Ehrenburg-Cibola Recreation Area Management Plan Draft... United States Department of the Interior... March 1993

103 Pages·1993·11.4 MB·English

by  Department of the Interior

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LE EL0Y C/N Le
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of l.and Management
Yuma Resource Area March 1993
Ehrenberg-Cibola
Recreation Area
Management Plan
DRAFT
The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for the balanced management of the public lands and
resources and their various values so that they are considered in a combination that will best serve the
needs of the Americpeaopnl e. Management is based upon the principles of multiple use and sustained
yield; a combination of uses that take into account the long term needs of future generations for renewable
and nonrenewable resources. These resources include recreation, range, timber, minerals, watershed,
fish and wildlife, wilderannd enastusral , scenic, scientific and cultural values.
BLM/AZ/PL-93/006+8322
United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
YUMA DISTRICT OFFICE
3150 WINSOR AVENUE
YUMA, ARIZONA 85365 IN REPLY REFER TO:
8322 (050)
April 7, 1993
Dear Reader:
Enclosed for your review and comment is the Draft Ehrenberg-Cibola Recreation
Area Management Plan. This document outlines 12 actions for managing
recreation on public lands within the Ehrenberg-Cibola Special Recreation
Management Area. These actions were developed to guide future management and
resolve recreation management issues that were identified through public
meetings in the beginning stages of planning.
We welcome your comments on the contents of this document. Comments
addressing the adequacy of the Draft Ehrenberg-Cibola Recreation Area
Management Plan will be responded to in the final document. Specific comments
will be most useful. We encourage you to submit your comments in writing. To
be considered in the Final Ehrenberg-Cibola Recreation Area Management Plan,
comments must be received by May 31, 1993. Comments should be sent to:
Area Manager
Yuma Resource Area
Yuma District Office
3150 Winsor Avenue
Yuma, AZ 85365
Copies of the Final Ehrenberg-Cibola Recreation a Management Plan will be
sent to those who provide comments on the draft an or who request a copy.
erman L. Kast
District Manager
EHRENBERG-CIBOLA
RECREATION AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Prepared by:
Outdoor Recreation Planner Date
Yuma Resource Area
Recommended by:
Area Manager Date
Yuma Resource Area
Approved by:
District Manager Date
Yuma District
March 1993
Bureau of Land Management
Yuma Resource Area
Yuma District
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PLAN SUMMARY 1
STITT icici staan na tn gunetlenncsenntheanidnaanitinadnednanteabbicatabtadeanenetasiéaninieaiaeetees 1
Summary Of Major ISSUES «0.0.0.0... ccccseesseessecsseeseeeeseceeceeceesceceescescesecsseesscseaceeesaeeeseeeseeateateass 1
iii on iiincinn nse t na cetttnrn aad whamsnbdcithaalahestensabnasbianieataanadaneanssentstabaeaanertnanentanicbatninteass 1
iT nae anna ncn anennsenanasaannsbasiunminsaennesenenehbtacesieniiastnamatneemmnseseeens 1
SUMUMALY OF PYOPOSEM ACHONG ...............0..eccscssscssssecsesssccesssoscsssssoscscscssescecesesencessncconscsessenssseseees 1
Section F.1. Oxbow Recreation Site ................cccscessecsssessccesscceseceesscesseaceeseceesaceeeseceseeseeases 1
Section F.2. Ehrenberg Sandbowl Off-Highway Vehicle Area ............0ccccccceseesesecesseeeeeeeees 1
Section F.3. Harvey’s Fishing Hole Recreation Site .....cc.c c.cccs.escc.sses.cese.cees.sses.eces0eese ers 1
Section F.4. Oxbow Watchable Wilc’ife Viewiniy Area ................ccccccsscsseeecsseeseecesseesseneens 1
Section F.5. Tom Wells Back Country Byway .................c::ccccccssscssssecsessessesseseeeeseesesseeecessers 2
Section F.6. Gilmore’s Camp Recreation Site | .........0...c.ccccccecccccccsscscsssessecesseseeeeeeeseesseees 2
Section F.7. Horse Island Interpretive Overlook ................:ccccccccssccscsssscccesseesceeeeeseessesecerees 2
Section F.8 A-7 Boat Ramp ............0..00. ddeieitaieeeiaeinhinhiapaiaehiibiiahiniaininbinidibinsibaninibnnenaaned 2
Section F.9. Blythe Intaglios Complex ................cccccceeccesssecssccesscesecsessseaceseecesaceceaseeseeesenees 2
Section F.10. Big Wash Day-Use Area ................ccccccescceseessceesecescsscseseseesseceesececeeseaeeaseasenss 2
Section F.11. Old River Channel Fishing Pier ....................cccccccccesscsssssscsscseseseceesseeeseeseeseees 2
Section F.12. Walter’s Camp Area Fishing Pier....................:cccccccsscsssscssessesseseseeeeceeseeseeseaes 2
CHAPTER 1 — INTRODUCTION 3
UIT IIIIEY CIEE snssndnstdientinnninedeceestnddesuianenbecbendbiesessncdseensdsdtésanncedecnaennnesansnandecanontensdebassecesaaanenaees 3
Ey CHITIN scssscsedinnbicentssrinsadecceccesetennesocns sennenscsrenenssasannabenntanssnenesennessensseesenssonheceteeestenes 4
Resources in the Management Area ..................:..ccccsccssesesseessesscesseceesceescecsssseesceaccesecensceceesseaneeseeees 4
Sir IITE wissen ete Gpanannnendtehentambisbeeneonentbebeandhbabehbeninembienbesonneataneboennuetbsaathittibhsneceenbdanetinebnatbbnessintieiened 4
Sy ilies intnieieieebi- 5 iieaphatikeneihhahatndehatiandeenhtcaneniveaahenainnatbdtalebenstnatebnadiententaneretnebinetninrenencitastaseee’ 4
TEE PUREED cocsiasesscrvenpesniunsiidnsasbediieindncativensnbensenesastbeannatbenindtnenepeneasentbsecnnncnesocionnasineseccooesesends 4
eID snincinntencensccens convetnbsventenihnebenedebenitiietanennenenenssinannaneadietestannsiitianbinebenetennenaeanatibininctvninsenent 4
SiIIIIIIE dahp snabinsnnertneneeneonstonenenenneiehiendastbnnbniinebacensbneiabecennceniduetehedensemebihensaderenteniestentbbnbbecsbianueniid 4
TIITITITTET .vi saecnbiecccsvensisenetensshensenidintbbnnehontanctagenbebeenchennesenehenebetbindinebanaeiniabttisinastabihabeenntennittinl 4
SII satnatbdesecessrnnenvstantsanscnententaandacinenansatebiianebeadnbensniaenunettbbetsddbienineestansetbetanttiaenaeianeibbibereinetieanes 7
PanIIT aistidnnes consnivenqnecinunnccnesnnshintensnnntintntenutihaennnesuatnerbebngninniabibieasentsenbbactetiubinabenenbehenemeneennsene 7
yan EEII OED cccctescnstncssotensinibaneenendincndanenesunenneennbenbunsonnennbeenbbiaebentseeneebbbbteebandenncesabounnts 7
SEIT TIEIITIEID conésarctnesinneipensnenseenntinbnenbntteseenconncoctbrentthesebéinhianbeiinntabnnieheseneteeenabeabahubienbentancesie 7
SUTEETEP EIEN sctonesiacontedbassdabenestntntenssenenesehbheetneseebenndbsenanatehuinbentadbtahatebtbtetdsseeahtenabnenetteetdeeened 8
FTI whhi tases sbdientnsnnnseetenbeneiebnnentendnoe tnbisneenbntntnonetedebeenehnatiéaacnnapntnaenennentaeantsiebntntuasnnnetminanntnnnnnt ed 8
SEE TURE sctnesasccorecccsosscetessstessanenssenteseceenbensceseeutesesesseecebeceseneoscoancstenssecsésecsonessoonateseseneieees 8 .
EE ETI cnccsnvececotenetnenennecunenensencnapneednneniieenaantennsnnenensonnntoneaneséntneseeenesinanentbentinnennneiens 11
Say SUIIEETIIOD cennccoceenrcennsenenenansesdnsesneesnsiasbecsestanenieoransteahesennanboneenenenenbbhteeeneventtenenste 11
SEE TTEIEED sotatiiesiessente -cetsenessansorccebennenepsacntereassnsanennescennenntnesnsasneqnenantensnnenneseninnecesanensestanstecsents 11
SEE UUEIEIIIITIIID ahsosnistnecenneceoneditnasssutenieasedtinedineetennenbensesnonsetbnasnabhbentebeneaencentinessanennecoeseoneatone 11
SE UIEUIIENEEIT 600 csndeccnccenneecnentscssentnensecnescneensdtasianbennesanenunspibdtesenenctacesneneenieescoconeseneeinetes 11
SEIT sheheeubbesnesinbndnbeteteenineensnetinehesinntenseneesecenoteeadoeseenteneneiescsenbesennansnteneeecseecenetenenenonesnecnnenensenel 11
Other Governmental and Local Entities .................ccccccccscessecsecessseseessesesseseeseececeseasseesenssees 12
Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation ................c:ccccccsccessccsssscsscsscsessesseeeesseeseeeeeaseeaes 12
FEET EEE CEEEEUEIIED cttdnenehc hiienndnndeesnahenssnsesnnenssndehehohsebasednsebbabnnnadnesnensebeehenioonerseenesenten 12
Sun TRIED sebiihehendendihaiptidernbcnetiodenadianeatinicanmmannenenenenihnehdennetnnndneenbetenebinaneeiinatnabiernnctebebenetns 12
SRE TERI ascaccisccesivecstontensecessascesnsntesninssscenaniscebenssontiorenteenendsnsdtiorebenneceseneoeeenen 12
County Sheriffs’ Department .0................ccccecceesessesseseesscsseeesecssecesssseensesesseeeeeeeeeceessensees 13
Fan ETI intibioee- sadenineusseretabbenseesesestoasesensontnasonsenctennsbeesncnetetenstentesbbetbeebenseséenseneseee 13
Recreation Use in the Management Area .................cccscscesessesseeseessceesecesecesecsssceecseseaseeeeseassensess 13
Sea ITED sntithhbsiiahicatiinitnnesonrabsnobenteonseesabssnendeascerussesenersscsenssceinssscnsnscsenncnensieenbeteenecseneeenebiencceenies 14
Be © © TET CIID ccrnishassepacasensnsbcndens cundsecssviséconiniensenensutdenceesenbebesssesocssseebeniannebeeinssenaneane 14
ee ae Pa aE sisnsrnccrsnntersovnscsnnveensctsncsansensscesoctassnnnaesosesondsuccsnsbonnenssbtobeceoecseoenens 14
oa
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 2 — MANAGEMENT GOALS AND CONSTRAINTS 15
STI thcnienidiiinaeaiia il el iii aca in ndnsindinddedbiabbtbbbinandnenbabbbdanannnrereeseeretineaneinatnetesnntoneeieentnt 15
ITE 4 sah earth naesednsimnnehibnnntnedmenneneoneutisaseeddidesedanennnnineiin 15
San. hitch tacnrincen csnsennnbbnnnabibantbatnnnnabsedannnentedaneideenennteoninneneinenteiatnente 15
I ii Aiden tac ia cn cetiehnabanntinbinbanbbanibeenedadantnatenensaenseheensenenerinnttbaeendeeenes 15
Other DeCiSIONS ...................:cccecsseceeseesseeseeeseeees scabddbdienen bb ieiaheetthaamnpaetinnnenadennennamnnssninennteenieteninannian 15
CHAPTER 3 — RECREATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 17
I TD iio adcanehanen hapbnnngasntinbinncetsnnncnnbetensechotetentnceteebeenedternenitens 18
I are ea nhs ce ben enemntnnebbbiadeetotibntibetneentontsensdsnesnnnedsinens 18
Re ITITITT TITTTTTTTTTTT to nssnedcnnesbncesianiibibbeiabereneecetintnaaedonbebnanetnasncsaccecsdcesnninncsetieteseeiantets 18
rrr iss trinsctcdeihdnncnbeibibabipanbabrbetetetesnnsebensaasognenbesnesncsncecesentncnsbianetsunionts 18
tliat iad inshi ied nihninababdaienienebebebinapnbbinoredabencentnaibeabebebininbencationesessennnernnnstiniatehade 18
I aaa aa ea leneenc cna hnnennnnnncubbebnbinnbanegtenedionsetbennabhanebentoneated 18
Off-Highway Vehicle Designations ....................:ccccccccsecsseseesseseeesseeeeeeseeeecseceseeseesesececeeeeeeeeeecesscees 21
ali acct ila iia setinhaicininatinnlanianadhansensnerintasaraennennsbanntnerenatncertaheonsanbenanrandindes 21
Emergency and Law Enforcement Services ...............:cccscccsseeeeeesessssseeceeseeceseseeeeeeseeeeceeseeeeeses 21
Information and Interpretive Services ...................cccccccsseessscesessseececceeecesceesssccsseeesececeeeeececeeeecens 21
STITT dishn dindibhecihnechenieeenbbiihenthpcnenbbneadinbensbebeenenetnbtenencuienesecteeeeeeccenaebbneboneenentitted 21
ITI cht sncancenteisaneseneonobedinenetedahbbbnibieéneiennsines- sensensqncennsecsenseteseccsacieenencaensingncted 21
SII TTI bits sncicinndbdckecneanesnnninnebeneenenesbnnsesdnnhentendsnanseseeoacensennncneerscsesienesannsennessoeenietentd 21
TTT 1nd cheap nnin bibse tnnnnnbbnndneneenncesvnatennnonedersdcteenensgensesoncorenteeseisitl 22
Recreation and Public Purposes Act Lease ..0.............ccccccecceecsssssesseeseeesssesssceeeeeseeeeeesseeeenees 22
Residential Permits and Leases ou... cece cccccccsessseesseessecessseceeeeeeeeseeeeesseesseeeeseeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeees 22
Pr hcisseddnuisb sicssincieilbsehtmebthdiin dbiabiiebeendienbinds sntdnactbeetnteecasnscssengnidennsienesoebenseesersennsnteeaeennensanniedanit 22
SEIIIIIED stensboniisuthdedsanensnnedininianeeniiebensanebecnenenanetesabeerannserennecnsatennacosesnscccenecsestoennetecsecsactonesenetet 22
Harvey’s Fishing Hole (also known as Sportsman’s Paradise) ..................c::ccccesseeeeseeeees 22
History of Harvey’s Fishing Hole .................0.. .cccccsecsscessseceeeceeeeesseeeeseeseceseeeceeeeseeeeeeeeeeess 22
Planning and Site Development .................ccccceseesseesseessesesssecseeeseseeseseesseeseaseseeseeeeeeeeesseeeneeenees 25
SENT WUIIIIIIIINTIII schttisniensnntsiastiibebieneasaneniaccscenensecetenccosarseanesseoscotenssecsstecsecsnsstabenseesonsunsesset 26
Ehrenberg Sandbowl Off-Highway Vehicle Area ................cccccccccseeceeesseeeseescesceseeeesseeeeeeeeeenee 27
Visits: 2,000. Visitor Hours: 4,800. ...............cc cc ececeeteeeeeeeeeeeesseeeessseesseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 27
Harvey’s Fishing Hole Recreation Site 2.0.0.0... ccc cceceseeseesssseceeeecseeeseesseseeseeeesseeeeeeeeseeees 27
Oxbow Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area ................ccccceceeseeseecesesreeeeeseessesseseeeseeeesseeeseeeeeens 28
Tom Wells Back Country Byway .0.............:cccccccsesssescsessessesseseeesecesseeeeeesssesseaeeaeeeseeeeseeeeeeeeentens 29
Gilmore’s Camp Recreation Site 00.0.0... ecccceecssesseesecseeeceseeeeeeeeeseesessesseeeeeesseeeeesseeeeeeens 29
Horse Island Interpretive OVErOOK ................cccccceseccseessessesseeeessecseeeeeesseeeeseesseseeeeeeeeeeeseceesneess 30
Sey TUITE abieidshhnddbiensinnnnntendeneeernnnetnecssetannseentenennesinsesconsccousenenenecnnnseeansesenensserenenentenienqenent 31
SII UII -ss cscccncunesitndosuctennoeneundinbsconennerensactecenesececsccccscecesccssessunsenescncnsssnccesniaeceeee’ 31
Se Ey EEE EE TEIN dicsdnethcncinavecscscecsccnetnstassccbibeanseenstencesseconscsescncessncessseseseocsenosecesoqeseeseeente 32
Old River Channel Fishing Pier ..................ccccccccsceseeseessesesseeeeesseeecesseeseeseeeseeseeeeeeeeeeeeeeenees 32
Walter's Camp Area Fishing Pier ..................cccceccceeecceeseessecseeeeeseeeseecesseeesseeseeseeeeeseeeeeseeeeseees 33
SEP IED cicctonbinnndianctichacebunttinaihibbanenibebebtasemacoeneassievenncetioubeeresesccenineonsesetecceccancbenieccestsecosnsorcencoesinnts 33
Resource Manipulation and Rehabilitation ................cccccccccccceeeceeeessesseeeecesseeseseseeeseeeeeeeeesereeees 34
IE EIEETEIIIIED secshhbtenstdadncthictnnibentatrecccesespetercsensenesenabennembescontresseonesssevossecbboessessqsonnseseceoooooasonbeesseeseett 34
Fe EE Phertctrredheoncdecrensnitibisenenndetuniccesnienectsteusnstecseabonsenesccenensesebnessccoococesaoosteceeseeneastnienssensees 34
arti taiehlahbnitnnininenectsnoccsneenbnsenatboccecccsamtésentennensecsinnenstncsecceccenneneenceqecesocceeseceeeneneccsnescseeqooneented 34
SURED taciivtehdedtensnbadetnnbbingnuenecentnsensnandeene <eoubenbinenrennentcenssenncconccssosasocseneneecessneccoosssooenicesies 34
a HITTITE cies cesishenernenabnnotenoseenahseseatennnuchotbbeutanscercatoodessnccenesavecesoncososecnentoqrodesesensnnenesenss 34
IIE ITITTIIEIIIID Ace bessntdnsinnupeubciehietiboenesednenneeneecns vsecvennaeassvoicesnenneonsescbaiiesiseonnetecsicsnnenaensceteonsset n 34
ETD obtbsbbinbindaredscnetesnainiedtcoenensonserenseenseibesbontoneonescaresessscouesnennseqnsscosennesseseccsvouscousscnoeececeneeds 34
SEN EIITITI biidadhidtthtiininiinibiacenssbiundebbebnsoveriensonbeseniee, ceebbeeesticsnseesesonaenesenececeoneneeoseseceseoueecseoosonceneseeté 34
in cidtishiitiidistisbsspbdiienhasptninebsdedecssesbensipecinaseesscssccecnssen-sesucnbeeseneteccccesecebesencssonesenebit 34
irnnrnTInTTnTT II iste psccrebannbininbecebsabeobnenseneesasesbesasncnebebeccteesocsennsesaseconoteseseossenecneet 34
TERI ecicttsccsto« cindthenentinseosnsseeaninoteenntentecssscenetoresdeoeisssconsscsesssccceseccoontoneseesestt 34
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 4 — IMPLEMENTATION PHASING AND COST 35
APPENDIXES
APPENDIX A — PARTICIPANTS IN THE PLANNING EFFORT 39
APPENDIX B — ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE EHRENGERG-CIBOLA
RECREATION AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
SUMMARY 43
TESTE NE Se eT TT TN Te ED 45
Purpose and Need for the Proposed ACtiON ...................cccccccccseccessseceecssccesseesssscssesseceseceeecenecens 45
Conformance With the Land Use Plan ...................ccccccccsscssscsscesseceeeeceessecssessessessstsaseeenececeseens 45
Relationship to Statutes, Regulations, or Other Plans ................c.ccccccccssccssssssssessesesesesseeeeeesecees 45
SUED sadiviidiiehatnstbincdichnnin ebbhietbbebnanbatbabtatbesdbeneensonedeceehadanneteeteonenenbeateaabinsessensieseeseeneanncnndeneel 45
SITE siti dintcishiidindeehacseateibnsinieeaecipestabeneanebehi ennebddabtiniatbtaeni’sdtensieanienatindteitaetacnbeeetdnneenbnenndtinaaeeel 45
STITT ncctatinennecno-ceshds epnbhentntsteonsdneseamnenenccnnsnbectnnstensonennbbdnenebhnestonasssecssieasausbenesanentined 45
SITET sntisssseensannnnctinenensntnnenchocesebunhecnsnnnnesesncsscenneenpnnnsbabessensetetedeecenecéesibecneenesennne’ 45
TT ocean nannies insecnnascnnbennensnannentondiuatnodanndononsenetneeseteseeesseenteneebbecosennhé 45
PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES ...............00.ccccccccccssccssceeceseeseeseeessesscasssssseeesnseeeeeeeees 45
PITTI sis hnhhndbbitehehanadenncoednenncnecnsenees cnesnnecnsanonnehednnnstansstonsnnedadeeeunbeceseenencesenseneanncesetens 45
No Action Alternative ........... ydaipenanitahaneneeacennennsenbennannnsensunetbenenneunaneeneeeninanbinnnerebannacenteseneenenenetened 46
8 | 46
Tn IITITITIIIITITIIT ccsid scdnnttnsaniobinunandntenscndnnsoereoreseocsnnnenebonsesonshenheeneesenmnninttenbentenneersteeentetehaniteneneeteebl 46
PIII TrIIITIITIITovs stnstnnesesnctnnetnnnnensennecesnnsanecnnsnennensoncesenenestotenciisibtnsednenebseetenntuneesceenebbeensseneenl 46
eI cnsconcenstscottipndnntsticnsnventecannenenstiencennbennentatetinsanepnetanbattenteneteaniecineteeetiniadabnbnbeseht 47
PIII IIIT cininccedinctnnetepinnenanebbinensensersiescentanonstpbannnneatannneninennetbanbbenatbonansteescbenihasinentininneiesed 47
UTIPACES OF TO PIOPOSSR ACTION .........0cccrrccesscsscsssssssscsscsesccscscccscscsssccccscsscesssessessssesscosoceseees 47
EE osdibisibtienbetouninsentinndtnrtuhansoebuneennniseniesenntaneasensnebatncsnetehenncentntebnotebsensenesatentesenanesaesnanenieubibe’ 47
aor TE sheosesescedinsheerreenbincntenenubicecrematbensenshnansnseneneantnnsenetneneesenenetancehennesesabeneienntnenbintietd 47
TUIIEEED socsicrnsrectineresonsennsnedonstesesotes stetendobennenecosiocnqestbetentsebernnesenssenssecnaneesnernenetnetsbneontie’ 47
PREETI) Sisieiinin ocates scirnenssneiiibnnbbindsnenedinnentnenannseenensbabtccesnnsetenatnnntosennenenenenedeeienatecenbieabennnett 47
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern .................:ccccccssesseseeseceeesscesesescsessesecsuceeeseeeeeaees 47
Sen Senne EED MME EIEIUED vatiodsescbiersecnreccenncnesocesintasnesebeneencenebbonnnnnbsonbensecsenesnnesenerabbiebiestes 47
Su tsbenitserubisseeetenidecniietinnnnnsesbebasnentannnecnennadebennbennsinsenetbentnanessennecéeninesbnrenienneionesennni 48
Water Quality.......... selihanininibhebitatananeneneneinein -cnceaeontnnsensneatiennennnt renenee cansuetesioentbeunnaehiesnonhintiie 48
SinPTIITEEE IEEE 2c0ut esencnsecerbinbensbbesersnenensetenasutnnenadnabnntedstnecesacsnconesebetbeshtoenesentenenbeincsteaties 48
ESI edeitiahtnahiebtdeescndenqnenmnnenniacsntensecstthinnneenonenbcsnnhntnbeeneeenseneneienneeonennninebetetbettetecesenteentl 48
EP OURTUTEIEIIED ctciecsessesninndnenitinendennesincectepenbsnshinnsbarccsessnansoentanenocenssontnsneeceneennebseneseenentiabetl 48
Impacts of the No Action Alternative .................:ccccccececeesscesseeseceeecsseeceseeecsscsscessssenesenueeeecens 48
Iaaarnisbosihachidehictnaneciesntetnntanitaticubaiesantnienesncenannnieeaneonbannesbeinstepaneeinsthernneabiieenaptiniiveamuninteereannett 48
SETTIIITEEED cdsstascsonesituneenanshionestescnticoveeeeenntenesesseneonnnbentanbuennsebensenenentenenensecasseseneenessssesenensid 48
ITT Aasbsshsbtncintine tbbbdaeesenedinnccunctdsennstncissenenbecneenecbounbeatdacsnsssdenenboseueenetncsessennaenecesenenseubeeenstl 48
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern .................cccccccesscessceessececeeecessessesesesseesseeeeeeeeees 49
Sina eEEEIE ITED adentbosstinaee sandentoibendnniosbennsotentedesneabbannnsentnnsnebeasonsenenotereeeseoteieernnceuneosceeed 49
Sa Gitisonlties thiocintenseddencenneneeneesbebnontenincceebunsecccssqcenettasentberneonestasebbnieconesieineceseennenstsie’ 49
aEITIET TIITITIIY cipcnisiecnadtpacasonuticediebnaitie ooéhnesanebebnnnabaessennnebenesneensannneceinensioiniessereecentenenetie’ 49
ET UIIIIIIIIIIEED stcininabsnesbosnsernededbssesiasnetanassengntenntenssqnstndbebenerscontocseseseseneneniensseconsnonetetes 49
SurnnAITUTIIIIEE STIPEND ss hassibishsedtivanashibnsrscvesenbiencasocenosstaieesecsbtensbesecesimeoosscossesnesbsesseceereessonrvonectt 49
MITIGATION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION ....0..........cccccccccccecsscsecesececesececseecsessessessceeseeeeueeeeeees 49
CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION ................0::ccccccccecescccsecsecescceeecececeessessssecaseacsessecerueeeees 49
Yurma Resource Area: ................ccscssscesssscessssrreeeeenes sennnasanenhncnnensoenennteboouneseneninacenennapateé 49
WETTED secineessscicercoyequovettenebubenentaetenben saseednonsatebeebenieessessnsesunneconessseomienseneeonenetenenenne’ 49
Fa aI 000hssdsiasetentensnesasnisiercssaniniantecsoorsetecsenenbenunconbassenbeeoseteceseesenseusuesesecsscresessesiconsceeneeensoes 49
CONTENTS
APPENDIX C — ROUTE DESIGNATIONS 57
FIGURES
FIGURE 1 — RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ON THE COLORADO RIVER .................cccccesseeeeees 3
FIGURE 2 — COMMON SPECIES OF THE EHRENBERG-CIBOLA
SPECIAL RECREATION MANAGEMENT AREA .....cc0cc c0ecec0eee.eee.eees.eee.eee.eeee.eee es 7
FIGURE 3 — BLM RECREATION SITES 0.0.2... ee cccceeseeceseeeessesseesceseeeeseaeeaseseesnesseassceetseeesseeeees 8
F!GURE 4 — ANNUAL VISITOR-USE RECORDS EHRENBERG-CIBOLA
SPECIAL RECREATION MANAGEMENT AREA .....0ec0c c0ese0cee.see.se.see.ses.eee.ner.eee s 12
FIGURE 5 — RECREATION OPPORTUNITY SPECTRUM CLASSES ....0c0cc .ece.ece.eee.tee.eeeeeee s 17
FIGURE 6 — FUTURE PROJECT PLANS . 00... ceccccceeesseeeeseensesseseeaeesseseeseseeeseeneseeeeateeneeees 26
FIGURE 7 — IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE .......... eee cccceseeeeeeeeeseeeeeeseeseeceesreneseeseeeeeees 35
FIGURE 8 — MANAGEMENT COSTS (in $0005) 0.0.0... cece eceeeseseeseeseeseeseeseeneseeseseseseeseeeeeees 36
FIGURE 9 — IMPLEMENTATION COSTS (in $0008) ............ eee ceeceeeeseeseeseeesseseseeeeeseeseseeneeenes 36
MAPS
I Se STII tsetnerscnvns sennsens scneccsednacessensaoennsiacsibensenseeseceessnaibddsecnbsenesactscettinsinesteccesensanncees 5
MAP 2 — RECREATION FACILITIES ...0......ccccceececeeseeseseeeeesseeeseseeseeesesecseeceesesessessecsecetseeeeeeeeeees 9
MAP 3 — RECREATION OPPORTUNITY SPECTRUM CLASSES ......... cc cccccecteceeteeseseeeneeees 19
MAP 4 — OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE USE o.oo... ec cccecceeeeseesseesseeeeseseeeaesseecaeeeesaeescseeseeeeenees 23
MAP 5 — 7.5 MINUTE SERIES QUADRANGLE MAPS OF THE EHRENBERG-CIBOLA
SPECIAL RECREATION MANAGEMENT AREA ......00.0......cccccsceeseeeeeseseeseeseeteeeeneeees 59
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PLAN SUMMARY
The following planning document has been written Summary of Proposed Actions
with input from the public through two open public
meetings and through written and verbal correspon-
Section F.1. Oxbow Recreation Site
dence. There was much discussion in the public meet-
ings concerning Harvey's Fishing Hole residential leases The facility would be redesigned to enhance river
as well as the access to the Colorado River. This plan access. This would be accomplished through better
outlines the proposed actions that, when implemented, placement of the boat ramp, identified boat-trailer park-
will deal directly with the concerns the public has for this ing, designated campsites, and a day-use area.
Special Recreation Management Area.
Section F.2. Ehrenberg Sandbowl Off-
Summary Objective
Highway Vehicle Area
Through management actions guided by this plan- The designation of the Ehrenberg Sandbow! would
ning effort, the Ehrenberg-Cibola Special Recreation change from a competitive-use to an open-use off-
Management Area will provide the public with a broad highway vehicle area. Signs would delineate the off-
base of recreational activities within an enjoyable recre- highway vehicle area and direct users into the area. A
ational setting. The goal of this planning document is to loop trail leading out of the off-highway vehicle area
enhance the facilities and services through improved would be created by modifying existing trails and adding
facility design; development of interpretive areas, bro- directional signs. On-site support facilities would in-
chures, and maps; and increased BLM presence. Clude a parking\staging area, rest room facilities, and a
picnic area with ramada structures.
Summary of Major Issues
Section F.3. Harvey’s Fishing Hole
Recreation Site
Visitor Services
There are limited public access and support facilities Harvey’s Fishing Hole is a 27-acre subdivision lo-
along the Colorado River to meet public recreational cated about 16 miles south of Blythe, Caliiornia, in
demand. Imperial County. The BLM has issued a 10-year resi-
dential lease which is due to expire June 30, 1993. The
Future monitoring is needed to determine if an in- subdivision occupies Federal land on the California side
crease in visitation is occurring, and if so, at what rate. of the Colorado River. The land is located in the 100-
year floodplain, directly on the riverbank, with easy river
BLM law enforcement personnel presence is neces- access. The subdivision contains 96 lots, many of which
sary to maintain a level of safety for public use. are unimproved; 56 of the lots are leased. Few occu-
pants are permanent, full-time residents; the majority
Directional and interpretive signs and literature at are California residents using the residential lease for
sites are limited. weekend recreation and extended vacations.
Conflict is occurring between wildlife watching and A public recreational area would be developed to
other recreational use. provide boat-launching facilities, day- and overnight-
use areas, fishing, parking, and other land-based recre-
Riverbank-fishing opportunities are limited on the ational facilities.
Colorado River.
Section F.4. Oxbow Watchable Wildlife
Hunting access is oftentimes limited by opposing
Viewing Area
uses of the public lands.
A Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area would be devel-
oped next to the oxbow of the Colorado River in the Palo
Resource Protection
Verde Valley.
Inadequate signage results in many fragile desert
areas being used by off-highway vehicles, which cause
damage to vegetation, wildlife, and visual resources.
PLAN SUMMARY
Section F.5. Tom Wells Back Country Section F.8. A-7 Boat Ramp
Byway
A boat ramp, day-use area, and parking facility would
A road system stemming off of the Tom Wells Road be developed to accommodate the river users access-
would be nominated for a Back Country Byway. The ing the Colorado River on the Arizona side.
Tom Wells Road would be delineated, through the use
of signs, as a designated route that would take users off
Section F.9. Blythe Intaglios Complex
the main roads and onto a back road. This route would
introduce users to the desert climate and uses of the The facility would be redesigned to upgrade the
desert by means of interpretive kiosks and a route guide. entrance road and parking areas, increase signage
throughout the site, develop an interpretive theme that
addresses the past lives and culture of the intaglios
Section F.6. Gilmore’s Camp Recreation
artisans, and increase the interpretive efforts within the
Site
site.
This site is actively being pursued by the BLM Yuma
Resource Area for acquisition. If acquired, the facilitv Section F.10. Big Wash Day-Use Area
would primarily provide day-use recreation activities.
Access to the Colorado River would be provided by a The Big Wash area would be developed irito a day-
one-lane boat ramp. Facilities would be developed to use recreation area with picnic tables and a scenic
accommodate picnic use. Minimal overnight tent camp- interpretive trail with a river overlook.
ing would be provided for boaters using the Colorado
River. These tent-camping sites would be developed on Section F.11. Old River Channel Fishing
the riverbank with access only by way of the Colorado
Pier
River.
The facility would be designed to meet all accessibility
Section F.7. Horse Island Interpretive criteria and would include a parking area, trail system,
fishing pier, and vault toilets.
Overlook
A roadside stop on Highway 95 would be developed
Section F.12. Walter’s Camp Area
for motorists to stop, relax, and learn about the surround-
Fishing Pier
ing area while enjoying the scenery.
A public recreational facility would be developed, and
its design would meet all accessibility criteria. The
facility would include a parking area and fishing pier.