Wilderness

1
Wilderness

• W. Act
• A Wilderness, in contrast with those areas where
  man and his own works dominate the landscape, is
  hereby recognized as an area where the earth and
  its community of life are untrammeled by man,
  where man himself is a visitor who does not
  remain. An area of wilderness is further defined
  to mean in this Act an area of undeveloped
  federal land retaining its primeval character and
  influence, without permanent improvement or human
  habitation, which is protected and managed so as
  to preserve its natural conditions.

2
W. Values

• 1. Generally appears to have been affected
  primarily by the forces of nature, with the
  imprint of mans work substantially unnoticeable
• 2. Has outstanding opportunities for solitude or
  a primitive and unconfined type of recreation
• 3. Has at least five thousand acres of land or
  is of sufficient size as to make practicable its
  preservation and use in an unimpaired condition
• 4. May also contain ecological, geological, or
  other features of scientific, educational,
  science or historic value

3
W. Themes

• Experience
• Solitude, freedom, nature appreciation,
  education, simplicity, spiritual, aesthetic
• Renewal of Mind and Spirit
• Psychological rejuvenation, escaping from urban
  pressures, tranquility, peace and silence,
  contemplation and self-insight
• Study
• Interactions of organism, ecological balance and
  protection of the W. resource

4
W. Classifications

• Pristine
• Free as possible
• Primitive
• Unmodified and low use
• Semi Primitive
• Modified low use
• High density
• Transition area gt trails, climbers, 14 ners

5
W. Uses

• Dependent
• Long distance backpacking, primitive camping,
  solitude, fishing, hunting
• Associated
• Day hiking, picnicking, Climbing, fitness
• Independent
• Mining, grazing, timbering, historic preservation

6
W. Management Considerations

• Physical/ Biological
• human impacts on soils, water, air animals
• Social
• Trail encounters, campsite encounters,and
  non-conforming issues

7
W. Carrying Capacity

• VIS only---VIS (regulations---Designated
  Sites---Mandatory Reg.---Area Closures---Permit
  System---Permit System and Desig. Sites
• A B C D
  E F G
• A No action, information only
• B Encourage use of lightly used areas or
  regulate use of heavy use areas during off peak
  periods
• C Designate campsites at certain areas but allow
  dispersed camping in the rest of the W. area
• D Designate campsites at all areas
• E Limit number of people in parties
• F Establish a permit system to regulate use
  without designated sites
• GEstablish a permit system with designated sites

8
W. Carrying Capacity (cont)

• Indirect methods
• Access roads and parking areas (improve,
  maintain, neglect, convert, obliterate, alter)
• Campsites, trail heads, trails, toilets,
  hitchrails and fire rings, fish and wildlife
• Education and Information
• Education users of minimum impact
• Minimize promotion
• Highlight and advertise opportunities in
  surrounding non-W. areas
• Direct methods
• Restrict campfires, camping areas, horse use,
  foods, domestic animals, rotation of campsites,
  access points, assign travel routes, limit group
  size and number or groups, limit length of stay

9
W. Facilities

• 1. Only those necessary for protection of W.
  area
• 2. Not be provided for the comfort or
  convenience of users
• 3. Meet management objective
• 4. Not require incompatible maintenance
• 5. Constructed and maintained with primitive
  tools
• Economy, convenience, commercial value and
  comfort are not standards of management of W. use
• Where a choice must be made between W. and
  visitor, preserving the W. resource is the
  overriding value