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Rock Creek Wilderness Frequently Asked
Questions Is livestock grazing prohibited in Wilderness areas? Will Wilderness designation cause people to “flock” to Rock Creek and erode its wild character? Does Wilderness restrict recreation opportunities? Will Wilderness harm local and regional economies? Can fires, insects, and diseases be controlled in Wilderness areas? Is motorized transportation totally prohibited in Wilderness areas, even in emergencies? Will Wilderness “lock up” commercial forestlands?
Is livestock grazing prohibited in Wilderness areas? No, livestock grazing is not prohibited in designated Wilderness Areas. Section 4(d)(4)(2) of the National Wilderness Act of 1964 states: “…the grazing of livestock, where established prior to the effective date of this Act, shall be permitted to continue subject to such reasonable regulations as are deemed necessary by the Secretary of Agriculture.” Current grazing permit holders will continue to be able to use lands in Rock Creek if it is designated as Wilderness.
Will Wilderness designation cause people to “flock” to Rock
Creek and erode its wild character? Rock Creek has no prominent lakes or peaks. Currently the majority of backpackers, mountaineers, and climbers seeking these features head for the high country near or above timberline, leaving Rock Creek to be used mostly by trail riders, hunters, and anglers. There is no reason to believe these usage patterns would change simply because of Wilderness designation. Furthermore, the Rock Creek addition would become part of Cloud Peak Wilderness, and therefore would not attract undue attention by becoming its own distinct Wilderness Area.
Does Wilderness restrict recreation opportunities? Actually, Wilderness designation for Rock Creek would have no effect on motorized use because there are no legal motorized trails or roads within the area. The Bighorn National Forest (BNF) has always managed Rock Creek as a primitive or non-motorized area. According to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the BNF Revised Management Plan (2005), motorized users already have access to 2,536 miles of motorized roads and trails on the BNF. Of the 1.1 million acres in the BNF, 71% is managed for motorized use. Will Wilderness harm local and regional economies? Quite the contrary. Wilderness provides numerous economic benefits and maintains the natural capital that can help communities diversify economies by attracting and retaining new businesses, residents, and a local workforce. Wilderness also protects scenic backdrops that can improve property values, thereby increasing county revenues. Designating new Wilderness would preserve and increase the recreational value of the BNF. As the chart below shows, recreation, hunting and fishing provide the majority of BNF-related income to local communities.
Income from Bighorn National Forest
into Local Economies—(4 counties)
Can fires, insects, and diseases be controlled in Wilderness areas? Section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (1964) states that “such [motorized or mechanized] measures may be taken as necessary in the control of fires, insects, and diseases.” Is motorized transportation totally prohibited in Wilderness areas, even in emergencies? The Wilderness Act prohibits the general use of motorized and mechanized equipment or vehicles in Wilderness, but the legislation clearly allows nonconforming uses when necessary to ensure the health and safety of people (e.g. firefighting, search and rescue, etc.). Will Wilderness “lock up” commercial forestlands? Wilderness preservation is a negligible factor in the availability and production of U.S. timber. Generally, timber in designated and potential Wilderness is less accessible and less cost-efficient to harvest than other government and private forestlands that are readily available. Building a road into the rugged Rock Creek area for timber harvest would cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Other areas in the BNF are more accessible, economical, and ecologically suitable for timber harvest. The BNF Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Revised Forest Management Plan (2005) states that the Rock Creek area is not needed to meet clearly documented resource demands for timber. The 2005 Forest Plan also states that there is low potential for oil and gas and no mineral potential in the area.
Wyoming Wilderness Association |