Deer Creek Wilderness
The
The Deer
of
acres
of
WSAs
The
within
follows
Road
of
one
is
WSA
The
from
The
is
4920
WSAs
to
Several
species
The
this
and
Gooding
no
split
estate
Camas Counties Idaho
lands within
the
area
WSA
The
There
includes
640
is
acre
7487
inholding
formed
primarily
road
Portions
WSAs
within
by the following
and
north
west
east
by
of the eastern
BLM
roads
on
Road 2402
the
west
Davis
Road 2002
by County
Road
Mountain
Terrace Creek
follow
boundary
the
The
and
southern
the
also
on
boundary
series
Plains
of steep
and
Rhyolite
to
the
Hills
rolling
The
south
belt
WSA
is
of
foothills
southwest
between
of
Davis
Sawtooth
the
Mountain one
hills
basalt
with
outcrops
Creek Deer Creek and
Cottonwood
dominate
the
tops of
many
of the
unnamed
drainages
Elevations
hills
range
feet
vegetation
Indian
of
Mount Bennett
River
Bennett Hills
by
them
6560
the
the
Snake
the
wildlife
and
including
The
and grasses
sagebrush
is
paintbrush
higher
elevations
have
scattered
stands
of
aspen
lupine
bear coyotes birds of prey
elk deer
and
upland game
birds
are
found
in
WSA
WSA
included
1986
in
dominant
brush
in
are
see Table
the
and
dominated
tobacco
the
five
points
between
cutting
of
to the north
the highest
There
land
private
Mountains
acres
located
is
lands
WSA
on
by an unnamed
WSA
The
the
7487
--
ID-54-10
boundaries are
Bliss-Hill City
the east
WSA
Creek
BLM-administered
land
state
Area
Study
Study Area
in
Two
report
was
the
studied
alternatives
and
under
Shoshone/Sun
an
all
Section
603
Valley
Final
were analyzed
wilderness
in
of
the
the
Federal
Environmental
EIS
no
Land
wilderness
alternative
589
Policy
and
Impact Statement
alternative
Management Act
ElS Wilderness
which
is
the
FLPMA
filed
and
in April
recommendation
of
Recommendation and
Rationale
recommended
acres
7487
for wilderness
recommended
acres
for
nonwilderness
The
recommendation
environmentally
environment
natural
minimize
the
over
the wilderness
necessary
Preservation
System
NWPS
values
area
the
the
in
However
area
The Deer
formations
bluffs
occur
Most
West
WSAs
The
area
generally
Deer
Creek
Extensive
found
City
areas
In
Rocks
East
Idaho
this
WSA
Designation
wilderness
the
the
the other
study
process
it
of the
present
projected
would
activities
wilderness
significantly
there
little
is
known
designation
contained
educational
or
features
for
in
wilderness
on the northern
formations
look
of
parts
the
River
some drainages rock
and
arches
like
Snake
of the
edge
In
Gooding
City
called
pillars
Rocks
of
East
Hills
natural
of
little
the
the
values
is
would
However
Sagebrush
add
the
and
developments
range
overall
in
Deer
the
wilderness
The
values
natural
WSA
Creek
of
values
the
are
also
Gooding
the
Wilderness
National
landforms
19310
to
preserve
for
solitude
acres
to
Park
primitive
the
area
others
in
NPS
City of
Gooding
the
Through
the types of wilderness
and
City
Preservation
Service
NWPS
the
the
in
and Gooding
Steppe Ecosystem
values
and
recreation
Rocks
found
special
WSA
existing
and
level
Rocks
Province/Sagebrush
in
of
City of
Little
by the National
diversity
opportunity
Creek
to
the
in
represented
the designation
potential
quality
found
as those
WSAs Black Canyon
values opportunities
Deer
low-impact
WSAs
recreation
Wilderness administered
significant
are
the
impact on
primitive
Intermountain
WSAs
threat
mineral
WSA
the
in
quality
ecosystem
Moon
and
WSAs
West
higher
of the
more
designation
time
wilderness
determined that
was
negligible
Bennett Hills
classification
represents
map
Wildcrness
geologic
recommended
are
major drainages
northern
imprints
solitude
and
much
an example
Craters
human
for
East
are of
Bennett Hills landforms
the
without
is
the
These
present
have
types of
any of the Bennett
of
features than
At
like
are
WSA
National
outstanding
or
WSAs
West
along
the
the
avoid
Proposal
scientific
habitats
are
quality
Bennett Hills located
especially
similar to the
is
and
area
Rocks
Bailey-Kuchler
in
tuffs
WSA
and
East
or
There
higher
While
the
to
from
recommended
are
on the Deer Creek
in
The
uses
change
means
WSA
the
inclusion
species
least
practical
within
WSA
merit
to
of
all
recommendation
the
wildlife
values
use
land
Creek
designation
Rocks
the
Existing
same
of
West
West
West WSAs
East and
in
and
NWPS
System
the
City
and
East
in
offers opportunities
exhibiting
The Deer Creek
of
also
Gooding
Rocks
natural
throughout
federal
the
cause
by steep narrow stream channels
cut
the
in
significant
WSA
the
volcanic
plateaus
Deer
wilderness
City of
WSAs
Deer Creek
appears
WSA
the
in
of
high
scattered
are
welded
the
as the
based wilderness
five
of
of
nonwilderness
for
acres
would
It
would
acres
consideration
no
are
from
throughout
of
of
and
They
one
is
composed
hoodoos
There
benefit
nearby Gooding
WSA
Creek
Rock
Plain
the
shown
are
7487
all
alternative
study they are not considered
similar geologic
within
designation
and
release
recommendation
7487
All
was the key
for
would
that
The
impacts
to
is
wilderness
all
term
long
values
values
the
is
designation
wilderness
WSA
Creek
alternative
for wilderness
quality of
Deer
the
environmental
adverse
nonsuitable
The
for
preferable
no
of
change
590
naturalness
valid
values
rights
now
of
of
found
in
the
There
the
are
WSA
WSA
are
no
known
Therefore
not
or
even
expected
to
.if
12
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IIIIIIThii
RECOMMENDED
FOR WILDERNESS
RECOMMENDED
FOR
LAND OUTSIDE WSA
1111111111111111
SPLIT
R.14E
ESTATE
NONWILDERNESS
STATE
RECOMMENDED
PRIVATE
FOR WILDERNESS
Scale
in
Miles
ID-54-1O
DEER CREEK
PROPOSAL
MARCH
1988
Table
Land Status and Acreage
--
Summary
of the
Study Area
DEER CREEK WSA
Within
BLM
surface
Split
Estate
Inholdings
and
Wilderness
Study Area
7487
subsurface
BLM
surface
state
only
640
private
8127
Total
Within
BLM
WSA
outside WSA
Split
Estate
within
Split
Estate
outside
Total
BLM
BLM
for
the
Recommended
Boundary
within
Land
WSA
WSA
Recommended
Wilderness
Inholdings
state
State
outside
land
private
WSA
Within
the Area
Not
Recommended
BLM
for Wilderness
7487
Split
Estate
Total
BLM
for
Wilderness
Land
Not
Recommended
Wilderness
Inholdings
state
7487
640
private
592
Criteria
Wilderness
Considered
Recommendations
the Wilderness
in Developing
Characteristics
Naturalness
The Deer
vehicle
Creek
trails
are
development
trails
would
WSA
natural
appears
one-half
totaling
localized
and
imprints
return
eventually
Short
sections
mile are the only
to
have
natural
no
of
human
drift
effect
significant
condition
use
if
fences
imprints
was
spring
WSA
the
in
the
on
and
development
The
WSAs
drift
two
and
fences
The
naturalness
short
spring
vehicle
eliminated
Solitude
The
WSA
largely on
offers outstanding
number
the
hard to avoid
from
WSA
has
one
little
vegetative
Primitive
The
of
outstanding
activities
provides
visual
WSA
of
number
Aspen
other
of
groves
and Unconfined
and
including
interest
at
visitors
visitors
in
time
one
the
If
WSA
has
no
for
significant
increased
the
Although
could
WSAs
exceed
solitude
from
canyons
portion
of
WSA
the
in
present
within
the capability
northern
the
these
provide
would
levels
WSA
it
be
provide
to screen
canyons
screening
depend
would
most of the
but
Recreation
unconfined recreational
hiking
nature
both the hiker
and
opportunities
study photography
those
involved
Special Features
The
quality of
use
screening
primitive
available
the
sounds
large
another
in
The
for solitude
opportunities
users
and
sights
screening
topographic
visitors
the
of
special
features
593
in
in
and
nature
this
WSA
hunting
study
are
The
based
variety
on
of
the diversity
environments
in the
Diversity
Assessing
National
the
Diversity
and Features
Wilderness
National
other
designation
as
of
areas
in
the
the
state
of Natural
Represented
Deer
Wilderness Preservation
BLM
Wilderness
Creek
System
under
study
Preservation
System
Systems
by Ecosystems
WSA
would
NV/PS
with
this
add
by three
an ecosystem
designated
ecosystem
This
presently
areas
with
information
represented
76699
is
acres
summarized
in
the
There
in
are
35
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
IDAHO
Sagebrush
Steppe
Ecosystem
12997
NEVADA
Sagebrush
Steppe
Ecosystem
29
32407
1273919
CALIFORNIA
Sagebrush
Steppe
Ecosystem
152431
OREGON
Sagebrush
Steppe
67
Ecosystem
594
1983074
Expanding
acreage
of
Creek
Opportunities
Days
within
The Deer
the
WSA
designated
is
Time Five Hours
Driving
within
areas
and
for Solitude
other
from
drive
five-hour
BLM
study
or Primitive Recreation
of Major Population
Boise
Idaho
within
areas
Table
five-hour
Centers
summarizes
drive
of the
the
number and
population
center
Table
Wilderness
Opportunities
of Major
Population
NWPS
Population
Boise
Idaho
Centers
Areas
areas
acres
16
4741570
595
for
Residents
Centers
Other
areas
141
BLM
Studies
acres
5374250
the
Balancing
The Deer
Creek
WSA
would
WSA
is
not
of Wilderness
Distribution
Geographic
contribute
to
the
balancing
Areas
geographic distribution
of
areas
and
uses
within
the
NWPS
Manageability
The Deer
Creek
Livestock
permittees
primarily
fences
Based
grazing
Energy
and
Except
for the
are
open
on
The
the
WSA
having
Resource
land
is
to
the
classified
Fernette
the
observations
Impacts
mineral
land
state
development
and
this
is
parcel
have
would
degree
used
is
inholding
on
minimal
are
rangeland developments
same manner
the
in
The
resources
maintain
to
for
solely
anticipated
Creek
This
and
WSA
mineral
classification
is
estates
based
on
WSA
the
in
low potential
has
for
and
oil
federal
coal
gas
U.S
and
geology
in
are
and
ownership and
moderate
studies
Survey
Geological
low potential for other
as having
1983
There
area
the
is
are
mineral
potential
WSA
classified
no
diatomite
1983
as having
leasable
on
are
the
WSA
an unfavorable
deposits
There
based
minerals
leases within
based
resources
for
Fernette
mineral
no
based on
the
entire area
geologic
presence
mining claims
low potential for saleable
an unfavorable
on
The
in
the
is
geologic
classified
environment
of
the
WSA
It
as
is
Banbury
Based
on
field
materials
Resources
on
following
considered
surface
all
The Deer
moderate
as having
no
other
southeast
sediments underlying
The
inholding
low potential for metallic
classified
activities
management
analysis
with
occasionally
Values
geothermal energy
WSAs
environment
resource
Conflicts
the area
management
wilderness
or
the mineral
state
into
access
of grazing
values
mineral entry
for
potential
on
Minerals
to
require
Continuation
wilderness
on
effect
little
as wilderness
manageable
would
comparative impact table
including
designation
or
summarizes
nondesignation
the
effects
of the
596
entire
on
pertinent
area
as
resources
wilderness
for
all
the
alternatives
Table
Comparative
Summary
WSA
of the
DEER CREEK
ID-54-1O
on
Wilderness
The
Values
areas
and
naturalness
for solitude
ALL WILDERNESS
ALTERNATIVE
ACTION
WILDERNESS/NO
Impacts
NO
PROPOSED ACTION
ISSUE TOPICS
Impacts by Alternative
would
be
All
opportunities
reduced
wilderness
term
slightly
and
ness
the
ORV
of
for
because
slightly
use
land
state
long-
Natural
would
solitude
elimina
of the
the acquisition
and
of
and
Naturalness
inholding
opportunities
for solitude
duced
by
slightly
receive
protection
opportunities
improve
tion
would
values
Congressional
would
re
be
management
range
actions
Impacts
on
Recreational
ORV
Use
There would
al
ORV
be
no
impact
on
recreation
of
on
Development
Mineral
Resources
Potential
mineral
available
for
moderate
sources
no
There
diatomite
on
would
This
be
development
re
would
of
mineral
on
grazing
forgone
this
be
sources
sources
use
of
of 100
to
other
visitor
The
public
lands
forgone
potential
and
This
re
includes
for geothermal
re
diatomite
resources
Impacts
and
on
Grazing
Construction
Facility
Maintenance
There would
cility
be
maintenance
no
impact
and
597
construction
fa
There would be
facility
days
impact
mineral
potential
would be
moderate
be
use
annually
negligible
Development
includes
for geothermal
potential
and
impact
resources
development
be
shifting
would
Impacts
ORV
Recreational
would
usc
no
maintenance
impact
and
on
grazing
construction
Local
and
Social
Economic
and
Social
economic
factors
were not
Considerations
considered
Summary of WSA-Specific
involvement has
Public
occurred
EIS
these
contained
no
areas wilderness
supporting
and
values
areas preservation
value
Mount Bennett
Hills
Six
comments were
received
reasons
supporting
of
Idaho
and
The Board
of
Health
it
of
and
is
for
better
their
Welfare
of Fish
and
Agency
commented on
Wildlife
comments
position
National
their
solitude
addressed
Park
the Draft
Comments
with
of
During
the
with
to
supporting
were
stated
of
received
and
scenery
wilderness
complex
looks
the
the
in
no
contained
the area
the
Eight of
addressed
reasons
Four of those
area
review
public
opportunities
designate
reasons
supporting
WSA
Creek
recreation
wildlife
designation
like
the
rest
uses
Water
Service
US
Deer
the opportunity
any more wilderness
Commissioners opposed
of
study
process
the
Comments
position
wilderness
for other
Department
review
of
designation
including
opposing
suited
Camas County
for
reasons
resources
Nine
the
wilderness
the
Comments
the wilderness
throughout
32 comments supporting
Draft
Public
in
issue
significant
None
Quality Office
Bureau
of
their
of
of
the
Reclamation
comments
598
in
Attorney
and
specifically
the
Idaho
General
The
the
Environmental
addressed
the
Idaho
Department
U.S Department
Protection
Deer
Creek
WSA