The
6287
Road 2410
follow
the
foothills
WSA
The
which
rise
formations
not
gently
the
more
than
are
Elevations
the
in
The dominant
cottonwood
100
prairie
rock
area
feet
Basalt
of
serviceberry
is
and
lands
face
of
locally
Rocks
5616
and
eastern
River
Plain
to
south
southern
Hills
the
canyon
as the
drainages
hoodoos
City of
those
contain
dominate
Rocks
found
in
area
Although
Utahs Arches
BLM
of
boundary
belt
rolling
south
rhyolite
this
see
by
Portions
trails
jeep
includes
area
of
Clover
columns
These
the rock
National
types
are
Park
feet
Shaded
grasses
Wildlife
chokecherry
and
Mount Bennett
the Snake
and
rival
the
the
Bennett Hills cut by the East Fork
the
These
pillars
of
the
within
and
within
on the west
nonsystem
WSA
The
County Idaho
or inholdings
roads
Portions
WSAs
five
arches
City of
to
Gooding
by unnamed
Creek
drainages
bluffs
4080
east
the north
the south
the
sagebrush
and
of
to
known
from
range
one
is
the area
in
in
estate
split
and
of Clover
unnamed
formations
vegetation
Fork
on
no
formed by the following
Mountains
other
continuation
the
same
and
located
is
are
the north
WSA
The
Sawtooth
sloping
Creek
Catchall
Creek
the
on
the East
land
private
between
is
follow
There
primarily
is
Study Area
acres
ID-54-8B
lands
Road
Creek
Clover
and
state
WSA
West
boundary
western boundary
the
of
WSAs
6287
--
BLM-administered
The
Table
Rocks
of
City
of
acres
Area
Study
The Gooding
Rocks West Wilderness
City of
Gooding
canyons
include
species
support
elk
of
willows aspen
coyotes bear birds of prey and
pockets
deer
upland game birds
The
WSA
included
Two
this
was
in
the
alternatives
report
and
studied
under
Section
Shoshone/Sun
were
analyzed
no wilderness
Valley
in
the
603
of
Final
ElS
the
Federal
Land
Environmental
an
all
576
and
Management Act
Impact Statement
wilderness
alternative
Policy
alternative
Wilderness
which
is
the
FLPMA
filed
in
and
April
recommendation
1986
of
Recommendation and
6287
Rationale
recommended
acres
for
wilderness
recommended
acres
for
nonwilderness
The recommendation
for the
recommendation
This
natural
environment
The
wilderness
all
the
environmentally
WSAs east
WSA are shown
the
also
will
alternative
boundary
as the
Gooding
to
is
alternative
preferred
to
apply
6287
designate
will
It
been
identified
City of
nonfederal
any adjacent
395
Approximately
have
WSA
West
cause
the
acres
wilderness
as
from
change
least
the
term
long
willing owners
with
exchange
in
Rocks
City of
Gooding
the
is
for acquisition
Rocks
WSA
West
lands
All
of
acres
6287
the
on
the state
federal
land
West
or
on
section
within
land
Rocks
City of
Gooding
through purchase
acquired
west of the road dissecting
acres
the
Proposal
map
The
wilderness
cultural
Preservation
Wilderness
Cultural
WSA
Fire
Seeding
is
2000
and
can
no
The
fire
seeding
minor
Gooding
imprints
are
City of
Rocks
and
dense
and
disperse
of
opportunities
WSA
In
include
Idaho
Wilderness
Moon
WSA
The
ecosystems
formations
and
WSA
of the
the
basalt
Moon
Gooding
plateaus
Park
from
Wilderness
City of
cut
Rocks
by riparian
this
is
an
Vitrophyre
City of
NPS
systems
577
for solitude
and
Rocks
WSA
of
East
represented
the
example
thousands
in
the
vehicle
faint
trails
condition
study
Gooding
of
acres
for
River
of
visitors
in
City
of
the
of
Plain
welded
to
photography
in
represented
landforms
Snake
recreation
the steep
recreation
and
the Craters
of
and
opportunities
ecosystem
in
However
Burn
unsuccessful
primitive
Primitive
nature
the
is
represented
an outstanding
consists
is
Strike
was
areas topography
exceptional
Ecosystem
the
markers and
endless
provide
are
include
natural-appearing
the
climbing hunting
landforms
area
of
effects
area
ecosystem
Service
the
would
characteristics
most of which
more
opportunities
Steppe
classification
scatters
1959
in
to
Gooding
riding
Province/Sagebrush
different
the
of
lithic
fences mining claim
returning
most of the canyons
values
that
or uses
system
naturalness
completed
drift
and
to
surface
areas apparent
outstanding
horseback
by the National
are vastly
the
by the screening
proximity
within
camping
and
Gooding
near some cultural sites
seeding
short
offers
recreational
Bailey-Kuchler
administered
while
The
on
the wilderness
The
Wilderness
areas wilderness
the
wilderness
works
National
values
resource
impact
to
area
the
and
geological
from
benefit
by human
in
represented
does not contain
found
aerial
further
vegetation
Sagebrush
Craters
ground
not
ecological
would
values
untouched
virtually
or negatively
are revegetating
West
hiking
this
Wilderness
the
trails
these
petroglyphs
is
imprints
Rocks formations
others
The Intermountain
on
art
WSA
are
diverse
tools
the
diminished
riparian
avoid
rock
Minor
located
WSA
quality
stone
All
currently
management
include
within
vehicle
and
The areas City
gorges
WSA
benches
The
high
for flaked
acres
be
longer
add
pristine
virtually
and
landforms
Idaho
in
wilderness
the
in
material
raw
add
exhibits special
area
value
educational
canyons
would
will
designation
The
The
with
resources
important
deep
NWPS
System
conflict
significantly
These
WSAs
WSA
The
are exceptional
and
scientific
West
Rocks
of
WSA
of the
of
all
The
designation
City
values
features
the
this
Moon
Craters
Rocks
desert
volcanic
of
the
West
lava
tuff
flow
rock
Conflicts
with
has
other
The
wilderness
resource
WSA
recommended
by
Grazing use and
The
area
has
diatomite
Rocks
are
East
The
and
of the
located
WSA
for
has
outside
is
metals
high
the
also
WSA
Most
of
the
WSAs
be
allowed
road would
oil
coal
gas
for
potential
Gooding
City
recommended
of
is
to
and
the
West
13063
City
both
of
affect
potential
However
WSA
on
for
wilderness
geothermal
extensive
as well
minable
as the
designation
adjacent
as
WSA
West
acres
Rocks
is
West
WSAs
Grazing management related
for wilderness
578
Gooding
of
managed
Rocks
WSA
East
manageability
negligible
Rocks
City of
the
be
could
area
Rocks
from
continue
moderate
the
Gooding
separated
diatomite
suitable
the
City of
enhances
have
and
limited
east of
Gooding
It
these
will
are
to the
designation
of
activities
WSA
the
in
East
values
cherry-stem
WSA
which
values
proximity
one
low potential
and
Rocks
for wilderness
management
roads
western corner
wilderness
suitable
road
rough
on boundary
City of
Gooding
similar high-quality
also
uses
vehicle
use
values
The
energy
reserves
of
Gooding
City
of
Table
Land Status and Acreage
GOODING CITY OF
--
Within
BLM
surface
Split
Estate
and
BLM
of the
Study Area
ROCKS WEST
Study
Area
6287
subsurface
surface
state
Inholdings
Wilderness
Summary
only
private
6287
Total
Within
Recommended
within
BLM
outside
Split
Estate
within
Split
Estate
outside
Total
BLM
Boundary
Land
6287
WSA
WSA
Recommended
Wilderness
6287
Inholdings
state
State
outside
land
private
WSA
Within
the Area
395
Not
Recommended
BLM
Split
Estate
Total
BLM
for
Wilderness
WSA
WSA
BLM
for
the
Land
Not
Recommended
Wilderness
Inholdings
state
private
580
for
Wilderness
Considered
Criteria
Wilderness
the Wilderness
in Developing
Recommendations
Characteristics
Naturalness
the
Generally
are
virtually
Burn
Strike
Fire
fences
drift
by human
an
Seeding
WSA
West
on
seeding
two miles
2000
within
acres
few mining claim
deep
areas apparent
the
on
imprints
about
WSAs
The
natural
appears
Minor
impacts
aerial
than
less
totaling
Rocks
City of
Gooding
untouched
WSA
the
markers and
benches
include
the
1959
in
completed
vehicle
faint
and
canyons
naturalness
short
trails
Solitude
WSAs
The
for
topography
visitors
the
southern
In
The
part
of
high
degree
of the
WSA
as outstanding
scattered
the
in
as
the
in
rolling
southern
and
and
outstanding
and
opportunities
rock formations
rhyolite
Pillars
solitude
and
hills
hoodoos
of
which
also
dispersion
solitude
provide
in
various
Drainages encourage
buttes
of
though
part
offer vegetative
combined
provide
Canyons
screening
of seclusion
has
screening
WSA
topographic
zones
riparian
vegetative
others
excellent
provide
screening however
little
provide
sounds
visitors
bottoms
many canyon
shrubs
WSA
northern
not
are
opportunities
the
and
configuration
and
sights
allow
shapes
groups
boundary
the
of
part
and
heights
visitor
avoid
to
the
with
screening
Elsewhere
areas topography
and
grasses
add
they
to
low
the sense
of
seclusion
The
recreationists
strewn
and
are
not
solitude
drainages
twisting
favored
the southern
especially
near
and
relatively
few numbers
in
Human
and
outside
activities
area
of
patchwork
buttes
because
within
of
the
the
WSA
offers
outstanding
within
pillars
the
are
visible
farms and
However
Subjects
the
near
community
these
outside
WSAs
of
these
are
are present
only
periodically
and
can
sounds
and
parts
during
from high points
be seen
do
by early summer
dry
northeastern
boundary
steep boulder
the
usually
and
Gooding
sights
in
operations
areas
northern
flatter
operators
the
and Unconfined
for
horseback
and
WSA
and
since
the
frequents
animals
by livestock
upon
WSA
of the
not
in
the
the
the
within
distance
year
the
from
ridges
the
WSA
affect
significantly
of
involved
exceptional
for
area
hoodoos
the
WSA
opportunities
Opportunities
The
springs
fields
distances
Primitive
The
the
part
Livestock
by operators
WSA
encroached
not
generally
is
in
for
arches
scenery
Recreation
and
diversity
photography
riding
fishing
photography
The
hiking
diverse
and
of
landforms
camping
as well
hunting
include
vegetation
the
myriad
ranges
581
Natural
wildlife
of
as
features
observation
many
other
brilliantly
from sagebrush
and
nature
activities
colored
and
within
are
the
WSA
also present
lichen-encrusted
grasses
on
provide
study
rhyolite
the plateaus
to
and
mosses
ferns
nature
are
bobcat
Several
The
drainages
The
cultural
along
shaded
sites
with
Primitive
for viewing
quail are
contribute
factors
challenge
abundant
mountain
and
diversity of
filled
in
flowers
rocky
This
canyons
offers
diversity
exceptional
opportunities
for
study
Opportunities
bear
wild
the
to
the scarcity
plus
northern
part
of
Aggregations
countless
camping
rock
among
pillars
The extreme summer
in
rhyolite
enhanced
the southern
heat
and
Rocks
in
WSAs
West
in
much
and
raptors
of
outstanding
maneuvering
the
Black
coyotes
the southern
wide
part
open
of
to
and
WSA
the
pillars
the
provide
space
for
opportunities
the
through
combine
year
of
sense
provides
pillars
grouse
sage
also
and
recreationist
contains
interesting
of
sense
provide
hiking
long rock-
seclusion
opportunities
are
opportunities
the rock
WSA
elk deer
difficulty
water during
the
climbing
of
as
seen
of
City
degrees
of
of
species
occasionally
Gooding
the varying
terrain
such
lack
part
of
of
by the rugged
terrain
WSA
by open
the
and
drinking
and
cooking
of
the
space
water add
to
WSA
the
the
many camping
the northern
in
primitiveness
part
of
of
spots
the
WSA
the recreation
experience
Special Features
Cultural
flaked
sites
stone
with
tools
associated
is
found
Spectacular
landforms
monoliths
These
petroglyphs
are
located
in
the
WSA
Vitrophyre
an important raw material
for
near some cultural sites
occur
landforms
within
display
the
drainages
of the
weathering processes
unusual
582
WSA
and
These
include
structural
columns
anomalies that
hoodoos
are
arches
picturesque
and
and
in the
Diversity
Assessing
and
in
acres
There
summarized
in
of
the National
are
35
Wilderness
other
as
the
City of
Rocks
Wilderness Preservation
BLM
areas
in
the
System
Systems
by Ecosystems
Represented
Gooding
Preservation
of Natural
the Diversity
Features
Wilderness designation
represented
National
state
WSA
West
System
under
would
NWPS
study
with
add
an ecosystem
by three
this
designated
presently
areas
with
This information
ecosystem
76699
is
Table
TABLE
Ecosystem Representation
Bailey-Kuchier
classification
NWPS
Areas
areas
Other
acres
areas
BLM
Studies
acres
Dry Domain/Intermountain
Sagebrush
Province
NATIONWIDE
Sagebrush
Steppe
Ecosystem
76699
136
4359340
35
949916
29
1273919
IDAHO
Sagebrush
Steppe
12997
Ecosystem
NEVADA
Sagebrush
Steppe
Ecosystem
32407
CALIFORNIA
Sagebrush
Steppe
Ecosystem
152431
OREGON
Sagebrush
Steppe
Ecosystem
67
583
1983074
Expanding
Within
The Gooding
the
population
Days
City
number and
the
of
Rocks
acreage
of
Opportunities
Driving
West
or Primitive
Time Five Hours
WSA
designated
for Solitude
within
is
areas
and
five-hour
other
of
Major Population
drive
BLM
Recreation
from Boise
study
areas
Idaho
within
Centers
Table
five-hour
summarizes
drive
of the
center
Table
Wilderness
of
Opportunities
Major Population
NWPS
Population
Boise
Idaho
Centers
Areas
areas
acres
16
4741570
584
for
Residents
Centers
Other
areas
141
BLM
Studies
acres
5374250
the
Balancing
The Gooding
areas
within
similar
would
NV/PS
ecosystem
add
Rocks
of
City
the
WSA
West
The
to
would
not contribute
NPS-administered
two-hour
is
landform
drive
NV/PS
the
of Wilderness
Distribution
Geographic
of
is
the
balancing
Moon
that
geographic distribution
Wilderness 43243
Gooding
from
different
very
to
the
The
the northeast
to
that
Craters
Areas
the
in
Craters
of
representing
WSA
West
Rocks
of
City
represented
acres
however
Moon
of the
Wilderness
Manageability
The 6287
other
of
diatomite
blocks
of
capped
The
by basalt
and
nonfederal
WSA
be
mined
the
Energy
and
Resource
mineral
potential
for
in
the
exposures or blocks
Mine blocks
of
Gooding
methods
on
marketed
Several
could
chance
of
The
The
abundant
be more
35
easily
of
of
Mines
WSA
the
416
WSA
to
vehicle
all
road approximately
and
Gooding
WSA
the
are
of
City
not
is
This
annually
covered
deposit
The
by
three
basalt
35
only
is
WSA
West
Rocks
approximately
containing
that
except
times
anticipated
predominantly
boundaries
use
ten
with
parts
recreation
primitive
in
deposit
WSA
the east
and
by roads
fork
of
million
partially
is
Creek
Catchall
for acquisition
proposed
mineral development
no
mineral
prepared
has
low potential
of
the
classified
of
are
There
used solely for
on these
anticipated
assessment
metals
for
for
oil
the
the
parcels
City of
Gooding
coal
gas
and
moderate
covered
is
only
partly
the Catchall
The minable wedge
exposure
diatomite
potentially
because
as marginal
suitable
and
outside
for
the
diatomite
Five
Clover Creek
Clover and
South
Ferguson
could
the
and
filter
from
products
WSA
The North Clover block
by basalt
by basalt
capped
Clover Creek
West
make up
material
WSA
the
The
Rocks
City of
Gooding
diatomaceous
predominantly
diatomite
for
potential
of
within
partially
are
million tons of
is
or
high
parts
million tons
WSA
West
have
southern
blocks
four
Rocks
reserve
diatomite
for
closed
Conflicts
northernmost
the
methods
analysis
The
are wholly
western flank
the
occurrences
however
parts
containing
City of
marginal reserve
applications
1985
western and
Four of the blocks
Chalk
the
large
East
Adjacent state lands
resources
Bureau
and
southern
and
overlaps
deposit
and
but
of the
WSA
wilderness
as
all
geothermal energy
The western and
deposit
1984
the
in
Values
The U.S Geologic Survey and
WSA
parts
development
block
West
by open-pit
WSA
the
in
and based on
West
Clover
be
the
use
for solitude
within
partially
use
would
would
southwest
deposits
boundaries are well-defined
grazing
Rocks
or
Rocks
of
and
vehicle
WSA
the
opportunities
west
be managed
reasonably
restricts
permittees
the
North
the
City
inholdings
Minerals
on
wholly
addition
Gooding
could
of the
majority
no
are
the
the
in
located
material
In
outside
lies
been
diatomaceous
limiting minability
tons
occur
deposits
have
mining claims
of
part
on
effects
negligible
can
topography
Livestock
management
with
WSA
West
Rugged
road into that
cherry-stem
livestock
Although
Rocks
minimal
are
for grazing
manage
and
The
of
City
Gooding
uses
WSA
the
required
to
acre
resource
WSA
filler
may be
it
be mined
contains
an
insulation
inferior
just
west
by open-pit
to
inferred
and
other
currently
products
of platy
and
welded
accessible
developed
development
No
tuff
possibly
deposits
Deposits
mineralized
to the
of
rock
suitable
east of
sand and
was
as decorative
the
gravel
identified
585
Gooding
are
in
too
the
stone
occur
within
of
Rocks
West
City
distant
WSA
the
and
from markets and
WSA
East
WSAs
there
is
little
Placer
claims
the
in
acres
WSA
There
Impacts
The
diatomaceous
is
no
present
earth
of the
are
held
Gooding
production
of
by two
groups of claimants
City of
Rocks
any energy
WSA
West
or mineral
and
cover
There
in
resources
the
are
approximately
no
mineral
2260
leases
in
the
WSA
Resources
on
following
considered
for
western one-third
comparative impact table
including
designation
or
summarizes
nondesignation
the
effects
of the
586
entire
on
pertinent
area
as
resources
wilderness
for
all
the alternatives
Table
Comparative
WSA
Summary of
GOODING CITY OF ROCKS WEST
ID-54-8B
PROPOSED ACTION
ISSUE TOPICS
on
Wilderness
Values
All
wilderness
term
areas
and
solitude
Impacts
on
Recreational
ORV
Use
be
on Development
of
Mineral
Resources
ORV
lands
sources
estimated
8.5%
of
of
WSA
the
the
geothermal
and
on
Grazing
Construction
Facility
Maintenance
There would
cility
and
use
be
be
The
tude
for
recreation
and
reduction
and
primitive
the
of
areas
for soli
opportunities
unconfined
days
impacts
million
mineral
This
tons
reserve
of
re
includes
diatomite
within
miles
potential
for
resources
no
There would be no
al
ORV
on
impact
recreation
use
to other
shifting
and moderate
be
and
naturalness
negligible
foregone
total
visitor
The
of potential
maintenance
There would be
unconfined
of 50
use
this
34
long-
wil
opportunities
annually
would
would
ALTERNATIVE
improve
foregone
Development
an
Impacts
primitive
from
resulting
public
All
maintained
be
and
would
Recreational
would
Impacts
would
values
receive
protection
naturalness
recreation
would
values
Congressional
derness
NO WILDERNESS
ALL
ACTION
WILDERNESS/NO
Impacts
Impacts by Alternative
the
Potential
mineral
available
for
an
estimated
impact
587
on
grazing
construction
fa
million
of
the
total
of
WSA
and
geothermal
and
34
8.5%
the
This
tons
reserve
of
diatomite
within
moderate
be
includes
miles
potential
for
resources
There would be
cility
would
resources
development
maintenance
no
impact
and
on
grazing
construction
fa
Local
Social
and
of
Economic
factors
economic
Summary
Public
and
Social
were
involvement
has
occurred
supporting
Thirteen
contained
of
these
the
wilderness
resources
areas
comments addressed
to
opportunity
the
received
for their position
did
need
Idaho
it
is
The Board
of
too
of
Health and
of Fish
Agency
and
deserve
large
opposing
wilderness
not
large
enough
complex
of
WSA
Water
Park
specific
their
lack
designation
minimal
of the
Service
is
the
area
stated
the
waste
of
Bureau
comments
588
of
in
and
of
Draft
received
reasons
specified
value
interest
was
Ten
the
Hills
is
Attorney
the
supporting
particular
of these
or has
of
were
areas preservation
Of
money
Reclamation
with
review
WSA
manageability
area
quality
of the
West
Two
any more wilderness
Office
the
NWPS
Mount Bennett
wilderness
and
Quality
in
conflicts
and
resources
reasons
Rocks
Comments
resource
the
in
During public
City of
position
of
diversity
designation
Commissioners opposed
Department
no
has
study
process
Gooding
cultural
expanding
supporting
protection
Service National
contained
to
wilderness
with
for
and
wildlife
wilderness
Comments
Camas County
Welfare
Wildlife
letters
or
recreation
review
the
the
quality
areas contribution
significant
of
reasons
and
the
Comments
designation
supporting
values
on
issue
significant
the wilderness
throughout
no
including
reasons
or
considered
wilderness
wilderness
designate
Ten comments were
not
not
WSA-Speciflc Public
ElS 47 comments
addressed
Considerations
better
contained
suited
the area
ORV
Idaho
looks
like
the
uses
The Idaho
the
Department
U.S Department
Environmental
it
rest of
conflicts
General
the
no supporting
for other
Protection