7. Twin Lakes, Thompson Flat
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 13S R 24E Section 2 Cassia County
Forest Division: Albion Mountain
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass/Aspen-Conifer
Impacts: Livestock utilization during the 1999 season severely impacted these two sites, located within recreational areas adjacent to Mt. Harrison. Severe removal of vegetation, water loss, and trampling occurred at the small vernal ponds in the Twin Lakes camping area. Vegetation in the marsh south of Thompson Flat campground and summer home region was also severely impacted. Four rare plants are known to exist near the top of Mt. Harrison. Christ's Indian Paint Brush (Castilleja christii) has been petitioned for listing as a Threatened and Endangered Species due to livestock presence and impacts in the rare plant area.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be permanently excluded from the top of Mt. Harrison, the adjacent habitat, and the recreational areas. The presence of livestock is not compatible with recreation values or rare plant protection.
List of Figures:
1. Severe utilization impacts; trampling, loss of water, vegetation removal.
2. Marsh south of Thompson Flat; severe utilization impacts.
