Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone Comprehensive River Management Plan Background The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River is located on the Shoshone National Forest, approximately 30 miles north-northwest of Cody in Park County, Wyoming. The area is accessed by State Highway 296, designated the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, and Park County Road 8VC on the east end. The area is shown in Figure 1. In 1975, an amendment to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act listed the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River as a candidate for inclusion into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. A Wild and Scenic River Study and environmental analysis were completed in 1979. When the Shoshone National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) was approved in 1986, the 20.5-mile segment was recommended for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and management direction was included in the Forest Plan as management area direction 10D. In 1990, the Clarks Fork Wild and Scenic River Designation Act designated a 20.5-mile segment of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River to be included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The legislation designated the river corridor (0.25 miles on each side of the river s ordinary high water mark) as a wild river. It is administered by the Secretary of Agriculture through the United States Forest Service. About wild rivers and their management Wild rivers are defined as rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments and generally are inaccessible except by trail, with watersheds or shorelines essentially primitive and waters unpolluted. The following laws, regulations, and policies guide management of designated river segments: The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Public Law 90-542), as amended The 1986 Shoshone National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, as amended The Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council The river management plan, which will be incorporated into the Forest Plan Other resource-specific laws, regulations, and policies, manuals and handbooks in the Forest Service directives system, and Forest special orders apply as well. The Shoshone National Forest is developing a river management plan for the designated wild segment of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River. The river management plan may include changes to Forest Plan management area direction 10D. If so, the Forest Plan would be amended. The decision establishing the river management plan will be signed by the forest supervisor. Table 1 shows existing resource-specific direction and changes the Forest Service is considering. General management of the wild river corridor Generally, the classification of a river reflects the level of development at the time of designation and future management must be compatible with such classification. For the wild segment of the Clarks Fork, the 1979 Wild and Scenic River Study establishes the baseline conditions. Most current uses and activities on rivers and adjoining lands may continue. The primary consideration is the protection and enhancement of the values that resulted in the river s designation. Management would adapt to changing conditions. If impacts from activities are not acceptable, management that is more restrictive would be implemented, including designated campsites, permits, or closure of some areas to dispersed camping, motorized use, livestock grazing, etc. 1
New resource uses may be allowed, but they must be evaluated for their compatibility with the purposes of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Transportation Motorized travel on the Shoshone is limited to designated routes only off-road travel is prohibited. Motorized travel is generally permitted in wild river corridors, but can be restricted or prohibited to protect the values for which the river area was designated. Some access routes within the river corridor would continue to be available for public use. However, if that type of use adversely impacts the values identified for the river area, the routes could be closed or restricted. Restrictions could include fences or seasonal closures. Access to private land would continue. Unless travel management changes are needed to regulate off-road travel, Forest Service Roads 119 (Morrison Jeep Trail), 165, and 178.1B would remain open to public motorized access. Forest Service Road 174, which is under a special use permit to the private landowner, would remain open to the private landowner under permit. Forest Service Road 119 would be a maintenance level 1 route, with limited maintenance to maintain its primitive condition. Motorized travel on undesignated routes to Bridal Veil Falls and to the Clarks Fork Canyon Dunes would be prohibited. Preliminary issues Unauthorized use of motorized vehicles on user-created routes has adversely impacted vegetation and the values that led to the river s designation. What actions should be taken to reduce or eliminate illegal (off-road) use? Who has responsibility for the cost of road maintenance? 2
Figure 1--Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River-Wild River Corridor - SH296 118 118.1A 121.1B 121 117 167 Shoshone National Forest 109 165 178 128 178.1B 116 174 115 114 SH 296 120 Old Dozer Scar Bridal Veil Route 119 K 111 Yellowstone National Park Clarks Fork Canyon 0 5 10 20 30 40 Miles Cody \^ Montana Wyoming Meeteetse \^ 127 113 Legend 101.1O 106 Wild River Boundary Forest Boundary Non Forest Lands 112 2 Track- 4WD Road Graveled Road 0 1 2 4 6 8 Miles 104 104.1A 105.1A 105 1 0 4 Paved Road - Not Highway Highway Private Road User Created Routes FS Non Motorized Trail 101 296.3A 1 1 0 119 103.2C 103 100.2A Canyon Dunes Route 100.1B 100 100.1A 1 0 0.1E 102
Table 1 Forest Plan 10D management area direction and proposed direction. Resource topic Forest Plan 10D direction Proposed change in direction Diversity Manage for natural succession in wild river segments. Heritage resource Allow low intensity development of cultural resource properties as compatible with river designation. For example, interpretive and protective signing and stabilization would be appropriate for historic structures. Encourage non-recreation use (research, etc.) to the extent that such use enhances the recreation experience or does not present unsolvable conflicts with designation purposes. Visual resource Meet stated visual quality objectives. Do not exceed an adopted visual quality objective of retention. Developed recreation sites No new developed recreation facilities will be permitted other than those No new developed recreation facilities associated with planned trails and visitor overlook sites or those needed to would be permitted. prevent resource degradation by recreation use. 4
Provide for primitive, semi-primitive nonmotorized, and semi-primitive motorized recreation opportunities in an unmodified setting. Dispersed recreation Provide for primitive and semi-primitive non-motorized recreation in an unmodified setting. Restrict camping to designated sites within the river corridor. Emphasize user education, and low impact techniques such as Leave No Trace and pack it in/pack it out. Provide only those sanitation facilities necessary for the protection of the resource. Emphasize user education, such as education about stock use and low impact use. Gold panning and dredging are considered non-conforming uses and would not be authorized. 5
Forest Plan 10D direction would be retained, with the following additions. Recreation management (private and other sector) Manage outfitter/guide operations in the same manner as other visitors. Permit camping only in sites specified in outfitter/guide permits. Keep commercial activities harmonious with activities of non-guided visitors. Include outfitter/guide operations in calculations of level-of-use capacities. Permanent caches are not permitted. Special or competitive events are not permitted. Wildlife and fish resource management and habitat improvement and maintenance Range resource management Range improvement and maintenance Silvicultural examination and prescription Water uses management Protect habitat requirements over human use, even on a short-term basis. Permit fish and wildlife research and management using guidelines adopted by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Forest Service Manual 2323.3). Permit investments in wildlife habitat projects that do not cause adverse impacts to the scenic qualities of the river corridor. Recommendations to state agencies concerning the management of fisheries must be consistent and in harmony with established river objectives. Allow domestic livestock to graze within the corridor, but manage grazing to reduce adverse impacts on riverbanks and vegetation. Exclude cattle from sensitive sites and reduce numbers or period of use in areas where grazing degradation has occurred. Prohibit trailing of livestock within the river corridor except for established stock driveways. Maintain use of stock driveways as needed. Limit investments of range cultural practices to broadcast seeding of native forage species and noxious weed control. Prohibit silvicultural practices within the corridor. Recognize and protect the free-flowing character of the Clarks Fork River. Recommend denial of permits for water development that could affect that character. Maintain average annual minimum flows of 250 cfs at the upstream end of the segment and 390 cfs at the downstream end. Flows shall be distributed through the year according to the river s normal hydrograph. These are guidelines approximating free-flowing conditions. Manage stream flow according to State of Wyoming Permit No. 19 I.F (Clarks Fork Wild and Scenic Instream Flow). Allow installation of measuring devices deemed necessary for the administration of instream flow as may be ordered by the State Engineer under W.S. 41-3-1003(a). 6
Mining law compliance and administration Special use management (non-recreation) Rights-of-way and land adjustments A one-half mile corridor about the river is to be protected. Recommend denial of permits for mineral activities proposed within the corridor. Prohibit occupancy permits that detract from the wild river characteristics. Do not dispose of National Forest System lands within the corridor. All private land within the established river corridor is subject to the scenic easement or acquisition program. Ensure continuation of present private land use within the corridor. Allow reasonable access for continuation of present private land use. Exclude commercial encroachments, signing, and other structures that detract from scenic values and are not in accord with historic use patterns. Encourage the adoption and maintenance of zoning ordinances by state, county, or local authorities to meet the intent above. In the absence of level zoning ordinances, acquire scenic easements. New mineral permits and oil and gas leasing are prohibited in wild river corridors. Before permitting mineral development activities outside the corridor, mitigation measures that adequately protect corridor values must be developed. Do not dispose of National Forest System lands within the corridor. Ensure continuation of present private land use within the corridor and allow reasonable access for continuation of present private land use. All private land within the established river corridor is subject to the scenic easement or acquisition program on a voluntary basis. Encourage the adoption and maintenance of zoning ordinances by state, county, or local authorities to meet river management goals. 7
Soil and Water resources Restore soil disturbances caused by human use (past mining, grazing, trail construction and use, camping, etc.) to soil loss tolerance levels commensurate with the natural ecological processes for the treatment area. Rehabilitate these areas where adverse impacts would occur according to the following priorities: Aquatic ecosystems Riparian ecosystems Riparian areas outside aquatic and riparian ecosystems Follow procedures specified in Agricultural Handbook 537 for utilizing the Universal Soil Loss Equation. (Cautions contained in WO 2550 letter dated 5/28/82 should be noted.) The guidance for K and T factors are in the National Soils Handbook 407.1 (A) (3) (xvii). Maintain or enhance the long-term productivity of soils within the riparian ecosystem. Maintain or enhance existing water quality. Adhere to quality standards for Class 1 streams as prescribed in Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, chapter 1. Maintain sediment yield within threshold limits. The effects on water and sediment yields from vegetation manipulation and road construction projects from contributory drainages will be determined through the use of appropriate modeling and/or quantification procedures to determine sediment yield threshold limits and water yield increase potentials. Rehabilitate areas where adverse impacts are occurring according to the following priorities: Aquatic ecosystems Riparian ecosystems Riparian areas outside aquatic and riparian ecosystems Manage projects within and upstream of the segment to be in conformance with FSH 2509.25 Watershed Conservation Practices. Adhere to standards for Class 1 streams as prescribed in Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, chapter 1. Fire planning and suppression Invasive species and sensitive plants Provide a level of protection from wildfire that is cost efficient and that will meet management objectives. Do not allow tractor use for fire suppression within the river corridor. None Existing populations of invasive plants/aquatic species are controlled or declining. New outbreaks of invasive plants/aquatic species are neither expanding nor spreading. 8
Unless travel management changes are needed to regulate off-road travel, Forest Service Roads 119 (Morrison Jeep Trail), 165, and 178.1B would remain open to public motorized access. Transportation system Prohibit motorized vehicle use (including snowmobiles) off Forest System roads and trails. Close existing trails to motorized use. Prohibit new road construction within the river corridor. Locate trails outside riparian areas where the route parallels the river. Forest Service Road 119 would be a maintenance level 1 route, with limited maintenance to maintain its primitive condition. Forest Service Road 174, which is under a special use permit to the private landowner, would remain open to the private landowner under permit. Motorized travel on undesignated routes to Bridal Veil Falls and to the Clarks Fork Canyon Dunes would be prohibited. Locate non-motorized trails outside riparian areas where the route parallels the river. Prohibit new road and motorized trail construction within the river corridor 9