The Bureau of Land Management's role in managing America's wilderness

2014·7 MB·English

NATIONAL
CONSERVATION
U'T^ttU O]
LANDS a?7i
Wilderness Act ! The BLM’s Wilderness Role Benefits of Wil(
of 1964
Many wilderness lands are managed by the Bureau A central piece of the BLM's National System of Wilderness is everyone's to share and enjoy:
of Land Management (BLM), which manages more Public Lands is the National Landscape Conservation
• Wilderness provides time
than 245 million acres of public land, the most of System, otherwise known as "National Conservation
In 1964, Congress passed the Wilderness Act,
to reflect and find solitude
any other federal agency. BLM public lands, known Lands." These lands include approximately 8.7 million
which established the National Wilderness as the National System of Public Lands, are primarily acres of wilderness areas and 12.8 million acres of and solace.
• Wilderness provides
' Preservation System and designated the first located in 12 western states, including Alaska. wilderness study areas (WSAs), containing some of
opportunities for
the wildest and most remote places in America.
wilderness areas. The purpose of the Wilderness recreation, including
The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain
Act is to provide long-term preservation the health, diversity, and productivity of The BLM's National Conservation Lands are hiking, camping,
f horseback riding, fishing,
H and protection to areas on federal lands the public lands for the use and enjoyment a system of lands that comprise approximately
hunting, photography, off-
of present and future generations. The BLM 28 million acres of spectacular, primarily
^ that are largely undeveloped, natural, and trail exploration, and many
accomplishes this by managing such activities western landscapes recognized for their
others.
unconstrained by human activity and that as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, ecological, cultural, historic, recreational, and
• Some wilderness includes
mineral development, and energy production scientific values. In addition to wilderness
provide outstanding opportunities for solitude
sacred ancestral lands of
and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, lands. National Conservation Lands include
or recreation. and other resources on public lands. national monuments, national conservation American Indian tribes.
• Wilderness showcases
areas, wild and scenic rivers, and national trails.
to the world some of
The uniquely American idea of wilderness America's most special
ensures long-term protection of natural Wilderness lands consist of rugged mountain ranges, broad valleys, wild rivers and streams, and desert plains places and landscapes—
and include vast natural landscapes, which once covered all of North America. Along with the BLM, wilderness forested mountains, alpine
landscapes. Wilderness protects the habitat
lands are managed by the U.S. Forest Service, National P; rk Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. meadows, rock peaks
of numerous wildlife species and serves as a above timberline, tundra,
lava beds, deserts, wild
biodiversity bank for many species of plants
The BLM manages more than 520 WSAs located in WSAs. Since 1980, Congress has reviewed many of
rivers, swamps, coastal
and animals. Wilderness is also a source of clean the western states and Alaska. To be designated a these areas and has designated some as wilderness
lands, and islands.
WSA, an area must have the following characteristics; areas and released others for nonwilderness uses.
water. It has long been used as a laboratory
Until Congress makes a final determination on a
Wilderness provides
for science research and education outreach, Size - roadless areas of at least 5,000 acres of public WSA, the BLM manages these areas to preserve their
economic benefits to local
providing sites for field trips, study areas for lands or of sufficient size as to make practicable suitability for designation as wilderness. communities and the nation.
its preservation.
student research, and serving as a source of
Wilderness Study Areas by the Numbers • Protecting the environment and
Naturalness - appears to have been affected
instructional examples. Recreation is another providing rare opportunities for
primarily by the forces of nature. STATE NUMBER OF ACREAGE
UNITS wilderness experiences ^
obvious appeal of wilderness, and wilderness
Opportunities - provides outstanding opportunities Alaska 1 260,000 interest a wide national
areas are seeing steadily increasing use from for solitude, natural sounds, dark night skies, or Arizona 2 63,930
primitive and unconfined recreation, such as California 67 821,870
people who wish to experience freedom from
hiking, camping, canoeing, and horseback riding. Colorado 54 548,209
the nation's fast-paced, industrialized society. Idaho 44 655,512
Special qualities - the areas often have ecological,
Montana 39 449,963
geological, educational, historical, scientific, and/
Nevada 62 2,542,505
or scenic values.
New Mexico 57 960,335
Oregon 87 2,645,791
The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA)
Utah 86 3,232,402
of 1976 directed the BLM to inventory and study its
Washington 1 5,554
roadless areas for wilderness characteristics. The study
Wyoming 42 574,401
received extensive public input and participation. \ Total 11 528«ir 12,760,4721
By November 1980, the BLM had completed field
* Fourteen WSAs have acreage in two different states. These areas
inventories and designated about 25 million acres of are only counted once in the total number of units.
Lands with
BLM Wilderness Mi
Wilderness
The BLM's wilderness management program
focuses on the protection and conservation of
Characteristios
wilderness by:
• Monitoring and preserving wilderness character.
WSAs were formally identified in 1980, and inventory
• Managing land use and encouraging appropriate
Wilderness and study findings were submitted to Congress as wilderness uses.
part of a one-time effort under FLPMA. However,
• Monitoring and managing for noxious weed
Areas in accordance with FLPMA, the BLM is required
infestations, trespass activities, and recreation.
to maintain an inventory of all public land values, Wilderness
• Restoring impacted areas such as trampled
including wilderness characteristics, on an ongoing vegetation and eroded soil.
Lj*ac^ ->*<1
^rness
BLM Wilderness Management BLM
and international audience. Local communities Program Emphasis Areas Wilderness
may benefit economically from nearby
wilderness through increased visitation and local Management
PRESERVING WILDERNESS
expenditures, as well as through the protection
CHARACTER
and enhancement of amenities related to quality
Preserving wilderness character is at Program
of life.
the heart of the BLM's responsibility
• Many local outfitters and guides specialize in
to ensure its wilderness areas are Priorities
leading comfortable and exciting wilderness
protected for future generations. In
adventures for individual travelers or larger
2008, the BLM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
groups, including families. for the Future 4. Engage youth and underserved communities.
Service, National Park Service, U.S.
Work to engage youth in the stewardship of
Forest Service, and U.S. Geological
Wilderness provides clean water and air, critical wilderness lands to nurture the next generation
Service developed "Keeping It Wild:
habitat for animals, and healthy landscapes, The BLM wilderness management program's six of wilderness managers and specialists. Reach out
An Interagency Strategy to Monitor
allowing rare and endangered species to thrive. overarching priorities to guide its work from 2014 to Americans living in communities traditionally
Trends in Wilderness Character Across
and beyond include: underserved in regards to their access to
• Wilderness areas on BLM public lands provide the National Wilderness Preservation
knowledge of the value of protecting wilderness
essential habitat for numerous wildlife and plant System." The strategy outlines a unified
1. Ensure the protection of wilderness character. lands. Work with local partners to explore ways to
- - , species. Some of these include golden eagles, approach to identifying trends in
The Wilderness Act states that administering increase physical access and exposure to local
prairie falcons, condors, and bobcats, as wilderness character quality and
agencies are "responsible for preserving the wilderness resources for underserved communities.
^ well as cacti, bristlecone pine trees, and provides a standardized method to assess
wilderness character." The BLM will ensure that
Joshua trees. broad-scale performance in preserving
managers and staff adhere to this core direction 5. Train the next generation of wilderness
wilderness character to be used by all
of the act in development and implementation managers.
wilderness-managing agencies.
of all management decisions within designated Continuing the legacy of sound wilderness
wilderness. The BLM will provide tools management will require the BLM to expend
In 2009, the BLM implemented this
and training to employees while ensuring time and energy training the next generation of
strategy with a goal of completing
accountability in meeting this core legal mandate wilderness managers and specialists.The BLM will
baseline monitoring for 20 percent
and associated agency policies. increase efforts to train managers and specialists
of BLM wilderness areas each year.
at all levels of the organization in how to properly
The protocol developed to monitor
2. Improve connection with partners. steward our wilderness heritage, including
and describe trends in the quality
Internal and external cooperative work with designated wilderness, WSAs, and lands with
of wilderness character will enable
partners will continue to build capacity and wilderness characteristics.
the BLM to establish a meaningful
increase the understanding of the relevancy
measure with verified baseline data for
of wilderness resources. The BLM will continue 6. Increase the role of science in wilderness
use in the future. Once this baseline
to foster wilderness stewardship by better management.
monitoring is complete, and for the
connecting the broader wilderness network, both Sound management decisions rely on sound
first time since the Wilderness Act was
domestic and international. science. Wilderness
stewardship rscfwrcs
passed, the BLM will be able to track
objective, scientific knowledge as an established
trends in wilderness character for all of
3. Raise awareness of the BLM's wilderness lands. baseline that can be repeated over time to
its wilderness areas.
Raise awareness of BLM wilderness lands so more establish and monitor trend. This will, in turn, help
people understand and appreciate wilderness, its shape future management actions. The BLM will
ENHANCING SCIENTIFIC values, and its benefits. Continue in-reach and continue to monitor wilderness character using
KNOWLEDGE
outreach efforts to convey the importance of the "Keeping It Wild" strategy.
The BLM's wilderness areas play
wilderness areas to our publics' quality of life, and
an increasingly critical role in
further promote consistent cooperative messaging.
expanding our scientific knowledge
about a wide array of challenging
management issues facing the
BLM and other wildland managers.
The BLM emphasizes the role of
science partnerships in managing
wilderness and increasingly
inagement Program
collaborates with partners to help
manage BLM wilderness areas as a
part of larger landscapes. Scientific
wilderness and help them to sustain their unique
research continues to increase as new
quality of life, which is so closely linked to the history
opportunities are identified, including
and natural heritage of the wilderness landscapes.
research directed at the effects
of landscape stressors on species
The BLM wilderness management program
habitat and migration corridors. New,
frequently addresses challenges associated with
improved, higher resolution satellite
unauthorized uses, such as illegal off-highway
imagery and aerial photography
vehicle use, which are increasingly resulting in
further aid in the monitoring of
the further degradation of wilderness character.
wilderness areas and WSAs.This
Managing wilderness resources requires
imagery is less expensive than
I lie ouvt li leDfjuiisiuie loi i wiiiueiiiess
areas in 10 western states. Wilderness resource restoration projects, and other factors, BLM The BLM is unique in that the vast majority of its
areas are special places where the earth "I land conditions can change, resulting in additional wilderness areas and WSAs are located in a wide
and its community of life are essentially BLM lands with wilderness characteristics. variety of desert environments, adding an essential
undisturbed.They retain a primeval character, network of desert ecosystem components to the
without permanent improvements, and have Once the inventory is updated, the BLM is required National Wilderness Preservation System. Millions of
been affected primarily by the forces of nature. to make decisions in its resource management people visit these areas annually, either on their own
plans as to which lands should be managed to or through the hundreds of permitted commercial
Although wilderness areas provide visitors
Wilderness Areas by the Numbers
protect wilderness characteristics and which lands outfitters that assist the public in enjoying these
the rare opportunity to experience solitude
STATE NUMBER OF ACREAGE should be managed for other uses. If a decision unique lands. Visitors provide significant social and
and recreation, wilderness areas also provide
UNITS is made to "protect," the BLM uses a variety economic benefit to local communities with nearby
significant and vital ecological values. Wilderness
Arizona 47 1,396,826 of management prescriptions to ensure that
California 87 3,843,998 wilderness characteristics are maintained over the areas, as large tracts of unmodified land, play
Colorado 5 205,814 a major role in ecosystem response to climate
life of the plan {e.g., prohibit new road and facility
Idaho 7 517,362 change. An unmodified ecosystem is less
construction, exclude new rights-of-way, provide
Montana 1 6,347 stressed and therefore more resilient. A more
compatible recreation uses, etc.).
Nevada 45 2,055,681 resilient ecosystem can absorb greater impacts,
New Mexico 5 170,163 such as those resulting from climate change,
Oregon 8 246,953 and may continue to function effectively for a
Utah 18 260,356 longer period of time.
Washington 1 7,140
Total 221* 8,710^,640 Resiliency, in turn, helps protect biodiversity,
Three wilderness areas have acreage in two different support critical ecological components and
states. These areas are only counted once in the total
processes, stabilize hydrological response,
number of units.
allow more species to exist at the edge of their
natural range, improve native species'resistance
to invasive species, and create more areas that
act as refugia for displaced species. Further,
wilderness areas help improve landscapes'strong
ecological connectivity. BLM wilderness lands
provide a high degree of protection and often
serve as a bridge and migration _
corridor between
adjacent protected
areas, regardless of
their administrative
jurisdiction.
complete reliance on ground patrols,
landscape. After a wilderness area is designated,
adds an additional level of diagnostics
the BLM typically spends the first 3 years marking
to make further analyses, and can help maximize the
and mapping the boundary and providing visitor
effectiveness of appropriated funds used to manage
services, such as maps and other public information.
these areas.
Subsequent management includes acquiring in¬
holdings from willing sellers, restoring wilderness DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS AND CONNECTING LANDSCAPES BY/
character where needed, engaging in land use ENGAGING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES WORKING COLLABORATIVELY
planning and monitoring, implementing wilderness Developing partnerships in wilderness stewardship Working collaboratively with several BLM programs
management plans, and continuing to provide is an important aspect of the BLM's management of and other agencies better allows the BLM to manage
visitor services. wilderness lands. BLM wilderness resources benefit the wilderness areas under its jurisdiction as a part
greatly from volunteers who provide thousands of larger landscapes, which clearly benefits BLM
of hours of monitoring, as well as material and wilderness resources. For example, programs that
transportation for specific projects. Nearly 100 manage wildlife (e.g., desert bighorn sheep, sage-
formal and informal partnerships have been grouse, etc.), fire, weeds, and rangeland resources
developed to facilitate wilderness stewardship routinely fund projects that also benefit wilderness
activities on BLM land. Typical examples of work resources. By establishing connections across
performed by partners in wilderness areas and boundaries with other Jurisdictions, management of
You can help protect wilderness by learning
WSAs include trail construction and maintenance, wilderness areas complements conservation areas
invasive species eradication and monitoring, within the respective Jurisdictions of the National more (www.wilderness.net) and
interim management monitoring of WSAs, and Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest being a responsible visitor
reclamation and restoration activities to create more Service, tribes, state and local governments, private
(www.LNT.org). . * X
natural environments. The BLM has developed a conservation lands, and other BLM land managed
memorandum of understanding with the National for resource protection.
You can help the BLM in its
Wilderness Stewardship Alliance, a national
wilderness stewardship efforts
organization that is coordinating the establishment
of partners and friends groups to assist in by Joining a local wilderness
wiiderness stewardship in the National Wilderness
friends group
Preservation System.
(www.wildernessalliance.org),
Joining the Society for
Wilderness Stewardship
(www.wildernessstewardship.org),
or volunteering at a nearby BLM field office.
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YOURS: 3 Cactus Plain 146 Jerry Peak West 295 Las Uvas Mountains 455 Muddy Creek 5 Beaver Dam Mountains** 105 Palo Verde Mountains
TO ENIOY 147 King Hill Creek 296 Little Black Peak 456 Mule Canyon 6 Big Horn Mountains 106 PicachoPeak NEW MEXICO
TO PROTECT CALIFORNIA 148 Lava 297 Lonesome Ridge 457 Negro Bill Canyon 7 Cottonwood Point 107 Pinto Mountains 193 Bisti/De-Na-Zin
4 Agua Tibia 149 Little City of Rocks 298 Manzano 458 North Escalante Canyons/ 8 Coyote Mountains 108 Piper Mountain 194 Cebotia
5 Avawatz Mountains 150 Little Deer 299 Mathers The Gulch 9 Dos Cabezas Mountains 109 Piute Mountains 195 Ojito
6 Bear Canyon 151 Little Wood River 300 McKIttrick Canyon 459 North Fork Virgin River 10 Eagletail Mountains 110 Resting Spring Range 196 Sabinoso
7 Bear Mountain 152 Lower Salmon Falls Creek 301 Mesita Blanca 460 North Stansbury Mountains 11 East Cactus Plain 111 Rice Valley 197 WestMalpais
8 Beauty Mountain 153 Marshall Mountain 302 Mount Riley 461 Notch Peak 12 Fishhooks 112 Riverside Mountains
9 Big Butte 154 Petticoat Peak 303 Mudgetts 462 Orderville Canyon 13 Gibraltar Mountain 113 Rocks and Islands OREGON
10 Bitterbrush 155 Raven's Eye 304 OJito 463 Paria-Hackberry 14 Grand Wash Cliffs 114 Rodman Mountains 198 Hells Canyon
11 Black Mountain 156 Sand Butte 305 Organ Mountains 464 Paria-Hackberry 202 15 Harcuvar Mountains 115 SacatarTrail 199 Lower White River
12 Bodie 157 Sand Mountain 306 Organ Needles 465 Parunuweap Canyon 16 Harquahala Mountains 116 Saddle Peak Hills 200 Oregon Badlands
13 Bodie Mountain 158 Selkirk Crest 307 Peloncillo Mountains 466 Phipps-Death Hollow 17 Hassayampa River Canyon 117 SanGorgonio 201 Soda Mountain
14 Cady Mountains 159 Shale Butte 308 Pena Blanca (tilde over n) 467 Road Canyon 18 Hells Canyon 118 Santa Lucia 202 Spring Basin
15 Caliente Mountain 160 Shoshone 309 Petaca Pinta 468 Rockwell 19 Hummingbird Springs 119 Santa Rosa 203 Steens Mountain
16 Carrizo Gorge 161 Snake River Islands 310 Presilla 469 San Rafael Reef 20 Kanab Creek 120 Sawtooth Mountains 204 Table Rock
17 Carson Iceberg 162 Snowhole Rapids 311 RioChama 470 Scorpion 21 Mount Logan 121 Sheephole Valley 205 Wild Rogue
18 Casa Diablo 163 White Knob Mountains 312 Robledo Mountains 471 Scott's Basin 22 Mount Nutt 122 South Fork Eel River
19 Cerro Gordo 164 Worm Creek 313 San Antonio 472 Sids Cabin 202 23 Mount Tipton 123 South Nopah Range UTAH
20 Chidago Canyon 314 Sierra de las Canas (tilde over m 473 Sids Mountain 24 Mount Trumbull 124 Stateline 206 Beartrap Canyon
25 Mount Wilson 125 Stepladder Mountains 207 Blackridge
22 Death Valley 17 165 Antelope Creek 316 Stallion 475 Spring Creek Canyon 26 Muggins Mountain 126 Surprise Canyon 208 Canaan Mountain
23 Eden Valley 166 Axolotl Lakes 317 Veranito 476 Spruce Canyon 27 Needle's Eye 127 Sylvania Mountains 209 Cedar Mountains
24 Excelsior 167 Beaver Meadows 318 West Potrillo Mountains 477 Squaw/Papoose Canyon* 28 New Water Mountains 128 Trilobite 210 Cottonwood Canyon
25 Fish Slough 168 Bell/Llmeklln Canyons 478 Steep Creek 29 North Maricopa Mountains 129 Turtle Mountains 211 Cougar Canyon
26 Five Springs* 169 Big Horn Tack-On* OREGON 479 Swasey Mountain 30 North Santa Teresa 130 Ventana 212 Deep Creek
27 Garcia Mountain 170 Billy Creek 319 AbertRim 480 The Blues 31 Paiute 131 Whipple Mountains 213 Deep Creek North
28 Great Falls Basin 171 Bitter Creek 320 Aldrich Mountain 481 The Cockscomb 32 Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs** 132 White Mountains 214 Doc's Pass
29 Hauser Mountain 172 Black Sage 321 Alvord Desert 482 Turtle Canyon 33 Peloncillo Mountains 133 Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel 215 Goose Creek
30 Independence Creek 173 Blacktail Mountains 322 Basque Hills 483 Wah Wah Mountains 34 Rawhide Mountains 134 Yuki 216 LaVerkin Creek
31 Kingston Range 174 Bridge Coulee 323 Beaver Dam Creek 484 Wahweap 35 Redfield Canyon 217 Red Butte
32 Lava 175 Buffalo Creek 324 Blitzen River 485 Westwater Canyon 36 Sierra Estrella COLORADO 218 Red Mountain
33 Machesna 176 Burnt Lodge 325 Blue Canyon 486 White Rock Range 37 Signal Mountain 135 Black Ridge Canyons** 219 Slaughter Creek
34 Merced River 177 Burnt Timber Canyon 326 Bowden Hills 487 Winter Ridge 38 South Maricopa Mountains 136 Dominguez Canyon 220 Taylor Creek
35 Milk Ranch/Case Mountain 178 Centennial Mountains 327 Brewer Spruce 39 Swansea 137 Gunnison Gorge
36 Moses 179 Cow Creek 328 Bridge Creek WASHINGTON 40 Table Top 138 Powderhorn WASHINGTON
37 Mount Biedeman 180 Dog Creek South 329 Camp Creek 488 Chopaka Mountain 41 Tres Alamos 139 Uncompahgre 221 Juniper Dunes
38 Owens Peak 181 East Fork Blacktail Deer Creek 330 Castle Rock 42 Trigo Mountain
39 Panoche Hills North 182 Elkhorn 331 Cedar Mountain WYOMING 43 Upper Burro Creek IDAHO .
40 Panoche Hills South 183 Ervin Ridge 332 Clarks Butte 489 Adobe Town 44 Wabayuma Peak 140 Big Jacks Creek .
41 Pinto Mountains 184 Farlln Creek 333 Cottonwood Creek 490 Alkali Basin/East Sand 45 Warm Springs 141 Bruneau- • i’ 'iipw
42 Pit River Canyon 185 Henneberry Ridge 334 Cougar Weil Dunes 46 White Canyon Jarbidge Rivers
43 Piute Cypress 186 Hidden Pasture Creek 335 Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls 491 Alkali Creek 47 Woolsey Peak 142 Frank Church-River of No
44 Rockhouse (a) 187 Hoodoo Mountain 336 Devils Garden Lava Bed 492 Alkali Draw Return 4211
45 Rocky Creek/Cache Creek 188 Humbug Spires 337 Diablo Mountain 493 Bennett Mountains CALIFORNIA 143 Little Jacks Creek
46 Sacatar Meadows 189 Musselshell Breaks 338 Disaster Peak* 494 Bobcat Draw Badlands 48 Agua Tibia 144 North Fork Owyhee
47 San Benito Mountain 190 North Fork Sun River 339 Douglas-Fir 495 Buffalo Hump 49 Argus Range 145 Owyhee River
48 San Felipe Hills 191 Pryor Mountain* 340 Dry Creek 496 Cedar Mountain 50 Beauty Mountain 146 Pole Creek 2014
49 San Ysidro Mountain 192 QuiggWest 341 Dry Creek Buttes 497 Copper Mountain 51 Big Maria Mountains
50 Sawtooth Mountains A 193 Ruby Mountains 342 East Alvord 498 Devil's Playground/Twin 52 Bigelow Cholla Garden MONTANA
51 Sawtooth Mountains C 194 Seven Blackfoot 343 Fifteenmile Creek Buttes 53 Bighorn Mountain 147 Lee Metcalf-Bear Trap Canyon
52 Scodie 195 Sleeping Giant/Sheep Creek 344 Fish Creek Rim 499 Dubois Badlands 54 Black Mountain Unit
53 Sheep Ridge 196 Square Butte 345 Four Craters Lava Bed 500 Encampment River Canyon 55 Bright Star
54 Skedaddle* 197 Stafford 346 Gerry Mountain 501 Ferris Mountains 56 Bristol Mountains *-*l4EVADA
55 Slinkard 198 Terry Badlands 347 Gold Creek 502 Fortification Creek 57 Cache Creek 148 Arrow Canyon
56 Soda Mountains 199 Twin Coulee 348 Guano Creek 503 Gardner Mountain 58 Cadiz Dunes 149 Becky Peak
57 South Warner Contiguous 200 Wales Creek 349 Hampton Butte 504 Honeycomb Buttes 59 Carrizo Gorge 150 Big Rocks
58 Southern Inyo 201 Woodhawk 350 Hawk Mountain 505 Honeycombs 60 Cedar Roughs 151 Black Rock Desert
59 Symmes Creek 202 Yellowstone River Island 351 Heath Lake 506 Lake Mountain 61 Chemehuevi Mountains 152 Bristlecone
60 Table Mountain 203 Zook Creek 352 High Steens 507 Lankin Dome 62 Chimney Peak 153 Calico Mountains
61 Thatcher Ridge 353 Home Creek 508 McCullough Peaks 63 Chuckwalia Mountains 154 Clover Mountains
62 Timbered Crater NEVADA 354 Homestead 509 Medicine Lodge 64 Cleghorn Lakes 155 Delamar Mountains
63 Tule Mountain 204 Alder Creek 355 Honeycombs 510 Miller Spring 65 Clipper Mountain 156 East Fork High Rock Canyon
64 Tunnison Mountain 205 Antelope Range 356 Indian Creek 511 North Fork Powder River 66 Coso Range 157 Eldorado
65 Volcanic Tablelands 206 Augusta Mountains 357 Jordan Craters 512 Oregon Buttes 67 Coyote Mountains 158 Far South Egans
66 White Mountains 207 Bad Lands 358 Little Sink 513 Owl Creek 68 Darwin Fails 159 Fortification Range
67 Yolia Body Contiguous 208 Blue Eagle 359 Lookout Butte 514 Prospect Mountain 69 Dead Mountains 160 Goshute Canyon
209 Blue Lakes 360 Lost Forest 515 Raymond Mountain 70 Domeland 161 Government Peak
COLORADO 210 Bluebell 361 Lower John Day 516 Red Butte 71 El Paso Mountains 162 High Rock Canyon
68 Adobe Badiands 211 Buffalo Hills* 362 Lower Owyhee Canyon 517 Red Creek Badlands 72 Elkhorn Ridge 163 High Rock Lake
69 American Flats 212 Burbank Canyons 363 Lower Stonehouse 518 Red Lake 73 Fish Creek Mountains 164 Highland Ridge
70 Ant Hills 213 Cedar Ridge 364 Mahogany Ridge 519 Sand Dunes 74 Funeral Mountains 165 Ireteba Peaks
71 Beaver Creek 214 China Mountain 365 Malheur River-Bluebucket Creek 520 Savage Peak 75 Golden Valley 166 Jumbo Springs
72 Bill Hare Gulch 215 Clan Alpine Mountains 366 McGraw Creek 521 Scab Creek 76 Granite Mountain 167 La Madre Mountain
73 Black Canyon 216 Desatoya Mountains 367 Mountain Lakes 522 Sheep Mountain 77 Grass Valley 168 Lime Canyon
74 Black Mountain 217 Dry Valley Rim* 368 North Fork 523 South Pinnacles 78 Hollow Hills 169 Little High Rock Canyon
75 Black Ridge Canyons 218 Fandango 369 North Pole Ridge 524 Split Rock 79 Ibex 170 Meadow Valley Range
76 Browns Canyon 219 Fox Range 370 Oregon Canyon 525 Sweetwater Canyon 80 Indian Pass 171 Mormon Mountains
77 Bull Canyon* 220 Gabbs Valley Range 371 Orejana Canyon 526 Trapper Creek 81 Inyo Mountains 172 Mount Charleston
78 Bull Gulch 221 Goshute Canyon 372 Owyhee Breaks 527 Whiskey Mountain 82 Ishi 173 Mount Grafton
79 Cahone Canyon 222 Goshute Peak 373 Owyhee River Canyon 528 Whitehorse Creek 83 Jacumba Mountains 174 Mount Irish
80 Camel Back 223 Grapevine Mountains 374 Palomino Hills 84 Kelso Dunes 175 Mount Moriah
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84 Cross Mountain 227 Little Humboldt River 378 Red Mountain of these WSAs is listed under 88 Little Chuckwalia Mountains ' 179 North McCullough states. Each of these areas
85 Demaree Canyon 228 Massacre Rim 379 Rincon the state in which the greater- 89 Little Picaho Peak 180 PahutePeak is listed under the state in
86 Diamond Breaks* 229 Million Hills 380 Saddle Butte percentage of WSA acreage is 90 Machesna Mountain 181 Parsnip Peak which the greater percentage
87 Dolores River Canyon 230 Morey Peak 381 Sage Hen Hills located. These WSAs are only 91 Malpals Mesa 182 Rainbow Mountain of acreage is located. These
88 Dominguez Canyon 231 Mount Limbo 382 Sand Dunes counted once toward the total 92 Manly Peak 183 South Egan Range wilderness areas are only
89 Eagle Mountain 232 Mount Stirling 383 Sand Hollow tally. 93 Mecca Hills 184 South Jackson Mountains counted once toward the
.•N. 90 Hack Lake 233 Mountain Meadow 384 Sheep Gulch 94 Mesquite 185 South McCullough total tally.
91 Handies Peak 234 North Fork of the Little 385 Sheep Mountain Note; Some WSAs share the same 95 Newberry Mountains 186 South Pahroc Range
92 High Mesa Grassland Humboldt River 386 Sheepshead Mountains name but are completely 96 Nopah Range 187 Spirit Mountain Lists were updated in June 2014.
93 Little Book Cliffs 235 Owyhee Canyon 387 Slocum Creek different units. 97 North Algodones Dunes
94 Lower Grape Creek 236 Palisade Mesa 388 South Fork 98 North Mesquite Mountains
95 McIntyre Hills 237 Park Range 389 South Fork Donner Und Blitzen 99 Old Woman Mountains
, Ml 96 McKenna Peak 238 Pigeon Spring 390 Spaulding
97 Menefee Mountain 239 Pinyon Joshua 391 Sperry Creek
98 Needle Rock 240 Pole Creek 392 Squaw Ridge Lava Bed
99 North Sand Hills 241 Poodle Mountain 393 Stonehouse
I 100 Oil Spring Mountain 242 Queer Mountain 394 Sutton Mountain
1 101 Papa Keal 243 Rawhide Mountain 395 Table Mountain
102 Peterson Draw 244 Red Spring 396 Thirtymile
103 Platte River Contiguous 245 Resting Springs 397 Twelvemile Creek
104 Powderhorn 246 Riordan's Well 398 Upper Leslie Gulch
105 Rare Lizard and Snake 247 Roberts Mountain 399 Upper West Little Owyhee
106 Redcloud Peak 248 Rough Hills 400 West Peak
107 San Luis Hills 249 Selenite Mountains 401 Western Juniper
108 Sewemup Mesa 250 Sheldon Contiguous 402 Wild Horse Basin
109 Skull Creek 251 Silver Peak Range 403 Wildcat Canyon
110 The Palisade 252 Simpson Park 404 Willow Creek
111 Troublesome 253 South Fork Owyhee River 405 Winter Range
112 Upper Grape Creek 254 South Pequop
113 Vale of Tears 255 South Reveille UTAH
114 Weber Mountain 256 Stillwater Range 406 Behind the Rocks
115 Weminuche Contiguous 257 The Wall 407 Black Ridge Canyon West
116 West Cold Spring* 258 Tobin Range 408 Book Cliffs Mountain Browse
117 West Needles Creek Contiguou: 259 Twin Peaks* 409 Bridger Jack Mesa
118 Whitehead Gulch 260 Virgin Mountain 410 Bull Mountain
119 Willow Creek 261 Wall Canyon 411 Burning Hills
Springs
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Production services provided by the Bureau of Land Management, National Operations Center, Information and Publishing Services Section.
Photos by Bob Wick, unless stated otherwise.
Lee Metcalf Wilderness, Bear Trap Canyon Uni^ M<
NEW MEXICO 413 Canaan Mountain
IDAHO 262 Aden Lava Flov/ 414 Carcass Canyon
121 Appendicitis Hill 263 Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah 415 Cheesebox Canyon Wilderness Management Pro
122 Bear Den Butte 264 Alamo Hueco Mountains 416 Coal Canyon
123 Black Butte 265 Antelope 417 Conger Mountain
124 Black Canyon (I) 266 Apache Box 418 CrackCanyon
125 Black Canyon (II) 267 Big Hatchet Mountains 419 Daniels Canyon
126 Borah Peak 268 Blue Creek 420 Dark Canyon 2009 Passage of the Omnibus Public Land Managenn
127 Boulder Creek 269 Brokeoff Mountains 421 Death Ridge
128 Box Creek 270 Cabezon 422 Deep Creek Mountains National Landscape Conservation System and a
129 Burnt Creek 271 Canyons 423 Desolation Canyon
130 Cedar Butte 272 Carrizozo Lava FIovat 424 Devils Canyon
131 China Cup Butte 273 Cedar Mountains 425 Devil's Garden 2006 Passage of the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderne«Ac^^^h createcT^ expanded 7 BLlSf
132 Corral-Horse Basin 274 Chain of Craters 426 Dirty Devil
133 Crystal Lake 275 Chamisa 427 Escalante Canyon Tract 1 wilderness areas in northern California, and passage of Public Law 109-432, which created 7 wilderness areas in Nei
134 Deer Creek 276 Continental Divide 428 Escalante Canyon Tract 5
135 Eighteenmile 277 Cooke's Range 429 Fiddler Butte
136 Friedman Creek 278 Cowboy Spring 430 Fifty Mile Mountain 2004 Passage of the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act,
137 Goidburg 279 Culp Canyon 431 Fish Creek Canyon
138 GoodingCity of Rocks East 280 Devil's Backbone 432 Fish Springs which created 14 wilderness areas in Nevada.
139 Gooding City of Rocks West 281 Devil's Den Canyon 433 Floy Canyon
140 Grandmother Mountain 282 Devil's Reach 434 Flume Canyon
283 Eagle Peak 435 Fremont Gorge 2002 Passage of the Clark County Conservation of Public Land and Natural Re^^i
284 ElMalpais 436 French Spring-Happy Canyon
Fairbanks 285 Empedrado 437 Grand Gulch which created 13 wilderness areas in Nevada. \
286 Florida Mountains 438 Horseshoe Canyon (North)
287 Gila Lower Box 439 Horseshoe Canyon (South)
288 Gray Peak 440 Howell Peak 2000 Passage of Public Law 106-554 (Consolidated Appropriations Ad
289 Guadalupe Canyon 441 Indian Creek
442 Jack Canyon
443 King Top
1994 Passage of the California Desert Protection Act, which created 69 wild^esi^areas in California
444 Link Flats
445 Little Rockies
446 Lost Spring Canyon
447 Mancos Mesa 1990 Passage of the Arizona Desert Wilderness Act, which created 38 wilderness areas in Arizona,
448 Mexican Mountain
449 Mill Creek Canyon
1984 Passage of the Arizona Wilderness Act and the Utah Wilderness Act, which created 9 wildernesspl^^
Passage of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness and Management Act. Added the BearTrap Canyon Wilder
first wilderness managed by the BLM—ofthe Lee Metcalf Wilderness in Montana. ^
The BLM completed field inventories of roadless areas and designated about 25 million acres ofwi^l
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1978 Passage ofthe Endangered American Wilderness Act. The first BLM lands were designated vyiidernesf5 It ni
the National Wilderness Preservation System—the Wild Rogue Wilderness in Oregon andthe Santi^
Wilderness in California. Authority for management was given to the U.S. Forest Service. » .
1976 Passage of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, which directed the BLM to
inventory and study its roadless areas for wilderness characteristics.
1964 Passage of the Wilderness Act.