Introduction 

The traditional lands of the Southern Paiute people are bounded by more than 600 

miles of the Colorado River from the Kaiparowits Plateau in the north to Blythe, 

California in the south. Southern Paiute people were given a special supernatural 

responsibility to protect and manage this land and water and all that is upon and within it. 

Today the Colorado River flows through Grand Canyon National Park and Glen 

Canyon National Recreation Area, and the Navajo, Havasupai, and the Hualapai 

reservations. The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) completed the construction Glen 

Canyon Dam on the Colorado River in 1963. It is responsible for administering water 

releases from the dam. U.S. federal law requires that Glen Canyon Dam be operated with 

minimal impact to the natural, recreational, and cultural resources of the Colorado River 

Corridor, the region of the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Mead 

that is potentially impacted by flows from the dam. The National Historic Preservation 

Act mandates that the impacts of any federal undertaking that will negatively affect 

historic and traditional cultural properties be evaluated and monitored. The Grand 

Canyon Protection Act and the Environmental Impact Statement for the Operation of the 

Glen Canyon Dam (GCDEIS) establish a program of long-term research and monitoring 

of the effects of the dam on these resources. 

In 1991, three Southern Paiute tribes – the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, the 

Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah (representing Shivwits Band of Paiute Indians), and the San 

Juan Southern Paiute Tribe – agreed to participate in studies to identify cultural resources 

impacted by Glen Canyon Dam and to recommend strategies for their protection. In 

1993, the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians and the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah created the 

Southern Paiute Consortium (SPC) to ensure more effective government-to-government 

interactions between the tribes and the BOR. The SPC took over the cultural resource 

studies being conducted under the GCDEIS. 

The BOR and National Park Service (NPS) developed a Programmatic Agreement 

(PA) on Cultural Resources for Glen Canyon Dam Operations. On February 9, 1994, the 

PA was signed by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the Arizona State 

Historic Preservation Office, the BOR, the NPS and the Hopi Tribe, the Hualapai Tribe, 

the Navajo Nation, the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, 

the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, and Zuni Pueblo. 

The PA lays out a plan for agency compliance with Section 106 of the National 

Historic Preservation Act through the development of monitoring and management 

protocols for cultural resources in the Colorado River Corridor. It directs the BOR and 

NPS to develop and implement a plan for monitoring the remedial actions and to develop 

a Historic Preservation Plan (HPP) for long-term monitoring and management. 

In 1995, the GCDEIS was completed and transition to the Adaptive Management 

Program called for in the Grand Canyon Protection Act was begun. At that time, the SPC 

expanded the research activities it began under the GCDEIS to include assessing potential 
2

environmental impacts, developing monitoring procedures, and interacting with the BOR 

and other PA signatories. It established the Colorado River Monitoring and 

Environmental Education program. The basis for the program and the results of its 

initial development and implementation are fully discussed in the report, Itus, Auv, Te’ek 

(Past, Present, Future): Managing Southern Paiute Resources in the Colorado River 

Corridor (Stoffle, Austin, Fulfrost, Phillips, and Drye 1995). The results of each 

succeeding year’s activities are reported in annual reports to the BOR. 

The 2002 program had six goals. (1) Implementation of the SPC’s monitoring 

program; (2) training and education of Southern Paiute monitors; (3) education of 

Southern Paiute tribal members and the general public; (4) modification and further 

development of the archival program and multimedia database; (5) consultation among 

Southern Paiute tribal members to determine the future objectives of the SPC monitoring 

program on the Colorado River; (6) active science and environmental education for tribal 

youth participants. All of these goals were accomplished during 2002. Regular 

monitoring activities were conducted during a ten-day trip between Lees Ferry and 

Diamond Creek. 

The report summarizes the activities of the SPC undertaken as part of its 

responsibilities to protect and manage the land, water, and resources with Southern Paiute 

traditional territory and as a PA signatory. Chapter One, “Cultural Resources 

Evaluation,” describes the results of the SPC’s annual river trip to monitor SPC cultural 

resources, gather information for tribal members and leaders, and otherwise conduct 

activities deemed necessary for fulfilling those responsibilities. Education and training 

are critical facets of the SPC program to ensure that the Southern Paiutes can continue to 

fulfill their responsibilities into the future. Chapter Two summarizes the results of the 

education and training components of the SPC program. There are many groups with 

many interests involved in the Adaptive Management Program, and much time is spent in 

meetings and conferences where information is shared. Chapter Three describes the 

SPC’s participation in those meetings and the other activities it undertakes to enhance its 

ability to successfully carry out its responsibilities. That chapter ends with 

recommendations for the future. 
3

Chapter One 

Cultural Resource Evaluation

The 2002 Southern Paiute Consortium (SPC) Colorado River Corridor cultural 

resource monitoring program operated between October 2001 and September 2002. 

While other SPC activities are detailed in Chapter Three, a key piece of the monitoring 

program is the annual SPC monitoring river trip. This year’s trip included pre-river 

preparation, one river trip between Lees Ferry and Diamond Creek, data entry and 

analysis, and report preparation. The purpose of the program was to continue tribal 

monitoring as recommended by the Glen Canyon Dam Environmental Impact Statement 

and Record of Decision. The monitoring program included training and was conducted at 

the same time as the environmental education program (see Chapter Two). This chapter 

summarizes the activities of the trip into the Colorado River Corridor and provides 

recommendations for the 2003 cultural resources monitoring program. 

The SPC monitoring program was developed to evaluate the effects of Glen Canyon 

Dam on cultural resources that have been identified by Southern Paiute consultants 

within the Colorado River Corridor. Southern Paiutes have worked with the Bureau of 

Reclamation (BOR) to investigate cultural resource issues since 1992. In 1995, the SPC, 

on behalf of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians and the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah 

(PITU), began the development and testing of a cultural resource monitoring program, 

and that program now operates through the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research 

Center. The SPC designed the 2002 monitoring research efforts to advance the existing 

program. 

Methodology 

The modifications that were made to the 

SPC monitoring program in 1996 were continued 

in 2002 (see Austin, Osife, Fulfrost, Drye, and 

Rogers 1996 for details). These included the use 

of: (1) one composite cultural resource monitoring 

form; (2) site-specific monitoring checklists; (3) 

the SPC Monitoring Training Program; (4) an 

SPC plant reference guide; and (5) a monitoring 

program manager’s handbook. In addition, the 

Southern Paiute River Guide was distributed to 

river trip participants. 

The focus of the 2002 monitoring program 

was a river trip into the Colorado River Corridor. 

Prior to that trip, the SPC monitoring team 

worked together to coordinate monitoring 

program plans. The trip included Southern Paiute 

Consortium monitoring of sites located between 

Lees Ferry and Diamond Creek; it began on June 
4

22 and ended on July 2. The monitoring was carried out by the SPC Coordinator, three 

SPC monitors, one Southern Paiute elder, one Southern Paiute environmental specialist, 

on Community Health Representative (CHR), nine youth participants, one SPC 

consulting ethnobotanist, and two University of Arizona educational research specialists. 

Site Discussions 

In this section, site-by-site discussions describe findings at each site that was 

monitored during the 2002 river trip into the Colorado River Corridor. The summaries of 

the sites include descriptions of plants, rock art, archaeology and other cultural 

properties, plus any recommendations for revisions to the monitoring program or for 

actions to be taken by management agencies regarding the site. For detailed site 

descriptions, please refer to Stoffle, Austin, Fulfrost, Phillips, and Drye (1995). During 

2002, the SPC monitors and consultants followed the six-year plan for the twenty sites in 

the SPC monitoring program (see Table 1.1). No changes were made to the monitoring 

program this year. Figure 1.1 displays the sites to be monitored in 2003. 

Table 1. Sites Monitored During 2002 

Site 

# 

Site name Date 

monitored 

Features 

monitored 

Next monitoring 

4 Jackass Canyon June 22 Plants, Beach 2003 (Plants, Beach) 

5 South Canyon June 23 Beach 2003 (Beach) 

6 Nankoweap June 23,24 Plants 2003 (Plants, 

Archaeology) 

7 Lava-Chuar June 25 Archaeology 2005 (Archaeology) 

8 Tanner Canyon June 25 Archaeology 2005 (Archaeology) 

10 Deer Creek June 28 Plants, Rock 

Art, Beach 

2003 (Plants, Rock Art, 

Beach) 

11 Kanab Creek June 29 Plants, Beach 2003 (Beach) 

12 Vulcan’s Anvil June 31 Cultural 2003 (Plants, Cultural) 

13 Whitmore June 31 Plants, Rock 

Art, Beach 

2003 (Rock Art, Beach) 

16 Spring Canyon July 1 Plants, Rock 

Art,Archaeology

2003 (Plants, Rock Art, 

Archaeology) 

18 Pumpkin Spring July 1 Beach and 

Spring 

2003 (Beach and Spring) 

20 Granite Park July 2 Tree 2003 (Tree) 

Jackass Canyon Site #4 

Orientation and monitor training was carried out at Jackass beach. Exercises were 

conducted to train river trip participants in matching photos, using the compass, and 

running transects. 
5

South Canyon Site #5 

Though monitors visited the archaeology sites on the upper bench at South Canyon, 

only the beach was officially monitored in 2002. Steps placed by the NPS along the 

lower trail appear to have decreased erosion. 

Beach 

There were few changes since the site was last monitored in 2001. There was no 

evidence of flooding, as the dry gravel was not noticeably damaged. However, tamarisk 

does seem to be thicker along the bank than indicated in previous years. 

Recommendations: 

Hikers continue to be a concern at this site. Because hikers use the same trail to get 

in and out of the canyon that is used to reach the cultural site, visitors should be 

introduced to the sensitivity of this site and concerns about visitor behavior through 

pamphlets, articles in the boatmen’s Quarterly Journal and/or boatmen’s training 

sessions. Additionally, during our visit to South Canyon, five backpackers who were 

staying near the water at the lower end of the upper beach were unaware of NPS rules 

about human waste. Extra effort should be made to make sure hikers entering the canyon 

are aware of appropriate rules and regulations. 

Nankoweap—Monitoring Site #6 

Ethnobotanical monitoring was conducted at this site. The three plant transects at 

Nankoweap are read on a three-year rotation; Transect 1 was read this year, and plant 

conditions were recorded. 

Plants 

Transect 1 is located atop the downstream unstable bank of Nankoweap Creek, 

running to the river. The transect is in two distinct parts. The upper part is stable, in the 

old high water zone (OHWZ), and has not flooded in many years. The position of the 

creek at normal flow during this monitoring period has been along this bank; a major 

Nankoweap flood could erode the bank and possibly affect the transect. 

The lower part of the transect, separated by a rocky steep divide about one meter 

high, has very different vegetation, primarily coyote willow (Salix exigua), Emory 

seepwillow (Baccharis salicifolia), and tamarisk (Tamarix chinensis). This area is 

flooded by the river at moderate to high normal releases, but has been mostly above river 

level for several years. It has developed a stand of willows that has become dense and 

stabilized, replacing a cattail marsh as the beach has dried out under a regime of low 

releases. A scouring experimental flood could remove these willows and the sediment 

which has been deposited around them (by Nankoweap Creek in part), and return the 

beach to a marsh situation with small pools between cobbles and small boulders. 
6

The main change noted since 1999 is that the percent cover of coyote willow has 

more than doubled. The lower portion of the transect is now a dense willow thicket. 

Cattail (Typha latifolia), which had been decreasing over time, is now absent from the 

transect. Seepwillow and tamarisk have decreased, probably due to intense competition 

with coyote willow. 

A notable change this year is that a branch of Nankoweap Creek now flows across 

the transect near the bank that separates the two portions. There is no evidence that the 

change in the location of the creek was the result of a flood during the past year, and in 

fact the change may have occurred prior to 2002 since Transect 1 was last read in July 

1999. The creek is contained within a shallow channel and has little effect on the 

vegetation community. 

 Transect 1 1999 Transect 1 2002 

Lava Canyon - Chuar Creek Site #7 

SPC monitors the site at Lava-Chuar every three years. In 2002, SPC monitors 

observed impacts from the wash but did not enter the site directly. 

Archaeology 

Side canyon erosion continues but has not cut into the site since last monitoring. 

However, there is a new gully cutting to the creek bed originating on the site itself. This 

has begun to impact the site and may have serious consequences if erosion continues. 
7

Plants 

Mesquite trees are healthy and protecting the site from the top. Severe drought has 

adversely affected brittlebush and other shrubs on slope. Some will not survive. 

Recommendations: 

The SPC will consult with NPS to find out what is being done at the site. If there 

is no NPS monitoring in place, SPC monitors will go back in one year and do more 

careful assessment of the impact of the gully going into the site. 

Tanner Canyon Site # 8 

Archaeological monitoring was done at Tanner Canyon in 2002, at the lower site 

and the two upper rock shelter sites. Additionally, monitors noticed that the severe 

drought had adversely affected brittlebush, possibly killing some plants. 

Archaeology 

Monitors noticed increased multiple trails at the site. The trail was eroded about 

three inches and exposed more of Boulder #1. Additionally, monitors noted and dispersed 

collection piles at the uppermost rock shelters. The upper sites appears to have gotten 

more use over the past year, and it looks like people may be camping at the far site. 

Recommendations: 

The SPC will consult with NPS to determine what monitoring is being conducted 

at the uppermost site. Additionally, SPC will consider adding the upper shelters as a 

monitoring site. If the site is added, SPC will visit in one year to set up monitoring. 

Deer Creek Site # 10 

Rock art, plants, and visitors were monitored at this site in 2002. SPC monitors 

were present at this site from early morning until late afternoon. Visitors were monitored 

at five different points along the trail. Several river trips arrived at the site during our 

monitoring visit. Some visitors stopped at the bottom of the creek and others hiked up to 

the panels and up to the water source. 

Plants 

 The condition of the plants in the plot is generally good to excellent, and recovery 

from the effects of the 1994 fire is essentially complete. The increase in height of the two 

coyote willows (Salix exigua) and the catclaw acacia (Acacia greggii) has leveled off as 

they have reached maturity. 

 The two cottonwoods in the plot have grown too tall to measure directly, so 

beginning in 2001 their height was extrapolated by holding a tape 2 meters in height next 

to the tree and calculating the height from a photograph. Using this method, growth of 1 

to 2 m was determined since the 2001 reading, to a height of 7.4 m and 8.0 m. 

 The largest Deer Creek agave plant was sending up a flowering stalk at the time 

of our visit; it was 3.2 m tall and still growing. This is the first time it has flowered since 

1995. This plant will die after flowering, and one of the 10 offsets around it will “take 
8

over” and become the dominant plant of the group. A second small plant was discovered 

this year about 8 m from the main cluster. 

 The packrat that was active in 2000 and appeared to have left in 2001 has 

apparently returned during the past year. There was midden debris about 0.5 m deep 

around the main plant, as well as some evidence of eaten leaves. 

 A scientific description naming this plant as Agave phillipsiana was published in 

late 2001 by Wendy Hodgson of the Desert Botanical Garden (Hodgson 2001). The plant 

is extremely rare and is known from only four sites within the Grand Canyon, ranging in 

number of plants from 1 to 30. Hodgson describes A. phillipsiana as “an ancient, 

relictual cultivar, one of four agaves intentionally introduced and farmed by preColumbian people for food and fiber north of the Mexican border.” Its origin was 

probably in northern Mexico, but the parent plant has never been found. The plant was 

named for A. Phillips, an author of this report, who first observed the plant at Deer Creek 

in 1974 and has monitored it annually as a participant in the SPC Grand Canyon 

monitoring program. 

 The two herbaceous plants in the plot continue their decline, and the sacred datura 

(Datura meteloides) has apparently died. The locoweed (Astragalus praelongus) 

flowered and produced pods this year, but is still much reduced from its immediate postfire condition. Both of these species are common and often growing vigorously in Deer 

Creek Valley; the individuals in the plot suffer from competition and shading by the trees 

and shrubs. 

Rock Art 

Rock art at Deer Creek was found to be in good condition. The only recent 

impacts observed were several new mud dauber’s nests. Previously documented 

vandalism was present, but is fading with time and exposure. 

Visitor Monitoring 

Five separate groups conducted visitor 

monitoring for two hours along the trail up to and 

through the gorge. Ten boats of rafters stopped 

and visited Deer Creek while SPC monitors were 

present. A large number of the visitors were 

observed climbing or repelling down into the 

gorge. Additionally, monitors noted that many 

visitors were loud and rambunctious. 

Recommendations: 

Because of the importance of this place to 

Paiute people, SPC would prefer visitors to stay 

out of the gorge. To this end, visitors should be 

introduced to the sensitivity of the site and of the 

rock art panels through the boatmen’s Quarterly 

Journal and perhaps a boatmen’s training session. 

Additionally, SPC would like to do a presentation 

on the topic at the boatmen’s Annual Meeting. 
9

Evaluation of the plants in the Deer Creek plant plot should be continued on an 

annual basis as it provides valuable information on the recovery of desert and riparian 

plants following a fire. Immediately after the fire the position of the trail was a concern, 

but during the past few years it has become established far enough away from the plot to 

cause no adverse influence from hikers. The trees that fell across the trail now lie on the 

ground so people can now step over them instead of having to climb over them. 

Kanab Creek Site # 11 

The plants and beach was monitored at this site in 2002. Archaeology was not 

monitored this year, but monitors noted erosion of the trail impacting a hearth site. The 

trail passes through the hearth/roaster on the downstream end, near the point where the 

trail goes up on the bench from the canyon floor. This trail has eroded deeply, up to one 

meter, and it is now so deep that the trail has moved out of the gully to a new adjacent 

location. 

We saw five mountain sheep at this site. A ram, an ewe, and a lamb came up the 

slope looking for shade in the rock shelter where the transect starts while monitors were 

working. Another ewe with a lamb were observed by monitors near the bank of the river. 

Beach 

 The rocky beach at this site was little changed from last year. 

Plants 

 Plant communities along the river are somewhat diverse at Kanab Creek, and 

include marshy areas a short distance up the creek from the Colorado River and riparian 

areas along the river. Following the pattern consistently noted along the river this year, 

plants along the shore have increased in number and density as a result of low releases 

and small fluctuations. 

 There is a single plant transect at Kanab Creek, located on a sandy desert slope 

that contains archeological materials and ethnobotanically important plants about 100 m 

upstream from the river. The lower edge of this slope is a steep, unstable bank which 

could potentially be affected by high flows when the river extends up Kanab Creek this 

far. The steep terrain along the transect and the unstable sandy soil create a potential for 

damage to the habitat from accessing and reading the transect, so it is read only every 

three years using a minimum number of investigators.

There were a few changes in plants along the transect, mostly the death of a 

number of plants and the pruning back of some prickly pears on the flats at the lower end 

of the bench due to drought during the past year. The plants that showed the greatest 

decreases were grasses and perennial herbs. 

Recommendations: 

The trail should be diverted to minimize erosion near archaeological sites and 

current erosion of the trail should be monitored for further impacts to hearth/roaster site. 

Reading of the transect should continue once every three years.

Vulcan’s Anvil Site # 12 
10

The SPC participants monitored the Vulcan’s Anvil, which is sacred to the Southern 

Paiute people. The river flows had not affected the Anvil, and there were no signs of 

vandalism in 2002. 

Whitmore Wash—Monitoring Site #13 

Plants, Beach, Rock Art and Archaeology were all monitored at Whitmore Wash in 

2002. 

Rock Art and Archaeology 

Two new instances of graffiti were documented on the Rock Art panel at Whitmore 

Wash in 2002. Both were light scratches on the panel. Erosion along the trail and in the 

rock shelter site is present, but did not appear to have increased from last year. 

Plants 

Following the protocol that was developed in 1998, multiple transects perpendicular 

to the river were laid from a baseline transect parallel to the river The position of the 

transects along the baseline was determined randomly. Data indicated plant competition 

was occurring with mesquite trees Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana) replacing 

arrowweed (Tessaria sericea). Arrowweed showed an increase since the last reading in 

1999, but this was probably due primarily to the placement of randomly located transects. 

Horsetail (Equisetum laevigatum) and camel-thorn (Alhagi camelorum) increased near 

the shore as a result of stable conditions due to low water releases. 

Large areas of dense arrowweed are senescent or dying off due to drought 

conditions and lack of substrate and nutrient recharge from the river. Arrowweed requires 

periodic renewal in order to sustain a healthy condition.. Nearly impenetrable thickets 

full of dead wood, coupled with rapid increase in young mesquite trees, make access to 

the baseline, and reading of the upper portions of the transects, very difficult. 

There was some concern with monitoring procedures for vegetation at this site. The 

baseline transect was relocated with little difficulty, but it was very hard to set due to 

dense mesquite and dead arrowweed. The six transects were additionally difficult to set 

and running the tape caused some damage and incidental trailing. The baseline was 

initially set at some distance from the shoreline in order to monitor erosional retreat of 

the position of the shore, but this may be accomplished by measuring the distance from a 

couple of fixed points and concentrating the monitoring on the more dynamic riparian 

and marsh communities along the river. 

Beach 

The shoreline has stabilized since the last monitoring due to relatively steady low 

flows. The bank is heavily vegetated, mostly with Equisetum, and vegetation extends 

onto sand bars a short distance into the river. These are perpetually wet sand and support 

rabbit-foot’s grass (Polypogon monspeliensis), Juncus, and sedges (Carex sp.). 

Recommendations: 
11

Vegetation in the area needs renewal by reworking sand, removing dead wood, and 

nutrient recharge. Walking from the upper bench to the lower bench creates trails and 

erodes the bench, and therefore should be avoided. 

SPC will consider changing monitoring protocol for vegetation at this site. Setting 

the baseline is very difficult, and the baseline is far enough from the shore that upper 

parts of transects—through senescent seepwillow and vigorously growing mesquite—do 

not show much change. The main interest at this site is in monitoring changes along the 

shoreline. 

Ompi Cave- Monitoring Site #15 

This site was visited for spiritual and ceremonial reasons, but monitoring involved 

only visual inspection. 

Spring Canyon – Monitoring Site # 16 

Monitoring of plants was completed this year. The rock shelter and rock art sites at 

Spring Canyon were visited and inspected visually, but no photo matching was done this 

year. 

Plants 

Vegetation along the creek has become so dense that photos no longer cover the 

entire streambed. Most of the rapid increase in vegetation during the past two years is 

due to rapid growth of seepwillow (Baccharis salicifolia), which has grown 2-3 m tall 

and formed dense thickets along the floor of the wash. Some rocks on the canyon floor 

have been moved by flooding and it is not possible to use them to relocate photo points 

exactly. The photo matching protocol was designed to use points on walls for relocating 

photopoints and matching photos, but these have become difficult to see due to the height 

and density of vegetation. 

The lower end of the channel has 

now down cut 1.5 m deep to a point 

beyond the area covered by photos and 

now extends across the creek. There is 

2000

2002

2001
12

also entrenchment at places upstream along the creek. The floor is cemented by 

travertine at least to the depth of entrenchment. Downcutting and entrenchment have 

increased considerably in the past year, moving gradually upstream. 

We have been surprised at the rapid rate at which recovery along the creek has occurred 

following the last scouring flash flood. Riparian communities and their constituent plants 

are adapted to recover rapidly following catastrophic disturbance. When the flood 

occurred in 1997 we thought it might be many years before the dense vegetation along 

the canyon floor recovered; instead, it has taken less than 5 years. The difficulty we have 

had in developing a consistent long-term vegetation monitoring program is the result of 

the dynamic, rapidly changing nature of the site. 

Recommendations: 

We continue to have difficulty with the monitoring program for this site. Additional 

photo stations could be added if time allows, in order to supplement coverage of the 

canyon where dense vegetation has obscured the view between existing photo stations. 

The vegetation along the canyon floor has become so dense that the entire canyon is no 

long covered and some plant points are difficult to locate because photos do not show 

much beyond foreground. The original photo points and photos can be maintained if 

scouring flood occurs between now and next visit. Otherwise monitors should repeat the 

matched photos and add additional photo stations if time allows. 

 Indian Canyon Monitoring Site # 17 

Indian Canyon is an important site because this was a living area for Southern 

Paiute people. Though not an official monitoring site in 2002, SPC monitors conducted 

rapid assessment of the archaeological site to check the status of vandalism/graffiti and 

trailing noted in previous years. The rerouting of the trail continues to be successful, and 

exposure to natural elements is gradually reducing the vandalism. 

Recommendations: 

The rerouted trail should continue to be maintained, and SPC will continue 

regular visitation to assess trailing. 

Pumpkin Spring—Monitoring Site #18 

The spring and surrounding vegetation were monitored in 2002, and no major 

changes or impacts were observed. 

Granite Park—Monitoring Site #20 

The historic Goodding willow at the Granite Park site is visited by SPC every year. 

In 2002, monitors did not go ashore at the site because the beach was crowded by other 

trips. Instead, the condition of the willow was monitored from the river. While the tree 
13

appears to be in similar condition to last year, SPC was concerned about the rafts tied to 

the trunk. Three rafts had tied to the trunk of the tree when we arrived. Given the 

historic value and current fragility of the tree, monitors were concerned about the impacts 

of the boat ties. 

The general condition of the tree appeared to have changed little since our last visit. 

Beaver damage noted in 2001 did not appear to have continued this year. 

Recommendations: 

NPS should remind boatmen of the historic and cultural significance of the 

Goodding willow and discourage them from tying their rafts to the tree. 
14

Chapter Two 

Education and Training 

The 2002 Southern Paiute Consortium Colorado River Corridor Education and 

Training Program was specifically designed to provide education about the annual 

research monitoring and education program to tribal members and youth from the tribes 

of the Southern Paiute Consortium: the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians and the Paiute 

Indian Tribe of Utah (PITU). This aspect of the program is necessary to inform and 

educate future tribal leaders and train tribal monitors (see Austin, Fulfrost, Osife, Drye, 

and Rogers 1996). Additionally, this year’s river trip included a rigorous activity-based 

environmental education program for tribal youth participants. The educational 

component of the program continues to be supported within the University of Arizona (U 

of A) and is expected to remain an important element of the overall program. The 

Shivwits Band of the Paiute Indians continues to support this program through use of 

their own funds. 

Program Activity Discussion 

Meetings and River Trip Participants 

Each year, the SPC prepares information about the annual monitoring trip and 

shares this information with the participating tribes. The tribes then select trip 

participants. The Tribal and Band Council of the Kaibab Tribe and the Shivwits Band 

were informed about the trip at their respective council meetings in Spring 2002. The 

Tribal Councils submitted names of trip participants to the SPC Director and Outreach 

Coordinator, and these individuals were contacted by the SPC and sent information about 

the upcoming trip. 

Summary of Activities 

The SPC held meetings with the trip participants on their reservations. At these 

meetings, the SPC Director and Outreach Coordinator went over the plans for the trip, the 

exact dates, the gear list, and provided information about the Grand Canyon and the SPC 

cultural resources program. 

Additional meeting were held with youth participants from both the Kaibab and 

Shivwits reservations. During these meetings, youth were provided with information 

about the cultural significance of the Grand Canyon and reminded of culturally 

appropriate behavior at that sacred place. Additionally, youth participants received 

training and instruction in the use of camping and rafting gear. 

Recommendations 

River trip preparation is a key component of the education and training program. 

Going into the Colorado River Corridor, Southern Paiutes are entering a place rich with 

spiritual and cultural meaning. Although there is no way to fully prepare for the 
15

experience, through stories and discussions trip participants can gain the information they 

need to make themselves ready for the trip and get the most out of the experience. In the 

past, pre-river camping trips have been used in addition to organizational meetings to 

prepare participants for their time in the Grand Canyon. If time allows, these camping 

trips should be used again in the future. 

Plant Reference Guide 

Southern Paiutes have a special relationship to plants, and the monitoring program 

reflects the stewardship role of the Paiute people. To assist tribal monitors and other trip 

participants in carrying out the monitoring activities and to facilitate learning about the 

plants that are culturally significant to Southern Paiutes, a plant reference guide was 

developed in 1997. The guide includes over 125 pages of plants with photos; Paiute, 

scientific, and common plant names; and information about the significance of the plants 

in Southern Paiute culture. It was created using presentation software so each page can 

be accessed individually for editing and updating information. 

Southern Paiute River Guide 

Based on recommendations from 1997, the SPC began development of the Southern 

Paiute River Guide for use by monitors and trip participants. The guide includes 

overview maps of Southern Paiute territory and has a location finder on each page that 

shows the reader where s/he is along the river and within the larger territory. This feature 

was included because of the difficulty of relating one’s location along the river with the 

traditional territory and known places on the north rim. The guide also has space for note 

taking so participants can record information they wish to remember about places and 

events that occur along the river. The guide was used during the 2002 downriver trip; 

participants corrected errors and suggested revisions and additions. Interest in the guide 

by boatmen, and by scientists and researchers on other monitoring trips in the Grand 

Canyon, has led to discussion about producing a public version of the Southern Paiute 

River Guide.

The Multimedia and GIS Learning Project 

The Southern Paiute Consortium continued to take responsibility for much of the 

development and updating of the multimedia database and archive. The SPC office on 

the Kaibab reservation is the location at which most of the scanning and archiving of 

multimedia materials takes place. The U of A continues to be integral to the overall 

multimedia and GIS program, and SPC representatives come to the university to compile 

the information and produce the annual report. As in the past, this year’s youth 

participants wrote stories about their experiences on the river, and these are included in 

the database for past and future participants to access. 
16

The Downriver Trip 

Summary of Activities 

The downriver trip took place 

from June 22- July 2, 2002, and the 

education and training component 

occurred in conjunction with the 

monitoring trip (see Chapter One). The 

education component of the trip 

included (1) specialized training in 

monitoring skills and techniques, (2) 

direct information about Paiute culture 

provided by elders and Southern Paiute interpreters, (3) learning through participation in 

Southern Paiute traditional practices and in monitoring activities, (4) information about 

policy and management related to the Glen Canyon Dam, (5) education about how 

cultural resources along the Colorado River are being protected, and what policies exist 

and requirements are needed for receiving protective designation of cultural resources, 

and (6) activity- and field experiment-based environmental education. Because this 

year’s river trip included many youth participants, the educational activities and 

monitoring training exercises were designed to emphasize the development of basic skills 

in math and science and familiarity with scientific principles and methodology. 

As in past years, the tribal educators were an integral component of the education 

program, sharing information about past as well as present connections between Southern 

Paiutes and the Colorado River Corridor. The education program was fully integrated 

into the monitoring program, and the trip schedule and activities is provided in Table 2.1. 

One tribal elder, the SPC Coordinator, a tribal environmental specialist, a community 

health representative, three experienced SPC monitors, the SPC consulting ethnobotanist, 

and two U of A education research specialists all shared their unique knowledge and 

perspectives with the nine tribal youth participants on this year’s river trip. 

Environmental education was an important component of the 2002 river trip. In 

addition to the training youth participants received in site monitoring procedures and the 

use of monitoring equipment, activities designed to teach general ecological knowledge 

and science skills were included in this year’s program. Youth participants were 

responsible for water quality monitoring conducted throughout the trip. The SAHRA 

(Sustainability of semi-Arid Hydrology and Riparian Areas) program at the U of A 

loaned the SPC the equipment necessary for this monitoring. Temperature, PH, and 

turbidity were assessed at regular intervals. Additionally, youth participants learned how 

to test for dissolved oxygen and the relationship among these variables. Regular water 

quality monitoring allowed all of the youth a chance to participate and become 

comfortable with procedures for working with chemicals, proper sampling methodology, 

and data recording and interpretation. 
17

Additional environmental education activities included an exercise designed to 

explain the importance of biodiversity and the potential threats of invasive species, a 

mock-excavation intended to introduce the concepts of stratigraphy and chronology, 

wildlife and plant observation and illustration, and a water rights activity to stimulate 

discussion of the policies and problems regarding water distribution in the Southwest and 

the role of Native Americans in that process. 

The downriver trip was a success. The critical elements of this success are: (1) 

active participation of tribal elders who accompany participants to culturally significant 

sites and share traditional knowledge with them; (2) active participation of tribal monitors 

who work directly with participants to complete activities and share information about 

the cultural significance of the sites; (3) a training program specifically tailored to the 

needs of Southern Paiute monitors in training; (4) active participation of educational and 

environmental specialists with experience in environmental/outdoor education and 

knowledge of environmental policy and the cultural, social, and political history of the 

area; and (5) active youth participation in environmental education activities designed to 

stimulate interest in tribal resource protection and development of basic math and science 

skills. Each of these elements enhances the entire program so program participants 

receive a comprehensive education about the region impacted by Glen Canyon Dam. 

Table 2.1 Downriver Trip Schedule and Education Activities 

Date Site Activities Completed 

June 22 Jackass Canyon River safety orientation and monitor training 

Water quality monitoring 

June 23 South Canyon Southern Paiute interpretation 

Assist monitors—beach 

June 23, 

24 

Nankoweap Southern Paiute interpretation and cultural 

transmission 

Assist monitors—plants 

Water quality monitoring 

June 24 Little Colorado 

River 

Southern Paiute interpretation 

Water safety instruction 

Water quality monitoring 

June 24 Salt mines Southern Paiute interpretation and cultural activities 

June 25 Lava Chuar Assist monitors—plants and archaeology 

Invasive species/Biodiversity educational activity 

Water quality monitoring 

June 25 Tanner Assist monitors—archaeology 

Traditional craft activity 

Topography activity 

Cultural hike 

June 25 Unkar Delta Southern Paiute interpretation 

June 26 Phantom Ranch Group Activity 

Water quality monitoring 

June 27 Elves Chasm Group activity 
18

Date Site Activities Completed 

June 28 Deer Creek Paiute interpretation and cultural activities 

Assist monitors—rock art and plants 

Visitor behavior monitoring 

Water quality monitoring 

Cultural hike 

Stratigraphy educational activity 

June 29 Kanab Creek Southern Paiute interpretation 

Assist monitors—beach and plants 

Sketchbook activity 

Water Quality monitoring 

June 29 Havasupai Creek Group Activity 

June 30 Vulcan’s Anvil Southern Paiute interpretation, cultural transmission, 

and visit 

June 30 Whitmore Wash Assist monitors—beach, rock art, plants 

Water Quality monitoring 

June 30 Ompi Cave Paiute cultural transmission 

July 1 Spring Canyon Water Rights educational activity and discussion 

Assist monitors—plants 

July 1 Indian Canyon Southern Paiute interpretation 

Cultural hike 

July 1 Granite Park Southern Paiute and botanist interpretation 

July 1 Pumpkin Spring Southern Paiute interpretation 

Assist monitors—beach and spring 

Water Quality monitoring 

Group Activity 

July 2 Diamond Creek Take out 

Using the model developed in 1996, participants gathered each evening in a circle 

to share thoughts and feelings about the day’s experiences and prepare for the following 

day’s work. Information shared during these group meetings included stories about the 

places and the culturally appropriate behaviors expected there. All participants discussed 

what they know about the places and shared their feelings about visiting them. The SPC 

Coordinator and educational consultant provided additional information about other 

groups and historical/political events related to places, as requested. The evenings ended 

with time for prayer and reflection. 

Throughout the trip, participants recorded stops and activities in their river guides 

and notebooks. Youth participants were additionally provided with sketchbooks for 

illustrating plants, animals, or other significant experiences in the Canyon. Prior to 

entering any site, the trip leaders would gather the participants together and help prepare 

for any ceremonies or ritual practices appropriate to the situation. In general, at each site 

some participants would assist the monitors as they completed monitoring tasks and 

recorded the condition of the site. Youth not involved in site monitoring activities would 

conduct multiple tests to monitor water quality or participate in planned site-specific 
19

environmental education activities. Other individuals would remain with the elder and 

SPC Coordinator to listen to stories and information the elder wanted to share, spend time 

in quiet reflection, or discuss policy issues. At large and complex sites, monitors and 

participants would divide into two or more teams to gather all the necessary information 

in a timely manner. All participants gathered together again at the end of the monitoring 

tasks. Trip participants demonstrated their mastery of the skills needed for site 

monitoring and water quality monitoring by taking greater responsibility for the 

monitoring tasks as the trip progressed. 

Recommendations 

Trip participants must be carefully selected and include, if possible, two elders, at 

least two monitors, an individual responsible for the trip’s itinerary and logistics, and 

additional participants who are aware of the difficulties of working on the Colorado River 

Corridor and have prepared for the experience through participation in pre-trip study and 

events. Individuals who join the trip at the last minute due to cancellations are 

inadequately prepared and more likely to lose interest in the activities taking place. 

Program participants must have sufficient opportunities to learn skills needed for 

the trip and to practice those skills. The skills should be introduced, practiced, and 

mastered prior to the river trip so critical time on the trip is not spent in basic instruction 

in monitoring techniques. In years when the trip is scheduled for early in the season, and 

it is not possible to have an orientation session prior to the trip, time must be allocated at 

the first stop on the river for the review and practice of monitoring techniques. Once on 

the river, each individual should have assigned tasks that involve the participant in 

achieving the goals and objectives of the trip. Even with adult participants, the trip 

requires careful coordination to ensure that the necessary tasks are accomplished and all 

participants perceive themselves to be important contributors to the effort. Participants 

who desire time for independent work and reflection can inform the trip leader when they 

wish to be excused from their assigned tasks. 

All participants must be kept informed of the daily schedule and tasks. Each 

participant was provided with a trip schedule and two river guides for recording the day’s 

events and looking ahead to the next day’s activities. The addition of the Paiute river 

guide was of tremendous help in orienting trip participants. This practice should be 

repeated in the future. Still, due to the uncertainty of the camp sites and the changing 

conditions of the river environment, the schedule changed frequently. In addition to the 

evening circle during which information is shared and emotions are expressed, at least 

one individual should be prepared to present information about sites along the river 

during boat travel. As soon as individuals leave the boat, a group leader should describe 

the activities to take place at the site, expectations about who is responsible for what 

tasks, and an estimated time of stay. 
20

Chapter Three 

Meetings, Conferences, and Other Activities 

Much of the work conducted under the PA during FY2002 was done in 

committees and meetings. This chapter summarizes the interactions between the Southern 

Paiute Consortium (SPC) and others with an interest in cultural resources in the Colorado 

River Corridor. 

Meetings and Conferences 

The Southern Paiute Consortium was represented at meetings of the PA 

Signatories, the Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG), Technical Work Group 

(TWG), and the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC). The SPC 

and its member tribes, the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians and the Paiute Indian Tribe of 

Utah, participated in consultation with federal agencies that are PA Signatories. All of 

these activities are informed by the data and information that the SPC gathers during its 

annual Colorado River trips. The SPC Director is responsible for ensuring that the 

information is passed between the Southern Paiutes and the federal managers responsible 

for operations of the Glen Canyon Dam and the resources within the Colorado River 

Corridor. 

PA Signatories 

The meetings of the PA Signatories continued to focus on developing the Historic 

Preservation Plan (HPP) and defining Traditional Cultural Properties (TCPs). The SPC 

supports the development of the HPP, contributed to the Draft HPP prepared in 1997, and 

has worked with other PA Signatories to provide input in the current development 

process. Regarding TCPs, the Southern Paiute Consortium maintains its position that the 

Grand Canyon is a significant cultural landscape for and is vital to the physical and 

spiritual well being of Southern Paiute people (see Stoffle, Halmo, and Austin and 1997). 

Adaptive Management Work Group and Technical Work Group 

The SPC Director attended AMWG meetings at which there were presentations 

made about the proposed experimental flood and the Environmental Assessment. The 

SPC has not yet received a copy of the Environmental Assessment to review. Another 

topic of special interest to the SPC is the proposed removal of non-native fish by 

electroshocking. Representatives from the BOR and the USGS/GCMRC made 

presentations to the leaders of the Kaibab and Shivwits Bands of Paiute Indians regarding 

this issue. 

The TWG continues to work on developing the strategic plan and has been 

preparing the proposed science experimental flood plan. The SPC Director participated in 

TWG meetings and will make a presentation to the TWG in November 2002. As part of 

this process, the Director worked with a representative of the Bureau of Indian Affairs to 

develop text regarding tribal consultation. That effort has been consolidated with the 
21

work of the Hualapai Cultural Resources program to develop a consultation plan for the 

Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program. 

Consultation and Meetings with Federal Agencies 

Nancy Coulam of the Bureau of Reclamation and Denny Fenn, Steve Gloss, and 

Mike Lewinski of the GCMRC visited the leaders of the Kaibab and Shivwits Bands of 

Paiute Indians to discuss the GCMRC’s plan to electroshock non-native fish within the 

Colorado River Corridor. Tribal leaders oppose electroshocking as a means of fish 

population control. 

A representative of the SPC accompanied Jan Balsom and other NPS officials 

from Grand Canyon National Park for a NAGPRA consultation. The problem was 

resolved to the satisfaction of the SPC. The SPC will continue to communicate with the 

NPS on this issue. 

Another representative of the SPC accompanied the NPS Tamarisk removal team 

to remove Tamarisk saplings from Kanab Creek and other sites within the Colorado 

River Corridor. 

Meetings and Interaction with Tribal Leaders and Members 

The SPC Director and Outreach Coordinator prepared a presentation for the 

Annual Meeting of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians. They also provided reports to the 

Kaibab Tribal Council and made a presentation at a meeting of the Shivwits Band 

Council. 

Other Activities 

The SPC has participated in two major activities that are beyond the scope of the 

PA but further the SPC’s efforts to protect Southern Paiute cultural resources in the 

Colorado River Corridor. These include continued development of the SPC Education 

and Outreach Program and participation in the GCMRC’s Terrestrial Ecosystem 

Program. 

Education and Outreach 

Education is an important component of the SPC program on the Colorado River. 

Southern Paiutes who have participated in the program have learned much about their 

heritage, the Grand Canyon, cultural resource policy and management, and themselves. A 

valuable body of information now exists on the cultural significance of the Colorado River 

Corridor to the Southern Paiute people, including cultural uses of specific places and of 

native plants and minerals, and the Colorado River monitoring and education program has 

served as an invaluable opportunity for Paiute heritage to be discussed, recorded, and 

preserved for future generations of Southern Paiute people. The SPC continues the 

education and outreach program begun in 1999 to reach Southern Paiutes and non-Paiutes 
22

with information about Southern Paiute culture, cultural resources in the Colorado River 

Corridor, and the Monitoring and Environmental Education Program. The program’s 

objectives are: 

1. Continue to increase the awareness of Paiute and non-Paiute youth and adults of the 

Southern Paiute use and management of the Colorado River corridor, with emphasis on 

plant and animal resources, by preparing educational materials, conducting workshops, 

and making presentations to classrooms, organizations, and professional meetings. 

2. Increase the awareness of Southern Paiute youth and adults of the historical and recent 

Southern Paiute use and protection of the Colorado River Corridor, with emphasis on 

the concept of cultural affiliation and its importance in policy and management, by 

preparing educational materials and conducting workshops at Southern Paiute 

gatherings. 

3. Increase the awareness of non-Paiute individuals of the long history of interactions 

between Southern Paiutes and the land and resources of the Colorado River Corridor, 

with emphasis on the concept of cultural affiliation and its importance in policy and 

management, by preparing educational materials and making presentations to 

classrooms, clubs and organizations, and professional meetings. 

The Outreach Coordinator provides reports to the GCMRC and makes presentations to 

agency and other groups. Funds for this program were not made available to the SPC 

until September 2002. Therefore, the program was severely restricted in scope for most 

of the year. The Outreach Coordinator worked with the Utah State Museum on a 

Southern Paiute display for the 2002 Winter Olympics. She developed a display for the 

Kaibab Band of Paiute General Membership meeting and assists with the Kaibab 

language and culture program. 

Terrestrial Ecosystem Program 

 The Terrestrial Ecosystem Program (TEP) of GCMRC began fieldwork in 2001, 

combining in one program the monitoring of all terrestrial biological resources along the 

river. The purpose of this program is to coordinate monitoring efforts that were 

previously in disparate projects under one, eliminating inconsistencies and duplication of 

effort. The SPC was invited to participate in the TEP and took the opportunity to 

investigate whether and how the TEP and SPC’s other activities would complement one 

another. The SPC produced a report in 2001; work for 2002 was delayed because funds 

were not made available until September 2002. The SPC intends to continue to 

participate in this effort. 
23

References 

Austin, Diane E., Brian K. Fulfrost, Cynthia Osife, Tricia Drye, and Glenn Rogers 

1996 1996 Southern Paiute Consortium Colorado River Corridor Monitoring and 

Education Program: Summary. Prepared for the Glen Canyon Environmental 

Studies, Bureau of Reclamation. Prepared by the Southern Paiute Consortium, 

Pipe Spring, Arizona and Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology, 

University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. September. 

Hodgson, Wendy C. 

2001 Taxonomic Novelties in American Agave (Agavaceae). Novon 11:410-416. 

Stoffle, Richard W., Diane E. Austin, Brian K. Fulfrost, Arthur M. Phillips, III, and 

Tricia F. Drye 

1995 Itus, Auv, Te'ek (Past, Present, Future): Managing Southern Paiute Resources 

in the Colorado River Corridor. Prepared for the Glen Canyon Environmental 

Studies, Bureau of Reclamation. Prepared by the Bureau of Applied Research 

in Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. September. 

Stoffle, Richard W., David B. Halmo, and Diane E. Austin 

1997 Cultural Landscapes and Traditional Cultural Properties: A Southern Paiute 

View of the Grand Canyon and Colorado River. American Indian Quarterly

21(2): 229-249.