Table Of Content

BLM LIBRARY 880491 do Draft Ruby Canyon/Black Ridge Integrated Resource Management Plan Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Resource Area 2815II Road Grand Junction, CO 81506 V * BLM Library Denver Federal Center Bldg. 50, OC-521 P.O. Box 25047 Denver, CO 80225 rr> «gw?/3 3 qh #31-51 3 3 0 - . CG? DRAFT RUBY CANYON/BLACK RIDGE INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN JUNE 1997 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT GRAND JUNCTION DISTRICT GRAND JUNCTION RESOURCE AREA Ruby Canyon/Black Ridge Integrated Resource Management Plan Contents PAGE BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION. j PLANNING AREA DESCRIPTION. v CHAPTER 1: ISSUES AND CONCERNS. 1-1 • Community Interests and Concerns. 1-1 • Issues Identification with all Partners. 1-2 • Issues Relating to Archaeological-Historical-Paleontological Resources. 1-2 • Issues Related to Vegetation, Soil, Water, and Air, and Wildlife.. 1-3 CHAPTER 2: AREA AND COMMUNITY ATTRACTIONS AND SERVICES. 2-1 • Natural Resources. 2-1 • Land Status. 2-5 • Cultural and Paleontological Resources. 2-7 • Traditional Uses. 2-11 • Recreational Resources. 2-12 CHAPTER 3: VISIONING PROCESS. 3-1 • Vision Statement. 3-1 • Roles of Various Partners. 3-2 • Responsibilities of Various Partners. 3-2 CHAPTER 4: GENERAL MANAGEMENT GOALS. 4-1 CHAPTER 5: MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTIONS AND MANAGEMENT ACTIONS. 5-1 A. NORTH OF THE RIVER 1) RECREATION. 5-4 Mary's and Lions Loop Area • Management Objectives. 5-4 • Management Prescriptions. 5-5 • Management Actions. 5-6 Rabbit Valiev Single and Two Track Riding Area • Management Objectives. 5-9 • Management Prescriptions. 5-10 • Management Actions. 5-10 Rabbit Valiev - Trail Through Time • Management Objectives. 5-14 • Management Prescriptions. 5-15 • Management Actions. 5-15 McDonald Creek/Wild Horse Mesa/Rabbit Ear Mesa • Management Objectives. 5-17 • Management Prescriptions. 5-18 • Management Actions. 5-19 2) ARCHAEOLOGICAL-HISTORICAL-PALEONTOLOGICAL • Management Objectives. 5-21 • Management Prescriptions. 5-22 • Management Actions. 5-23 3) VEGETATION • Management Objectives. 5-23 • Management Prescriptions. 5-24 • Management Actions. 5-24 4) SOIL, WATER AND AIR • Management Objectives. 5-25 • Management Prescriptions. 5-25 • Management Actions. 5-26 5) WILDLIFE • Management Objectives. 5-26 • Management Prescriptions. 5-26 • Management Actions. 5-27 B. COLORADO RIVER 1) RECREATION • Management Objectives. 5-29 • Management Prescriptions. 5-30 • Management Actions. 5-30 2) ARCHAEOLOGICAL, HISTORICAL, PALEONTOLOGICAL • Management Objectives. 5-35 • Management Prescriptions. 5-35 • Management Actions. 5-35 3) VEGETATION • Management Objectives. 5-36 • Management Prescriptions. 5-36 • Management Actions. 5-36 4) SOIL, WATER AND AIR • Management Objectives. 5-38 • Management Prescriptions. 5-38 • Management Actions. 5-39 5) WILDLIFE • Management Objectives. 5-39 • Management Prescriptions. 5-39 • Management Actions. 5-40 C. SOUTH OF THE RIVER 1) RECREATION Black Ridge Canyons East - Southern Perimeter and Arches • Management Objectives. 5-42 • Management Prescriptions. 5-43 • Management Actions. 5-43 Black Ridge Canyons East - Pollock Canyon Complex • Management Objectives. 5-46 • Management Prescriptions. 5-47 • Management Actions. 5-48 Black Ridae Canyons West • Management Objectives. 5-51 • Management Prescriptions. 5-53 • Management Actions... 5-54 2) ARCHAEOLOGICAL, HISTORICAL, PALEONTOLOGICAL • Management Objectives..,.. 5-56 • Management Prescriptions. 5-57 • Management Actions. 5-57 3) VEGETATION • Management Objectives. 5-58 • Management Prescriptions. 5-58 • Management Actions. 5-58 4) SOIL, WATER AND AIR • Management Objectives. 5-60 • Management Prescriptions. 5-60 • Management Actions. 5-60 5) WILDLIFE • Management Objectives. 5-60 • Management Prescriptions. 5-61 • Management Actions. 5-62 CHAPTER 6: MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN. 6-1 • Recreation. 6-2 • Archaeologic-Historic-Paleontologic. 6-14 •Vegetation. 6-17 • Soil, Water and Air. 6-22 • Wildlife. 6-25 CHAPTER 7: COLLABORATIVE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND FUNDING . 7-1 • Partnership Management Roles. 7-1 • Cooperative Management Agreement(s). 7-1 • Types & Sources of Funding /Revenue. 7-2 GLOSSARY Glossary-1 APPENDICES A - Desert Bighorn Sheep Plan. A-1 B - Selection Criteria and Assumptions Regarding Targeted Activity and Benefit Opportunities. B-1 C - Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Process and Classes. C-1 D - Benefit Chain of Causality. D-1 E - Desired Plant Community. E-1 F - Prescribed Natural Fire Summary. F-1 G - Acquired Lands Considered for Additions to Wilderness Study Area.. G-1 TABLES B1. Targeted Activity Opportunities for Ruby Canyon/Black Ridge Area. B-3 B2. Targeted Benefit Outcomes for RCBR Area. B-4 Cl. Targeted ROS Settings for the RCBR Managerial Environment.... C-8 MAPS 1. Ruby Canyon/Black Ridge Planning Area. vii 2. Recreation Management Zones. ix 3. Areas of Wildlife Concern. 2-3 4. Ecological Status. 2-6 5. Management of Paleontological Resources. 2-10 6. Grazing Allotments. 2-13 7. Existing Roads and Trails. 2-16 8. Black Ridge Canyons WSA. 2-19 9. Recreation Management Restrictions. 5-52 C-1 Targeted Physical ROS Setting Classes. C-5 C-2 Targeted Social ROS Setting Classes. C-6 C-3 Targeted Managerial ROS Setting Classes. C-7 E-1 Mature Cottonwood in Colorado River Corridor.*. E-13 E-2 Cottonwood Regeneration in the Colorado River Corridor. E-14 E-3 Weed Status in the Colorado River Corridor. E-15 G-1 Proposed Additions to the Black Ridge Canyons WSA. G-7 G-2 Proposed Additions to the Black Ridge Canyons WSA. G-8 Ecological Site Inventory (ESI) Map. Envelope