Recreation Site Monitoring Protocol
White Clouds Wilderness and Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness Sawtooth National Recreation Area
Chelsea Phillippe, Wilderness Ranger
Katy Nelson, Lead Wilderness Ranger
Liese Dean, Wilderness Program Coordinator
October 2016
Introduction
On August 7, 2015, the White Clouds and Hemingway-Boulders received federal protection as designated wilderness from the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act(PL 114-46). This Act assigned the majority of management responsibility, the protection of these two wilderness areas into perpetuity, to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Sawtooth NRA). As defined by the Wilderness Act of 1964, wilderness is “in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape… where man himself is a visitor who does not remain… (and where) the imprint of man's work (is) substantially unnoticeable” (PL 88-577). The Sawtooth NRA must administer these lands “for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness, and so as to provide for the protection of these areas, the preservation of their wilderness character, and for the gathering and dissemination of information regarding their use and enjoyment as wilderness” (PL 88-577).
This document is a Recreation Site Monitoring Protocol,providing framework and guidance for the Sawtooth NRA to adapt and implement long-term Recreation Site Monitoring in both the White Clouds Wilderness and Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness. This Protocol meets the requirements of, but should be used in conjunction with;the Sawtooth National Forest Management Plan(2012), Wilderness Stewardship Performance (USDA 2015), National Minimum Recreation Site Monitoring Protocol(2015),and is consistent with the Sawtooth Wilderness Inventorying and Monitoring (SWIM) Project Manual (2013) Campsite Monitoring Protocoland the Boulder - White Clouds Inventory of 2003.
Background
Wilderness protection providesthe visitor an opportunity to experience unconfined recreation in undeveloped, primeval, and natural conditions. In an ideal world these would coalesce. Unfortunately, recreation leaves a footprint, or impact, on wilderness lands. Research on recreation trends and use impacts began in the 1960s-1970s when visitorsbegan venturing into wilderness areas at record numbers (Cole and Hall 1992). Managers feared this high use was unsustainable and began to quantitatively inventory and monitor recreation impacts, especially at campsites. As use plateaued and eventually recessed in the late 1990s, monitoring programs continuedto provide managers with consistent data, increasing their ability to gain insight about user trends and habits, and therefore make informed decisions on how to best manage wilderness.
Monitoring can be defined as “the process of repeatedly measuring an attribute over time to determine changes in location or condition” (Landres, et. al. 2001). Continuous monitoring provides quantitative data forwilderness managers to statistically evaluate impacts and set limits for resource damage - such as indicator numbers, or thresholds, for sustainable use. Managers use this datato measure where, and how these thresholds have been exceeded,often through measurable resource damage. Due to the slow rate of recovery of deteriorating site conditions a 5 percent or more increase in site impact index is considered a degrading trend (Landres, et.al. 2016). When this occurs management should take action by using adaptive management strategies such asincreasing education efforts, or implementing regulations, to protect an area’s wilderness character. Research helps support successful wilderness management programs by utilizing effective monitoring and inventorying plans (Colistra and Flood 2005).
In 2003 the Sawtooth NRA conducted a thorough survey of campsites within the Boulder-White Cloud recommended wilderness, inventorying over 75% of all sites (2003). This 2003 Campsite Inventory and Monitoring Survey (renamed Recreation Site Monitoring in 2016) inventoried over 320campsites, from both within and outside of the proposed wilderness. In 2016 a resurvey of the area was completed focusing on the White Cloud Wilderness and Hemingway-Boulder Wilderness. All sites from 2003 were resurveyed, if they were in the new wilderness areas, as were additional off-trail destinations. This2016 survey, collected from nearly 350 sites, provides baseline data for the new wildernessesto be analyzed to establish user impacts upon designation,which will allow wilderness managers to protect the area as is, or better. Additionally, this crucial data should be used to set standards and indicators for the Wilderness Management Plan (released for public scoping November 2016).
Summary of Recreation Site Monitoring Procedures/Protocol
Data collection for recreation sites within the White Clouds and Hemingway Boulders Wilderness areas must occur in all likely locations, in both wildernesses, with a goal of visiting >95% of recreation sites, and must occur at least every 5 years to meet the requirements of the Wilderness Stewardship Performance (USDA 2015), and of the National Minimum Recreation Site Monitoring Protocol (2015). The 2016 detailed field collection was completed using the, “Recreation Site Monitoring Data Sheet,”which includes all required fields and measurements to meet the minimum standards and remains consistent with the Sawtooth Wilderness Inventorying and Monitoring (SWIM) Campsite Monitoring Protocol (2013) and the Boulder/White Clouds Inventory of 2003. Additionally, all structures (administrative and other) must be documented and recorded during field surveys. Managers should feel confident using this data to develop and set indicator standards. The consistency in protocol and data collection procedures allows for accurate comparison of impact trends over time. When conditions are not compliant with management direction for protecting wilderness character, managers can use the data as a tool to understand when management action is necessary.
Summary of 2016 Field Season
The White Clouds and Hemingway-Boulder Wilderness areas cover more than 158,000 acres, with over 80 miles of trails, and contain many popular destinations such as high alpine lakes, streams, and off-trail routes. A hard working crew of 4 successfully inventoried and monitored these areas duringthe 2016 field season. Quality recreation site inventorying necessitated a detailed oriented, well trained monitoring crew working in pairs to assure objective data collection. The 2016 recreation site monitoring season ran from June to September with teams typically consisting of one to two Wilderness Rangers and one to two volunteers. Ten hitches (of 4-5 days) with 2 teams of 2 were necessary to cover both wilderness areas successfully. Additional days (approximately 20)were needed for training, office preparation of materials, day trips, and data analysis, to complete the survey and meet the minimum requirements.
The next14 pages (pages 5 - 18) can be used as a stand-alone document for training.
Recreation Site Monitoring Protocol
Objective
The objective for recreation site monitoring is to gain an understanding of where recreation impacts are occurring and their magnitudes. This includes, but is not limited to campsite densities, impact levels, tree damage, and campfires. Initial monitoring provides baseline data. Subsequent monitoring tracks change over time. Monitoring information can be used to determine if and when management actions are needed to protect wilderness character and to maintain standards established for wilderness.
Background
Recreation site monitoring is designed to inventory the condition of impacted areas, such as campsites, within a wilderness. A systematic approach of monitoring (the collecting and evaluating of data) begins in the field with specific inventorying of recreation sites. This Recreation Site Monitoring Protocol is based on the Wilderness Stewardship Performance (USDA 2015), National Minimum Recreation Site Monitoring Protocol (2015) and the Campsite Inventory Protocol used in the Sawtooth Wilderness between 1992 and 2013 to catalogue and evaluate campsites for consistency. Other documents used to create these protocols include Cole’s (1989) worksheet, and the Sawtooth Wilderness Inventory and Monitoring (SWIM) Project Manual (2013) Campsite Worksheet.
100% of all campsites encountered must be resurveyed using the entire Campsite (CS) survey form so meaningful conclusions and comparisons can be made.
In 2003 a campsite inventory was completed by the Sawtooth NRA for the Boulder White Cloud recommended wilderness, monitoring an estimated 75% of the campsites in the area. A total of 320 campsites were inventoried to provide an initial baseline data set for management to understand physical impacts, changing use patterns, and provide insight for the needed workforce to patrol and manage these wild lands.
On August 7, 2015 President Obama signed legislation passed by the United States Congress (PL 114-46) to create two new wilderness areas within the Sawtooth NRA, the White Clouds Wilderness and the Hemingway-Boulder Wilderness. In 2016 the Sawtooth NRA organized another round of campsite monitoring, now referred to as recreation site monitoring, to inventory impact within the new wildernesses. This baseline data for these new wildernesses influenced the establishmentof management zones proposed in the draft Wilderness Management Plan(November 2016).
Methods
Office Preparation
Prior to beginning field work, gather information from previously inventoried campsites; GPS coordinates (NAD 83: UTM zone 11N), maps (Quadrangle and ArcMap), photos (download or print), and previous recreation monitoring surveys. These items will aid in the relocation of sites, and alert you when encountering a new site. All photos should be labeled with their Inventory Unit (IU), Drainage Number (DR), Lake Number (LK), and Campsite Number (CS). The 2003 and 2016 data is located in the Sawtooth Wilderness Inventory and Monitoring files located in T:\FS\NFS\Sawtooth\Program\2300Recreation\GIS\SWIM and on paper Quadrangle (quad) Maps in the SWIM filing cabinets in binders labeled 2003 & 2016 Boulder White Cloud Campsite Inventory.
Materials
Recreation Site Monitoring Data Sheets
50-Meter Tape
15-20 Colored Flags – delineate impacted area and/or campsite
Copy of Recreation Site Monitoring Protocol
Frissel Rating Sheet
Photos & GPS Coordinates (NAD 83: UTM zone 11N) of each previously inventoried campsite
Surveys from previous monitoring years
Camera – plus ability to label site identification (IU-DR-LK-CS) within each picture (whiteboard, clipboard)
GPS Unit – NAD 83: UTM zone 11N
In the Field
A ‘recreation site’ is an area with observable impacts from repeated visitation by humans. This includes vegetation or soil disturbance, fire scarred rocks, tree damage, or ‘improvements’ such as stock ties, log benches, etc. Use GPS coordinates (NAD 83: UTM zone 11N), maps, photographs, and prior survey information to locate all previously inventoried campsites. When unrecorded sites, or new sites, are located, assign a new campsite number. These numbers should begin where the last number from the previous survey, in 2003 or 2016, ended. Survey each campsite documented from both the 2003 and 2016 campsite surveys.If you cannot locate a site from 2003 or 2016this must be noted in a Recreation Site Monitoring Data Sheet. Old sites may no longer be used, and thus appear to be “recovered or rehabbed.” This is measurable change!
Keep in mind that the data collection must be in a similar format from previous years’ surveys (follow protocol!) so the collected data can be compared to past and future data collections. For surveys to provide meaningful data they must be repeatable. These surveys are objective, measuring visual and physical impacts at the time of the survey using observable, quantitative site characteristics. The survey protocol is specifically designed to eliminate subjectivity and is not meant to predict future human behavior. The objectivity of the surveys is crucial to measuring change over time. Having an accurate measure of change over time can and will influence future management decisions.
Be sure to distinguish natural conditions from those that are human-caused. For instance, when looking at under-story vegetation loss at sites, it is important to examine the surrounding area; does there appear to be an actual difference between onsite vegetation and adjacent, offsite, unused areas? Be mindful not to mistake lightning or wildlife damage to trees as human or stock damage. Sometimes mineral soil is naturally occurring on floodplains, long lasting snow patches, or areas where soil development occurs slowly. Include only human-caused impacts in the evaluation.
Take the time to measure and count parameters objectively. Inventory crews should preferably work in teams of two. Discussion about parameters often leads to stronger estimations.
To aid in future site relocation, record GPS coordinates (NAD 83: UTM zone 11N), comment on distinguishing features (large rocks, trees, etc.) and recreate old photos, which should include the site identification numbers (ex. whiteboard with numbers, or data sheet with I.D. numbers written in). When resurveying, use previously recorded GPS coordinates, photos and comments from the 2003 and 2016 collections to relocate sites. Maps should be clearly labeled with Inventory Units, Drainage Numbers, Lake Numbers and Campsite Numbers. Accurate GPS coordinates, photos and comments about site location are very important for relocation (for new and old sites) enabling an individual unfamiliar with the area to relocate each site.
Rehabilitating campsites (dismantling human structures, campfire rings, and cleaning up trash) occurs after the survey and photos are completed. Disperse ashes from fire pits in dense vegetation (be sure coals are cold first), fire scarred rocks are removed and turned-over so the black scars do not show, and all trash is packed out. To discourage others from building campfire rings, and to encourage regrowth, turn over soil and naturalize by scattering duff and other natural materials over the fire scar.
Recreation Site Inventory Data Sheet
Fill out the data sheet header with the start (and finish) times, date, crew taking the inventory, Wilderness and GPS coordinates. The Inventory Unit, Drainage Number, Lake Numberand Campsite Number are found on quadrangle maps created by the 2003 Boulder White Cloud Campsite Inventory, and on ArcMap (stored on the O or T drive) by the 2016 White Clouds and Boulder-Hemingway Inventory. This information should be gathered before going into the field.
New Campsite labeling
Every previously surveyed site has been assigned a campsite number relative to the lake, drainage, and inventory unit in which it is located. When numbering new sites, assign the next available sequential number for the Lake currently being surveyed. Be sure to recorded accurate GPS coordinates, assign the appropriate campsite number, and take photos to assist in relocation in future inventories.
The first step, once a site has been located (or a new site found), is to delineate the area considered to be the ‘site’ with flags. Generally, this is considered to be the area of barren ground and the trampled vegetation around it. For any of the proceeding measurements relating to “onsite,”only the area inside the flags is to be considered.
Frissel RatingOptions: 0-5
This is a quick method for evaluating the condition of a campsite. It is based on a scale of 0 - 5, 0 meaning least impacted and 5 meaning the heaviest impact. (See Frissel Rating Sheet).
Site LocaleOptions: Forest, Rock, Meadow, Forest Rock, Forest Meadow, Rock Meadow
This identifies the habitat in which the site is located.
CS Distance from TrailOptions: 0-100 ft., >100 ft.
Determine this from the edge of the site to a Forest Service System trail. Forest Service System trails are named or numbered trails that appear on an official Forest Service maps. Do not include social/user createdroutes ortrails.
Firewood AvailabilityOptions: 0-100 ft.., >100 ft.
Firewood is considered to be dead and downed wood, is naturally occurring, and is no thicker than two inches in diameter (about wrist size). Indicate if enough of this wood is present near the campsite to have a fire. Searchable radius from the campsite should be no more than 100 feet.
Firewood NaturalOptions: Yes, No
If firewood is not present, state whether firewood would be present in a natural condition. Remember some areas are naturally devoid of natural downed and dead firewood (such as very high alpine zones) and will not be lacking firewood due to human-caused firewood depletion.
Onsite Vegetation Cover Options: 0-5%, 6-25%, 26-50%, 51-75%, 76-100%
Estimate the percent of vegetation cover within the campsite compared to bare ground or rock exposure.
TIP - Mentally “lump” the onsite vegetation into one part of the site to visualize the percent of vegetation cover. Then divide the site roughly into quarters. If the area of vegetation would cover less than one-quarter of the site, divide that quarter-area again into quarters. If the total vegetation would cover less than that smaller quarter, then it falls into the 0-5% coverage class. If the vegetation would cover more than one of the small quarter-sections, but less than one-quarter of the total site, then it falls into the 6-25% coverage class, and so on. Another useful tool is the “Coverage Class Estimate Guidelines” sheet found in this document.
Offsite Vegetation Cover Options: 0-5%, 6-25%, 26-50%, 51-75%, 76-100%
Estimate the percent of vegetation cover outside of the campsite (outside of the flagged area) compared to bare ground or rock exposure. It is important to find an offsite control area that is similar to the campsite with respect to plant species, aspect, shade, and soil moisture, even if it must be some distance away.
Vegetation Class Loss Options: No difference, 1 Class, 2+ Classes
The difference between onsite vegetation cover and offsite vegetation cover from the two fields above. Vegetation Class Loss is reported as the difference in on and offsite vegetation cover classes.
Ex. 1: Onsite Vegetation Cover is 0-5%, Offsite Vegetation Cover is 26-50%, Vegetation Class Loss= 2+ Classes.
Ex. 2: Onsite Vegetation Cover is 51-75%, Offsite Vegetation Cover is 76-100%, Vegetation Class Loss= 1 Class.
Ex. 3: Onsite Vegetation Cover is 6-25%, Offsite Vegetation Cover is 6-25%, Vegetation Class Loss= No difference
Note: Trees are not included in this estimation.