 

will be imp~mented ~ the sta~ of the next use 

period, i.e., October through May. Indirect methods 

will be the preferred techniques used. 

O ective 3 

Maintain the present ~ant communities described 

in Appen~x C by: 

= resting impacted areas ~om fivestoek grazing 

for a specified period ff ~rag~g standards 

are exceeded, 

• encouraging be Arizona Game and Fish 

Department to manage ~g game populations 

if ~raging standards are exceeded, 

• under certa~ conditions, ma~ining ~ght 

exi~ing fives~ck control fences ns~g 

mechanized transpo~ and allow~g be use of 

chainsaws for mainlining 13 fences and 

• suppressing all wi~fires. 

Rafion~ This objective addresses aetivi~ ~an 

issues 1, 3 and 5 and Nation~ W~derness 

Management Go~s 1, 3 and 4. 

Management Actions 

3.1 Rest identified areas ~ee Mo~toring ~scnss~n 

bdow) ~ the Noah Maficopa Mountains, Siena 

Estrella and Tab~ Top wildernesses from cattle 

grazing for one favorab~ growing season and work 

wib the Arizona Game and Fish DepaRment to 

reduce wildfi~ pop~ations ff the key forage ~ant 

utilization standards are exceeded. NOTE: A 

favo~b~ growing season is dependent on available 

mo~re and be unique phen~ogy of each key 

species. The season ~ defined here ~r key shrubs 

and trees as January through May when adequa~ 

mois~ results in a complete ~ant grow~ eye~ 

~om leaf out to seed dissem~ation. For g~le~ 

gras~ a growing season is defined as one ~1I ~ant 

growth eye~ ~om leaf o~ ~ ~11 seed head 

development in be months ~om Ma~h through 

Sep~mber. 

Rafional~ If the present conservative use levels 

a~ ma~ed, be cu~ent species and composition 

will remain unchanged. No addition~ rest sho~d be 

necessa~ since be use standards are well bdow 

bose w~ch wo~d result in phy~o~c~ damage to 

bese Oant species. One favorab~ growing season's 

rest ~om Hvestock grazing will provide adequa~ 

growth to offset be ~sual impae~ created by 

exeeed~g be present use levels. 

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is 

respon~e ~r controlling wi~H~ populations. Any 

wildlife pop~ation management to meet ~mge use 

standards must be d~erm~ed by ~at agency. 

These. actions will ~so serve to meet Objective 4 

by mainlining the quafi~ of the wildfi~ habi~t ~ 

these areas and Objective 1 by ma~ining be natural 

cha~cter of the wi~emess landscape. 

3.2 Mah~in ~e Den's Tank wa~dot fence. 

Rationale: The wa~dot fence needs 

maintenance m implement response actions outlined 

under the MoNtoring section below. 

3.3 Allow fence replacement materi~ and fence 

buiM~g eq~pment ~ be perio~c~ly carried by 

mechanized transpoa (ATV or ~ckup truck) into be 

wiMemess by be ~vestoek permittee to perform 

major ma~tenance or reconmruet~n of ~ght 

livestock eo~rol fences (see Table 7) under the 

con~tions described bdow. NOTE: This conditional 

perio~e access will be allowed for main~nance of the 

But~rfield Gap fences (project 030~ until such time 

as Arizona Game and Fish Depaament Catchment 

454 is adequatdy mo~fied as per Management 

Action 1.~ After that, M1 ma~nance of that range 

improvement will be done by nonmotorized/ 

nonmechanized means, See "Description of Proposed 

Action ~ in Pa~ XI for a de~fled description of bese 

aefi~fies. 

• Mainmnance req~res reconstructing or 

~plaeing large segmen~ of fence or several 

stress or end pands which cannot be safely 

or economically transported to the worksi~ 

wi~ Hvestock available to the permittee. 

• A request has been made to be Area 

Manager ~ least two weeks in advance and 

41 
Table 7 -- Range Devdopments Which May Require Mechanized Transport 

and Access for Periodic Major Maintenance * 

. iiiii i 

Gap Fence 4743 T.3S.,R.1E., SE 10 or Beloat Sierra Estrella 

sec. 4; 11 

T.2S.,R.1E., 

sec. 33 

Beloat Fence 0321 T.4S.,R.3W., NM 4 Co~ey/ Noah Madcopa 

secs. 2,3,4 Beloat Mount~ns 

Butterfield 0308 T.4S.,R.2W., NM 5 Co~ey/ North Madcopa 

Fence (3 gaps) secs. 17,18,28 and 6 Bighorn Mount~ns 

Hazen Fence 1248 T.4S.,R3W., NM 12 Hazen/ Noah Madcopa 

secs. 19,30; Bighorn Moun~ins 

~4S.,R~W., 

sec. 24 

Unknown Gap -- T.3S.,R.3W., NM 14 Hazen North Madcopa 

Fence secs. 5,6 Mountains 

Co~ey-Bender 4346 T.5~,R.2W., SM 11 ~ghorn/ South Madcopa 

Fence No. 3 sec. 21 Conley Mount~ns 

Unknown Gap -- T.5S.,R.IW., SM 1 ~ghorn/ South Madcopa 

Fence secs. 32,33 Conley/ Mountains 

Lower 

Vekol 

D~tdct 0093 T.7S.,R.2~, TT 2 Vek~/ 

Boundary sec. 21 Table Top 

Fence No. 1 

Table Top 

* See also management ac~ons 1.1 and 3.3 for fu~her claHfica~on 

approv~ has been rec~ved by ~e permittee 

from ~e au~ofized office~. 

BLM pack s~ck cannot be mob~zed to 

complete ~e wo~ in a timdy f~on. 

The aetivi~ will be su~ect ~ ~e time Emits 

and o~er stip~ations ~entified by ~e Area 

Manage~ 

Acce~ ~ the wo~ wi~ be ~mited ~ 

• ose routes ~entified in Tab~ 7 and rou~ 

maintenance will be fimited ~ using hand 

~ds, i.e., shovds, ~c~ and axes. NOTE: 

~ barricades have been eonstm~ed on any of 

• ese access rou~s in accordance wi~ 

Management Action 1.1 prior to ~ese 

approved maintenance activities, ~ey will be 

~mporadly removed or opened by BLM 

employees or ~e ~ves~ck permittee wi~ 

written permission from ~e Lower G~a 

Resource Area Manage~ 

No ~her NationM Enfironmen~l Policy Act 

comp~ance will be necessary ~ complete t~s wo~. 

3.4 Maintain the following range fences ~ee maps 7, 

8 and 9) without mechanized transpo~. 

= D~trict Boundary Fence No. 5 (Project 

0333) -- Tab~ Top Wilderness 

= Tab~ Top Fence (Project 0353) -- Tab~ Top 

Wilderness 

42 
• Bdoat West Fence (Project 0712) -- North 

Marieopa Mountains Wilderness 

• Conley Pasture Fence (Project 1977) - South 

Mafieopa Mountains W~derness 

• Pasture 3 Fence (Project 4357) - South 

Mafieopa Mountains Wtderness 

• Approximately three miles of the Beloat 

West Fence (project 0712) in T. 3 S., R. 3 

W., sees. 10, 15 and 22 -- North Marieopa 

Mountains Widerness 

a Approximately four miles of the Tohono 

O'odham Reservation Fence (T. 8 S., R. 2 

E., sees. 22 through 24 and T. 8 S., R. 3 

E., see. 19) -- Table Top Wilderness 

NOTE: Segmen~ of the last two fences fisted 

make up a poaion of the wilderness boundaries. 

Project 0712 can be accessed from ou~ide the 

wilderness for maintenance work while the 

Reservation Fence w~l be accessed by horseback or 

from ou~ide the wilderness. 

Rafional~ Maintenance of all interior dfiR 

fences and ~lotment boundary fences within the 

wildernesses is needed to assure proper fivestock 

control, promo~ permit compfiance and maintain the 

current acceptable fivestoek grazing use. This action 

will ~so serve to meet Objective 4 by mi~mizing the 

potenti~ for confli~ for forage among fivestock, 

dese~ toRoise and other wildlife species and fivestoek 

trampling of dese~ toRo~ The continued use of the 

existing access routes for these purposes will not have 

any adverse impact to wilderness v~ues under the 

conditions prescribed in t~s management action. 

Con~fions placed on these activities will limit the 

number of times motorized use wi~ be necessary. 

Prior notification ~ needed for public information 

purposes and to faeifimte eompfianee. 

3.5 Allow the use of a chain ~w ~r po~ fizing and 

notching in co,unction with the maintenance of 

fences ~enfified in management actions 3.3 and 3.4. 

No cutting of trees within the wilderness ~r these 

pu~oses, however, will be allowed. No ~Rber 

Nat~n~ Environmental Policy A~ compfiance will 

be necessary prior to the use of this equipment. 

Ration~e: Sizing and notching of juniper 

~edar) po~s ~r brac~, ~ress or end pands are 

necessary when replacing or reputing these 

strnetures. A chain saw ~ a quick and adapmb~ tool 

~r this work. Axes and hand saws are not 

mechanized but req~re a level of s~ and effoR 

considered excesfive ~r the req~red wo~. 

3.6 Suppress all wildfires in or threatening to enMr 

the widemesses. 

RafionM~ Wildfires do not appear to have 

played an important role in shaping the natural plant 

communities of these wildernesses. Vegetation 

damage by fires will be minimized by active 

suppression. This action will Mso serve to meet 

Objective 1 by main~inlng the natural character of 

the plant cover. 

Mon~ofing 

Grazing use of key species will be mo~red by 

range management specialis~ or wildlife bi~o~s ~ 

e~sting study ~tes (see maps 6 to 9) with the 

frequency ~entified in Table 8. Use standards in this 

mb~ will be maintained. (NOTE: The ruble 

prov~es a cumuhfive tist of ~1 key species ~ ~1 

rites; specific key species for each site are 

documented in the Lower Gla Resource Area study 

file~) Cu~ent dan cdIecfion regarding 

wild~fe/livestock sign will continue, ff the standards 

are exceeded, the animal species responsible will be 

determined through an~y~s of the anim~ fign dan 

and appropriate co~ect~e action will be 

implemented. 

If foraging standards are exceeded by lives~ck 

use, the prescribed rest will be prov~ed by dosing 

gates in the Do~s Tank and Tucker Tank waterlot 

fences ~ the North Maricopa Mountains Wi~erness, 

by removing ~vestock ~om the mountain pasture 

created by ~e gap fence (project 4743) in the ~erra 

Estrelh Wilderness and by dosing the east gate in the 

Red Tank waterlot fence in sec. 36, T. 8 S., R. 1 E. 

appro~mate~ 13⁄4 miles west of the Table Top 

Wlderness. If Hazen Well (within the Hazen 

Albtment ~ong the cherrystem ~ sec. 32, T. 3 S., 

R. 3 W.) is reconstructed, an ad~fional study Oot 

would be necessary to ov~uate the impact of 

fivestock grazing in and around Margie's Cove. 

If fo~ging standards are exceeded due to wfl~i~ 

use, the BLM will work with the Arizona Game and 

Fish Depa~ment to resolve the issue in the affected 

al~P.~q. 

The present methods employed ~ measure forage 

us~ i.e., a combination of the grazed class, key 

~rage and Co~ browse methods ~ee the Glo~ary), 

will be co~inued. Cu~ent key species samp~ ~ze 

will be increased to 25 samples/key specks ~ each 

~te by sampling the neare~ Oant to the Oot center 

rather than within the plot as it ~ currently done. 

43 
Sierra Estrella Beloat 54 (AUP) G 

No. Madcopa 

Mou~a~s 

Beloat 57 (AUP) 

<35% of current Yearly, in spring LV, BG, R 

g~wth 

No. Madcopa 

Mound,s 

No. Madcopa 

Mount~ns 

Hazen 41 (LCV) 

Beloat 55 (LCV) T and S <20% 

T and S 

Bighorn 21 (AUP) 

and S 

So. Madcopa 

Mountains 

and S 

So. Madcopa 

Mounta~s 

Bighorn 18 (AUP) 

~ghorn 22 (LCV) 

So. Madcopa Lower Vekol 15 

Mounta~s (AUB 

Table Top Table Top 3 (AUP) 

I I 

Table Top Vekol 11 (AUP) 

I I 

Table Top Vekol 12 (AUP) 

I I 

<20% 

<20% 

No. Madcopa <20% 

Mount~ns 

Table 8 -- Monitoring Sites, Key Species, Standard, Frequency and Target User by Wilderness 

ii 

and S < 20% 

and S < 20% 

and S <20% 

T and S < 20% 

I 

T and S < 20% 

I 

T and S < 20% 

I 

Year~, in spdng LV, BG, R 

Every five years BG, R 

Year~, in spdng LV, BG, R 

Every five years BG, R 

Every five years BG, R 

Every five years or 

spring with steers 

LV, BG, R 

Yearly, in spring LV, BG, R 

Yeady, in spdng LV, BG, R 

I I 

Eve~ five years BG, R 

! ! 

Yeady, in sp~ng LV, BG, R 

! I 

Table ~p South Vekol 7 T and S < 20% Yeady, in spdng LV, BG, R 

(AUP) 

I I I I 

Table Top South Vekol 8 T and S <20% Every five years BG, R 

(AUP) 

I" | | | 

1AUP = Adzona Upland; LCV = Lower C~o~do V~ley 

2G = g~leta grass (H~ada Hg~; T and S = trees and shmb~ These may vary by site. They are cumulatively: w~te 

ratany (Krameda Gra~), range ratany (K. parvifolia), w~te bu~age (Ambro~a dumos~, Mormon tea (Ephedra spp.), shabby 

buckwheat (Erigonum fasc~atum), d~axis (Dita~s ~nce~at~, fa~e mesqu~e (C~liandra edoph~), ironwood (Olneya 

tesot~ and foot~g p~ove~e (Ceri~um microph~lum). 

3 Except for gageta grass, percentages are of ~1 avagable leaders. 

4 LV = Gvestock; BG = ~g game, i.e., mule deer and/or dese~ ~ghorn sheep; R = rodent. 

44 
Add~onM vegetative mo~toring dam will be 

gathered Mso ~ four of the existing study ~tes. 

These new dam wi~ be coHected by 1999 by wi~fi~ 

M~o#s~, range speciafis~, botanis~ or a 

combination thereoL The study in~M ~r gathering 

the ad~tional ~formation wi~ be once every five 

years. At a mi~mum, key #ant ~ecies densi~ and 

saguaro reproduction in~rmation will be gathered. 

~otless methods (see the Glossary) are recommended 

-- measuring ~stances from a number of random 

poin~ Mong a transect ~ the closest #ant or #anm m 

each random point. These dam ~ou~ be collected 

~om a minimum of four of the exi~ing 13 s~dy 

location~ The four locations chosen should be 

equa~y distributed among each biotic sub~sion and 

g~zed/ungrazed ~y fives~ck) area. 

Rationale E~ming study Mcat~ns will be used 

~ mi~mize cos~ and eliminate duplication of wo~. 

The use standards chosen repr~ent the eu~ent ~sual 

ev~ence of ~mging. Es~mates will be improved by 

increasing the number of samples receded. The 

methodology ehange m~imizos the amount of time 

needed ~ collect the ad~fion~ ~mples. The s~dy 

~equeneies prov~e adequa~ time ~r response 

aet~ns based on the animals being ~rgeted by the 

s~dies. The sites ~lected are the most ~nsitive ~ 

the grazing animals targeted. 

The amount of forge use will be the basis for 

BLM recommendat~ns ~ the Arizona Game and ~sh 

DepaRment regarding population management. 

O ec ve 4 

Provide habi~t and water for a dNersi~ of fauna 

w~ch use these four wildernesses by: 

• increasing the s~rage capaci~ of six e~sting 

wfldfi~ wa~r ea~lmaen~ within the 

w~dernesses by 2001 and seven othe~ 

adjacent ~ the North Maricopa Moun~ins 

and Table Top wildernesses when posfi~e, 

• in the shoR ~rm, allowing continued 

mechanized transpoR of water ~ six exi~ing 

ca~hmen~ an~ inde~l~ ~ two exi~ing 

ca~hmen~, when necessary, 

• re-equipping But~rfidd We~ wi~ a 

subme~ pump by 1995, 

• allowing ~e eont~ued use of mechanized 

transpo~ to conduct wildlife pop~ation 

censuses indefinitely, 

• replacing e~sting wire fences su~ound~g 

six wildli~ wa~r catchmen~ with ~pe rail 

fences by 2004, 

• prohi~ting dogs on the Table Top Tmfl, 

• constructing 1 3⁄4 miles of tm~ ~ bypass two 

wildfi~ ca~hmen~ by 2001, 

• sanctioning deseR bighorn sheep transplan~ 

and the use of lowqevel ~reraR fligh~ ~r 

telemetric tracking of transplanted animals 

and 

• jointly evaluating new ~ghorn sheep water 

soume proposals on a case-by~ase bas~. 

Rafionalm This objective addresses aetivi~ ~an 

issues 3 and 4 and ~1 four Nation~ Wilderness 

Management Goals. 

Management Ac ons 

• 1 Allow the use of mechanized transpoR and 

mechanized/motorized equ~ment m mo~fy six 

wildlife wa~r ca~hmen~ ~ee Management Action 

1.~. The appropriate type of such transpoR and 

equ~ment ~ be approved will be the minimum 

neces~ry ~ suecessful~ and ~fely complete the 

work. Backhoes, hel~op~rs and ~ckup trucks will 

~cal~ be considered appropriate ~ds for this work 

(see "Description of Proposed Action" in PaR X ~r a 

de~ed description of expected acfidfies and 

equ~men 0. Mo~rized ground access ~r these 

purposes will be limited ~ the previoufly es~bfished 

routes (former vehicle way~ Mentified in Table 2. 

~te-speeifie National Environmental Policy Act 

compliance may be required prior ~ these actions. 

4.2 In ad~fion to ca~kmen~ ~ be modified under 

Management Action 1.~ upgrade and maintain 

Arizona Game and Fish DepaRment wildlife 

ca~hmen~ 446, 447, 45~ 451 and 453 adjacent m 

the No#& Maficopa Mountains WiMerness and 

ca~hmen~ 555 and 691 adjacent m the Table Top 

Wilderness (see maps 6 m 9). Si~-specific Nat~nM 

Envkonmenml Policy Act compHance may be 

required prior to these actions. 

Rat~n~m The present ~stfibutMn of wiMH~ 

and use of ~ese habim~ are a res~L m a great 

extent, of the construction of these wa~r sources in 

the 1960s and therefore were established ~ the time 

of wilderness de~gnation. Improving the reliabiH~ 

of these existhg water sources wit mainm~ the 

cu~ent Sstfibufion of wildlife species throughout 

thek habitat, includ~g these wi~emesses. 

Upgrad~g the ca~hmen~, many of which were 

originally constructed as mitigation for highway and 

45 
can~ ~~, ~H ~mh~ ~ p~ ~fi~bn 

~ ~i~ bss and ~~ ~ ~ 

~~. 

4.3 Cont~ue ~ au~orizo ~e use of trucks ~ ha~ 

wa~r and ~e u~ of mo~fized/mechanized eq~pme~ 

~ transpo~ and conduct repfi~ m $ose exist~g 

wildli~ water ea~hmen~ ~ong prev~usly ~bfished 

routes (former ve~ele way~ ~entified ~ Tab~ 2 

until d~ign mo~fieations ~entified ~ Manageme~ 

Action 1.4 prove ~ be reliable. See flso ~e 

"Mo~ring" section ~r O~ective 1 ~r pro~ed 

rega~g deepens on furore wi~fi~ catchment 

access. 

Water haul~g will occur whenever it is nec~ry 

to prevent a wa~r souse from gong dry during 

cfiticfl periods, such as summer mon~s or h ~e 

whter and spring when ~ghorn ewes are lac~thg. 

The appropria~ ~pe of such transpoa and 

eq~pment ~ be approved ~r repfir work will be the 

minimum nec~sary ~ suec~s~l~ and safely 

comp~ ~e job. Helicopters, backho~ and ~ckup 

trucks may be considered appropriate ~r repot work 

~ee "Descfi~n of Proposed Action ~ h Paa X ~r a 

de~iled description of expected activities and 

equ~men0. 

The Arizona Game and Fish Depaament will 

noti~ ~e Area Manager of ~anned water-haulhg 

acfiv~ies one week prior ~ fillhg a ca~hment and 

agah upon completion of ~e task. A two-week 

notice ~ ~e Area Manager ~ required prior ~ 

initiat~g repfi~. Addit~n~ Nation~ Environmen~l 

Policy Act compfiance wiH not be required ~r ~e 

use of mechanized equ~me~ or transpo~ ~r such 

repM~ if ~ey do not req~re new surface 

~s~ance. 

Rationale: The co~uafion of ~e a~es 

wifi be necessary ~ prov~e ~e present amou~ of 

water available ~ wildli~ until ~e upgrades prove ~ 

be sueeess~l ~ redue~g ~e need ~r tortuous 

wa~r haul~g during ~e summer mon~s. This is ~e 

most cost-effective, reasonab~ and least ~trufive 

Mternative ~r add~g wa~r ~ these eatchmen~ ~ ~e 

~fim. The impae~ of mechanization ~r ~ese 

~fim repMr acti~ti~, pre~ouMy anMyzed ~ 

en~ronmen~l ass~smen~ ~r ~e wildli~ operat~n 

and ma~tenanee Oans eomO~ed ~r ~e 

wildernesses (U.S. Depa~ment of Interio~ 1992e and 

1993b), are Mso summarized ~ ~e ass~sme~ of t~s 

wilderness management ~an ~ee Paa XI). 

4.4 Al~w the Arizona Game and ~ Depa~ment ~ 

u~ hd~op~ ~ ma~, check and, when 

nec~ry, ~ haul water ~ B~terfly Tank (No. 80~ 

and Mo~ezuma Tank (No. 81~ within ~e ~erra 

Estrd~ Wildem~s. The nofifie~n and Nation~ 

Envi~nmen~l Policy Act eompfian~ p~cedu~s 

needed a~ ~enfi~l ~ tho~ und~ Management 

Action 4.3. 

Rafional~ Thee two ea~hmen~ employ 

re~ntion dams ~ collect m~wa~r from ~e 

suffound~g imperious rock ~rmations. They are 

within ~e extreme~ steep and rocky ~ffa~ of ~e 

Sieffa E~rel~ Wildem~s. Travd ~ ~e 

devdopmen~ cannot be negotiated by pack animal. 

Bo~ catchmen~ were constructed wi~ ~e use of 

hd~o~e~. L~e ~e apron type ca~htnen~ 

~ussed above, ~ey were ~ place many years prior 

~ wiretaps designation and are now an ~teg~l 

dement of ~e moun~ range's wildli~ habi~t. 

There is no ~mative way ~ add wa~r or access 

$~e developmen~ ~r repot o~er ~an by 

helicopter. The impac~ of mechani~tion ~r ~ese 

repot activifi~, an~yzed ~ en~ronmen~l 

~s~smen~ ~r ~e wildli~ ope~tion and 

management ~ans compl~ed ~r ~e wildernesses 

(U.S. Depaame~ of ~do~ 1992c and 1993~, are 

summarized aga~ ~ Pa~ XI of t~s doeume~. 

4.5 Re-eq~p Bm~rfidd Wall (T. 4 S., R. 3 W., sec. 

36, NW1⁄4SW1⁄4) wi~ a new subme~ible pump by 

1995. Al~w ~e use of mechanized transpo~ ~ong 

• e previously ~blished rou~ (former verde way 

NM ~ and mechanized/mo~fized eq~pment ~ 

~s~ll the dev~e and pump ~e well once every two 

years. Also, fllow petiole (~fimated ~ be once 

every five years) mo~fized access ~ ~e fac~fies 

~ong the ~me rou~ ~ per~rm major ma~tenance, 

such ~ ~mov~g the submersible pump. 

Rafion~e: But~rfidd Well, an important water 

source ~r dese~ mu~ deer ~r fix y~, w~ 

recently vandafized and ~e pump ~den. R~ 

eq~pp~g &e well will ma~m~ a water source w~ch 

h~ become a pa~ of ~e ha~t prior ~ the pa~age 

of ~e Act. Due ~ ~e de~h of ~e well, sdar 

eq~pment wo~d be ~suffident ~ power a 

submersiMe pump. Also, ~e use of a pump jack 

wou~ result ~ unacceptable fights and sounds within 

the wilderness. The mechanized/motorized 

eq~pment ~ be used will be ~e minimum ~d 

needed to ~fely and effectively ~smll, repot and 

opera~ the pump. 

46 
4.6 P~vi~ for continu~ Arizona Game and ~ 

DepaRment lowqevel h~e~ and ~ed~ing 

ai~m~ ~t to inv~tory deer, jave~a and ~orn 

sheep in ~1 fo~ wildernesses. When posting the 

Area Man~er w~ be netted two wee~ prior to 

~anned flight. 

Rafional~ These ~tivities empl~ the ~nimum 

tools required for Meqnately ceususing these wil~ 

species. Two-w~k prior notice ~ needed for ~fety 

and publ~ eduction reasons. 

4.7 Replace exi~ing barbed wi~ fences around 

ea~hment with ~pe rail fences by 2004. Fu~her 

an~y~s of ~sual impact wiB be prepared prior to 

this acuity. An analy~s of this replacement will be 

done as a pa~ of the env~onmental assessment 

refe~ed to in Management Action 4.1. 

Rat~nale: Cu~ent barbed wire fences 

discourage ~ghorn sheep access to the exi~ing 

catchment. The ~pe rail fences will efim~ate this 

problem and therefore enhance the use of these 

exi~ing ea~hmen~ by ~ghorn sheep. Further 

Nat~n~ En~ronmental Pofiey Act compliance may 

be required to identify mifigat~n to ~sual impac~ 

associated with the ~pe rail fences as the measures 

will vary by ~te. 

& 8 Prohibit dogs on and along the Tab~ Top Trail. 

As on aR publ~ lands within the state of Arizona, 

dogs found in ~1 other areas of the wilderness~, off 

this trail, are subject to the restraint required under 

state law (Arizona Revised Statute 11-101~. These 

restrictions do not apply to dogs used ~r animal 

damage control aefi~fies. 

Rationale: Pa rest~ints or restfietious wi~ 

reduce potenti~ harassment of wi~. The Tab~ 

Top Trail, in partiedar, may be frequented by 

~ghorn sheep during the normal vifitor use periods. 

4.9 In cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish 

Depa~ment, construct segmen~ of trail ~ Margie's 

Cove East and West trailheads to bypass wildfi~ 

ea~hmen~ 454 and 44~/Hazen Well, respeet~dy, by 

2001. The placement and design of these bypasses 

will be done in coordination with the Arizona Game 

and Fish DepaRmenL 

Rationale These new trail segmen~ wi~ route 

hikers and riders away ~om these wildlife catchment 

and water wel~, thereby reducing poten~ violations 

of Arizona Revised Statute 17-30g 

4.10 Cooperate in the management of big game 

according to BLM Manual $560.34 and the joint 

memorandum of unde~tanding between Arizona 

Game and Fish Commission (1987b) and the BLM. 

This management will include the following. 

• Transplan~ of bighorn sheep into the three 

affected herd areas. This would involve 

~ther a few mature rams to introduce new 

genetic materi~ into the population or a 

larger mix of ages and sexes if the resident 

population declines severely. 

• The use of telemetry and monthly hel~opter 

fligh~ to track transplanted animals. 

• The use of beHcopter fligh~ to check big 

game water catchment levds during the 

summer months. 

• EvMuating the need for new wildlife water 

development on a case-by-ease basis. This 

ev~uation will include: 

-- the current health of the herd in terms of 

pop~ation trend and the overall 

population viabi~ty, 

-- the availability, size and present use of 

nearby habitat by the cu~ent population 

or the availabifity of movement corridors 

to these areas, 

-- the availability of adequate alternative 

catchment Iocatious ou~ide the 

wilderness tither within the existing herd 

areas or in nearby habitat, 

-- the likelihood of future threa~ which 

would isolate the present herds, 

-- the effectiveness of exi~ing and/or 

upgraded water devdopmen~ (see 

management actions 1.4, 4.3, 4.4 and 

4.5) in providing water for dese~ 

bighorn sheep and 

-- the effectiveness of measures and 

locations in mitigating wilderness 

impacts. 

Rationale Reintroduction of dese~ bighorn 

sheep or the construction of new water sources may 

be consistent with the Arizona Dese~ Wilderness Act 

(1990a) by reference to House of Represen~t~es 

Repo~ 101-405 (1990b) if the population or it 

habitat is severely threatened and adequate actions 

cannot be taken ou~ide of wilderness to respond to 

the problem. Although the populations appear to be 

in good health and are increasing, little ~ known 

about their long-term viability. Therefore, it is 
prudent to provide flexiMfity to respond to posfible 

future downturns in the populations and/or the quality 

of thdr habitat. 

Tdem~ry tracking will allow the Arizona Game 

and Fish Depa~ment to assess the success of the 

transplants. 

Mon oHng 

Censusing of wildli~ popdM~ns and tracking 

transplanted animals wiB be conducted by ~e Arizona 

Game and Fish Depa~menL Resul~ of the censuses 

wi~ be profided m ~e BLM upon request. 

Trends in wildli~-visi~r interaction Mong 

esmbfished trails wi~ be evMuated using in~rmat~n 

rec~ved from ~e trai~ead comment cards discussed 

under ~e MoMtoring sect~n relined ~ Objective 2. 

Pop~ation trend dam from Mg game censuses 

prov~ed by ~e Arizona Game and Fish Depa~mem 

will Mso be used ~ evMua~ ~e need ~r mitigation 

of fiMmr use impacts m wildfife. Opinions and 

observations made by profes~onM wildli~ bioMgis~ 

~miHar wi~ ~ese areas ~garding wildlife-vi~r 

interaction will Mso be considered. 

See ~so ~e Mo~ring section related ~ 

O~ectNe 3 for a ~usfion of mo&~ring teclmiqu~ 

to be used ~ measure vegetation ~raging by wildfi~ 

species and ~e resulting actions. 

Mo~ring and cu~ent research on dese~ 

~oise pop~atious in ~e North Maficopa Mountains 

Wi~erness wit co~inu~ including those at ~e dese~ 

~o~e ~ot in sees. 17 through 20, T. 4 S., R. 2 W. 

Rafion~ Census dam from ~e Arizona Game 

and Fish Depaament provide ~formation needed ~ 

assess and respond ~ changing trends in ~g game 

populations. They ~so pro~de more information 

regarding animal ~stribution and movemenL 

Doeumen~tion of ~sitor use/wildli~ encoun~ 

may pro~de some dam ~ justify ~fi~r use 

restri~ns. 

Add on Actions, if Requi d 

ff impae~ from ~si~r use appear to be 

d~fimenml ~ dese~ ~ghom sheep or dese~ ~ 

or if it is determined that re~fi~ns ~ vifi~r use 

tong certain trails ~o~d be tested ~ mitiga~ 

negative wildli~ pop~ation trends, restrictions 

~enfified under "Ad~fionM Action, if Req~red" 

under O~tive 1 wi~ be imp~mented. The indir~t 

methods will be ~e prefeffed techniques used. 

48 
Part V!--Plan Evaluation 

The ~eeess of this ~an h meet~g i~ four 

obj~fiv~ w~ be based on whether ~e standar~ 

~bfished by management actions 1.4, 1.8 and 2.6 

and described ~ each respeet~e mo~ring section, 

are m~. The ~pe of measurements, ~eir frequency 

and ~e ev~uation of ~e da~ are ~so specified ~ ~e 

mo~toring sections of ~e ~an. 

All fidd ~ports, pho~gmphs and mo~ring 

da~ will be ma~ed ~ offi~ wildem~s fil~ ~ 

• e BLM's Phoe&x Dis~et Office. 

This Oan w~ be revised when the management 

actions prescribed no longer m~t ~e wildern~s 

n~nagement objectiv~ or when a change ~ ~e 

exist~g ~tuat~n waffan~ a new approach. The ne~ 

~r such a revision wffi be ~viewed ~ least once 

every five years (1999 and 2004). These reviews 

w~ be conducted by an ~terdi~ipI~a~ team w~eh 

will document i~ recommendations ~ ~e Ar~ 

Manager. If ~e d~ision is made ~ revise the ~an, 

it w~ be done wi~ publ~ participation and the 

authorized officer's app~v~. M~or ~v~ns, ~ch 

~ typo~ap~l e~o~, may be made ~ any time by 

inse~g an e~a~ ~eet. 

49 
Part VII -- Plan Implementation 

Wilderness management personnd, with the hdp 

of other resource specialists, will implement the 

wilderness management plan. These personnel will 

promote the long-~rm preservat~n of Maricopa 

Complex w~derness values by carrying out the 

ongoing fidd and office activities requisi~ for 

effective day-to-day wilderness management and 

through the completion of speci~ projects. 

Ongoing Acfi fies 

The activities reflected in TabM 9 are those 

needed on a day-to-day basis to impMment this plan. 

They are grouped into: 

• visitor management and publ~ education, 

a administration and 

= research, inventories and monitorin~ 

Each task within a category ~ fisted sequenti~ly, 

in order of importance. Cumulatively, they require 

approxima~ly 21 workmonths per year to complete. 

Special Pr ects 

Speci~ projects are high priority activities 

identified in the w~derness management plan. 

Completion of these projects is cons~ered essenfi~ 

for providing protection and preservation of the four 

Maficopa Complex wildernesses. Projec~ are named 

in ~b~s 10 through 13 and are grouped by type. 

Each task within a ca~gory or project in a mbb ~ 

fisted by level of importanc~ The ~ing, for general 

scheduling and tracking, does not suggest th~ the 

most important project wiH be comp~ted ftrs~ Due 

to the diversity of funding sources for these projec~ 

~ome of which are non-federal), ~ may be necessary 

to choose ~ss important projec~ w~eh can be 

successfully completed with the use of one specific 

funding source. Those th~ are contingent on other 

prerequi~tes are noted. 

C~amulatively, special projec~ would require the 

expenditure of approximately 67 workmonths and 

$162,000 in marries and/or equipment over a 10- 

year period. 

E s ng Vehicle Ways to be 

Rendered lmpassa e 

Aet~e management will render certain former 

vehicle ways impassable (see Table 10) by volunteers 

using wheelba~ows, wheeled carts and 

nonmechanized means, i.e., smoothing road berms 

and placing rocks, logs and other native ma~ri~ to 

naturalize vehicle tracks. Although fisted in order of 

priority in Table 10, vehicle way rehabifitation 

projects will be completed contingent upon funding 

sources and volunteer av~lability. Responsibility for 

carrying out these actions rests with the Outdoor 

Recreat~n Planner and Park Ranger. Alpha-numeric 

route identifiers refer to maps 2 through 5 in the 

wilderness management plan. 

Vehicle Bar ers 

Barriers will be constructed to block motorized 

access on certain former vehicle ways at wilderness 

boundaries (see Table 11). These projects are listed 

by priority based on need, but may be completed in a 

different sequence based on funding sources and 

availabi~ty. Responsibility for carrying out these 

actions rests with the Outdoor Recreation Planner and 

Park Ranger. 

De gnated TrOis and Amen es 

The Mafieopa Complex tmH network will be 

esmb~shed by rehabi~mting former vehicle ways to 

trail standards, extending and mainta~g existing 

trai~ and constructing sho~ segmen~ of new trail to 

les~n impac~ to wildli~ Gee Table 1~. Since the 

pre~ed method to aceompfish this work ~ volunteer 

crews using nonmechanized methods, the cost 

estimates do not inc~de cos~ ~r mechanized 

equ~ment. Mechanized equ~ment used in 

conjunction with the mo~fication of w~dfi~ 

ca~hmen~ as per Management Action ~ 1 may be 

emp~yed if appropriate for the ~anned traH design 

or neces~ry to ~op unauthorized ve~e trav~. If 

used, howeve~ cos~ would be greater than estimated. 

Wheelbarrows and wheeled ca~s may ~so be used. 

51 
Table 9 -- Im~ementation Sched~e of Ong~ng Acti~ties 

Work description Responsible Workparses months 

per year 

) iii iiiiii !ii!iiiiiii i! i i! i.i !!!ili i!i!.i ii!iiiil 

Conduct ~g~ar pa~s of wi~erness boundaries, tra~heads and Outdoor Recrea~on 8.0 

ve~cu~r access points, as well as mg~ar foot patrols w~hin RanneHPark Ranger 

wi~emes~ ~u~ng uniformed field presence dudng ~g~use pedods 

such as weekend~ ho~days and hunting seasons. Make mgu~r field 

contacts with wilderness vis~ors to ensure commence w~h 

~g~a~ons. Provide informa~on ~infoming w~derness values such 

as "no trace" impact tech~que~ Assess daily use levels and divide 

over~zed hi~ng and equestrian groups. Provide m~c~neous 

sewices such as distdbu~ng litter bags, bmchu~ maps and area 

i~ormatio~ as well as ~forma~on on non-wi~erness recrea~on~ 

oppo~un~e~ ! 

Maintain boundary signing and vehicle barrier. Reha~l~ate to as 

nearly natural a cond~on as possible all unauthorized vehicle entry 

points, fire rings and other surface disturbances ~su~ng from vis~or 

use, 

! Outdoor Recrea~on 

RannedPark Ranger 

2.0 

Initiate and maintain reg~ar wilderness boundary patrols by BLM law 

enforcement officers w~h wi~erness staff, in~uding, but not ~m~ed 

to, uniformed patrol during high-use periods, inves~ga~on of 

unauthorized motor~ed entry and other criminal ac~v~ies and vis~or 

contact. 

Outdoor RecreaOon 

RanneHPark 

RangeHBLM Ranger 

M~ntain estab~shed prim~ve trails and ~lheads. Dev~op 

maintenance/reconstruc6on standard and schedu~s. 

In~iate and ma~tain a wilderness public educa~on effo~ in 

coord~aOon w~h state and distdct external affaks personn~, 

~uding, but not lim~ed to, pro~ng ~formaOon and/or 

presentat~ns to reg~n~ schools, area pilots for media and local 

interest groups. Conduct "wilderness awareness" trai~ng for BLM 

staff, detailing wi~erness ethics, standards and regu~on~ 

Encourage "wgdemess awareness" among county seamh~nd~escue 

pe~onn~ and volunteer fire depa~ments through annual outreach. 

Outdoor Recrea~on 

RanneHPark Ranger 

3.0 

Superv~ory Outdoor 

Recrea~on 

RanneHPark Ranged 

External Affairs 

3.0 

0.5 

|1 

Outdoor RecreaOon 0.5 

Rann~LM I i RangedPark Ranger I 

I 

52 
Ta~e 9 - Imp~mentation Schedule of Ong~ng Act|v~es ~on~nue~ 

~ d~ Responsib~ parses Workmonths 

per year 

Conduct pre- and postpaid season mee~ngs w~h the Area Manag~ 

and resource area s~f~ summ~ng the ye~'s o~ec~ve~ ac~v~ies 

and accomplishment. 

Supervisory Outdoor 

Recrea~on PlanneH 

Outdoor Recreat~n 

RanneHPark Ranger 

0.5 

Ev~uate and take ac~on to co~ect impacts as ~m~ of Accepta~e 

Change standards are approached or exceeded. 

Area Manager/LGRA 

staff 

1~ 

Ev~uate and take ac~on to protect pre~stod~ ~sto~c and c~tural~ 

sen~6ve ~tes or a~as ~om vand~m and/or ~o~n~ when 

necessary. 

BLM RangeH 

Amhae~o~ needed 

Conduct commence checks of authorized mecha~zed uses Park Ranger/Range 

Management 

Specialist/Wildlife 

Biolog~t 

0.25 

Issue commer~ ~crea~on~ ouff~te~g~de and nonprof~ spe~al 

event mcrea~onal permits. Contact permittees and conduct 

compliance checks. 

Outdoor Recrea~on As 

Ranner needed 

Coordinate w~h the Arizona Game and ~sh Depa~ment to adm~ter 

hun~ng g~de-~nt permits. Issue spe~ use perm,s as as~gne~ 

Contact outlier-guides to ensure perm~ com~nc~ 

Supervisory Outdoor As 

Recrea~on needed 

PlanneHOutdoor 

Recrea~on 

RanneHPark Ranger 

Inform livestock gra~ng permi~ees of potenti~ range improvement 

use by eques~n~ 

Range Management As 

Specialist/ needed 

Supervisory Outdoor 

Recrea~on Planner 

I 

Update wilderness imNementaSon schedule as needed. Ran~ng and As 

En~mnme~ needed 

Sp~iali~ 
Table 9 -- Implementation Schedule of Ongoing Ac~vities (con~nued) 

|! 

Work descdp~on Responsible parties Workmonths 

per year 

 i!iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii !ii ! ii! i!! !iii!ii!!!iiiiiii!iiiii!i i iii !i!ii !!i!! iiii !! !i!ii i!iiiii iii i i!i!!i!ii !i!!iiii!iiii iii !i•i•iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii•••!ii•iiiiiiii•ii•ii•i•i!•!!i!••!i•!ii!iiii•i•ii•i!ii•iiii•i!•i•!i••ii!;!••••iii!ii!ii!iiiii•ii•iiii!i!•ii•• 

Monffor standards for natur~nes~ solffude and vegeta6on to include 

number of authorized mecha~zed uses, visffor encounters, trail width 

and depth, frequency of manure on the t~il, g~ng of vegeta~on 

and plant dens~y. 

Outdoor RecreaOon 

RanneHPark 

RangedRange 

Management 

Specialist/Wildlife 

B~log~UBota~st 

1.5 

Obtain big game popu~on informa~on annually from the Arizona 

Game and Fish Depa~ment and dese~ tortoise pop~aOon ~forma6on i 

from the contracto~ ~ 

W~life B~g~t O. 1 

Document incidents of aircraft observed or reposed below the 2,000- 

foot Federal Av~Oon Administration ad~sory, including aircraft type 

and d~ecdon of travel. 

Evaluateac~v~e s researchto ensurePr°p°salS;permit comN~nc~ perm~ th°SeRequestaCceptablecopiesandof m°n~°rresearch 

~po~s. 

Outdoor RecreaOon As 

RannedLGRA Staff needed 

Superv~orYRecmadon Outdoor neededAS 

Ranner/Outdoor 

Recma~on Manned i 

,. LGRA Staff L ,~ 

Table 10 -- Implementation Schedule of Special Projects: Former Vehicle Ways to be Rendered Impassable 

SE 7 (2.21} + .3•5265 TT 10 (.55) .1/570 

SM 4 (4.55) * .715545 TT 3 (.18) .1/520 

SM 3 (2.86) * .4/$345 TT 5 (.28) .1/$35 

SM 6 (1.01) .2/$120 "IT 7 (.59} .1/$70 

SM 5 (1.31) .2/$160 "IF 8 (.06) .1/$10 

TT 4 (.53) * .1/$65 NM 23 (.32} .1/$40 

TT 14 (2.25) .4/$270 NM 24 (.78) .1/$95 

TT 15 (.43) .1/$50 NM 8 (1.02) .2/$125 

| in | 

TT 16 (.12) .1/$15 NM 2 (.12) .1/$15 

~ II i 

TOTAL 3.5/52,315 

+ This route will be rendered impassa~e upon acq~don from the state of Arizona 

* Com~eOon of the project is con6ngent on successful com~e~on of the Arizona Game and Fish 

Depa~me~ c~chme~ mo~f~a~on 

54 
Ta~e 11 -- Im~emenmtion Sched~e of Spe~ d Pr~e~m Veh~e Bmde~ 

NM PC ~2~85 TT 3 R .1/-- 

SM PC .6/$2~30 "iT 6 BW ~/$1,252 

SM 3 PC 1.0/$1,385 TT 8 BW .4/$850 

i | i 

SM 4 PC and BW 1.0/52,080 SM 6 BW .4/$815 

i • i 

NM 16 1 BW .4/$950 • SM 2 R , .1/- :,: 

TT 2 BW .415815 SM 12 BW .4I$880 : 

~ 4 BW .4/5815 SM 5 Eliminate gated 

access 

~i 

NM 18 - 19 BW .6/$1,200 ,i~ NM 6 Eliminate gated 

!i~ access 

i 

NM 20 BW .4/$600 rt NM11 PC and BW 

t ~ ~ • 

.6/$1,750 

NM 21 BW .4/$600 NM 15 BW .4/$1,010 

i i | 

NM 22 BW .4/$600 TT 18 BW .4/$600 

TT 9 BW .4•5600 TT 11 BW .415600 

TT 9 BW .4/$710 SM 13 BW .415850 

Total 10.61522,877 

PC = pos~and-ca~e 

BW = barbed wire fence w~h hiker w~kthrough 

R = natural obstruc~ons 

Verde barrie~ wiI1 be constructed where 

required and tmilhead amenifi~ will be pmv~ed ~ 

described in the #an. These t~t/tmi~ead proj~ 

(see Table 1~ are listed in o~er of pfiori~; 

however, various eomponen~ of each project will be 

completed ~. funding becomes availabM. 

Respons~ ~r carrying out these actions res~ 

with the Ou~oor R~reation Harmer, Park Ranger or 

Lower Gila Resource Area s~ 

Other Special Pr~ects 

The plan identifies other one-time material 

purchases or jobs which are needed for wilderness 

management of the Marieopa Complex. They include 

tasks related to victor and wfldfife managemenL 

access, water right acquisition and monitoring called 

for in the plan. They are fisted sequentially by level 

of importance within each category in Table 13. 

55 
J Table 12 -- Implementation Schedule of Spe~ Projects: Trails and Trailheads : 

~ ~+~+;:÷×~ :~+~ ~+ .~÷~_ ....... .............................. , ..~ , ................. ~ ~ ............ ~ ........ , ~ . .~l 

Quartz Rehabil~ate exisOng vehicle way (SE 6, .41 mile) to trail 7.1/$17,740 =i 

Peak standards; extend exis6ng trail .5 mile to summ~ and ! 

maintain exis~ng trail; install vehicle hazier at parking i ~ 

area; install planned tra,head amenities and post i 

. , restdc~ons. , 'i, i 

Margie's Cove Rehabil~ate exis~ng vehicle way (NM 5, 2.35 miles) to 4.4•53,902 

East * trail standards; install vehicle ba~ie~ install planned 

trailhead ameni~es; post restdc6ons and construct 25 

miles of new bypass trail. 

II I I II 

Margie's Cove Rehabil~ate exis6ng vehicle way (NM 15, 2.65 miles) to 4.2/$17,197 

West * trail standards; install vehicle ba~ie~ install planned 

trailhead ameni~es; post restdc6ons and construct 1.5 

miles of new bypass trail. 

II I I II 

Bdt~ebush Rehabil~ate exis~ng vehicle way (NM 11, 2.82 miles) to 3.4/$2,200 

trail standards; close approximately .75 mile of 

cherrystem road to control vehicle access; install vehicle 

ba~ie~ install planned tra~head ameni~es and post 

restdc~ons. 

II I I II 

Lava Flow Rehab,~ate exis~ng vehicle way (TT 11, 7.45 miles) to 6.2/$5,255 

trail standards; install planned traUhead amenities and 

post restdc~ons. 

II I I ~ 

Table Top Extend exis~ng trail 0.2 mile to summit; maintain 2.5/51,000 

exis~ng 4.5 miles of trail; maintain and expand exisOng 

trailhead ameni~es and post restricOons. 

II ~ I II 

TOTAL 27.0/$47,294 

II I II 

• Comple~on of this project is contingent on successful comple~on of the catchment modifica~on 

I' I I 

56 
Dev~op "commert (a~" experience assessme~ form and 

install at all trai~eads acceding to the pri~ity for ~lhead 

ameRCes. 

Ta~e 13 - ~em~t~ Sched~e ~ Spe~ ~ec~: O~ Spe~ ~e~s 

F 

Work ~d~ / ResponsiVe pa~es ~m~ 

~her costs 

during ~fe of 

1 

Outdoor Recrea~on 0.25•51 ~00 i 

RanneHPark Ranger 

= 

Outdoor Recrea~on 

RannedPark Ranger 

Deign and install po~al ~gns for reg~a~ng ve~c~s. 1 .OR 1 ~00 

i 

• 

Dev~op maps, brochures and other printed material~ 

Establish commu~ca~on with commer~ aircraft manufacturers 

and operators in~uding Lufthansa and Estrega Sa~planes 

regarding wi~erness et~cs and overflights. 

Outdoor Recrea~on 

R~d~ Ranged 

~~ 

Area Managed 

Superv~ory Outdoor 

Recreation 

RannedPark Ranger 

12~ 10,000 

.25 

Dev~op wgderness ~ement of the Phoen~ D~tdct~ search-andrescue (SAR) ~am Coordinate with Madcopa and ~nal coun~es 

Sheriff's offices and Phoe~x D~tdct SAR Coor~nato~ Estab~sh 

memorandum of understanding w~h mil~ary author~es for crash 

rescue and recovery. 

Area Managed 

Superv~ory Outdoor 

Recrea~on 

RannedPark Ranger 

0.5 

Deve~p and conduct annual "w~derness awareness" ~ng for 

Phoen~ Dist~ct pe~onn~ and mu~-med~lm~tkcurdc~a 

presentat~ns for Ioc~ schoo~ and groups. Dev~op V~unteer 

Park Ranger cadre ~om the Adopt-A-Wilderness pro~m. 

Outdoor Recrea~on 

RannedPark Ranged 

Extern~ Aff~rs 

2.0 

Dev~op a standard~ed and computerized (ORCA ~tefface 

recommended) wilderness field repo~ form to document 

contacts, changes in Umits of Accepta~e Change ind~ators, 

authorized uses and other observa~on~ etc., ~om every find 

pa~. 

Outdoor Recrea~on 

~annedPark Ranger 

1.0/$200 

Modify Adzona Game and ~sh Depa~ment w~ffe water 

dev~opments to ~minish motorized wBderness entries to those 

needed for emergency ~pai~ on~ in the order o~ No. 707, No. 

708, No. 445, No. 454, No. 554 and No. 705. Re~ace ba~ed 

wire exc~sures wffh ~pe nil fence~ * 

Adzona Game and 

~sh Depa~ment/ 

Area ManageH 

LGRA Staff 

1 ~ 1 ~725 

each 
l, Ta~e 13 -- Im~ementadon Schedu~ of Spe~ Projects: Other Spe~ Projects ~on~nued) 

'I ,i 

i Spe~ ~e~s Responsible p=Ses Wmkm~sl 

' other costs 

d~ng life of 

I ~an 

Instag a submer~e pump in the Bu~eff~ld Well. Transpo~ and 

run a gene~tor to pump the well every two years. Repak 

facades as needed. 

Update ph~og~ph file of range and wildlife ~l~es and 

~ impmveme~ 

Adzona Game and 

Fish Depa~ment/ 

Area ManageH 

LGRA and 

Opera~ons Staffs 

I 

Range Management 

Spe~alisUPark 

Ranger/Wildlife 

Bi~og~t 

2.5•55,000 

I II 

0.25 

Close up to one mile of roads leading to NM 11 and NM 15 in 

the North Madcopa Mount~ns Wildernes~ 

Coord~ate with the Adzona DepaRment of Transpo~a~on to 

provide safety pulloffs along Interstate 8 to access the South 

Madcopa Mount~ns Wildernes~ 

Acq~m ~h~ngs and easements in Siena Es~, Noah 

Madcopa Mount~ns and Table Top wi~ernesses as 

oppo~un~es arise. 

Area ManageH 

Outdoor Recrea~on 

Ranner 

0.25 

Outdoor Recrea~on 0.5 

Ranner 

LGRA ReaEy and 3.0 when 

M~erals Staff/ needed 

Supervisory Outdoor 

Recrea~on Manner 

Inventory and quan~fy water sources/developments and subm~ Water Rights 0.5 

notfficaOon of federal reserved water dghts for each wilderness Specialist 

to the Adzona Department of Water Resources. 

Purchase and install an air qual~y and pollu~on monitoring Supervisory Outdoor 0.5•512,000 

device. Recrea~on 

Planner/Park Ranger 

ii I I i! 

* NOTE: The upgrade of additional wildlife dev~opments per Management Ac~on 4.2 are not included in 

this implementation schedule and the overall cost of im~ementing special projects wit~n this plan or any 

of the a~erna6ves which appear in Pa~ XI. It remains as a management ac~on, however, to emphas~e 

that the wilderness wildlife resource would benef~ from the add~ion of the water storage and coHec~on 

capac~y of these adjacent dev~opments. This work is not cd~cal, howeve~ to the im~ementaOon of this 

w~demess management plan. 

I' '| 

55 
Part VIII-- Public Involvement 

Pubfic ~op~g meet~gs were h~d ~ Gila Ben~ 

Casa Grande, Goodyear and Phoenix, Arizona from 

August 24 through 27, 1992 ~ Menti~ ~sues ~ 

managing these wilderness~. WiltOn commenm 

regard~g issues were ~so accepted unt~ Sep~mber 

15, 1992. Meet~g pa~icipation w~ relatively fight, 

with a total of 41 at~ndees. 

In ad~fion, a work group of in, rested publ~ and 

agency pemonnel as~sted ~ develop~g the #an. 

Parti~pan~ ~ this group we~: 

= Robe~ Brue~ director of ~e Dese~ 

Botanical Gardens, Phoe~x, and member of 

the Arizona Wilderness Coalition 

• Matt McWenie, teacher and member of the 

Arizona Wilderness Coalition 

• Robe~ M~gs, professor of geog~phy, 

Arizona Smm U~vemi~ 

• Jeanne Trupiano, Arizona Sm~ Parks, 

nam~l areas program s~ward 

• Micha~ DeRoMer, Ra~bow Valley, rancher 

and grazing permittee ~r ~e BMoat 

A1Mtment 

• Bill Brandell, Region 4 (inifiM 

~presen~t~O local wildlife manager, 

Arizona Game and Fish Depa~ment 

t John Hervert, Reg~n 4 (subsequent 

represen~tive) wfldli~ prog~m manager, 

Arizona Game and Fish Depa~ment 

• Barbara H~t~, Region 6 habi~t manage~ 

Arizona Game and Fish Depa~ment 

Duke Fo~ mayor of Gila Bend and local 

bus~essman, w~ ~ked ~ work on the #an but was 

unable ~ pa~a~. 

Parti~pan~ met five times during ~e ~an~ng 

process ~ ~view and provMe feedback and ad~ce ~ 

• e BLM #ann~g tea~. In response ~ a spe~i~ 

requ~L a public briefing was hdd ~ GHa Bend on 

August 26, 1993. 

Examples of groups ~d ~d~id~ls pe~nal~ 

conmc~ or bfief~ mg~d~ ~e #an ~cMd~: 

= ~e Yav~M, Gila ~ver, ~-~, S~t ~ver 

~dMaricopa, Colo~o ~ver, H~ ~d 

Tohono O'~ham Native ~efi~ 

~mm~fies, 

= ~e P~eMx ~s~ct Multi~ Use and ~e 

Sou~w~t D~ G~g Adviso~ ~ar~, 

= grog pe~t~, 

= ~e ~S. Fi~ ~d Wil~ Se~i~ and 

= ~e ~na Game and ~ Depa~ment. 

~e d~ M~pa ~lex W~em~s 

Man~ement ~an w~ ~stfibu~ ~r pubHc ~view 

and ~mment ~r a ~y ~fiod b~nni~ on 

S~m~ 13, 1994. ~o publ~ w~ notifi~ of ~e 

av~abifi~ of ~e d~ pl~ ~ough F~eml R~s~r 

and 1~ m~h noti~. A total of ~5 ~p~ of ~e 

d~ff #an w~ Mso ~ ~ m a ~de ~t~m 

of pubHc~ gove~g ~i~, org~t~ns and 

~stimfio~. R~en~ we~ ~ose who d~ 

expr~ an ~t ~ ~e #~, were ~r~tly 

aff~ ~ i~ pm~s~ actions or ~# e~an~ 

pubfic awareness of the documenL 

Two publ~ m~t~gs were Mso held ~ en~umge 

publ~ eocene one ~ ~h Bend, ~na on 

S~m~r 2~ 1994 ~d ~e other ~ Phoe~x on 

Octo~r 3, 199~ A m~ of 14 ~d~d~ls 

~R~pa~ ~ ~ m~t~gs ~d provM~ 

~mmen~ Ten written commen~ were Mso r~dv~ 

dung ~e comment ~ri~. 

~ publ~ ~mmen~ ~ dung ~e 

m~gs ~ific ~ ~gement of ~e 

~lde~ ~p~r ~ ~e foBew~g pamgrap~ Mong 

~ ~e wilton commen~. ~mmen~ ~ord~ 

dung ~e m~thgs are parapet. R~pons~ ~ 

• e ~mmen~, ~ well ~ an ex#~on of ~y 

~ang~ m ~e dm~ plan ~lt~g ~om ~e 

comm~n~ am prov~ ~ ~di~t~. 

59 
1 

,-,[ 

1-2 I 

1-3l 

1-4 I 

1-5 I 

1-6 I 

1-T I 

1-81 

1-91 

I-+01 

1-11~ 

1-121 

1-131 

Paraphrased Comments Recorded During Public 

Meetings at the GHa Bend Community Center on 

September 9, 1994 and the BLM Phoenix District 

Office on October 3, 1994 

x~o~zed/mecha~Jzod~ Tile =~~v~; exisfiug ve~c]e--ys --~-'-:--~mdo~, ~ould have-= ~ -:~, --~~g -'- =--= excl~dM ~ ~--:;lf~ f~m ~e wl]d----- ~~%~y ~--d p~.M

~v~. 

.n~ ~h~ ~P~ l;~;=~Op~ s ;~?~:V ~ ~ ~k .~ ........ ~ep ~;~ ........ ~ ~P d ..... ;;~g~ Of ~-- ~~ .igh~ du~, = .... 

~ d~t ~mg should ~ ~ u~t~ wddem~. ~ ~fl~t ~¢ ~=t ~pulatlon =ti~ fo~ ~igho~ ~p wi~ 

~e h¢~ 

~:~d37;~2 ~~=st~tive ~i:~:1~=~5~ cl ..... ~ che~ .... ~;~2~':t p~ .de, L~l~o~;~. M=, ..... Action d~ 1.2. T~ 

~:::~:~,,~?~:?=~, =~= = =o ~ = "='~ ,~ .... ~,~="°~,.~ .~ -~,~ ,~. ~.~ = =~ ~ ~=~_ ~.~. pm~l 

~~ 

Con~mM ~ ~e BLM wo~d app~ ~e "Addition~ Act~, ~ R~" ~der obj=tiv= I, 2 

=d 4 ~ ~e d~fl N=, m ~e mo~ r~ve way. For example, the BLM would do~ or li~t a~ 

m ~ ~ ~p~Me suda~ &s~r~. ~e BLM ~ould ~f¢~ visitom ~whe~, m~er ~ 

~t~ct ~e ~ ~a ~] or =. 

T~ ~ ~ey cu~n~ exi~ ~ ~te ~ acco~o~te vxsi¢o~ ~. ~e BLM ~o~d n~ 

~fmc or ~mu~ ~cm = pro~ under ~a~mvnt actions LI, 2.3 ~d ~9. 

Coa~m~ ~at ~e r~vvelopm¢nt/~int~n~c~ ~ ¢hv ~ P~ T~, = pro~ ~dcr 

~agc~t ~fio~ L 1 ~d 2.3, will ~cr~ hu~ ~fi~fion n~ B~y T~ ~d will n~vely 

aff~¢ ~¢ bighorn ~=p ~mg &v ~. 

~sRor ~ ~ ~¢ ~ P~ T~d ~ ~ pm~rly ~ ~ a~ ~e bighorn ~. 

To ~ imp~ m wddli~ ~ should not ~ ~w~ on ~¢ ~ P~ T~R. 

~ ~g~p~c ~ps of ~e ~em~ wouId ~ ~1. if availaMe. 

~li~dv A~ion should ~6. not ~ a ~on for ~tfictmg ~e ~ of ~1 or pa~ ~ a wil~m~ = 

5~ m M~m 

~ia~ wi~ ~=~g wi wildli~ na~ ~agcment, condifio~ ~, wi~ ~agem¢= ~ wiId¢m~. actio~ 4.5.4~ ~d ~ 10, do n~ 

~ ~$~t 

CI~, on ~ps, how n~r ~¢ pro~ ~il byp~, pm~ ~dcr M~em~¢ A~oa ~ 

1 

1-131 

1-141 

arc ~ ~ach ~och|~ ~MH~ ca~hmenL 

The ed~ria for eval~t~g ~¢ ~tructioa ~ new wildlife '.¢a~r d~¢lopmen~ pm~sed ~ 

Management Acti~ ~1~ are ~t¢, Howev~, if~¢ Ari~ Game ~d Fish Department feels that 

~e ~difioaa] ~hmen~ presented under ~mat~e B of ~e Ea~amen~ A~e~ment are need~ ~ 

pr~-~vc hc~ viability, ~e A~ D~ Bigho~ ~p S~ie~y ~vo~ ~rnalive ~ exclud~g ~e 

bail d~men~ ~ proposed ~ ~ al~m~ive. 

wil d Re~eg~ardt~e~M ~omem ~ ~e~r ~4.1~ ns~o ;~n~. ..... hmen~ ~ould ~ ~trt~ted ~ ~ 

At~nd~g &e publ~ meefm~ we~: 

Ro~[d ~ Mart~ G~ B~d 

Tom ~tzge~ Gila B~d 

Bob ~ch~, ~ Ca~ Pde~ Nation~ Wildfi~ Re~ 

S~ve Holt, ~ B~d 

Ga~ MilleL Bu~ey¢ 

To~ ~ Davi~ Gila ~ 

Ron HemT, Gils B~d 

David Miller, Gila B~d 

~cha~ Stuast, Gila Bend 

Pe~ Gon2aI~, Gila ~d 

D~ D~uide~ ~, ~ B~d, .M'i~na Game ~d Fish Depa~m~t 

War~n Leek, 5cvtt~daI¢, A~ De.~e~ Bighorn Sh~p S~i~y 

~ M~hac, ~oeai~ A~i~ De~e~ Bighorn Sh~p $~iety 

Jim V~I~ ~ ~erra ~ub 
I I~11 

2 

2-1 

OFFICIAL FiLE COPY 

R0~m ~ ~t~l B.~.. 

October 3rd, 1994 

Jim Vs~er 

4644 E, Mo~e~to 

Phoe~ AZ 85018 

Bureau of Land Manageme~ 

Lower Gila Resource Area 

At~ntion: John Jamrog 

2015 We~ Deer Val~y Road 

Phoen~. Adzona 85027 

RE: Dr~t wi~ness ~an for ~erra Es~, North Maricopa, So~h 

Maricopa, and Ta~e Top Wi~nese area~ 

John Jamrog: 

B~!~ng any new Deoe~ Bighorn Sheep water catchments in the 

Sierra Estr~la W~derness Area will have the det~ment~ effect of 

concentrating Dese~ Bighorn Sheep activity in one sm~l area of this 

maunt~n range. In order to guarantee a ~a~e and ~gorous herd of DessR 

Bighorn Sheep over the entre mount~n range, water catchments need to 

be ~aced on In,an lands as w~l. Effo~s need to be made to open 

charm,s of oommunica~on with ~ib~ governing bo~es to see what can 

be done to benefit the Dese~ Bighorn Sheep on the In,an lands that are 

a~acent to the S~rra Es~ Wi~erness Area. If this can be 

accompl~hed the "con~c~ between hikers and Bighorns would be greatly 

reduced~ 

~y. 

• m Valet 

c.c. Don Steuter 
3 

3-1[ 

Phoe~ Arizona 85019 ~ i i~ 

. 

T~ephon~ (60~ 379~720 FAX: (602) 379-6629 

O~ober ~ 1994 

In Rep~ Rear To: 

~so~ 

2-21-92-1-571 

MEMORANDUM 

TO: Area Manager, Lower G~a Resource Are~ Bureau o~ Laud Management, 

Phoen~, Arizona 

FROM: State Supervisor 

SUBJECT: Ma~copa Complex Wilderness Management Plan and Enfironment~ 

Asse~ment 

Th~ memorandum ~ in response to your Augu~ 2% 1994, request for concu~ence with your 

finding of no affect to the federally endangered tesser long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris cura~oae 

yerbabuenae) and Nich~ Tork~ head cactus (Echinocactus horizonthalonius var. nicholii) 

regarding the Maricopa Complex Wilderness Management Pla~ The draft Wilderness 

Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) includes four wi~erne~es in fl~e 

Lower Gila Rasou~e Are~ Siena Estrella Wilderness, North Madcopa Mount~ns 

W~derness, South Maricopa Mount~ns Wildernes~ and the Table Top Wilderness. We 

appredate the opponu~ to refiew the dra~ document and we offer the following 

cornment~ 

In general, the draft Maricopa Complex Wilderness Management Plan and EA was wall 

written and informative. Because these areas are f~rly dose to metropolitan Phoen~, they 

offer a unique opportu~ for passive recreafionis~ to enjoy the scenic bean~ and solitude 

of the Sonoran DaserL 

After renew of the Wilderness Plan and EA and our most current information, the Fish and 

Wi~fe Service (Service) concu~ with your finding of no affea to the lesser long-nosed bat 

and Nichol's Turk's head cactu~ We recommend that any ground d~turbing activities be 

planned in such a manner to prevent remov~ of any of the spedes of cacti 0,e., saguaro and 

agave) used as forage by the ~er ~ng-nosed bat. Als~ ff any revegemfion ~ nece~ary 

on unauthorized trails, we recommend using native species of vegetat~ 

3 

3-2 

2 

As ~ated in the dra~ Management Plan and EA, ~1 four wilderness areas contort desert 

tu~se hab~at. The desert to~oise (Sonoran population) (Gopherus agass~ii~ a category 

2 can~d~e for ~stin~ may be present in all four wilderne~ areas. The Service 

recommends that surveys for dese~ to~o~e be conducted in areas to be effected by any type 

of ground disturbing activities. If desea tunnies are found, project areas should be 

adjus~ ff po~ibl~ to avoid adve~e effec~ to dase~ toa~se~ their burrows, and other 

hab~ components. ~ adverse effee~ cannot be avoide~ the Service recommends that 

affected animals be temporarily relocated to adjacenL undisturbed habitat. Any handling 

or relocation of dese~ to~oises should be coordinated with and approved by the Arizona 

Game and Fish Departmen~ including obt~ning any necessary permits. The Service ~so 

recommends that fll on~ite workers be informed that dese~ tu~oises may occur in the area 

and that capture of dese~ to~oises ~ prohibited by law. 

We appreciate your effo~s to identify and avoid impacts to l~ted and sen~t~e spe~es in 

your pr~ect are~ In future communications on this projec~ please rear to consultation 

number 2-2~92-I~71. If we may be of fu~her as~stanc~ please conta~ Brenda Andrews 

or Tom G~ 

Siueere~, 

Dkecm~ A~zona Game and Fish Departme~ Phoenk, Arizona 
I I~I ~TFI ll~Ig 

4 

SIERRA CLUB 

~a~ ~n ~ • Aflzont 

4-, I 

~ ~E ~0~ 

October 4th, 1994 

~m Va~er 

4644 E. Montec~o 

Phoen~, AZ 85018 

Bureau of Land Management 

Lower Gila Resource Area 

Attention: John Jamrog 

2015 West Deer V~y Road 

Phoenix. Arizona 85027 

RE: Draft wi~erness ~an f~ ~erra Es~ell~ Noah Maricopa, So~h 

Ma~cop~ and Ta~e Top W~derness erea¢ 

John Jamrog: 

~ was =~ed by ~e BLM moder~or ~ ~o O=ober 3rd meeting that 

~o new grazing s~u=ures wo~d be pertained ~ wgderness areas, not 

because wilderness v~ues wou~ be advers~y effe~e¢ but because HI 

tour of lhese wi~ness areas were conddered fo be cd~c~ he.tat for 

the Des~t T~t~s~ T~s ~ all well and good and I am ceR~y ~ad to 

degrad=~i~i n~/t°~:~~;iii~;a~ c~°n~d~:~o tf the experience that ~ ava,a~e ,her.~. has become 

fas~ona~e among some pu~ic ~nd management egen~es to pass off the 

bug~ng of new gta~ng improvements as ~so beneflffing wil~ 

4 

Howev~ we in Me ~e~a C~b ~ can3 make ~ qua~um ~ap ~ bad 

~ We see cows for wh~ ~ey are:, A threat to wil~ and a ~m~ to 

~lde~es~ 

~y, 

Jim Va~er 

~ Don Steuter 
5 

5-1 

5-21 

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6 

OFRC/~' ~E COP? 

R~,'~ - :'~tr~ R~ 

ARIZONA #~SERT BI6HORN SHEEP 8001~T% INC. 

R~ Draw~ 7545 • Phoenix, Ar~ona 85011 

": ~ ~ ~02) ~2-5~0 • FAX ~0~ 95~4828 

./ 

°-'l 

October 27, 1~4 

Mr, John laming 

Low~ Gtia Resour~ Area 

Bore~,u ~ Land Monugome~t 

20~ W. D~r Valley R~d 

Phvanlx, AZ 85027 

Re: Dratt Maricopa Complex Wilderness Man~emem ~ ~d Environmental Assessment 

~A A~02~94~ 

Dear Mr. ~mmg: 

The Arizona Desert B~hom Sheep Seeing, ~c. (ADBS~ would like m ~mment on ~e 

~ove ~eced d~nment. S~ all bur of ~e wildern~s areas addressed ~ ~e draft ~ 

~ntain dese~ b~bem sh~p ~d b~bem sh~p h~i~t, we are kee~y ~tere~ted ~ ~e 

m~em~t ~tio~ pmposad. We will ~mment on ~o~ m~em~t actions w~ we f~l 

pertain m desert ~ghom ~eep speci~ ~d habi~t m~emenL We will address ~n 

management actions ~ ~o o~ ~ey appear ~ ~o dra~ pl~. 

L1 and L4 

These actions are re~ated. The ~ h ~at ~creasing s~mge ~d collation ~pa~ 

~ ~e wildlife developmen~ w~ reduce ~e need for a track ~ peficdlcally h~ wu~r ~ ~e~ 

~tchm~ This h ~Wnd~ ~ radu~ au~o~zad ~d ~scoumge unau~orized tmv~. The 

BLM~ hope, according ~ be ~tion~e ~ 1.4, ~ m "ev~lly eliminate ~e need for motorized 

ground transpo~ ~ge~er." This ~ ~m would facili~ reclamation ~ ~e~ ~utes W a mo~ 

naomi s~. 

While be ~tent ~ ~ereas~g s~m~ and cog~fioo ~paci~ ~ ~e wildlife waters h 

~mirablo, ADBS$ ~utians ~at bccau~ ~¢se ~hmen~ arc located ~ ~e Sonoran desert, and 

becau~ ~ desert ~ su~t m periodic dmugh~, ~e need m ha~ water by mo~rizad ve~cl~ 

wiR n~er be criminated ~tircly mg~dl~s ~ ~e mediations m~ We sugg~t ~e l~g~ge 

of ~e ~fion~e ~ IA be am~dad by d~efing ~e words "~d even~a]]y efimina~ ~e need for 

moWdzcd ground transpo~ ~toge~." 

6 

P~e 2 

6-21 

6-3[ 

6-41 

1~ 

We are pleased m ~ee pn~uit by BLM ~d Afi~na Game ~d Fish Department (AGFD) 

employees of ~spoc~ ~ ~fious game ~ations pin.dad for ~ btvre wildem~s managcm~t. 

We suppo~ ~is m~ement action ~ written. 

Objective 1 Monitoring 

We ~o ~eased m see ~y d~isions m end access ~ a modified ~hm~t made jo~fly 

by ~e BLM and AGFD. We urge you m accept be fact that ~onght ~tt~tio~ wi|| never ~tally 

eliminate ~e need for wa~r hauling m ~me ~tchm~ 

2.1 

ADBSS ~ concerned ~out ~e negative im~ ~ns~ction ~ ~e Quartz Peak Tca~l 

would have on tie~e~ bigho~ sheep ~ ~e Sierra E~tr¢~ Moun~n~ This ~il m~ be ~ustified 

from ~e smndpo~t of victor n~, but cannot be justifi~ due ~ i~ po~ati~ for disrupting dese~ 

~gho~ ~eep a~i~ ~ ~e vici~ ~ But~rfly Tank, We do not ~ppe~ ~e ~nstruetion of 

• e Quartz Peak Trail ~d su~g~t ~ be d~ct~ from ~Is m~agemcnt action. 

~5 

duvelopmen~ onrVqu~an need~ch~n ~ws be Otis ~lowad implement for m~ ~e minimum ~d tool 

m~n~fl~ wildlife 

~1 

AD~S$ ~ ~e~ad ~ sc~ allow~ made br ~e u~ ~ m~hanizad ~'anspe~ ~d 

mcchaniz~d/mo~z~l ~uipment ~ readily ~ w~fu wat~ ~tehm~ ~e~ m~ directed 

~ see ~Desc~pfion of Propos~ Action" ~ F~t XI for a dut~l~ descfiptian of ~pected 

Tho ~ desc~pfion ~ actually found ~ P~t X ~ ~u Environm~tal Ass~ssmem on page 

69. Part XI 

~ bo description ~ ~e P~po.~ed Action on page 69 ~exe ~ a ~ of ~ght i~ms 

in~nd~ for u~ ~ ~e mo~ifi~tion ~ ~ ap~n s~le ~tehments, We app~o ~ ~ ~e i~ms 

on ~ ~st, but ~qu~t Se addition ~ ~e ~onjar, which ~ a gasoline powered drill, This tool 

h~ a varie~ of uses ~d is ~ important ad~tion ~ ~e H~. We ~ requ~t Sis comple~ fi~ 

be add~ ~ ~e text of ~emem Action ~1. Th~ will augment baekhve~, helicopt~s ~d 

~nkup Irue~, wh~h ~e ~e only items currently ~tad under this n~n~ement actio~ 
6 

6-6[ 

6-7[ 

~e 3 

~3 

This Management Action h ~mil~ w 1M ~d ~ 1 ~d ~ntains ~mpon~ ~ ~. We 

~ite.m~ we ar~ pleased ~ see ~o u~ ~ ~uc~ and mo~rized/m~hanized ~uipmant ~ ha~ 

water ~d repair exi~ng wildH~ wa~, resp~tively. ADBSS ~ ~ncern~, however, ~ ~o 

~mnt ~ this Management Action appears m ~ ~mivating ~ture access for wa~r ~uling m 

me six ~tohman~ Hsted ~ Table 2 on~ ~ are modified. Even design modifi~fion will n~ 

eventual~ elim~a~ ~e need ~r mo~fized ground transpo~ ~ge~ ~ drought ~tuafion~ 

Be realistic and allow for water Muling ~ ~e redesi~ ~tchm~ ~ needed w pmt~t ~e 

wildli& resource~ of ~ese wildem~s areas. 

ADBSS ~ gram~l for ~e ~knowledgement of heli~pm~, b~khoes and #c~p truc~ 

 oded 

~4 

~S h pl~ ~ ~ heH~p~ ~owl~ged for u~ ~ ch~ m~g and 

hang ~ m Bu~y ~d Monism ~. We sup~ ~s ~em~t ~fion ~ 

~n. 

~6 

ADBSS ~ #eased m see helicopt~ and fixed wing aircraft allowed ~r wildlife 

~vcn~fi~ ~ MI four wfldem~es. We suppo~ this management action ~ writ~n. 

4.7 

ADdS ~ ~ea.~d m see mplacem~t ~ ~ four strand barbed ~ fan~ around 

~hmen~ ~ pi~ raft fences. We suppo~ ~s m~emant action ~ wrlt~-n. 

~9 

ADBSS ~rees wi~ me ~ncept of reducing pomnfially unwanted or ~vertent 

~nstrucfion he.ann ~ ~si~ newtrail ~d ~gmen~ wild~fe us~g ~hman~this445m~emant~d ac~on.We are not suppo~vo 

me 

6 

~e4 

~10 

~S ~ pl~ ~ ~ ~o B~ ~o~ ~ jo~t mom~m of ~d~g 

~ ~ AG~. We s~ ~ ~em~t ~tion ~ ~g ~ ~g ~ ~ ~nt ~ 

Can~ whan ~ ~ me ~na ~ WHd~ Act ~ 1~ ~d Ap~d~ B ~ ~ 

~. 

Obj~five 4 Mo~o~g 

6-91 

~er ~ o~ ann~ms ov~ ~e p~ ~ns~ction ~ new ~s ~ ~de~ ~ 

wSch~ negativ~ im~ct d~ bighorn ~, ~S s~ ~tive ~ ~e fm~ 

of ~s ~mativo w~ we ~d ~i~y a~g ~ ~e d~el~ment ~ new ~e ~. 

We anngm~la~ ~e BLM on ~s ~ ~. ~ ~s a ~mple~ ~fion ~ ~ 

a~d~ ~ ~fe m~ement ~m ~e ve~ ~t ~ we ~. ~ ~s d~m~t 

you fi~y ~owl~ge me ~ ~nt ~ Cang~ ~ ~tion 101~ ~ S~on ~1~ ~ me 

~na ~ WHd~ Act of l~ and A~d~ B of ~e ~n of ~e Com~ on 

~ and ~ A~S wh~h a~m~ ~ ~ ~ me ~c H~d~ F~t Con~ 

~ R~L 101~05~ We a~ yo~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~omant ~su~ ~ 

a new fighL ~s a~de sho~d ~ ov~ ~ ~ ~d~s ~ement p~s d~el~ 

~ ~ ~w~ Gila ~u~ ~. 

~ you for ~e ~ ~ ~mm~t on ~s ~ p~. Pl~ ~ us ~ ~ 

o~ pl~s w~ch im~t d~n ~hom ~ and ~e~ ~i~t. 

S~I~ 

~~ ~ ~ 

~ch~ Robl~, ~id~t 

A~ D~e~ ~[~ $~ep S~e~, l~. 
7 

• O~C~L ~LE CO~ 

Itetom ~ ¢ent~ ~ 

Elizabeth B. Wirt 

2103 E. 8th Street 

Tucson, Arizona 85719 

.;~'~' NOV 2, 1994 

Bureau of Land Management 

Lower ~ila Resource Area 

Attention: John Jamrog 

2015 West Deer Valley Road 

Phoenix, Arizona 85027 

Dear BLM, 

This letter is a voice of opinion about the Maricopa Complex 

Wilderness Management Plan. I enthusiastically support 

alternative C -naturalness, 

I am a graduate student in the ecology department at the 

University of Arizona. I am currently writing my Master's thesis 

on "The population of desert tortoises in the Maricopa Mountains, 

Maricopa Co~, Arizona". ~ staxte~ in 1987 by conducting a 60 day 

census of desert tortoises in the Maricopas for the BLM. Since 

then, I have continued to make numerous visits every year to 

continue my study of desert tortoises in the Maricopas. I have 

taken a special interest in observing and recording the flora and 

fauna, geology, topography, climate, historical artifacts, and 

local politics of the Maricopas. I am intimately ac~/ainted with 

the Maricopas and the surrounding valleys and communities. 

The following is an ecological and biological overview o£ 

the Maricopa Mountains area which also includes the Rainbow 

Valley and the community of Mobile, Arizona. The following 

sections following address desert tortoises, cattle grazing, and 

recreation ~n the Maricopas. Comments are based on my ecological 

training and my own wilderness experiences in the Maricopa 

Mountains. 

Biota 

The Maricopas and surrounding valleys are an ecological 

treasure chest. The area is a uniquely complex transitional zone 

with very high diversity despite low elevation stature. To the 

west of the Maricopas the Lower Colorado River Valley Subdivision 

dominates as the elevation gradually drops towards Yuma and is 

more influenced by winter rainfall patterns. To the east the 

Arizona Upland Subdivision dominates, influenced by summer 

monsoonal ralnfa11. These two biotas are dist~ngished by a steep 

precipitation gradient with high varience that is reflected by 

the vegetation co,unities. 

There are three zones o~ flora and fauna that come together 

in the Maricopas. The first is a finger of so~thern species that 

extends from Mexico through Organ Pipe Cactus Nat&onal Mon~ent 

to the north. The Maricopas are also the meeting zone for east 

and west Species distributions. Since the Maricopas form the 

extreme east and west edge~ in some years the summer rains never 

get far enough to the west, Or the winter rains never get far 

7 

2 

enough to the east. In 1980's E1 Nino years the Maricopas may 

have got high precipitation both seasons. Biologically the result 

is that occasionally the Maric~pa~ are lush %nd flush with 

vegetation and reproduction, then the exact opposite, dry and 

dead will dominate for Several years. The combination of shifting 

weather patterns and three distributional zones all meeting ~n 

the Maricopa mountains area means this is where organisms can 

meet, or can not meet and possibly interbreed. The Maricopas are 

uniquely ideal for ecological StUdy because the harshness of the 

ares eliminates many compounding factors present in more mesic 

environments. 

The Valley 

The Rainbow Valley contributes enormously to the wilderness 

value of Sierra Estrella and North Maricopa areas. The valley is 

presently mostly undeveloped. A large swath o£ BLM land cuts 

across the valley in a south west line from the Sierra Estrella 

through Sierra Espanto to the North Maricopas. This swath is 

undisturbed valley floor. Th%s %s an excellent wildlife corridor 

between the two wildernesses. Maintaining open land for wildlife 

travel is critical for long term genetic viability of wilderness 

areas or they face genetic isolation and bottlenecks similar to 

island populations. The BLM should consider mslntsining existing 

wildlife corridors between wilderness areas in order to preserve 

as much genetic vaziation as possible. 

Unfortunately, Phoenix seems to have it's eye on the Rainbow ~ 

Valley as the next %ndustrial zone area. The quality of the 

Sierra Estrella and Maricopa wildernesses will be an enormous 

compromise if much of the valley becomes industrially developed. 

Instead of looking out and seeing the other wilderness across an 

undisturbed valley, you will see smoke stacks, oil tanks, an 

7--I alterOVersizedthe wildernessairport andexperlenceenormous garbage(and thedumpS.wilderness will ) greatly 

Wildernesses are being created SO that the same q~al~ty 

wilderness experience you have now will be available in the 

future. The BLM must protect their wilderness areas by being 

heavily involved in the planning and development of the 

surrounding valleys. This is where the management efforts must be 

concentrated. The Rainbow and Mobile Valleys must not be the next 

industrial zone for Phoenix undesirables. A~ oil refinery, toxic 

waste dump turned municipal dump and a private oversized airport 

are not good neighbors for two wilderness areas. These wilderness 

areas are being reserved now as insurance for the future, 

foresight must also be used now to protect them from careless 

urban sprawl. 

Desert Tortoises 

Desert tortoises in "the Maricopas have suffered hea~-~ 

mortality in recent years. Population recovery is uncertain. 

Young desert tortoises are documented to have heavy mortality due 

7-2 
7 

3 

7--2~ i!!~i~i~ii~!!e!!~i~si!~!! ~h~ea~Co°~aj~[~e~agef° to find food andis 

the most vulnerable and therefore the numbers of tortoises that 

survive naturally are very low. In order for the Maricopa 

population to recover, lots of juveniles must survive, each one 

7 -- ~ I i~P!a!uP°C ~iiii~i~r S~e~iii~olrii!iii~i~iiii~iai!i~iiiil !ii!dlili ~ein a 

alternative for the desert tortoises in the Maricopas is C1 

Grazing 

Th~ most direct impact that current management activities in 

1 

overlap of tortoises and cows Occurs. This is an extremely 

important area for tortoises. Tortoises spend most of their lives 

underground in burrows. These are primarily constructed under 

large rocks for protection from the natural elements and 

predators. Desert tortoises also dig burrows in developed soils. 

Soil development is greater at the base of a slope than on the 

sides. ~lants generally grow better in developed soils than in 

rocky soils. Tortoises eat grasses and ~owering plants. 

Tortoises bury their eggs in soil and soil burrows maintain a 

higher relative humidity than rock burrows. New data suggests 

that desert tortoises rely on soil burrows during the hottest, 

driest months more heavily than previously thought. Cattle 

~--S ~ c°mpaCtcompactionS°ilareWhiChbad can forZ~°t~. SOil loss or soil 

~--~ ~ aregeneralyal°tmentSline.herdingFence A gr~upputare~inesanima~sup~fbadacr~sstennecessaryf~randcat~edesert~endnarr~wf~rwi~t~ t~rt~ises.gapsmaintaininggr~upinbetweenaupmatert~getherFencec~wssteep~f~inesinsidedays~ridges.at aarefenCetrampl~ grazingCattle 

and degrade the soil and vegetation in a narrow gap at the fence 

line. These gaps are also natural cross over areas between 

mountainous areas for tortoises. Narrow gaps provide crossover 

places for gene flow between tortoise populations on different 

mountain ridges. Gene flow enhances demographic st~ility which 

is good, especially for small struggling populations like the 

Maricopa tortoises. Unless there is water or fences cattle do not 

generally get stuck in one place very long. They keep moving 

which means they spread their presence over a larger area rather 

~--8 ~ ideathan t .... ...... tratingf°rareasWilder~eSSsensitive 1 it "areasR .... ingforSinCetortoise s .~t~l~i~sl~sa~i~l.~ 

7 

4 

Recreation and Wilderness 

Wilderness is a special term reserveu for the wildest and 

most pristine the region has to offer. It does not fall in the 

7--9 ! thegame'Categ°rYtrails.WildernessBY usingOf recreatiOnalwildernessis tamed, ituSeinisthisandnotWildlifec°nteXtas wildthemanagementanytemlmore, isitfOrdegraded'hasbig 

7-- ~ 0 I theyfrOmtake willPh°eniXawayTrailsdrivetheattractt°resp Onsibilitytw°walkhOurshikers'up a toWashM°SthikeofOrthePe°pleabuShwaCk.wildernesshikerWilltoarOundknown°ttrail ..drivethewheredesert,twOTrailshe/shehOursbutis 

going and give a sense of seourity. They think that they won't 

get lost and perish in the wilderness if they stay on a trail and 

that the trail must lead to some great vista that will reward 

their efforts. The hiker is somehow guaranteed a wilderness 

experience on the trail. Trails make the wilderness experience 

convenient and prepackaged. I don't think wilderness needs to be 

7--~ ~ I then°nereStrict°rganizedmadenot inbuildfee•c•nvenienthethe•bligedwi•derness.•rareafreed•mimpr•vem•st•rt•needsusepe•p•etrai•s•fTheytheithecanaapersOnOntheirexperience;NatiOnalthewaythatWildPleasethereTrailst°ancomplex.itiSd°a

Management Zones 

I think the BLM should approach wilderness management like 

7-- I 2 I Comp lexhikingthepristineareasThethe greatnextc~ncentricwhichtrai~sWildernessasareamanagementp~ssib~ehavelistedarOundz~nesthlemented.~fcenterwi~d~ife"regu~ar"humanAaccessandc~reinand 

In the North Maricopas, the Boy Scouts use the Butterfield 

Pass every year, and the area south of the pass is used by off 

road vehicle recreationists in the winter. This area was 

therefore not included in the wilderness area however, it should 

not be a sacrifice zone because it should be managed so it does 

1 iiii!!;; ii i! ii !;ii

currently use the area and manage the Boy Scouts and the ORV 

folks with education, and alternatives that are not destructive 

to the area. 

Interagency cooperation is the trend these days. Possibly 
7 

7-15 

the BLM could look ahead and start planning with the city of 

Phoenix to create an off road vehicle driving coarse and shooting 

range with camping and restroom facilities at the dump site when 

it is full. Maybe the city managers would agree to only dump 

"safe garbage" in the later years when the dump is getting full 

in order to assist the project. This would provide an alternative 

for the ORV folks and manage the wilderness by keeping them in a 

place where it would be ok to rip up the road, and help the 

Mobile folks with long term Jobs and income that wouldn't further 

degrade the rural lifestyle that has been permanently altered by 

the paved highway. 

Issues of concern to me that affect the North Maricopa Wilderness 

and are not necessarily addressed in this letter include: 

* Development of the Valley 

* I~creased Traffic on paved road~ easier access to valley 

higher instances of road kills, speedi~g~ character change of 

slow pace previously in the valley. 

* Paving of the rest o~ the Mobile/Gila Bend road. 

* Cattle Grazing 

* Off Road vehicles 

* Air Traffic at all levels, military, private, commercial. 

* Bunters/Target Shooters 

* Cowbirds/Feral Bees ( Africanized ??) supported by wildlife 

water cat chme~t s 

* White Fly Clouds drifting in from agricultural areas 

* Rock Barvest for co~/~ercial landscaping 

* Blowing trash from dump. 

I am a big fan of the Maricopas. I have had so many 

wonderful experiences in the Maricopas that I am hopelessly in 

love with the place. I have seen many changes in the area over 

the past nine years and I am very concerned about the fate of the 

Maricopa Mountains area. I sincerely believe the C -naturalness 

alternative is the correct choice for the Maricopa Wilderness 

Complex. ~ strongly recommemd the BLM to consider the other 

issues mentioned in this letter. I would be happy to assist the 

BLM with further explanations or any Other requests concerning 

the Marlcopa Wilderness Complex. 

[ ~1 I I I ~ I ! I IIIII I 

7 

Elizab~th B. Wirt 
Q 

8 

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 

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~s~^~ @~ & FIsHOFf~ALR~.DEPARTMENT ~ c~ COPY .... ~~,~..=~,~o~¢~=~=~'~ 

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9-2 

November 16, 1994 

Mr. John Christensen 

Area Manager, Lower Gila Resource Area 

Bureau of Land Management 

2015 West Deer Valley Road 

Phoenix, Arizona 85207 

Re: Draft Maricopa Complex Wilderness Management Plan (DWMP) and 

Environmental Assessment (DEA) 

Dear Mr. Christensen: 

The A/izona Game and Fish Department (Department) has reviewed the 

above-referenced documents, dated September 1994, and the following 

comments are provided. 

The Department appreciates the additional time afforded for our 

review of the DWMP and DEA. AS you are aware, several Wilderness 

Management Plans within the Phoenix District are being concurrently 

developed, and the extra review period greatly contributed to our 

ability to complete a thorough evaluation of the subject documents. 

The DWMP and DEA are well written and have addressed many of the 

concerns expressed by the Department during early planning meetings 

with your staff. The recommendations outlined below are intended 

to clarify or build upon the existing information. 

Draft Wilderness Management Plan 

Page II, left colun~, third paragraph 

and implies that a federal regulation or law would be violated 

during flights under 2000 feet AGL over a Wilderness Area. Since 

the 2000 foot level refers to an FAA advisory, this is not the 

case. 

Page ii, Approved Motorized/Mechanized Uses, paragraph 4 

~n addition to the two high-elevation catchments in the Sierra 

Estrella Wilderness surveyed by the Department, aircraft are also 

used to survey the other pertinent low-elevation catchments. Since 

several factors can influence the length of time water will be 

available, we recommend the second to last sentence be modified to 

An ~ua] Opp43~unity Ag:n~y 

9 

Mr. John Christensen 

November 16, 1994 

2 

l 

Page ii, Approved Motorized/Mechanized Uses, paragraph 5 

The Department had previously indicated that although raptor 

surveys are not presently being conducted in the area, they may be 

proposed in the future. No proposal for raptor surveys in the 

Sierra Estrella Wilderness is presently being considered by the 

9- ! th°W i:;;2m22 el i .optor 

In addition, the Bureau has no authority to "approve" low-level 

~toff~al%hio~hwadtOer n~ a i~ne~2n~2~, w~or~[ 

9--4 I [~e~r~ts~r~%'~%%icdt~n m°°~P2~r~'priately di ...... d in 

Page 14, Wildlife, paragraph l 

Twenty-one desert bighorn sheep were observed during the 1994 

aerial survey of the Sierra Estrella Wilderness. Suz-vey time was 

abbreviated due to windy conditions, and the Department estimates 

the current population to range from 26 to 40 animals in this 

Wilderness. The bighorn sheep count in the fall of 1993 was lll 

for the North and South Maricopa Mountains, with a population 

estimate of 200. Estimates of population may vary with changes in 

survey effort or variation in environmental conditions over time. 

Population dynamics are very complex, and numbers may fluctuate 

9--~ i afr°mbestatementeditedYear t°t°concerningreflectYear" Thethep°pulati°nDepartmentupdated inf°rmati°nvariability bereC°mmendSfr°mthataddedSUrveys paragraphtheandtext .hat 

Page 14, Wildlife, paragraph 3 

The last sentence states that a mule deer catchment has been 

proposed for the Sierra Estrella Wilderness. The Department 

believes that a potential site for such a catchment had been 

identifiedth e catchmentSomehastimebeenagO,developed.hOwever, no formal proposal to construct 

Page 27, i.i 

The Department recommends that roads leading to redeveloped 

catchments not be actively rehabilitated until the success of a 

redevelopment is established. Any subsequent motorized entry to 

correct unanticipated catchment deficiencies would be counter- 

 ii iii !: 

and as stated on Page 47, motorized access to these catchments 

could potentially occur until the catchment modifications prove to 

be reliable, presumably after several years of monitoring. 

9-61 

9-71 

i 
9 

9-8 ! 

9-10 1 

9-11 

9-12~ 

Mr. John Christensen 

November 16, 1994 

3 

Page 27, 1.2 

The Department is concerned that this management action could 

decrease public access to the subject Wilderness Areas. We 

recommend that any consideration of such closures be carefully 

weighed against the benefits and lawful uses of these roads. 

Page 42, Objective 3 

The third statement infers that limitations on big game populations 

would solve excessive £oraging problems that could develop within 

these Wilderness Areas. Adverse impacts to plant communities have 

historically been the result of poor livestock grazing practices. 

In contrast, the Department is not aware of any documented cases of 

"excessive foraging, by wildlife in the subject habitat type in 

Arizona. The Department believes this statement is unnecessary, 

and is already addressed by existing policy and the Arizona Game 

and Fish Commission's Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the 

Bureau of Land Management (Bureau) . We recommend that this 

statement be deleted. 

Page 42, 3.1 

As noted in our comments above, the Department believes that the 

likelihood of excessive key forage plant utilization by wildlife is 

so remote that its mention does not appear to be warranted. 

Page 44, 3.4 

The Department recommends that continued maintenance of fences in 

and along the Wilderness Areas include conversion to wildlife fence 

specifications whenever possible. In addition, portions of fencing 

identified as being in conflict with bighorn sheep movements should 

be considered for replacement with piperail fencing. Both of these 

measures should be considered as mitigation or corrective measures 

to compensate for human influences upon the Wilderness Areas. 

Page 45, Objective 4 

The second statement implies that supplemental, water is only 

necessary during summer months and after a catchment has gone dry. 

Neither situation reflects the Department's requirements for 

effective management of wildlife resources. Although supplemental 

water is most commonly necessary during summer months, the need 

for additional water can occur during other seasons such as winter 

or spring, when bighorn ewes are lactating. ~n addition, the 

Department strives to ensure that supplemental water is made 

available prior to any important water development going dry. 

Page 47, 4.2 

~iiii!~ ~ ~ ~r~e~ "f2~T~22~2 ~ :~x~P ~i~ ;~ ea~; ~a ~ me~:: 

9 

Mr. John Christensen 

November 16, 1994 

4 

Page 48, 4.5 

The DWMP does not indicate what data was us4d to calculate the need 

9_ , "he th

Page 46, 4.6 

Consistent with Bureau authorities regarding airspace, the 

Department recommends modifying the first sentence to read "Provide 

for sontinued Arizona Game and Fish Department low-level helicopter 

and fixed-wing aircraft flights... ". Because several factors can 

influence scheduling of these survey flights, and consistent with 

9-14 our MOU, the Department requests that the second sentence be 

modified to read .When possible, the ~ea Manager will be 

notified... " , If a scheduled sudsy flight is changed after 

notification is given to the Bureau, the Department will make every 

a~tempt ~o advise the Ar~a Manager of the change. 

Page 48, 4.6, Ra~ional8 

~-- ~ ~ ~ are sa~isfiedS°mefligh~ bein~ s,~larifi~atiOn mayb~ thebe necessarYDepa~men~ONivinN e~a~ prior NhaL notice sa~yof~ac~orSsurvey 

Pag~ 48, 4.8 

1 

Page 48, 4,9 

The Department believes that avoidance of wildlife water 

developments alone may not be adulate justification for the 

co,erection of new trails, Although such avoidance is perceived 

to have a positive effect ~or wildlife using the development, new 

trails may increase visitor use of other wildlife habitat, thereby 

resulting in an uncertain net effect. In addition, the anticipated 

months of highest trail use by visitors does not coincide with th~ 

anticipated period of high us~ o~ water so~rces by wildlife, The 

s-, z I 

Peg8 48, 4.10 

~-- I 8 I change~:~:::X~e~more ~;~:g~:~t~accurately addresses ~i~;~:~2:22~gO~[~:¢' ?°the jurisdiction Thisreada.d re8pcnsibilities of the Bureau. 
9 

9-19 

9-20 

9-21 I 

9-22 I 

9-231 

Mr. John Christensen 

November 16, 1994 

5 

Page 49, left colum~ 

The Department recommends that the second criteria for evaluating 

the need for new wildlife water developments be clarified, with 

regard to the availability and size of nearby habitat, the 

Department does not believe that these factors should overshadow 

the need for wildlife-related management actions within the subject 

Wilderness Areas. Although these factors are certainly to be 

considered, the availability of nearby habitat outside of 

Wilderness boundaries does not diminish the need to maintain 

wildlife resource values within a given Wilderness Area. This is 

especially critical if the long-term availability of wildlife 

movement corridors is in question. 

Page 49, Rationale 

The Department believes that the positive influence of water 

developments On bighorn sheep and mule deer is fairly well 

documented. It is not clear what "further analysis is required to 

assure that the impacts to wilderness are justified." As in the 

past, the Department notes that wildlife water sources can be 

developed with minimal impacts to Wilderness values. In most 

~::~if~:an~el~22;ar~dha~o anYth e p iVedanticipatedadverSebenefitsimpacts .... c ..... are tly

documented in available literature. 

Page 49, Monitoring, second paragraph 

inadequateSUrVeypopulation and tOtrendm°nit°ringdetermineand visitordataany causeC°llecteduse, and e~e~ereDleaPta~2~p ~ielt~e~ 

Draft Environmental Assessment 

The Department notes that several comments provided above are 

pertinent to corresponding sections of the DEA. To avoid 

repetitive comments on our part, please cross-reference Department 

concerns expressed on the DWMP to appropriate portions of the DE~. 

Page 68, right col%imn, third complete paragraph 

Please3.1. refer to our comments addressing Page 42, Objective 3 and 

Page 75, Alternative C 

Based on existing policy and Wilderness legislation, the Department 

does not believe that this alternative is acceptable. We recommend 

~!!!i ........ ~<~ t. 

9 

Mr. Job_n Christensen 

November 16, 1994 

6 

The Department appreciates the opportunity to comment on these 

draft documents. We look forward to continued cooperation in the 

management of Arizona's wildlife resources. If you have any 

questions, please contact me at 789-3605. 

Sincerely, 

Ron Christof ferson 

Project Evaluation Coordinator 

Habitat Branch 

RAC:rc 

cc: Larry Voyles, Regional Supervisor, Region IV; Yuma 

Kelly Neal, Regional Supervisor, Region Vl, Mesa 

Richard Rico, Chief, Development Branch 

Tice Supplee, Chief, Game Branch 

AGFD# 09-08-94 (03) 
Responses 

1-1: The W~derness Act of 1964 prohibi~ the use of 

mechanized transpo~, including motorized vehicles, 

as weH as permanent or temporary roads within 

wilderness except in very specific instanc~ such as 

emergency response and other essential admini~rative 

purposes. The boundaries of the Maficopa Complex 

wildernesses were esmbfished by Congress in the 

Arizona Dese~ Wi~erness Act of 199~ The agency 

responsible for managing these areas -- in this ease, 

the BLM -- has no authofi~ to change these 

congressionally designated bounda~es. Therefore, 

reques~ to open historic ve~ele paths now within the 

wilderness boundaries cannot be entertained. 

1~: The language in the rink #an reflec~ this 

petiole u~ of ~ra~ to check water levds in ag 

eatehmen~ by the Arizona Game and Fish 

Depa~ment. 

1~: The final #an reflects the most eu~ent 

pop~ation estimates avMlabM and the nature of 

population variab~ty. 

1..4: Access to the wilderness wouM not be 

~gnificantly affected by the proposed elosures. A 

maximum of approximately one mi~ out of a total 

19.6 miles of "eherrystemmed" access would be 

affected by these administrative closures. 

Specifically, the two-mile-long Margie's Cove West 

eherrystem road wo~d be sho~ened by four-tenths of 

a mile. The 11⁄2-mile-long Margie's Cove East 

cherrystem road would be shortened by one-tenth of a 

mil~ The 3⁄4-mile-long Bfialebnsh cherrystem road 

would be sho~aned by 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 mil~ The 

administrative closure of the Lava Flow eherrystem 

road will not be necessary and this proposal has been 

dropped from the fin~ wilderness management ~an. 

Ten of 13 eberry~ems wo~d not be sho~ned. 

These closures are needed for three reasons. 

First, motorized vehi~es can be better managed ~ the 

shortened locations than at the ends of the 

eongres~onally drawn eherrystem roads. Second, 

these locations provide more hardened, fiat and open 

suttees for parking vehi~es than those found at the 

end of the congres~onally defined road. And ~st, it 

will promote eomp~ance with Arizona Revised 

Statute 17-30~ which prohi~ camping within 1⁄4 

m~le of a game or domestic stock water source. 

Game catehmenB exist within 1⁄4 mile of the end of 

the Margie's Cove East and West eherrystem roads. 

The Arizona Game and Fish Department will 

continue to have access to game ca~hment 444 ~ the 

Margie's Cove West trailhead area via the road just 

~ the fivestock grazing permittee win have ace,s to 

Hazen Well (069~ beyond the administrative closure. 

1-5: In general, these wildernesses lack the ~pical 

campMte impae~ found on suffound~g publ~ lands 

where fire sca~ and fire rings are common. 

Discouraging wood fires is pa~ieularly important in 

relativdy undisturbed #aces because fire sea~ tend 

to attract repeat use (Cd~ et.~., 1987). Prohibition 

of campfires is a preventative measure ~med ~ 

main~inlng pristine conditions in anfi~pation of the 

inevitable growth in ~Mtor use which will occur in 

these areas. This prohibition was not taken Hghtly as 

~ ~mi~ the ~eedom of the wilderness ~toh Many 

alternatives were eon~dered, i.~, allowing fire pans 

o~y, burning off-site wood o~y, the use of chareoM 

o~y, e~. These were not chosen, however, as 

efforts to educate the burgeoning number of potenti~ 

~ters to the use of these ~ternate methods would be 

Mow, resulting in unaeeep~ble camp~te impae~ over 

the next 10 years. Restoration efforts would not 

likely keep abreast of them ~ther. 

Ad~tional reasons for pro~Mting campfires and 

the collection of firewood in these areas are to ~ssen 

the potential for human-caused fires and to main~ 

ground cover for small vertebrates provided by dead 

and down woody plant matefifl. Once removed, the 

replacement of decadent #ant matefiM ~ e~remely 

ddayed due to the flow growth rate of dese~ 

vegetation. As firewood matefi~ is removed from 

#an~ in the ~einity of campfites, ~sual impae~ 

mulfip~. 

1-6: With the exception of the d~ect methods 

proposed to rehabilitate unwanted surface 

disturbances outlined under Management Action 1.11, 

the non-regulatory, indirect methods listed under the 

AdditionM Aaion~ if Required section to meet 

objectives 1, 2 and 4 win be the preferred techniques 

used. Wording has been added to emphasize this 

intent. Also, A is anticipated that complete closures 

of trails as a result of Management Action 1.11 

would be a rare occurrence. 

75 
1~: ~1 e~g ~u~s a~ ~ently ~hg m~ by 

~e pubfic ~ hiking and fid~g trails. Ex~ ~r ~e 

~o "~p~ses" ~d ~o sho~ ~mmit ~mions, ~ 

new routes are ~hg create. By making exist~g 

vehicle ways NM5, NMll, NM15 and "I~F11 

~epi~ ~ maps 3 and ~ mo~ ~tra~-l~e," Iowimpa~ me ~H ~ p~mot~, ~ereby p~t~t~g 

~emess vflu~. ~rmation prov~ ~ the 

trai~ will ex~a~ low-impact teehniqu~ ~ 

~fi~ and hd~ten envi~nmen~ awaren~s. 

Cu~enfly, ~fim~ are not p~v~ ~ ~fl 

matefifls ~ ~ ~t~ ~e ~emess. 

The bypass ~ ~e MargiCs Cove E~t and 

W~t trai~ea~ we~ p~posed ~ ~r~t ~sito~ away 

from ~e exist~g ~i~fi~ ~tchm~ and a fi~sto~ 

well ~ ~e ~tio~. This w~ ~M~ ~ r~e 

the potential ~r ~stanc~ ~ ~mp~g ~thin 1⁄4 ~ 

~ ~e w~ sources, a ~d~ ~ Ari~ R~ised 

S~ 17-308. B~ ~ ~ral commen~ 

r~v~ ngard~g the~ ~p~ses, howler, 

Man,emit A~on 4.9 h~ been ~ang~ ~ ~e fm~ 

~an m r~d: "Con~m~ s~men~ ~ tra~ ~ 

Margiffs Cove E~t and We~ trai~ea~ ~ ~p~s 

wil~ catchments ~4 and 4~/Hazen W~, 

m~tively, ~ 2~1. The pla~ment and ~ ~ 

~ese bypasses ~ be done ~ e~h~ wi~ ~e 

Ari~na Game md Fi~ D~a~m~t." 

The T~ T~ Trail h~ b~n ~ ~ ~e Arim~ 

S~te Trails Syaem s~ce 1987. The Quaaz Peak 

Trail has been us~ by ~e pu~ie ~r morn ~an 10 

y~. Bo~ are f~mr~ h many Ari~ trail gui~ 

pub~s. R~mfi~ ~ po~o~ of ~e trails 

w~ n~ ~erease human ~mfion. ~ ~H, however, 

~crea~ ~e abi~ ~ man~e this ~e and, ~ere~re, 

~dir~tly b~efit wildli~ Acce~ ~ these areas will 

not be impmv~ b~ond ~e cu~ent con~t~ns. 

F~, ~mp~ ~ ma~n ~e wilderness 

~fi~ ~ solitude M~g the t~Hs under 

Management A~on 2.6 may h~e ~direet b~efi~ m 

~ldH~ ~ s~v~g ~ ma~ ~e ~e~ Mw l~ds 

of ~r ~e. 

1-8: The management t~hn~ues ~sted under the 

Ad~fion~ Acfion~ ~ Req~red s~fion m ~hieve 

O~tNe 4 provide many management options ~ 

m~ond ~ po~nfi~ly negat~e ~ghom ~eep/vi~tor 

~mction pm~ems which may afi~. 

1~: Prohi~t~g dogs on the Qua~z Peak Trail does 

n~ appear ~ be justified as ~e b~horn sheep 

pop~ion is ~sp~sed ~roughout the Siena E~rfl~ 

Mo~ ran~. D~s were p~hi~t~ ~ ~e Tab~ 

Top T~ ~e ~ i~ p~ ~ hmb~g areas ~ 

Tab~ Top Moun~. 

1-10: Management Action 2.5 addresses this need. 

1-11: The opportu~ ~ ~fi~ ~de ~ ~e 

of ~ur ~ific ~amc~d~ of wHdem~s defin~ 

by ~e W~m~s Act of 1964. The BLM's N~on~ 

Wfl~m~s Management Gofls, h ~ H ~ t~s 

~an, s~ ~ t~s ~rtu~ ~11 be man~ ~ ~ 

~ ~mah unimp~r~. Management mu~ ~ere~ 

~eus on mah~ning ~e ~fi~ of soli~de ~ong 

~ other wildem~s ~h~. 

1-12: Policy ~r manaNng wildfiN ~thin wilderness 

is ~r~t~ by ~e Wildem~s A~, guidance from 

Co~r~s ~d ~e ~mational A~n ~ Fi~ 

~d Wfldli~ Ag~cies and a memoran~m ~ 

~tand~g be~een ~e Ari~na Game ~d Fi~ 

D~a~ment and ~e BLM. The ~fio~ p~p~ an 

~ ~nsistent ~ ~s guidan~. ~me ~ ~e 

~fififi~ may ~p~r ~c~fistent ~ ~ow~g 

natural processes ~ occu~ However, most of ~e 

wi~fi~ p~~ ~ ~e ~em~s~ h~e been 

mo~r~ and manag~ ~ humans for many )~ 

prior ~ ~d s~ce ~em~s d~ignation. Thus, it 

may ~ ~firab~ and ~s n~ ~ ~ue 

cu~ent ~d ~re ~enfion to ma~ cu~ent 

wildfi~ ~i~ us~g these ~o~stems. For 

~amp~ u~-~ ~pd~n e~mates, ~fiv~ ~ 

h~i~t c~s ~g ~mR, an cmd~ ~ 

~rmi~ ~e l~g-term h~i~ of ~rta~ wfldfi~ 

~eei~ ~d ~ the wildem~ses. 

1-13: Due ~ map sc~e fimi~tions, t~s co~d not be 

done ~curatdy ~ ~e d~R plan. S~ ~e ~o~e ~ 

comment 1~ regard~g ~e bcation and defign cf 

• ~e byp~s t~Hs. 

1-14: As s~tM ~ ~e ~xt of ~e act~n, ~e hoi~ of 

• e b~g herd ~I1 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~e need 

~r new catchm~ ~r Mana~ment Act~n 4.10. 

2-1: No new dese~ ~ghom sheep water catchment is 

p~p~ ~ consider~ ~r ~e S~a E~nl~ 

Wilderness ~ the ~an. A lower d~¢n mu~ deer 

catchment was propose, but due ~ commen~ ~ the 

d~ ~ r~e~ by ~e Ari~ Game and Fi~ 

Depaflme~, it was dd~ ~om ~e fm~ plan. S~ 

cemment 9~. 
3-1: No species of cactus used as ~mge by the 

lesser long-nosed bats will be removed during trail 

work or res~mtion. Mitigation measures addressing 

this concern were added ~ the final ~an regarding 

any surface ~sturbances, ~g., catchment 

mo~fication, con~rnction and wo~ and restomt~n 

of ~rmer vehicle way~ 

3~: These recommendations were added to the 

mitigation measures ~r the ~an. h add~o~ 

information w~l be provMed ~ tmi~eads to promote 

deseR to~o~e awareness and protect~n. 

4-1: This concern has been addressed somewh~ wi~ 

the ad~tion of Management Action 1.13. The 

decision does not prohibit, however, nonmechanized 

eonstruet~n of fivestock control ~ructures such as 

gap fences initiated by ~e BLM to elimina~ or lessen 

negative impaeB ~om livestock grazing to wilderness 

and w~di~ values which might arise in the future. 

No such impac~ are anticipated, howeveL ~ this 

time and therefore no such projects are identified in 

this plan. 

5-I: See response to comment 1-1. 

5-2: Table 7 identifies those fivestock developments 

which may be accessed periodically under certain 

conditions. 

6-1: The concern that access to game catchments 

wo~d be s~pped premature~ or unwisely ~ 

addressed in the Mo~ring section under O~ective 

1. R s~tes th~ the decision to end access to a 

mo~fied e~ehment w~l be made jointly by the 

Arizona Game and Fish Department and the BLM 

anytime during the fi~ of this ~an. Success in 

meeting the wild~ water needs of these areas will 

affect this decision. Reference to this joint decisionmaking process has been added ~ Management 

Actions 1.1, 1.4 and 4.3 in the fin~ ~an to make the 

wording more eonsis~nt. 

6~: See response to comment 1~. 

6~: Chainsaws have been added to the fia of 

potential mechanized equ~ment which might be used 

~r maintain~g or constrneting wHd~ developments. 

The fi~ appeam in the Description of the Proposed 

Action seet~n of PaR X of the finM ~an as 

re,fenced under management aet~ns 4.1 and 4.3. 

6~ ~e ~t ~ co~ected in the final ~an. 

6-~ The drift was added ~ the fist in the proposed 

action description in the final Oan. Since the 

environmental assessment ~ reproduced in the fin~ 

and the fi~ ~ ~ferenced in management actions & 1 

and 4.3, there is no need to reproduce the fi~ in the 

action. The words "and equ~ment" were added to 

• e reference to clarify wh~ appears in the proposed 

action description. 

6-6: See response to comment 6-1. 

6-7: See response to comment 6-5. 

6-8: See response to comment 1-7. 

6-9: Wording was mo~fied in the Mo~toring 

section under Objective 4 in the fm~ ~an. The 

mo~fication was intended to clarify that information 

prov~ed on the trailhead "comment cards" world not 

be the s~e source of ev~ence used to ~entify eausM 

relationships between fi~r use and negative trends 

~ wildli~ pop~ations. Reference to profes~on~ 

input was added. However, the ~formation received 

at the trai~eads shodd not be ~smi~ed as it can 

in~ea~ a general trend in visitor-wildlife encounters. 

All reasonable sources of informat~n will be used in 

determining the needed changes in vi~r use 

management of ~ese areas. 

7-1: ~sues regarding actions on lands suffounding 

these wildernesses are not addressed in this plan (see 

the Issues Beyond the Scope of This Plan section). 

The ~sues, however, are being seriously considered 

in a ~ann~g effoR of larger scope concu~ently being 

conducted by this office. The Lower Gila Resource 

Area Amendment/Environmen~l Assessment to the 

Lower Gila North Management Framework Plan and 

the Lower Gfia South Resource Management Plan 

addresses the need for maintaining wildli~ corridom 

on nonwilderness public lands, for example. Impacts 

to wilderness resources from proposed actions on 

BLM lands outside of wilderness are ~so assessed 

routinely through the environmen~l assessment 

process which the BLM is required to complete by 

the National Environmental Policy A~ of 1972. 

Actions which occur on state, county, 

munidpality or privately owned lands are not within 

the authority of the federal governmenL However, 

the BLM often comments on environmental 

77 
assessmen~ of actions of other jurisdictions which 

may affect BLM lands or programs. 

7~: All of the act~ifies described in this comme~ -- 

with the exception of installing garage cans -- will 

occur regardless of imp~mentation of this ~an. 

Also, the~ are no ~ans or propo~ls ~ prov~e 

garage cans at ~e trai~eads. The ~an ~ecifies 

efforts to eo~rol and minimize impae~ on ~e 

wi~emess and therefo~ ~e deseg ~oi~. Lowimpaa activities will be a~ed through information 

provided ~ ~e trai~ead and oth~ means. See ~so 

the response ~ comment 1-7. 

7~: Moni~ring of the Noah Maricopa Mountains 

dese~ ~Roise ~ will co~inue as stated in the 

Moni~ring section assod~ed with O~ect~e 4 of the 

plan. The sta~s of the pop~ation will be evaluated 

reguhdy. Posri~e causal ~lationships between 

~r~r use impacts and down~rns in the pop~ation 

wifi be in~uded in this evaluation. See also the 

response ~ comment 7~. 

7-4: Again, no garbage cans will be placed at the 

trailheads. Also, vehicle parking presently occurs 

along the cherrystemmed roads. The plan identifies 

the need to loea~ these areas in places where 

resource impae~ are minimized. See also the 

response to comment 1-4. 

7-5: Cu~ent policy described under the Issues 

Salved Through Policy or Adminiarat~e Action 

section regarding ephemeral plant foraging and 

Management Action 3.1 address the issue of forage 

competition between fivestoek and dese~ to~ois~ 

Eight of the 13 monitoring locations shown in Table 8 

are at the bases of ~opes. 

7-6: Although soft compaction w~ not be mo~red 

• recfly, the standa~s described in the response to 

comment 7~ and in Ta~e 8 ~o~d not ~suR in any 

incenses in soil compaction. 

7-7: Although there may be some localized impac~ 

associated with the gap fences, at this time they also 

have the pofifive effect of discouraging cattle from 

driving into approximatdy 40,000 acres of core 

wilderness and to,else habitat. The fences also serve 

the important function of separating adjacent grazing 

allotments, thereby improving fivestoek management 

and admini~rative oversigh~ 

%8: See prev~us ~sp~s~ 

7-9, 7-10 and 7-11: The Wfderness Act of 1964 

provides for the use and enjoyment of these areas fo~ 

among other things, ou~tanding opportunities for 

primitive and unconfined types of recreation. See 

also the response to comment 1-12. 

The routes proposed for trails are already used 

by hikers and horseback riders. For the most paa, 

they will follow exi~ing vehicle ways. No 

bushwhacking ~ required when hiking these routes. 

Also, these trai~ represent less than one hundredth of 

one percent of the total wilderness acres covered by 

this plan. The majority of the remaining vehicle 

ways within the wilderness boundary wifl be 

rehabfitated or blocked under this plan. The entire 

South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness will remain 

trailles~ 

7-12: Although an apparently valid approach, the 

presence of devdopmen~ prior to wilderness 

designation, the exi~ence of cherrystemmed 

boundaries and the language regarding "buffer zones ~ 

in the Arizona DeseR Wilderness Act make it 

impractical. Appropri~e recreational uses of publ~ 

lands adjacent to the wfderness boundaries are being 

addre~ed in the planning effo~ refe~ed to in the 

response to comment 7-1. 

7-13: See response to commen~ 7-2 and 7-4. 

Presently, several initiatives are planned as well as 

being acted upon by the BLM to interpret the 

historical But~rfidd Overland Trail. The BLM also 

works with several Boy Scout troops annually on rite 

protection and interpretation projects. Also see Item 

4 under the Issues Beyond the Scope of This Plan 

section. 

7-14: These ideas, though good, are beyond the 

scope of this wilderness management plan. 

7-15: The control of Valley of the Sun traffic, 

fifestyl~ road paving, dev~opment and military 

overfligh~ is beyond the scope of this plan. See 

responses to commen~ 4-1 and 7-5 regarding 

fivestock grazing ~sues. Management a~ions 1.1 

through 1.7 and 1.11 address off-road vehicle issues 

whi~ Management Action 2.10 addresses commer~al 

and private overflight. Please note, howeve~ th~ 

the Federal Aviation Administration, not the BLM, 

regulates Mr space. Hunting and target shooting can 

78 
be safety ~sues; however, neither is proMhited by the 

WiMerness Act. If these activities become a 

problem, howeve~ they will be addressed through ~e 

use of o~ federal authofi~ as wo~d ~egM reek 

harvestin~ Please rear to i~ms 3, 6 through 9, 11 

and 12 und~ ~e Issu~ Salved Through Policy or 

Admi~strative Action section addressing ~e 

remahMg to#~ listed. All illegal activities reposed 

or ~overed are investigated by the BLM. Several 

~dations w~eh have occurred in ~e wildernes~s 

have been successfully prosecuted over the years. 

8-1: Recommendations 1 through 3, 5 through 10 

and 12 w~l be followed where applicable. Also see 

response to 8-2 regarding recommendation 4. Please 

note, however, regarding recommendation 9, that the 

cumulative new surface disturbance arising from this 

plan wiH not exceed five acres. Fu~he~ 

approximately 115 acres of the estimated total 141 

acres of current surface disturbance which occurred 

prior to wilderness designation will be restored by 

actions within the plan. 

8-2: No prescribed or contro~ed bums are proposed 

in this plan. See Management Action 3.6. 

9-1: The wording has been changed in the fm~ plan 

to eliminate any potenti~ misunderstanding. 

9~: See response to comment 1~. 

9~: The sentence was ddeted. 

9~: The re~rence was moved to the requested 

section in the fm~ doeumenL 

9-5: See response to comment 1-3. 

9-6: The sentence referencing t~s catchment w~ 

dropped in the final doeumenL No~ tha re~rence ~ 

the deer e~chment w~ Mso dropped ~om Al~rnative 

B in Pa~ X, the environmentaI assessmenL Map 10 

and the impa~ an~y~s ~so reflect this chang~ 

9-7: The wording of the explanatory text following 

Management Action 1.1 has been changed to make R 

more eon~stent with the wording in Management 

Action 4.3 and that within the Monitoring section 

fofiowing Objective 1. The new wording reflects that 

the deci~on to render the catehment access routes 

impassable will be made with the concurrence of the 

Arizona Game and Fish Depa~ment. The flexibifi~ 

to rehabi~mte these access mutes ~ the time of 

catchment enhancement remains, however, ff A ~ 

acceptable m the Arizona Game and Fish DepartmenL 

See Mso the response to comment 6-1. 

9~: See respo~e to comment 1~. 

9-~ The management act~n ~ d~igned to meet the 

objective of main~in~g the present vege~t~e 

con~tion within the wilderness. One of the impac~ 

to these conditions can be foragin~ The foraging 

standards adopted w~l be applied to all herbivores 

w~ch may remove ~ant matefi~. The ~gn and 

sighting of animals within the area of the forage 

mo~toring ~te wi~ be reecorded. If t~s evidence 

does not point to wildlife, ~ will not be necessary to 

work with the Arizona Game and Fish Depa~ment to 

reduce w~dli~ populations. During the planing 

process, ~ was the opinion of team membe~ and the 

publ~ that wildfi~ pop~ations would perhaps exhib~ 

self-regulat~g behaver or experience disease before 

reaching the numbe~ needed ~ exceed key ~rage 

~ant use leve~. However, the same ind~uals 

agreed that a ~rage use standard was perhaps the 

most appropfia~ method for the BLM to use ~ 

mo~tor the effec~ that wild~ might have on 

wilderness habi~. The wording of Objective 3 was 

changed to be cons~tent wi~ th~ used in 

Management Action 3.1. 

9-I0: This ~sue was not ~entified during the 

~ann~g process. However, a deci~on in the Lower 

G~a South Resource Management Plan s~tes ~... 

where exi~ing fences in ~g game habi~t do not meet 

BLM specification, they will be modified aeeord~g 

to Bureau of Land Management Manual 1737 when 

they are sehed~ed for rep~cement or major 

main~nance." This deci~on ~ not mo~fied by t~s 

wilderness management Oan and appfies to all fences 

within and outside of these wildernesses. 

9-11: The woMing of the objective has been changed 

to "when necessary" and is ~Rher clarified with the 

add~on of the following sen~nce under management 

action 4.3. "Water hauling w~ occur whenever it is 

necessary to prevent a water source ~om going dry 

during erifieM periods, such as during the summer 

months or in the winter and spring when b~hom 

ewes are lae~ting. ~ 

79 
9-12: Reference to Ca~hment 444 was ddeted and 

the totals were changed. 

9-13: The sehedde was based on the BLM's 

experience with pumping ~e well. Records show 

th~ 15,000 gallons of water lasts abom two yearn 

be~re req~ring a refill. 

9-14: The requested ~anges we~ made in the fm~ 

 an. 

9-15: The BLM p~fe~ to be awa~ of these fl~h~ 

over designated wiMemess so approprime ~duals 

can respond to any search and rescue as~stance 

which might arise with a downed M~raff. Search 

and rescue acfi~fies within ~e wilderness may pose 

u~que ~sponse needs. 

9-16: An exception for hunting dogs was not 

included. Hunting dogs ~ong the Table Top Trail 

pose the same potenfi~ confli~ with wildfife as do 

dogs which accompany other hike~ and eque~rians. 

However, the wording of this deccan with respect to 

the re~raint of dogs off the Table Top trail was 

changed to read: NAs on all pubfie lands within the 

sm~ of Arizon~ dogs found in all other areas of the 

wildernesses, off this trail, are subject to the restraint 

required under Arizona State Law (Arizona Revised 

Statute 11-1012). ~ 

9-17: See response to comment 1-6. 

9-18: The requested changes were made in the ftn~ 

Oan. 

9-19: Although the statement was somewhat 

modified to improve im readability, no fu~her 

clarification was deemed necessary. This is merely a 

factor which should be considered in combination 

with the others fisted when evaluating the need for a 

new wildlife water development within these 

wildernesses. For example, the need for a new 

wildlife water development would be questionable if 

habitat adjacent to the wilderness ~ong with 

connecting eorrido~ was being used by a wildlife 

species, and the population was ~able and not su~ect 

to fu~re threa~. Also, any adequa~ ~cafion for a 

new development ounce of wi~erness world be 

preferab~ to one within wilderne~. This latter intent 

is made dear in the language contained in Append~ 

B of the Arizona Dese~ Wilderness A~ of 1990 

which states: ~For ~e benefit of wildlife that spend 

ody paa of ~e year in wi~erness, ~ve first pdori~ 

~ bc~ing fae~fies or habitat flterations ounce 

w~derness. ~ 

9-20: The statement regarding water source 

effectiveness was ddeted from the fm~ wilderness 

management plan. See ~so the response to comment 

9-19. 

9-21: See response to comment 9-9. 

9-22: See response to comment 6-9. 

9-23: After review of the legi~ative guidance 

provided under appendices A and B of the Arizona 

Dese~ Wilderness Act of 1990, Alternative C was 

modified to eliminate the proposals to remove the ~x 

miles of grazing allotment boundary fences and the 

seven wildlife eatchmen~ from the wilderness. 

Specifically, the Act s~tes th~ "if fivestock grazing 

activities and facilities were established in an area at 

the time Congress de~rmined th~ the area was 

suitable for wilderness and placed the specific area in 

the wilderness system, they should be ~lowed to 

continue, N and regarding wildlife development, *The 

administering agency and the S~te agency will jointly 

make decisions to remove exi~ing wa~r rdated 

improvement. ~ Regulations regarding the Nation~ 

Environmental Polly Act require ~ternatives 

an~yzed to be reasonabl~ In fight of the Wilderness 

Act guidance, the remov~ of these improvemen~ is 

not considered reasonable ~ this time. 

Environmental impact analysis was modified as a 

result of these changes. 

80 
Part IX -- List of Preparers 

BLM e~ who ~ ~e co~ 

~terdis~ ~ w~ prepar~ ~s fl~ 

~clude: 

• Jo~ ~og, plann~ ~d env~en~ 

~i~ 

• ~ H~n, ~pe~i~ ou~oor 

r~r~tion fl~er, 

• Dave Hoemth, w~ ~olo~a ~d 

• Dave ~brou~ wildem~s park ~ge~ 

~fi~t ~n~but~m we~ flso ~de ~ ~e 

fo~o~g BLM employs. 

• Wende~ G. P~k, ~r/~ 

• ~re G~ger, wfldem~s ~, 

~tive ~u~t~n student, 

• ~m M~oney, s~onfl oufloor r~r~fion 

fl~e~ 

• ~ Paten, s~onfl oufl~r r~r~t~a 

~er~ 

• Jmon B~der, c~gmp~c t~ ~d 

• T~ Fudge, ~ograp~c ~d~ 

B~ e~ ~o ~ p~e ~ 

~dude: 

= Jo~ Rei~ outer ~fion ~e~ 

• J~k Watt, law en~r~ment ~ger, 

• ~e~ ~, fi~ ~ement o~r, 

• Ma~ Schwab, g~l~ 

~ Kyle M~, ~ge eo~e~atio~ 

• J~e P~e, a~ha~ 

• ~e~l ~ehard, a~ha~ 

• Jo~ ~der~n, ~ 

• Lh Fe~, wa~r fi~ ~~ 

• Ken M~on~, ~na wil~m~s program 

l~de~ 

• Jeff Ja~ n~on~ ~ldemess prog~ 

l~der, 

• ~e Bamet~ ~o~ap~e ~ 

• C~s~ph~ L Ho~, na~ral r~ou~e 

@~i~ 

• Far~ Abo~r, GIS ~ 

• Dave Wilso~ ~ographer ~d 

• David Konop~ writer/planner 

81 
Part X -- Environmental Assessment 

Introduction 

Purpose and Need 

The Arizona Dese~ Wilderness Act of 1990 

created the four wildernesses -- North Maricopa 

Moun~ins, South Maficopa Moun~ins, ~erra 

Estrella and Tab~ Top -- th~ make up the Maficopa 

Complex. R ~ BLM poficy ~ manage these areas 

under the guidence of a wilderness ~an. This 

environmental assessment provides an analyfis of the 

en~ronmen~l and so~ impac~ of the proposed 

aefion and three ~rnafives for responding ~ 

management issues within the Maficopa Complex. 

Impac~ of projec~ such as road rechmation, trail 

and trailhead development and authorized mechanized 

uses assodated with ~vestock and wild~ 

management are analyzed. Addition~ envkonmental 

assessmen~ will be comp~ted where more ~tespecific an~yses are warranted. 

The ~ternatNes pro~de management dkection 

for the Mafieopa Complex wildernesses. Over,l, the 

purpose of the proposed action ~ternative ~ ~ 

protect and preserve the wRderness v~ues, including 

the natural processes and aesthetic, reereat~nal and 

speei~ features for w~eh these wildernesses were 

design~ed. 

Conformance Land Use Plan 

The proposed action and alternatives addressed in 

this envkonmental assessment are consistent with the 

Lower GOa South Resource Management Plan (1988). 

Rela onship to Statutes, 

Regula ons or Other Plans 

The Wilderness Act of 1964, Public Law 88~77, 

defines wilderness as "an area of undeveloped federal 

land ~inhg i~ p~meval charac~r and influence, 

without permanent improvemen~ or human 

habi=tion, w~ch ~ protected and managed so as to 

preserve i~ natural condition." Under the AcE the 

BLM mu~ manage wRdernesses within i~ jufisd~fion 

~ protect wildern~s v~ues. 

WHd~s p~~ ~ o~ of the 

BLM~ multi~e ~ ~de~ with the ~g of the 

Federal ~d P~ and Management Act ~LPM~ 

into law in 1976. 

~e ~na D~R W~dem~s Act of 199~ 

~b~c ~w 101~28, ~mbli~ the No~ M~c~a 

Mo~, South M~co~ MommY, Siena 

Estrelh and Table Top wildem~. 

Re~l~o~ gove~g the ~ement ~ 

wildem~s~ are fo~d ~ 43 CFR 8~ BLM 

Man~ 8560- M~agement of D~a~ 

WiI~m~s ~ pro~d~ ~er ~ ~r 

wildem~s ~emenL 

~s enviro~enml ~sment co~fi~ with the 

National Enviro~en~ P~ Act of 1969 ~ it 

provid~ the d~isionm~er with a range of 

~mativ~ ~r ~ thee four w~dem~s~ md 

d~cd~s the envkomen~ impac~ of implementing 

~ch of the ~m~v~. A 45~y comment p~od is 

~ prov~ed for publ~ ~view and ~put. 

~ere the envkomen~l impac~ of act~ 

propo~ in th~ ~m~v~ have b~n ~sess~ in 

p~vious envkomen~ ~s~sment ~cumenmtion in 

in~fim ~ge improvement ~in~nance ~ or 

wild~ ~e~tions md ~nance ~, th~ are 

summ~ again in ~s document. 

~e ~oe~x Distd~'s S~h-and~ue ~an is 

~pp~mented. The ~wer GHa South Habitat 

Man~ement Plan (199~ ~ amend~ ~ ~mat~e 

C in ~s env~en~l ~s~smenL ~e P~e~x 

~st~e~s ~m G~ce ~r ~re Suppres~on in 

Wildem~s (1991), the ~ge ~provement ~ans ~r 

the Sie~ ~trelh Wiretaps (1991) and the Table 

~p W~em~s (1~ ~d the wild~ ~e~tions 

and ~in~n~ce plans for the Noah and South 

M~co~ mo~s and Siena Estrelh wildernesses 

(1991) and the Table T~ Wiretaps (199~ are 

superseded ~ the pro~ ~tion and ~tem~v~ B 

and ~ 

DescHp on of Proposed 

Action and Altema6ves 

Four management alternatives are presented 

below and summarized in Table 14. The final 

83 
d~ifi~ br ~g ~e M~c~ Codex c~ ~ 

made ~ of my one of ~e ~d~l M~v~ ~ 

~s ~i~ or e~ eon~ of ~s ~ ~t 

A~ernative A -- Proposed Ac~on 

The ~mafi~ is the ~ of t~e ~ management 

~fi~s ~d assodat~ me.raring pr~ur~ ~fl~ 

~ ~e pr~g p~ of ~e d~R M~c~a Comp~x 

Wildeme~ M~ement ~. Emph~s is ~ 

proving a bal~ce among fo~r obj~tiv~ ~thin ~e 

M~ Complex: pmt~g ~m~ value, 

pm~d~g r~r~tion~ op~rtu~ties ~d ma~ni~ 

flora ~d fau~ ~ d~d ~ ~e areas ~r ~dr 

h~i~. While there wo~d be a mmewhg ~ffem~ 

balm~ amo~ ~e o~tiv~ ~thin ~ch of ~e 

four wildemess~, ~emH man~eme~ of ~ ar~ 

world ~ow mine human ~fi~fi~ w~e prot~t~g 

v~e~ti~ ~d ~ pm~. 

A ~ of 79 ~1~ ~ ve~cle ways ~H be 

reh~ili~t~ or ~ow~ ~ r~laim ~rally; 16 ~1~ 

~11 ~ convertexl ~ hiking ~d fid~g t~. Thr~ 

~erry~ems may ~ ~o~en~ ~ fae~ ~1 ~ 

~thofized ve~e travd ~d 17 verde ~e~s 

~H ~ ~ovid~. ~x ~i~g ~1~ wat~ 

ca~hments ~H ~ mo~fi~ ~ r~e ~e need ~r 

track wat~ haul~g ~d, ~ge~ ~ ~o ~h~ 

~H ~ ma~. A new pump ~ ~ ~s~l~ ~ 

a ~ wa~r well ~d pefio~c~ly pump~ ~ a 

g~era~ ~ ~h~ wa~r tanks ~r fiv~ck ~ 

co~ue ~ be ~n~. However, 13 fiv~ck 

~rol fends ~fi ~ ~ ~ ma~, ~g~ of 

~ese ~ the ass~tan~ ~ p~edic m~hanized 

~o~ New fi~s~ ~ntrol ~fifi~ ~ ~ 

g~ fences may be ~t~ us~g nonm~hanized 

means wh~ n~ ~ prot~t ~Memess ~d 

wil~ resource. C~~ amo~ mul~ 

ju~d~l ~ responsible ~r s~h ~d 

~ ~d law ~forcement ~I1 ~ imp~v~. 

Surfa~ ~d subsurface inhold~g~ ~mll~g 5,760 

~res, ~H ~ ~q~r~ ~d ~m~ ~ ~r 

~ ~ ~ ~o of ~e ~ wilderness. 

R~o~ w~ ~ ~ ~ the me of ~me 

~Hs, p~k ~k ~d r~r~nal ~fiv~. 

Campfires, ~arco~ fir~, wo~cutt~g, wo~ 

~thering ~d o~ ~rface ~s~s ~H ~ 

p~bR~ ~d rehabili~ti~ ~ ~w~ted dis~rb~c~ 

~H ~ ~rsu~ ~thin a y~r of their o~u~en~. 

Within the Mafi~pa Complex, 21.6 ~les of 

new hiking ~d fid~g traHs ~H ~ ma~ ~d 

~v~ ~ ~ ~g ~1 ~H ~ ~e~, ~g~y 

~d~ ~d ma~. S~ ~s w~ M~ 

~ d~ ~d ma~. ~ ~o~ ~H 

~ p~v~ ~ong ~ 8 ~ ~o~ ~ 

• e ~a ~~t of T~s~fi~ ~r ~ 

~~. 

~e e~g ~z P~ T~I ~ ~ S~ 

~t~h Wfl~m~s ~H ~ ~ .5 ~1~ ~ i~ 

~mmit ~d .4 ~ ~ ~ v~ ~y ~ 6 ~H 

~ ~ ~ t~fl s~. h ~e No~ 

M~ M~ ~ld~, ~ v~ ~ 

NM 5 ~d NM 15 w~ ~ ~ ~ ~fl s~s 

~d b~ome ~ of ~e fiv~b~ M~s Cove 

~fl. ~r v~ W NM 11 ~1 ~ ~ 

~ ~e 2.~-~l~b~ B~fl~h T~I. h ~e T~ 

~p Wfl~m~s, ~ e~g T~ T~ T~I ~H ~ 

ex~d~ .2 ~ to its ~m~t ~d ~er v~de 

w~ ~ 11 w~ ~ ~ ~ ~1 s~ ~d 

b~o~ ~e 7.~~g ~a How T~I. N~ 

t~d ~e~ ~H be p~fid~ ~ ~e ~az 

P~, Maids C~e ~st ~d ~0, B~fl~u~ ~d 

~ FI~ ~~m, ~t ~d ~ ~~ 

E~sfing ~fi~ at ~e Ta~e Top t~i~ may be 

~p~d~. 

Phyfi~ ~e t~H ~d soe~ encounter 

~s ~ ~ ~op~; ~s ~d o~ p~ 

~~ ~. Comme~i~ o~fit~ ~d 

~d~ ~ ~~ a~fi~s, ~dM~ h~, 

~ ~ ~t~. 

A ~ucfi~ ~ dvili~ overflies ~H be 

~umg~. N~ ~a~g ~e s~ ~H ~ 

~h~ ~d ~H ~ ma~ ~s ~11 ~ 

~s~ ~m ~v~ g~g if s~ a~ 

exc~ ~d ~na Game ~d Fish ~~t 

~H ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~fi~ if o~m~ 

~m n~ ~ ~. ~1 ~fi~s ~11 ~ 

~~, pfimad~ ~ ~R ~ ~is~t 

~q~d fi~ ~m~t, when n~. 

A~r ~p~ ~fi~, wa~r h~g ~d 

~ ~ ~ s~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ 

u~H ~ ~~s a~ ~s~ 

~~. Wmr h~g ~ ~i~p~ w~ ~e 

~e~y ~ ~ cmchme~s ~ ~e S~ ~t~h 

Wfl~m~L W~ ~ ~d ~c~ ~ 

l~d ~ ~g ~ ~H ~h~. Wfldi~ 

~r ~u~e ~do~s w~ be m~ifi~ ~m ba~ 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~H ~ 

~li~ ~ ~ ~o ~~s. T~~ of 

~s~ ~om ~ ~d ~ ~em~ ~l~g 

~11 ~ s~on~ ~d ~e ~s~l~ of n~ wi~ 

~c~s w~ ~ ~ ~ a c~~e ~sis. 

h the shoa ~, i.e., one ~ ~e y~s, ~er 

84 
ve~e~ ways would be rehabHi~ted by volunteem 

using hand ~C~ wheelba~ows and/or wheeled carts. 

It is posfiM~ though less l~d% that the u~ of a 

ripping tooth mounted on a backhoe or tracer/dozer 

wo~d be used ~ as~st in road rehab~fion ~ 

conjunction with and concu~ently with i~ use in 

mo~g fix wi~ ca~hmen~. 

Also, in the sho~ ~rm, mechanized transpo~ and 

mo~rized eq~pment may be used ~= 

• periodic major rep~ of fivestoek and 

wildlife development, 

• hating wa~r ~ exi~ing wildlife 

development, 

• mo~g e~st~g wildlife developmen~, 

• surveying wi~ (big game) populations 

and ca~hment water levels and 

• emergency and certain law enfo~ement 

activities. 

In the ~ng term, i.~, 10 yea~ or more, it is 

expected that the mo~fication of w~d~ 

developmen~ will be comple~ and further 

main~nance or wa~r hauling ~ these mo~fied 

catchments world be very infrequenL Water hauling 

by helicop~r ~ the two unmodified catchmen~ in the 

Siena Estrella Wlderuess would continue 

indefinitel~ The pe~odie repot of fives~ck 

developmen~ and the survey of wi~ populations 

and ea~hment wa~r levds invdving mechanized/ 

mo~rized eq~pment use would ~so continue. 

Emergeney and law en~rcement aefi~fies are 

anticipated ~ remain e~remdy in~equent and the 

amount of this use ~ n~ projected for impact 

an~y~s. 

It ~ estimated that up ~ two inciden~ of moor 

verde use may be required annual~ ~r the petiole 

main~nance of two of the ~ght fives~ek fences 

aecesfible by former ve~cle ways within the 

wfldernes~ Each in,dent, ff needed, wo~d ~v~ve 

one round trip per day over one ~ three day~ At 

most, two former ve~e ways (appro~mately two 

miles) world be driven ~r this use each year. The 

use of chainsaws co~d be req~red up ~ three times 

a year ~r the maintenance of 13 fences in the 

wilderness. This use would occur ~r a period of one 

~ three days per in~denL 

In ad~fion, in the sho~ ~rm, wa~r eou~ be 

hauled by trnek ~ ~x exi~ing wildli~ ca~hmen~ up 

~ 12 tim~ annua~ ~ needed, each in, dent wou~ 

invdve an estimated two round tdps per day over ~x 

former verde ways (eight miles). Each ~dent 

wou~ last a day. 

Up ~ 15 ~ciden~ of lowqevel ~rcra~ use could 

occur annually, two for hauling water ~ the highdevat~n eatehrnen~ in the Siena Estrella 

Wldernes~ four to check on catchment water lords 

during the summer months and the remaining nine for 

surveying wildlife populations in aH of the areas. 

Each ine~ent would last one ~ two days This use 

world continue indefinitely. 

In the sho~ ~rm, seven occurrences of 

mechanic~ transpo~ would be authorized ~ modify 

seven exi~ing wildlife development. Mo~fieation of 

six apron-type ea~hmen~ may en~ the use o~ 

• a backhoe or tractor/dozer ~ exeava~ a ho~ 

and instil and bury two ~ three new wa~r 

storage tanks and shoa lengths of pipdine, 

• a mo~hzed cement mixer to lay a conere~ 

footing for the new tanks and construct small 

wa~r collection dams, 

• a compressor ~ seal the tanks wi~ a sealing 

compound, 

• a dump truck ~ haul away unused excavated 

din or haul in more visually aeeep~ble 

sur~ce materi~, 

• a portab~ are weber and cutting ~reh ~ 

weld ~po rail fences and p~ 

• a ~ekup for hauling materi~ and 

miscellaneous equ~men~ 

• a gasoline-powered Poinjar rock d~dl, 

• misceHaneeus power hand ~s, 

• a generator ~ opera~ mo~rized eq~pment 

and miscellaneous hand ~ols and 

• a chainsaw. 

With regard ~ the seventh development, the 

Butterfidd Well, a heavy truck with a boom or crane 

wi~ be used ~ ins~ll a new submersible pump and a 

~ckup will be used ~ haul misce~aneous ma~fi~s. 

Each of these mo~fication projee~ would take 

from 14 ~ 60 days to comp~. It is ant~ipated that 

up ~ three of ~ese projec~ eould occur a year, 

though not every year. Therefore, the need for this 

use would end within nine years. 

After ins~llafion of the pump at Butterfield WeR, 

an ATV or ~ekup will be used ~ haul a trailermounted generator 3⁄4 of a mile ~ong former vehicle 

way NM 9 ~ the we~ ~. The genera~r wi~ be 

operated for no more than three days; this aetivi~ 

wo~d occur once every two yea~. 

It is estimated that the use of mo~fized 

eq~pment of the type listed above cou~ Mso be 

authorized once annually for maintenance of ~I right 

existing wildlife catchment, exclusive of the 

Butterfidd Well. Equipment would be de~vered ~ 

85 
• e six catehmen~ ~c~e by ground verde 

transpo~ ~ conjunction wi~ ~e wa~r haul~g 

~fi~fi~ mentioned above. Follow~g ~e described 

modifications, it ~ anticipated ~at t~s u~ wifi cease 

~ the long ~rm. Howeve~ ~m~ wo~d be used ~ 

transpoa heavy eq~pment ~r rep~r purpo~s ~ ~e 

two ~gh-elevafion eatchmen~ ~ ~e Sierra EareHa 

Wilderness ~definitely. These repair activities wo~d 

l~t up ~ five days. 

The use of mechanized transpoa w~ cont~ue 

~definitely for eerta~ ma~tenance of ~e B~rfidd 

Well. Specifically, t~s wo~d be neces~ ~r 

remov~ of ~e submersible well. This is expected ~ 

occur once eve~ five years. The activi~ ~sociated 

wi~ t~s use of mo~rized eq~pment wo~d l~t 

appro~ma~ly three ~ five days per ~denL 

Summarizin~ ~ ~e ~o~ ~rm, m~hanized 

ground transpoR wo~d be used up m 15 fim~ over a 

period of one m 26 days annual~ m ace,s fiv~mck 

and wildli~ devdopmen~ ~r repMrs and wa~r 

haul~g. This use wouM hv~ve ace,s Mong ~ 

much ~ 18 mil~ over nine ~rmer veMde ways 

yearly. Up ~ 15 lowqevd MrcraR ~gh~ co~d 

occur over 14 m 17 days each year m haul wa~r and 

su~ey wildfi~ and wa~r catchment. The 

mo~fieation and repMr of exi~g wildli~ 

catchments and ~e repMr of fivesmck devdopmen~ 

eo~d Mso ~vdve up m 195 days of o~er motorized 

equ~mem operation within ~e Marieopa Complex 

annually. Chainsaws may be operated up ~ three 

days each year ~ ~e wildernesses. 

In ~e Mng ~rm, ~e use of mechanized ground 

transpoa and o~er mo~rized eq~pment wo~d 

decrease to no more ~an seven oceu~ences l~tMg 

up ~ nine days annualS. The 14 to 17 days of 

probable Mrcraff use each year wo~d co~Mue 

~definitely, however. 

IL after c~e-by~e evMuation, constm~n of 

new wildli~ developments is permitted, 

momrized/m~hanized u~ wo~d be au~ofized ~r 

t~s wo~ as well ~ ~r ~m ma~tenance of ~e 

new fac~ties. A morn eompM~ ex#anation of thee 

acfi~fi~ ~ prov~ed und~ ~e description of 

Alternative B. 

Alternat e B -- Vis or Use and 

Wildl e Enhancement Alternat e 

This M~rnative #aces more emph~is on 

recreat~n and wiMH~ ~ Al~rnative A. More 

~Hfies are added m meet recreatMn object~. 

Within ~e overall Maficopa Complex, an addifionM 

15.5 mil~ of trail wo~d be provided ~r a ~I of 37 

mil~ of t~ and fix mo~ trai~eads wo~d be 

devdoped ~r a ~I of 13. Two freeway exi~ 

wo~d be ~blished Mong In~te 8 M 

eoord~ation wi~ ~e Arizona Depaament of 

Transportation ~ ~cili~ access ~ ~e South 

Madcopa Moun~ins Wilderness. UM~e Al~mative 

A, ~her evMuation of wi~H~ developmen~ will 

not oeeu~ Three new wildli~ eatehmen~ wo~d be 

constructed ~ee maps 11 through 13). 

~ &e Noah Maficopa Mound,s W~dern~s, ~e 

rout~ ~enfified ~ NM 16 and NM 9 wo~d become 

~e Sheep Moun~ Trail ~.5 mile~ and ~e 

Butterfidd Wall Trail (two miles), r~pectively, 

~er ~an allowed ~ na~mlly rehab~te. Also, a 

trai~ead world be created ~r each of Sese trails ~ee 

Map 11). ~ Se South Maficopa Mound,s 

Wilderne~, two trai~ and three trai~eads wo~d be 

devdoped. The South Madcopa Loop world connect 

• e two cherrystems, primad~ us~g e~g rou~s 

SM 3 and SM 5, ~enfified ~r rec~mation under 

Al~rnative A. This wo~d create a seven-mil~long 

trail through ~e midde of ~e wilderness and a 

trai~ead wo~d be b~It ~ each end of ~e ~op. The 

second t~ world be ~e Old M~e Tra~ Rou~ ~ne 

milO, ~enfified ~ SM 1 and ~rgaed ~r natural 

rec~mation under Al~rnafive A. This trail wo~d 

~so have a trai~ead ~sod~ed wi~ it ~ee Map 1~. 

In ~e Tab~ Top Wi~ern~s, the Lava Flow Trail 

wo~d be extended one mile and ~rmer verde way 

TT 4 wou~ be converted ~ a on,mile-long In,an 

Butte Trail ~stead of undergo~g rec~matioa. A 

trai~ead wo~d ~so be devdoped ~ee Map 13). 

Three new wa~r developments, one each ~ ~e 

Noah Maficopa Mound,s, Sou~ Madcopa 

Mound,s and Table Top wi~emesses, wo~d be 

built and ma~m~ed ~ ~gh-elevation ~ghorn sheep 

habi~t ~ee maps 11 through 13). Each c~chment 

wo~d consist of two or three aboveground tanks and 

a drinker. Overall water capa~ of ~e 

devdopmen~ wo~d be ~er 5,300 gallons or 7,450 

gallon~ depend~g on how many tanks todd be 

~aced at a pa~icu~r si~. All devdopmen~ wo~d 

be located and designed ~ minimize visual impac~ ~ 

naomi,s. 

In ad&fion ~ ~e motorized/mechanized use 

req&red under Alternative A, ~e construction of each 

new wildli~ development wo~d en~il ~e use o~ 

[] a hd~opter, 

• a mo~rized cement mixer, 

[] a compresso~ 

86 
Map 10: Sierra Estrella Wilderness 

Visitor Use and Wildlife Enhancement Alternative 

i" ;" i. i, ; ;" ~' i ;. ~ i~' i" i. ~, i "~--~ ~i' i. i{' i' i, i<' ~' i' i' ~i. i" i.l.i, F I. i~<-.~'.~i , i" ;~' ~' i, ~i, ;:~:~' i. i' i\i, i, i" i, i. i, i ti,i ~. i.;, ~i. ~ ;.;.i. 1,7~: 

i. 1,77~ ~,,~%~i ,i,i,i + 

/,,/.,/.\,../~'//. 

::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ':::':':':'::':+::~ ,...........,,,/.,. :i:!:;:;:!:!:!:i:~;ili!~ ~;;;'i';2;;;';i;i;.,:.," ' ~':':':':':':':'t:!:i:; *':':':': +;.;,;, 

~:!:i:i:!:i~,:i:!:i ................. i:i~i:i.:,~.:!~:~i~:~:~:~i~i~:; ;~;~;~;~;~;~;~;;i:; '" 

~i~i~ .................... " ........... '==:~=~ 

'* ~ !~!~i~ :: ~ ~i 

~ : i 

: ~ • 

% 

RIW R1E 

!Montezuma P~ 

R2E 

T2S 

T3S 

LEGEND 

SE I Former VehiMe Way 

..... & Re.fence Code 

~ Fence & Pr~eMN~ 

0 WHMHe W~r 

CMchment 

[] Monitoring S~ 

Locaffon 

~ PHvateLand 

~ StateLand 

~ ~e~ Reserva~on 

I I BLM L~nd 

~ ~Hdernes~ 

~ FederM E~sement 

D ~aBh oad 

~ ParMng 

.......... ~MI 

CONTO~ ~RVAL 

~0 ~ET 

SCALE 

! 

MILES 

i 

I 

GSTAFF 

EmX 

~ 

~ $~ "O~D 

~2,g ~'~° ....... I~2&~ 

PIfOgN~ D~T~T O~FI~ 

~ ~ 

N 
Map 11: North ~ 

Visitor Use and B 

Maricopa Mountains W~|derness 

Wildlife Enhancement Alternative 

_.~" k ~ t t 

} I .  ̧. ~.k~ ... 

. _ . ~ ~ ~-~-.--z.;~. --~ 

~ ~ 

~ ~ ~ - '-~----- l ~--~ ~''.~ 

~ :iil; ,~ 

Pe~k ..... - ~ 

. : ii.i. ' '!:/:::I:~C~5 

~ -'~" "5 ~_~ ~ 

-- ~ . .; ..... 

~- =~-~:: ~ ~ ~i ~ Ni!~i~iii:i:~~: ~ ii~i~i~i:ii: 

( 

- " i=:~'x::::i;:~;~0~i~.~E~;~:i:::-:~_,~ - - 

~ ~..i :'.'-~: j~:.~. :.: .'..'......:.:.. .... :..., ....~ 

• .;. . ,~ .... ~,. , ,, ..... ,.~, ~ . .. ,. [. .: . ....... :....; .:... -- ~6 

~ ~ ': ;!~ " : "~ : ' ...... ~4 '. ~. :: ... "~ . ! 2.... , . ...... t .... ~ 

~::~:::.;~::~:. ~ .... ~ ] :i::! : :~.: :,::~ ~t::: °] ~ ..... ~ , ..,~ [ ;', ~ ~ ' 6.L. : ~G ':: ~ 

~ NM14 ":-'~: ~ " "~,~ ~., ;' :~ ..-,- }.' - .... ( 

& _ : / 

-- ] I ---- -- --~ ..... T" ,~(::~'[ ' ~~ --~ ~ .................... f 

L 

12 

i . _.__~ 

~ ] 

~ ..... ~ ...... - = ..... [ .... 

_ 

....... x ......... ~_. ...... ~i 

R3W 

:~_-:: i ~.,_,~_.~!iiii,.. -~l ....... 

- / 

' : - 

36 

R2W 

~1 

6 

%~ 

~2 ~ 

i,~---~1 

[ 

/ 

~ ~ i[' 

I 'l, 

~ ~ i 

% i 

.... ~ 

t~ '-[

--+ 

~- -. 

[ 

~,, 

, 

] 

, 

~ ~ 

3~ 

g 

2381 

r3s 

TgS 

LEGEND 

NM 1 Former Veh~ Way 

...... & Re~rence Code 

~7~ Fence & Proje~ No. 

0 Earthen S~ ~ 

/~ L~es~ck Well 

~ Wi~fi~ Wa~r 

Ca~hment 

~ WiNfi~ Welt 

[] Monito~ng ~udy 

Location 

~ Priva~ Land 

~ S~ Land 

i i i PubficLand 

, !~ Wilderness 

Atterna~ve for 

New Ca~hment 

O Tra~head 

~ Parking 

......... Trail 

CONTOUR ~TER\~L 

6~) FEET 

SCALE 

0 1 2 3 

~: :7~ 

MILES 

~ .... ,.. ~./ . ~.~ 

~,E,~ A 

t~ • :FL ~GSI'&F} 

~ I'l~,L NiX 

" s i m:f;~:l~ 

BI rDE ~EtIF~EN~)F E~ rl,it ~ ~[ I"\'I N~X IF~D~N~F D~ T[~ l ~RrHKr XIA N 

IN[[~)[ 

~h,~,~,.y ioo~ 

N 
D 

Map 13: Table 

Visitor Use and Wildlife 

Fop Wilderness 

Enhancement Alternative 

i! i 

t-----~---~__~ 

-- 

:.:::::.::..::::: .... ..... :., ¢, 

~ \ ® 

~VA ~OW ~ 

i " 

~ rabie top 

77S 

FSS 

LEGEND 

TT 1 Fonner Vehic~ Way 

.... & Re.fence Code 

~ Fence & Project No. 

0 Ea~hcn Stock Tank 

@ Wildfire Wa~r 

Ca~hment 

[] Monitoring S~dy 

Loca~on 

~ PNvate L~nd 

~ State Land 

~ ~d~n Rescrva~on 

--~ BLM Land 

~ Wi~erness 

~'~ Federal Ea~wnent 

Traflhead 

~ ParMng 

~o T~ail~ 

~ A d for °ca~°n~ w 

Wild~ Catchment 

750 FEET 

~ CONTOUR INTERVAL__ 

SCALE 

1 2 

M~ES 

~,, .~ :! !~ L "/--- 

gVREAV I&NDg~g~TM~NT~°,| F~NI 1(~ ~ X DIS 1, rRIC~ ~r rE~x ~Mg~f HE N1NrER~ OFFIt,E r 

~ ~ ~h~ ~" 1~9~ 

~IE R2E R3E 
• a portabM are welder and eutt~g torch, 

• mi~ellaneous power hand too~, 

• a gas~ine-powered Poinjar rock drill, 

• a generator and 

• a chainsaw. 

Construction wi~ require ~e use of this 

equipment for approximatdy seven days and 20 

helieop~r trips per project. These projec~ would 

Mso employ the use of volunteer labonAfter 

construction, ff is estimated that periodic repak wo~d 

require appro~mately five days of mo~fized 

equ~ment use per ea~hment every two years. A 

he, toper would be used for access. Helicopter 

water hanlhg woutd ~so be needed an estimated once 

a year per ca~hment. This repMr and water hauling 

would continue indefini~l~ 

All other actions and potties of Al~rnat~e A 

wouM Mso be adopted under this ~Mmative. 

Affernative C -- Naturalness 

Enhancement Alternative 

Under Al~mative C, emphaMs word be #aced 

on preserving natural values in the Maricopa 

Complex. Existing trails would not be mainlined 

and no former ve~e ways wo~d be conve~ed ~ 

~a~s in any of the four wildernesses. No brochures 

wo~d be devdoped and pubfi~ about me areas 

wou~ be kept ~ a mi~mum. Rudimentary maps 

wou~ be devdoped and no comme~ial recreation 

activities wo~d be permitted. All former ve~e 

ways wou~ be rehabfli~ted. Those providMg access 

~ existing wildli~ ca~hrnen~ word be rehabili~ted 

immed~tely a~er s~rage upgrades are compMted. 

The ~x apron-type wOdfi~ water ca~lmaen~ wo~d 

be upgraded as under Mtematives A and B. 

But~rfiMd Well word be abandoned. Low victor 

use levds will be run,Lined using strict so~M 

encounter standards and ~Mtor control techniques 

availab~ through current BLM policy ~ee Off-Trail 

So~ Eneoun~r Standards in Management Action 

2.6 and the Ad~fionM Actions, ff Required section 

under Objective 1 in Pa~ V of the Dra~ Maficopa 

Complex Wilderness Management Plan. 

Main~nance of aH ~ves~ck fences and exi~g 

wild~ developmen~ (except those two within the 

~e~a Estrel~ Wildernes~ wo~d be by 

nonmo~fized/nonmechanized means and wi~out the 

use of mechanized transpo~. Fou~een ~ 17 days per 

year (15 instance~ of low-levd ~reraff censusing and 

ca~hment wa~r level checking word continue 

indeftni~l~ Although water ha~ing m all 

ea~hrnen~ would be accomplished by helieop~r 

when nec~sary, ff is not anti,pared that t~s would 

occur regularly. All o~er policies and management 

actions Mentified under Almmative A wo~d be 

implemented. 

Ten days (two instance~ of helicopter and other 

motorized eq~pment use would be needed ~ 

marlin the two Sierra Est~l~ WiMemess wildli~ 

developmen~ during the H~ of the #an. No new 

developmen~ wo~d be eoustructed or maintained 

within me Mafieopa Complex. 

Alternative D -- No Ac on 

Under ~s ~mativg 2o BLM would not 

~fiate any new actions. Management would oee~ 

r~cfively as isles ~se ~ the exception ~at M1 

acfi~fies approv~ in the Sie~ ~t~lh and Table 

Top ~Memess ran~ i~rovement #an ~d wHdi~ 

o~mt~n ~ement #~ ~r ~ four ar~ would 

continue. Buae~eld Well wou~ not be recapped. 

There wou~ ~ no other #ans ~ pro~de ~m~n 

~r ~agement activities and M1 new actions word 

~ considered on a ~e-by~se b~ incl~ing the 

eo~t~etion ~ new w~dfi~ water development. 

~old~s or access ~men~ would not be 

acq~red. No~ro~ speciM event recr~tionM 

act~fi~ wou~ be pe~t~ on a e~e-by~se b~s. 

Wi~ the ex~pfion of h~t~ ~de se~ce~ 

~mme~ recr~t~n~ acfi~fies wo~d not ~ 

~tted. 

D~e~ to~o~ and vege~tion mo~M~g ~H 

cont~ue ~ per ~e ~wer GHa Sou~ R~our~ 

M~ement Han of 1988 and cumnt #~. S~ 

Table 14 ~r mo~ deLOs. 

Affected En ronment 

A derailed description of ~e environment 

affected by the proposed action and M~matives can 

be found on pages 76 through 79 of the Lower Gila 

Soul Fin~ Wilderness En~ronmental Impact 

SLtement completed in 1987 and on pages 106 

through 108 of the Arizona Mohave Final Wilderness 

Environmental Impa~ SL~ment completed in 1989. 

The former describes the envkonment of the Noah 

and South Madcopa mounLins and Table Top 

wildernesseG ~e latter, mat of the ~e~a Estrella 

Wilderness ~ee a more cu~ent description under 

General Management Situat~n in Pa~ I of tins #an. 

.91 
En mnment Impacts 

Resou~es which h~e been ana~zed and a~ 

db~ n~ preset o~ based on cu~ent information, 

wou~ not be affected by be pmp~ed ~tion or any 

of be ~tematives indud~ 

a riparian or wetland zones, 

= wi~ and scene rivers, 

[] prime or u~que farmland, 

[] hazardous or sold waste, 

[] areas of eritie~ env~onmental concern, 

[] c~tural resou~es, 

[] Native American reli~ous concerns, 

[] floodplains and 

[] threatened and endangered ~eci~. 

The issues assessed below ~r be proposed action 

and each of be ~teruatives are: 

[] natura~ess, 

[] soil, water and ~ 

[] recreation and social conditions, 

[] v~etation, 

[] livestock grazing, 

[] wildli~ and 

[] admi~stmtion costs. 

Impacts are identified ~r be short- and lon~ 

term. For be pu~oses ~ this an~ysis, ~o~-term is 

identified as one ~ nine years and ~n~rm ~ more 

ban nine yea~ 0ee T~ 15 ~r a summarized 

comparison of the impacts of each ~ternativO. 

Alternat~e A -- Proposed Action 

Naturalness 

Overall, in be ~ng term, Alternative A wo~d 

have a po~tive impact on natura~ess. In ad~tion to 

be benefits described in the following sections on 

vegetation and soil, water and ~r impacts, be 

acquisition of inhddings world elimina~ be 

possibili~ of human devdopment within be 

Maricopa Complex on bese lands. The pmhi~t~n 

of wood gabering wo~d leave dead-and~own wood 

to eyrie through be nutrient process of be ecosystem 

and maintain be pd~ine fisual cha~er of be 

wildernesses. The exclu~on of campfires and rock 

alignments would preve~ be proli~rat~n of fire 

rings and decrease the ~sib~ of camp~tes. 

ImpacB on natura~ess from activities pursued by 

~vestock grazing permittees and be Arizona Game 

and Fish Department world be temporary imp~rme~ 

to natu~e~ and solitude by ~g~s, sounds and 

evidence of motorized vehicles (including aircraft) 

and equipment. These impacts would vary with the 

type and duration of use, time of year, proximity of 

the user to the activity and the sensitivity of the user. 

In the short term, up to 33 instances of these 

activities could potentially occur annually, involving 

as much as 241 days. However, this estimate, based 

on the highest possible instances, is not likely to be 

realized. In the long term, the potential for 

mechanized/motorized use will be reduced to 22 

instances annually involving 26 days. This long-term 

potential will remain indefinitely. 

In the short term, the impacts from motorized 

vehicles hauling water or accessing developments for 

repairs could occur along nine former vehicle ways 

for no more than approximately 18 total miles. In the 

long term, the impacts would be confined to no more 

than eight miles of existing vehicle routes. This 

access would be limited to those identified routes 

passable with hand tool maintenance at the time of 

use. Ground travel will leave vehicle tracks along the 

existing identified access routes which will remain 

visible for up to a year after this use and detract from 

the natural quality of the areas along these routes. 

The sights or sounds of motorized ground 

vehicles would interfere with a visitor's perception 

and expectation of a landscape free of human activity 

and the natural quiet expected in wilderness. The 

likelihood of a visitor encountering these activities 

decreases in the long term. 

Overflights for wildlife surveys and to assess 

catchment water levels would be felt over a larger 

area and could last up to six hours each day for two 

days. This impact would occur no more than four 

days each year in each wilderness during high visitor 

use periods and would continue indefinitely. The use 

of chainsaws for three days a year could also occur 

indefinitely. 

If new wildlife developments are constructed 

after case-by-case evaluation, the impacts associated 

with construction and long-term maintenance of these 

structures would be identical to those detailed under 

the impact analysis of Alternative B. 

Soil, Water and Air 

S~I conditions ~ong 79 miles (115 acre~ of 

former vehicle ways would improve as vehicle entry 

barriers are estab~shed and rehabifitation occurs. 

Also, 16 miles of former vehicle ways wo~d be 

rehabilitated and managed for trail use. This cou~ 

diminate soil compaction on another 20 acres of 

92 
ground surface in the long ~rm. Management of the 

seven miles of exi~ing hiking and/or tiding trail 

would improve so~ con~fions on another one acre of 

ground surface by reduc~g the tread width ~ong 

these routes by one-h~L Directing use flong 

developed tra~s wo~d prevent the creation of spur 

tra~s and the associated compaction of soil Controls 

on pack stock and fire suppression acti~fies would 

flso limit disturbance to surface soil. 

Modifications to wildlife devdopmen~ would 

reduce the number of times ground vehiele access 

wi~ be required for hauling water ~om six times 

each year to zero, in the long ~rm. Approximately 

two trips by ground vehicles per year would continue 

for range improvement maintenane~ Soil compaction 

would remain flong as much as 18 mi~s of vehicle 

routes in the sho~ term as a resuR of these authorized 

mahtenance and water-haulhg activities. This could 

be reduced to right miles of routes in the ~ng term. 

Tranfitory impac~ to so~ and ~r are expected to 

occur when the exi~ing wild~ devdopmen~ are 

mo~fied. Site-specific impac~ Born mo~ficafion or 

new wildlife development activities wi~ be analyzed 

in separa~ project environmental assessments. The 

access routes identified in Table 2 of the DraR 

Maricopa Complex W~derness Management Plan 

would be subject to 25 to 50 vehicle trips per route 

during a period of 14 to 60 days per devdopment 

mo~fieation project. If new wildfife developmen~ 

are built after ease-by-ease evaluation, the impac~ to 

so~ and ~r would be identical to those an~yzed 

under Alternative B. 

There would be some compaction of soil ~ong 

the 20 miles of trail as equestrian use increases within 

the trail standards es~blished per Management Action 

1.8 of the DraR Maficopa Complex Wilderness 

Management Plan. 

Water sources would be quantified and 

notification of federal-reserved water figh~ filed 

submitted to the sta~ to ensure water avaflabifity for 

wild~fe development in the future. 

Recrea~on and Social Condi~ons 

Recreat~n opportunities in the Maricopa 

Comp~x would ~crease wi~ Al~rnative A. 

Development of approxima~ly 22 mi~s of hiking 

trails and seven new trai~eads and improvement of 

two access po~ ~ong Interstate 8 would add to 

recreation~ opportu~fies in the wildernesses. The 

number of hiking trails would ~erease ~om two to 

fiv~ Fu~hermore, prodding maps and brochu~s 

about the wildernesses can be expected to add to the 

experience of some users. Social conditions would be 

managed ~ong the trail routes through the 

imp~mentation of soci~ eneoun~r standards and 

education about wilderness ethics. 

Opportunities for off-tra~, cross-country, more 

~olated reereat~n world be maintained in 99.7 

percent of the area. Future publ~ access would be 

assured through the acquisition of easemen~ across 

state and pfiva~ lands to access the Sierra Estrefia 

and Table Top wildernesses. 

Expected future demands for commercial 

recreation use wifi be met. Cu~ent demand for 

guided hunting and nonprofit speeifl event uses wi~ 

continued to be met. Interaction among vi~to~ and 

ground and a~ transpo~ associated with the accepted 

uses will detract ~om the primitive reereationfl 

experience of the vifitor as described under impae~ 

to naturalness. 

Vegeta~on 

This ~mative would have po~five impac~ on 

vegetat~n in the Maficopa Complex wildernesses. 

Both current and furore conditions would be 

po~fively affected by the ~an. Some shod-term and 

transitory negative impac~ would be assoehted with 

mo~fications ~ the wfldli~ ca~hmen~, perio~e 

motorized ground transpo~ to perform major 

maintenance of certain range developmen~ and 

autho6zed emergency response and firefighting 

activi~es. 

Under the proposed rehabili~tion of the e~sting 

95 miles of former verde wayg I36 of the es~mated 

141 acres in the Marieopa Complex that lack 

vegetative cov~ due ~ ~ese routes would be 

returned ~ natural eondit~ns over ~e bng-run. The 

remaining five acres would be managed ~r trail use 

and, therefore, would remain unvegetated. 

A range of actions indud~g ~fitoG pack stock 

and tra~ management, ~mitations on authorized 

moto~zed acces~ coordination with other agendes, 

contro~ on tim suppression activities, mo~ring 

acfi~fies and mo~fieations to w~dfi~ catchmen~ w~l 

have a pos~ve impact on vegetation. Vi~r use 

standards and trail management actions wouM have a 

positive effect on vegetation by limiting the number 

of peop~ and pack animus present in the areas and 

d~ect~g most use ~ong maintained tmfl~ The 

pro~bition of wood gathering and campftres would 

have a po~five impact by protecting woody vegetation 

that mig~ otherw~e be damaged by these acfififies. 

93 
Limi~tions on motorized access and improved 

coordination among emergency, law enforcement and 

search-and-rescue agencies wo~d help prevent be 

creation of ve~cle ways and asso~ated negative 

impac~ ~ vege~tion. Contro~ over fire suppression 

activities would fruit be use of mechanized 

equ~ment and surface-disturbing actions, bus 

reducing be asso~ated damage to vege~tion. 

Through implemen~tion of vege~tion mo~toring and 

ad&fion~ actions, ff required, related ~ grazing 

acti~fies, vege~tive con~tions would be tracked and 

actions world be taken to avid degmdat~n to 

vege~tion. The generat~n of baseline da~ and 

subsequent moni~ring will provide information for 

decifion making about vege~tive conditions. 

If new wildli~ devdopmen~ are b< a~er cas~ 

by-case ev~uation, vege~t~n impae~ will be 

~ent~fl ~ ~ose described under the environmen~l 

impa~ anflyfis of Al~rnative B. 

Livestock Grazing 

Alternative A ~ not expected to advers~y affect 

grazing operations. The use of motorized access for 

emergen~es and for major fence repots will require 

the allottees to notify and work with the BLM to fruit 

the impac~ of these activities. The abandonment of 

one ea~hen tank in the South Vekol Allotment, one in 

the Tab~ Top Allotment (both in the Tab~ Top 

WildernesO, two in the Bighorn Allotment (in the 

South Maficopa Moun~ins Wildernes~ and one in 

be Hazen Allotment (in the Noah Madcopa 

Moun~ins Wildernes~ would not negatively affect 

grazing operations as the tanks are in disrepa~ and 

are no longer needed by the allottees. 

Monitoring standards adopted reflect the exi~ing 

grazing conditions and therefore should not impact 

the permittee adversd~ 

Monitoring of vege~t~n could lead to pefiod~ 

fencing of fvestock water sources in the Noah 

Maricopa Moun~ins and Tab~ Top w~dernesses or 

remov~g catt~ from a pasture in the Siena Earel~ 

W~demess for a growing season. 

Finally, victor use by hikers and ho~eback 

riders, which wiH continue at low levds and ~ong 

former vehicle ways, is not expected to adversdy 

affect fivestock operations. Casual use of stock wa~r 

adjacent to the wilderness by recreational pack stock 

is not expected to be a problem. 

W~li~ 

~emll, be pro~sed ac~n would have po~tive 

impac~ on ~f~. E~ing ~f~ h~imt 

con~tions wou~ be mainlined vh m~i~o~ ~ 

~d mainten~ce of e~s~g ~1~ devd~men~ 

~d manageme~ ~fions ~en ~ ~ni~ impac~ of 

~man acfi~fi~ on v~e~tion. ~e ~ 

~tc~ent sys~ ~r~dy pr~ent, w~ world ~ 

mo$fied, todd incr~e be amou~ of s~red wa~r 

~ ~ l~t a facet of t~. ~e replacement ~d 

~eration of be But~rfield W~ pump world aff~t 

3~ loss ~ t~s water a~r 1991. Mo~g ~f~ 

populations, chang ea~ent water levds in the 

summer ~d be u~ of fi~ ~ haul water to be 

~o catc~en~ ~ be S~a Est~h W~m~s by 

be ~na Game ~d Fi~ D~aRme~ world 

eo~inue inde~y. 

~o~-te~ stress ~ ~ls is cansed by be 

~t ~d sound of ~raR ~d v~d~ ~sochted 

~b development rep~r ~d mainten~ce, popCOrn 

su~ ~gh~, catc~ent wa~r levd ~ ~d 

water ha~in~ ~s wo~d be r~ueed in be bng 

~. 

Benefi~ derived wouM be the cdl~tion of 

population ~ ~ make d~ons on management 

que~ions ~d ha~est r~ommen~tions. Sho~-te~ 

water hading ~d bn~ improved s~rage 

e~ac~ would reduce wa~r ~ress dung ~t, d~ 

s~on~ 

Pro~b~ing dogs ~ong be T~le Top Tr~ ~d 

rero~ing s~me~s of ~o t~ls in be No~ 

~arico~ Moun~ins Wildem~s wo~d reduce be 

po~nti~ for ha~sment of ~ in bose are~. 

Fu~he~ore, overall r~r~tion use would be k~ 

low ~d dir~ted ~ong t~ils that pa~ be ~er 

ve~cle wa~. ~s is ~y ~ l~d ~ ~y impa~s 

on ~mal ~p~ons ~b be possible exception of 

• o~-te~ impac~ ~ d~e~ ~oise ~ong be 

Ma~s Cove T~I in the No~ Mafico~ 

~oun~ins W~emess be~ ~e t~l c~ be ~os~ 

or ~m~. ~s ~p~on is in d~ine ~e to 

~matic co~ifions ~d ~y h~ing or ~moval of 

~d~d~s ~ tra~ users co~d compou~ be 

pro~em. Po~ impacts ~ d~e~ ~gho~ ~p 

~ong es~b~h~ t~ls ~H be motored ~d 

~pro~ate ~tor manageme~ actions imp~mented 

to reduce ~s impact. 

94 
ff case-by-~ase an~y~s of new propo~ls resul~ 

~ the construction of new wildfi~ development, 

imp~ ~ wild~ wi~ be ~entical ~ those an~yzed 

under Al~rnative B. 

No known threatened or endangered speci~ wifi 

be impacted by t~s ~rnativ~ The U.S. ~ and 

W~dli~ Semite h~ concurred wi~ this fmd~g (see 

comment ~t~r 3 ~ Pa~ III of this documen0. 

Administra6on and Costs 

Alterna~ve A wo~d ~crease ~e level of 

admi~mtive acfi~fies associated wi~ manag~g ~e 

Marieopa Complex. Over ~e 10-year fi~ of ~e 

~an, it is expected that 284 workmonths and 

$162,000 ~ equ~ment and materials wou~ be 

required ~ implement ~e coord~ation, mo~ring, 

~fi~r management and special projec~ identified 

under this ~ternative. 

This ~rnative is ~so expected ~ have o~y 

minor impac~ on fire suppression activities. Fire 

would be suppressed under ~e proposed action and 

managed accord~g to Appen~x D of ~e draR 

Maficopa Complex Wilderness Management Plan. 

The Area Manager would be ddegated ~e au~ofi~ 

to authorize the use of ~1 motorized/mechanized 

firefight~g equ~ment within the w~dernesses, thus 

perhaps redue~g response time. Policy relative to 

eo~ traiI~g would fimit ~e dreumstances under 

w~eh seraph l~e world be constructed. The 

exdu~on of campfires is expected ~ reduce the 

po~nfi~ for human-caused fires. 

M~ga~on Measures 

1. The modification of exist~g catchments, 

construction and mahtenance of new catchment, 

operation of ~e B~rfidd Well and ma~tenance 

of range improvemen~ w~l be sehedded when 

~fi~r use is expected ~ be low, ~g., on 

weekday~ not during weekends or holidays. 

2. When more ~an one ~e~ent of au~ofized use 

of mechanized transpo~ and 

mechanired/mo~fized equ~ment is planned 

within a reasonably ~mil~ fimeframe, Key will 

be comb~ed whenever posfi~ 

3. Temporary nofic~ will be posted ~ ~e Public 

Room of ~e Phoe~x District BLM office and at 

publ~ access po~ and tmi~ead~ The notices 

w~ h~rm visitors of ~e schedule and purpos~ 

of overfligh~ and &e repot, operation, 

mediation ~ ~tmetion of a development ~ 

p~vid~ by ~e #an. 

~ When pos~M~ wamr will be pumped ~a a hose 

lay ~om a portabM water ~ ou~ide ~e 

wildem~s boundary m Butterfidd Well stooge 

tanks m~er ~an transpoaing and ope~t~g a 

genem~r ~ ~e wfldemes~ 

5. No ~guaro or species of ~gave w~l be ~mov~ 

~ a result of any ~ound-disturb~g activi~ 

~sociated wi~ this ~an. 

6. Con~et wi~ dese~ ~rtoise wit be avdd~ when 

possible during suff~e~is~rb~g activities 

proposed ~ this Oan. If ~n~et cannot be 

av~d~, affected animals will be ~mpo~y 

rel~ated ~ ~ja~nt and undis~rbed h~i~t 

us~g accepted A,~na Game and Fi~ 

D~artment protocd. 

Residual Impacts 

Und~ Al~mative A, lon~rm residual impae~ 

wouM ~clude the compaction of five acres of ~ 

Mong six mi~s of right ~rmer ve~ele way~ 

Negative impac~ ~ na~ra~es~ soft,de and ~r 

expefien~ due ~ ~e periodic use of mo~fized/ 

mechanized equ~ment and tran~oR ~r repot of 

range and wiMfi~ development, mo~fieation and 

operation of wildli~ devdopmen~ and ~g game and 

ca~hment wa~r levd eensusing could occur ~r up ~ 

26 days each year. Add~on~ impac~ wou~ ~so 

occur ff any new wildfi~ water ea~hrnen~ are 

construed after a case-by-ease dec~ion ~ bu~d is 

mad~ Comme~iM reereationM use wffi be 

sanctioned. 

Cumu~ve Impacts 

If WAATS ~ located ~ Marana, Ari~n~ 

~so~ated helicopter ~ght training eou~ have 

cumulative negative impae~ on ~e ~limde ~ ~e 

Table Top Wilderness. No o~er ~gnifie~t 

eumul~ve impae~ are ~tic~ated ~om aet~ns w~ 

have occu~ or are =tici~tM m occur within ~ese 

wi~emesses. 

Alternative B -- Use and 

Wildlife Enhancement 

Natur~ness 

Impac~ ~ ~e naturalness of ~ese ~ur 

wildernesses under Al~mative B world be similar ~ 

95 
• ose ~enfified und~ Al~rnative A wi~ be 

~Howing except~ns. 

The nameless of all four wildernesses wig be 

degraded by ~e mechanized eon~ruetion of a new 

wildlife ca~hment in three of ~e ~ur wfldernes~ 

The presence of ~ese struc~res would negativdy 

affect Se appearance of na~iness ~eally and within 

~ght of the ea~hmenB. This ~sual impact would be 

minimal as ~e ca~hmenB would be placed in areas 

w~ch are generally inacces~Me ~ ~m and built 

with na~ral-looking materials. 

Howeve~ ~her negat~e impacB ~ na~ra~ess 

would result from be long-term mo~fized and 

mechanized activities w~eh wo~d be asso~ated wib 

be possible maintenance of bese new developmenB. 

The ~ght and sound of helicopter ~rrying ~r seven 

days during ~gh ~r use periods would be 

expected perhaps every other y~ 

In be sho~ ~rm, ~ese new construction and 

ma~tenanee aefi~fies could potenfiM~ add anober 

42 days (86 instanee~ of motorized/mechanized use 

annual~ to ~e potenfi~ impac~ of Al~ruative A. In 

• e long term, ~e ad~fion~ po~ntiM could req~re 

14 days (six instanee~ of such use atmual~. 

The three new wa~r devdopmenB would ~so 

increase ~e dependency of wildli~ on Sese 

m~nmade struc~res in Se wilderness and could 

change d~tribution p~rns w~ch existed ~ ~e time 

of de~gnation. These appu~enances req~re an 

iner~sed levd of human involvement in be 

wi~emess. 

Soil, Water and Air 

Al~rnative B would result in higher levds of soil 

compaction ~an Alternative A due to be ~creased 

number of trails and po~nti~ greater fifitor use. 

However, cu~ent soR con~tions would be expected 

to improve as a resuR of the rehabili~tion of 63.5 

miles ~2 acres) of former ve~cle way~ In addit~n, 

31.5 miles of former vehicle ways would be managed 

for hiking and/or riding trai~. 

In be sho~ term, ~e constru~n of the new 

wildli~ water eMehmen~ would result ~ soil 

~s~rbance. This impact would be minimal ~ ~e 

Mng term. O~er impaem would be expected to be 

the same as bose under Al~ruafive A. 

Recrea~on and Social Conditions 

Recreation con~fions in ~e Madeopa Complex 

under Alternative B wou~ be ~milar to ~ose under 

Al~rnative A. Howeve~ ad~tion~ tra~s, trai~ead 

ame~ti~ and two freeway e~B ~ong ~rs~te 8 

would be pmv~ed. This would increase ~e 

opportu~fi~ ~r tm~ use within ~e Maricopa 

Complex. Opportu~ties for more ~ed, off-trail 

recreat~n would be mainlined in 99.5 percent of ~e 

area. O~er impac~ are expected to be ~e rome as 

~ose under Al~mative A. 

~mefion among ~rs and ground and ~r 

tran~o~ assorted wi~ be accepted uses will 

d~ract from be primitive recr~tional experience of 

be ~to~ This impa~ will last ~r be duration of 

~e accepted mechanized/mo~rized activi~. Under 

this ~teruative, be po~nfi~ ~r this impa~ would be 

greatest wib ~e ad~tion of three wi~ 

devdopmen~. Ober impacB described ~r 

Al~mative A would be be same as bose under t~s 

~temative. 

Vegetation 

The effects of Al~mative B on vege~tion would 

be very ~milar ~ those under Al~rnative A wib 

three exceptions. First, wib ~e devdopment and 

ma~tenance of 38.5 mi~s of trail within ~e 

Maricopa Complex ~ber ~an 23 miles, 134 acres as 

opposed to 136 acres under ~e proposed action 

would be rehabili~ted to na~ral con~tions. Second, 

wi~ the ad&tion of two trails in the So~h Maficopa 

Moun~ins WiHerness and increased mi~s of trail 

throughout the Maricopa Complex, ~r use could 

be grea~r and po~nfi~ ~r damage ~ vege~t~n 

would ~crease aceord~y. Third, be construction 

of three new w~i~ water eatchmen~ would have 

some tran~ry impact on vege~tion afis~g ~om be 

operations to ins~ll ~em. This impact would be 

minimal in the long term. Other impa~s would be 

the same as those ~entified ~r Al~rnative A. 

Livestock Grazing 

Al~rnative B is not expected to have any impac~ 

on grazing operat~ns. The impacts would be the 

same as those ~enfified under Al~rnative A except 

that victor use ~vds may be devated. Howeve~ 

like the proposed action, this use would occur Mong 

efist~g routes and is not expected to adve~dy affect 

fivestock operat~ns. 

Wildlife 

Overall, Al~rnative B would enhance conditions 

for wildfife. The addition of three wildfire water 

catchments would provide more accesfible w~er to 

wildlife populations in areas th~ are distant from 

96 
human acfi~fi~. High~levation ea~hmen~ ~ ~e 

Noah and South Mafieopa moun~ins and Tab~ Top 

wildernesses wou~ pro~de water ~ the best 

avaBabl~ occupied dese~ Mghom sheep habitat 

within these herd u~. While them wo~d 

po~nfiMly be increased ~Mtor use due to the grea~r 

number of trails, overall recreation use would be 

directed Mong ~rmer verde ways However, with 

the #acemem of a Mghorn ~eep wa~r catchment ~ 

the summit of Table Top Moun~in, hike~ wou~ 

morn l~y come into eonmet with sheep, wMch 

cou~ impact the b~horn population. Other impac~ 

to wildli~ (including shod-term impae~ to desea 

tortoi~ Mong the Margie's Cove Trail ~ the Noah 

Maficopa Mountains Wildem~s) would be the ~me 

~ those Menfified under Alternative A. 

No known threatened or endangered species will 

be impacted by this M~rnativ~ The U.S. ~ and 

W~d~ Se~ice h~ concu~ed with this fining ~ee 

comment let~r 3 ~ PaA VIII of t~s documen 0. 

Adm~a6on and Costs 

~rnative B would ~cr~ the levd of 

administ~five aet~es ~so~ated ~th ~ing the 

M~eo~ Complex. The levd ~ s~ff com~tment 

neces~ry to implement ~s Mternative would be 

~ghtly ~gher than that ~m~ve A due m the 

incr~ n~ ~r ~tor ~gement and 

development of add~onM ~ldfi~ ~te~en~. 

S~call~ it is ex~ th~ 4~ wor~onths and 

$25~ ~ cquipment and ma~fiM cos~ would be 

r~uired m implement the ~rdination, mo~g, 

~sitor ~agement and ~eci~ projec~ Ment~ed ~r 

~s N~rn~ve over the l~year p~. 

Impacts ~ fire suppression ~fi~fies under 

~rn~ve B would be ~enficfl to tho~ under 

~tem~ve ~ 

Mitigating Measures 

I. The mo~fication of existing catchment, 

construction and maintenance of new ea~laments, 

operat~n of the But~rfidd Wall and maintenance 

of range improvemen~ will be schedded when 

~tor use is expected to be low, ~g., on 

weekday~ n~ during weekends or holidays. 

2. When more than one in,dent of authorized use 

of mechanized transpoA and mechanized/ 

mo~fized equ~ment ~ #armed within a 

reasonably similar fimef~me, they wilt be 

combined whenever posMM~ 

3. Temporary notices will be po~ed in the Publ~ 

. 

. 

6. 

Room of the Phoe~x Distd~ BLM office and ~ 

public access poin~ and trailheads. The notices 

will inform ~fi~m of the ~hed~e and purposes 

of overfligh~ and the repfi~ operation, 

mo~ficafion or construction of a development ~ 

prov~ed by t~s #an. 

When po~ibl~ pump wa~r ~a a hose lay ~om a 

portable wa~r source oumide the wOderne~ 

bounda~ to But~rfield Well storage tanks rather 

than transposing and operating a generator in the 

wilderness. 

No ~guaro or species of agave w~ be ~moved 

~ a result of any g~undMisturbing a~ivi~ 

~sochted with this #an. 

Con~ct with dese~ tortoi~ will be avoided when 

posfiMe during suffaceMisturbing activities 

proposed in this #an. If contact eann~ be 

av~ded, affected animus will be tempo~fily 

relocated ~ adjacent and undisturbed habitat 

usMg accepted Arizona Game and Fi~ 

Depa~ment protocol. 

Residual Impacts 

Under Al~rnative B, long-term residual impac~ 

wo~d include the continued compaction of five acres 

of former verde ways. tmpae~ to naturaines~ 

sofimde and victor experience wo~d occur on 

approfima~ly 40 days a year. Commercial 

recreat~n will be sanctioned. 

Cumula~ve Impacts 

If WAATS is ~cated in Maran~ Arizona, 

asso~ated helicop~r flight training could have 

cumulative negative impac~ on the solitude in the 

TabM Top W~demes~ No other ~gnificant 

cumu~five impac~ are anticipated from act~ns w~ch 

have occurred or ~e anticipated ~ occur within these 

wildernesses. 

ARerna~ve C -- Naturalness 

Enhancement Alternative 

Naturalness 

Alternative C would have a positive impact on 

natural qualities. In addition to the impacts identified 

above under vege~tion and soft, water and fi~ the 

acquisition of inholdings would eliminate the 

posfibility of human development of these lands. 

Eighteen instances of mechanized use (up to 197 

day~ annually would occur to modify and upgrade 

97 
fix apron-type Mg game ca~hmen~. Arizona Game 

and ~sh Depaament monitoring ~fififies and the 

exdufion of wood gathering and campfires would 

have the same impac~ on na~raMess as tho~ 

Menfified for M~rnafives A and B. Impac~ 

associated with the Mng-term mechanized 

maintenance of Hves~ek and fix wildli~ 

developmen~ wouM be eliminated. 

Fou~een to 17 days of lowqevd wildli~ and 

catchment wa~r level census Mrera~ overfligh~ (15 

instances) each year would continue indefinitely. 

Soil, Water and Air 

Soil conditions would be most improved under 

Al~rnative C as fll 95 miles of former vehicle ways 

and seven miles of trail would be rehabili~ted and 

victor use would not be encouraged. There would be 

some shog-term disturbance to surface soil assodated 

with activities to remove wildlife and range 

developmenB. The impacm from fire suppres~on 

activities would be the same as those outlined under 

~ternatives A and B. 

Recrea~on and Social Conditions 

Recreation opportunities wo~d decrease under 

t~s ~rnafive. In ~e sho~ ~rm, dosed vetch 

rou~s and e~ing trails wou~ cont~ue to be used 

by fisito~. In the bng term, howeve~ use of ~ese 

routes wo~d cease ~ exia and fifi~ wou~ be 

Hmited ~ a cross-country recreational experience. 

Without access points, trai~ead ame~ties and 

detailed maps, the wi~erness would be less accessible 

to potenfi~ users. Sod~ conditions would probably 

move toward a more isdated and primitive 

experience as the dosed vehicle routes revegeta~ and 

use levds drop or are controlled. Fu~re access to 

the ~e~a Estrella and Table Top wi~ernesses world 

be assured through the acq~fifion of easemen~ 

across state and private lands adjacent to these 

wi~ernesses. Opportunities for commercial 

recreation will not be realized. 

Vegeta6on 

Under Al~rnative C, ~1 95 mi~s of former 

vehicle ways and seven miles of trail would be 

rehabilitated. Thus, 141 acres wo~d be ~mrned to 

natural vegetative conditions over the Mng ~rm. 

Impac~ from recreation usem Mong trail corridom 

would be Mss than under the proposed action as trails 

wou~ be rehabilitated to a natural cond~ion. 

Howeve~ off-trail impac~ to vegetation eodd 

increase as vi~tors seek out their own travel routes. 

This could be offset by measures to maintain low 

vifitor use levels. 

Other actions and policies 0.e., prohibiting wood 

gathering and campfires, Hmitations on motorized 

access, coordination with other agen~es, fire policy, 

vegetation monitoring, policies related to grazing 

activities, generation of baseline data and subsequent 

vegetative monitoring) would have the same impacts 

on vegetation as under Mternatives A and B. 

L~estock Grazing 

~ves~ permittee.s would have m maintain 

devdopmen~ by nonmechanized, nonmotorized 

means. Vifi~r u~ levds world be ~wer and, 

there~, as under the prev~ ~rnatives, there 

world be no impac~ from recreational acti~fies. 

Wildl~e 

Except for ~e two Siena E~reHa catchment, the 

Arizona Game and Fish Depa~ment would not be 

ab~ to ma~tain the wild~ developmen~ using 

mechanized means. This could result in ddays in 

repot w~ch could have negative impac~ on the mule 

deer and b~horn sheep populations and distribution in 

the affected herd areas. 

The m~e deer popul~ion in the Noah Maricopa 

Mound,s Wi~erness may be adversdy affected by 

not replacing the pump ~ BuRerfidd Wall. 

Recreation acfi~fies under t~s ~mafive are not 

expected to affect wild~. Wlli~ these acti~ties 

wo~d not be directed ~ong trails, efforts world be 

made to keep visitor use at low ~vds. This would 

minimize impac~ to wildfire. Overflight monitoring 

actOR,s by the Arizona Game and Fish Depa~ment 

would be the same as those outlined under the 

pre~ous ~mafives. Pofifive impa~s from 

continuing these fligh~ are ~entic~ to those ~so 

described. Po~nfi~ shod-term negative affects on 

dese~ to~oise as the Margids Cove Trail in the 

Noah Maricopa Moun~in Wilderness would not 

OCCU~ 

No known threa~ned or endangered species will 

be impacted by this M~rnative. The U.S. Fish and 

Wild~ Serv~e has concu~ed with t~s finding ~ee 

comment let~r 3 in Pa~ VIII of this document). 

Administration and Costs 

Al~rnative C would increase the levd of 

administrative acti~fies cu~ently assochted with 

managing the Maricopa Complex, but to a ~sser 

98 
degree ~ ~e previo~ ~m~v~. Sp~ifically, ~ 

is ~pected th~ 218 workmont~ and $110,000 in 

~u~ment and matefi~ costa would be required to 

im~ement coo~ination, mo~ring and spec~ 

projec~ under this ~tern~ve. The levd of staff 

commitment neces~ to implement this ~tern~ve 

would be lower th~ that of the proposed ~tion 

because the need ~r projec~ associated with trail 

devdopment and v~tor management would be 

reduced, as would compfian~ associated wi~ 

appropriated development and operation repot 

aetivities. 

Impae~ ~ fire ~ppres~on activiti~ under 

Alternative C would be ~enfical to tho~ under 

~ternatives A and B. 

Mitigation Measures 

1. The mo~fication of e~ing catchmen~ will be 

scheduled when ~tor use ~ exp~ted to be low, 

~g., on weekdays, not weekends or holidays. 

~ Tempom~ notic~ wiR be posted in the Pubfie 

Room of the Phoe~x District BLM office and at 

pubfie ~cess poin~ and trai~d~ The notices 

w~ in~rm vi~ of the ~hedule and purpos~ 

of over~gh~ or mo~fieation of a development 

as provided by the ~an. 

Residual Impacts 

Under Alternative C, long-term residual impae~ 

to naturaln~s, solitude and ~tor experience would 

be fimited ~ 14 ~ 17 days a year for w~dH~-related 

mo~ring overfligh~ and helicopter water haulhg. 

Cumula~ve Impacts 

If WAATS is located in Marana, Arizona, 

assodated heficopter flight training could have 

cumulative negative impac~ on the sofitude in the 

Table Top Widernes~ No other fignifieant 

cumulative impacts are anticipated from ac~ons which 

have occurred or are anfidpated to occur within these 

wildernesses. 

ARernative D -- No Action 

Naturalness 

Under Alternative D, natural conditions would be 

expected to deteriorate. In addition to the impacts 

identified in the vege~tion and so~, water and air 

sections, without acquisition of inholdings, there 

would be a pos~bility that new human development 

would occur on these lands, thus fu~her degrading 

namr~ v~u~. This development could hclude ~e 

need ~ access s~te inholdhgs. This could l~d ~ 

m~ building and other developmen~ in the 

wildernesses. 

Without a pro~Mtion of wood gathering, 

campfires, e~., ~e sup~y of dead-anti.own wood 

~cling through the nutdent process of the eco~stem 

would be reduced, as would the na~l appearance of 

the areas. This would ~ result from ~e 

pro~femtion of the number of campfire rings and 

other suff~e disturbance. Impac~ on natumh~s 

from acfi~fi~ pu~ued by ~vestoek grazing 

permiRees and the Ari~na Game and ~ 

D~a~ment would be the same ~ those d~cribed 

under ~tematives A and B. However, these impac~ 

couM be ~eater as this wou~ not be coo~inated or 

preplann~ as well; rather, R would be adminis~red 

on a case-by~e basis. Since any requ~ ~r 

mechanized use would be ev~uated on a case-by-~se 

basis, R is di~cuR m project how many instances of 

m~ ~fidfi~ could o~ur. However, ~r 

comparison purpo~s, it is ~fimated th~ potentially 

33 instanc~ involving 49 days of annual authorized 

mechanized use would occur in these wiMerness~, 

in~finitel~ under this ~ternativ~ This wou~ 

increase if new developmen~ were constructed. 

Sog, Water and Air 

Under Alternative D, sot conditions would be 

the least improved as rehabilitation would take longer 

and continued ~nauthorized use of motor vehicles 

would lead to ongoing soil disturbance ~I ~ong 

former vehicle ways Without modifications to 

wildlife catchmen~ and the abandonment of some 

range developments, the use of motorized vehicles for 

maintenance would be more frequent and would be 

accompanied by continued soil compaction flong fll 

access routes. Finally, the lack of control over 

visitor use would lead to higher leve~ of sot 

compaction as unchecked use increases. 

As in ~1 the previous flternatives, water sources 

would be quantified; notification of federal-reserved 

water figh~ would.be submitted to the state to ensure 

water availability for wildH~ development in the 

future. 

Recreation and Social Conditions 

Recreation opportunities are l~ely to detefio~te 

under this ~ternative due to the lack of a dev~oped 

trat system. Whi~ use may keep exi~ing t~ils 

open, the Qua~z Peak Trail would not be mainlined 

99 
~d wo~d ~ subj~t ~ ~h~ erosion and 

~tefiorat?on. ~ahermo~ ~e prol~rati~ ~ spur 

t~ ~d ~mpfi~ ~ ~ well ~ ~r ~rface 

~sm~an~s wou~ h~e a n~ impact ~ ~me 

~s' r~r~ti~fl ~p~ Wi~om ~fimr 

~rmation, ~e ~em~s cofld be l~s ~c~s~e ~ 

some ~ers. So~fl conditions ~g~ flso de~fio~ 

~thout ~e imp~menmti~ ~ socifl ~ 

stan~rds ~d ~fi~r man~ement ~fio~. ~rface 

• s~an~ world ~crease ~o~ ~o~g and 

mo~ring o~ ~d ~-tra~ r~e stan~r~. This 

wo~d l~d ~ a ~ ~ opportu~ti~ ~r s~. 

Wi~out acq~ring ~semen~ m the Siena Est~ 

and Tab~ T~ wildem~ses, pubfic ~c~s ~ ~e 

~o areas codd be ~verely reduced or new roads 

wo~d h~e ~ be constructed. 

~m~ among ~fi~ ~d g~d and ~r 

transpoa ~m~ ~ ~e ~cepted ~ ~ 

~tract from ~e prince r~r~t~nal ~fi~ ~ 

• e ~ mu~ ~ is ~fibed ~d~ ~e impa~ 

~yfis ~ ~mativ~ A and B. Op~rtu~ti~ for 

potenfifl comme~ifl r~r~nal act~ wo~d n~ 

be r~fized. 

Vegetation 

M~m~ D world l~dy ~sult ~ ~ 

~erall n~ impac~ ~ v~e~n. Wi~om 

pmactive managemenL 141 ~s flong the 102 ~s 

of ~rmer ve~cle ways and exi~g tra~s would take 

longer ~ revege~ d~ ~ prol~ged ~anthofized 

~e ~ tte d~ed mutes. Fughermore, ~out 

~atmed ~fions ~ eo~rol, reh~ and coo~a~ 

~t~s ~ ~e Mafic~a Complex, vege~ti~ ~dd 

be ~maged due ~ ~e oration of new trails ~d spur 

~s, semteh l~e around e~d fi~ perimeters ~d 

o~ surface disturbance. Without a pm~tion ~ 

wo~ ~thering ~d ~mpfir~, ~ion ~ fl~ 

mo~ l~dy ~ ~ ~maged. Mo~fi~tio~ ~ ~e 

~ldli~ catchments world ~t be ma~ and ~e of 

mo~fized ve~d~ ~r ma~tenan~ wo~d be mo~ 

~u~L This u~ wo~d be accompanied by ~me 

tran~o~ ~mage ~ v~e~n. F~y, ~t ~e 

e~anced mo~Dring actors, ~acking ~n 

~Miti~s world be imp~red. 

L~e~ock Grazing 

O~l, ~tem~ D is ~t ~p~ted ~ h~e 

any ~g~ impa~s ~ liv~ gmfi~. For ~e 

T~ Top and S~a E~rella ~l~m~s, ~e 

imp~B wodd ~ ~ ~ tho~ ~r M~mativ~ 

A and B ~ m motor ve~cle ~ and 

~o~n ~ ~e BLM ~ ~e ~cepti~ ~ 

~e ~t~ck ~ ~e~oir ~d be ma~m~ed 

~di~l~ ~ a b~o~ ~e no ~t~n 

~m~e wo~d l~ve the ~e ~ r~ 

improvement ma~ten~ u~dved for ~t~s 

~e~g ~ ~e Noah and S~ Mafi~ mo~m~s 

~em~s. Thee ism~ world have ~ be 

~te~ined ~ a c~e-by~ase b~is. 

Wildl~e 

Wfldfi~ conditions co~d d~efiom~ und~ 

Al~mative D ~ unmanaged vifi~r use ~creas~. 

Imp~B co~d ~c~de ~mage ~ h~i~t from @~ 

tra~s, unch~ked ~d unanthofized verde use and 

new m~ afis~g from eme~ and law 

en~eme~ ~fi~fi~. h ~fion, ha~me~ of ~e 

dese~ ~ghom sh~p pop~ns by dogs Mong the 

T~ Top Trail co~d occur. Po~nfi~ impacts ~ 

dese~ ~oise from ~fi~ ~g ~rm~ ve~cle way 

NM 6 wo~d go un~ked. 

Pofitive imp~B from ma~tenan~ of e~g 

catchm~B and mo~ring overflighB, would be ~e 

same ~ d~cfib~ und~ ~m~iv~ A and B. The 

male d~r pop~ation ~ ~e Noah Mafi~pa 

Moun~hs WH~mess may be ~versdy aff~ted by 

not repl~g ~e pump g But~rfidd Wall. 

No known t~ned ~ ~dangered ~i~ will 

be imp~t~ by t~s alternative. 

Adm~Waton and Costs 

Al~mati~ D wo~d ~ot ~cr~ ~e ongo~g 

l~d of ~mini~mfive ~tiv~ ~~ wi~ 

man~g ~e wilderness. ~ ~e ~o~ ~rm, ~e 

levd of s~ff ~mmitment n~essa~ ~ imp~me~ tMs 

~mative ~d be ~w~ ~ ~ of ~e pmpos~ 

~fion b~ mo~ring wou~ not be enh~c~ ~d 

viMtor use management or ~ial proj~B wo~d n~ 

take ~ Howev~, ~ond~g r~ctivdy wh~ 

~sues afire wo~d reset ~ ~e need ~r o~n~ 

~gh l~ds ~ ~tention ~ ~e areas. F~ t~s 

r~mn, it c~ be ~ual~ argued ~ tMs c~e~c~e 

~te~ention wo~d co~ mo~ ~ implement~g ~y 

~ the previously d~cfibed ~m~. 

Fire suppression ~fi~fi~ wo~d n~ be 

negativdy aff~ted under Al~mative D. The Phoe~x 

Di~fi~ ~dm G~dance ~r ~ Supp~n ~ 

W~dem~s d~doped ~ 1991 and cu~enfly us~ by 

• e Phoe~x D~tfi~ BLM would cont~ue m be 

1~ 
~low~. ~ pro~bition ~ camp~ and ~ 

managem~t ~ ~si~r ~ c~ 1~ ~ a ~gher 

~fi~ ~r ~man~us~ fi~. 

Re,dual Impacts 

Under Al~mative D, ~ng-~rm r~ual impac~ 

world ~dude an anticipated approxima~ly 95 mil~ 

of form~ veM~e ways ~ would still be ~Me ~ 

would new trafs and veMele mutes. Soft compaction 

would eontMue on 141 acres of surface soil. Impae~ 

~ natura~s and solitude from accepted uses wou~ 

occur an ~timated 49 days p~ year. This could 

~ereas~ however, if new developmen~ were ~ be 

constructed. 

Cumula~ve Impacts 

If WAATS is located ~ Maran~ Arizon~ 

asso~ated helieop~r flight tra~g could have 

cumulative negative impae~ on the solitude ~ the 

Tab~ Top Wfdem~s. No other ~gnifieant 

cumulative impae~ are anti, pared ~om actions w~ch 

have occu~ed or are antedated ~ occur within these 

wildernesses. 

Cons tation and Coordination 

h~rmation about consul~tion can be found ~ 

Pa~ VII of &e d~ff Maficopa Complex Wiretaps 

Management Plan. 

101 
~ Ii 

Table 14 -- Draft Maricopa Complex Wilderness Management Plan Environmental Assessment-- Summary Comparison of Alternatives 

iii!ii !iiiiiii!ii!iiii!iii iiiiiii .i iiiiii!iiiiiiiiiiiii !ii! ii!i .iiiii!iiii ii i! iiii i i i!ii ! ii!i ! i!iiii!!i!ii iiiiii!iiiiiiiiii ii iiiiiiiiii !i!i!ii!ii iiiiiii ii!ii

Natur~ness [] 79 miles of former vehicle ways 

rehabil~ated to natural condition~ 

16 miles rehabil~ated to trail 

standards 

~ Up to 1.5 miles of cheEystem 

could be closed 

[] 17 ve~e barders prov~ed 

[] S~ wi~e dev~opments 

modred to reduce water hauling 

needs 

[] Five ea~hen INestock water 

tanks abandoned 

[] Eme~ency and law enforcement 

ac~v~es coordinated 

[] Lowqev~ civilian aircraft users 

contacted 

[] Trail mon~odng and pack stock 

standards adopted 

[] Campfi~ wood gathering and 

other su~ace disturbances 

pro~b~ed 

[] Unauthorized vehicle use, 

~acks, spur trails and other 

surface d~turbances rehabil~ated 

w~n one year 

~ Approximate~ 5,760 areas of 

sufface~ubsufface ~ho~ings and 

access easements acquired 

[] Less sudace-damaging fire 

suppres~on acOv~ies adopted 

[] All authority for approval of 

mecha~zed EanspoR and/or 

eq~pment for fire suppres~on 

de,gated to Area Manager 

[] 63.5 miles of former vehicle 

ways rehabil~ated to natural 

conditions; 31.5 miles 

rehabil~ated to trail standards 

[] All others the same as under 

AEernaOve A 

[] 95 miles of former vehicle 

ways rehabil~ated to natural 

conditions 

[] F~e livestock fences (6 miles) 

and nine wi~lffe developments 

removed 

[] No new developments 

[] All others the same as under 

A~erna~ve A 

[] No act~e rehabil~a~on of 

former ve~e ways 

[] No addition~ cherrystem 

closures or wi~lffe 

dev~opment mod~ca~ons 

[] One ea~hen I~estock water 

tank and two fences 

m~nt~ned by pedod 

mecha~c~ use 

[] Approval for mecha~zed use 

for repair of four ea~hen 

I~estock water tanks and 11 

fences evaluated on a case-bycase basis 

[] Emergency and law 

enforcement acOv~es not 

coordinated 

[] Campfires and other surfaced~turbing acOviOes not 

pro~b~ed 

[] Inh~ng not acq~red 

[] Scratch line al~wed around 

= cold fire perimeters; authority 

for mecha~zed use for fire 

suppres~on shared by Area 

Manager and D~tdct Manager 
Ta~e 14 -- Dra~ M~ Com~ex W~n~s Managemem Ran Env~onmem~ Assessmem- Summmy Comparison ~ A~erna~ves ~age two) 

Recrea~on and 

Vis~or Use 

o Three new trails (21.6 mi~ 

and seven new E~eads 

established in add~on to two 

~even mi~ existing trails 

~ Maps, brochures and other user 

outreach mate~a~ developed 

~ Low soc~l encounter levels 

m~nt~ned 

[] Commerc~l recrea~onal 

ouffi~ing and guide services 

al~wed 

= Nonprof~ special events al~wed 

= Cam~ng pro~ted wkhin 200 

feet of established trails 

[] Safety p~ffs along I-8 to 

South Ma~copa Mountains 

Wi~erness prodded 

o New trai~ (37.5 mi~s) and 

tra~heads estab~shed in 

addition to two ~even mge~ ! 

ex~6ng trails and one trailhead ~ 

[] All others the same as under 

Alternative A except that 

safety pullouts wo~d be 

upgraded to ~eeway ex~s 

[] No new Eai~; seven miles of 

exis~ng trails and one tra~head 

not maintained 

[] No pubic outreach or 

improved v~or ~forma~on 

~ Commerc~l recreaOon 

prohib~ed 

~ Off~Bg soc~l encounter 

standards of a~ernadves A and 

B also adopted for entre 

wi~ernesses 

o Table Top Trail (4.5 mi~ 

and tra~head ma~ta~ed; 

QuaKz Peak Trail (2.5 miles) 

not mainta~ed 

= Gener~ use unmanaged 

= No public outreach or 

improved vis~or ~forma6on 

~ Access easement not 

acq~Rd 

o No use restdcOon permi~ed 

a Commerc~l recrea~onal 

ac6~es ~m~ed to hu~ting 

ouffi~ers 

, , ................... ,,,~ .... ~ .... '1 
~ Ta~e 14 -- Dra~ Madcopa Com~ex Env~onment~ Assessment- Summary Compadson of Altemat~es (page three) 

i , i !ii iiiiiiii 5 i ii !iii!iiiii i i!i! !ii 

Vegetadon D 20 to 30 percent forage use 

standards established w~hin 

wi~erness 

[] Rest from livestock gra~ng 

prodded in ce~ain areas for a 

gra~ng season when standards 

are exceeded 

[] []ght exisdng livestock control 

fences m~ntained once every five 

years using mechanized 

eq~pment and motor~ed access 

[] Periodic use of ch~nsaw for 

m~or repairs of 13 fences allowed 

[] Mo~todng sample size increased 

and frequency of measurement 

increased to at least once in f~e 

years 

[] All wi~fires suppressed 

i 

~ Same as under Altema~ve A [] Same as under A~erna~ve A 

except that 13 Iwestock control 

fences m~nta~ed 

nonmecha~cally, w~hout 

motodzed access 

[] 50 percent forage use 

standard 

o No wi~erness-specific rest 

iden~fied 

[] A 10-year mon~odng 

schedule 

o No wilderness-specific 

livestock rest po~cy adopted 
Ta~e 14 -- Dra~ M~ Com~ex Env~onment~ Assessme~- ~mm~y Comp~n M A~ernat~es ~age four) 

~1~ ~ SN water devNopments ' [] No upg~des to exis~ng 

m~n~ed or sup~emented w~h 

mecha~zed eq~pme~ and 

motorized ~anspo~ un~l upgrades 

are successful 

~ BugeYed ~11 r~eq~pped and 

pumped periodically w~h 

mecha~ze~motodzed ~anspo~ 

and ~pme~ 

[] Eght water dev~opmen~ 

a~acent to wi~ness upgraded 

o Low~ev~ flights for big game 

censusing of all areas and 

m~n~nance of and water hauling 

to ~o water dev~opme~s in the 

Siena Estre~a W~ to 

con~nue ~d~e~ 

~ N~ water d~me~ 

proposes evaluated on a casmb~ 

case basis 

[] Big game ~ansp~nts and 

t~eme~y flights sanc~oned 

~ Barbed wire fence around 

catchments to be refaced w~h 

pipe rail 

[] P~s ~o~b~ed on ~ble Top 

Tr~ 

[] Appre~m~e~ 1 ~ miles of ~ail 

created to avid ~o water 

catchments 

~ Same as under Altema6ve A 

except that four new water 

dev~opments constructed and 

m~ntained, one in each 

wgderness 

~ Same as under a~erna~ves A 

and B except that all ex~ng 

water dev~opments removed 

and no new wildl~e 

dev~opments 

catchments 

[] Bu~e~i~d Well not 

meq~pped 

[] New catchments considered 

on a case-by-case ba~s 

= All t~nsp~nts con~dered on 

a cas~bycase ba~s 

= No pet restrictions or trail 

~rereuting 

[] Mecha~zed water ha~g to 

and repair of all exkdng 

catchments con~nued 

[] Lowqev~ flight for game 

censu~ng con~nues 
Table 15 -- Draft Maricopa Complex Wilderness Management Plan Environmental Assessment -- Impact Comparison 

 ii i!! ii i iiii ii!i i i i i! iiii iii !ili!iiiiil 

Natur~ness 

Soil, Water and 

Air 

[] Period~ accepted use of 18 

miles of former ve~e ways 

reduced to eight mi~s in the long 

term 

[] In the sho~ term, 29 annual 

instances (up to 237 days) of 

poten~al mecha~zed use, more ff 

new catchments are constructed 

= Over the long term, instances 

reduced to no more than 18 (22 

days) per year (six addition~ 

instances for 14 days of 

h~opter access needed for new 

catchment maintenance, ff 

constructed) 

~ Acq~dng inholdings reduces 

potential future impacts 

o Positive impacts from ban on 

wood gathering and campfires, 

adoption of tra~ standards and 

pack stock management p~s 

o Continued surface compaction 

of five acres 

[] Some soil compacOon due to 

increased equestrian use 

~ Some ~an~tory surface 

disturbance from spe~ pr~ects 

and emergency ~w enforcement 

act~ities 

a Water for wi~e dev~opment 

quanOfied; notffica0on of water 

rights filed 

[] Period~ use of former 

ve~e ways ~ same as under 

Altema6ve A over the ~ng 

term 

[] In the sho~ term, 43 annual 

instances (up to 279 days) of 

poten~al mecha~zed use 

~ Over the ~ng term, 

instances reduced to no more 

than 22 (36 days) per year 

o All other impacts the same 

as under A~erna~ve A 

[] Naturalness degraded 

somewhat more than under 

Alternative A due to increased 

number of developed trail and 

wi~lffe developments 

[] All former vehi~e ways 

rehabil~ated 

[] Nine instances of mecha~zed 

use (22 to 45 days) for one ~me 

remov~ of exis~ng 

developments; no subsequent 

use of former ve~e ways 

[] Over the long term, instancesof accepted mecha~zed uses 

reduced to 11 per year (10 days) 

~ All other impacts the same as 

under a~erna~ves A and B 

[] Period~ use of 18 miles of 

form~ vehicle ways 

[] 29 annual instances ~5 

days) of potential mecha~zed 

use, more ff new catchmen~ 

are constructed 

[] Con~nued inholding presence 

could lead to deg~daton 

o NegaOve impac~ from wood 

gathering and fire rings 

[] ~sual impacts to vegeta~on 

co~d increase from grazing 

~ Same as under A~ernatve A 

except so~ compac~on 

increased to seven acres 

o Same as under A~erna~ve A 

except: 

[] Minor ~d~cdminate surface 

soil compac~on due to ~w 

level of hi~ng and pack stock 

use 

[] Sho~erm impacts to soil 

w~le remo~ng dev~opments 

[] Same as under A~erna~ve A 

except con~nued potenOal for 

soil compaction of 141 acres 
Ta~e 15 -- Dr~ Madcopa Com~ex ~M~ss Managome~ R~ En~nmen~l Assessme~ -- ~pa~ Comparison ~age two) 

Recrea~on and 

So~al 

Cond~ons 

o Posk~e impacts on recrea~on 

through maintenance and/or 

dev~opment of 21.6 mi~s of trag, 

traghead amen~ improving two 

access points, brochures and 

maps 

[] So~al conditions m~nt~ned 

through so~al encounter 

standards and educa6on 

~ So~tude potenti~ impacted for 

up to 237 days per year in the 

sho~ term; 22 days per year in 

the long term (more ff new wi~life 

dev~opments cons~ucted) 

~ Commer~al use sanc6oned 

~ Enhanced recreation through 

dev~opment of 31.5 miles of 

trail, trailhead amenitie~ four 

new access points, brochures 

and maps 

~ Sol~ude poten~ impacted 

for 279 days per year in the 

sho~ term; 36 days per year in 

the long term 

a Same as under A~erna6ve A 

w~h some add~on~ pressure 

from increased use 

~ RecreaOon oppo~un~es would 

decrease as former ve~e ways 

cease to exit 

~ Areas would be less accessible 

~ Social condi~ons wo~d 

improve for a more ko~ted 

expedence 

= So!~ude poten6~ impacted 

for 10 days per year in the long 

term 

~ Commerc~l recreational 

oppo~u~es not realized 

~ Recreational oppo~u~es 

wo~d deteriorate due to lack 

of developed trail system 

~ Acces~lity wo~d be 

unchanged 

~ Social condemns would 

deteriorate with increased use 

~ S~Eude poten~ impacted 

indefin~e~ for 45 days per 

year or more ff dev~opments 

constructed 

Vegeta~on ~ 136 ac~s revegetated 

~ Cond~ons m~nt~ned through 

~m~aOons on motorized access, 

vis~or use, wood gathering, fire 

suppms~on ac~ons and g~ng 

use mon~odng 

~ Transitory impacts from spe~ 

pr~ects and emergency law 

enforcement ac~v~es 

~ Same as under Altema~ve A 

except acreage ~vegetated is 

reduced to 134 

~ Same as under a~ernadves A 

and B except acreage 

revegetated is increased to 141 

and no trans~ory impacts from 

special pr~ects 

= Vegeta~ve cond~on wo~d 

deteriorate ~ightly from 

~scdminate ~tor use, 

con~nued unauthorized ve~e 

use and g~ng 

~ ShoK~erm damage from 

approved eme~ency and law 

enfo~ement ac~v~es 

~vestock a Op~on of ma~tai~ng five ~ Op~on of m~nt~ng f~e ~ Reduced abg~y to control o Long-term m~ntenance 

Gra~ng earthen stock tanks Ios~ but earthen stock tanks Ios~ but livestock po~cy regarding four ea~hen 

gene~l~ not impacted generagy not impacted stock tanks and 11 fences 

undeterm~ed 
O ~ 

| 

: Table 15 -- Draft Maricopa Complex Wilderness Management Plan Environmental Assessment -- Impact Comparison (page three} 

ii ii . iii i i iiii! 

Wi~life [] Po~ve impacts to populaOons 

[] More reliable waters provided, 

thus reducing need for water 

hauling 

Admin~a~on [] Increased level of admi~stradve 

and Costs ac~vities; 244 workmonths and 

$163,000 esOmated 

im~ementa~on costs over 10 

years 

[] No significant impact on fire 

suppres~on ac~vi~es 

[] Campfire ban sligh~y reduces 

human-caused fire proba~lity 

[] Enhanced cond~ons for 

w~d~e through add~on of 

four c~chmen~ 

~ Other impacts same as under 

~rn~e A 

[] Popula~ons may de~ine and 

distributions may change with 

~mov~ of catchments 

[] Increased level of 

admi~st~ve acOv~e~ 370 

workmonths and $255,000 

es~mated im~ementa~on 

costs over 10 years 

[] Others same as under 

A~erna~ve A 

[] Increased level of 

adm~t~Ove ac~vides to 

im~eme~ 200 workmo~hs and 

$137,000 im~emenm~on costs 

over 10 yea~ 

[] 0the~ same as under 

Al~mative A 

[] Conditions may deteriorate 

w~h increased, unmanaged 

v~or use 

[] Occa~on~ high levels of 

staff ~me to respond to caseby-case s~ua~ons 

[] No change to fire 

suppression ac~ons 

[] Possible ~ight increase in 

human-caused fires 
Finding of No Significant Impact/ 

Decision Record 

Mar~opa Complex Wilderness Management Plan 

Sierra Estrella Wilderness 

North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness 

South Maricopa Mount~ns Wilderness 

Table Top Wilderness 

Environmental Assessment No. AZ 026-94-20 

Case ~le Numb~s: 

AZA 25486 

AZA 25487 

AZA 25489 

AZA 25490 

Dee~n: ~ is my decifion m approve ~e Maricopa Complex Wilderness Management Plan. 

The plan es~b~shes management dLn~cfion for ~e Sierra EstmlIa, North Maricopa 

Mountains, South Maricopa Mountains and Tab~ Top w~dernesses for a 10-year period. 

Finding of No Significa~ Impa~: Based on ~e an~y~s of pomntial envkonmental impac~ 

contained in ~e aecompany~g env~onmental ~menL I have de~rmined ~ impac~ ~e 

not expected ~ be sig~ficang Serefo~, an environmental impact s~ment is not requ~ed. 

Rationa~ ~r D~on: The ~ pro~s for ~ntinued mainmn~ of wilderness v~ues, 

reh~mfion of e~ng ~sm~c~ and main~nan~ of ~e current ~n~fion of flora ~d 

fauna p~mnfly us~g these areas. Routine mo~fing and yearly ev~ons provide for 

modifi~fions ~ ~e pl~ ff necessary. 

Dung a 4Y~ pubfie ~view period, dg~ walton ~mmen~ wen ~ived on ~e ~ 

M~copa Complex Wildem~ Man~eme~ Han. A to~ of 16 p~c ~mmen~ we~ ~so 

r~rded during ~'o pub~ m~gs host~ during ~e comment period. ~e commen~ 

res~t~ ~ ~ang~ ~ ~e ~xt of ~e ~an ~d en~onmen~ ~sment ~ d~umented ~ 

P~ ~ ~ ~e N~. Most hobble ~: ~e M~n of a man~ement ~fion ~ ~ow ~e 

cons~cfion of any liv~t~wated~ fae~fies M~ ~e wfldem~s; ~e ~owan~ for 

~fion~ m~h~fion ~a~ m Mld~ man~ement acfivifi~; and ~anges m ~e 

Nam~ness ~mafive ~d ~ia~ ~pact an~y~s ~ ~e En~nmen~ A~smenL 

M~, ~s~es ~ ~m~e and g~m~ were ~~ and cu~nt ~ added where 

av~. 

1~ 
0~ Mternativ~ ComMend: A ~fitor me and ~H~ ~han~m~t Mtemative, a 

natu~ ~han~m~t Mmm~ ~d a ~ ~ti~ ~mm~ we~ considered. 

Mitigatio~Stipulat~m: The mod~cation of e~ng catchments, construction and 

mMntcn~ of new ~tchmcn~, operation of ~e BuRcrficld Wall ~d m~nmnan~ of range 

developments will bc s~cd~cd wh~ ~Wr um is ~pccted ~ bc low, e.g., on w~kd~s, 

n~ during w~kcnds or holidays. 

More ~ ~e ~c~t ~ ~thofized ~e ~ m~h~ized transpoa ~d m~h~zed/motodzed 

~u~m ~ned ~n a reas~ ~ ti~~ ~H ~ ~m~ned ~m~ 

pos~. 

Temporary notices w~l be posted in ~e Pho~k Dis~ BLM Pubic Room ~d ~ p~c 

~ poi~s ~d tmi~ds m ~rm fifiW~ ~ ~e mhedu~ ~d purposes ~ ove~h~, 

d~dopment rep~r, operation, mod~cat~ns ~ new ~nstruction. 

Wh~ pos~, water wiH be pumped ~a a hose lay from a po~b~ water souse 

out~e the wilderness ~ ~tterfield W~ ~rage tan~ rath~ ~ tr~o~ ~d ~erati~ 

a g~erator ~ ~e w~demess for ~r~ ~ys. 

No sagu~o ~ specks of agave win be ~movcd as a m~R cf ~y ground-disturbing activi~ 

associated wi~ this ~an. 

Con~ct wi~ desex ~oi~ win be av~ded when pos~b~ during ~fface-disturbing ~tidfi~ 

proposed ~ t~s ~. ~ ~nmct c~n~ be ~ded, aff~ted animus will be temporad~ 

relocated ~ adjacent ~d unisSUed h~i~t u~ng ~cepted Arizona Game ~d H~ 

Departm~t pmtocd. 

Recommended by: ~Gila Resourc~ e Area 

Recommended by: ./~" ~ ~~'-~-~ 

Approved b y,:/~_s~~iii~i'il.il i ~ i~~x District 

Date 

~-4~- ~ 

Date 

/- 

Date 

110 
Pa~ Xl -- Appendices 

111 
APPENDIX A 

IWilderness Values and Other Facts About the Maricopa Complex Wildernesses 

~ | i 

...................................... =,.o .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ....,,.,,. 1 I I 

 !! i !ii i i! i i ;ii! iiii iiii iiii! ii i !ii iiiiii i 

== 

Acreage 14,400 , 63,200 , 60,100 34,400 ,i I 

Solitude Good Outstanding Outstanding Outstanding 

I [ II 

Overall 

primitive 

recreation 

|1 

Hunting 

II 

Outstanding Outstanding Outstanding Outstanding 

Limited Good Good 

i| 

Good 

II 

Rock climbing Challenging 

It 

Rock collecting 

i| 

Hiking 

i| 

Good - - 

Challenging Outstanding Outstanding 

Good Outstanding Outstanding Outstanding 

-. 

ii 

Ou~tan~ng 

ii 

Day hiking 

i= 

Camping Limited 

II 

, Horseback 

i riding 

Good Good 

Hmited Good Good 

Outstanding 

[ 

, 

Outstanding 

|1 

Sigh~eeing Good ' Good = O~s~n~ng Outst~ng ~i' 

~ckpacking U~ted Outstan~ng O~s~n~ng Out~an~ng 

Photography Good Good Moderate Good 

Observing Good Good Moderate Good 

wildlife 

ii 

~'ghorn sheep 9,830 acres (26-40) 39,280 acres (200, 42,800 acres (200, 22,780 acres (51) 

habitat combined whh South combined w~h North 

(estimated Ma~copas) Madcopas) 

populatinnl 

II 

Desert tortoise 14,317 acres (2) 55,616 acres (1) 59,463 acres (1) 34,108 acres (2) 

I habitat 7,411 acres (2) 272 acres (2) 

I 

~ Icategory) ¥ 

=1 i 

T&Eplant None, presen~y None, presenffy 

habitat 

= 

Cultural Present Present 

resources 

None, presendy None, presen~y 

i 

None iden6fied Present 

Military flights Occa~onal Occa~on~ 

! I 

Noise High: pdvate aircraf~ Moderate: ~rcra~, 

sailplanes trains 

I I 

Occasional 

Low: Interstate 8, trains 

! O~en 

High: military ~mm~ 

routes 

I 

113 
Wilderness Values and Other Facts About the MaHcopa Complex Wildernesses (page two) 

|~ || 

1 Sierra Estrega J Noah Madcopa South MaHcopa Table Top 

i l)i!i!i 

Visual N&W: urban, smog, N&W: Highway 85, N: Mobile Rd., rNIroad; N: F8, infrastructure, !1 

farms farms, infrastructure; S:F8; farms 

S&W: Mobile Rd., E: farms 

r~lroad 

Formerway s vehicle 9 miles II 32 miles 32 miles 22 miles 

OHV None Moderate to high Low Low to moderate 

Mining No claims No claims No claims No claims 

Wildlife 2 slick rock 2 apron-type 2 apron-type catchments 2 apron~ype 

facilities catchments catchments, 1 well catchments 

Wildlife water Yes (helicopte~ Yes ~ruck) Yes ~ruck) Yes ~ruck) 

hauling ~ 

Proposed No Yes (2) Yes (2) Yes (2) 

upgrades of 

existing 

wildlife 

drinkers t 

" flightsWildlife~census ,' Yes ,' Yes ', Yes [ Yes 

Grazing Beloat Hazen, B~oa% Bighorn, Lower Vekol, ! Table Top, Vek~, 

allotments Conley, Bighorn Co~ey I South Vekol 

~ | ~ = ~ 

Motorize d/ 

mechan~ed 

accep~d uses 

in interim 

lives~ck 

operation plans 

~¶ 

Up to 10 days/year, 

plus 1 week every 5 

years 

Up to 10 days~ear Up to 10 days/year 2 to 3 days once every 

2 to 3 years, plus up to 

3 days once every 5 

years 

I Livestock 1 fence (1 mile) 5 fences (5.75 mfle~; 4 fences (3.25 mi~; 3 fences (5 miles); 

L, facilities 1 earthen tank aachen tanks 2 earthen tanks 

Air quality F~r ~ear Phoe~ Good Good 

Access Poor Excellent 

Good 

Good 

Subsurface 800 acres (esth state 2,880 acres state of 

mineral estate of Adzona Adzona 

(other than 

federal) 

it i 

Inholdings 640 acres state of None 

AHzona 

I I 

J 

F~r ', 

None ! 

i 

None 

None 

None 

114 
, , 

Wilderness V~ues and Other Facts About the Madcopa Com~ex Wildernesses ~age thre~ 

] S,~aEstrella I Noah Madcop. 1 South Madcopa j Tab, Top 

Visitor 1 O0 400 

day~/year 

usage 

Projected 

visitor 

days~year ~ 

Cherrystems 1 C1 ~1~ 

Future uses Urban expan~on of 

which may R~nbow Va~ey; 

affect MaHcopa oil refinery 

wilderness 

values 

Hiking trails Qua~z Peak (2.5 mile~ 

150 700 to 800 

3,700 1,900 3,000 

a i i 

6 (10 miles) 2 (4 mi~s} 2 {2.25 mi~s) 

| = 

Utility corridor (NE); Rural expans~n, WAATS WAATS, related 

Buffeffi~d interpretive activity, Madcopa oil military routes; 

~ans (SE); paving refinery Maricopa ~1 refinery 

county road (S); 

Madcopa o~1 refinery 

! None ! None TaMe Top ~.5 mi~ 

= 1 

§ U.S. Department of the Inter~oh 1987b and 1989. 

~ Category refers to types of desert to,else habitat ~ee Glossary for detailed description of categories). 

~ U.S. Department of the/nterio~ 1991c and 1994a. 

~ U. So Department of the/nte#or, 1990a. 

¶ U.S. Department of the/nterior, 1991a and 199~ 

¢ U.S. Department of the/nterior, 1994a. 

115 
APPEND~ B 

I. 

~e and U~k Dev~opmen~ ~t~n ~e Madcopa Com~ex ~m~s 

Bu~effly Mount~n Tank 

~ I 

Mo~uma Tank 

~ I 

Gap Fence 

Sierra Estre[ta W~nees 

II 

808 T. 2 S., R. 1 E, se~ 2~ Function~. 

NW1⁄4SE1⁄4 

I I 11 

814 T. 3 S., R. 1 E., sac. 1, SE1⁄4SW1⁄4 Function~ 

I I 1l 

4743 T. 3 S., R. 1 E., sac. 4; Func~on~ 

T. 2 S., R. 1 E., sac. 33 i 

I II 

North Madcopa Mount~ne Wilderness 

Mari~pa Mou~ 

C~chmem No. 3 

Madcopa Mound,s 

Catchme~ No. 12 

445 ~ 4 S., R. 3 W., ~c. 3, SE1⁄4SE1⁄4 ~ 

454 T. 4 S., R. 2 W., sac. 17, Funcdon~ 

SE1⁄4NE1⁄4 

Buttarfield Well -- i % 4 S., R. 3 W, sac. 36, Non~ncfion~ 

NW1⁄4SW1⁄4 

i, Beloat West Fence 0712 1 T. 3 S., R. 3 W., sacs. 22, 27 i Func~onal ,i 

i 

Beloat Fence 0321 T. 4 S., R. 3 W~ sees. 2, 3, 4 Func~onal i 

I I I I I 

~ Butterfield Fence 0308 T. 4 S., R. 2 W., sacs. 17, 18, 28 Func~onal i 

~, 13 gaps) , , ,i 

: Hazen Fence 1248 T. 4 S., R. 3 W., sacs. 19, 30; Partially func~onal I 

T. 4S, R. 4W., sac. 24 i 

| i a~ 

, 

, 

Unnamed gap fence - T. 3 S, R. 3 W., sacs. 5, 6 NonfuncSonal [ 

i i i~ 

Unnamed tank - T. 4 S, R. 4 W., sac. 24, Nonfunc~onal i 

NE1⁄4NW1⁄4 

South Madcopa Mount~n$ Wilderness 

Madcopa Mount~ns 707 T. 6 S., R. 1 W., sac. 16, Func~onal 

Catchment No. 13 NE1⁄4NE1⁄4 i 

II I I ~ II 

Madcopa Mount~ns 708 T. 6 S., R. 2 W., sac. 12, Func~on~ 

Catchment No. 14 SW1⁄4NE1⁄4 

~ghom Reserver 3516 T. 6 S., R. 1 W., sac. 21, Nonfunc6on~ 

NE1⁄4SE1⁄4 

Conley-Bender Fence No. 3 4346 T. 5 S., R. 2 W, sac.21 Func~onal 

Unnamed gap fence T. 5 S, R. 1 W., sacs. 32 and 33 Partially func~onal 

r ~ '| 

117 
| | 

Wildlife and Uvestock Developments Within the Maricopa Complex Wildernesses (page two) 

ii!iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!i:! / iiiiiiiiiiiiiii!iiii iiii i iii iiiiiii i iiiii!iii!i iii iii iiii! i!ii!iiii ii iiiii!i i ; iii!! iiiii i iiii i iiiiiii!i i ! i! i ii! li iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ii , ,iiiiii ii!ii ii!ii!ii 

South Madcopa Mount~ns Wilderness (¢on~nued) 

Co~ey Pasture Fence 1977 T. 5 S., R. 1 E., sec. 6; Func~on~ 

T. 5 S., R. 1 W., sec. 1 

Pasture 3 Fence 4357 T. 6 S., R. 1 W., sec. 31 Pa~ially func~on~ 

Unnamed Tank -- T. 6 S., R. 2 W., sec. 26 Nonfunc6on~ 

Tab~ Top Wilderness 

Table Top Mount~ns 554 T. 7 S., R. 3 E., sec. 30, Func~on~ 

Catchment No. 1 NW1⁄4NW1⁄4 

= ! 

Table Top Mount~ns 705 T. 8 S., R. 2 E., sec. 8, Functional 

Catchment No. 4 NE1⁄4NE1⁄4 

| | 

Jake Tank 2082 T. 8 S., R. 2 E., sec. 6, Nonfuncfion~ 

NW1⁄4SW1⁄4 

M~ Tank 0486 T. 7 S., R. 3 E., sac. 28, Nonfuncfion~ 

SE1⁄4NW1⁄4 

D~tHct Boundaw Fence 0093 T. 7 S., R. 2 E., sec.21 Pa~y ~nc6on~ 

No. 1 

| | = 

I No.~fi~5 Boundary Fence 0333 T. 7 S., R. 2 E., secs. 31, 32, 33 Pa~y func~on~ 

Table Top Fence 0353 T. 8 S., R. 2 E., sec. 14 Pa~y func6on~ 

118 
APPENDIX C 

, 

~am Species D~ribution ~ the M~copa Comp~x Wildsrness~ 

Creosotebush ~arrea tridentata) 

W~te bu~age [Ambrosia dumosa) o 

OcoOflo fFouguieria splendens) o 

Bdttlebush [Encelia farinosa) 

Focal p~ovs~e (C~cidium 

m[cmphyl/um] 

Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) 

Wody ~ant~n [P/antago ~sularis) 

0 0 0 0 0 0 

0 

0 O 0 

[] 0 0 

0 0 0 0 

0 [] 0 0 

0 0 0 

Rigid spiny berb (Chorizanthe o 

rigida) 

Big galleta fHilaria rigida) o * * 

Silver chol[a fOpuntia o 

echinocarpa) 

0 0 

Teddy bear chela (Opuntia 

bige~vii) 

THangle leaf goldeneye (Viguiera 

deltoides) 

Bush penstemon fKeckiella 

antirrhinoides) 

Adzona yucca (Yucca arizonica] D 0 0 

Fourwing sdtbush (Atriplex [] 

canescensJ 

Broom sn~eweed ~utie~ezia 

sam~raM 

Night-blooming cereus 

[Peniocereus transmontanus va~ 

greggii) 

En~emann hedgehog o 

[Echinocereus engelman~ 

Compass barrd cactus 

(Ferocactus acanthodes) 

0 0 0 

0 0 0 

Mesquite (Prosopis velutinus) 

0 0 0 0 0 

0 0 

0 0 

0 0 

0 

0 

119 
Plant Species Distribution in the Madcopa Complex Wildernesses (page two) 

Ironwood (Olneya tesota} o a [] a ~ ~ 

Blue p~overde (Cercidium o ~ [] ~ 

floridumJ 

Desert lavender (Hyptis emoryi) o o ~ 

Rosem~low (Hibiscus denudatus) o ~ 

Smoke ~ee (Psorothamnus ; [] 

spinosa) : 

Bdck~l bush [Brickellia 

atractyloides) i 

Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) [] o 

Chuparosa [Justicia californica) D 

(Encelia frutescens) ~ 

Desert honeysuckle (Anisacanthus o 

thurberi) 

Rush broom (Bebbia juncea) ~ o 

Canyon ragweed (Ambrosia ~ ~ 

ambrosiodes) 

Globemallow (Sphaeralcea spp.) ~ * * ~ ~ [] 

Cat~aw acacia (Acacia greggii] o ~ ~ o ~ 

Burrobrush (Hymenoclea salsola ~ o 

va~ pentlepsis) 

Ragged rock flower (Crossosoma ~ 

bigeloviiJ 

Anderson thombush (Lycium ~ ~ [] o 

anderson#) 

l Grayth°rnDesert br°°msar°thr°ides][Ziziphus °btusif°lia~(Baccharis ' ~[] ' ' ' [ ' [] " 

Tdangl~eaf bursage (Ambrosia 

deltoidea) 

nu u m u i u In 

Red brome [Bromus rubens} ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

~ i l l [: i~ ii 

Bush muhly [Muhlenbergia porteri} ~ ~ ~ 

,! 

120 
"I 

I! Plant Species Distfibudon in the Madcopa Complex Wildernesses (page three) 

Tobosa (Hilaria mutica) 

Crack,on thorn [Canotia 

holacantha) 

Whitethorn acacia (Acacia o [] [] o 

constricta] 

San Fe~pe dogweed [Dyssodia o o 

porophy/Ioides) I 

i 

Yerba del venado [Porophy/lum a o [ ~ 

gracile) i 

i! 

i Limber bush (Jatropha !i ;~i 

Desert mesoal (Agave desertii) 

LitUe~eafed ratany [Krameria o o 

parvifolia) 

White ratany [Krameria grayi) o o 

Desert hackbsrry (Celtis pallida) o 

II I 

Fairy I feather duster (Calliandra 

eriophylla) 

II 

Shrubby buokwheat (Eriogonum 

wrigh~ 

• 

= 

Rat top buckwheat (E. ,'= 

fasciculatum) 

Papa~lower (Psilostropha cooperi] 

Dese~ ~n~a (Zinnia acerosa) I 

t 

0 

0 0 

I Wire lettuce (Stephanomeria I 

pauciflora) ii 

Desert ChHstmas cactus (Opuntia 

leptocacaulis) 

II 

(0o phaeacanta rare major) 

II 

Engalmann pdckly pear (0, 

engelmanii) 

II 

0 

Fishhook pincushion [Mami#aria 

microcarpa] 

~! 

Fendler hedgehog (Echinocereus 

fendleri] 

I i 

0 

[] 

121 
Plant Species Distribution in the Maricopa Complex Wgdemesses (page four) 

~i~:;iii~i:ii~ii~i.iiiiiii~i~!~i::~::~ii~iiii:-! ~::i:iii~/~ii:i ~W~'.S:!~i :ii: ii:~;:hills: ~:~::i:::~i .:::: -~: ~ ~ii~WayS~ii~il i ~Untains 

Buckhorn cholla (O. acanthocarpa) o o ~ o 

Chin fru~ cholla (O. fulgida) o o o 

Pen~l cholla ~O. arbuscula~ o o o 

~shhook ba~ cactus o o o 

(Ferocactus wislizenii) 

Canu~o (Ephedra trifurca) o o o 

~ephant wee (Bursera o 

microphylla) * * * * 

Dese~ ~e ~Forestiera shrevei) o 

Me,can ~m~ng been (Sapium 

bi/oculap~ 

California tHxis (Trixis californica) 

(Fagonia californica) 

Spiny g~denbush 

(Machaeranthera pinnatifidaJ 

Bedstraw (Galium stellatum) 

Y~w f~t ~a~ (Hors~rdia 

newber~iJ 

Spice bush (A~ysia wrightii) 

Ditaxis fDitaxis lanceo/atusJ 

Slender janu~a (Janusia gracilisJ 

0 0 0 

0 0 

0 

0 

0 

* From Brown, Da~d E., ~o6c Commu~es of the Amedcan Southwe~ (1982) 

** Sandy ~ns in Siena Estrella Wilderness 

*** TaMe Top Wi~emess o~y 

* *** Sierra Es~ Wilderness o~y 

1~ 
APPENDIX D 

Fire Suppression Procedures for the 

Maricopa Complex Wildernesses 

Introduc on 

The Mafi~pa Complex Wilderness fire 

man~ement procedures pro~de ~= 

• a fire su~ression strategy w~ e~ures 

protection of wi~erness resources, human 

safety and strncmr~ ~th su~res~on 

techniques resulting in the least ~ble 

eviden~ of human aetivi~ and 

• ensuring a common understanding ~ 

Ph~nix D~ personal of the constmin~ 

eons~eratio~ and procedures ~v~ved ~th 

wil~rness fire suppression ~eration~ 

~1 ~fires wit be extin~ished ~th 

appropfia~ and ~proved suppression actions w~: 

• ensure protection ~ wilderness resources, 

• provide ~r protec~n of human mfety and 

strncmres, 

• reset in the lea~ possible evidence ~ ~man 

a~, 

• mini~ surface dis~rb~ce and ~mtions 

of the na~ral landsea~, 

• are consistent wi~ wilderness man~ement 

objectives and eonstm~ 

• ~ow for the least ~s~e ~reage burned, 

• are reasonable and prndent ~r the time of 

y~ cu~ent and predicted fire weather and 

fire ~havior and av~abi~ of ~e 

~sourc~ ~d 

• ~ni~ fire suppr~sion eo~ 

The fact that a wildfire ~eum ~ a wil~rne~ ~ 

not ~ i~flf a emergency. An eme~en~ e~s~ 

when: 

• a wildfire burning ins~e a wilderne~ 

~ry thr~tens human fi~ or prope~y or 

• there is a defini~ ~tenti~ ~r a ~fire to 

exceed su~ression efforts, burn beyond the 

wil~rness boun~ry and endanger human 

~fe, prepay, managed resources or the 

publ~ welfare. 

Surfa~ disturbance in wil~rness ~om 

~ppression aet~ must be rehab~ted to as natural 

a s~te as ~s~ 

An escaped fire ~tuation analysis will be 

prepared to govern aU wildfires escaping inifi~ 

attack. 

Suppresfion facilities, suppo~ vehicles and 

improvements, i.~, temporary fire camp~ helispo~, 

staging areas and other fi~s used for fire suppression 

activities, must be outside the wilderness, except 

those that are the minimum necessary to protect ~fe, 

prope~y, publ~ welfare and wilderness objectives. 

Due to the surface disturbance involved and 

adverse impae~ on wilderness values and esth~ies, 

firellne constructed with motorized equipment will be 

used as a last resoa. 

Within the eonstrain~ defined by this guidance, 

inifi~ at~ek suppression actions will be determined 

by the InitiM At~ek In,dent Commander and 

Resource Ad~sor, if available. 

The D~tfi~ Manager and Area Manager will be 

informed immediately of aU wildfires that occur in or 

threaten wilderness. The Area Manager ~ the 

approving offieiM for MI requests for motorized 

vehicle use in wilderness. 

Opera ng Procedures 

Detec on 

Fire detection methods will have the least 

permanent impact on wilderness values, such as 

aircraft overflights. Aerial detection fligh~ should 

attempt to maintain the Federal Aviation 

Admini~ration airspace advisory of 2,000 feet above 

ground level over wilderness. 

ln ial Attack Procedures 

Es~blish ground or aed~ reconnaissance and 

de~rm~ 

• tim ~eation, ~ze, m~ of spread and 

behav~ 

123 
[] eu~ent and probable ~els, wea~ and 

~pograph~ including any natural barriers 

and 

[] any threa~ ~ fife, propeay or senffive 

wi~emess remurees. 

Send ~e InifiM Attack ~dent Commander m 

~e fire. 

Inform ~e D~tfi~ Manager and Area Manager 

of ~e fi~. 

Send ~e Resou~e Ad~sor ~ ~e fire. 

Determine/~ond wi~ ~e appropri~e inifi~ 

~ck ~ 

Take acfio~ ~ control ~e fire during initi~ 

attack. 

Comp~ an e~aped fire ftuafion an~yfs if the 

fire escapes inifi~ at~ck. 

Escaped Fire SRuadon Ana sis 

An escaped fire fituafion anflysis will be 

immediat~y prepared for any fire ~ escapes initifl 

attack. Any fire with flame lengths greater ~an fix 

feet or a perimeter increasing ~ster ~an 18 cha~s 

(1,200 feet) per hour will be considered ~ have 

escaped initifl at~ck; an escaped fire fituation 

an~yfs will be prepared immedia~l~ The escaped 

fire ftuation analyfs will be completed ~ de~rmine 

• e management strategy for ~e fire. The analysis 

will be complete.xl by ~e D~td~ Fire Management 

Officer, Area Manager, Ine~ent Commander and 

Resource Adfiso~ 

Approval Matrix 

The following is ~e m~imum levd of au~ofi~ 

~r approving ~e use of motorized and mechanized 

eq~pment ~ the Marieopa Complex. Note the 

~eciM exceptions de~ribed b~ow. 

Equipment Approval 

Portab~ ~o repea~rs Area Man~ 

Tempo~ wea~er s~ns Area Man~er 

Chain~ws Area Man~er 

Portab~ pumps Area Man~er 

InifiM attack aircra~/smokejum~rs Area M~er 

Remrdant Mrtanke~ Area Man~er 

Hd~op~ Area M~er 

Aefi~ ignition ~s~ms Area Man~er 

Construction ~ new h~o~ Area Man~er 

Sp~e Camps Area Man~er 

Fire ~#n~ Area Man~ 

Suppo~ ve~d~ Area M~ 

Mo~fized eaRhmoving ~pment Area Man~ 

B~e ~mps Area M~ag~ 

Note exe~tionfl ten, flora ~scrib~ in ~e 

following section under w~ch ~e Indde~ 

Comment may ~sume some anthori~. 

Exceptions 

In ~M or em~gency cases ~vdv~g ~e 

heal~ and ~ of ~emess v~mm or ~e 

protectMn of wilderness vMues, Mrera~ and 

mo~fi~ ve~eles and mech~ ~pment my be 

us~. M ~ese ~fions, the Moment Comm~r 

shodd oMer ~e resources n~ed and n~i~ ~e 

~propria~ ~e ~er immed~d~ 

~e use of power reels ~.g., ehain~ws, pump~ 

and Mrcraff in fire reco~Mssance b~ow 2,~0 feet 

a~ve ground levd, and in ~i~ing and haling 

fi~ines ~.g., remr~t ~ers, h~op~ wi~ 

~e~ is pre-~proved under ~e ~Howing 

f~tio~ ~ fac~mte effective ~t~ attack effofls 

~d ~ ~ni~ze ~e n~ to M~te line ~ers on 

shoa notice. 

[] If flame lengths exc~ ~ur feet or 

[] if ~rimeter gro~h execs 12 chains (8~ 

fee0 per hour in grass ~ds or one chain ~6 

feet) per hour in b~s~s~b ~ds. 

~e use of ~e ~s ~H be immedia~ 

repo~ by ~e ~de~ Co~der ~ ~e ~ea 

Man~er through ~e D~ ~re Man~eme~ 

O~ce~ 

Tactical Con derafions 

Planning 

= Emphasize the BLM minimum tom polly. 

= EvMua~ suppression merits during each 

#ann~g and ~rategy sess~n to ensure that 

they meet wilderness o~ect~es. 

[] Include the BLM Wilderness Resource 

Advisor and other affected agency 

represenmt~es in all planning and ~rategy 

sessions. 

[] Emphasize the need to protect habitat for 

senffive specMs, including federally fisted 

threatened and endangered species. 

= Allow Mgs and snags to bum rather then be 

124 
~wed or felled. 

Assess and r~uest early in the incHent the 

need ~r an a~logi~ or ~d~onal 

resource ~so~. 

Line Construction and Haling 

• VChen smoke or flames are not viable or the 

perimeter is not threatening to spread, no 

scratchline will be constructed. 

• Use natural barriers as much as pos~ble in 

fireline construc~on. Locate firelines to take 

advantage of natural barrier, rock 

ou~roppings, trails, streams, etc. 

• Firelines will be no wider than absolutely 

necessary to stop the spread of the fire. 

• Place the fireline as dose to the fire as 

pos~bl~ 

• Limbing of tree~ Mong the fireline wig be 

done only as necessary for suppression 

efforts or for firefighter safety. 

= If unburnM materiM is le~ within the 

firelin~ ag such matefi~ wig be felUtested 

with bare hands to assure that no sparks or 

glowing embers remain. 

= Burning snags or trees will only be felled 

when they may f~l across the fireline or 

endanger firefighters. They will be allowed 

to burn naturally, ff possibl~ 

• Spot fires wiB be flagged and/or ~gned ~om 

amain fire. 

= A flagged line from the fire to the nearest 

road or trail will be ~ for checking 

purposes. TMs line will be removed by the 

person checking the fire. 

= Single engine Mrtankers with the capacity of 

350 to 400 gMlons of water, foam or fugitive 

fire re~rdant have been very effective in 

Hght to moderate fuels. Con~der the use of 

this fire suppression resource in both inifiM 

attack and mop u~ 

Logistics 

• U~ the bng l~e or ~mote hook h Heu of 

constructing new helispo~ to deliver and 

retrieve gea~ Emphasize the use of na~ral 

opening~ 

• Emphasize mule pack strings ~ re-supp~ 

fire crews. 

• Emphasize the use of eoy~e ~cfie~ 

Consider the use of mppelling operations. 

Crews wig s~y on the e~a~g trails 

whenever possible. 

Wi~erness base camps and sp~e camps are 

d~eoumged; ff possiH~ ~aee them ou~ide 

• e wildernes~ Evaluate ~e location and 

need of sp~e camps daffy. 

If base camps or sp~e camps are approved 

for use in wildern~s: 

-- utilize low impact "no trace" camping 

teclmiques, ~te sdecfion and ~te us~ 

-- use e~g campsites, ~ available, 

- ~ e~a~g campsites are not availabl~ 

select a eamp~te u~ely ~ be observed 

by ~tom, 

- select impact-resistant ~tes such as 

rocky or sandy mils, 

- change camp ~eat~n if ground 

vege~t~n in or around ~e camp shows 

~gns of exe~sive use, 

-- do mi~mal dis~rbance ~ ~e land in 

preparing ~eep~g and cooking areas, 

-- do not dear vege~tion or ~g treneh~ 

for sleeping areas, 

- ~fl~ sites shodd be a mi~mum of 200 

feet from any water source; holes must 

be dug six ~ ~ght inches deep, 

-- sdect ~ternate travd rou~s between 

camp and the fire ~ traf wear becomes 

exees~ve and 

-- res~re the camp~te area ~ as na~ral a 

eon~fion as possibl~ 

Documentation 

A post-fire repo~ sh~l be completed on ag 

wilderness fires and suppression actions within two 

weeks aRer he fire by he Area Manager, In, dent 

Commander and Fire Management Office~ Copies 

of this repo~ will be filed in he ~opropfate 

wfderness fil~ 

As a mi~mum, he repoa describing motorized 

ve~e use shall con~: 

• ~e name, numb~ and da~ of ~e fire, 

• ~e resource area and wilderness, 

• ~e names of the In,dent Commande~ 

W~demess Resource Ad~sor and Area 

Manager, 

• a description of use of he mo~rized ve~ele 

O.e., fire engine, truck, grader, 

t~etor/dozer, backhoe or ~milar veHd~, 

125 
the da~ it w~ used, he ~ific reason ~r 

i~ use and the nature of the eme~ency, 

= a descfi~n of the wi~emess fire 

~ppression action taken, 

= the spec~c ~fion and description of the 

wok done, 

[] rehab~tion action Oanned and comp~ted 

~ restore the wo~ area ~ ~ natural an 

appearance as pos~ 

• he date the request w~ made ~r use of the 

motorized ve~e and the da~ the request 

was approved by he Area Manager, 

[] he da~ he S~ Dir~r was in~rmed of 

he fire and m~hanized us~ 

[] ration~e ~r actions w~ch may have long- 

~rm impac~ on wilderue~ values and 

[] any oth~ ~gnificant information. 

Rehabg afion 

• Emphasize to all fire personnel the need to 

remove all signs of human activity. 

• Pack out all garbage. 

[] Fill in deep, wide firelines and trenches. 

• Waterbar as necessary to prevent croton. 

• Ensure that stumps from trees and large 

brush are cut flush with the ground. 

• Any trees or large brush that were cut during 

fireline construction should be scattered to 

appear natural. 

• Restore helicopter landing ~tes. 

• Cover and fill in latrine ~tes. 

126 
APPENDIX E 

Glossary 

Accep~d ~ (former~ known as Nonconforming 

us~): Uses allowed by the Widernoss Act of 

1964 ~ were in ex~tence prior ~ widem~s 

designation and not neces~ri~ compatible wi$ 

preening wiMerness values, ~g., fivestock 

grazing and range or wildli~ development 

mainten~c~ 

B~e camp (~garding firefi~ting a~vities): That 

location ~ w~ primary fi~fig~g b~ 

~ncfions are ~o~inated and ~mini~ered. 

B~e camp (~garding recreat~n~ acti~ti~): A 

temporary s~ging beation wb~ se~es ~ he 

primary lo~g and u~oading point ~r he 

wilderne~ ~fi~r or ou~tter and ~ dien~ 

D~ert to~oise habitat categoric: Habi~t areas 

delineated by BLM ~stri~ managers as per the 

Strategy for DeseR Tortoise Habi~t Management 

on Pubfie Lands in Arizona (USDI, 199~. 

Category criteria include importance of he 

habi~t ~ main~i~ng viable populations, 

resdvabili~ of conflUX, tortoi~ density and 

population s~tus (stable, increasing or 

decreasing). The category determines the 

management go~ ~r he habi~t. The go~s of 

Category I are ~ maintain s~ble, ~ab~ 

populations and protect efi~ing toRoise habi~t 

value, increasing he pop~ations, where 

posfi~ The goals of C~egory H are ~ 

maintain s~ble, ~able populations and halt 

fu~her declines in ~oi~ habi~t vMues. 

Cherrystem road: A dead-end road extending into 

and surrounded by a wilderness but not within its 

boundaries. 

Civet ~du~ ~ant: A t~hnique for estimating 

he number of ~ants in an area by measuring ~e 

~stance ~om a random point ~ong a transit W 

he hearst Oant. 

Cole browse method: A me~od of estimat~g he 

amount of browsing of a key species. The 

method prov~es da~ on age and form classes, 

availability and hedgin~ estimated utilization and 

growth and use in, cos for the shrub component 

of he ~ant community. 

Commerd~: For pro~, at~mpted p~, ~lary, 

increase in busin~s or fmand~ stand~g or ~r 

~ppo~ ~ aetivifi~ from amo~ receNed or 

se~es ~ndered in co~n ~ he 

permiRed acti~fios. 

C~ote ~cfi~: A fi~ine co~t~ction t~que 

invoN~ ~lf-sufficient c~ws b~ding fi~ines 

~ti he end of a ~R, rems~g ove~ ~ or 

near that po~ and b~nni~ aga~ on he next 

s~. 

Ecosystem: The organisms of a paaic~ar habi~t 

toge~er wi~ ~e phy~cal envkonment ~ w~ch 

they ~v~ a dynamic complex of ~ant and animal 

communities and heir ~sociated non-living 

env~onmen~ 

Ephemer~ forag~ Plan~ consumed by domestic 

fives~ek and native wtdfi~ which complete a 

fi~ cycle and ~e in one year or les~ 

Germination and growth of ~ese plan~ does not 

occur consistently each year but is determhed by 

several weather and soil conditions, ~g., timing 

and amount of precipi~tion, temperature, winds, 

soil typos and dep~ etc. 

Former vehide ways: Verde rou~s ~blished and 

mainlined s~dy by he p~sage of moor 

veeries prior ~ wtdemess designation or by 

ve~cul~ access after designation where approved 

as per 43 CFR 856~ 

Fire retardant: Any substance except plain water 

th~ by chemical or phy~cal action reduces 

flammability of fuels or ~ows the~ combustion 

rate. 

127 
Fng~ve fi~ ~dant: That whi~ con~ins a 

~g agent d~ed ~ ~ ra~dly 

~lowing ~on in o~r ~ ~ni~ze ~ 

~sual impact. 

Grazed class method: A me~od of estimating the 

level of grazing use of key grass or grass-l~e 

~ant species ~ong a transect using photo guides. 

These estimates reflect ~e herbage removed and 

remainin~ 

Hobbling: The act of binding two of ~e legs of a 

s~ animal mgeSer m restrict ~ movemen~ 

Interim operations plans: Written doeumen~ which 

authorize the use of certain types of mechanized 

transpo~ and mechanized/motorized equipment 

under certain conditions. They serve as interim 

approv~ of the activities until a wilderness 

management plan ~ completed. The documen~ 

rec~ve pub~e review ~milar to that of the 

wilderness management plan. They typically 

address activities associated with wildlife, 

Hvestock and wild ho~e and bu~o management 

within the wilderness. 

Key species: (1) Those ~ant species w~eh must, 

because of ~r importance, be considered in a 

management program or (2) ~ant specks whose 

use as forage serves as an in~ea~r of changes in 

a vege~tive commu~ty, an important component 

which, ~ overused, wifi ~gnificantly harm 

watershed conditions, grazing eapaci~ or o~er 

resou~es. 

Key ~rage speei~ method: A method of ~timating 

~raging by categorizing the amount of u~ ~ 

each ~mp~ location in~ one of ~x utiHzat~n 

classy. Obse~ations are made of ~e 

appearance of ~e rangdand and ~pecially ~e 

key @eci~ ~ong a transect w~ch travers~ a 

study area. 

Mecha~zed transpo~: Any device ~r transpo~hg 

personnel or ma~fi~ wi~ wheel~ tracks, s~ds 

or by flo~tinn ~r t~vding over lan~ wa~r or 

snow and propdled by a no~iving power source 

contained or carried on or within ~e devie~ 

Motor ve~d~ Any vehicle which is ~f-prop~ed 

or any vehicle w~ is pmp~ed by dectfic 

power ~ined from baaeries. 

Moto~zed/mechanized equipmen~ Any machine 

activated by a nouliving power source except 

small battery-powered, hand~arried dev~es such 

as flashi~h~, shavers, Gdger counters and 

cameras. 

Non-profit: Not conducted or maintained for ~e 

purpose of making a valuab~ return or net 

income. 

Peren~phemerM: A d~fic~n of grazing 

~me~ on which fiv~ck are permitted ~ 

g~ ~ perenni~ and ~me~ (annul) 

vege~t~n. 

Rappelling: The act of descending ~om a helicop~r 

by means of a rope passed over the climber's 

body ~ a specific manner. 

Key ~ant speci~ densi~: The average number of 

individuals of a key plant species per area 

~mpled. 

Serial encounter: An interaction between one or 

more persons and thor assodated pack stock 

which occurs within a distance which a person 

would normally acknowledge another person. It 

is not ju~ the sight or sound of an individual or 

individua~ at a greater distance. 

Speci~ event: An organized reereat~nM acti~ 

w~ch occu~ infrequently, e.g., a ~n&raising 

horseback fide ~r a chad~b~ or non~rofit 

institution or organizat~n. 

Spike camp (regarding recreational activities): The 

location where ~e outfit~r, pack animals and 

clients spend the night within a wilderness 

S~ke camp (regard~g fi~fig~g actififies): A fire 

camp wi~ mi~mum fae~fies es~blished ~ong a 

fireline for ~e subsistence and eq~pping of 

firefigh~rs. 

128 
WAATS (Western Army National Gua~ Aviation 

Training Site): A tmhing facffi~ proposed ~r 

~uth~entral Arizona to be used by the Army 

Nat~n~ Guard primarily for helicopter ~ght 

t~ining. 

Watexlot fence: A fence surrounding an earthen 

livestock water reservo~ which serves as a 

fivestoek gathering and holding device but can 

Mso be dosed to stop fivestoek ~om drinking 

from the reservoir. 

1~ 
APPENDIX F 

Bibliography 

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--- 1994. Ron C-"nristofferson 0etter dated 

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.... 1988e. R~gewide N~ for Man~g Habitat of 

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131 
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(EA AZ-026~1-6~ ~r ~e Wfld~ Operations 

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MounmMs Wildem~s Areas. 

1993a. Tim Hughes (personM communication). 

1993b. Enfironmenml A~essment (AZ 026~ 

53) ~r ~e Wfldli~ Operations ~d MaM~nance 

H~ ~r ~e Big Horn Mounm~ HarquahMa 

MounmM~ HummMgbi~ Springs, SignM 

Moun~M, T~le Top, Tr~ Alamos and WoMs~ 

Peak Wfl~mess Areas. 

1994m WOdli~ Operations ~d Ma~t~ 

~ ~r ~e B~ Horn MounmMs, H~quahMa 

Moun~Ms, HummingM~ Sprin~, SignM 

Moun~, Table Top, Tres Alamos and WoMs~ 

Peak Wfl~mess Areas. Phoe~x Di~r~ Office, 

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1994b. UnpuMi~ed automated dam b~e of 

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permit. 

.... 199~. ~m Goodman ~nM ~mmu~catio~. 

.... 1994d. Dave Sca~mugh ~nM 

commu~cation). 

U.S. Congress. 1964. Wilderness Act. Public Law 

88-577. 88th Congress. 

1990m Arizona Dese~ Wilderness Act (with 

append~e@. Public Law 101-628. 101st 

Congress. 

.... 1990b. House of Represen~tives Repo~ 101- 

405. 101st Congress. 

.... 1990c. The Americans with D~abflities Act. 

Public Law 101-336 101st Congress. 

132 

~ U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1995 u 673-349 / 29004 REGION NO. 8