Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Report 2011...Verde dominate above the Salt Cedar...
Transcript of Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Report 2011...Verde dominate above the Salt Cedar...
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 1 of 58
Kelly L. Lockman
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
10/14/2011
FWS National Wildlife Refuge System Wilderness Fellows
Report on Wilderness Character Monitoring
Havasu Wilderness
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Havasu National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness .......................................................................................... 3-5
Havasu NWR and Wilderness Background and Setting .................................................................................................3-4
Havasu NWR and Wilderness Map ................................................................................................................................. 5
Wilderness Resources .................................................................................................................................... 6-8
Wilderness Character Monitoring and Qualities ............................................................................................................ 6
Documents and Staff Consulted ................................................................................................................................... ..7
Process Used to Identify Measures ................................................................................................................................ 8
Selected Measures ....................................................................................................................................... 9-33
Untrammeled .......................................................................................................................................................... 9-13
Actions to Manage Native Wildlife ....................................................................................................................... 9
Actions to Suppress Non-Native Species ............................................................................................................. 10
Percent of Natural Fires Suppressed Averaged Over Wilderness ......................................................................... 11
Number of Hunting Permits ................................................................................................................................ 12
Acres Burned Due to Human Ignited Fires .......................................................................................................... 13
Other Unauthorized Actions .............................................................................................................................. 14 Natural .................................................................................................................................................................. 15-20
Desert Bighorn Sheep ........................................................................................................................................ 15
Extirpated Plants and Animals ............................................................................................................................ 16
Non-Indigenous Species .................................................................................................................................... 17
Present Nurseries with Myotis velifer.................................................................................................................. 18
Feral Burro Populations ..................................................................................................................................... 19
Present Wildlife Diseases .................................................................................................................................... 20
Undeveloped .......................................................................................................................................................... 21-28
Actions to Cleanup Modern Human Debris ........................................................................................................ 21
Number of Inactive Mines ................................................................................................................................. 22
Index of Authorized Non-Recreational Physical Development ............................................................................ 23
Type and Amount Use of Motor Vehicles, Motorized Equipment, and Mechanical Transport ............................. 24
Incidents and Known Vehicle Intrusions .............................................................................................................. 25
Number of Management and Other Documented Flyovers ................................................................................. 26
Inholdings Acres ................................................................................................................................................. 27
Disturbances to Cultural Resources .................................................................................................................... 28 Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation ................................................................................................... 29-32
Agency Provided Recreation Facilities ................................................................................................................. 29
Acres of Wilderness Recreational Camping is not Permitted ............................................................................... 30
Special Use Permits ........................................................................................................................................... 31
Administrative Travel Routes and Access Roads .................................................................................................. 31
Miles of Wilderness Boundary Adjacent to Private Lands .................................................................................... 33
No Wake Zones in River Channel Adjacent to Wilderness.................................................................................... 34
Measures Not Used ................................................................................................................................... 35-39
Conclusions ..................................................................................................................................................... 40
Appendix
Table of Contents
Cover Photo: Havasu Wilderness - Kelly Lockman
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Background
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Colorado River between Needles, CA and
Parker, AZ. Havasu Refuge was established by Executive Order 8647 on January 22, 1941, to provide
migration and wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl. It is essentially an overlay on lands
withdrawn and purchased by the Bureau of Reclamation for the operation of Parker Dam and its
reservoir, Lake Havasu. The refuge as established encompassed about 43,000 acres and was enlarged
to 45,761 acres in 1949. With the founding of Lake Havasu City in 1964, the refuge was reduced to
22,007 acres under the Lower Colorado River Land Use Plan. This plan delineated a realignment of
the refuge boundaries with the major portion of Lake Havasu being deleted for recreational
development.
In 1968, the Needles Peaks area was added to the refuge, bringing the total acreage to 41,495.
Four hundred-twenty acres was deleted in 1974 and returned to the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe. In
October 1977, 1,575 acres were purchased from the Arizona Ranch and Metals Company through the
Nature Conservancy as an addition to the Bill Williams Unit. An additional, 2,781 acreas were
withdrawn from the Bureau of Land Management in 1981 to round out the Bill Williams Unit, bringing
the total acreage to 45,431.
The refuge contains three district units. The Topock Marsh Unit in South Mohave Valley
constitutes all refuge land north of I-40. This unit lies at the south end of a 200,000 –acre alluvial
basin and contains a 4,000-acre marsh and 200 acres of cropland.
The Topock Gorge Unit extends from I-40 south to upper Lake Havasu. This is one of the most
scenic features along the Lower Colorado River. Through portions of the Topock Gorge the Colorado
is incised between colorful cliffs rising several hundred feet above the river with peaks in this area
reaching 2,400 feet.
The refuge and the
surrounding area contain much
evidence of early man, especially in
the Topock Gorge. Picture writings
on rock and canyon walls, both
petrogylphs and pictographs,
provide a silent record of the area’s
earliest inhabitants and their
culture. The area was also heavily
prospected during the gold boom
and several inactive mines are
located on the refuge. View of Havasu Wilderness from Colorado River Photo: FWS
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The refuge is surrounded by areas of recent developmental growth due to recreational
amenities provided in and along the Colorado River. Lake Havasu City and Mohave Valley has had
rapid population growth since the year of wilderness designation. This places an increasing
importance for refuge and wilderness as well as increases the demand on the refuge and its
resources. Further pressures have been placed on refuge and wilderness areas due to population
growth with Laughlin, NV, Bullhead City, AZ and Needles, CA region as a result of recent
gambling/resort businesses.
Ecological Setting
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is located in the southern portion of the Mojave Desert. It
lies in one of the hottest and driest regions in the United States. Approximately half of the refuge
habitat is in this category. The desert washes provide excellent habitat and the Mesquite and Palo
Verde dominate above the Salt Cedar moisture elevation. Over 300 species of birds, 42 species of
mammals, and 38 species of reptiles
have been recorded at Havasu
NWR.
Annual precipitation
averages at 5.11 inches. Most of
the rainfall occurs in the form of
thunderstorms in early spring and
late summer. These storms are
often violent and produce severe
washouts in local drainages. The
summers are long and extremely
hot with maximum temperatures
ranging between 115 and 125
degrees Fahrenheit. The winters
are short and very mild with a near
absence of freezing temperatures.
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge still remains an oasis for migratory birds even though Salt
Cedar continues to be an overpowering problem.
The Topock Gorge, the area that is mainly designated wilderness besides the 20 miles of the
Colorado River itself represents one of the last remaining natural stretches along this portion of the
lower river. The riparian zone is used by a wide variety of songbirds, marsh and wading birds. The
emergent vegetation in the backwaters provides nesting habitat as well as nursery areas for
largemouth bass, crappie and channel catfish.
View of Havasu Wilderness Photo: Kelly Lockman
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Map of Havasu Refuge and Wilderness as well as immediate surroundings Source: FWS
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Wilderness Character Monitoring
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge was part of the initial round in a wilderness character
monitoring pilot program influenced by the Wilderness Act of 1964. Qualities of wilderness character
were derived from the Act and this program was implemented to provide a uniform approach to
monitoring trends and actions in wildernesses across the nation. Along with 18 other USFWS refuges,
wilderness character monitoring measures were created for Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
Wilderness using a baseline year of 2011. The measures selected for Havasu are specific to this
wilderness and unique from any other set of wilderness character monitoring measures. These
measures will allow USFWS and interested parties to monitor how the wilderness character will
change and trends in the future. Trends in wilderness character monitoring can either be improving,
degrading, stable or offsetting stable.
Qualities of Wilderness Character
Untrammeled
“...an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man...” and “...generally appears to
have been affected primarily by the forces of nature” –Wilderness Act of 1964
Wilderness is essentially unhindered and free from the actions of modern human control or manipulation
Natural
“...is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions” – Wilderness Act of 1964
Wilderness ecological systems are substantially free from the effects of modern civilization
Undeveloped
“...an area of undeveloped Federal land...without permanent improvement or human habitation” and
“...where man himself is a visitor who does not remain” – Wilderness Act of 1964
Wilderness retains its primeval character and influence, and is essentially without permanent improvement
or modern human occupation
Solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation
“…has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation“ – Wilderness
Act of 1964
Wilderness provides outstanding opportunities for solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation
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Documents Consulted
The documents listed below were the main sources used to help identify measures as well as supplied
data for some of the measures:
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge Annual Narrative Reports – Years 1991 & 1992
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge Brochures
Lower Colorado River National Wildlife Refuges: Comprehensive Management Plan and
Environmental Assessment 1994-2014
Study Report- Needles Wilderness Proposal: Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
Other Documents Consulted
Keeping it Wild: An Interagency Strategy to Monitor Trends in Wilderness Character Across the
National Wilderness Preservation System – Peter Landres and Others – July 2008
Technical Guide for Monitoring Selected Conditions Related to Wilderness Character- Peter Landres
and Others – June 2009
Staff Consulted
Dick Gilbert, Complex Project Leader
Linda L. Miller, Refuge Manager
Jack Allen, Biologist
Kathleen Blair, Complex Ecologist
Wayne Dingman, Law Enforcement
Pamela Scott, Administration
Michael Sambroski, Maintenance and Operations
Benji Stewart, Fire Operations Specialists
Jennifer House, Wilderness Specialist LHFO, Bureau of Land Management
David Roan, Needles Bureau of Land Management
Dave Conrad, Arizona Game and Fish Department
Bob Henry, Arizona Game and Fish Department
Lesley Fitzpatrick, Phoenix FWS Ecological Services
Dr. Patricia Brown, Brown-Berry Biological Consulting
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Process Used for Identifying Measures
Steps to identify measures:
1. Meet with key refuge staff members like the Refuge Manager and give a brief overview of the
WCM project. Locate important documents like the CCP, Annual Narratives(starting from year
of wilderness designation), related documents, maps and important contacts.
2. Read important documents to get a better understanding of the goals of the refuge and
wilderness as well as the operations/occurrences that repetitively happen at the refuge. This
may also help identify measures that are not only important to WCM; it may not require the
staff to do a great deal of extra work to collect data after you leave.
3. Setup a day when a knowledgeable staff member is available to give a tour of the wilderness.
Record observations in the field as well as comments by staff. This will also allow you more
time to discuss possible wilderness issues that could translate into a measure. This time with
the staff member is very valuable; ask many questions.
4. Compile a draft of possible measures. Participate in refuge activities to get a better
understanding to what is important to staff. Since it is recommended to only have
approximately 25 final measures, try to identify the most influential measures on wilderness
character that not only fulfill the indicator but also account for different aspects in wilderness
and data is readily available or easy to gather by staff members.
5. Setup a meeting and ask where data can be found for each well received and feasible
measure. This may or may not help you find this year’s data. Most times, unless it is the end
of the year, the data is still being collected for some of the measures.
6. Analyze the revised measure handout to see if what goes on in the wilderness has been
captured with the approximate selection of 25 measures. Also make sure that data can be
easily collected and monitored by refuge staff after you leave. If you are comfortable with the
list, then create a final list to show the key staff members. This meeting should also include
your suggestions for: frequency, unit of measure, weight, significant change, description and
data source for each measure for comment. Make a suggestion for each because it is easier
for staff to comment on something rather than a blank document.
7. Enter measures, related information and available data into database.
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Selected Measures
Character: Untrammeled
Indicator: Actions authorized by refuge manager that manipulate the biophysical environment
Measure: Actions to Manage Native Wildlife
Description: A point system of authorized actions to manage native wildlife in wilderness. Actions
include but are not limited to: species surveys in wilderness that disrupt natural routine and
removal/dispatching of wildlife.
Context: Currently Havasu management does not take any actions in wilderness to manage wildlife.
This measure was created as a placeholder for management actions, if any, to native wildlife in the
future. Many of the same wildlife do occur on both Havasu and Kofa. Kofa manages native wildlife
so it is possible in the future that Havasu management may take similar actions on native wildlife.
The refuge staff will have to assign the point value for each specific action, if any.
Data Sources: Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Jack Allen, Refuge
Biologist; Kathleen Blair, Ecologist; Bob Henry, AGFD
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with refuge staff and AGFD.
Significant Change: After 2011, any change or increase in the management actions to native wildlife
in wilderness would reflect a degrading trend. If no actions continue; the trend will remain stable.
Data Adequacy: High - conversations with numerous staff members.
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Character: Untrammeled
Indicator: Actions authorized by refuge manager that manipulate the biophysical environment
Measure: Actions to Suppress Non-Native Plant Species
Description: Number of actions to suppress non-native species. If it is available, this measure could
be edited to count acres of non-native plants suppressed and/or amount of chemicals used to
suppress non-native species.
Context: There are non-indigenous plant species in Havasu wilderness and currently there are no
management actions to suppress these species in wilderness. This measure is to capture any future
actions to suppress non-native plant species by the use of herbicides and other chemicals that would
alter the biophysical environment.
Data Sources: Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Jack Allen, Refuge
Biologist; Kathleen Blair, Ecologist
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with refuge staff.
Significant Change: After 2011, any change or increase in the management actions to suppress non-
native species in wilderness would reflect a degrading trend. If no actions continue; the trend will
remain stable.
Data Adequacy: High - conversations with numerous staff members.
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Character: Untrammeled
Indicator: Actions authorized by refuge manager that manipulate the biophysical environment
Measure: Percent of Natural Fires Suppressed Averaged Over Wilderness
Description: Percent of natural fire starts suppressed in Havasu wilderness. Number of lightning-
caused fires that were suppressed is divided by the total number of lightning-caused fires, multiplied
by 100.
Context: Fires can drastically change the makeup of the wilderness. Also the actions to suppress
these fires can impact the wilderness. This measure accounts for the fire as well as the actions
related to suppression.
Data Sources: Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Benji Stewart, Fire Operations Specialist
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with key refuge staff.
Significant Change: The significant change for this measure is “Any”. Any increase to the amount of
natural fires that are suppressed and actions of suppression would reflect a degrading trend. Any
decrease in these actions would reflect an improving trend.
Data Adequacy: High confidence in data. Natural fires that receive a suppression response are well
documented by Fire Management Team.
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Character: Untrammeled
Indicator: Actions authorized by refuge manager that manipulate the biophysical environment
Measure: Number of Hunting Permits
Description: Total number of desert bighorn sheep hunting permits issued each year by Arizona
Game and Fish Department
Context: Desert bighorn sheep hunting is one of the few authorized actions that currently happens
within Havasu Wilderness. Documenting the numbers of permits issued each year and comparing it
to the Desert Bighorn Sheep population, managers will be able to see how the number of desert
bighorn sheep taken from wilderness correlates to the population counts.
Data Sources: Bob Henry, Arizona Game and Fish Department; Jack Allen, Refuge Biologist
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with key refuge staff and agencies.
Significant Change: The significant change for this measure is “Any”. The number of permits issued
is determined by the population counts. Since there is now a low number of permits issued and the
desert bighorn sheep population appears to fluctuate according to survey counts dating back to 1990,
any increase to the amount of hunting permits issued will be seen as a degrading trend. If fewer
permits are issued, this would be an improving trend.
Data Adequacy: High confidence in data.
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Character: Untrammeled
Indicator: Actions not authorized by refuge manager that manipulate the biophysical environment
Measure: Acres Burned Due to Human Ignited Fires
Description: Acres of wilderness burned from known and documented human/visitor ignited fires in
wilderness.
Context: Fires can seriously alter the current state of the wilderness. Documenting the acres burned
due to human ignited fires with further show the impacts humans can have on wilderness. Havasu is
primarily used by trespassers on ATVs and the continuation of breaking the law by having a campfire
in wilderness would not be out of line to assume as a possible action.
Data Sources: Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Wayne Dingman, Law
Enforcement
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with key refuge staff because Havasu no
longer produces an Annual Narrative Report. Legacy data will also have to be found by asking key
data sources.
Significant Change: The significant change for this measure is “Any”. If an amount acres burned
from human/visitor ignited fires were to happen in a given year, it will reflect a degrading trend. If
the amount of human ignited fires were nonexistent for any given year, it would reflect an improving
trend. A change in the amount of human/visitor ignited fires will have a significant change on the
biophysical environment and stable cannot be used for this measure unless it is zero.
Data Adequacy: Medium confidence in data. Havasu Wilderness is not frequently visited by refuge
staff; smaller human/visitor ignited fires will be missed in the data counts.
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Character: Untrammeled
Indicator: Actions not authorized by refuge manager that manipulate the biophysical environment
Measure: Number of Other Unauthorized Actions
Description: A count of the number of unauthorized actions other than human ignited fires and
vehicle intrusions that occur annually in wilderness.
Context: This measure was created to capture unauthorized actions in wilderness that may happen
in the future that are degrading to wilderness character but do not have a specific measure it would
fall under. In the past, a visitor has brought modern human debris into wilderness to erect shrines.
That is just one example of an action that could be captured in this measure. For 2011, there are no
known other unauthorized actions.
Data Sources: Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Wayne Dingman, Law
Enforcement
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with key refuge staff because Havasu no
longer produces an Annual Narrative Report.
Significant Change: The significant change for this measure is “Any”. If any amount of unauthorized
actions in wilderness were to happen in a given year, it will reflect a degrading trend. If the amount
other unauthorized actions were nonexistent for any given year, it would reflect an improving or
stable trend.
Data Adequacy: Medium confidence in data. Havasu Wilderness is not frequently visited by refuge
staff; other unauthorized actions will be missed in the data counts.
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Character: Natural
Indicator: Plant and animal species and communities
Measure: Desert Bighorn Sheep
Description: Annual population estimates of desert bighorn sheep from aerial and group surveys.
Desert bighorn sheep population estimates are derived using the Kofa Group Size Estimator.
Context: Desert bighorn sheep population size is often monitored by refuge staff and Arizona Game
and Fish Department. The population size from year to year can give a glimpse into the stability and
health of the ecosystem in the wilderness. Population surveys are not administered every year but
are often enough to give an indication of the trend.
Data Sources: Bob Henry, AGFD; Jack Allen, Refuge Biologist
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with key refuge staff because Havasu no
longer produces an Annual Narrative Report. Legacy data will also have to be found by asking key
data sources.
Significant Change: The significant change is 10%. 10% less than previous year reflects a degrading
trend. 10% more than previous year reflects an improving trend. Less than 10% either way reflects a
stable trend. 2011 survey will reflect a stable trend, and the significant change to determine the
trend should be calculated in 2012 or the next year a population size survey is conducted for Desert
Bighorn Sheep.
Data Adequacy: High Confidence in data. Data collected by knowledgeable staff and the Kofa Group
Size Estimator is a very reliable formula to estimate the population size for Desert Bighorn Sheep.
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Character: Natural
Indicator: Plant and animal species and communities
Measure: Extirpated Plants and Animals
Description: Number of indigenous plant and animal species that have been extirpated based on time
from European contact.
Context: Currently there are no known or documented extirpated species that were mentioned
during the time wilderness character monitoring was conducted. This measure will serve as a
placeholder for any future changes to this measure.
Data Sources:
Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Jack Allen, Refuge Biologist; Kathleen
Blair, Ecologist; Bob Henry, AGFD; Lesley Fitzpatrick, Phx Ecological Services
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with key refuge staff and other related
agencies. Havasu no longer produces an Annual Narrative Reports.
Significant Change: Any. Currently there are no documented extirpated species from Havasu
Wilderness so any increase in the number would reflect a degrading trend.
Data Adequacy: Medium Confidence in data. Most of the data is by word of mouth. Documents
could not be located that lists extirpated species from Havasu Wilderness.
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Character: Natural
Indicator: Plant and animal species and communities
Measure: Non-Indigenous Species
Description: Number of non-indigenous species found in wilderness.
Context: Non-indigenous species can drastically influence and be detrimental to the native species of
a wilderness area. This count gives an idea to the different types of non-indigenous species found in
Havasu Wilderness.
Data Sources: Jack Allen, Refuge Biologist; Kathleen Blair, Ecologist; Needles Wilderness Proposal
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with key refuge staff and lists found in the
Needles Wilderness Proposal
Significant Change: Any. If there is an increase in the number of non-indigenous species in Havasu
wilderness, it will reflect a degrading trend. Any non-indigenous species that are eradicated from
Havasu Wilderness will reflect an improving trend.
Data Adequacy: Medium-High confidence in data. Spatial data of the range of impact these species
have on wilderness would give a better picture as to what is going on in the wilderness than just a
count. It is possible that if the data is collected, this measure could be updated in the future to show
a better picture as to what is going how much non-indigenous species cover is in the wilderness.
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Character: Natural
Indicator: Plant and animal species and communities
Measure: Present Nurseries with Myotis velifer
Description: Number of old mines and other areas in wilderness observed and documented
containing established maternity colonies of Myotis velifer.
Context: Monitoring bat species, particularly threatened ones, is an important management activity
that should happen regularly on Havasu NWR. Creating a measure for present maternity colonies will
give an idea to the suitability of the habitat on Havasu that is conducive for sensitive bat populations.
Data Sources: Dr. Patricia Brown, BBBC
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with Dr. Patricia Brown, a consultant contact
who was suggested to me by the ecologist, Kathleen Blair.
Significant Change: The significant change for this measure is “Any”. If there is an increase in
documented present maternity colonies, it will reflect an improving trend because there is greater
biodiversity and habitat compatible for sensitive bat species in Havasu wilderness. A decrease will
reflect a degrading trend.
Data Adequacy: High confidence in data; consultant very knowledgeable.
Myotis velifer photographed on Lower Colorado River
Photo: Dr. Patricia Brown
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Character: Natural
Indicator: Plant and animal species and communities
Measure: Feral Burro Populations
Description: Number of burros counted during scheduled desert bighorn sheep population counts.
Other means of finding population of feral burros in wilderness are allowable but no additional
surveys were accounted for during baseline year.
Context: Feral burros are detrimental to the habitat in wilderness and continue to be a significant
issue even though there are occasional BLM efforts to round up burros. To date, 56 burros in the
immediate surroundings of Havasu wilderness have been captured by BLM. During survey count
flights of desert bighorn sheep, staff also counts the number of burros and gathers a rough estimate
of the population size.
Data Sources: Jack Allen, Havasu Refuge Biologist; Bob Henry, Arizona Game and Fish Department
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversation about burros with refuge biologist lead to the
findings of current burro population counts.
Significant Change: The population estimates for right now is 27. Since the burro creates a high
impact on wilderness character and nutritional resources in wilderness are low, the significant change
would be “any”.
Data Adequacy: Medium confidence in data. The population count survey is administered during
another survey and burro population is not the main priority; it is desert bighorn sheep population
counts.
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Character: Natural
Indicator: Biophysical Processes
Measure: Present Wildlife Diseases
Description: The total number of wildlife diseases documented in Havasu wilderness.
Context: There are no known studies in Havasu wilderness to document the amount, if any, and the
severity of wildlife diseases. This measure would capture any wildlife diseases identified in the
future.
Data Sources: Jack Allen, Refuge Biologist; Kathleen Blair, Ecologist
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with key staff members.
Significant Change: The significant change for this measure is “Any”. If there is an increase in
documented present wildlife diseases, it will reflect a degrading trend. A decrease will reflect and
improving trend.
Data Adequacy: Medium confidence in data. There are currently no known studies or documents of
present wildlife diseases. All data is from knowledgeable staff so there may be no need for wildlife
disease studies if nothing appears to be out of the ordinary with wildlife.
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Character: Undeveloped
Indicator: Non-recreational installations, structures and developments
Measure: Actions to Cleanup Modern Human Debris - Abandoned Property, Mine, Military, etc.
Description: Numerical annual count of actions to cleanup modern human debris - abandoned
property, mine and military debris
Context: Cleanups of modern human debris have not happen recently in Havasu Wilderness except
on one brief account given by the Law Enforcement Officer, Wayne Dingman. One visitor to the
wilderness was erecting shrines in wilderness and LE brought him into wilderness to locate and
remove a good amount of the shrines. Future removals, if applicable should incorporate wilderness
legislation and the minimum requirement analysis should be taken into consideration when the
means of removal is selected for each project. For those reasons, this measure will only reflect a
stable or improving trend. This could also entice refuge staff to take on more modern human debris
cleanup projects if it will reflect an overall improving trend in wilderness character.
Data Sources:
Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Wayne Dingman, Law Enforcement
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with staff and locating related files regarding
cleanups, like Minimum Requirement Analysis documents.
Significant Change: The significant change for this measure is “Any”. For each action that removes
debris from wilderness using the proper means, an improving trend is recorded. If one action for one
year is followed by just one action the next year, this still shows an improving trend. Stable trend
only appears when no actions are taken. This measure cannot reflect a degrading trend.
Data Adequacy: High confidence in data. Cleanup efforts in wilderness are well documented in the
past and require a minimum requirement analysis of the plans on how to remove the debris.
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Character: Undeveloped
Indicator: Non-recreational installations, structures and developments
Measure: Number of Active and Inactive Mines
Description: Number of active and inactive mines found in wilderness.
Context: Havasu has a history in mining and this measure is to document that mining did exist even
though it no longer happens in wilderness. Any type of mining can impact and dramatically change
the wilderness and its character in multiple ways. The ideal objective is Havasu Wilderness remains
an area that is no longer mined for its resources.
Data Sources: Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Dr. Patricia Brown, BBBC;
Bureau of Land Management
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with refuge staff and consultant. Contact with
the Bureau of Land Management because they handle the records on mining developments in all
areas including wilderness. A tally of the total amount of inactive mines found wilderness was used
as the data for 2011. No active mines are found in wilderness as of 2011.
Significant Change: The significant change for this measure would be “Any”. Any increase mining
activity would reflect a degrading trend.
Data Adequacy: High confidence in data; conversations with knowledgeable contacts and available
supporting documents.
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Character: Undeveloped
Indicator: Non-recreational installations, structures and developments
Measure: Index of Non-Recreational Physical Development
Description: Number of man-made, developed structures in wilderness. The count includes but is not
limited to:
1a. Dams
1b. Tanks
1c. Wells
1d. Catchments
1e. Temporary management related structures
1f. Technology/Scientific Installations
Context: Havasu has only two developments in wilderness. Currently a USGS Gauging Station sits
near the Colorado River that was there prior to wilderness designation and there is a wildlife drinker
that was installed by AGFD in wilderness. Beyond that, there are no known authorized physical
developments in wilderness.
Data Sources: Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda
Miller, Refuge Manager; Jack Allen, Refuge
Biologist
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data:
Conversations with key staff members and
consulting refuge and wilderness documents
Significant Change: The significant change for this
measure is “Any”. If a current structure or
installation is removed from wilderness, it will
reflect an improving trend. If a development is
added to wilderness, this will reflect a degrading
trend. If nothing changes, it will reflect a stable
trend.
Data Adequacy: High confidence in data. Many
reliable sources were consulted and staff
interviewed.
Plastic water tank installation by AGFD in wilderness
Photo: Kelly Lockman
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 24 of 58
Character: Undeveloped
Indicator: Use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, and mechanical transport
Measure: Type and Amount of Administrative, Non-Emergency, and Emergency Use of Motor
Vehicles, Motorized Equipment, or Mechanical Transport
Description: Index of actual use of equipment or vehicle based on type of equipment (helicopter,
chain saws, etc.) and weighted based on how many days used. Add up all the items used in
wilderness plus the amount of days used to find the total to be imputed as data.
Context: Some management tasks as well as emergencies require the use of motor vehicles,
motorized equipment, or mechanical transport. Though properly filling minimum requirement
analysis will allow refuge staff to pick the least motor or mechanized way to complete a task, at times
motor and mechanized practices are the most practical or financially feasible way to complete a
project. This measure is to inventory and monitor all these insistences as well as emergencies in
wilderness. Currently for 2011, there has been no
administrative or emergency use in wilderness.
Data Sources: Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Wayne
Dingman, Law Enforcement
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Reading
documents as well as consulting with refuge staff.
Significant Change: The significant change for this
measure is “Any”. Any increase the use of motorized or
mechanized items would reflect a degrading trend. Any
decrease in the use would reflect an improving trend.
Data Adequacy: High confidence in data. Havasu
wilderness projects using motor or mechanized
equipment are extremely rare.
View from wilderness boundary with a posted “No
Vehicle” sign Photo: Kelly Lockman
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 25 of 58
Character: Undeveloped
Indicator: Use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, and mechanical transport
Measure: Number of Management and Other Documented Flyovers
Description: A total count of the number of management and other documented flyovers that occur
annually over wilderness.
Context: It is known that management occasionally does flyovers to do wildlife surveys. There was
one this year for the desert bighorn sheep population survey. In the future, management can also
document any flyovers they witness while working in or in the vicinity of wilderness.
Data Sources: Jack Allen, Refuge Biologist; Bob Henry, AGFD
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with key staff members and partner agencies.
Significant Change: The significant change for this measure is “Any”. Currently the amount of
documented flyovers is relatively small and any change in the number would be considered a
significant change. If the number of flyovers was to increase in a given year, this would reflect a
degrading trend. If the number was to decrease, this would reflect an improving trend. If the
number was to remain the same, it would reflect a stable trend.
Data Adequacy: Medium confidence in this data. Not all of the flyovers can be captured by refuge
staff.
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 26 of 58
Character: Undeveloped
Indicator: Use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, and mechanical transport
Measure: Incidents and Known Civilian Vehicle Intrusions
Description: Number of incidents and known civilian vehicle
intrusions in wilderness. This count includes:
1a. Violation notices issued for vehicle intrusions in wilderness
1b. Documented vehicle tracks in wilderness
Context: ATV/UTV use is a big recreational component in this area.
There are other places in the county to use ATV/UTVs but some
visitors do not abide by the rules and enter wilderness on their
vehicles. Intruders sometimes even take down refuge fences that
are put up on the boundary and bullets holes are frequently found
in refuge posted signs. Tracks are noticeable and create
considerable damage to wilderness character. Unfortunately it is
difficult to catch every intrusion, but violation notices have been
written in the past and refuge staff does notice the tracks when
out when checking boundary fences.
Data Sources: Wilderness Fellow field survey; Law enforcement
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Collecting violation notices from refuge law enforcement and
personal field visits to frequently intruded sites.
Significant Change: The significant change for this measure is “Any”. Even though every instance of
intrusion cannot be completely measured, the amount of violation notices and documented
intrusions captured in a given year will be indicative of what is happening across Havasu wilderness.
An increase in the amount of intrusions will reflect a degrading trend. A decrease in the amount of
intrusions will reflect an improving trend. No change will reflect a stable trend.
Data Adequacy: Medium confidence in this data. Not all of the intrusions can be captured by refuge
staff.
Vehicle intrusion in wilderness
Photo: Kelly Lockman
Vehicle intrusion in wilderness Photo: Kelly Lockman Destroyed boundary fence/sign Photo:Lockman
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 27 of 58
Character: Undeveloped
Indicator: Inholdings
Measure: Inholding Acres
Description: Acres of inholdings within wilderness boundaries. Includes any inholding that is within
and/or surrounded by the wilderness boundary line; both AZ and CA sides.
Context: Private land ownership in the form parcels within and/or surrounded by wilderness occur in
Havasu. An inventory of the amount of acres of inholdings will monitor private land ownerships
impact on wilderness character.
Data Sources: Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; GIS maps
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with refuge staff and reading documents
related to what is going on in the wilderness.
Significant Change: The significant change for this measure is “Any”. If the inholding acres decrease
because the property was gifted/sold to Havasu NWR, this would reflect an improving trend. An
increase in private inholdings within and/or surrounded by wilderness would reflect a degrading
trend. No changes would reflect a stable trend.
Data Adequacy: High confidence in data. Interviewed multiple staff members.
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 28 of 58
Character: Undeveloped
Indicator: Loss to statutorily protected cultural resources
Measure: Disturbances to Cultural Resources
Description: 1a. Severity of disturbances to cultural resources by photos/status reports
1b. Number/severity of disturbance to archeological sites or resources listed on National Register of
Historic Places
1c. Disturbances/Removal of cultural resources like Picture Rock
Context: There are cultural resources in Havasu Wilderness and in the past there have been
disturbances to these areas. Picture Rock is most popular and could possibly be the one that has the
most instances of vandalism. Staff members did not have data to give me on recent disturbances or a
complete list/map of cultural resources on Havasu Wilderness. There is just a general understanding
that there are cultural resources and they are occasionally disturbed.
Data Sources: Havasu Refuge staff
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data:
The only known way to gather data is to ask refuge staff if they have noticed and/or documented any
disturbances to cultural resources in wilderness.
Significant Change: The significant change for this measure is “Any”. If there are any increases in
new disturbances, this will reflect a degrading trend. No new disturbances will create a stable trend.
An improving trend does not appear to be plausible for this measure unless there is work to properly
restore or protect existing cultural resources.
Data Adequacy: Low confidence in data. Primitive cultural resources are not particularly monitored
closely and not all of them have been found and mapped out in detail. This measure appeared to be
the most suitable for Havasu because monitoring of all cultural resources is not frequent.
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 29 of 58
Character: Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation
Indicator: Facilities that decrease self-reliant recreation
Measure: Agency Provided Recreation Facilities
Description: This count includes but is not limited to:
1a. Number of tent pads
1b. Number of recreational/directional signs (NOT including refuge/wilderness boundary signs)
1c. Number of shelters
1d. Number of backcountry campsites
1e. Miles of maintained foot trails
Context: Havasu refuge staff does not provide or maintain any recreation facilities in wilderness.
This measure is set up to fulfill this indicator and monitor future development of facilities that
decrease self-reliant recreation in wilderness, if applicable.
Data Sources: Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Wayne Dingman, Law
Enforcement; Documents consulted
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with refuge staff and reading documents
related to what is going on in the wilderness.
Significant Change: The significant change for this measure is “Any”. Any increase to the amount of
facilities would reflect a degrading trend. The trend is now consistently stable because there are no
facilities and the next possible trend would be degrading because they cannot improve on zero.
Data Adequacy: High confidence in data. The sources are very reliable.
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 30 of 58
Character: Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation
Indicator: Management Restrictions
Measure: Acres of Wilderness Recreational Camping is not Permitted
Description: Total acreage in wilderness where visitors cannot freely choose to camp overnight using
non-motorized/mechanized means. Management does not allow recreational camping and any
overnights must be authorized and approved with a special use permit.
Context: Havasu wilderness is rarely visited by citizens; mostly just people intruding on ATVs. The
restriction on the freedom to camp greatly diminishes this character quality, specifically unconfined
recreation.
Data Sources: Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with key staff members.
Significant Change: The significant change is “Any”. If the allowable acres to camp increased, this
would reflect an improving trend.
Data Adequacy: High confidence in data. The sources are very reliable.
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 31 of 58
Character: Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation
Indicator: Remoteness from sights and sounds of people inside the wilderness
Measure: Special Use Permits
Description: Number of special use permits administered by management to allow projects,
overnights, and/or other visitations to wilderness.
Context: Havasu does not keep a record of annual public use numbers nor does it allow recreational
overnight camping to the everyday user. This is the only data collected annually regarding public use
in wilderness.
Data Sources: Linda Miller, Refuge Manager
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with key refuge staff members.
Significant Change: The significant change should be assessed on a year to year basis. The amount
and what the special use permit is allowing will determine the proper trend.
Data Adequacy: High confidence in data. SUPs are well documented by staff.
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 32 of 58
Character: Solitude
Indicator: Remoteness from sights and sounds of people inside the wilderness
Measure: Administrative Travel Routes and Access Roads
Description: Miles of administrative access routes and roads in wilderness.
Context: There are no current administrative or access routes being used by refuge staff. This
measure is to track future developments under this measure, if any.
Data Sources: Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversation with key staff members.
Significant Change: The significant change for this measure is “Any”.
Data Adequacy: High confidence in data. Interviewed many staff members.
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 33 of 58
Character: Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation
Indicator: Remoteness from sights and sounds of people outside the wilderness
Measure: Motorboat Citations and Warnings over 86 Decibels
Description: Number of citations and warnings administered by law enforcement to motorboat users
on the Colorado River adjacent to wilderness who exceed the state law of 86 decibels.
Context: Havasu law enforcement primarily patrols the waterways in the Topock Gorge, an area that
is adjacent to wilderness on both AZ and CA sides. They commonly use a decibel meter to calculate
the decibel levels of motorboats used in the area. Warnings and citations are given out to offenders
of a decibel level higher than 86; it is the state law.
Data Sources: Wayne Dingman, Law Enforcement
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with key refuge staff members.
Significant Change: The significant change is 25%. If there is a 25% increase in the number of
citations and warnings administered, this would reflect a degrading trend. If there is a 25% decrease,
this would reflect an improving trend. Anything lower than 25% would be considered a stable trend.
Data Adequacy: Medium confidence in data. Even though it is easy to calculate the amount of
citations and warnings each year, not all offenders of the state law will be caught by law
enforcement.
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 34 of 58
Character: Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation
Indicator: Remoteness from sights and sounds of people outside the wilderness
Measure: Miles of Wilderness Boundary Adjacent to Private Lands
Description: Total number of miles of privately owned land that shares a boundary line with Havasu
wilderness on both CA and AZ sides. Not to include private inholdings within the wilderness; that is
captured in another measure.
Context: Land parcels in the west tend to have a checkerboard layout and the wilderness is adjacent
to other federal, state and public lands. An inventory of private lands that sit adjacent to the
wilderness show a possible threat of development that would diminish the wilderness character,
particularly the solitude quality. Monitoring these land statuses can assess trends particular to
events immediately outside the wilderness.
Data Sources: Bureau of Land Management contacts; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data: Conversations with key refuge staff members.
Significant Change: The significant change would be “any”. If there is an increase in the amount of
miles that are adjacent to wilderness boundary, this would reflect a degrading trend. If there is a
decrease in the amount of miles that are adjacent to wilderness boundary, this would reflect an
improving trend.
Data Adequacy: High confidence in data. Very reliable sources and BLM provided GIS layers.
Developed private land parcels near southern boundary of wilderness
Photo: Kelly Lockman
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 35 of 58
Character: Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation
Indicator: Remoteness from sights and sounds of people outside the wilderness Measure: No Wake Zones in River Channel Adjacent to Wilderness
Description: Miles of “no wake” zones in main river channel on the Colorado River in areas with
wilderness adjacent on both sides. This is not to include any backwater channels.
Context: The Colorado River has a great amount of boat activity through the Topock Gorge, an area
where most of the land is designated wilderness. The sounds from the boats intrude on the solitude
of the wilderness and the wake can also cause land erosion. Speed, sounds, and wake of the boat can
also disrupt migratory birds and other wildlife that use both the river and wilderness areas.
Data Sources: Dick Gilbert, Project Leader;
Wayne Dingman, Law Enforcement
Process Used to Compile/Gather Data:
Conversations with key staff members.
Significant Change: The significant change
would be “any”. If there is an increase in
the amount of miles that are designated
“no wake” zones this would reflect an
improving trend. If there is a decrease in
the amount of “no wake” zones, this would
reflect a degrading trend.
Data Adequacy: High confidence in data.
Very reliable sources and personally
observed the “no wake” zone in field.
“Slow No Wake” buoy at Devil’s Elbow; wilderness in background
Photo: Kelly Lockman
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 36 of 58
Measures Not Used
The measures listed in this section were not used for various reasons. Some measures no
data is currently being collected and others may have been of low priority or have minimal impacts
on Havasu Wilderness. At this time, this program was not intended to create additional work for
refuge staff. Some of these measures listed below would need considerable amounts of time
dedicated from refuge staff. Collecting data for some of these measures may also create more
degradation to wilderness character than the measure the data is being collected for. Also, Havasu
currently does not have ArcGIS or a staff member who works with the program and many of these
measures were not used because even if data was collected, there is no technical support at this
office or a staff member here who could use ArcGIS. These measures could possibly be used in the
future to gather a more complete picture of wilderness character.
Character: Untrammeled
Indicator: Actions authorized by refuge manager that manipulate the biophysical environment
Measures Reason/Priority
Number of scientific research projects Partially captured in Special Use Permits
measure
Low priority
Number of contamination investigations from
prior activities
No data available
Low priority
Character: Untrammeled
Indicator: Actions not authorized by refuge manager that manipulate the biophysical environment
Measures Reason/Priority
Number of incidents of abandoned property Captured in modern human debris cleanups
Enormous wilderness to inventory all incidents
Low priority
Number of illegal taking incidents of rocks
and/or species
No data available, not accurately monitored
Hard to distinguish between takings from
wilderness and refuge
Medium priority, possible future measure if it
can be accurately documented
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 37 of 58
Character: Natural
Indicator: Plant and animal species and communities
Measures
Number of native species of concern No specific list
Other measures used had data available
Medium priority, majority are either in river or
riparian zone, mainly outside of wilderness
Acres of non-indigenous plant species Data for this measure is not collected at this time
Possible future measure
Medium priority
Abundance of Herpitiles
Data not collected
Possible future measure
Medium-high Priority, illegally taken
Present Bat Species No data collected on specific species; bat measure
used captures the threat/degradation to a specific
species
Medium priority
Character: Natural
Indicator: Physical Resources
Measures
Extent and magnitude of change in water
quality
Data not consistently gathered by refuge staff
Medium priority, drinking water for species
Extent and magnitude of disturbance to desert
pavement
Data not collected
Low priority, disturbance conclusions can be
drawn from vehicle intrusions
Extent and magnitude of soil contaminants
from prior land use activities
Data not collected
Low priority
Extent and magnitude of disturbance or loss of
soil or soil crusts
Data not collected
Low priority
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 38 of 58
Character: Natural
Indicator: Biophysical Processes
Measures Reason/Priority
Extent and magnitude of global climate
change
Data not collected by refuge staff
Medium priority
Area and magnitude for pathways for
movement of non-indigenous species into
wilderness
Data not collected by refuge staff
Low priority
Extent and magnitude of wildlife diseases
Data not regularly monitored by refuge staff
Low priority at this time
Character: Undeveloped
Indicator: Non-recreational structures, installations, and developments
Measures Reason/Priority
Number of tracking devices Not currently in wilderness
Would be captured in other measure
Low priority
Miles of wilderness boundary fence No data available
Area would need to be walked, very steep and
long boundary
High priority
Linear miles of utilities Low priority
Low occurrences on wilderness
Possible future measure if changes occur
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 39 of 58
Character: Undeveloped
Indicator: Use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, and mechanical transport
Measures: n/a
Character: Undeveloped
Indicator: Inholdings
Measures Reason/Priority
Area and existing or potential impact of
inholdings within and adjacent to wilderness
Impact data not collected
Other measure used
Medium priority, possible future measure
Character: Undeveloped
Indicator: Loss to statutorily protected cultural resources
Measures: n/a
Character: Solitude
Indicator: Remoteness from sights and sounds of people inside the wilderness
Measures Reason/Priority
Amount of visitor use Not monitored
Possible future measure if means of
monitoring visitor use becomes more accurate
Medium priority
Area of wilderness affected by access and
travel routes that are inside the wilderness
Possible future measure if appropriately
analyzed by staff
Medium priority
Number of tracking devices on animals None in wilderness; can be captured with
manage measure
Low priority
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 40 of 58
Character: Solitude
Indicator: Remoteness from occupied and modified areas outside the wilderness
Measures Reason/Priority
Area of wilderness affected by access and
travel routes that are outside the wilderness
Partially captured in another measure used
Possible future measure if appropriately
analyzed by staff
Medium priority
Visibility of development from wilderness Partially capture in other used measures
Medium priority, not monitored
Night sky visibility averaged over wilderness
No established protocol
Possible future measure
Medium priority, not monitored
Extent and magnitude of intrusions on the
natural soundscape
Usage periods vary greatly during different
times of the year
Refuge staff cannot totally control boat
activities
High priority
Visibility of refuge activities from wilderness Unable to accurately monitor
Low priority
Developmental growth adjacent to wilderness No data available
No GIS currently at office
High priority
Character: Solitude
Indicator: Facilities that decrease self-reliant recreation
Measures: n/a
Character: Solitude
Indicator: Management Restrictions
Measures: n/a
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 41 of 58
Conclusions
The selected measures give a comprehensive approach to the many actions that happen
within and affect wilderness. Keeping the number of measures under 30, staff will be able to
document the data for each measure more accurately than if there was a measure for every action
related to wilderness character. This is not to imply that every measure data will be one hundred
percent accurate and not every trend outcome is completely controllable by refuge staff. Some of
the measures selected, the action or development does not currently exist on Havasu Wilderness.
The measure was created to monitor potential threats to wilderness in the future.
Havasu Wilderness is generally not visited by a majority of the staff. The maintenance worker
occasionally checks and fixes wilderness boundary fence and law enforcement occasionally monitors
visitor actions in wilderness but they primarily patrol the Colorado River. Havasu has more of a hands
off approach to wilderness management than other areas like Kofa. The lack of management
presence also makes it difficult to monitor, document, and prevent the greatest wilderness
degradation action, civilian vehicle intrusions. The data accuracy for this measure is questionable due
to simply finding more tracks in subsequent years, and it is not a clear indication as to which year
more tracks were created. Therefore, the accuracy of a changing trend for this measure is
questionable.
Out of all the characters for wilderness monitoring, Kofa Wilderness is currently most affected
in the Solitude character. Sounds intrusions is the most degrading at this time. The motorboat use in
the adjacent Colorado River can be heard from all areas of the wilderness. There appears to be no
reduction of use in the foreseeable future and law enforcement currently hands out citations for
sounds that exceed the state law. The next greatest threat is the surrounding pressures from
development in the area. An inventory of the amount of private lands that are adjacent to wilderness
has been used for the 2011 baseline. Future analysis from staff could include the effects from
development and population growth in surrounding areas. Recreational camping is not permitted in
any area and special use permits must be obtained before an overnight in wilderness.
Havasu management does not affect the Untrammeled quality in wilderness. There are
currently no actions to manage native wildlife, suppress non-native plant species or suppress natural
fires. The only action that occurs occasionally is burro roundups that are done by Bureau of Land
Management and Arizona Game and Fish Department. This action is currently taking place by placing
corrals on BLM land; not intrusive to Havasu Wilderness.
Many of the measures selected should reflect a stable trend from year to year unless a very
significant event takes place in wilderness. Significant events include the increase or decrease in
roads, facilities, wildlife water sources, other structures and installations, an acquisition of an
inholding, or an extirpation of a species. This should allow the staff to focus on the measures that
require more work and documentation because significant events in wilderness like the ones
mentioned above rarely go unnoticed by staff and interested parties.
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 42 of 58
Appendix
Keeping Track of Wilderness Character Monitoring Measures
Refuge: Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
Date: 11/1/2011
Kelly Lockman
Measure Priority
(H, M, L)
Detailed Description of the Data Source(s)
and How the Data Were Gathered
Untrammeled Quality
Actions to Suppress Non-
Native Species
L Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Jack
Allen, Refuge Biologist; Kathleen Blair, Ecologist; Bob Henry,
AGFD. Conversations with refuge staff.
Actions to Manage Native
Wildlife
M Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Jack
Allen, Refuge Biologist; Kathleen Blair, Ecologist. Conversations
with refuge staff and AGFD.
Natural Fire Starts that
Receive a Suppression
Response
M Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Benji Stewart, Fire
Operations Specialist. Conversations with key refuge staff.
Number of Hunting Permits M Bob Henry, Arizona Game and Fish Department; Jack Allen,
Refuge Biologist
Acres Burned Due to Human
Ignited Fires
H Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager;
Wayne Dingman, Law Enforcement. Conversations with key
refuge staff.
Other Unauthorized Actions L Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager;
Wayne Dingman, Law Enforcement. Conversations with key
refuge staff
Natural Quality
Feral Burro Populations H Jack Allen, Havasu Refuge Biologist; Bob Henry, Arizona Game
and Fish Department. Conversation about burros with refuge
biologist lead to the findings of current burro population
counts.
Extirpated Plants and
Animals
H Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Jack
Allen, Refuge Biologist; Kathleen Blair, Ecologist; Bob Henry,
AGFD; Lesley Fitzpatrick, PHX Ecological Services. Conversations
with key refuge staff and other related agencies.
Non-Indigenous Species H Jack Allen, Refuge Biologist; Kathleen Blair, Ecologist; Needles
Wilderness Proposal. Conversations with key refuge staff and
lists found in the Needles Wilderness Proposal
Present Nurseries with
Myotis velifer
H Dr. Patricia Brown, BBBC. Conversations with Dr. Patricia
Brown
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Population
H Bob Henry, AGFD; Jack Allen, Refuge Biologist. Conversations
with key refuge staff
Number of Wildlife Diseases
L Jack Allen, Refuge Biologist; Kathleen Blair, Ecologist.
Conversations with key staff members
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 43 of 58
Undeveloped Quality
Actions to Cleanup Modern
Human Debris - Abandoned
Property, Mine, Military, etc.
M Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager;
Wayne Dingman, Law Enforcement
Conversations with staff and locating related files regarding
cleanups, like Minimum Requirement Analysis documents.
Number of Active and
Inactive Mines in Wilderness
L Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Dr.
Patricia Brown, BBBC; Bureau of Land Management.
Conversations with refuge staff and consultant.
Number of Management and
Other Flyovers OR Landings
L Jack Allen, Refuge Biologist; Bob Henry, AGFD
Conversations with key staff members and partner agencies.
Authorized Non-Recreational
Physical Development –
Water Attributes, Utilities,
Technological Installations,
Fences, Signs, Bat Gates,
H Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Jack
Allen, Refuge Biologist. Conversations with key staff members
and consulting refuge and wilderness documents
Type and Amount of
Administrative, Non-
Emergency , and Emergency
Use of Motor Vehicles,
Motorized Equipment, or
Mechanical Transport
M Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Wayne Dingman, Law
Enforcement. Reading documents as well as consulting with
refuge staff.
Incidents and Known Civilian
Vehicle Intrusions
H Wilderness Fellow field survey; Law enforcement. Collecting
violation notices from refuge law enforcement and personal
field visits to frequently intruded sites.
Inholding Acres L Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; GIS
maps. Conversations with refuge staff and reading documents
related to what is going on in the wilderness.
Disturbances to Cultural
Resources
M Havasu Refuge staff. The only known way to gather data is to
ask refuge staff if they have noticed and/or documented any
disturbances to cultural resources in wilderness.
Solitude or Primitive
and Unconfined
Quality
Agency Provided Recreation
Facilities
L Linda Miller, Refuge Manager; Dick Gilbert, Project Leader;
Wayne Dingman, Law Enforcement; Documents consulted.
Conversations with refuge staff and reading documents related
to what is going on in the wilderness.
Administrative Travel Routes
and Access Roads
L Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager
Conversation with key staff members.
Number of Special Use
Permits
L Linda Miller, Refuge Manager. Conversations with key refuge
staff members.
Motorboat Citations and
Warnings over 86 Decibels
H Wayne Dingman, Law Enforcement
Conversations with key refuge staff members.
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 44 of 58
No Wake Zones in River
Channel Adjacent to
Wilderness
M Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Wayne Dingman, Law
Enforcement. Conversations with key staff members.
Miles of Wilderness
Boundary Adjacent to Private
Lands (not for conservation;
could possibly be developed
in future)
H Bureau of Land Management; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager.
Conversations with key refuge staff members.
Acres of Wilderness
Recreational Camping is not
Permitted
M Dick Gilbert, Project Leader; Linda Miller, Refuge Manager
Conversations with key staff members.
WORKSHEET: PRIORITIZING MEASURES OF WILDERNESS CHARACTER
In each row, write the indicator and potential measure in the left column. Use the following criteria and
ranking guide to create an overall score for each measure. Those measures with the highest overall scores
should be the highest priority for assessing trends in wilderness character.
A. Level of importance (the measure is highly relevant to the quality and indicator of wilderness character, and
is highly useful for managing the wilderness): High = 3 points, Medium = 2 points, Low = 1 point
B. Level of vulnerability (measures an attribute of wilderness character that currently is at risk, or might likely
be at risk over 10-15 years): High = 3 points, Medium = 2 points, Low = 1 point
C. Degree of reliability (the measure can be monitored accurately with a high degree of confidence, and would
yield the same result if measured by different people at different times): High = 3 points, Medium = 2 points,
Low = 1 point
D. Degree of reasonableness (the measure is related to an existing effort or could be monitored without
significant additional effort): High = 1 point, Low = 0 point
QUALITY OF WILDERNESS CHARACTER ________ UNTRAMMELED____________
Criteria for Prioritizing Potential Measures
Potential Measure
A. Importance B. Vulnerability C. Reliability D.
Reasonablenes
s
OVERALL
SCORE
Indicator: actions
authorized by manager
to manipulate
environment
Measure: Actions to
3 3 1 1 8
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 45 of 58
Criteria for Prioritizing Potential Measures
Potential Measure
A. Importance B. Vulnerability C. Reliability D.
Reasonablenes
s
OVERALL
SCORE
Manage Native
Wildlife
Indicator: actions
authorized by manager
to manipulate
environment
Measure: Number of
Bighorn Sheep
Hunting Permits
Indicator: actions
authorized by manager
to manipulate
environment
Measure: Actions to
Suppress Non-
Native Plant Species
Indicator: actions NOT
authorized by manager
to manipulate
environment
Measure: Human
Ignited Fires
Indicator: actions NOT
authorized by manager
to manipulate
environment
Measure: Other
Unauthorized
Actions
Names of team members filling out this worksheet: Jack Allen, Havasu Refuge Biologist
STOP!
If A + B ≤
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
8
9
6
3 3 1 1 8
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 46 of 58
Criteria for Prioritizing Potential Measures
Potential Measure
A. Importance B. Vulnerability C. Reliability D.
Reasonablenes
s
OVERALL
SCORE
Indicator: actions
authorized by manager
to manipulate
environment
Measure: Actions to
Manage Native
Wildlife
Indicator: actions
authorized by manager
to manipulate
environment
Measure: Number of
Bighorn Sheep
Hunting Permits
Indicator: actions
authorized by manager
to manipulate
environment
Measure: Actions to
Suppress Non-Native
Plant Species
Indicator: actions NOT
authorized by manager
to manipulate
environment
Measure: Human
Ignited Fires
Indicator: actions NOT
authorized by manager
to manipulate
environment
Measure: Other
Unauthorized Actions
Names of team members filling out this worksheet: Linda Miller, Havasu Refuge Manager
STOP!
If A + B ≤
1
2
3
2
2
2
1
0
1
1
1
3
3
2
1
2
9
5
6
3 2 2 0 7
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 47 of 58
QUALITY OF WILDERNESS CHARACTER ________ NATURAL____________
Criteria for Prioritizing Potential Measures
Potential Measure
A. Importance B. Vulnerability C. Reliability D.
Reasonablenes
s
OVERALL
SCORE
Indicator: Plant and
animal species
communities
Measure: Extirpated
Plants and Animals
Indicator: Plant and
animal species
communities
Measure: Non-
Indigenous Species
Indicator: Plant and
animal species
communities
Measure: Present
Nurseries with Myotis
velifer
Indicator: Plant and
Animal Communities
Measure: Desert
Bighorn Sheep
Population
Indicator: Plant and
Animal Communities
Measure: Feral Burro
Population
Indicator: Biophysical
Resources
Measure: Natural Fire
Starts that Receive a
Suppression
Response
STOP!
If A + B ≤
3
3
3 3
3
3 1
2
2
0
0
0
8
8
7
3
3 3
1 2
2 3
3
1 1
1
1
10
5
9
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 48 of 58
Names of team members filling out this worksheet: Jack Allen, Havasu Refuge Biologist
Criteria for Prioritizing Potential Measures
Potential Measure
A. Importance B. Vulnerability C. Reliability D.
Reasonablenes
s
OVERALL
SCORE
Indicator: Plant and
animal species
communities
Measure: Extirpated
Plants and Animals
Indicator: Plant and
animal species
communities
Measure: Non-
Indigenous Species
Indicator: Plant and
animal species
communities
Measure: Present
Nurseries with
Myotis Velifer
Indicator: Plant and
Animal Communities
Measure: Desert
Bighorn Sheep
Population
Indicator: Plant and
Animal Communities
Measure: Feral
Burro Population
Indicator: Biophysical
Resources
Measure: Natural
Fire Starts that
Receive a
Suppression
Response
STOP!
If A + B ≤
2
3
2 2
2
3 1
1
2
1
1
0
6
6
8
3
3 3
1 1
2 2
2
0
1
8
2
8
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 49 of 58
Names of team members filling out this worksheet: Linda Miller, Havasu Refuge Manager
QUALITY OF WILDERNESS CHARACTER ________ UNDEVELOPED____________
Criteria for Prioritizing Potential Measures
Potential Measure
A. Importance B. Vulnerability C. Reliability D.
Reasonablenes
s
OVERALL
SCORE
Indicator: Non-
recreational
structures,
installations, and
developments
Measure: Number
of non-recreational
development –
mine safety
structures, water
attributes,
buildings, fences,
gates, tracking
devices and
instruments, etc.
Indicator: Non-
recreational
structures,
installations, and
developments
Measure: Actions to
Cleanup Modern
Human Debris -
Abandoned
Property, Mine,
Military, etc
Indicator: Non-
recreational
structures,
installations, and
developments
Measure: Number of
STOP!
If A + B ≤
3
3
1
1
3
3 0
1 8
7
1 1
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 50 of 58
Criteria for Prioritizing Potential Measures
Potential Measure
A. Importance B. Vulnerability C. Reliability D.
Reasonablenes
s
OVERALL
SCORE
Inactive Mines in
Wilderness
Indicator: Non-
recreational
structures,
installations, and
developments
Measure: Number of
Management and
Other Documented
Flyovers
Indicator: Use of
motor vehicles,
motorized
equipment, or
mechanical transport
Measure: Type and
Amount of
Administrative,
Non-Emergency
and Emergency
Use of Motor
Vehicles, Motorized
Equipment, or
Mechanical
Transport
Indicator: Use of
motor vehicles,
motorized
equipment, or
mechanical transport
Measure: Incidents
and Known Civilian
Vehicle Intrusions
1
1
2
3
3 3 3
3
3 1
1
1
7
8
10
STOP!
If A + B ≤
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 51 of 58
Criteria for Prioritizing Potential Measures
Potential Measure
A. Importance B. Vulnerability C. Reliability D.
Reasonablenes
s
OVERALL
SCORE
Indicator: Inholdings
Measure: Inholding
Acres Within
Wilderness
Indicator: Loss of
statutorily protected
cultural resources
Measure:
Disturbances to
Cultural Resources
Names of team members filling out this worksheet: Jack Allen, Havasu Refuge Biologist
Criteria for Prioritizing Potential Measures
Potential Measure
A. Importance B. Vulnerability C. Reliability D.
Reasonablenes
s
OVERALL
SCORE
Indicator: Non-
recreational structures,
installations, and
developments
Measure: Number of
non-recreational
development – mine
safety structures,
water attributes,
buildings, fences,
gates, tracking
devices and
instruments, etc.
1
3
1
2 2
2
0 7
STOP!
If A + B ≤
STOP!
If A + B ≤
3 2 2 0 7
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 52 of 58
Criteria for Prioritizing Potential Measures
Potential Measure
A. Importance B. Vulnerability C. Reliability D.
Reasonablenes
s
OVERALL
SCORE
Indicator: Non-
recreational structures,
installations, and
developments
Measure: Actions to
Cleanup Modern
Human Debris -
Abandoned Property,
Mine, Military, etc
Indicator: Non-
recreational structures,
installations, and
developments
Measure: Number of
Active and Inactive
Mines in Wilderness
Indicator: Non-
recreational structures,
installations, and
developments
Measure: Number of
Management and
Other Documented
Flyovers
Indicator: Use of motor
vehicles, motorized
equipment, or
mechanical transport
Measure: Type and
Amount of
Administrative, Non-
Emergency and
Emergency Use of
Motor Vehicles,
Motorized
Equipment, or
Mechanical Transport
2 1 2 1 6
1 1
1
1
2
3 2
2 1
1
6
7
STOP!
If A + B ≤
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 53 of 58
Criteria for Prioritizing Potential Measures
Potential Measure
A. Importance B. Vulnerability C. Reliability D.
Reasonablenes
s
OVERALL
SCORE
Indicator: Use of motor
vehicles, motorized
equipment, or
mechanical transport
Measure: Incidents
and Known Civilian
Vehicle Intrusions
Indicator: Inholdings
Measure: Inholding
Acres Within
Wilderness
Indicator: Loss of
statutorily protected
cultural resources
Measure: Disturbances
to Cultural Resources
Names of team members filling out this worksheet: Linda Miller, Havasu Refuge Manager
QUALITY OF WILDERNESS CHARACTER ________ SOLITUDE___________
Criteria for Prioritizing Potential Measures
Potential Measure
A. Importance B. Vulnerability C. Reliability D.
Reasonablenes
s
OVERALL
SCORE
Indicator:
Remoteness from
sights and sounds of
people inside the
wilderness
Measure: Number
of Special Use
1 3 3 2 9 STOP!
If A + B ≤
3 3 3 1 10
2
3
2
3 2
8
0 8
STOP!
If A + B ≤
1 3
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 54 of 58
Permits
Indicator:
Remoteness from
sights and sounds of
people inside the
wilderness
Measure:
Administrative
Travel Routes and
Access Roads
Indicator:
Remoteness from
occupied and
modified areas
outside the
wilderness
Measure: Adjacent
Development
Growth
Indicator:
Remoteness from
occupied and
modified areas
outside the
wilderness
Measure: Warnings
and Citations for
Motorboat
Exceeding State
Law of 86 Decibels
Indicator:
Remoteness from
occupied and
modified areas
outside the
wilderness
Measure: Miles of
Wilderness
Boundary Adjacent
to Private Lands
STOP!
If A + B ≤
1 1
3 3 3
3 3
0 9
8
3 3 3 1 10
8 2 2 3 1
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 55 of 58
Names of team members filling out this worksheet: Jack Allen, Havasu Refuge Biologist
Indicator:
Remoteness from
occupied and
modified areas
outside the
wilderness
Measure: Miles of
No Wake Zones in
River Channel
Adjacent to
Wilderness
Indicator: Facilities
that decrease self-
reliant recreation
Measure: Agency
Provided
Recreation Facilities
Indicator:
Management
Restrictions on visitor
behavior
Measure: Acres in
Wilderness
Recreational
Camping is Not
Permitted
10
7
2
2
3 1
1 3 1
1 1
3 3
STOP!
If A + B ≤
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 56 of 58
QUALITY OF WILDERNESS CHARACTER ________ SOLITUDE___________
Criteria for Prioritizing Potential Measures
Potential Measure
A. Importance B. Vulnerability C. Reliability D.
Reasonablenes
s
OVERALL
SCORE
Indicator: Remoteness
from sights and sounds
of people inside the
wilderness
Measure: Number of
Special Use Permits
Indicator: Remoteness
from sights and sounds
of people inside the
wilderness
Measure:
Administrative Travel
Routes and Access
Roads
Indicator: Remoteness
from occupied and
modified areas outside
the wilderness
Measure: Adjacent
Development Growth
Indicator: Remoteness
from occupied and
modified areas outside
the wilderness
Measure: Warnings
and Citations for
Motorboat Exceeding
State Law of 86
Decibels
Indicator: Remoteness
from occupied and
modified areas outside
the wilderness
Measure: Miles of
Wilderness Boundary
Adjacent to Priv. Land
STOP!
If A + B ≤
1
1 1
3 3 3
3
3 3 2
3
0
9
9
8
3 3 3 1 10
8 2 2 3 1
STOP!
If A + B ≤
Havasu NWR Wilderness Character Monitoring Page 57 of 58
Names of team members filling out this worksheet: Jack Allen, Havasu Refuge Biologist
Indicator: Remoteness
from occupied and
modified areas outside
the wilderness
Measure: Miles of No
Wake Zones in River
Channel Adjacent to
Wilderness
Indicator: Facilities that
decrease self-reliant
recreation
Measure: Agency
Provided Recreation
Facilities
Indicator: Management
Restrictions on visitor
behavior
Measure: Acres in
Wilderness
Recreational Camping
is Not Permitted
10
7
2
2
3 1
1 3 1
1 1
3 3
STOP!
If A + B ≤
Page 58 of 58
Criteria for Prioritizing Potential Measures
Potential Measure
A. Importance B. Vulnerability C. Reliability D.
Reasonablenes
s
OVERALL
SCORE
Indicator: Remoteness
from sights and sounds
of people inside the
wilderness
Measure: Number of
Special Use Permits
Indicator: Remoteness
from sights and sounds
of people inside the
wilderness
Measure:
Administrative Travel
Routes and Access
Roads
Indicator: Remoteness
from occupied and
modified areas outside
the wilderness
Measure: Adjacent
Development Growth
Indicator: Remoteness
from occupied and
modified areas outside
the wilderness
Measure: Warnings
and Citations for
Motorboat Exceeding
State Law of 86
Decibels
Indicator: Remoteness
from occupied and
modified areas outside
the wilderness
Measure: Miles of
Wilderness Boundary
Adjacent to Priv Lands
STOP!
If A + B ≤
1
1 1
2 2 2
2
2 3 1
3
0
7
6
7
3 3 2 0 8
7 3 2 2 1
STOP!
If A + B ≤
Page 59 of 58
Names of team members filling out this worksheet: Linda Miller, Havasu Refuge Manager
Indicator: Remoteness
from occupied and
modified areas outside
the wilderness
Measure: Miles of No
Wake Zones in River
Channel Adjacent to
Wilderness
Indicator: Facilities that
decrease self-reliant
recreation
Measure: Agency
Provided Recreation
Facilities
Indicator: Management
Restrictions on visitor
behavior
Measure: Acres in
Wilderness
Recreational Camping
is Not Permitted
7
7
2
2
2 1
1 3 1
1 1
2 2
STOP!
If A + B ≤