Central Cascades Wilderness Strategies Project

Central Cascades Wilderness Strategies Project

Wilderness is Unique What makes designated Wilderness different from other national forest lands?

Wilderness Act of 1964 to assure that an increasing population does not occupy and modify all areas within the United States

it is hereby declared to be the policy of the Congress to secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness.

How the Wilderness Act defines Wilderness A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.

Designated Wilderness in the United States How much designated Wilderness is there in the United States and what agencies manages it?

National Wilderness System 765 Wildernesses 109 Million Acres In 44 States

National Wilderness System Designated Wilderness by Federal Land Management Agency (as a percent of land base) Other than Designated Wilderness Designated Wilderness N ATIONAL P ARK S ERVICE 47 53 F ISH AND WILDLIFE S ERVICE 87 13 F OREST S ERVICE 81 19 BLM 96 4

Designated Wilderness In Oregon 47 Wildernesses 2.7 Million Acres

Wilderness in Oregon Percent of Land Base in Oregon that is Designated Wilderness by Federal Agency Land Base Outside of Designated Wilderness Designated Wilderness 97 86 3 14 BLM FOREST SERVICE The National Park Service has no Designated Wilderness in Oregon and the Fish and Wildlife manages 400 acres of Wilderness in Oregon.

Central Cascades Wildernesses in Project Area 5 Wildernesses 532,800 Acres

Mount Jefferson Mount Washington Three Sisters Waldo Lake Diamond Peak Central Cascade Wildernesses 1968 104,500 acres 1964 54,300 acres 1964 284,000 acres 1984 37,000 acres 1964 53,000 acres

Current Situation What trends are we seeing in Central Oregon?

Increasing Visitation 25000 Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington and Diamond Peak Wildernesses 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Mount Jefferson Mount Washington Diamond Peak Over the past 5 years use in the: Mount Jefferson Wilderness increased by 31% Mount Washington Wilderness increased by 119% Diamond Peak Wilderness increased by 129%

Increasing Visitation 120000 Three Sisters Wilderness 100000 80000 60000 40000 20000 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Three Sisters Over the past 5 years use in the: Three Sisters Wilderness increased by 200%

Changing Visitation Overnight camping ongoing and day use and long-distance trail running increasing.

Effects of Increased Recreation

Social Aspects Crowding and loss of solitude are difficult to quantify. For some people this is a Wilderness experience. For other people they see this as a wilderness experience.

Social Aspects However, as recreation use increases people can experience more conflicts between different types of recreational use.

Biophysical Impacts Common biophysical impacts include: trampling, campfires and wood collection, tree damage, invasive weed spread, wildlife disturbance and trash.

Trampling of Fragile Alpine and Riparian Vegetation As new social trails develop they contribute to loss of fragile native vegetation. Overnight camping can increase bare land next to riparian areas

Campfire Ring Development Campfire rings in Central Cascade Wildernesses Nearly 1,800 campfire rings were dismantled by wilderness rangers and volunteers in 2016.

Damage to Trees for Firewood or Trail Marking Tree damage in the Central Cascade Wildernesses

Spread of Invasive Plants Meadow Hawkweed Diffuse Knapweed

Wildlife Disturbance Elk Black bear in the Three Sisters Wilderness going through food.

Increasing Trash Left in the Wilderness Trash left in the Three Sisters Wilderness Over 1,200 lbs. of trash were removed in 2016.

Increasing Human and Dog Waste improperly left in the Wilderness Toilet paper and human waste in the Three Sisters Wilderness. Over 1,000 incidences of human waste were buried by wilderness rangers in 2016.

Dismantling of Unauthorized Structures A toilet built in the Wilderness and left behind for others to dismantle.

Parking Congestion at Trailheads

What are we doing to address these issues now? Increasing staffing, where possible. Creating new partnerships. Increasing and developing new volunteers and groups. Using interns to double our Wilderness ranger staffing. Developing educational materials and doing outreach. Enforcing existing regulations Designated campsites (in some areas) Campfire bans (in some areas) Two limited entry areas (Obsidian and Pamelia)

The Why of this Joint Planning Effort Why do we need to address these impacts today?

Our Intent for this Project To work together in community for the greatest good for visitors, communities and our Wilderness landscapes. Balance human needs and ecological health. Meet long-term needs of the community and the Wilderness. Sustain long-term access to Wilderness for current and future generations. Maintain high-quality Wilderness experiences for future generations. Recognize that the public s values and priorities are important for effective management of Wilderness.

Our Responsibilities

Follow Our Mandates from the Wilderness Act

Follow Our Forest Plans

Listen to Public Voices and Values

The How of this Planning Process What will happen next?

What potential types of Visitor Use Strategies are we considering? We are looking at a range of possible actions: No change in visitor use management Limited entry permit system Day Use Overnight Use Recreation fees Additional Designated camping Parking management Additional campfire bans Setting thresholds for implementation of new strategies

Formal Public Scoping Comment Period Formal Public Review and Comment Period Formal Forest Service Objection Period Our Timeline Project Development NEPA Process Informing and Engaging the Public Gather information on Existing Conditions Develop strategy for visitor use management Proposed Action Identify issues and develop alternatives and analyze effects of alternatives Release environmental analysis document to the public for comment Refine the analysis based on public comments and issue Draft Decision Notice Forest Supervisors issue Final Decision Notice May 2017 Jan 2018 April 2018

How You Can Help? Ways to be involved and engaged

Share what you are thinking early and specifically! What motivated you to come to this meeting? What actions would you like the Forest Service to take that would be the most meaningful to you? What do you value about these Wildernesses?

Volunteer! Many people and organized groups care deeply about Wilderness and their recreational activities. Find your place and engage in our Central Cascade Wildernesses!

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