Study Area
Black Butte Wilderness
The Study Area
The Black
75
The
WSA
feet
above
the
and
tubes
feet
The
basalt
and
the
the
There
Blame
are
also
six
varies
on the under
deep
Black
of
to
lava
inches
in
color
surface
line
an inactive
The
crater
Butte
are
vent
of
contains
covered
Counties 17 miles
split
estate
roads
on
of
one
with
young
is
of
by
BLM
within
4000
and
to
the area
Road
two private
6000
years
the
3216
and
that
has
cliffs
fractured
into
see
Table
Buck
Lake
on the east by State
holdings
ago
about 200
rising
an irregularly shaped subsidence
benches
WSA
The
Shoshone Idaho
West Magic Road
variety of lava
lava
north
or inholdings
section
origin
volcano
jumbled
the
state
recent
this
lands
the south
Road 1302
around
volcano
The
plateau
dirt
BLM
by
property
Butte
older
flanks
one
area
follows
by Black
feet
the north
no
crater
plates
polygonal
to
up
lava
outcrops
jagged
to
up
thick
from black
of
Removal
to
purplish-black
on the exposed
dark surface lava slabs has resulted
desert
in
varnished
the
exposure
surfaces
of
with
dull
brownish-red
lava
WSA
was
Proposed
in
lava
younger
and
the crater
are
devoid
virtually
of vegetation
the
lower flanks
of the Butte
mixed
support
community
shrub-grass
filed
and
Lincoln
in
lands
layers
Although
The
The
the
in
located
Road 3210 on
80 to 200
and
across
brownish-red
under
BLM
surrounding
vents
four
acres
boundaries are formed by the following
dominated
is
is
BLM-administered
The boundary
wide
mile
ID-54-2
of
on the west by
Highway
.5
acres
WSAs
The
Road
WSA
Butte
4068
includes
4068
--
studied
under
Section
Plan Amendments and
Setember
recommendation
1989
of
this
Two
202
Final
of the
alternatives
report and
an
all
Federal
Environmental
were
Land
and
Management Act
FLPMA
and
Impact Statement for Small Wilderness Study Areas
analyzed
wilderness
Policy
in
alternative
810
the
ElS
no
wilderness
alternative
in
included
Statewide
which
is
the
Recommendation and
Rationale
recommended
acres
4068
for wilderness
recommended
acres
for
nonwilderness
The recommendation
The
Black
for the
other
uses
from
the
natural
environment
minimize
adverse
environmental
4068
All
The
of federal
acres
Black
the
as
of
the
System
Preservation
System
available
opportunities
which
Another
under
been
surface
scars
the
and
mined
and
of roads
when
the surface
lava
surface
changing
and
built
cannot
Within
An
WSA
estimated
Butte
pits
the
Although
similar
the
veneer
the
that
would
use
all
the
for
acres
change
least
means
practical
for wilderness
those
recommendation
the
merit
areas
the
add
not
75
Highway
area
mining
to
and
designation
While
inclusion
and
quality
the small
to
of
WSA
avoid
or
shown
are
of
contained
the
National
Wilderness
National
Wilderness
the
and
acres
WSA
the
the
in
diversity
size of the
by thousands
afforded
not
is
from
visible
to
to
solitude
mining activity
land
lava
primarily
flows
texture
This
75
lava
the
mining
of
is
WSA
Butte
by the reddish
removal areas
the
contrast
that
activity
Black
the
removal are distinguished
rock
color
this
to
naturalness
appear
visual
as
distance
mining wind
support
of
Areas
The
3809
regulation
Due
plates
due
as wilderness
manageable
Law
activity
lava
results
and
over
the
on
obvious
in
to the crater
This
of
the
The
and
the
WSA
The
equipment
has
around
and
roads
the Butte
and
roads
trails
trails
road has
the central
in
broken
has
and
be
cannot
that
significant
Black
Great Rift and
Butte
and
been
distance
remains dry the
ecosystems
would
WSA
geologic
rest
of
not
further
of
the
year
restore
Ravens Eye WSAs
located
from
to
and
of the
part
crushed
reclaimed
trespass
areas naturalness
the
impact on
WSA
the plated
study
the
the
of claims
estimated
part
surface
determined
would
be
of
WSA
the
disturbed
after
exposed
for
opportunities
1981
to
acres
by mining
and
on
in
additional
1000
areas apparent naturalness
four
around
and
Black
removal of the dark
would
be
on
lost
and primitive
solitude
at
quality
close
are
of
Two
Pits
Reservoir
deep 50
feet
wide
project
feet
the vegetative
811
acres
to an
WSA
central
reduce
user-built
about
hour northeast
510
all
and
appearance
unnatural
wilderness
one
the
the
expand
of
area
in
natural
obviously
of higher
on
would
would
the area
altered
are
total
be obvious
in
offers opportunities
features
the
primarily
two pits each
but
continue
activity
by the reddish-colored
would
working
reservoir consists
from
of
occur
be distinguished
disturbance
Reclamation
noticeable
and
would
areas
lava
mining
percent
would
disturbance
would
lava
1986
in
approved
acres or 37
1500
over
Vehicles
boundary
are not
spring
to
removal of the veneer
surface
recreation
naturalness
the north
of
Disturbed
areas
unconfined
The
State
to
nonsuitable
in
to
removed heavy equipment
and
the operations
The
or black
disturbed
WSA
Butte
from State Highway
boundary
total
roads
crater
brown
would
4068
all
cause
map
considered
inferior
fact
are
not
is
color
its
leads
Including
primitive
the
created
trails
recommendation
release
would
It
District
areas
lava
alternative
be reclaimed
the
be valid
1986
in
not
is
removal of the black
after
intensively
network
are
by lava rock
impacted
severely
exposed
and
as wilderness
wilderness
recommended
are
Proposal
Management 1872 Mining
Surface
Even
road
Shoshone
was
The
the area
all
the
is
key consideration
it
Black
WSA
the
in
the
in
was
study
The
WSA
Butte
to the proximity
key consideration
occurring
has
found
are
Due
not designate
term
long
the
values
for
NWPS
to
is
alternative
impacts
on the Black
necessary
Preservation
the
over
wilderness
values
WSA
Butte
preferable
land within
WSA
Butte
quality
wilderness
environmentally
range
and
The
geologic
recommended
the
WSA
and
reservoir
features
for
located
75
feet
contains
of
wilderness
young
just within
long
These
water during
aa lava flow
designation
within
The Great
Rift
355850
acres
in
because
of
works
Recommendation
ecosystem
quality
the
Black
to those
their
Butte
size
large
features
opportunities
and
and
WSA
greater
of
Ravens Eye
The Great
these
of
diversity
WSAs
opportunities
for solitude
Rift
and
in
as
the
67110 acres WSAs contain ecosystems and
and Ravens Eye WSAs however have higher
lava
wilderness
NWPS
primitive
flow
features
is
adequate
The Great
recreation
and
than
812
Rift
vegetation
to
and
represent
and
reduced
Snake
River
Ravens Eye WSAs
does the Black
Butte
geologic
WSA
features
similar
quality wilderness
values
from
human
influence
Plain
also
desert
provide
lava
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R.19
ESTATE
NONWILDERNESS
STATE
RECOMMENDED
PRIVATE
FOR WILDERNESS
Scale
in
Miles
D-54-2
BLACK BUTTE
PROPOSAL
JANUARY
1989
Table
--
Land Status and Acreage
Summary
BLACK BUTTE WSA
Within
BLM
surface
Split
Estate
Inholdings
and
Wilderness
Study
of the
Study Area
Area
4068
subsurface
BLM
surface
only
private
state
4068
Total
Within
outside
WSA
WSA
Split
Estate
within
Split
Estate
outside
Total
BLM
BLM
BLM
for
within
the
Recommended
Boundary
WSA
WSA
Recommended
Land
Wilderness
Inholdings
state
State
outside
land
private
WSA
Within
the
Area Not
Recommended
BLM
for Wilderness
4068
Split
Estate
Total
BLM
for
Wilderness
Land
Not
Recommended
Wilderness
Inholdings
state
4068
private
814
Considered
Criteria
Wilderness
in Developing
Recommendations
the Wilderness
Characteristics
Naturalness
The
naturalness
of
existing impacts
natural
in
Black
the
cannot
These
appearance
southern part
of
WSA
Butte
be restored
areas
been
has
natural
to
Buttes
by lava
Portions
appearance
Black
include
reduced
significantly
southern
the
flanks
rock
WSA
of the
The
mining
outside
and
interior crater
of
majority
the
mining area remain
the
most
of
the
WSA
the
Solitude
The
variety of
topographic
and
the sights
were
in
WSA
the
Roads
in the
mining
roads
per
and
Black
Butte
environment
WSA
provide
hiking
challenging
slopes
and
western part
extremes during
the
Butte
older
lava
is
and
volcanic
landforms
Because
seen
from
the
WSA
the
to
the
and
for solitude
opportunities
limits
for
opportunities
solitude
isolation
many
if
from
visitors
of
feeling
solitude
Traffic
The
elevations
higher
on State
Shoshone
Ice
75
Highway
Caves which
on
the
has about
Recreation
variety of
recreation
opportunities
for
rough
WSA
this
basaltic
Near
central
of
WSAs
summer and
recent
plateau
aa flows
75
WSA
the
and
lava
Visits
winter
camping
steep
hiking geologic
Some
slopes
in
occur
usually
The rugged
opportunities
the
and
and
study
also
hunting
spring
volcanic
fall
features
photography
occurs primarily
probably
due
to
and
desert
Camping and
on the lower
severe
temperature
months
Features
Special
Black
the
provides
of
outstanding
of
size
from
detract
area
Unconfined
due
provides
small
from
outstanding
are
flow
the
heard
be
can
year
lava
However
surrounding
seen
Primitive and
The
and
crater
time
same
and
be
can
the
others
the
at
WSA
visitors
40000
of
sounds
the
shield
cone
subsidence
The
WSA
the area
cone
crater
is
4000
are volcanic
an
offers
These
example
to
6000
features
of
features
recent
an exceptional
years
such
are
fresh
volcanic
interpretive
815
which
old
as lava
rises
and
channels
and
activity
represent
and
opportunity
is
200
feet
above
tubes foamy
an uncommon
easily
accessible
the
surrounding
pahoehoe
occurrence
sheet
flows
of
from State Highway
There
The
the
crater
The
of
is
site
outstanding
could
include
parking
Interpretation
interpretive
the
potential
Moon
site
would
could
be
in
the
space
focus
Black
Butte
sanitary
WSA
facilities
for
interpretive
on the geology and
unique to the local area
an interpretive
fauna
The
two hours to the northeast
816
associated
nearest
that
site
signs and
site
with
that
could
nature
relatively
interprets
be
trail
off
built
leading
recent
similar
to
Highway
75
the center
volcanic
landforms
of
activity
is
Craters
Diversity
in the
Assessing
National
the
and Features
11
NWPS
BLM
other
This
areas
as
of
Wilderness designation
System
Diversity
in
of Natural
Represented
the
Black
ecosystem
the
Wilderness
state
is
with
Butte
System
Systems
by Ecosystems
WSA
represented
this
Preservation
would
in
ecosystem
the
add
an
NWPS
under
ecosystem
by one
study
This
to
the
National
area
designated
information
is
Wilderness Preservation
with
30245
summarized
There
acres
on Table
TABLE
Ecosystem Representation
NWPS
Bailey-Kuchier
classification
Intermountain
areas
Areas
Other
acres
BLM
Studies
areas
acres
12
870403
11
646687
Sagebrush
Province
NAT ONWI DE
Desert-Vegetation
Absent
Largely
30245
Ecosystem
IDAHO
Desert-Vegetation
Absent
Largely
30245
Ecosystem
NEVADA
Desert-Vegetation
Absent
223716
Largely
Ecosystem
817
are
the
Expanding
Within
Days
The Black
Butte
WSA
designated
areas
and
is
Driving
within
other
for Solitude
Opportunities
BLM
or Primitive Recreation
Time Five Hours
five-hour
study
drive
from
within
areas
of Major
Boise
Table
Idaho
five-hour
Population
drive
Centers
summarizes
of
the population
for
Residents
the
number and
center
Table
Wilderness
of
Opportunities
Major Population
NWPS
Population
Boise
Idaho
Centers
Areas
Centers
Other
areas
acres
16
4741570
818
BLM
Studies
areas
acres
141
5374250
acreage
of
the
Balancing
The Black
WSA
Butte
NPS-administered
five-mile
drive
would
Craters
to
of
not
contribute
Moon
the
northeast
the
geographic distribution
of
to
of
Designation
43243
of
geographic distribution
acres
Black
the
attain diverse
to
opportunities
the
balancing
Wilderness
Areas
of Wilderness
Distribution
Geographic
representing
WSA
Butte
landform
would
as wilderness
wilderness
experiences
locatable
mining claim
within
areas
similar
NWPS
the
and
ecosystem
the
help balance
not
The
Manageability
The
WSA
WSA
would
be
not
locatable
mining
Lands
Management Policy and is regulated
Under U.S Mining Laws November
impair
wilderness
Interim
Veneer
The
in
the
sheets
of
lava
thin
of
community
lava
pit
mineral and
mining
Energy
and
As described
Extraction
of
mineral
the
Impacts
The
Resource
has
the area
has
veneer
on
estates
lava
the
in
no
Mining
the
to
of
ability
3809
regulated
activity
the area
manage
three
under
as
four
feet
because they are lightweight
and
polygonal
plates
Surface
Regulations
to
of
Public
regulations
may
Management
the
Butte
for the Wilderness
3809
wilderness
wide
and
one
to
possess
six
and
color
inches
Butte
the
area
crater
confirmed
and
has
been
1973
in
eleven
1981
placer
Environmental
since
occurring
In
Black
mining claims
Assessments
lava
determined
was
During
BLM
1970s
the early
Butte
and
1986
established
be
to
locatable
two
1987
CFR
petroleum potential
high
outcome
WSA
value
continue
of
are
in
and
for locatable
on the 510
validity
comparative impact table
including
3809
were approved
moderate
and
potential
saleable
acres
minerals
covered
by
valid
for
due
geothermal
to
mining
the decorative
claims
BLM
resources
and
up
lava
to
designation
or
1989
rock
1000
additional
examinations
federal
ownership and
open
to
mineral
entry
There
are
no
mineral
Resources
on
thick
texture
Values
would
the
CFR
Black
the
criteria
WSA
following
considered
Black
of
exempt
43
Since
activities
from the nonimpairment
building
determination
WSA
acres depending
within
the
side
the
26 1980
valuable
economically
Plan of Operations
Butte
consists
to
is
activity
under
affect
severely
area
the west
Minerals
The Black
Butte
are
rock from
on
validity
claim
The
Black
lava
will
popular for decorative
combination
Removal
and
values
due
as wilderness
manageable
5000 acres
than
less
is
summarizes
nondesignation
the
of
effects
the entire
819
on
pertinent
area
as
resources
wilderness
for
all
the
alternatives
leases
is
Table
Summary of
Comparative
WSA
ISSUE
NO
PROPOSED ACTION
TOPICS
NESS ALTERNATIVE/NO
Impacts
on
Values
Wilderness
All
wilderness
1500
over
veneer
lava
be
in
lost
surface
and
obvious
Because
Impacts
on Lava
Mining
All
of
within
would be
claims
would
Butte
WSA
of the
would be
in
of
visible
WSA
of the
the
for geologic
WSA
available
Some
wilderness
special
legislative
wilderness
veneer
ALTERNATIVE
now
acres
and
in
All
the
would
remain
locatable
for location
lava
of
and development
Within
would
by
wilderness
come
of
nation
the
could
claims
acres
validity
other
wilderness
for location
of
510
lost
The
of veneer
acres
on
to
the
1000
out
After
veneer
lava
covered
and on up
would
mining
be
be
reclaimed
examinations
area
of
be
depending
areas
claims
to
would
extraction
the
510
disturbance
not
the
by
of
the
mining
values
on
mining
additional
valid
of surface
WSA
the
on
determined
claims
continue
valid
Extraction
by
areas
receive
provided
continue
covered
areas
would
protection
would
other
all
values
designation
lava
disturbed
All
entry
WILDERNESS
valid
naturalness
reduced
be
for mineral
mining
37%
reduction
on
lost
extraction
naturalness
majority
Black
would
lands
open
rock
the
in
be
by
disturbance
of the
the values
studies
disturbed
Apparent
ALL
ACTION
approximately
The
WILDER-
would
values
acres
Impacts by Alternative
the
BLACK BUTTE
10-54-2
desig
lava within
not
be
available
and
claims
development
Impacts
on Motorized
Recreation
The
entire
area
would
use There would
ized
be
be
no
open
to
impact
on
recreation
ORV
motor
impact
lands
820
ORV
Recreational
tor days
would be
of
shifting
would
be
use
of
displaced
this
use
negligible
less
than
annually
to other
75
visi
The
public
Local
and
Social
Idaho
During
The
considered
issue
significant
the
in
study
Comments
WSA-Specific Public
of
public
specifically
of the Draft
review
comments
Butte
not
the wilderness
review
process
Public
hearings
were
held
in
Boise
Challis
Falls
recommendation
two
were
Considerations
involvement has occurred throughout
Public
four
Economic
factors
economic
Summary
and
and
Social
only
because
identifying
EIS 27
suitable
supporting
the area
Black
Butte
were received
letters
recommendation
had
lost
None
of
its
for
specifically
Black
Butte
values
natural
their
Fifteen
comments
Six
comment
stated
supported nonwilderness
letters
addressed
supported wilderness
One
objections
to the
with
designation
support
for
designation
recommendation
on
the
with
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U.S Department
Environmental
commented on
of
Protection
the
Draft
Interior
Agency
ElS
Bureau
Idaho
of
Reclamation
Department
of
Bureau
of
Health
and
821
Indian
Affairs
Welfare
and
U.S
Idaho
Fish
and
State
Wildlife
Historical
Service
Society