The
The Black
of the
The
at
WSA
included
ElS
filed
no
the
in
canyon
Patches
under
contains
5400
WSAs
landscape
acres
bottoms contain
of juniper
Section
trees
are
is
of
BLM-administered
characterized
found
located
by rocky canyons
and
forbs
sagebrush
land
throughout
grasses
the area
at
the southern
massive
typical
and small
October
wilderness
and
Two
1986
alternative
an
all
603 of the Federal
Land
Policy
and
of
cliffs
this
stands
Management Act
Management Framework Plan Amendment/Environmental
Eastern Idaho
nonwilderness
acres
and
toe
thrust
low moisture
of Douglas-fir
elevations
was studied
in
action
as
ID-32-9
Range The
environment
the higher
5400
--
WSA
lower slopes and
desert
grow
The
Canyon
Lemhi Mountain
faults
high
Area
Study
Study Area
Wilderness
Black Canyon
alternatives
which
wilderness
is
the
were analyzed
recommendation
alternative
363
in
the
of
EIS
this
for
Black
report
Canyon
5400
acres
FLPMA
and
was
Impact Statement
WSA
would
the
proposed
be designated
Recommendation and
Rationale
recommended
acres
5400
acres
for wilderness
recommended
for
other
The
nonwilderness
The
recommendation
environmentally
for the
environment
natural
minimize
the
over
Black
the
on
All
5400
acres
of the
the
area
does
not
abundant
already
with
the required
basic
in
wilderness
Black
the
is
will
the
WSA
the
land
for uses
would
would
BLM
to
recommended
are
and
and
roads
of wilderness
all
the
wilderness
least
change
means
practical
and
policy
than
the
cause
use
mitigate
Little
to
from
the
avoid
or
Creek
Lost/Birch
The Black
impacts
trade-offs
BLM
certain
other
for wilderness
recreation
would
trails
has
with
as nonsuitable
primitive
values
and
characteristics
and
management
It
regulations
of
use
solitude
Existing
the preservation
area
WSA
Canyon
is
map
significant
wilderness
the
alternative
recommendation
Existing
guide
Canyon
wilderness
The
impacts
release
to
is
wilderness
all
term
Proposal
contribute
in
incompatible
Plan
Canyon
WSA
Canyon
long
environmental
adverse
Management Framework
shown
Black
alternative
preferable
remain and
natural
values
resource
uses
an
the Black
Canyon
WSA
worthy of preservation
the
outweigh
Idaho
of
area
problems would
manageability
that
recognizes
because
designation
in
opportunities
be
possesses
but
difficulties
of
wilderness
benefits
designation
The
Black
Solitude
exemplary
the
be
which
area
alone
offer
west
of
acres
roadless
areas
opportunities
greater
WSA
such
miles
Vehicle
use
WSA
trespass
is
narrow
areas
and
too
One
small
canyons
access
used
with
along
occur
the
degrade
to
would
which
offer
because
solitude
one
nearly
these
to
only
two
for
many
the
in
in
more
include
in
five
River
and
ranges
than
four
The
to the
Range
wilderness-related
WSA
the
to
that
areas
roadless
the Lost
also
They
natural
more
The
features
would
other
efforts
isolation
on
offer
that
decrease
the
and
size
using
be needed
from
distance
the
is
the
attract
natural
to
the
barriers
WSA
motorized
manage
the
to
administrative
to
to
areas
than
less
vehicles
vehicle
to
routes
extend up
on
boundary
of
ability
access
roads and
Service
recreationists
of
lack
boundary
Forest
would
most
openings
main
U.S
major concern
travel
canyon
the
use
use
but
personnel
opportunities
people
at
one
low number of visitors
miles
nearby mountain
the
in
within
features
physical
landscapes
have
vehicle
the
trails
and
and
found
They
from
off
education
of
similar
and
reaches
sightseers
public
WSA
than
to
WSA
the
visitors solitude
encourage
are
trail
the
than
less
canyons
isolation
barriers
branch
points
to eliminate
adjustment
likely
of
of
four
the visitors opportunity
They
acres
400000
activities
and
in
areas
term as wilderness
long
natural
foothills
heavily
Hunters
would
would
efforts
southern
vehicle
the
lacks
than
in
be
to
judged
significant
recreationists
to
contain
rivers
are
traveling
lacks
area
abundance
recreation
over
manage
area
and
to
constrict
will
wilderness
north
and
lands
scale
the
more
Range
streams
Signing patrol and
for access
management
four
the
boundary
trespass
area
more
forest
basins
The
Five
5000 acres
routes
to
difficult
along
the
border
motorized
The
into
are
attractive
greater
peaks
vehicles
vehicle
required
these
be
portions
motorized
the
would
as high
motorized
Lowland
north
are
in
designated
Mountain
national
available
but
and
six
are limited
limitation
physical
present
recreation
primitive
Visitors
areas
in
Lemhi
the
on
are
are
and more variety of primitive
challenge
recreationists
exclude
wilderness
in
This
length
but
small
is
opportunities
opportunities
designated
but
in
and
solitude
area
Other roadless
users
are located
areas
These
two
recreation
similar primitive
million
but the
two miles
to
one
are
for
opportunities
available
is
Primitive
wilderness
attract
The
WSAs
Canyon
length
364
and
time
If
Use would
dead-end
the
WSA
became
be concentrated
near the national
forest
wilderness
in
the
areas
boundary
The no
150
visitor
days
The Black
These
and
appear
to
this
evaluations
Creek
valleys
resources
be
contains
frequently
cultural
protected
Wildlife
indicate
during
the spring
values high scenic
visual
through
Habitat
to
continue
on existing jeep
summer The
and
quality
management
Management
more
The
Cultural
Wilderness designation
are
interim
area
will
important
in
than
significant
area an
The
there
of the area
surveillance
be no
for
motorized recreation
allow
will
less
use
amounts
trails
to
primarily
approximately
Plan
and
objectives
important habitat
to
retain
Management Framework
for
variety of
the existing
and
Plan
landscape
birds
Little
resource
cultural
objectives
comments
studies
concern
WSA
Creek
management
and
annually
would
values
Public
seasons
Canyon
Lost/Birch
and
recommendation
wilde ness
the hunting
during
would
others
be included
in
values
not
add
in
1983
the
Little
no
Lost
been
can
be
Canyon
managed
existing
level
365
vandalism
Birch
developed
Creek
and
effectively
not
have
through
protection
at
The
valleys
implemented
management
would
of
being destroyed
recent
and
cultural resources
Black
the
showed
plan has
for
to
values
archaeological
and
management
recommendation
resource
1982
plan
adverse
the
for
rapid
Because
including
the
Little
impacts
use
of
features
of clear
public
signs
patrols
Lost
to
signing
BLM
rate
archaeological
and
Birch
archaeological
and
patrols
___ FJLApF
CLARK
Is
VA
21
NFl
3REST
.oU
I6
IA
1I
1%
NH
/1
I8l
19
10
14
IN
IA
JAN
17
L00
_______
17
1-
20
22
21
J_
CHALLIS
23
KI
119
24
k\
csp
20
7F
1l
N41J
NtrT
Jl
//
NFl
14E0\\
20
10
20
30
-14
3I
1n
E_JLA
__
Ni
97
12
60/
AC
1N
Oh
14
.1
JH
-
2l
29
23
22
_Z
4\/
24
j__2i7
40
LI
HhIIIIIII
N4-
//410
AEC
-1
FOR WILDERNESS
RECOMMENDED
FOR NONWILDERNESS
44
60
60
fl
R.30E
RECOMMENDED
LAND OUTSIDE WSA
//
22j
32
R.29E.I
21
20
2O/
29
\9
20
AC
lr
.L
NEC
23
21
20
AC
60
24
JL.
20
13
R.30E.l
IllIllIllIllIll
LJ
RECOMMENDED
SPLIT
R.31
ESTATE
STATE
PRIVATE
FOR WILDERNESS
Scale
ri
Miles
ID-32-9
BLACK CANYON
PROPOSAL
CTOBE
1988
BlGr
Table
Land Status and Acreage
--
Summary
of the
Study Area
BLACK CANYON WSA
Within
BLM
surface
Split
Estate
and
Study Area
5400
subsurface
BLM
surface
only
private
state
Inholdings
Wilderness
5400
Total
Within
Recommended
within
BLM
outside
Split
Estate
within
Split
Estate
outside
Total
BLM
Boundary
WSA
Land
WSA
WSA
Recommended
Wilderness
Inholdings
State
land
state
private
WSA
outside
Within
the Area
Not
Recommended
BLM
for
Wilderness
5400
Split
Estate
Total
BLM
for
Wilderness
WSA
BLM
for
the
Land
Not
Recommended
Wilderness
Inholdings
state
5400
private
367
Considered
Criteria
Wilderness
Recommendations
the Wilderness
in Developing
Characteristics
Naturalness
The Black
WSA
Canyon
is
of
almost
roadless
area
has
human imprints
negligible
Lemhi Mountain
the
toe of
The
acres
200000
with
essentially natural
comprised of the southern
Range which
recommended
been
The
includes
release
for
5400
national
acre
area
forest
is
roadless
area
from wilderness
consideration
Impacts on naturalness
gray
and
activities
consist
of
have
impacts
five
vehicle
Views
dynamited cave
on the Idaho
facilities
All
imposing
WSA
the
in
door covering
steel
trails
outside
include
Nuclear Engineering Laboratory
minor
the overall
on
effect
four
totaling
the area
natural
miles one
Views
site
of
appearance
mile
rural
on
traffic
farming
and
distant
are
the
and
fence
of
roads
not
area
Solitude
Extensive
The deep winding canyons
outstanding
secluded
and
place
for solitude
visitors
national
forest
boundary
recreation
and
present but
and
The
roadless
Range
to
bird
life
acres
areas
west
related
opportunities
offer
greater
in
roadless
These
but
such
in
areas
are
challenge
natural
as high
would
area
few people
to
in
areas four
rock
this
major
offer places
have
small
area
to
where
the
could
visitor
the
on
maintain
These
for solitude
opportunities
influence
little
canyons
climbing hiking
features
opportunities
physical
than
visitors
quality
opportunities
dead-end
canyons
find
chances
near the
that
are
features
judged
that
four
the
are
Lemhi Mountain
on national
in
variety of
peaks
million acres
wildlife
to
be
of
than
less
wilderness
attract
and
viewing
attraction
exemplary
more
are
wilderness
in
rock
visitors
to
are
Opportunities
Other
users
but
opportunities
designated
The
spelunking
recreational
good
provide
six
roadless
to
attractive
areas
areas
and
more
areas
available
more
the
make
screening
formations
nearby offer similar primitive
more
are located
vegetative
rock
Recreation
include
are
areas
five
outside
the
in
significant
include
and
north
the
lacks
area
They
the
recreationists
limited
travel
opportunities
and
wilderness
designated
400000
to
Views
unconfined recreation
the
recreationists
than
be
to
some
with
caves
and Unconfined
Primitive
Primitive
would
confined
are
formations caves
others
avoid
Visitation
because
Primitive
combined
variation
topographic
basins
forest
greater
primitive
Range
lands
scale
and
recreation
streams rivers
368
and
north
and
of
the
contain
abundance
activities
isolation
WSA
and
in
the
similar landscapes
than found
and
natural
in
the
features
Lost
and
WSA
that
River
wilderness
They
attract
also
Special Features
The Black
formations
Canyon
of
signs
of
and
great
landscape
horned
hunting
early inhabitants
blinds
is
These
interest
geologic
eagles kestrels
for shelters
WSAs
owls
by
can be
dominated
by vertical-walled
formations
are
hawks
and
prehistoric
found
in
the
falcons
picturesque
The
inhabitants
area
369
caves
as long
caves
canyons
and
and
as
provide
rock
10000
and
important
formations
years
ago
other
rock
habitat
have
also
Pictographs
for
golden
been
and
used
other
in the
Diversity
National
the
Assessing
Black
System
other
designation
NWPS
BLM
Table
study
as
WSA
Canyon
Wilderness
This
areas
located
is
of
Represented
this
ecosystem
in
the
in
WSA
state
designated the Black
If
of Natural
Diversity
and Features
The
Wilderness
is
the
would
Canyon
System
Systems
by Ecosystems
Intermountain
not
represented
under
Preservation
add
Sagebrush
by three
study
with
WSA
could
Province/Sagebrush
new ecosystem
this
designated
ecosystem
increase
the
to
the
areas
with
Steppe
76699
This information
total
area
3130-49
Wilderness Preservation
National
acres
is
represented
There
summarized
by
this
are
35
on
ecosystem
TABLE
Ecosystem Representation
Bailey-Kuchier
Dry Domain/I
Sagebrush
NWPS
Areas
areas
Classification
Other
acres
areas
BLM
Studies
acres
ntermountain
Province
NATIONWIDE
Sagebrush
Steppe
76699
Ecosystem
136
4359340
IDAHO
Sagebrush
Steppe
12997
Ecosystem
35
949916
29
1273919
NEVADA
Sagebrush
Steppe
Ecosystem
32407
CALIFORNIA
Sagebrush
Steppe
152431
Ecosystem
OREGON
Sagebrush
Steppe
67
Ecosystem
370
1983074
B.Expanding
Within
The Black
acreage
Canyon
Days
WSA
of designated
is
areas
Time Five Hours
Driving
within
and
or Primitive Recreation
for Solitude
the Opportunities
five-hour
other
BLM
drive
study
from
areas
of Major
Boise
within
Idaho
Table
five-hour
Centers
Population
summarizes
drive
of
the
the
population
number and
center
Table
Wilderness
of
Opportunities
Major Population
NWPS
Population
Boise
Idaho
Centers
Areas
areas
acres
16
4741570
371
for
Residents
Centers
Other
areas
141
BLM
Studies
acres
5374250
the
Balancing
The Black
Canyon
WSA
would
WSA
could
not
of Wilderness
Distribution
Geographic
contribute
to
the
balancing
Areas
geographic distribution
of
within
areas
the
NWPS
Manageability
The Black
Canyon
administrative
to
two
border
area
too
is
management
areas four
Energy
short
small
to
the
encourage
Forest
would
motor vehicle
Box Canyon
the
for
U.S
trails
many
one
low number
only
the area
into
Service
decrease
on
be
of
size
would
extend up
areas north
the
WSA
the
because
difficult
but with
character
which
boundary
the
would
trails
wilderness
its
to
than the
less
natural
barriers
trail
at
people
trails
time
If
of
WSA
the
became
Use would
visitors
be
wilderness
in
concentrated
the
narrow canyons
and
Geology
Minerals
covered
some
rock
The
WSA
area
with
that
lies
which
No
Belt
lies
region
within
the
of the
at
with
area
to the
the
between
of
the
have
Belt
and
oil
major
WSA
The
gas
of
any
of
equivalents
the Triassic
however
producers elsewhere
gas
existence
is
conducted
not
by stratigraphic
Overthrust
and
east
claims
mining
WSA
WSA
WSA
the
exist
districts
mineralization
River
Central
within
that
Exploratory
underlain
is
geothermal
for
the
WSA
are located
occurred
boundary
Snake
the
low geothermal potential
the potential
lower elevations
considerable
abundance
known
is
and
other
in
or reservoir
source
on
drilling
yielded
no
Unlike
of rock
unpatented
evidence
Snake
the
Paleozoic
River
carbonate
Plain
factor
rock
occurrence
resource
Lead
an
geothermal region
and Range
Basin
and
silver
copper
three
approximately
fractures
in
by
Plain
Idaho
units
claims
which
are
formerly
of mineralization
and
have
deposits
miles
northwest
not
located
the
of
known
to
just
claims
were
abandoned
subsequently
Lands
underlain
is
the
are
geothermal potential
an
mining
two
in
The
northeast
Little
boundary
greatly diminishes
WSA
occur
the
along
immediately
mined
which
oil
the lessees
however
WSA
The
for
WSA
Canyon
are
area
unpatented
been
potential
Utah-Wyoming-Idaho
are absent
moderate
geothermal
the
prepared for the Black
from the report
leases
gas
WSA
the
in
and
sedimentary rocks
age
the
oil
was
report
low-to-moderate
has
or near
units present
the Overthrust
in
1985
noncompetitive
Jurassic
rocks
assessment
Conclusions
WSA
within
exploration
GEM
Inc
Canyon
with
Values
Mineral
International
The Black
and
Resource
and
Energy
Geoexplorers
the
of
segment
offer solitude
would
efforts
to close
Attempting
points
and
the
these
term to preserve
long
access
reaches
nearly
adjustment to eliminate
on
except
trail
the
over
vehicle
five
are
used
heavily
5000 acres
are lacking
The
One
boundary
required
There
problems
miles
be managed
quantities
of
of
in
the
WSA
sand and
similar deposits
are
comprised of
gravel
located
much
These
closer
372
deposits
to
fans underlain
alluvial
areas
have
of
little
value
consumption
by
because
of the
in
1985
Impacts
The
on
Resources
following
resources
for
comparative impact table
all
the alternatives
for
considered
Black
Canyon
including
WSA
designation
wilderness
373
summarizes
or
the
nondesignation
effects
of
on
the
pertinent
entire
area
as
Table
Comparative
Summary
WSA
ENVIRONMENTAL
Impacts
on
Motorized
Values
the
by
in
of
would
ence
to
be
WSA
and
use
the
Over
retain
opportunities
recreation
low
use
by
the
the
of
above
the
the
would
values
with
include
variety
early inhabitants
of
such
motoriz
deep
winding
rock
vertical
raptors
and
acres
eliminating
and
caves
features
special
on 5400
by
slightly
use The
canyons
and
preserved
enhanced
ed
ALTERNATIVE
values
be
mations
be
will
and
for
of
signs
and
as pictographs
scatters
lithic
pres
during
long
for solitude
term
the
the
character
and primi
anticipated
recreationists
No impact
Mineral
by
natural
because
slightly
Solitude
trails
particularly
seasons
tive
impacts
slightly
with
no in
projected
existing
disrupted
would
is
and new
of vehicles
hunting
expanded
being
Wilderness
vehicle
use
travel
by
use However
visitor
levels
confined
Energy and
maintained
possibility
current
to
be
cross-country
crease
Low
solitude
ALL WILDERNESS
degrade
slightly
and
would
trails
would
use
naturalness
Impacts
BLACK CANYON
lD-32-9
PROPOSED ACTION NO
WILDERNESS
ALTERNATIVE
ISSUES
Wilderness
the Impacts by Alternative
of
No
valid
existing
withdrawn
Development
cause
rence
of
no
from
low
Lands
rights
location
potential
exploration
and
would
leasing
for mineral
or
be
Be
occur
development
is
anticipated
Impacts
to
Motorized
Recreation
Use
No impact
Motorized
90
374
visitor
recreation
days
would
use
be
amounting
foregone
to
Local
Wilderness
No
and Economic
Social
would
designation
significant
social
minor
create
would
effects
occur
Summary of WSA-Specific
BLMs
was
wilderness
and
inventory
the study
public
various
phase through scoping
comment
received
and
period
the
during
alternatives
for the
ultimate
not
an issue
received
the
wilderness
during
Eighty-one
of the
mentioned
the
designation
and
wilderness
emphasized
comments
Black
would
BLMs
that
that
the
WSAs
would
be combined
with
Service
roadless
Three
government
Environmental
Indian
of
119
cultural
Affairs
the
area
190000
acre
reevaluation
agencies
Protection
supported wilderness
damage
was
WSA
the
One
near
live
of
roadless
No comments
study
the public
hearings
WSA
Reasons
the
commenter
sent
WSA
the
and
issues
value
specifically
that
were
mineral
petition
Wilderness
against
supporters
values
vandalism
area
at
of
Comments
study
comments
of
the
in
90-day
areas cultural sites the unknown
correct
wilderness
acts
or
designation
EIS
significant
wilderness
subject
involvement
formulation
Wilderness
during
involvement
public
public
alternative
have
to
areas archaeological
the
from
solicited
Draft
not
was
to
who
citizens
Diamond Peak
and
opposed
and
on
Idaho
for consideration
value
from
and
EIS comment period
causing
features
use
recreation
Canyon
and
participation
BLM
found
lands
MFP
deferred
geologic
and
sites
Two
considered
and
wilderness
that
commenters
the
felt
for wilderness
in
designation
WSA
the
U.S
should
Forest
process
commented on
Agency
those
the Draft
focused
these
Black
the
were used to develop
efforts
of
wilderness
scenic
commenters
of
of
signatures
public
Eastern
the
on
commenters
Six
to the area
assessment
be the best protection
during
WSA
visitors
contained
The major concern
received
extensive
issue identification
Big Desert
were
designation
recommendations
scoping
management
inventory
Canyon
attract
EIS
the original
in
with
on
mailings
hearings
and
of
Comments
wilderness
formal
period
of increased
result
impact as
of wilderness
result
were conducted
making
meetings
two
inventory
Wilderness was
status
in
economic
favorable
as
Public
study
an important consideration
Considerations
stated
the
that
WSA
they
had
because the Black
The Idaho
no
Canyon
375
of Fish
Department
objection
WSA
to the
Draft
contains
and
Game
ElS proposal
artifacts
of
the
and
the
U.S
The Bureau
Indian
of
heritage