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CITIZENS FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE THREE SOUTHERN UTAH NATIONAL FORESTS Section 19: Recreation The following uses language consistent with Forest Service laws, regulations, etc. The term Desired Condition is the forest service term for goal. The term sub-goals is used to describe Desired Conditions in familiar language. Desired Condition (describes what we expect the forests to be like in 15 years) The rustic character and wildlands atmosphere that define the Forests are protected and restored and are accessible to the public through a variety of means. The Forest Service provides diverse outdoor recreational opportunities, while protecting and restoring the rich natural and cultural heritage of the Forests. Access and facilities are compatible with the natural features and attributes of the Forests, and facilities are monitored and maintained to avoid damage to the ecological systems in which they occur. Ecologically damaging human activity has been concentrated in some areas and reduced or eliminated in others, thereby minimizing disturbance to nest and roost sites, dens, fawning and lambing areas, and other important wildlife habitats and plant communities. Recreational activities are conducted in such a manner as to not defeat the long-term goals of protection and recovery of native species and the ecosystems on which they depend. Environmental education experiences and opportunities realized through sustainable and balanced recreational use of the Forests are readily available to all Forest users and reflect the cultural diversity of those users. All recreational activities and decision-making processes strive to minimize and isolate adverse impacts. Sub-Goals
Objectives Objective Rec-O-1: Overarching Recreational Objective
Objective Rec-O-2: Recreational Opportunity Spectrum Identify appropriate ROS management zones by conducting extensive GIS analyses (i.e., recreational activities in relation to occurrences of TES species and their habitat) and use that information to concentrate higher-impact recreational uses in less sensitive areas that are better able to withstand such use. The standards in this section shall be interpreted to supplement, not replace, any standards regarding recreation contained in other sections of this Alternative. If the standards in this section differ from the standards in another section, the more environmentally protective standards shall apply. Standard Rec O-2-S1
Objectives Rec-O-3: Listed and Sensitive Species and Habitats Within 1 year, analyze current recreational activities in relation to known locations of listed, sensitive, and Management Indicator Species (MIS)/focal species and their habitats to identify existing and potential adverse impacts. Eliminate overuse and overcrowding in those habitat areas by closing areas where biological resources are at risk, monitoring and enforcing permanent or seasonal closures, directing users towards more resilient areas, and educating users on the incompatibility of certain recreational activities. Standards for Rec O-3:
Develop and implement an annual monitoring protocol for each MIS to determine ecosystem health in relation to recreational activities. If the resulting data indicate that MIS are declining or otherwise harmed by the use of specific roads and/or tourist facilities, implement immediate remedial actions. Issue annual findings of compatibility of motorized access and facilities, and assemble and update a database that informs ongoing management and provides important information for future planning efforts (see section 7.0, Management Indicator/Focal Species). Gather information on the impacts of recreation to the Forests’ natural and cultural resources and carefully monitor the effectiveness of mitigation measures both in terms of actually controlling recreational use and preventing harm to targeted species and communities. Standards for Rec O-4:
Objectives Rec-O-5: Trails Implement an educational program through use of signs, printed materials, and Forest Rangers to provide information on: (1) low-impact behavioral practices (not cutting switchbacks, avoiding breaking down water bars, using care not to dislodge rocks, wheeled vehicles not riding side slopes, not traveling outside the tread of the trail), and (2) practices of etiquette (wheeled vehicles giving way to hikers, hikers giving way to equestrians, wheeled vehicles not startling hikers and equestrians). Implement trail grade criteria to minimize soil compaction on trails (see section 6.0, Soils Management). Standards for Rec-O-5:
Objectives Rec-O-6: Equestrian Conduct studies to evaluate potential impacts (e.g. trail degradation, soil erosion and compaction, water quality, and sedimentation in riparian areas) from equestrian use of trails to prioritize trail maintenance and enhancement projects, as well as restoration projects, and to identify trails that need to be rerouted and/or seasonally closed for resource protection. Develop and distribute informational pamphlets that encourage equestrian users to deter the spread of invasive plant species. Require equestrians to use certified weed-free forage, free of non-native plant species for all erosion control, restoration, and livestock and packstock activities in National Forests. Party size of outfitted or guided groups will be limited to a quota of people and stock that adequately protects natural resources. This quota is to be re-evaluated bi-annually, to ensure that it promotes the protection and recovery of native flora and fauna. More sensitive regions in the Forests will be evaluated for site-specific group size restrictions that may be smaller than the general group size (see section 21.0, Special Use Permits) Standards for Rec-O-6:
Objectives Rec-O-7: Mountain Bikes Conduct studies to evaluate potential impacts (e.g. trail degradation, soil erosion and compaction, water quality, and sedimentation in riparian areas) from mountain biking use to prioritize trail maintenance and enhancement projects, as well as restoration projects, and to identify trails that need to be rerouted for resource protection. Within 2 years, examine all system trails for suitability for use by bicyclists. Review for safety of and conflicts with other users all trails on which bicycles are allowed. Review for safety of other users all trails that do not meet the following criteria: minimum sight distance of +/- 85 feet for trail grades of 5-10% at blind turns; minimum sight distance of +/- 50 feet for trail grades of 10-15% at blind turns; minimum sight distance of +/- 25 feet for trail grades over 15% at blind curves. Annually monitor and assess class II trails to identify and prioritize trail maintenance, enhancement projects, and restoration projects, and to identify trails that need to be rerouted for resource protection. Develop, implement and enforce safety standards, including speed limits, for bicyclists to reduce conflicts with other users on class II trails for the safety of all Forest visitors. Analyze the potential impacts of all proposed bicycle group activities (enduro rides, races, etc.) to determine appropriate areas for these activities and to limit the number of users (see section 21.0, Special Use Permits). Standards for Rec-O-7:
Objectives Rec-O-8: Motorized Recreation Complete a comprehensive, ground-based inventory of all roads and ORV trails in the Forests within 2 years after the adoption of this plan. Include system and non-system roads with improved or unimproved surfaces, and routes wide enough to allow passage of a motorized vehicle, including ORVs (see section 22.0, Roads). To the maximum extent practicable, manage all undeveloped roadless lands, regardless of size, as roadless reserves. Develop and implement a region-wide Road Removal and Restoration (RRR) strategy (described in detail in sections 22.0, Roads, and 13.0, Roadless Areas) to identify specific roads and ORV trails for removal or conversion to class II Trails (biking, hiking, equestrian). The RRR strategy will be finished within 3 years after the completion of necessary inventories, analyses, and strategies, and shall include:
Conduct annual surveys to determine noise, air, and water pollution levels as they relate to boating and jetskiing activities to develop appropriate restrictions. Within 1 year, identify and eliminate motorized recreational use in areas where it is incompatible (e.g. riparian areas, meadows). Motorized recreation includes but is not limited to all-terrain vehicles, off-road vehicles, motorbikes, 4x4s, snowmobiles, and motorized watercraft. Identify user conflicts with respect to motorized versus non-motorized uses; significant recreation user conflicts shall default to non-motorized uses. Translate the fire danger of ORVs into use restrictions, including trail closures and re-routings in areas with dangerous fuel loads during high fire season. Forest Service law enforcement officials will ensure that speed limits are adhered to in order to ensure the safety of all Forest Service visitors, and to prevent resource conflicts. Standards for Rec-O-8:
Objectives Rec-O-9: River-based Recreation Work with local non-governmental organizations to develop and conduct on-the-ground, multi-lingual outreach and educational programs to river-based recreational users on the sensitivity of riparian habitat and how to lessen their impacts, and to instill the leave no trace ethic (see section 20.0, Environmental Education). Standards for Rec-O-9:
Objectives Rec-O-10: Outfitters and Guides Party size of outfitted or guided groups will be limited to a quota of people and stock that adequately protects natural resources. This quota is to be re-evaluated bi-annually, to ensure that it promotes the protection and recovery of native flora and fauna. More sensitive regions in the Forests are evaluated for site-specific group size restrictions that may be smaller than the general group size (see section 21.0, Special Use Permits). Require outfitters and guides to obtain training on the identification and ecology of native and non-native species, and appropriate actions for the protection of these resources, to inform their group management and education. Provide simple noxious weed and invasive species handbooks and forms to outfitters and guides to report changes in the location or presence of noxious weeds or invasive species along their outfitting and guiding routes. As a condition of their permit, the permittee will complete and submit forms for each month in which their services are provided (see section 10.0, Invasive Species Management). Require outfitters and guides to obtain training in heritage resource protection and the significance and sensitivity of Native American sites (see section 20.0, Environmental Education, and section 18.0, Cultural Heritage). Objectives Rec-O-11: Campgrounds Assess the capacity of campgrounds and designated campsites to serve visitation needs and determine whether the development of additional sites is required to protect sensitive resources from dispersed camping. Post educational signs and conduct outreach to campground users to “leave no trace”. Implement campground noise standards to reduce conflicts between Forest visitors, and to reduce adverse impacts to noise-sensitive native wildlife. Standards for Rec-O-11:
Objectives Rec-O-12: Backcountry Camping Institute all necessary restrictions to protect TES species and watersheds through appropriate backcountry use including: camping at least 200 feet from the nearest water source; fire restrictions in keeping with fulfilling the objectives and standards of Vegetative Community Management and Fire Management; and no camping in TES species sites where it could adversely affect those species. Standards for Rec-O-12:
Objectives Rec-O-13: Climbing Within 3 years, identify popular climbing spots and map high-use areas along with sensitive biological and cultural resources; where resource conflicts exist, implement measures to eliminate impacts. Protect the primitive solitude of climbing, and restrict use through permitted quotas if necessary to perpetuate resource protection and the quality of the visitor experience. Within 1 year, develop and distribute outreach materials that inform climbers to leave no trace; advocate the use of camming devices as opposed to permanent bolts, and the use of colored chalk and slings that match the rock. Restrict chalk use in areas where it becomes a visual impact. Close areas on permanent and seasonal bases, as necessary, to protect wilderness values and/or the habitat and reproductive success of TES species. Manage use, through quotas or permits if necessary, to prevent social trailing and the trampling of area microhabitats. Standards for Rec-O-13:
Objectives Rec-O-14: Boating Inventory and evaluate existing boat launches and relocate launches where they are posing a threat to sensitive watershed, botanic, and wildlife resources. Standards for Rec-O-14:
Objectives Rec-O-15: Winter/Snow-based Recreation Conduct detailed studies on all water diversions related to ski areas to identify adverse impacts to native aquatic species and habitats. Where resource conflicts exist, the Forest Service shall work with the permit holder to develop and implement mitigation measures (see section 1.0, Watershed Management). For snowmobile use, apply all relevant aforementioned objectives under motorized recreation. For snowplay, monitor existing public use and distribution and where necessary, encourage dispersed activities to ensure human safety and resource protection. Standards for Rec-O-15:
Objectives Rec-O-16: Fishing Monitor fish stocking, ensuring that non-native fish stocking will only be permitted in areas that are non-contiguous with other aquatic or riparian habitats and the chance of spread to such habitats is zero. Stocking will not be permitted in systems that are hydrologically connected or where there is a realistic probability of spread into any other aquatic systems. Native fish restoration is based on the best available science and confined to areas where the existing population is not able to perpetuate itself through natural reproduction. Fish restoration is limited to release of conservation hatchery stocks genetically, morphologically, and behaviorally indistinguishable from wild native species. Coordinate with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) with respect to their fish stocking activities to ensure that no exotic fish are being introduced to areas that support habitat for listed or sensitive aquatic species (native fish, amphibians, etc.). Please see Section 10.0, Invasive Species, for more detailed information on this topic. Promote fishing opportunities away from sensitive habitat areas. Objectives Rec-O-17: Hunting and Target Shooting Reduce conflicts between hunting and target shooting and sensitive resources. Standards for Rec-O17:
Objectives Rec-O-18: Trapping and Hounding Predators Allow trapping and hound pursuit only under pre-approved circumstances, such as for the purposes of permitted research or for the removal of non-native species. Standards for Rec-O-18:
Objectives Rec-O-19: Recreational Mining Within 2 years, identify and map areas impacted by recreational mining activities, in order to develop, prioritize, and implement restoration plans. Within 1 year, develop and distribute informational pamphlets on the biological and ecological impacts associated with recreational and industrial mining activities to educate Forest visitors on the impacts associated with the multiple-use concept. Standards for Rec-O-19:
Objectives Rec-O-20: Commercial Concessionaires Educate commercial concessionaires about negative impacts to sensitive resources, and methods of reducing impacts. Standards for Rec-O-20:
Objectives Rec-O-21: Recreational Residences Identify and map all leased recreational residences, as well as determine and track the length of leases. Identify recreational residences that qualify for historical or cultural land use designations and protections. Identify and map all private recreational residences. Develop and distribute information to educate users of recreational residences on the sensitivity of forest resources, including materials on Best Management Practices (BMPs) for ”living in the mountains” (light pollution and the effects of light on nocturnal species, attracting large carnivores with domestic pet food or livestock, etc.). Standards for Rec-O-21:
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