Study Area
Shale Butte Wilderness
The Study Area
The
Shale
includes
WSA
Butte
acres
15968
the
The
has
WSA
flow
feet
at
The
present
species
rugged
is
invaded
the competitive
big
The
sagebrush
WSA
included
in
alternatives
and
an
all
with
dominant
that
was
the
4578
to
in
which
are
no
Trapper
unnamed
miles
split
by the
primarily
the
bluebunch
under
analyzed
faces
feet
prevent
Section
the
up
at
WSA
603
of
east
estate
or inholdings
dirt
roads
within
on
the
BLM
on
road
The southern boundary
by
the area
west
by
Road
Road
the north
WSA
The
Shoshone Idaho
lands
following
Cabin
nonsystem
50
the
feet
high
Federal
of
Shale
is
an
3208
located
611
the
The
plain
WSA
of
from
range
flow
lava
The perimeter
common
within
of
part
the
limited
of the potential
grass
and
Land
Policy
alternative
surrounding
are
the
4250
Butte
wildfires
Impact Statement
alternative
the
Elevations
the southern
associated
no wilderness
above
feet
lava formations
large
occurrence
the
300
to
summit
Periodic
of
100
exposed
especially
Environmental
ElS
to
the
and
wheatgrass
Final
in
the
rises
but
soil
wildfires
repeated
of cheatgrass
studied
were
basalt
vegetation
Monument
wilderness
3208
lava flow
sloping
after
nature
with
formed
by wind-deposited
southern boundary
the
are
26
County
There
Road
on the east by an
an older
is
largely covered
lava
Lincoln
lands
line
Butte area
Shale
County
and
in
located
boundaries
road and
legal section
been
is
acres
15968
BLM-administered
Road
Cabin
Trapper
along
ID-57-2
of
The
see Table
unnamed nonsystem
--
forb
natural
is
non-native
cheatgrass
grass
plant
seed
in
the
area
and
community Wyoming
understory
and
Management
Act
EIS
in
Wilderness
which
area
native
is
the
filed
recommendation
FLPMA
July
of
1987
this
and
Two
report
Recommendation and
Rationale
recommended
acres
recommended
acres
15968
for wilderness
for
nonwilderness
The
recommendation
environment
natural
minimize
All
The
of
as the
WSA
are
big
addition
the Shale
Human
imprints
However
is
in
The
The
the
Shale
In
of native
fire
control
Shale
burned
WSA
Butte
are
designed
areas
Wilderness
minimal
are
been
has
the entire Shale
1981
plant
after
species
is
within
of the
and
WSA
and
fire
for the Shale
the
covered
of
natural
greater
vegetative
values
be
difficult
Plan
and
cumulative
little
history of
by
in
species
WSA Monument
the
In
NWPS
wilderness
as
areas natural
the
repeated large wildfires
non-native
Cheatgrass
dominant
and
Area
System
on
impact
Shale
the
restore
Resource
manage
to
of
to
flexibility
Monument
the
would
burned
Butte
or
designation
Wilderness Preservation
affected
now
is
The
allow
area
it
have
significantly
Butte
objective
Several
plan
decrease
to
in
areas
of
these
invader
WSA
Limited
Shrub
Fire
prevents
protection
Suppression Plan
restoration
management
and
Nondesignation
Wildhorse
Butte
protection
is
fire
the
in
fires
also
would
Craters
represents
this
the
restrict
burn
and
efforts
The no
fire
WSA
use
in
the long
Moon
ecosystem
of
are
habitat
and
size
reestablish
identified
mechanical
by wildfires
shrubs
rehabilitation
for
and
equipment
outlined
in
vegetation
in
Projects
and
in
Plan
Restoration
Greenstripping/Shrub
burned
other
Wildhorse
the
non-native
plant
Plan
species
in
it
activities
suppression
WSA
every
cheatgrass
would
alternative
allow
years on the average
as
dominant
greater
would
WSA
the
in
four
most
is
that
predicted
This
would
hamper
under
shrub
species
flexibility
likely
It
and
result
savings
in
more
in
the goals
achieving
natural
ecosystem
in
of
the
term
Ecosystem
Wilderness
in
fire
the
maintain
wilderness
The Great Basin Province/Desert
of the
game
reduce
Butte
preclude
by the Wildhorse
winter
big
frequency
Shale
recommended because
Plan
WSA
restore
areas
Wilderness management would
wilderness
area
to
is
management would
rehabilitation
The
WSA
Butte
naturalness
and
features
special
the
avoid
Restoration
wilderness
for
factors
to the National
diversity
or unusual
management
The purpose
the plan
Shale
add
to
from
for restoration
created
Wildhorse Shrub
nonsuitable
would
Wildhorse
the
in
allows
has
cheatgrass
of the
several
on
WSA
change
means
practical
this
The
uses
map
recommendation
wildfire
not
long
Proposal
based
is
for
least
term
recommended
Butte
area
the
in
cause
all
use
non-native
the
1985
1987
the
this
wilderness
would
WSAs
the
for
of
implementation
are
the Shale
on
no
and
invasion
ecosystem
WSA
the
would
recommendation
the
facilitate
natural
within
WSA
significant
area
high priority
BLM
land
WSA
Butte
Wildhorse
reestablishment
more
and
fire
would
would
It
nonwilderness
for
acres
15968
all
alternative
recommendation
However
where
area
Butte
habitat
does not exhibit any
the
term
release
to
is
wilderness
all
The
impacts
recommendation
game
values
in
federal
the
is
long
to
marginal
maintain
it
area
Shale
wilderness
no
Butte
the
acres
are shown
an
in
WSA
Butte
The recommendation
returning
15968
over
diversity
monoculture
1987
the
environmental
adverse
vegetative
Shale
alternative
preferable
environmentally
of
for the
the
43243
NWPS
3130-39
acres
Designation
is
the only
administered
of Shale
NWPS
612
potential
by
Butte
the
ecosystem
National
as wilderness
presented
Park Service
would
not
add
in
NPS
the
WSA
currently
diversity
to the
The supplemental
are of
the
interest
Butte
Shale
Monument
the
Existing
the
lavas
Resource
However
area
would
features
because
livestock
be
they
can
Area
these
operations
degraded
by
of the
the
Shale
exemplify
be
found
in
Two BLM
species
would
sights
would
affect
and
WSA
Butte
volcanism
the
Craters
sensitive
not
of
of
significant
species
River
Moon
the
burrowing
if
the
area
for solitude
vehicles
moving
WSA
613
Although
Wilderness
is
owl and
not
and
servicing
not
flows
of
Shale Butte
All features
unique
other
long-billed
designated
and primitive
and
the lava
Plaiu they are
the
be affected
opportunities
sounds
are not
on the Snake
BLM WSAs
curlew
may
in
of
the
exist
in
wilderness
recreation
sheep camps
These
on
opportunities
vehicle
ways
in
.id
EJ
32
31
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ASTNDARDP
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22
22
RECOMMENDED
FOR WILDERNESS
____
RECOMMENDED
FOR
LAND OUTSIDE WSA
36
35
V-
Lillilli
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RIIPIIIIIUIII
L1
NONWILDERNESS
VV
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32
33
LINCLN
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VV
23
SPLIT
ESTATE
STATE
PRIVATE
RECOMMENDED
FOR WILDERNESS
Scale
in
Miles
D-57-2
SHALE BUTTE
PROPOSAL
APRIL
1988
CC
Table
Land
--
Status
and Acreage Summary
SHALE BUTTE WSA
Within
BLM
surface
Split
Estate
Inholdings
and
Wilderness
of the
Study Area
Study Area
15968
subsurface
BLM
surface
state
only
private
15968
Total
Within
BLM
BLM
outside
Split
Estate
within
Split
Estate
outside
Total
for
Recommended
Boundary
WSA
Land
WSA
WSA
Recommended
Wilderness
Inholdings
state
State
outside
land
private
WSA
Within
the Area
Not
Recommended
BLM
for Wilderness
15968
Split
Estate
Total
BLM
for
Wilderness
WSA
within
BLM
the
Land
Not
Recommended
Wilderness
Inholdings
state
15968
private
615
Considered
Criteria
Wilderness
Recommendations
the Wilderness
in Developing
Characteristics
Naturalness
The
Shale
viewer
be
to
Several
of
non-native
is
plant
960
The
aerial
the
along
crested
seedings
have
northern
WSA
halogeton
evident
somewhat
are
minor vehicle
Six
Sections
have
after
weed
noxious
are
28 was
two-fold
and
deer
appears
to
the
average
winter
antelope
attributed
is
WSA
the
upland game and
range
non-game
but
has not
wildfire
through
of
to the
and
the
areas
area
However
vegetation
found
within
the
to
fire
Frequent
history
around
it
Cheatgrass
uninformed
visitor the
the
the natural
wildlife
and
most
effect
Butte
of
the
WSA
noticeable
of
edge
Shale
Butte
in
wheatgrass
The
and
crested
rehabilitation
seeding
1972
The
aerial
of
seeding
to
WSA
300-foot
The
1982
crowd
out
wheatgrass
strip
of
purpose
infestations
drill
seeding
the
of
rows
WSA
Prior
to
values
of
the route
blading
its
the routes
the natural
on
fire
in
area
eastern
greenstrip
livestock
road
this
of the
crested
fire-resistant
the Shale
WSAs
values
form
boundary
cumulative
aerially
on
acre
1280
in
1982
in
seeded with
drill
to
and
longest
done
WSA
Butte
seeded
located
is
was
both
to
northern
little
rehabilitation
was
impact on
the
the
dominant
seeding
road was
poisonous
along
trails
and
21
no
or
boundary
seeding
wheatgrass
WSAs
sagebrush
little
was
loss
apparent naturalness
Sagebrush
rehabilitation
had
WSA
the
as natural
edge
and
mule
historic
boundaries of the Shale
the
bitterbrush
saltbush
fourwing
the
perceived
southern
habitat
wildlife
acre
area
is
throughout much
sagebrush
are within
WSAs
the
on
be
could
of
majority
coyote birds of prey and
deer bobcat
The
WSAs
become
has
species
seeded areas
located
years
greatly reduced
existing vegetation
Three
recent
The
appearance
because of shrub cover
impact on the
significant
have
wildfires
in
antelope
WSA
the
in
in
works
including
low numbers
in
The most
by human
wildlife
used much
been
essentially natural
is
unaffected
species
found
are
WSA
Butte
Generally
the
Shale
the
Butte
22
in
have
trails
or
would
WSA
Solitude
Outside
WSA
them
can
be
Railroads
noticeable
of the
and
sights
Vehicles
seen
main
sounds
on
these
and
track
from many
WSA
on
quiet
somewhat
roads
are
diminish
visible
heard
occasionally
lies
two
locations
miles
in
south
Boundary
opportunities
from the periphery
from the
of
the southern
the
part
WSAs
WSA
of the
night
616
of the
higher
The
WSA
train
roads are located
WSA
The boundary
elevations
traffic
Visitors
In
averages
could
hear
addition
one
on
three
sides of
roads and
the
train
the trains
traffic
Union
an
the
on
Pacific
hour and
is
throughout most
and Unconfined
Primitive
The
Shale
Butte
WSA
environment provide
is
estimated
and
at
destination
winters
limit
less
spots
visitor
variety of
provides
for
opportunities
than
100
to the
recreation
camping
days
annually
accounts
for the
visitor
probably
use
Recreation
spring
and
and
hunting
The combination
low
visitor
use
fall
Special Features
The
WSA
does not contain
any
significant
or unusual
The rugged
opportunities
hiking
features
617
Nonmotorized
of
monotonous
figures
volcanic
features
recreation
landscape
use
and
and
in
lack
desert
the
of
Hot summer temperatures and
WSA
water
cold
in the
Diversity
National
the
Assessing
and Features
Wilderness designation
Wilderness Preservation
acres
There
summarized
are
in
35
Diversity
as
of Natural
Represented
of the Shale
System
other
Wilderness
Butte
NWPS
BLM
areas
System
System
by Ecosystems
WSA
This
in
Preservation
the
would
add
ecosystem
an
is
under
state
ecosystem
represented
study
with
presently
by
this
three
in
represented
designated
ecosystem
the
areas
This
National
with
76699
information
is
Table
TABLE
Ecosystem Representation
NWPS
Bailey-Kuchier
classification
Dry
Areas
areas
Other
acres
areas
BLM
Studies
acres
Domain/Intermountain
Sagebrush
Province
NATIONWIDE
Sagebrush
Steppe
Ecosystem
766gg
136
4359340
IDAHO
Sagebrush
Steppe
Ecosystem
35
12997
949916
NEVADA
Sagebrush
Steppe
Ecosystem
29
32407
1273919
CALIFORNIA
Sagebrush
Steppe
Ecosystem
152431
OREGON
Sagebrush
Steppe
Ecosystem
67
618
1983074
Expanding
Within
The
Shale
acreage
of
Butte
the
Days
WSA
designated
is
for Solitude
Opportunities
Driving
within
areas
and
Time Five Hours
five-hour
drive
BLM
study
other
or Primitive
from
of
Boise
areas
within
Recreation
Centers
Major Population
Idaho
Table
five-hour
the
number
population
center
summarizes
drive
of
the
Table
Wilderness
of
Opportunities
Major Population
NWPS
Population
Boise
Idaho
Centers
Areas
areas
acres
16
4741570
619
for
Residents
Centers
Other
areas
141
BLM
Studies
acres
5374250
and
the
Balancing
The
Shale
WSA
Butte
would
The NPS-administered
and
flow
WSA
Butte
Wilderness 43243
the Craters
Therefore
geographic distribution
diverse
Areas
of
distrihutinn
acres
WSA
Butte
wilderness
areas
one-hour drive
is
Wilderness are superior
of the Shale
attain
to
Moon
of the
designation
of opportunities
the geographic
to balancing
Moon
of the
within
values
vegetative
the Shale
contribute
not
Craters
of Wilderness
Distribution
Geographic
in
every
would
as wilderness
the
within
north
to the
to
respect
NWPS
The
lava
those
of
help balance
not
the
experiences
Manageability
The
are
Destruction
restore
prohibitions
livestock
Existing
ways
and
in
The
grounds
primitive
The
Shale
The
to
has greatly
vegetative
would
eastern
of
values
existing wilderness
native
would
be
of the area
limited
However
and
by wildfires
vegetation
the value
reduced
diversity
as big
under
administration
complicate
slightly
parts
sounds
of
game
wilderness
the existing natural
invasion
subsequent
winter
habitat
of
Efforts
management because
of
equipment
of the
December 31
and
sights
on
Resource
WSA
Butte
BLM
mineral
the
has
zero
1985 and
estates
WSA
use
permittees
vehicle
use
for access
is
at
the
these
to
move
to
ways
would
times
wilderness
of
sheep bed
grounds
and
The primary use of vehicle
From April
to June 15
service
degrade
sheep
at
camps
for
opportunities
the
solitude
bed
and
in
WSA
the
has
WSA
There
Values
petroleum
is
potential
classified
low potential for locatable
are
in
federal
and
ownership and
are approximately
320
acres
as
not
saleable
are
of
open
prospectively
valuable
for
geothermal
minerals
to mineral
mining claims
entry
within
the
There
are
no
mineral
WSA
Resources
following
considered
16
Minerals
leases within
Impacts
and
maintain
destruction
recreation
and
resources
The
October
the
mechanical
of
operations
northern
the
from
Energy
the use
on
and
to
managed
of
of shrubs
habitat
game
big
be
could
because
marginal
cheatgrass
to
WSA
Butte
Shale
values
comparative
including
impact
designation
or
table
summarizes
nondesignation
the
of
effects
the entire
620
on
area
pertinent
as
resources
wilderness
for
all
alternatives
Table
Comparative
Summary of
WSA
the Impacts by Alternative
SHALE BUTTE
ID-57-2
PROPOSED
ISSUETOPICS
Impacts
on
Wilderness
Values
Restoration
of vegetation
and would
habitat
game
natural
more
would
fire
moderately
uralness
Sheep
would
solitude
16
and
June
to
cember
ORV
Low-use
above
Mineral
on
Development
of
Locatable
Resources
to
term
long
activi
Livestock
Grazing
Operations
current
on
Fire
Management
of
ness
values
lated
portunities
from
31
April
to
De
Recreational
reduce
all
would
benefit
vehicle
tion
in
ORV
would
use
for solitude
June
to
December
15
wilder
because
slightly
adversely
and
15968
all
All
use Sheep
15%
approximately
16
April
of
on
WSA
Butte
long-
Wilderness
maintained
Shale
the elimination
receive
protection
be
the
for
WSA
would
thp
No
levels
camp
op
impact
recrea
primitive
WSA
of the
of
re
and trom October
from
16
to
31
wilder
maintained
in
of
being
visitor
use
projected
impact
mineral
on
development
resources
would
resources
be
possibility
increase
is
no
be
locatable
Existing
sheep
continue
The
crease
Impacts
would
values
acres
would
values
Congressional
use
be
Potential
available
for
There
40
operating
AUM
would
or
be
would
procedures
of grazing
level
use
would
de
2%
no
able
on
fire
sheep
The
Full
161
operating
level
AUMs
suppression
helicopters
would
of
resources
affecting
low
locat
potential
in
WSA
Butte
continue
mineral
adversely
resources
Existing
WSA
621
foregone
Shale
crease
impact
be
mineral
trucks
management
of potential
Development
would
the
development
on
wilderness
term
vehicle
recreation
trails
slightly
mineral
Impacts
All
nat
opportunities
slightly
big
area
apparent
related
of the
with
travel
There would
of
15%
vehicle
ORV
expanded
Impacts
the
and trom October
would
use
ALLWILDERNESSALTERNATIVE
values
ness
by
in
the
suppression
impact
primitive
15
31
improve
return
degrade
camp
adversely
woutd
in
ecosystem
Surface-distributing
ties
NO
ACTION
ACTION
WILDERNESS/NO
not
procedures
of grazing
or
use
would
would
de
8%
including
and
occur
use
bulldozers
of
pumper
within
the
Local
Social
and
economic
Summary
Public
of
WSA-Specific Public
review
because
designation
opposing
the
wilderness
U.S Department
Department
Resources
of
and
of
area
of
of
Welfare
Idaho
Historical
wilderness
supporting
and
opportunities
designation
were received
One comment supported
for their position
Reclamation
Environmental
Health and
State
comments
deserves
wilderness
No comments
protection
received
Energy Bureau
Transportation
study
review process
reasons
unique wilderness
were
the
in
Comments
of nine
total
no supporting
offered
designation
The U.S Department
ETS
contained
issue
significant
throughout the wilderness
of the Draft
comments
of these
Considerations
were not considered
factors
involvement occurred
During public
Eight
and Economic
Social
Department
Society
U.S
Protection
of
Lands
and
Wildlife
the
Idaho
the
Draft
Service
EIS
National
Department
Department
Transportation
commented on
622
Fish
Agency
Park Service
of Fish
Department
and
of
Game
Water