The Black Pine Mountains are located southeast of Malta, Idaho. The Idaho-Utah state border lies at the south end of the range. The Raft River Valley is to the west, Interstate 84 runs the length of the valley to the east. The Black Pine Mountains are included within the Black Pine Division of the Sawtooth National Forest. A small amount of BLM and Idaho State land adjoins the forest lands. See Figure M-1. Much of the land adjoining the Black Pine Division and adjacent public lands is held in private ownership.

The Black Pine Mountains and adjacent lands are part of the Western Basin and Range ecosystem subregion (Ecoregions of the United Sates, USDA Forest Service, 1994). Elevations range from less than 4,800 feet on BLM lands to the heights of Black Pine Cone at 8,008 feet and War Eagle Peak at 8,716 feet. The Black Pine Range consists of dissected fault block mountains rising above arid valleys. The range is composed of Devonian to Permian Age sedimentary rock. Precious metal mineralization is hosted in Pennsylvanian to Permian Age sediments. The region has been prospected and mined historically as well as in modern times (Black Pine Mine Final BIS, USDA Forest Service, 1994).

Average annual precipitation for the Black Pine Mountains and adjacent lands is considered to be less than 15 inches per year. The highest precipitation amounts occur from March-June. Average annual temperatures range from daytime highs of 31 ⁰F or less in January to 90 ⁰F or more in July (Black Pine Mine Final EIS, USDA Forest Service, 1994). Higher elevations are generally inaccessible from the end of December to the end of May.

The recreational values and uses of the Black Pine Mountains are mainly prospecting, hunting, and related outdoor activities. Most roads are accessible only by high-clearance or 4-wheel drive vehicles. The Black Pine Mine habitat and areas have been closed to public access and hunting for a number of years. The Forest Service ordered this for public safety while the mine was in operation. There are no improved campgrounds, although some camping does occur in some of the canyon areas. Public access is limited by the unimproved road conditions as well as by the adjoining, large expanses of private property. A shallow reservoir can be found in 6-Mile Canyon, but fisheries values are limited.

The Black Pine Mountains and adjacent lands in the south and eastern portions of the range support four major plant communities. These can be described as Conifer/Mountain Mahogany, Sagebrush-Grass, Utah Juniper, and Subalpine. Sagebrush communities include Basin and Wyoming Big Sage at lower elevations, Mountain Big Sage and Low Sage at higher elevations (Black Pine Mine Final EIS, USDA Forest Service, 1994).

Groves of Aspen and Aspen/Conifer habitats are also present, particularly in the more northern, interior, and western locations of the range. A wide variety of other native shrubs, forbs (herbaceous plants), and grasses are present. Native vegetation has been altered in some of the region through past activities including prescribed burns, Crested Wheat-grass seedlings, beetle infestations, timber harvesting, and livestock grazing. Cheat grass has invaded some of the more heavily grazed and disturbed habitats (Black Pine Mine Final EIS, USDA Forest Service, 1994).

War Eagle Peak hosts populations of the sensitive plant, Desert Buckwheat (Eriogonum

desertorum). Another plant on the sensitive list in the region is Simpson's Hedgehog

Cactus (Pediocactus simpsonii), found in a number of locations in the Black Pine Mountains (CDC Data Base, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 1999).

The Forest Service established a Research Natural Area in upper Mill Fork, a tributary of Pole Canyon. Pole Canyon is located near the northeastern edge of the Black Pine Division. Research Natural areas are established to maintain and preserve natural processes and biological or physical features. This Research Natural Area includes both forest and shrub-steppe habitats. Although no surface water is usually present, the site hosts a variety of grasses, forbs (herbaceous plants), shrubs, and trees. Impacts to the Research Natural Area occurred in 1999 from livestock access and firewood harvesting, although both activities are prohibited by a Research Natural Area designation (Pole Canyon RNA Establishment Record, Forest Service Intermountain Region).

Watershed values of the Black Pine Division and adjacent public lands are limited by low precipitation. Surface water is lacking throughout much of the region. Surface run-off is limited in much of the range to snowmelt and summer precipitation events. Many drainage courses show little sign of run-off activity; some are ephemeral streams that run occasionally during wet years or after heavy precipitation events.

There are perennial streams on the west side in Kelsaw, Six-Mile, and Eight-mile Canyons. There are a number of springs, a few wells, and some water developments for livestock. Springs in the Black Pines are very valuable wildlife resources, due to the lack of surface water in much of the region (Black Pine Mine Final EIS, USDA Forest Service, 1994). There are currently no perennial streams on the east side of the Black Pine Mountains.

Wildlife values of the Black Pine Mountains and adjacent lands support a wide variety of mammals, birds, and other species. The state sensitive Cliff Chipmunk has been found in the Mineral Gulch area. The Black Pine region and adjacent lands are historic Kit Fox habitat (CDC Data Base, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 1999). Pygmy Rabbits inhabit the historic Tallman Pit area, as well as BLM lands on the valley floor (Brachylagus idahoensis, Pygmy Rabbits: Biological Review, Sightings, and Site Comparison, Austin, 2000).

Antelope can be found at the south end of the Black Pine Mountains, and utilize some of the habitat during parts of the year. Mule Deer use the Black Pine Mountains for both winter and summer range, as well as for fawning grounds. Documented Sage Grouse and Sharp-tailed Grouse lek sites are within the region; which also includes valuable Sage Grouse wintering habitat (Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2000). Other state sensitive bird species in the region include Loggerhead Shrikes, Pinyon Jays, and Northern Pygmy Owls (CDC Data Base, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 1999, 2000).

The Black Pine Division has small population numbers of Snowshoe Hares (Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 1999). The Black Pine Mountains contain habitat suitable for remnant populations of the Canada Lynx, and also supports alternate prey sources used by lynx such as grouse, jackrabbits, and other small mammals. Lynx are adversely affected by human activities, livestock utilization, roads, and logging (Idaho's Canada Lynx: Pieces of the Puzzle, Lewis and Wenger, 1998). Since the interior of the Black Pines lacks major roads and recreation activities, it offers a potential for remnant lynx populations.

The Black Pine Division and adjacent lands are host to some of Idaho's sensitive bat species. Mist-netting surveys (bats are captured and released) on the west side have identified 3 different species (Bureau of Land Management, 1999). These include the Long-legged Myotis (Myotis volans), Long-eared Myotis (Myotis evotis) and the Western Small-footed Myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum). The insect resources of the Black Pine Mountains and the few open water sources are very important to these small mammals. Idaho's bat species have been in decline. The presence of successful maternal colonies in an area increases the value of that habitat as well as its need for protection (Idaho's Bats, Department of Fish and Game, 1996).

Six-Mile Canyon and its waters still support remnant populations of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout at this time. It is believed by state biologists that nearly every perennial stream in Idaho once hosted populations of fish species such as the Yellowstone Cutthroat or Red-band Trout. The value of such streams already supporting remnant populations and the need for protection is very high (Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2000).

Habitat conditions can have profound short and long-term effects on which species are able to successfully use a location. Mammal and bird observations were recorded during the surveys performed at a variety of riparian locations. This data is included in Appendix F for the benefit of interested land managers or members of the public. The presence or non-presence of species, presence of habitat-generalists, and other clues provided by the frequency observations can aid in determining the health of a riparian system or identifying needed changes. Although short-term data is not definitive for these locations, it is indicative and has been made available as a management resource.

The Black Pine Division and adjacent public lands are currently being used for livestock grazing purposes. The very limited amount of riparian habitat and water sources in the Black Pine Mountains increases the value of existing sites. Livestock utilization of riparian habitat can lead to adverse impacts of vegetation, watershed, and wildlife values if proper guidelines and standards are not applied. A survey has been performed of representative seeps, springs, and riparian zones in the Black Pine Division and on adjacent public lands in order to determine the condition of riparian habitats following the 1999 grazing season.

Each of the following summaries contains a short description of impacts, recommendations for action, and photographic documentation. The recommendations reflect current (year 2000) riparian recovery times recommended by the USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region and Rocky Mountain Research Station scientists.