|
<br />Arizona Game and Fish Department
<br />Draft EA: Kanab Ambersnail
<br />
<br />June 1998
<br />Page 9
<br />
<br />sites are above the 45,000 cfs (1275 m2/s) stage, and will not be affected by BHBFs of that magnitude
<br />or less, To alleviate accidental loss of KASs these release areas could be posted for additional
<br />protection from human intrusion (such as ''Reveg Area--Keep Out" signs), KAS dispersal outside
<br />of release areas could be covered under incidental take limits, thus preventing any access restrictions
<br />elsewhere within the sites, USFWS consultation may be required if there are management changes
<br />to the site,
<br />
<br />Site Set I, Preferred--sites rated as optimum to acceptable habitat, and low management concerns
<br />
<br />I) "KeyHole Spring" (47,1 mile RR), UTM coordinates: N4024308, E420484,
<br />This site has no known recreation use, and low vulnerability to natural disturbance, The
<br />proposed release area has a limited amount of primary vegetation and could only support a
<br />small KAS population, This site is located along the river corridor and accessible by existing
<br />game trails, This site isolated from other wetland habitat along the river corridor and nearby
<br />plateau,
<br />
<br />2) Lower Deer Spring (136,1 mile RR), UTM coordinates N4027916, E364729
<br />This site has no known recreation use, and moderate vulnerability to natural disturbance
<br />(mostly to the floodplain marsh at the lower elevations), The trail leading back into Deer
<br />Creek Canyon passes above the spring (5-m below at the base of an overhanging cliff), Dense
<br />poison ivy throughout the site keeps visitors out ofthe habitat, The proposed release area
<br />along the upper slope has extensive patches of primary vegetation (estimated at >60 m2), and
<br />could support a large KAS population, This site is located along the river corridor and
<br />accessible from the nearby trail (technical climbing gear and Tyvek suits recommended),
<br />
<br />3) Upper Elves Chasm (116,6 mile RL), UTM coordinates N4005750, E369300,
<br />Low recreation use above the sawgrass patch (requires climbing in several areas)--most
<br />visitors stay in the lower drainage near the river corridor. Extensive areas of primary
<br />vegetation could support a large KAS population, Potential release areas are located along
<br />canyon slopes and hanging gardens, away from visitor trails, Habitat along the lower slopes
<br />are vulnerable to natural disturbances (flash floods down Royal Arch Creek), This site is
<br />located along the river corridor, but requires some non-technical climbing to access,
<br />
<br />Site Set 2, Sites rated as more desirable habitat, and low-moderate management concerns:
<br />
<br />4) Lower Ribbon Falls (N, Kaibab Trail), UTM coordinates: N4001950, E405250,
<br />This site has moderate recreation use, and low vulnerability to natural disturbance, Two large
<br />patches of primary vegetation (currently posted with ''Reveg Area--Keep Out" signs) could
<br />support a large KAS population, This site is accessed by a 7,8-mile (12,6 km) hike from the
<br />North Rim (North Kaibab Trail), Area identified as culturally sensitive,
<br />
|