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www.skyislandaction.org 2-1 State of the Coronado Forest DRAFT 11.05.08

Douglas RANGER DISTRICT

DRAFT 11.05.08 State of the Coronado Forest 2-2 www.skyislandaction.org

CHAPTER 2 Chiricahua Ecosystem Management Area


Natural HistoryThe Chiricahua Mountains are known for their

amazing variety of terrestrial plants, animals, andinvertebrates. They contain exceptional examples ofecosystems that are rare in southern Arizona. Whilethe range covers only 0.5% of the total land area inArizona, it contains 30% of plant species found inArizona, and almost 50% of all bird species thatregularly occur in the United States.1 The Chiricahuasform part of a chain of mountains spanning fromcentral Mexico into southern Arizona. Because oftheir proximity to the Sierra Madre, they support agreat diversity of wildlife found nowhere else in theUnited States such as the Mexican Chickadee, whoseonly known breeding locations in the country are inthese mountains and the nearby Animas Mountains,and the Chiricahua fox squirrel. Apache andChihuahua pines characteristic of the Sierra Madregrow on forested slopes, and birds such as Sulphur-Bellied Flycatchers, and Northern Buff-BreastedFlycatchers reach the northern edge of their rangehere. Buff-breasted flycatcher in Arizona nests almostentirely in the Chiricahuas and Huachucas, usually inpine-oak woodland, placing most of their breedinghabitat under management of the Coronado NationalForest. The Chiricahuas are one of the easiest places insouthern Arizona to see the charismatic, subtropicalElegant Trogon.2 Elegant Trogons nest in just a dozenor so sycamore-lined canyons in southern Arizona

The Chiricahua Mountain Range, located in thesoutheastern corner of the Coronado National Forest,is one of the largest Sky Islands in the U.S. portion ofthe Sky Island region. The range is approximately 40miles long by 20 miles wide with elevations rangingfrom 4,400 to 9,759 feet at the summit of ChiricahuaPeak. The Chiricahua Ecosystem Management Area(EMA) is the largest Management Area on the Forestencompassing 291,492 acres of the Chiricahua andPedragosa Mountains.

Protected by remoteness, the Chiricahuas remainone of the less visited ranges on the CoronadoNational Forest. Formerly surrounded only byranches, the effects of Arizona’s explosive 21st centurypopulation growth are beginning to reach the flanksof the Chiricahuas.

San Simon Valley, located east of the mountains,has been experiencing construction of homes.Exurban growth is expected to continue in the SanSimon Valley and the Portal area. Sulphur SpringsValley to the west is still largely farmland and animportant wintering area for birds of prey, and forSandhill Cranes in the state-managed WhitewaterDraw Wildlife Area. Lands to the north and southeastare primarily a mixture of state, Federal and privatelands. Chiricahua National Monument, known for itsspectacularly eroded rhyolite rock formations, bordersthe northwest side of the Forest.


Canyon, and South Fork. Flammulated Owl and Red-faced Warbler are regular breeders found in mixedconifer forests above about 6500’ in most or all themajor drainages of the range.

The Mexican subspecies of several birds have a verylimited distribution in the U.S., mostly insoutheastern Arizona. Those breeding in theChiricahuas include Whip-poor-will, Brown Creeper,and House Wren. Very rare tropical breeders (notreported in most years) include Crescent-chestedwarbler, Rufous-capped Warbler, and Flame-coloredTanager. Other species of tropical birds whichoccasionally appear here include Rufous-backedRobin, Aztec Thrush, Blue Mockingbird, Slate-throated Redstart, Yellow Grosbeak and Black-ventedOriole. The Chiricahuas are also home to multipleendemic species such as Apacheria chiricahuensis, aperennial plant first discovered in 1973 that flourishesexclusively on south-facing cliffs in the Chiricahuas.7

Healthy populations of mountain lion and black bearpersist here and probably participate in regular geneticexchange with populations over the border in Mexico.Coati, Javelina and two species of deer occur in goodnumbers. In the past two decades, Jaguar have beensighted in the Peloncillos to the east, the Dragoons tothe west and elsewhere along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The north end of the Chiricahua range isdominated by the landmark of “Cochise Head,” amile-long monolith of sculpted rhyolite.8 Majordrainages in the range include West Turkey Creek andRucker Canyon on the western side, and Cave CreekCanyon on the eastern side. The small town of Portalsits a the mouth of Cave Creek Canyon, an areanotable for stunning rock monoliths, beautifulscenery, and an amazing diversity of bird life.9 TheAmerican Museum of Natural History’s SouthwesternResearch Station is located a few miles up the Canyon.Founded in 1955 at the urging of scientist who wereimpressed with the invertebrate diversity in theChiricahuas, The Research Station has since becomeone of the Nation’s most productive sites forinvertebrate research. As of June 2006, over 1,100scientific research papers have been published fromwork based out of the Research Station on a variety ofspecies ranging from butterflies and ants, to lizardsand snakes, to plants and birds.

Vegetation types in the Chiricahua EMA rangefrom semi-desert grasslands and Chihuahuan desertscrub (starting around 4,400 feet elevation) to

where about 1,000 acres of suitable habitat exists.3

Some of these Canyons can be found along the easternslopes of the Chiricahua range.4

The global importance of the ChiricahuaMountains to the birding community is recognizedinternationally by bird watching enthusiasts. Morethan 375 species of birds live in, or travel through theChiricahua Mountain range. A 2008 Field GuidesNewsletter refers to southeast Arizona as “the NumberOne Must-Go-To Spot in North America for birders.”The main reason for that assessment is the richhabitats for birdlife found primarily in theChiricahuas, Huachucas and Santa Ritas. Examples ofthe rich bird life are numerous. A trip up Cave CreekCanyon on the northeast side of the range climbsthrough a study area in which the U.S.’s densestknown raptor population occurs, including habitat of11 different species of owls. A total of 24 species ofbirds of prey nest along the Canyon. A trip up PineryCanyon on the west side of the range passes throughthe habitat of 10 different species of nightjars, andowls. Pine Canyon, a cliff lined drainage just south ofPinery Canyon, hosts nesting trogons along with agreat variety of warblers.5 Pinery and Rucker Canyonsin the early 1900s were once home to the nowextirpated Thick-billed Parrots.6 Due to the excellenthabitat found in the Chiricahuas, the mountain rangewas the site of Thick-billed Parrot reintroductionefforts in the 1980s. The only U.S. nesting of theShort-tailed Hawk outside of Florida was documentedat the head of Pinery Canyon. The Peregrine Falcon,once nearly extirpated from the continental U.S. dueto pesticide contamination, has recovered and theChiricahuas are home to a population over 30 pairs, atestament to the abundant avian prey base found here.

At least 14 territories of the Federally-threatenedMexican Spotted Owl have been identified in theChiricahuas, along with a dozen territories of ApacheGoshaw. Montezuma Quail thrives in the grasses inMadrean oak woodland habitat between 5,000 and8,000 feet. In the past two decades, formerly rareViolet-crowned Hummingbirds and Buff-breastedFlycatchers have expanded into the Chiricahuas andare now regularly breed. Band-tailed Pigeons nest hereand more arrive in flocks in early summer to feed onacorns in good mast years. Eared Quetzal and youngof the year appear regularly in late summer and maybe nesting in the high and inaccessible montane mixedconifer habitat at the head of Log Canyon, Price


Figure 2.1 Overview of the Chiricahua EMA


day Chiricahua Mountains. In the 1770s, theSpaniards began to use Chiricahua Apache todesignate a particular band of Apaches living in thisrange (the Chokonen).17 The Chiricahua Mountainsand surrounding valleys provided refuge andresources for the Chokonen band of Apaches.

Well-known history of Apaches in the ChiricahuaMountains dates back to the mid-1800s when Cochisewas the chief of the Chokonen band of ChiricahuaApaches. After decades of skirmishes with Mexicansoldiers and settlers, 1858 marked Cochise’s firstpeaceable interactions with newly-arriving whitesettlers and their military protectors. The peace endedin 1861, when soldiers captured and executed severalof Cochise’s relatives. This set off eleven years ofviolence between Anglos and Cochise’s Apaches.18

During this time, Cochise and other ChokonenApaches split time between the Dragoon, Chiricahua,and Peloncillo Mountains, as well as various sitessouth of the present-day U.S.-Mexico border.

In 1872 Brigadier General O. O. Howard, alongwith First Lieutenant J.A. Sladen, set out to makepeace with Cochise. Guided by Thomas Jeffords (theonly white man to befriend and become “bloodbrother” to Cochise), and later Chie (Cochise’snephew) and Ponce (Chie’s brother-in-law and leaderof a Chihenne band of Chiricahua Apache), theytraced Cochise to his “stronghold” camp in theDragoons. Making the long journey from FortTularosa in New Mexico, they were met on the westside of the Dragoons by members of Cochise’s band,and led up a stream-filled gorge that, by Lt. Sladen’sdescription, could only be Slavin Gulch. Several daysof meetings in this basin and near West StrongholdCanyon, marked one of the greatest accomplishmentsin the region’s history. On October 12, 1872, a peacetreaty emerged between the white settlers and Cochise,a treaty which promised the Chiricahua Apache areservation that included much of their originalhomeland and all of the Chiricahua Mountain Range,and which comprised much of current-day CochiseCounty (Figure 2.2).

The Chiricahua Reservation designation wasrescinded by the U.S. Government in 1876.Abolishment of the reservation seems to have beenrelated to several complex factors. Continued Apacheraids in Sonora (some clearly based from theChiricahua Reservation) strained U.S.-Mexicorelations, and added fuel to the ongoing arguments of

montane mixed conifer forest at the highest elevations(8,500 to 9,759 feet).

Human Prehistory and HistoryThe first solid archeological evidence of human

habitation in this area shows Clovis hunters spearingmammoths in the San Pedro Valley — to the west ofthe Chiricahua EMA — by 9,000 B.C. Next came thelong occupancy of the Cochise Culture of hunter-gatherers, eventual introduction of domesticated cropplants, and development of more densely settlednetworks of farming peoples.10 In these later times, theChiricahua Mountains sat near the confluence ofranges for the Mogollon, Casas Grandes, andHohokam peoples that populated the region, possiblyas early as 200 A.D. and lasting in some form throughthe arrival of the Apache. Pottery pertaining to all ofthose cultures from the 1200s has been found on thesurface of unexcavated sites at the mouths of Jhus,Sulphur, Cave Creek and Horseshoe Canyons.11

History of extant cultures in the ChiricahuaMountains dates back to at least the 1500s whenEuropeans first made contact with the Apache in thisregion.12 Boundaries of the Sky Island region coincidealmost perfectly with the known range of theChiricahua Apaches, with Chokonen (or Chiricahua),Bedonkohe, Chihenne, and Nedhni bands occupyingvarious subdivisions of the region.13 The Chokonenranged from the Huachuca and Whetstone Mountainseast to the Animas Mountains, and from south of theGila Valley to the Sierra Madre in Mexico. TheChiricahua Mountains were central in this range.

Written history of the area began with Coronado’s1540 journey from Mexico City to the Zuni area ofNew Mexico. One proposed route has this epicjourney passing up the San Simon Valley east of theChiricahua EMA to the Gila River, then north alongthe San Francisco River. Coronado was followed by aseries of explorers from Spain and Spanish-ruledMexico.14 Nevertheless, the resident Apaches managedto largely hold their own — first against the Spanish,then Mexican, and later U.S. armed forces and settlers— for the next 300-plus years.15

The word Chiricahua probably was probablyderived from the Opata Indian word chiguicagui,which means “mountains of the wild turkeys”.16 Thefirst recorded use of this name for the mountain rangewas from a Suma revolt in 1684, when a group of therebellious natives reportedly took refuge in the Sierrade Cuchicagua, which was almost surely the present


and Bisbee respectively, and (4) a boom in the cattleindustry. The Chiricahuas were no exception to thesetrends. In the early 1880s, this cattle boom broughthundreds of thousands of cattle into Cochise Countyalone;20 most of these were in the San Pedro and SanSimon Valleys, west and east of the Chiricahuas.

Mining started in the Chiricahuas in the 1860s butup until the 1920s most ventures were short-term andfailed. Apache Pass was the setting for the earliestmining claims which were primarily for gold. TheCalifornia Mining District included claims at copperand lead-silver outcrops on the eastern side of theChiricahuas along Turkey Creek and in PineryCanyon. From around 1907 to 1918 the developmentand production of copper and lead continued near thetown of Paradise on the eastern slopes of theChiricahuas. At its peak in 1904 Paradise boasted apopulation of three hundred.21 Today 12 permanent

residents live in Paradise. The George Walker House,now a bed and breakfast and birding destination, isone of the few original structures standing in thetown.

The Reed cabin at the Southwestern ResearchStation is now the residence of the station director. Itdates to the first decade of the 20th century, andaccording to Ralph Morrow, Apaches at one time shotarrows into its heavy timber door. Geronimo and hisgroup camped on the hill above the station when theycame through. The Tombstone photographer Fly alsohad a potato field he tended in Fly Park, just off theCrest Trail.22

Anglo Americans such as General George Crook thatthe U.S. Army should conquer and subjugate theChiricahua Apaches.19 Across the west, thegovernment had begun a policy of concentratingIndians on as few reservations as possible, to increasecontrol over the Indians, to reduce the costs ofmanaging reservations, and to free up lands for whitesettlers. Previous attempts to force all ChiricahuaApaches on reservations with either Western Apaches(distant relatives) or Mescalero Apaches (with whomthey maintained closer relations) had failed, but manygovernment officials still aimed for this type ofconsolidation. Cochise’s unusually strong leadershipskills had enabled him to negotiate effectively for histribe’s own reservation, in their traditional homeland,without subjection to U.S. military control. Hisconsolidation of power then enabled him to maintainpeaceful relations in the U.S. by controlling, to a largedegree, raiding and warfare of otherApache bands on and around thisreservation.

When Cochise died (June 8, 1874),some U.S. leaders saw weakening ofcentralized power as an opportunity toforce relocation. They also found pretextsfor this move — no subsequent leader wasable to control the actions of a few errantindividuals killing a nearby shopkeeperand his associate (who bore someresponsibility for their own whisky-bornedeaths) that triggered Army action. U.S.Indian agent John Philip Clum, head of theWhite Mountain/San Carlos ApacheReservation, spearheaded the push todissolve the Chiricahua Reservation, andforcibly removed the Chiricahua Apachesin 1876. This eventually led to the breakoutof many Chiricahua warriors and to the Army’s long,frustrating endeavor to capture Geronimo. For thenext ten years Geronimo led many raids in the region.Geronimo surrendered on September 6, 1886, in thenearby Peloncillo Mountains, ending centuries ofwarfare between Euro-Americans and the Apaches.

From the peace treaty of 1872 onwards, Anglo-American settlements expanded throughout theregion. Bahre (1995) attributes this expansion to theinterdependent forces of (1) successive subjugation ofthe Apaches, (2) the 1881 arrival of the railroad, (3)development of silver and copper mines in Tombstone

Figure 2.2 Chiricahua Indian Reservation

There are three areas of Summer RecreationResidences in the Chiricahua EMA, in West TurkeyCreek, Rustler Park, and Cave Creek. These cabinswere built in the 1930s, are privately-owned structures

situated on Forest Service lands and are held undermulti-decade leases. The Forest Service determinesconditions of use and monitors compliance with theirarchitectural and other regulations.

The Chiricahua Ecosystem Management Areaharbors a unique combination of vegetation types andspecies that contribute to the biological diversity ofthe Coronado National Forest. The Forest Servicerecognizes that building a framework for ecologicalsustainability will require management of entirebiological communities combined with specialmanagement for particular species. For revision of theForest Plan the Forest Service identified species thatwill be the focus of planning efforts. Species andvegetation types of management interest found acrossthe Coronado National Forest were described andlisted in the Forest Overview (Table 1.1, page 1-11).Described here are species and vegetation typesspecifically found on the Chiricahua EcosystemManagement Area. The Forest Service identified 48species of plants and animals including fourThreatened or Endangered Species, along with otherspecies determined to be Species of Concern orSpecies of Interest due to guide management decisions(Table 2.1).

Ecological systems and the processes that sustainthem are the foundations of native biological diversity.Vegetation communities and aquatic habitats that areespecially species rich, diverse, or threatened; or areendemic to the region or locality are of particularmanagement concern. To evaluate current conditionsand management prescriptions for ecological systemsthe Forest Service is using the framework of PotentialNatural Vegetation Types. Potential Natural VegetationTypes are defined as the vegetation that woulddominate a site under natural disturbance regimesand biological processes. Using this classificationallows current vegetation to be compared effectively tovegetation under historic conditions. BecausePotential Natural Vegetation Types are relatively broadgroupings, and because the Forest contains a highdiversity of vegetation types, we present ecologicalsystems as a focus for management direction. Theseecological systems are cross-walked with the Potential

Natural Vegetation Types used by the Forest Service(Table 2.2). Although there are many fine variations inplant communities on the Chiricahua EcosystemManagement Area, ecological systems classify plantcommunities into broader groups so as to be mostuseful for management actions such as mapping, landmanagement, and monitoring. Plant communitieswere grouped based on shared characteristics such asnatural processes (e.g. fire and flood), substrates (e.g.shallow soils, limestone outcroppings), and localclimate.23 Figure 3 shows the distribution of ecologicalsystems in the Chiricahuas. Through contact withregional scientists and experts, and other peoplefamiliar with the Chiricahuas, we identified ecologicalsystems, physiographic features, additional species andcultural resources that should also be considered inthe Forest Plan revision (Tables 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4).

Birds using the Chiricahuas fall into three broadcategories: breeding species, migrants, and winteringspecies. While nesting species are of critical concern,migrants and wintering species also depend upon ahealthy forest for their survival. Wintering birds willreturn to the same areas, and often to the exact winterterritories, that have supported them in previousyears. In the case of a declining species, the primaryproblems for the population can occur at any of thesetimes: on the breeding grounds, in migration, or onthe wintering grounds. The Chiricahuas andneighboring mountain ranges are renowned for theiroccurrence of a number of Mexican species whoserange in the United States is quite limited. Most ofthem receive little protection in Mexico, and often animportant part of their range in Arizona falls on theCoronado National Forest. Many of them are a vitalunderpinning of nature-based tourism, and thereforeare important to the local economic stability of theChiricahua region. Each year, major tour companiesoffer entire tours that focus on just one group of thesebirds including hummingbirds, owls, winteringsparrows, and other regional specialties, in addition to


Elements of Biological Diversity and Cultural Heritage


Figure 2.3 Ecological Systems of the Chiricahua EMA


AmphibiansRana chiricahuensis

BirdsAmmodramus savannarum

ammolegusCyrtonix montezumaeEmpidonax fulvifrons pygmaeusEuptilotis neoxenusFalco femoralis septentrionalisMeleagris gallopavo mexicanaTrogon elegans

FishAgosia chrysogasterCampostoma ornatumGila purpurea

InsectsAeshna persephoneAmeletus falsusArgia pimaAstylis biedermaniAutomeris patagoniensisChimarra primulaChitrellina chiricahuaeCicindela oregona maricopaCloeodes peninsulusOligocentria delicataPiruna polingiiPsephenus arizonensisStygobromus arizonensisSympetrum signiferum

MammalsCanis lupus baileyiChoeronycteris mexicanaIdionycteris phyllotisLasiurus blossevilliiNyctinomops macrotusPanthera oncaSciurus nayaritensis chiricahuaeSorex arizonae

MollusksAshmunella chiricahuanaGastrocopta prototypusHolospira ferrissiOreohelix barbataRadiocentrum chiricahuanaSonorella virilis

Chiricahua Leopard Frog

Arizona Grasshopper Sparrow

Montezuma QuailNorthern Buff-breasted FlycatcherEared QuetzalNorthern Aplomado FalconGould's TurkeyElegant Trogon

Longfin DaceMexican StonerollerYaqui Chub

Persephone's DarnerFalse Ameletus MayflyPima DancerA Notodontid MothPatagonia Eyed SilkmothA CaddisflyA Cave Obligate PseudoscorpionMaricopa Tiger BeetleA MayflyA Notodontid MothA Notodontid MothFour-spotted SkipperlingArizona Water Penny BeetleArizona Cave Amphipod

Mexican Gray WolfMexican Long-tongued BatAllen's Big-eared BatWestern Red BatBig Free-tailed BatJaguarChiricahua [Fox] SquirrelArizona Shrew

Cave Creek WoodlandsnailSonoran SnaggletoothStocky HolospiraBearded MountainsnailChiricahua MountainsnailChiricahua Talussnail

Plants Acacia millefoliaAllium rhizomatum Apacheria chiricahuensisArabis tricornutaArceuthobium blumeri

Asclepias lemmoniiAstragalus cobrensis var. maguireiBouteloua parryiBrickellia lemmonii var. lemmoniiBrickellia simplexCapsicum annuum var.

glabriusculumCarex ultraCastilleja nervataCoursetia glabellaDelphinium andesicolaDelphinium scopulorumDraba helleriana var. bifurcataDraba standleyiErigeron arisoliusErigeron kuscheiEriogonum arizonicumEscobaria orcuttiiEscobaria vivipara var. bisbeeanaFraxinus papillosaGentianella wislizeniHackelia ursinaHedeoma costatumHeuchera glomerulataHexalectris spicata var. arizonicaHexalectris warnockiiHieracium rusbyiHymenoxys quinquesquamataIpomoea plummerae var. cuneifoliaIpomoea tenuiloba var. lemmoniiIpomoea thurberiLilium parryiLimosella pubifloraLupinus huachucanusLupinus neomexicanusMacromeria viridiflora var. thurberiMacromeria viridiflora var.

viridifloraMammillaria grahamii var. oliviaeMammillaria wrightii var. wrightiiMargaranthus solanaceusPerityle cochisensisPerityle dissectaPhaseolus supinus

Milfoil AcaciaRedflower OnionCliff BrittlebushRincon Mountain RockcressSouthwestern White Pine

Dwarf-mistletoeLemmon MilkweedCopper Mine Milk-vetchParry's GrammaLemmon's Beggar-ticksSonoran Brickell-bushChiltepinCochise SedgeTrans-Pecos Indian PaintbrushSmooth Baby-bonnetsChiricahua Mountains LarkspurRocky Mountain LarkspurHeller's Whitlow-grassStandley's Whitlow-grassArid Throne FleabaneChiricahua FleabaneArizona Wild-buckwheatOrcutt's Foxtail CactusBisbee's Pincushion CactusChihuahua AshChiricahua GentianChihuahuan StickseedChiricahua Mock PennyroyalChiricahua Mountain AlumrootCrested CoralrootPurple-spike CoralrootRusby's HawkweedRincon BitterweedHuachuca Mountain Morning-

gloryLemmon's Morning-gloryThurber's Morning-gloryLemon LilyChiricahua MudwortHuachuca Mountain LupineNew Mexico LupineGiant-trumpetsGiant-trumpets

Wright Fishhook CactusNetted GlobeberryCochise Rock DaisySlimlobe RockdaisySupine Bean

Table 2.1 Species Identified by the Forest Service to Guide Management Decisions

continued

Phoradendron bolleanum ssp.pauciflorum

Pinaropappus roseus var. foliosusPlagiobothrys pringleiPolemonium pauciflorum hinckleyiPotentilla thurberi var. thurberiRanunculus hydrocharoides var.

stoloniferRhamnus crocea ssp. pilosaRoldana hartwegii Rumex orthoneurusSamolus vagansScutellaria tessellataSenecio huachucanusSisyrinchium arizonicumSisyrinchium cernuumSisyrinchium longipesStellaria porsildiiWoodsia cochisensisWoodsia phillipsii

ReptilesCrotalus priceiSceloporus sleviniTantilla yaquia

Rough Mistletoe

Pringle's Popcorn-flowerHinkley's Jacob's LadderThurber's CinquefoilFrog's-bit Buttercup

Redberry BuckthornSeemann (Hartweg's) GroundselBlumer's DockChiricahua Mountain BrookweedHuachuca Mountains SkullcapHuachuca GroundselArizona Blue-eyed-grassNodding Blue-eyed GrassTimberland Blue-eye-grassPorsild's StarwortCochise WoodsiaPhillips' Cliff Fern

Twin-spotted RattlesnakeSlevin's Bunchgrass LizardYaqui Black-headed Snake


Table 2.1 Species Identified by the Forest Serviceto Guide Management Decisions continued

Table 2.2 Foundations of Native BiologicalDiversity

“Potential Natural Vegetation Types” (bold) as theycorrespond with The Nature Conservancy’s “EcologicalSystems”_______________________________________

Interior ChaparralInterior Chaparral

Madrean Encinal WoodlandMadrean Encinal

Madrean Pine-Oak WoodlandMadrean Pine-Oak Woodland

Mixed Broadleaf Deciduous Riparian ForestRiparian Woodland and Shrubland

Mixed Conifer ForestMontane Mixed-Conifer Forest

Piñon-Juniper WoodlandPiñon-Juniper Woodland

Semi-desert GrasslandsApachean Grassland and SavannahApachean Shrubland

Wetland/CienegaCienega

Physiographic Features______________________________

Limestone outcroppings

Springs

Abundant cliffs — offering structural diversity and thermalshelter for nesting birds of prey including Mexican Spotted Owl,Peregrine Falcon and Golden Eagle.

Barfoot Lookout — a prime raptor-migration viewing lookout

Crystal Cave — a vast system of passages and chambers, and isa popular spelunking destination as well as a breeding cave forendangered bats

Unnamed Cave — high on the north flank of South Fork isregularly used in summer by millions of Mexican Free-tailedBats (possibly the males from Carlsbad)

tours that focus on the general southwestern avifauna.Nesting bird species that particularly deserve inclusion inthe planning process are listed below along with somemigrants and wintering species. The plight of neotropicalmigrants has long aroused concern among conservationbiologists. The Chiricahua Mountains provide animportant migration stopover for many species, includingsome whose populations are in strong decline. A hugenumber of hummingbirds funnel through the mountainranges of southeastern Arizona and southwestern NewMexico, especially in fall, feeding on flowering agaves andother blooms as they migrate.24

Species that will need special management attentioninclude species that are endemic to the region or locality,species that have a restricted distribution within theregion, and species dependent on specialized habitat.Other species that will need special consideration arespecies that are rare, vulnerable or declining throughouttheir ranges; are rare, imperiled or vulnerable in the U.S.portion of their ranges that overlap the CoronadoNational Forest; or are harvested for economic interests.These species may not be adequately protected by

AmphibiansRana blairiRana yavapaiensis

Birds: BreedingAeronautes saxatalis Amazilia beryllinaAmazilia violiceps Aquila chrysaetos Asturina nitida maximaButeo albonotatus Bueo brachyurusCalothorax lucifer Campostoma imberbeCardellina rubrifrons Coccyzus americanusCynanthus latirostris Dendroica graciae Dendroica nigrescens Eugenes fulgensFalco mexicanusJunco phaeonotusLampornis clemenciaeOtus flammeolusOtus trichopsisPicoides stricklandi Poecile sclateriPolioptila nigricepsProgne subisRhynchopsitta pachyrhyncaSialia mexicanaSialia sialis fulva

Spizella atrogularis Falco mexicanaToxostoma crissaleVermivora luciae

Plains Leopard FrogLowland Leopard Frog

White-throated SwiftBerylline HummingbirdViolet-crowned HummingbirdGolden EagleNorthern Gray HawkZone-Tailed Hawk Short-tailed HawkLucifer HummingbirdNorthern Beardless-TyrannuletRed-faced WarblerYellow-billed CuckooBroad-billed HummingbirdGrace's WarblerBlack-throated Gray WarblerMagnificent HummingbirdPrairie FalconYellow-eyed JuncoBlue-Throated HummingbirdFlammulated OwlWhiskered Screech-OwlArizona WoodpeckerMexican ChickadeeBlack-capped GnatcatcherPurple MartinThick-billed ParrotWestern BluebirdEastern Bluebird (Azure Bluebird

subspecies)Black-chinned SparrowPrairie FalconCrissal ThrasherLucy's Warbler

Vermivora virginiae Vireo bellii arizonae

Birds: Neotropical MigrantsButeogallus anthracinusEmpidonax wrightii Peucedramus taeniatus

Birds: WinteringSphyrapicus thyroideus

InsectsAbedus herberti

MammalsCorynorhinus townsendii pallescens Myotis ciliolabrum Myotis thysanodes Myotis velifer Myotis volans Thomomys umbrinus

PlantsHymenoxys ambigens var. ambigensLilaeopsis schaffneriana var. recurvaLupinus lemmonii Penstemon superbusPhysalis latiphysaSenecio neomexicanus var. toumeyi Spiranthes delitescens Talinum marginatum Vauquelinia californica ssp pauciflora

ReptilesPhrynosoma cornutum Sceloporus virgatus Senticolus triaspisSistrurus catenatus edwardsiiThamnophis eques megalops

Virginia's WarblerArizona Bell's Vireo

Common Black-HawkGray FlycatcherOlive Warbler

Williamson's Sapsucker

Giant Water Bug

Pale Lump-nosed Bat Western Small-Footed Myotis Bat Fringed Myotis Bat Cave Myotis Bat Long-legged Myotis Southern Pocket Gopher

Pinaleño Mountains RubberweedAffloterLemmon's Lupine Superb BeardtongueBroadleaf Ground CherryToumey Groundsel Canelo Hills Ladies' Tresses Orchid Tepic Flame Flower Arizona Limestone Rosewood

Texas Horned Lizard Striped Plateau Lizard Green RatsnakeDesert MassasaugaMexican Gartersnake


Table 2.3 Additional Species that Require Special Management Consideration

Table 2.4 Elements of Cultural Heritage

Human HistorySummer Recreation ResidencesCima CabinRustler Park FS StructuresPortal Ranger StationReed CabinRalph Morrow’s two houses in WhitetailFire Lookouts

Other ValuesOpportunities for quiet and solitudeOpportunities for primitive recreation

managing for ecological systems and may requirespecific management actions or monitoring. Table 2.3lists additional species whose needs should be assessedduring plan revision.

The Chiricahua Mountains contain a wealth ofprehistoric and historic influences. Visible andphysical remnants of previous human habitation ofthe area include built structures, physical sites, orobjects or assemblages of material culture. Humanuses of the land compatible with the protection ofbiological diversity are also an important part of theCultural Heritage of the area (Table 2.4).

Management VisionThe Chiricahua Ecosystem Management Area retainsits long-term biological, cultural, historical,recreational, and aesthetic values in the face ofchanging human use and dynamic ecological cycles. Itis managed for its biodiversity and for humanrecreation that depend on this — birding, wildlifeviewing, wildlife photography, wilderness hiking andcamping.

� The Chiricahua EMA is managed in full recognitionand support of its extraordinary biodiversity andwildlife values.

� The Chiricahua EMA remains situated in alandscape in which wide-ranging species (black bear,mountain lion, deer, pronghorn, Mexican gray wolf,jaguar, coati, and others) are able to move between theChiricahua EMA and the following: Dragoon andPeloncillo EMAs, Peloncillo and Dos CabezaMountain Ranges, and wildlands to the south inMexico.

� Development around the Chiricahua EMA does notprevent the continued use of prescribed fire andwildland fire as management tools.

� Cave Creek Canyon is managed to protect its

unique birding opportunities.

� Bird species are managed at the population level.

� The West Turkey Creek Campground is maintainedat current size or smaller. Problems at John Hands andother campgrounds are addressed. Impacts associatedwith undeveloped, dispersed camping are managedand minimized.

� Destruction of riparian habitat due to poorlymanaged livestock grazing in Cave Creek Canyon isprevented.

� Scenic resources, including geological features andviewsheds, do not lose value from their currentclassifications.

� The Cave Creek Bird of Prey Zoological Area isestablished and managed primarily for sustaining andenhancing the populations of raptors and is managedfor research and birding visitors.

� The Forest Visitor Center is reopened and staffedwith knowledgeable personnel who can effectivelycommunicate an appreciation of the Chiricahua’svalues and ecosystems.

� All necessary Forest infrastructure — including thetrail system, trailheads and campgrounds — ismaintained so as to enhance visitor enjoyment, whileremaining compatible with conservation goals.

� Important historical and cultural areas accuratelyreflect conditions during the area's historical heydayin the mid to late 1800s.

� Shrub encroachment is monitored via repeatphotography using points originally photographed asearly as 1883, while adding a new set of representativephoto points. Shrub encroachment in some areas isactively managed with a combination of fire andmanual or mechanical thinning. Grassland restorationwork conducted at the Fort Bowie National HistoricSite provides precedence and experience-basedrecommendations for safe, effective, small-scalegrassland restoration in historically important sites.

Desired Conditions


Conservation Assets

Conservation assets work on behalf of desiredconditions and against the threats to the ecologicaland cultural elements of the Chiricahua EMA. Theywill contribute to the Forest Service’s ability tomaintain ecological sustainability on the ManagementArea. Several organizations and protective measuresalready in place in the Chiricahua EMA support ourvision for the region’s conservation. The followingemerged as major assets for conservation on theChiricahua Ecosystem Management Area.

American Museum of Natural History’s SouthwesternResearch Station

American Museum of Natural History hasconducted research on the flora and fauna of theChiricahua Mountains since its founding in 1955. TheResearch Station attracts scientists and advancedstudents from all parts of the country and fromabroad to carry out research projects. Fields of interestinclude entomology, herpetology, ornithology,mammalogy, botany, geology, arachnology, animalbehavior and population, and behavioral andphysiological ecology. The depth of scientific studyoccurring in the area highlights the ecologicalimportance of the Chiricahua EMA.

Cave Creek Protection Act of 1993This act withdrew all Federal lands in the Cave and

Silver Creek drainages from mineral entry.

Chiricahua Regional CouncilThe Council is a citizens’ watchdog group that

monitors public agency and other actions affecting theChiricahua Mountains and nearby areas ofsoutheastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, andadjacent northern Mexico. This nonprofit group wasoriginally formed in response to a gold mine that wasproposed in the Chiricahuas in 1992. That effortculminated in the voluntary withdrawal of the miningcompany and in national legislation protecting theCave Creek Canyon area from further threats frommining. The Council continues to work on issuesaffecting the Chiricahua EMA and has focusedadvocacy work on maintaining healthy, intact habitatsthroughout the Chiricahuas and disseminatinginformation about potential threats to the region, as

those threats arise. It advocates careful landstewardship and seeks to educate the public, asneeded, on any aspect of natural history, conservationand land use including sound grazing practices. TheRegional Council spent a year monitoring the use ofcampgrounds in Cave Creek Canyon, in order toevaluate the need for an additional large campgroundproposed by the Forest Service. A major strength ofthe organization lies in its broad constituency. Itsmembership includes biologists, ranchers, birders,residents, visitors, and other segments of the generalpublic, and several of these interests are representedon its board of directors.

Chiricahua Important Bird AreaThis area encompasses the Chiricahua mountain

range extending from 5,000 feet elevation wheregrassland and oaks meet, up to 9,759 feet at the top ofChiricahua Peak. This area is host to 375 species ofbirds. Of greatest ornithological importance are themany Mexican species whose northern summerbreeding range extends into these mountains. The IBAalso supports 15 species of hummingbirds, and 33Species with Conservation Status.

El Coronado RanchJosiah and Valer Austin, owners of El Coronado

Ranch, have pioneered methods of restoringwatersheds and improving ecosystem health, withinthe context of a ranching operation.

International RecognitionThe international birding community recognizes

the global importance of Cave Creek Canyon andRustler Park area to birders and related commercialinterests.

Portal-Rodeo Community

Special Interest AreasOur conservation efforts are helped by the special

designations already in place for several areas of theChiricahua EMA including Chiricahua WildernessArea, South Fork Zoological and Botanical Area, andPole Bridge Canyon Research Natural area. These aretreated in more detail in the Wilderness and SpecialManagement Area sections.


Threats to the Forest: A Need for Change

The Coronado National Forest and surroundinglands have experienced a variety of changes in thetwenty years since the current Forest Plan was written.Management concerns and threats exist in theChiricahuas that are not addressed in the Forest Plan,or have not been adequately dealt throughmanagement. The new Forest Management Plan willupdate existing management direction and add newmanagement direction, both of which should addressthese concerns. The following issues presentchallenges to ecological sustainability on theChiricahua Ecosystem Management Area.

ADJACENT LAND USESThe community of Portal Arizona on the east side

of the Chiricahua EMA continues to grow. Portal islocated on the edge of Cave Creek Canyon, a well-recognized scenic and wildlife resource on the Forest.Continued development in the area will lead toincreased visitor use on the east side of the EMA andwill change the natural character of the landsbordering the Forest. It may also hinder themovement of wildlife between the Chiricahua andPeloncillo Mountains. Future exurban and/or roaddevelopment in the valleys surrounding theChiricahua EMA will disrupt wildlife linkages thatallow wildlife to move between the Chiricahuas andsurrounding EMAs and wildlands. It would also beexpected to increase vehicular traffic to the arealeading to increased wildlife mortality. Especiallyimpacted will be golden eagle, turkey vulture,Montezuma quail, snakes and other reptiles that seekwarmth on pavement, and large mammals such ascoyote, deer, fox, mountain lion, black bear, coati andbobcat.

Other resources likely affected include: springs,ephemeral watercourses, seeps, scenic resources, allecological systems, all native vegetation types and theirassociated flora and fauna; species particularlysensitive to direct human disturbance (e.g., bats,lizards, desert box turtle).

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATIONYears of suppression of natural fire regimes in

vegetation types adapted to regular fire has createdareas with heavy fuel loads. These areas are susceptibleto catastrophic fire from both natural and man-made

starts. Threats include drought exacerbated by humanactivity; high-intensity stand-replacing fires due tohigher fuel loads; and changes in natural watershedfunction/ flow regimes. Resources affected by alterationof large-scale ecological processes include all nativeecological systems and their associated species.

EXTRACTIVE USESCommercial/cultural collection of plants and non-

game animals leads to a depletion of speciespopulations, degradation of habitat, and the depletionof habitat. Surrounding habitat is degraded byvehicles driving off-road to reach desired plant andanimal species. Species affected by collection includethe Arizona mountain kingsnake, green ratsnake, andtwin-spotted rattlesnake.

Cutting or removal of snags, dead trees, andbranches containing nesting cavities, or suitable fornesting cavities threatens a variety of bird species inthe area. This decreases essential habitat for WhiskeredScreech Owl, Western Screech Owl, Elf Owl,Flammulated Owl, Northern Sawwhet Owl, NorthernPygmy Owl, Thick-billed Parrot, Elegant Trogon,Eared Quetzal, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, PurpleMartin, Mexican Chickadee, House Wren, EasternBluebird, Western Bluebird and Lucy’s Warbler alongwith Clark’s Spiny Lizard, and several species of snakesand bats.25 Known nesting sites of Elf Owl, WhiskeredOwl, Strickland’s Woodpecker and bats have beenremoved for hazard-tree reduction near campgroundsand high human-use areas. Live-tree fuelwoodcutting has been largely stopped and it should notresume. Unfortunately, wood collectors continue toroutinely push over standing dead snags for harvest.These snags may contain active or potential nestingcavities and this activity reduces suitable habitat forbird species that are sought by bird watchers visitingthe Forest. Living oak forests in lower Horseshoe andother canyons were decimated by this use in the 1970s.Dead and down permit issuance should be carefullymonitored for compliance.

Livestock GrazingPoorly managed livestock grazing has resulted in

damage to sensitive canyon and riparian habitat, alongwith damage to the trail system in the Chiricahua


EMA. This was particularly a problem in the winterand spring of 2006-2007 in the Cave Creek Canyonarea of the Chiricahua EMA. Damaged and downedfences, and other problems allowed cattle to enterareas where they were not allowed to be. No livestockgrazing should be allowed to occur in these areas untilfences are properly fixed and maintained. There hasalso been a lack of grazing oversight. Grazing in theCave Creek area is supposed to occur only during thewinter but recently cattle have been presentyearround. Resources affected by poorly managedlivestock grazing include: riparian-associated species,Coppermine Milkvetch (Astragalus cobrensismaguirei), Cochise sedge (Carex ultra), ecologicalsystems historically maintained by low-intensity,regular fires,26 and birds that depend on grass, forband shrub cover for nesting and forage, and to escapepredators (including Montezuma and Scaled Quail, allhummingbirds — for nectar sources, Bell’s Vireo,Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Crissal Thrasher, Virginia’sWarbler, Abert’s Towhee, Black-chinned Sparrow,Yellow-eyed Junco, and numerous neotropicalmigrants like MacGillivray’s Warbler).

INVASIVE SPECIESInvasive plant species in the Management Area

include Horehound, Tree of Life, Vinca, Chinese Elm,Russian Thistle and Boer’s Lovegrass. These plantscompete with native species and change the vegetativecomposition of ecological systems on the EMA.

NON-EXTRACTIVE USESUltralight aircraft overflights on the Chiricahua

EMA, including through airspace above designatedWilderness, and a Zoological and Botanical Area, areincreasing in frequency. The construction of a kitewing aircraft flight training center (SouthwestAerotrekking Academy) is occurring in Willcox andRodeo. The center utilizes the Chiricahuas for flighttraining including over 50 mapped routes throughmountains and surrounding areas. An ultralight flyingclub is also based out of the training center in Rodeo.27

Overflights create noise pollution and are potentiallydisruptive to the breeding behaviors of birds incanyons, especially during early morning and eveningtime in summer months. They are also disruptive toForest visitors seeking quiet and solitude, or engagingin quiet recreation activities like hiking and birding.These flights create the threat of ignition of wildfiresat unnatural times of the year in areas with potentiallyhigh fuel loads. In addition to ultralights, locally-

based light aircraft are increasing in number due todevelopments like Rancho del Cielo. Birding is basedalmost equally on hearing as well as sight, and amanagement plan for the EMA should include thecontrol of man-made acoustic disturbance.

Affected are: vegetation types with unnatural fuelloading due to historical fire suppression; animalspecies especially sensitive to direct humandisturbance (e.g., avian species that use canyonhabitat); Mexican Spotted Owl, Golden Eagle, ApacheGoshawk; opportunities for quiet and solitude.

Paintball activitiesThe Chiricahua EMA has previously been the

proposed site for paintball tournaments and isbecoming and increasingly popular location forrecreational paintball activities. Paintball activities areincompatible with the arid climate and extraordinarywildlife values of the Chiricahuas. Impacts include:

� Defacement of natural structures and vegetation

� Pollution from paint and capsules in a low-rainfallregion where degradation of residues would be slow tonon-existent

� Accumulation of litter

� Damage to natural and cultural resources due toground-disturbing activity

� Increased danger of uncontrollable wildfire andwildfire during unnatural times of the year

� Disturbance to nesting birds

Affected are all physiographic features, allecological systems and their associated flora andfauna, vegetation types with unnatural fuel loadingdue to historical fire suppression, species especiallysensitive to direct human disturbance, and prehistoricand historical sites, structures, and artifacts

Visitor ManagementDegradation of habitat has been occurring at

popular undeveloped camping spots, especially inriparian habitat. Many trails in the range have falleninto severe disrepair and are very difficult to followcreating hazards for hiker and other trail users. Thereis a distinct lack of Forest Service personnel forenforcement of laws, interaction with visitors andpublic education in the Chiricahua EMA. The ForestService Visitor Center at the entrance to Cave CreekCanyon has been closed and therefore no longer offers


an important point of contact between the ForestService and the public.

ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMCurrent motorized use of the EMA is growing.

Threats from motorized use of the Chiricahua EMAinclude existing non-system roads, creation of newnon-system road, lack of enforcement of the legaltransportation system, and disruption of quietrecreation.

U.S.-MEXICO BORDERThe Chiricahuas experience foot traffic from

human immigrants along with people smugglinghumans and goods across the U.S.-Mexico border.Threats include the creation of walls or otherstructures to impede human movement across theborder, creation of new roads by border enforcementactivities, and shifts in cross-border traffic due tochanges in border enforcement.

OTHER THREATSJohn Long Canyon Formerly the only major drainage not accessible to

the public by vehicle, Arizona Game and Fish and theDouglas Ranger District opened it to travel as far as alocked gate in the upper canyon.

Barfoot CampgroundBarfoot campground is a popular site for the

poaching of twin spotted rattlesnakes.

California Mining DistrictMineral occurrences have been documented at

mines and prospects throughout the northern part ofthe Forest in the California Mining District.28

East SideIn oak, juniper and pine woodland on the east side

of the Chiricahua mountain range grows Astylisbiedermani which is susceptible to inadvertentmanagement actions that are detrimental to the plant.This plant is threatened by previous lack ofconsideration in the Forest Plan.29

Lower Pinery CanyonLower Pinery Canyon is being heavily used by

dispersed campers. Many of these are overflowcampers from Coronado National Monument. Atpeak season in March and April Coronado NationalMonument personnel direct campers here.

Cave Creek Canyon Additional canyon bottom habitat goes under

pavement every few years due to road realignment andcampground expansion. This trend should stop.Hazard tree reduction in high use area should be doneafter consultation with local biologists to avoid thedestruction of active nest cavities, reptile shelter holesand bat roosts.


The Chiricahua Ecosystem Management Areaencompasses some of the most biologically diversehabitat on the Coronado National Forest, is nationallyknown for its invertebrate diversity, and isinternationally known for its birding opportunitiesand biological research. The area supports a variety ofhuman recreation that depend on the renownedbiological distinctiveness of the area — birding,wildlife viewing, wildlife photography, wildernesshiking and camping. The range still offers outstandingopportunities for primitive recreation where quiet andsolitude can be experienced. All of these distinctive

aspects of the Chiricahuas should be the major focusof future management direction for the area. Newmanagement direction that shows foresight andproactively addresses threats will create a long-termframework for ecological health and sustainability inthe Chiricahuas. To confront threats and capitalize onconservation assets, we recommend the followingobjectives and management actions to beincorporated into the new Coronado National ForestManagement Plan and subsequent project levelactivities.

Recommended Objectives and Management Actions

Encourage and appreciate good stewardship among private landowners onholdings adjacent to the Forest.

Work with state and county transportation departments (Arizona, New Mexico,Cochise and Hidalgo County) to adopt ecologically sensitive road design and toretrofit existing highways to ensure connectivity.

Maintain wildlife corridors between the Chiricahua EMA and (1) the DragoonEMA, (2) the Peloncillo EMA, (3) the rest of the Peloncillo Mountain range, (4)the Dos Cabezas Mountain range, and other surrounding natural areas.


Adjacent Land Uses

Objectives Actions

Ecological Restoration

Objectives ActionsContinue reintroductions of species such as wild turkeys.

Protect riparian habitat across the EMA as critical habitat for a large proportionof species.

Use prescribed and naturally ignited fire, and mechanical thinning, as tools tochange or maintain resilient vegetative structure in Apachean Grassland andSavanna, Madrean Pine-Oak Woodland and Madrean Encinal.

Restore the assemblage of species common in the Chiricahua Mountainsbefore the arrival of the railroads and urbanization (acknowledging thatclimate change will affect the potential for such restoration).

Manage habitat for all wild, native species so that they persist over largescales of time and space.

Restore natural disturbance regimes to promote naturally functioningecosystem processes.

Restore and maintain natural fire patterns and frequencies, and resilientvegetation characteristics and vegetative diversity.

Mitigate collection of reptile species and poaching of wildlife by (1) minimizingthe legal transportation system, (2) increasing Forest Service and lawenforcement personnel present on the Chiricahua EMA, (3) designating BarfootPark Zoological Area.

Prevent cutting of dead trees or branches that contain suitable nesting cavitiesfor Whiskered Screech Owl, Elf Owl, Elegant Trogon, Eared Quetzal, MexicanChickadee, Lucy’s Warbler and other cavity-nesting species of concern.

Exclude cattle from riparian areas. Protect all riparian areas from grazingincluding the stretch between Southwestern Research Station and John Hands,now fenced but not maintained.

Monitor dead and downed wood collecting permits for compliance to preventnesting habitat from being removed.

Maintain healthy, functioning ecological systems and the native speciesassociated with those systems.

Maintain essential habitat elements for the Mexican Spotted Owl, includingrocky canyons with a naturally functioning water cycle, north facing cliffs,and a complex forest structure with uneven-aged, multistoried mature orold-growth stands and snags.

Restore and maintain mature and old-growth woodland habitat.

Maintain suitable nesting habitat for cavity nesting birds.

Extractive Uses

Objectives Actions


Close road from Rucker to John Long Canyon.

Protect existing roadless areas in the Chiricahua EMA in order to minimizehabitat fragmentation and degradation. Protect uninventoried roadless areasthrough appropriate management zoning.

Enforce existing regulations that prohibit cross-country travel and off-highwayvehicle use in restricted areas such as washes and special closure areas.

Minimize damage to natural and cultural resources from legal roads andfrom illegal user-created roads.

Analyze all roadless areas for wilderness suitability.

Manage 92,471 acres of the Chiricahua EMA to maintain their currentwilderness suitability. See Figure 2.4 for a map of the area to be managed forwilderness suitability.

Protect Roadless area values and characteristics.

Provide opportunities for quiet recreation.

Minimize habitat fragmentation and degradation, and maintain biologicalcorridors and essential habitat for species through the exclusion of roads.

Adequately consider the suitability of national forest system lands forinclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Ban all paintball activities on the Chiricahua EMA.

Manage for “acoustic wilderness” i.e. the absence of man-made noise.

Ban light aircraft and ultralight over-flights on the Chiricahua EMA below analtitude of 10,700’ [1,000’ above highest elevation point in EMA]

Prohibit generator use in campgrounds

Limit and control noise that originates from roadways.

At John Hands campground, limit vehicle access to minimize damage toriparian habitat.

Manage vehicle access to popular undeveloped camping areas where habitathas been destroyed and riparian areas are being impacted. Place large rocks orother barriers to deter off-road driving.

Minimize damage to natural and cultural resources.

Nonextractive Uses

Objectives Actions

Roads/Transportation System

Objectives Actions

Special Management Areas

Objectives Actions


Figure 2.4 Area Suitable for Wilderness and to be Managed for Wilderness Characteristics


Wilderness is a cornerstone for protectingbiological diversity and ecological sustainability on theForest. Whether designated, or proposed, these areasprovide a refuge for many species from largecarnivores to small invertebrates. They also provideopportunities for the highest quality primitiverecreation including activities such as hiking,backpacking, horsepacking and hunting. As roadlessareas become increasingly scarce in the United States,remaining roadless areas on the National Forest thatmeet wilderness criteria deserve protection.

The Coronado National Forest is required toanalyze potential Wilderness Areas during Forest PlanRevision. It is mandated by both statute andregulation that the Forest Plan revisions includewilderness suitability analyses. In this document, areassuitable for wilderness are mapped and described foreach Ecosystem Management Area. Lands withwilderness characteristics must be considered forrecommendation as potential wilderness areas duringplan revision. These areas should be designated asWilderness Study Areas in recognition of theiroutstanding qualities and managed to protect theirwilderness characteristics. Identification of areassuitable for wilderness should not be influenced bynonwilderness activities or uses that can be seen orheard from areas within the potential wilderness.Protection of wilderness-quality roadless areasthrough designation as Wilderness Study Areas is keyto ensuring the ecological integrity of the CoronadoNational Forest. Remaining roadless areas withwilderness characteristics are essential tools for theCoronado National Forest to be able to maintainecological sustainability on each EcosystemManagement Area and across the Forest.

CHIRICAHUA WILDERNESS The Chiricahua Wilderness consists of 87,700 acres

surrounding the 9,797-foot Chiricahua peak. At itslowest elevations the area is a mixture of Madrean oaksavanna and woodland with more brushy species likemesquite and manzanita in some areas. Lowerelevation canyons support a variety of conifer speciesas well as deciduous trees in wet canyons. As onemoves up the mountain many habitat types areencountered and the highest points in the Wilderness

pine-oak and mixed-conifer forests. The Wilderness ischaracterized by steep elevations and precipitouscanyon walls, as well as more gentle terrain in much ofthe higher elevations. The Wilderness adjoins theChiricahua National Monument, known for itsspectacular geological formations, toward the northend of the Chiricahua range. The landscape supportsunusual birds that are most often seen in Mexico, anddiverse plant life including Mexican white pine,Apache pine, Douglas fir, Engelmann spruce, whitefire, aspen, juniper, piñon, Arizona madrone and oak.

AREAS SUITABLE FOR WILDERNESS The Chiricahua Ecosystem Management Area

contains seven distinct roadless areas and has both theChiricahua and Pedragosa Mountains within itsboundaries. The Chiricahua Wilderness Area (87,700acres) lies in the middle of this complex of roadlessareas, and has 61,399 contiguous roadless acres.Situated only 20 miles north of the InternationalBorder, this EMA is an important link for Mexicanspecies that travel north into the U.S. Sky Islands. It ispart of a bird migration corridor linking the U.S.Rockies with the Sierra Madre Occidental.

In the northern Chiricahuas, the 8,113-footCochise Head rock formation towers a mile above theadjacent valleys and has been a landmark for untoldgenerations. Vegetation zones range from semi desertgrasslands to Ponderosa pine and mixed-coniferforests at the higher elevations. As a link to the DosCabeza Mountains and farther north to the PinaleñoMountains, this area acts as an important wildlifecorridor for species traveling north-south along thestring of mountains in southeastern Arizona.Throughout this roadless area, outstandingopportunities for solitude and primitive recreationexist.

Cultural/Archaeological ValuesThis area was a favorite spot of the Chiricahua

Apache and the Chiricahua Mountains are imbuedwith the history of southeast Arizona. Several ofCochise’s primary rancherías was located in theChiricahuas. He used this range as a refuge during the1860s and 1870s, while conflict raged against Angloand Mexican settlers.

Wilderness


Recreational/Scenic ValuesThe Chiricahuas offer outstanding opportunities

for remote hiking, camping, and hunting. Theroadless areas appeal to those who seek out littleknown areas and appreciate remote recreationalopportunities. The area has few well-maintained trails.In contrast to visitation in the Chiricahua WildernessArea, the southern roadless areas rank near thebottom of visitor days across the Coronado NationalForest, not because of the lack of attraction butbecause of their rough access and seclusion. Visitorscan expect breathtaking views. From the high cliffs ofLimestone Mountain to the secluded canyons of Hunt,High Lonesome and Bruno, wilderness abounds. Allroads entering the area are rough at best and four-wheel drive is needed for almost all sectors.

In the north, the visitor standing on the bald peakof towering Cochise Head takes in sweeping views inall directions and a sense of wonder and vastnesssweeps over those who manage to find their way here.The rock formations alone astound; hoodoos, towers,spikes, ravines, caves and slot canyons arecommonplace. In the lush canyons draining to theadjacent valleys, the brilliant color of maple,cottonwood, and sycamore trees turn the landscapeinto a shimmering array of scenic wonder in the fall.Combined with the ever-changing hues of sunlight onthe many rock faces, this unit is a vibrant opportunityfor remote recreation and adventure. Only three trailsreach the interior of the northern Roadless areas —Wood, Emigrant, and Indian Creek Trails. Visitors onhorseback or foot can explore the many interestingside canyons, use their skills in orienteering among thetwists and turns of the landscape, or test their huntingskills against the challenging terrain. Sufficient spacefor car camping exists nearby; other canyons such asWest Whitetail, Fox, and Triangle provide additionalaccess points.

Bird watching, scenic viewing, and photographicopportunities also abound within this unit. Red mapleand gold aspen leaves combined with the glowingrhyolite rock makes for magnificent scenic qualities.The cliffs and riparian areas attract many raptors andrare subtropical birds abound that are unique to thisregion of the country so near the Mexican border.The wild call of Peregrine Falcons echo off the canyonwalls and Mexican Spotted Owls find a cool and quietrefuge here.

WatershedsIn the north, the major drainages of Indian Creek,

Whitetail Creek, and Wood Canyon run east andnorth. These watersheds gather an important sourceof water for agricultural interests in the upper SanSimon Valley south of Interstate 10, as well as for thepeople residing in the area. Jhus Canyon and CaveCreek are the main drainages in the two roadless areasfound closest to Portal. Runoff from the north end ofthe Chiricahuas eventually finds its way to the Gilaand then the Colorado River.

In the southern end, Bruno Canyon and the sidecanyons associated with Big Bend Creek in thesouthern Chiricahuas, often referred to as thePedragosa Mountains, course their way around theSwisshelm Mountains to the west before turning southat Whitewater Draw and eventually connecting withthe Río San Bernardino in northern Sonora, Mexico.

VegetationRare and important riparian habitats are present

within the northern unit. Notably, Wood Canyon,Indian Creek, and Emigrant Canyon support lushvegetation of bigtooth maple, Arizona sycamore,Frémont cottonwood, and other riparian obligates.One of the biggest juniper trees in the United Statesoccurs in Wood Canyon; at more than 23 feet indiameter and 75 feet high it is a rare survivor of thedays when harvest of junipers occurred for their rot-resistant heartwood, prized for fencing in early ranchdays. Riparian strips in the southern part of the EMA,such as High Lonesome and Box Canyons, contain amix of Madrean oaks and riparian obligates such asFrémont cottonwood, Arizona walnut, and velvet ash.The upper drainages are lush in vegetation andprovide important habitat for many species of birdsand mammals that inhabit the Pedragosas, and theChiricahuas to the north. The slopes are dominated byPonderosa pine and mixed conifer in higher elevationsand Madrean oak woodlands in midland elevations.

The lower drainages, such as Big Bend, containdesert willow and mesquite, with a few netleafhackberries and Arizona walnuts. The more interiorcanyons, such as Box Canyon, contain Frémontcottonwood, Arizona walnut, and velvet ash. Madreanoaks are also found in or near many of the drainages.Box Canyon is producing many young cottonwoods,most probably from the floods of 1993. The valleysand mesas contain semi-desert grassland, withtransition to interior chaparral on the south-facing


slopes. Junipers are sparse on the lower slopes,increasing in frequency on the higher slopes. Oaks areintermixed among junipers on the north-facing andhigher slopes.

The Cave Creek drainage is one of the longest inthe Chiricahuas with over 25 linear miles of sycamoreand other riparian vegetative associations. Habitatswithin the watershed include spruce-fir and mixedconifer, pine and Madrean evergreen oak woodlands,sycamore riparian associations, mesquite, desert scruband piñon-juniper. Rhyolite cliffs provide structuraldiversity and a variety of microclimates. Cave Creek’stall canyon walls plus its generally southwest tonortheast aspect of the drainage mean the riparianarea is relatively sheltered from summer climaticextremes. Cold air drainage from northeast side of theChiricahuas highest peaks create conditionsdownstream that are more mesic conditions than arefound in neighboring canyons. Cave Creek hasnumerous springs and perennial water flows to aboutthe 5,000 foot level in summer, lower in winter.

Jhus Canyon has about 3.5 miles of riparian in itsmain fork, and an additional 4 miles of side drainagewith some riparian. The vegetation at the lower eastend is desert grassland with large sycamores growingin the alluvium-filled gravel wash. The canyonnarrows and becomes more mesic halfway up itslength, and at higher elevations contains maturesycamore, maple, and Gambel oak stands with someconifer.

Wildlife—Common and Sensitive SpeciesThe southern roadless areas are exceptionally good

deer habitat with outstanding grasslands and openterrain. Quail and javelina are also locally abundant.Other species include mountain lion and a healthypopulation of black bear. Many predominantlyMexican bird species can be spotted here. Thesemidesert grasslands, Madrean oak woodlands, andinterior chaparral provide critical cover for many ofthese animals, including the jaguar.

An important feature of the EMA is its populationof birds of prey. (See Proposed Cave Creek ZoologicalBotanical Area, page 2-24.)

The Chiricahua Roadless Complex provideshabitat for dynamic populations of common andsensitive species. These habitats should be protected tomaintain healthy levels of wildlife populations, toprevent species decline and extirpation, and to provide

a refuge for rare species that live and travel throughthese ranges. The following is a partial list of thesensitive species and their status within the ChiricahuaRoadless Complex.

APACHE GOSHAWK (Accipiter gentilis apache): TheApache goshawk occurs throughout the Chiricahuas.It is larger and darker than the Northern Goshawkand as a putative subspecies of the Northern goshawkit is considered a Species of Concern under theEndangered Species Act, as a Sensitive Species by theUnited States Forest Service (USFS), and as Wildlife ofSpecial Concern by the Arizona Game and FishDepartment (AZGFD). Unlike hawk species that huntin open country, the Apache goshawk prefers high-forested mountains and Madrean oak woodlands.

MEXICAN LONG-TONGUED BAT (Choeronycterismexicana): The Mexican long-tongued bat occurs inthe northern Chiricahuas and is listed as a Species ofConcern under the Endangered Species Act, as aSensitive Species by the BLM, and as Wildlife ofSpecial Concern by the AZGFD. The Mexican long-tongued bat inhabits canyons of mixed-oak coniferforests in mountains that rise from the desert as farnorth as the Santa Catalina Mountains and as far westas the Baboquivari Mountains.

NORTHERN BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Empidonaxfulvifrons pygmaeus): The northern buff-breastedflycatcher occurs throughout the Chiricahuas and islisted as a Species of Concern by the EndangeredSpecies Act and as Wildlife of Special Concern by theAZGFD. This flycatcher inhabits open stands of pineor sycamore and riparian vegetation, breeding only inthe Chiricahua, the Huachuca, and the Santa CatalinaMountains.

GREATER WESTERN BONNETED BAT (Eumops perotiscalifornicus): The greater western bonneted bat occursin the northern Chiricahuas and is listed as a Speciesof Concern under the Endangered Species Act.

LESSER LONG-NOSED BAT (Leptonycteris curasoaeyerbabuenae): The lesser long-nosed bat occurs in thenorthern Chiricahuas and is listed as Endangeredunder the Endangered Species Act, as a SensitiveSpecies by the USFS, and as Wildlife of SpecialConcern by the AZGFD. It inhabits desert grasslandand shrubland up to oak transition and spans fromthe Picacho Mountains south into Mexico.

MEXICAN SPOTTED OWL (Strix occidentalis lucida):Fourteen PACs (Protected Activity Centers) for

Special Interest Areas are designated to protectunique values including botanical, zoological,geological, historical, or scenic values. They may alsobe designated to protect and manage sensitive orimperiled species or other elements of biologicaldiversity. Special Interest Areas help the Forest Servicepreserve important historic, cultural and naturalaspects of our national heritage. Two special interestareas currently exist on the Chiricahua EcosystemManagement Area, South Fork Zoological andBotanical Area, and Pole Bridge Research NaturalArea. The extraordinary characteristics of theManagement Area warrant the designation of a twonew Special Interest Areas, Cave Creek CanyonZoological and Botanical Area, and Barfoot ZoologicalArea.

South Fork Zoological and Botanical AreaThis area consists of 762 acres that have been

identified as supporting flora and fauna associationsthat are unique enough to warrant specialmanagement. South Fork is known for nesting eleganttrogons and Mexican spotted owls (2006) along with agreat diversity of other resident bird species. Thesouth fork of Cave Creek is a gently to moderatelysloping, frequently flowing intermittent stream withnative riparian vegetation.

Pole Bridge Canyon Research Natural AreaThe Pole Bridge Research Natural Area

encompasses the short and steep drainage of PoleBridge Canyon located within the great Turkey Creekwatershed. It is on the west side of the mountainswithin the Chiricahua Wilderness. The area was

designated to protect populations of southern Arizonapines including Apache pine, southwestern white pine,piñon pine, and Arizona pine. Goshawks and Mexicanspotted owls occur in the vicinity of the RNA. Otherrare elements include the Chiricahua fox squirrel, andred-faced warbler.

Proposed Cave Creek Canyon Zoological Botanical Area

SIZE: Approximately 50 square miles

BOUNDARIES: The Cave Creek Canyon Bird of PreyZBA should include the entire Cave Creek watershed,including its tributary Silver Creek (Figure 2.5).

ELEVATION RANGE: Approximately 4600 to 9700 feet

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF AREA: Located in theChiricahua Mountains, Cave Creek Canyon lies ineastern Cochise County in southeast Arizona,approximately 10 miles west of the New Mexico lineand 50 miles north of the Mexican border. The CaveCreek drainage is one of the longest in theChiricahuas.

The proposed Cave Creek Canyon Bird of PreyZBA should include the approximately 50 square mileCave Creek watershed, including Silver Creek, in thenortheast corner of the Chiricahua Mountains. Thearea includes some designated Wilderness and theexisting South Fork Zoological Botanical area. Apartfrom a 160-acre inholding divided between 9 owners,including the American Museum’s SouthwesternResearch Station, the proposed area lies within theCoronado National Forest in the Douglas RangerDistrict.


Special Management Areas

Mexican Spotted Owl pairs occur in the central andnorthern Chiricahuas. The species is listed asThreatened under the Endangered Species Act, as aSensitive Species by the USFS, and as Wildlife ofSpecial Concern by the AZGFD. It inhabits dense old-growth mixed-conifer forests and mature ripariandeciduous forest, and requires a microclimate that iscool and thermally stable for nesting and roosting. It ismost often found by day roosting in dense trees at thebase of north-facing cliffs

CHIRICAHUA LEOPARD FROG (Rana chiricahuensis):The Chiricahua leopard frog occurs in the complex of

roadless areas found in the Chiricahua EMA and islisted as Threatened under the Endangered SpeciesAct, as a Sensitive Species by the USFS, and as Wildlifeof Special Concern by the AZGFD. It inhabits aquaticareas in woodlands, grasslands, and deserts in rockystreams with deep pools east and south of theMogollon Rim.

CHIRICAHUA FOX SQUIRREL (Sciurus nayaritensischiricahuae): This species is endemic to theChiricahuas.


CURRENT USES: This area is currently usedfor biological research, bird watching,education, ecotourism-based and privatewildlife viewing, hiking, camping, hunting,and grazing. There are 11 summer recreationresidences in the watershed.

JUSTIFICATION FOR DESIGNATION: Cave CreekCanyon is a world-famous birding area,renowned for its diversity of bird life. Inrecent years, an astounding fact has emergedfrom research I and others have done in thearea: the Cave Creek area supports the U.S.’sdensest known population of nesting raptors.This single fact makes it of global biologicalsignificance.

In an approximately 20.5 square mile study area(Figure 2.5) we found 259 nesting pairs of hawks,falcons, owls, falcons, eagles, ravens and vultures. Theconcentration of breeding raptors is over 4 times thatof Idaho’s famous Snake River Birds of Prey NationalConservation Area, managed by the BLM, where 16species of raptors are found nesting. A total of 24species of birds of prey breed in the Cave Creek studyarea and six more species have nested within 25 milesof the proposed ZBA. An additional five species winteror regularly pass by on migration, for a total of 35species of birds of prey using this area in southeastArizona (Table 2.5). Five species of small owlcomprise over 60% of the nesting pairs of raptors,some nesting as close as 180 feet from conspecifics.Arizona’s first nesting record for Short-tailed Hawkswas documented just off the proposed Cave CreekZBA in 2007.

HABITATS: The Chiricahuas are the largest of the 11sky island mountain systems on the Coronado, andalong the 25 miles of Cave Creek and its majortributaries the mix of sycamores and oaks supportsdense populations of Acorn Woodpeckers, bird thatare an important source of nest cavities used by themany small owls. Other habitats within the proposedarea include spruce-fir and mixed conifer, pine andMadrean evergreen oak woodlands, sycamore riparianassociations, mesquite, desert scrub and piñon-juniper. Rhyolite cliffs provide structural diversity andnesting, roosting and foraging habitat for severalspecies of raptors. The tall canyon walls and generallysouthwest to northeast aspect of the drainage meanthe riparian area is somewhat sheltered from summerextremes and is more mesic that similar canyons

elsewhere. Cave Creek has perennial water down toabout the 5,000 foot level in summer, lower in winter.

OTHER IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE AREA:

The National Audubon Society has designated allof the Chiricahuas as an Important Bird Area at theContinental level, and it should qualify for a Globallevel IBA this year.

The Chiricahua Regional Council has endorsed theidea of the Cave Creek Canyon Bird of Prey ZBA.

The American Museum of Natural History’sSouthwestern Research Station (SWRS) has beenbased in the canyon since 1955. Hundreds of researchprojects have been conducted on and around theSWRS grounds, including long-term studiesstretching over decades.

The South Fork Zoological Botanical Area wasestablished to protect the South Fork ecosystem. Thisarea is heavily visited by birders in search of theElegant Trogon, a highly sought-after bird with amainly Mexican distribution, and several species ofowl including Whiskered Screech Owl, Elf Owl andFlammulated Owl.

The USFS has a historic ranger station near Portal,now operated intermittently as a Visitor InformationCenter. It would make an ideal center for interpretiveactivities.

The Nature Conservancy has a small preservecreated by easements on private land below the USFSboundary above Portal.

Figure 2.5 Proposed Cave Creek CanyonZoological and Botanical Area

There are five developed USDA Forest Servicecampgrounds and a picnic area in the canyon.Campgrounds are used year-round by birders,hunters, and others seeking recreation. Hiking trailsfollow the larger drainages, several other trails offerroutes to high country and the Crest Trail traverses theupper end of the watershed.

Hunting is an important use in fall and wintermonths. The area along the canyon bottom is offlimits to weapons discharge in a ½ mile wide stripfrom the Forest boundary to above the SouthwesternResearch Station.

Rhyolite is not suitable for climbing and rock-climbing is not often practiced in the canyon sodisturbance to birds of prey from climbing is not anissue.

Ecotourism is the most important economicactivity. 95% of the local businesses in and aroundPortal are related to or dependent in one way oranother on the famed biotic richness of this area.

The town of Portal has about 150 residents and issituated where the canyon leaves the mountains. Manyresidents are retired and interested in nature, and thereis a ready supply of volunteers to help at the VIC.

One grazing lease is in current use in the proposedZBA; its boundaries are the same as the proposedspecial designation area, i.e. the Cave Creek watershed.

13,000 acres at the scenic mouth of the canyonwere withdrawn from mineral entry in the early 1990s.

THREATS: The greatest current threat to theproposed ZBA is fire, although road access to thecanyon bottoms for fire vehicles is good and recent firestarts near roads have been quickly suppressed. TheBurro Fire in 2005 was caused by undocumentedaliens and the potential exists for more such incidents.

In recent years, human and drug smuggling traffichas increased and it has moved into the mountainsfrom the valleys. Trash and human waste are aproblem in some heavily-traveled areas.

Arizona is growing fast and a longer-term threat isincreased visitation pressure on the area from peopleseeking shade and cool temperatures for recreation inthe summer months. Pressure can be expected frominterests wanting to expand campgrounds and otherfacilities.

Birding is done by ear as well as by sight, and noiseabatement should be a part of a management plan.Current sources of noise include generators used atSunny Flats after it was paved and made RV-accessible;groups on motorcycles touring through the canyon;and low-flying aircraft such as ultralights which arebecoming a popular form of recreation and are asource of noise as well as a dangerous threat to certainnesting raptors, in particular Golden Eagles which areintolerant of disturbance during incubation and earlynestling stages.

Forest users participating in 2006 forest planningfocus groups have identified silence, peace and quietand the absence of man-made noise as importantforest values.


Table 2.5 Species of Raptors Utilizing theCave Creek Canyon Study Area

Four species in study area nested off USFS-managed land. Theproposed ZBA will have 20 of the 24 species nesting in the study area.

Raptors Using the Cave Creek Canyon Study AreaNesting Number Species Nesting Within Species of Pairs 10 Miles of Study Area

Barn Owl * 1 Northern HarrierBurrowing Owl * 1 Gray HawkElf Owl 55 Harris’ HawkFlammulated Owl 11 Short-tailed HawkLong-eared Owl 1 Black HawkWestern Screech Owl 38 White-tailed KiteWhiskered Screech Owl 55Northern Pygmy Owl 21Saw-whet Owl 1 WINTERING SPECIESMexican Spotted Owl 5 Ferruginous HawkGreat Horned Owl 11 MerlinGolden Eagle 1 Short-tailed HawkPeregrine Falcon 4Prairie Falcon 2American Kestrel 2 MIGRANTSSharp-shinned Hawk 1 Bald EagleCooper’s Hawk 14 Black VultureNorthern Goshawk 1Swainson’s Hawk * 1Red-tailed Hawk 11Zone-tailed Hawk 4Turkey Vulture 8Chihuahuan Raven * 1Common Raven 9

TOTAL 259

* Species nesting in study area but off USFS land


RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE USE: Current usesare compatible with a future special designation forthe Cave Creek Bird of Prey ZBA.

� Birding will probably increase and non-birdervisitors may want specifically to see birds of prey, andthis should be anticipated and managed for.

� Trail, road and campground maintenance shouldcontinue but no further paving of campgrounds orwidening, re-routing or additional paving of roadsshould be done.

� Removal of hazard trees should be done inconsultation with the district biologist as many ofthese trees support owl and other bird nests as well asrodent and reptile shelter.

� Fences need to be maintained to keep cattle withintheir allotments.

� Guide-outfitter permits have been very difficult toobtain apparently due to USFS staff time constraints,but this situation should be remedied.

� The Visitor Information Center should be staffedand interpretive material added to highlight the CaveCreek Canyon Bird of Prey ZBA.

PROPOSED BY: Helen Snyder

Proposed Barfoot Zoological Area

NAME: Barfoot Zoological Area

SIZE: Approximately 395 acres (160 hectares)

BOUNDARIES: This Zoological Area is bounded onthe north side by the top of the ridge that includesBarfoot Peak, on the east side by the top of the ridgethat includes Buena Vista Peak, and on the southwestside by a line connecting these two ridges such thatBarfoot Spring and Barfoot Park are included (Figure2.6).

ELEVATION: Approximately 7,800 to 8,800 feet

General description of area: This Zoological Areaincludes ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forest, aswell as subalpine meadows and a spring. Steep talusslopes are abundant on the Barfoot and Buena Vistaridges.

CURRENT USES: This area is currently used forwildlife viewing, hiking, camping, off-road vehicle use,and hunting. The USFS has made an effort in recentyears to restrict off-road vehicles to existing dirt roads.

This area is renowned worldwide by birders andreptile enthusiasts for the diverse and unusual speciesit supports. Due to the high diversity of habitatswithin this area and its proximity to Mexico, manybird species that are uncommon in the United States,such as olive warblers, Grace’s warblers, red-facedwarblers, zone-tailed hawks, short-tailed hawks,yellow-eyed juncos, Mexican chickadees, andnumerous hummingbird species, can be observedhere.

This area supports the largest known population oftwin-spotted rattlesnakes (Crotalus pricei) in theUnited States. This state-protected species is oftenillegally collected here for sale in the pet trade. Thisarea likely represents the best habitat for twin-spottedrattlesnakes in the U.S., and therefore conservation ofthis population will be crucial to ensuring that twin-spotted rattlesnakes do not become extirpated fromthe U.S. as a result of climate change and illegalcollection.

In addition to twin-spotted rattlesnakes, theBarfoot Zoological Area provides habitat for almostevery reptile and amphibian species found in theChiricahua Mountains at its elevation, includingcanyon tree frogs (Hyla arenicolor), mountain spinylizards (Sceloporus jarrovii), bunch grass lizards(Sceloporus slevini), striped plateau lizards (Sceloporusvirgatus), madrean alligator lizards (Elgaria kingii),and black-tailed rattlesnakes (Crotalus molossus).

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE USE: Bird andreptile research should be encouraged within theZoological Area, especially because this area may

Figure 2.6 Proposed Barfoot Zoological Area


1 Bennett, P.S., and M. R. Kunzmann. 1992. Factorsaffecting plant species richness in the Madrean Archipelagonorth of Mexico. Chiricahua Mountains ResearchSymposium Proceedings. Southwest Parks andMonuments.

2 Blake, Clark, editor. 2004. Finding Birds in SoutheastArizona. Tucson Audubon Society, Tucson, AZ.

3 Vanderpool, Tim. 2001. In search of Arizona’s elegantvisitor. National Wildlife (39). p. 30.

4 Blake, Clark, editor. 2004.

5 Blake, Clark, editor. 2004.

6 Wetmore, A. 1935. The thick-billed parrot in Arizona.The Condor (37). pp. 18-21.

7 Roth, Vincent D. 1978. Letter to M. J. Hassell RegionalForester from the Southwestern Research Station. August25, 1978.

8 Roth, Vincent D. 1978.

9 Chiricahua IBA report.

10 Reid, J., and S. Whittlesey. 1997. The Archeology ofAncient Arizona. University of Arizona Press, Tucson.

11 Hayes, Alden. 1999. A Portal to Paradise. The Universityof Arizona Press, Tucson.

12 Cordell, L. S. 1984. Prehistory of the Southwest.Academic Press, Inc., Orlando, and Reid, J., and S.Whittlesey. 1997. The Archeology of Ancient Arizona.University of Arizona Press, Tucson.

13 Opler, M. E. 1941. An Apache Life-Way: The economic,social, and religious institutions of the Chiricahua Indians.University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, London.

14 Fischer, D. L. 2001. Early Southwest Ornithologists 1528-1900. University of Arizona Press., Tucson.

15 Thrapp, D. L. 1967. The Conquest of Apacheria.University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.

16 Sweeney, E. R. 1991. Cochise: Chiricahua Apache Chief.University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.

17 Wilson, John P. 1955. Islands in the Desert A History ofthe Uplands of Southeastern Arizona. University of NewMexico Press, Albuquerque.

18 Sweeney, E. R. 1991.

19 Sweeney, 1991.

20 Bahre, C.J. 1995. Human impacts on the Grasslands ofsoutheastern Arizona. In: M.P. McClaran and T.R. VanDevender, eds. The Desert Grassland. The University ofArizona Press, Tucson, AZ. p. 230-264.

21 Wilson, John P. 1955.

undergo drastic changes as a result of climate changein coming decades. I recommend that off-roadvehicles be banned from th

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