Dixie-Fishlake NF Weblog
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In the Strategy section of our draft Revised Forest Plans (set for release sometime between March and May 2006), we have a section on special areas. This section is split between congressionally designated special areas and administratively designated areas. Backcountry is one of the administrative designations we are contemplating using.

We would like your thoughts on the language we are working on for this designation. Please feel free to comment to the blog about this section, to ask questions or clarifications, we’d like to stimulate a discussion about this topic. If you have any trouble figuring out how to comment, please call me at (435) 865-3730 or email me at ckcall@fs.fed.us.

We have been working on this concept and accompanying language for much of 2005. You may have seen previous versions of this language. We are not including a list of areas (you can find that list on a previous blog post - please let me know if you have trouble finding it) that are being considered at this time because that list could change depending upon the language of the general section. There is a generic backcountry description that we hope will describe how we intend to characterize individual areas.

Here is the most recent language we would like you to weigh in on:

ADMINISTRATIVELY DESIGNATED AREAS

Backcountry Areas

Description of Designation
Backcountry areas principally feature recreation opportunities in a semi-primitive setting. The majority of these opportunities are non-motorized. However, some backcountry areas also offer low-standard motorized access through limited designated routes. Backcountry areas are identified as special areas to highlight unique opportunities, characteristics, historic features, vistas, destination attractions, or areas that have otherwise developed a “sense of place” (See Figure xx). However, these are not the only areas of the forest that provide semi-primitive opportunities. The backcountry areas will also be used to help prioritize future investment for enhancement of semi-primitive recreation opportunities.

Desired Conditions
By and large, backcountry areas are natural appearing landscapes with little development and little evidence of recent human-caused disturbance. These areas allow opportunities for a moderate level of solitude and a high degree of self-reliance or challenges. Ecological processes such as natural succession, fire, and insect and disease, are allowed to function with some human influence. Remote habitat for native or naturalized species of game and non-game wildlife is provided consistent with the natural vegetation communities.

Backcountries provide a variety of dispersed recreation opportunities. Recreation opportunities may pose an elevated degree of risk. Trails and low-standard roads provide abundant opportunities for semi-primitive recreation, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and low standard motorized travel in selected areas. Limited motorized access is provided to trail heads and other access points. Mountain biking is restricted to existing designated trails. A variety of dispersed camping opportunities are available along the perimeters and within the areas.

Structures are rare, but may include rustic shelters, bridges and signs, and primitive sanitary facilities. Management actions may be more evident in some places (especially along the perimeters) and may require periodic maintenance. These actions could include water sources, range developments, mineral exploration, and vegetation treatments. Activities within the areas should be consistent with a semi-primitive setting.

General Management Strategies for Backcountry Areas
• Generally, backcountry areas are managed to meet the physical, managerial, and social settings consistent with the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) descriptions for a semi-primitive setting.
• The areas are prioritized for future semi-primitive recreation investments such as; trail maintenance, signage, and trail head development.
• Develop a map or brochure to highlight opportunities and features of areas.
• Generally, existing level and uses of routes are maintained while maintaining the existing mix of motorized / non motorized settings
• Continue to manage areas as part of a multiple use spectrum
• Ground disturbing activities will generally be rehabilitated to a semi-primitive setting upon completion
• Activities that would alter the semi-primitive setting over a long-term may require a forest plan amendment to adjust boundaries of the backcountry.

Specific Management Strategies for Backcountry Areas

Somewhere NF Backcountry Area (Figure xx)
The Somewhere NF Blank Backcountry is an area with limited motorized access. The area totals about 30,000 acres. Trails in this area include the Road to Epiphany Trail (015), Serendipity Trail (622), and the Heaven Canyon Trail (028). The area is dissected with steep canyons cut into sedimentary formations of sandstone, shale, and limestone. The erosion patterns have carved interesting features such as Red Sox Peak, Ted Williams Canyon, and Wade Boggs Ridge. Notable historic features include pioneer cabin sites, old sawmill site, and a cattle driveway.

Specific Strategies for Somewhere NF Area.
Maintain current mix of settings:
Semi-primitive Non-motorized: 75%
Semi-primitive Motorized: 15%
Roaded Natural: 10%
Acres: 30,000

General Suitability:
Snowmobilies: OK
Mtn Bikes: OK
Estimate Miles of Motorized Trail: 2 miles
Estimated Miles of Non-Motorized Trail: 17 miles
Rx and Wildland Fire: OK

Development Suggestions
Development of trail head and signage at mouth of Ted Williams Canyon would help control access and highlight geologic features.

We are interested in your thoughts about the desired conditions for these areas, the descriptions of specific areas (what should this include), and any general thoughts you might have.

We hope to hear from you as we move towards a version of the special areas that we can include in our draft Revised Forest Plans that will be vetted through a 90-comment period late in spring 2006.