City Creek Management Area (CCMA)

Transcription

City Creek Management Area (CCMA)
Management Plan
October 2009
Executive Summary
Background The City Creek Management Area (CCMA) is owned by the City of Pocatello as a
ground and surface water protection area; the area contains the Cusick and City Creek watersheds.
The CCMA also contains an extensive network of trails for a wide variety of users and is a valuable
recreation resource for the community. As the trail network has become more popular and more
heavily used, it has become apparent that more formal management of the CCMA is necessary to both
curtail environmental damage to the watershed from recreational use, and minimize trail user conflicts.
This effort to better manage the area was initiated by a group of concerned citizens in 2007 who
formed the City Creek Trail Users Group (CCTUG) and proposed to the City a variety of user rules
and guidelines to improve management of the area, and identified a number of erosion control projects
that the City needed to conduct. Based on feedback from this effort, Mayor Chase formed the City
Creek Working Group to draft a management plan for the area that would address management
concerns raised by this group and others in the community. The working group included members
from a variety of user groups (hikers, mountain bikers, hunters, ATV and motorcycle riders, full size
vehicle users, equestrian riders). Also attending meetings were representatives from the Bureau of Land
Management, United States Forest Service, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and Idaho
Fish & Game, along with several City of Pocatello staff members.
The Plan includes the following:
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A list of erosion control projects
Recommended trail closures and
potential new trail access points
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Review process for new trails
Recommended user rules
Desired Outcomes from Implementation of the Management Plan
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City Creek and Cusick Creek are healthy streams which support functional steam ecosystems
with limited bacteria and sediment loads.
The trail and road system disperses users amongst multiple trailheads and trail routes.
Problematic trails have been either eliminated or rerouted. Easements for designated access
routes through private properties have been established so non-motorized access is allowed from
multiple points and directly from residential neighborhoods.
The natural character of the CCMA has been maintained and improved.
Trail and road users follow posted rules and are respectful to the environment and each other.
Community members are familiar with the importance of the CCMA for protection of the
City water quality resource and as part of the local ecosystem. Local users and visitors are
familiar with the trail system and have convenient access to user rules and trail maps.
Plan Implementation
The plan provides the City with an extensive list of action items. Most significantly, the City must
begin implementing erosion and sediment control projects on the roads and trails through this area.
While the City can work with volunteer groups, such as CCTUG, to implement user rules and some
habitat and trail improvement projects, ongoing management of the area to achieve the plan’s objectives
will require a significant commitment of financial, material, and personnel resources from the City.
CCMA Management Plan ¦ O c t o b e r 2 0 0 9
Acknowledgements
City Creek Trail Users Group Authors:
Richard Newcomb
Bruce Olenick
Dave Maguire
Jim Herzog
Mayor s Ad-Hoc Committee
Paula Jones, Hiker
Kathy Morter, Hiker
Val Williams, Hiker
Lisa Safford, Mountain Biker
Ed Gygli, Mountain Biker
Richard Newcomb, Mountain Biker
Brant Lukow, Off-road Vehicle
Clark Collins, ATV Rider
Doug Newcomb, ATV Rider
AnnaLucy Keller, Equestrian
Bruce Olenick, Department of Environmental Quality
Blaine Newman, Bureau of Land Management
Chuck Patterson, Bureau of Land Management
Deb Tiller, Forest Service
Jeff Hammes, Forest Service
Jim Mende, Idaho Fish and Game
Hannah Sanger, City of Pocatello Science and Environment
Jerry Sepich, City of Pocatello Parks and Recreation
Michelle Pak, City of Pocatello Planning & Development Services
Russ Olson, City of Pocatello Police
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction & Background
History of the CCMA
Need for a Plan
Stakeholders
Chapter 2: Water Quality
Existing Water Quality Research for City Creek
Research Needs
Erosion Assessment and Erosion Control Projects
Chapter 3: Trail Network
Benefits of a Trail system
Existing Trail/Road Network Assessment
CCMA Use Patterns
Improving Access and Dispersing User Groups
Expansion of the System
Potential Future Trail Construction Projects
Review Process for New Trails
Chapter 4: Management and Maintenance
Management and Maintenance Responsibilities
Directional Maps and Signage
Maps and Signage
User Rules
Large Events
Volunteer Involvement
Chapter 5: Desired Outcomes, Objectives and Action Items
Water Quality
Trail and Road Maintenance
Trail and Road Development
Natural Character
Trail and Road User Behaviors
Community Education
Figure 1: Vicinity Map for the City Creek Management Area .............................................4
Attachment A ‒ City Creek Trail Map ................................................................................33
Attachment B ‒ Existing Trail Network Assessment..............................................................34
Attachment C ‒ Habitat Overview......................................................................................42
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Chapter 1: Introduction and Background
The City Creek Management Area (CCMA) is owned by the City of Pocatello as a ground and surface
water protection area. The CCMA contains Cusick Creek and City Creek watersheds. Cusick Creek is
a seasonal stream that enters the Portneuf River near Lamb Road. City Creek is a perennial stream
entering the Portneuf River at the upstream end of the concrete channel near Centennial Park and the
Pocatello Community Charter School.
The CCMA also contains an extensive network of trails for a wide variety of users and is a valuable
recreation resource for the community. As the trail network has become more popular and more
heavily used, it has become apparent that more formal management of the CCMA is necessary to
curtail environmental damage to the watershed from recreational use as well as to prevent trail user
conflicts and aid and improve law enforcement activities. A need for protection of water resources and
a regulatory emphasis on water quality also necessitate greater attention to management of this area.
History of the CCMA
The Federal Government sold most of the area comprising the CCMA to the City of Pocatello; the sale
was approved by an act of Congress on May 12, 1920. On November 24, 1927 the largest land transfer
was signed by President Calvin Coolidge. The land transfer document (patent #970072) includes
Sections 3, 9 & 10 in Township 7 south of range 34 and contains 1,915 acres. The document also
contains a note that required “if the said lands shall cease to be used for the conservation and protection
of the source of water supply of said City, the land shall revert to the United States.” Other patents in
1922, 1931 and 1936 transferred smaller parcels from the Federal Government to the City of Pocatello.
In the 1980’s the City traded lands with the U.S. Forest Service and obtained all of Section 11. In 1991
an Act of Congress allowed for the original Act of congress from 1920 to be amended to allow the west
½ of Section 2 to be transferred to the State of Idaho for construction of a women’s prison. The
transfer of land was completed by warranty deed in 1998 (recording #97005110).
In 2006 a private property owner named Joe Rainwater donated 42 acres of property which was added
to the north end of the CCMA. This property contains many highly used trails linked into the overall
system in the CCMA. The City of Pocatello Planning Department and Three Rivers RC&D received
an award from the Western Planners Association for their role in coordinating the transfer of property.
At this time the CCMA owned by the City is approximately 3,000 acres in area. The following map
shows the boundaries of the CCMA.
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Figure 1: Vicinity Map for the City Creek Management Area
Need for a Plan
Managing the road and trail network to ensure protection of water quality, user safety and minimal
environmental degradation continues to be a challenge. Use of the road and trail network has grown
significantly in line with regional population growth. The City is also responsible for protecting the
natural resources in the CCMA consistent with many state and federal laws, policies and regulations
that have been developed over the last couple of decades. In addition, the City has been faced with the
problem of people building new trails without permission.
This Plan focuses on the overriding goal of protecting water quality and the integrity of the natural wild
lands, while still allowing recreational access. The Plan establishes a review process and guidelines for
new trails to ensure that future trails will be constructed with City consent using established and
proven methods developed by the International Mountain Bicyclists Association (IMBA). The Plan
also recommends invasive plant control and re-vegetation according to the City’s re-vegetation
guidelines. Maintenance issues including erosion control, trail and road repair and support of City
efforts to mitigate pet related impacts such as dog excrement cleanup are also addressed in the Plan.
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Healthy City Creek and Cusick Creek watersheds are now more valuable than ever. The need to
protect them remains paramount, especially in light of the increasing demands placed on them to
provide a secure, high quality, domestic water supply, to maintain natural ecological functions and to
provide recreational use to a growing population, all in the face of stringent environmental protection
regulations.
It is with all of these factors in mind that the City has developed this Plan. This plan is a working
document that can and should be revised or updated at any time when new challenges arise or as new
information becomes available. It is recommended that documentation and studies more specifically
addressing watershed management will be developed in the coming years. In the meantime, efforts
should be made to address known significant erosion problems as discussed in this plan.
Stakeholders
In the summer of 2007, a group of concerned users met with the City of Pocatello to address resource
management issues including unauthorized trail construction, erosion, water quality problems, user
safety and overall degradation of the landscape in question.
In conjunction with that discussion was the idea that the area could be promoted and protected as an
area for non-motorized use, while at the same time maintaining existing motorized routes.
City Creek Trail Users Group (CCTUG). Since the initial discussions the City has supported the
formation of a “user group” to develop a Road and Trail Management Plan for the area and to
coordinate ongoing user support for the actions defined by the Plan. The first meeting was held on
January 30th, 2008 and regular (typically monthly) meetings have taken place since that time. The
official name of City Creek Trail Users Group (CCTUG) was adopted.
Initial objectives established by CCTUG included the following:
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Provide a volunteer management resource to the City for management of the City Creek
Watershed comprised of active users who understand and care about the related issues and who
frequent the road and trail network on a daily basis.
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Define and map the trail and road network in the City Creek Watershed and adjacent areas
directly connected via the existing trail/road network.
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Work with City, BLM, Forest Service and private property owners to establish clear use criteria
for the existing trail/road network to be reflected in the map.
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Establish a Road and Trail Management Plan, to be adopted by the City, defining the resource
area and associated management practices.
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Provide a forum for user networking and the establishment/coordination of volunteer groups
targeting ongoing maintenance and improvement of the resource.
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Support fund raising efforts to pay for maintenance and improvements.
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Establish ongoing public relations news release programs to inform area residents of issues
relative to the City Creek Watershed resource.
In December 2008 CCTUG presented a draft plan for the CCMA to the City Council in a work
session. The Mayor and Council supported many of the concepts included in this plan, but wanted to
see more of an emphasis on water quality rather than trails and also wanted to see all trail use groups
represented in the plan.
Mayor s Ad-Hoc Committee. The Mayor formed an Ad-Hoc Committee to review the CCMA Plan
and make recommendations for alterations to the plan. This Committee included representatives for
hikers, mountain bikers, off-road vehicle operators, all-terrain vehicle users, equestrians and
representatives from other agencies including Forest Service, BLM, Idaho Fish and Game, and the
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. City staff representatives from Parks and Recreation,
Science and Environment, Police, and Planning were also on the Committee.
This Committee met twice monthly between February-June 2009. They reviewed and revised the plan
that CCTUG created to include a discussion of background information about the CCMA, water
quality, and how user’s groups utilize the trail system. This Committee also recommended a series of
Goals and Objectives which correlate with the Action Items recommended in the plan drafted by
CCTUG.
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Chapter 2: Water Quality and Trail Erosion
The CCMA is a precious water quality resource for the City of Pocatello, as it contributes to both
ground and surface water within the Portneuf Valley. The entire CCMA contributes significantly to
the Lower Portneuf Valley Aquifer via infiltration. City Creek and Cusick Creek are two of the three
perennial tributaries to the Portneuf River located within the City of Pocatello.
The City of Pocatello is working with many partners to improve the health of these streams and the
Portneuf River to support beneficial uses (i.e. fishing, swimming, wading), in accordance with the
requirements of the Clean Water Act and Idaho’s surface water quality regulations. Currently, the
Portneuf River is listed as being impaired for sediment, phosphorous, nitrogen, E.coli, and oil & grease.
The Portneuf River’s Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation Plan (2003) calls for a
60% reduction in current sediment levels in the Portneuf River within the City of Pocatello boundaries
(which contains both Cusick and City Creek). The City of Pocatello is responsible for implementing
programs to reduce the sediment load within this portion of the river.
While a tremendous volume of data has been collected
on the Portneuf River mainstem, much less is known
about City and Cusick Creek. Preliminary data
suggests that City Creek contributes sediment and E.
coli to the Portneuf River, but much more scientific
data needs to be collected to fully characterize the
water quality challenges in the CCMA. Continuous
monitoring to identify changes to water quality and
other stream ecology indicators should be
implemented.
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Existing Water Quality Research for City Creek
In study titled “Consequences of Recreational Land Use for Small Urban Fringe Watersheds”
conducted by researchers at the Stream Ecology Center at Idaho State University’s Biology
Department, researchers compared steam ecology health indicators in City Creek and Gibson Jack
Creek. These two streams are similarly situated in the landscape, except that at City Creek a thick
matrix of roads and trails (motorized and non-motorized) runs alongside and crosses the creek, while at
Gibson Jack Creek access is restricted to one stream crossing on a bridge. At Gibson Jack the trail is
approximately 50 meters away from the stream. City Creek also receives more use by domestic animals
than Gibson Jack, specifically dogs and horses. City Creek is also closer to the Pocatello City Center at
2.27 miles while Gibson Jack is 7.32 miles from the City Center. The study found the following:
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Suspended Sediment: City creek had consistently more suspended solids than Gibson Jack;
suspended solids can directly affect aquatic plants and animals.
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Substrate Embeddedness: The depth of buried particles was compared and the study found
that 38% of substrate in City Creek was highly embedded compared with 5% of substrate in
Gibson Jack. Higher embeddedness can indicate habitat degradation.
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E. coli: City Creek had higher concentrations of E. coli at every test site compared with Gibson
Jack; increased presence of E. coli is thought to be related to human and domestic animal
traffic, but microbial source tracking should be conducted to confirm this assumption.
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Stream Invertebrates: Invertebrates were collected and identified. Invertebrates which are
indicators of good water quality were more abundant in Gibson Jack than City Creek.
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Annelids: Annelids are sediment tolerant invertebrates. The researched found significantly
more annelids in City Creek than in Gibson Jack.
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Leaf Litter Decay: Leaf litter left in mesh bags in each stream were allowed to decay for
specified periods of time; there were slower leaf decay rates in City Creek than in Gibson Jack.
Lower leaf decay can indicate diminished stream function.
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Dissolved Organic Carbon: City Creek had higher dissolved organic carbon concentrations
than Gibson Jack Creek.
The study concluded that recreational land-use may be affecting the City Creek stream ecosystem by
increasing the sediment load, increasing E. coli and carbon concentrations, decreasing organic matter
processing and altering the invertebrate populations compared with a less intensively used stream
system. Even though recreation is frequently considered a low-impact land-use, it can have a strong
effect on structural and functional processes and emphasizes a need to reconsider management
practices.
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Research Needs
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Further research and monitoring is needed to
develop baseline data on the quality of water in
City Creek and Cusick Creeks, especially where
they enter Portneuf River. Regular monitoring
stations should be installed and tracked on a
regular basis. After baseline data is established,
benchmark goals for sediment and E. coli
should be established. A survey of riparian
vegetation should also determine the percentage
of coverage and benchmark goals for
reestablishing riparian vegetation.
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Further studies should focus on identifying and
confirming suspected sources of water quality
degradation. Some of the questions that arose
during this planning process that could be
addressed with further research include the
following:
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What levels of E. coli in City Creek should be
attributed to dog waste?
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How much of the sediment coming into the creeks can be attributed to erosion from roads
through the CCMA?
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What level of use and density of motorized and non-motorized trails is acceptable before they
start to have significant effects on water quality? How much do these trails contribute to
sediment loading in the creek?
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How much sediment is being routed into the creek from dog trails leading from the Lower City
Creek Trail directly to the creek?
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Implemented remediation strategies should be evaluated and studied to ensure that money and
time spent to improve water quality is being used effectively. As water quality studies are
conducted and new information is learned, this plan should be revised to include new findings
and/or policy or management shifts based on updated information. Findings from additional
studies should also be incorporated into the Portneuf River Watershed Total Maximum Daily
Load Implementation Plan.
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Erosion Assessment & Erosion Control Projects: DEQ Recommendations.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality is also conducting a water quality assessment,
inventorying specific areas where sediment is entering into City Creek. They have 5 phases planned for
the study and have so far completed Phase 1 which covers the Lower City Creek Trail (main trail closes
to the creek) from the Lower Parking Lot to Bridge 11. They identified 12 different areas sediment is
entering the stream and prioritized the following five (5) specific areas for recommended action to
reduce sediment loading:
Priority 1 Intersection of main trail, Serengeti Trail and City Creek Road and Bridge 11,
approximately 1.62 miles up Lower City Creek Trail at 5,021 ft in elevation.
This open area is sandy and shows evidence of wash
into the creek. City Creek Road sediment diverts
into creek at the bridge, water flow should be
routed through the use of water bars, road work,
and cobble/cribbing should be applied to stream
bank. This is the most significant erosion issue
found during Phase 1 assessment.
Priority 2 Upstream of Bridge 4 approximately 0.67 miles up
Lower City Creek Trail at 4,763 ft in elevation.
This area is one of the most significant erosion problems
on the lower reach of City Creek. The main trail carves a
large rut up the embankment on the northwest side of
the creek. There is strong evidence of sediment entering
the creek from this slope and depositing into the creek at
the bridge. There was also a high amount of sediment on
bridge. Recommend rerouting trail over the old cement
diversion to the southeast and re-vegetating the existing
trail. It may be necessary to have the existing bridge and
travel route designed by an engineer.
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Priority 3 Bridge 6 approximately 1.04 miles up Lower City Creek Trail at 4,872 feet in elevation.
In this area the trail travels under tree canopy and crosses
the creek. The area is stripped of vegetation. A steep
ATV trail/slide comes into the area from the southeast
and connects to the Bench Trail. This trail/slide should
be closed and the area managed as a “rest stop” with
appropriate re-vegetation and cribbing. Bridge 6 needs to
be elongated to alleviate impacts to the Creek.
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Priority 4 Bridge 10 area, approximately 1.62 miles up
Lower City Creek Trail at 5,021 feet in elevation.
This open area is defined by the intersection of
the trail at Bridge 10, Bench Trail, and Kinport
Road. This area is sandy and shows evidence of
wash into the creek. Bridge sides should be
armored to protect from continued soil erosion
(the washout of surrounding soils give the
appearance that the bridge is elevating).
Parking areas should be firmer, erosion resistant
gravel base.
Priority 5 In many locations there are steep side trails leading to the creek which are most likely used
mostly by dogs.
These could be blocked and/or cribbed or cobbled to reduce surface runoff.
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Erosion Assessment & Erosion Control Projects: CCTUG Recommendations.
In addition to the recommendations made by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the
CCTUG group recommended the following erosion control projects:
North Fork Road The North Fork Road has severe erosion problems from the intersection with City
Creek Road to the point where the road leaves a broad ridge and enters a more narrow draw. One
recommendation is to decommission the highly eroded lower road section and replace it with a new
road to be routed in accordance with IMBA Standards.
The actual new road routing should be established through field staking following IMBA standards to
support motorized access, which is currently permitted. An attempt to install water bars at the upper
limit of the proposed decommission section in the spring of 2008 had limited success due to dry soil
conditions that would not support compaction. Future efforts in this area must be timed to occur in
spring and fall when soil moisture is more favorable.
Photos of sections to be decommissioned are shown below:
Parking Lot to Bench Connector 1 This
route is a steep trail section running from
the Grant Street Parking Lot up the bench
slope to connect with the Bench Trail
above. It is redundant, has high erosion
problems and constitutes a safety threat as
bikers descend rapidly and often hit the
parking area at high speed with little
control. The trail section in question is
highlighted in the satellite photo below.
This trail should be decommissioned.
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City Creek Road (above the access gate)
There are multiple points on City Creek Road where water is forming ponds in the road right-of-way
because of inadequate drainage. Additionally significant sedimentation problems stem from storm
water that flows off City Creek Road in to City Creek. These problem areas need to be upgraded using
a combination of methods including rolling dips, water bars, and swales.
Ritalin Connector This is a
short connector trail that has
been started between Ritalin
and Serengeti. The section is
steep and highly redundant
since access to the same points
are available using the
established Ritalin and
Serengeti trails with very little
extra travel distance. This
trail section is recommended
for decommissioning.
Miscellaneous Roads between
Water Tank and North Fork
There are several motorized roads on
the steep slopes between the Water
Tank and the North Fork Road that
are used exclusively as a playground
for motorized traffic. The steep
slopes and fine silt of this terrain
make it unsuitable for this activity
and the associated roads are
recommended for decommissioning.
Bridge 11 Area The Serengeti Trail has erosion problems from Bridge 11 as it climbs the hill to the
south towards Cusick Creek. Field study will be conducted to determine the best solution for this
section. Motorized access must be maintained as this is an important connector between Cusick Creek
Road and City Creek Road, allowing ATV users to loop via Kinport Peak.
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Mayor s Ad-Hoc Committee Recommendations: Mayor’s Ad-Hoc Committee suggested the
following projects and/or improvements to address erosion in the CCMA:
 Between Bridge 12 and the junction with Sap Tree Trail, the City Creek Road needs to be
worked on to reduce erosion.
 Placing boulders at the end of Cove Road to block illegal vehicle access, these will be placed on
trail entrances, which are located on private property.
 Adding water bars and grade reversals (rolling dips) on both City and Cusick Creek Roads.
 Water diversion work along City Creek Road.
 Raising bridges 4-12.
 Improving Cusick Creek Trailhead to help disperse use of main parking lot off of South Grant
Street
 Providing restrooms at the main City Creek Trailhead
 Rerouting Serengeti Trail which is a ditch right now
 Rerouting Sap Tree trail so it isn’t in the creek bed
 Rerouting North Fork
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Chapter 3: Trail Network
When it acquired the CCMA lands, the City inherited an existing road and trail network, one that had
evolved from the area’s colorful history: Native American routes, logging skid roads, abandoned
livestock routes, railroads, fire breaks, and telephone and power lines became roads or trails. In the early
1900s, the most popular roads and trails were those that provided access to Kinport Peak. Over the next
few decades, additional roads and trails were built for fire control, water system infrastructure and
recreation. In most cases, the roads and trails do not benefit from modern construction standards.
Benefits of a Trail System The trail system in the CCMA has grown in popularity and is now being
recognized as tremendous asset for the City of Pocatello. The expansive system and quality of trails
make it an attraction for not only City of Pocatello residents, but also visitors. The trail system is
especially valuable because it is so close to the core of the City and it can also be accessed directly by
bike, foot or horse from many neighborhoods. Local businesses, especially those serving outdoor
recreation needs, also benefit from the presence of this local outdoor recreational amenity.
The trail network provides a place for people to get physical exercise; the importance of open spaces
such as these are being recognized and sought after by public health organizations who note the
importance of outdoor exercise for the health and well being. The CCMA also provides a place for
solitude, time with nature and renewal which is important for psychological well-being. School
children and university students also have to opportunity to use the CCMA as a “living laboratory” as it
provides an important educational resource for the community. With all of these features, the CCMA
should be recognized as an important amenity contributing to the quality of life that Pocatello offers.
Existing Trail/Road Network Assessment CCTUG conducted an assessment of roads and trails
within the CCMA as of October 2008. Each route was categorized using a three step process to
determine its status as part of the system along with an assessment of condition including erosion and
other issues (see a description of the methods used for this analysis and a detailed listing of trails in
Attachment B).
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CCMA Users
Representatives on the Mayor’s working group also provided descriptions of how the CCMA is used by
each of the groups listed below. The following descriptions contain anecdotal information, but it is
recommended that actual user counts be conducted to develop a clearer picture of who is using the
CCMA and when they are there. Follow-up information about user’s perceptions can also be gathered
by conducting user surveys.
Hikers and Snowshoers. Most hikers,walkers, snowshoers and skiiers stay on the main City Creek
Trail which is located along the creek and is shaded. More people, especially families, are on the trail in
the evening or in the morning on weekends. Most of these users do not venture past Bridge 11.
Conflicts with pedal bikes have been reduced in recent years as more trails have been built so fewer
mountain bikes are using the main City Creek Trail. Making the bench trails or other trails more
appealing to pedal bikers could disperse them even more and reduce user conflicts. Additionally adding
signage to encourage bikers to slow down on this trail and use alternative routes when possible will help
to minimize future trail conflicts.
Some walkers also use the City Creek Road in order to make a loop route; there could be more
designated paths to move between the road and creek trail. Motorized bikes do not use the creekside
trail, but they do use the road. There are some conflicts between walkers and motorized bikes on the
road because the motorized bikers are fast, but for the most part users are considerate of each other.
ATV Users. The trails ATV riders use in the CCMA are mostly trails which provide access to Forest
Service and BLM lands to the south and west. Maintaining access through CCMA is the biggest
priority for ATV users. Several trails are deeply rutted and need to be worked on or rerouted.
Off- Road Vehicles and Picnickers. Off road vehicle riders also use the CCMA to access other public
lands. The CCMA is not a prime spot for off-roading, but there are a small percentage of the offroading community that have ridden destructively in the area. To prevent 4 x4 vehicle access to areas
being illegally used, roads or trails should be blocked with boulders large enough so that they can’t be
moved aside. Picnickers drive into the CCMA using the City Creek Road and park next to the creek.
Picnicker concerns include motorists driving too quickly, soil being compacted by vehicle parking, and
the City’s inability to provide accessible facilities in a natural environment. Designated parking areas
which are protective of the riparian zone should be considered in the City Creek – North Fork
confluence area and possibly other selected locations as well.
Mountain Bikers. Mountain biking represents the largest and most vocal user group of the CCMA.
Most of the trails, especially newer trails (including unauthorized trails) have been created for and by
mountain bikers. The CCMA presents an especially attractive environment for mountain bikers
because of the terrain and scenery it provides and also because it is close to the City Center and
accessible from close-in neighborhoods. While the popularity of mountain biking in the CCMA offers
a premier quality-of-life amenity for the City, the environmental value of the CCMA takes priority
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over its recreational value. Most mountain bikers are environmentally aware and responsible although
there are a small percentage of people who use the system abusively by doing things like riding in the
mud or not staying on the trail. Installing signage explaining user rules and other types of public
education efforts can help minimize destructive behavior. However, some level of law enforcement will
also be required on a continuing basis for all aspects of use of the CCMA.
Equestrians. There are few equestrian users on the trail except for a handful of people who have
horses and live close enough to ride straight from their house. There have been few reports of conflicts
or abusive use from equestrians, other than occasionally riding in the mud and other trail users finding
horse manure. Educational efforts aimed at equestrian users should be pursued to address the issues
that have come up.
Hunting. Hunting for elk, deer, moose and grouse takes place in the CCMA including aboriginal
hunting by Native Americans. Most hunters enter the area from Michaud Creek (west of the CCMA)
and their destination is Elk Meadows. When the CCMA was annexed into the City in 2008 a special
exception to a city-wide prohibition on firing projectiles (i.e. guns, bows and other devices) was granted
for the CCMA specifically so that hunting could be continued to be allowed. However, members of
the Mayor’s Ad-Hoc Committee had safety concerns about mixing hunting with other recreational
uses, especially considering the high concentration of recreation use in the CCMA. The Committee
found the CCMA represented only a small portion of the surrounding lands available for hunters and
they recommended that the rules be changed. Any changes made to hunting regulation must be
accomplished through an ordinance adopted by the City Council and must also be incorporated into
the statewide hunting proclamation prepared by Idaho Fish and Game. It is recommended that
specific limits on hunting (both type of weapons and the designation of specific areas) be explored with
input from hunters and in cooperation with Idaho Fish and Game.
Dog Owners. Many dog owners walk their pets in the CCMA and many mountain bike riders also
ride with their dogs. Some people bring multiple dogs. While the City’s ordinance requires the use of a
leash, very few dog owners use leashes in the CCMA and the area cannot be regularly patrolled by
animal control officers. The Mayor’s Ad-Hoc Committee did not find violations of the leash law to be
an overwhelming concern at this time although dog traffic to the stream through small paths is thought
to contribute to turbidity in the stream.
Dog waste was identified as serious concern. The amount of dog waste on the trails detracts from user’s
experience; the smell from dog waste along the trail was highlighted as a major issue for many trail users.
Dog waste is also thought to be a source of E. coli in the stream; but microbial tracking of E. coli
samples must be performed to verify this assumption. Installing additional signage reminding dog
owners of their responsibility to pick up dog waste and keep their dog under voice command should
help minimize dog related problems. However, some level of enforcement will be required on a
continuing basis.
18 ¦ P a g e
Recommended Trail Closures:




At the end of South Serengeti Trail
At the end of City Creek Road a trail connecting to Cove Road with two spurs leading to the
CCMA
At the end of Cove Road, multiple trails used for access by motorized vehicles and causing
damage to the private property
Off of Trail Creek Road, located on the gate and known as Outlaw Spring Road
Existing and Potential Trail Access
The biggest explosion of use in the City Creek area in the past 25 years has been mountain bikers,
hikers and trail runners. Current and potential CCMA access points are as follows:
Primary Existing Access Points:


Grant Street Parking Area just South of the
LDS Church and across Grant Street from
Centennial Park (non-motorized). This area is
owned by Union Pacific Railroad.
City Creek Road parking area and, during the
summer and fall, from multiple pullouts and
parking areas along the unimproved dirt road
that extends from the City Creek Road parking
area to the top of Kinport Peak and beyond
(motorized).
Secondary Existing Access Points:


Death Valley gulch (non-motorized) from the first switchback of Fore Road on the road to the
Women’s Prison (there is no formal parking area at this location).
Cusick Creek Road from trailhead above the Women’s Prison (motorized).
Potential Access Points:



White Cairn Trail (non-motorized) from its intersection with Clark Street and Cove Road on
the West Bench. Trail feeds from Rocky Point Road also link to White Cairn via Cove Road.
This access point and the trail itself cross private land and access easement negotiations are
ongoing between the land owner and CCTUG representatives.
Outlaw Springs Road from Trail Creek Road. This access point crosses private land. Access
issues are presently unresolved.
Johnny Creek area access will require an easement to cross private land. Access easement
negotiations are ongoing between the land owner and CCTUG representatives.
19 ¦ P a g e





New trail access from Johnny Creek near an existing water tower routing north to link with
Cusick Creek RoadNew trail access from the first switchback on Fremont Street feeding up the
gulch to links with Cove Road and the White Cairn Trail. Access easement negotiations are
ongoing between the land owner and CCTUG representatives.
With the increased popularity, there has been a significant increase in walker/hiker
populations, particularly from the parking lot located at South Grant. Part of the CCMA
Management Plan is to establish greater user group dispersion to avoid overuse and congestion.
Providing additional access parking and access points on the road beyond the City Creek
subdivision and access points for mountain bikers from the West Bench and Johnny Creek
areas will help the dispersion goal.
As use expands, steps will need to be taken to provide additional parking. In addition, a park or
kiosk at the South Grant area would allow for groups to meet and organize prior to departure.
Access Across Private Properties
There are some areas where trails are located on private properties. In some of these cases, trails
need to be closed and clearly marked as “private property” to prevent further trespassing.
However, in other locations access may make sense and access easements should be sought from
private property owners:
Easements Required
The Mayor’s Ad-Hoc Committee recommended that easements be pursued for trails in the following
locations:
 Between South Serengeti Trails and Shale Street. This would provide non-motorized trail
access to the CCMA from the Johnny Creek neighborhood. If users can ride directly from
their neighborhood, pressure on the park and ride trailheads would be relieved.
 Access to the CCMA from the end of Clark Street/Cove Road. This area is currently
undeveloped and the private property owner has not objected to users accessing the CCMA
through the subject property. However, when this property is developed trail locations and
easements should be formalized through the subdivision process.
 Rocky Point and Old Two Track Trails at the end of Rocky Point Road
 The former location of Outlaw Spring Road. Access on this road has recently been cut off
because there was a change in ownership for this property. An easement in this location or an
alternative route needs to be established to provide direct access to BLM land and the CCMA
from homes and neighborhoods located off of Trail Creek Road.
20 ¦ P a g e
Trail System Expansion
While the CCMA currently contains a high density of trails, expansion of the system in the form of
connections to other trail systems on public lands should be pursued to disperse users and add
connectivity and value to the existing network. This plan includes a review process to follow as new
trails are considered. Trails are erosion pathways so the amount of and concentration of trails needs to
be monitored and controlled so as not to contribute to environmental damage and a decline in water
quality in the watershed.
This section provides an overview of potential future trails. All new trails, whether mentioned in this
section, or not, will be subject to the review process outlined in this plan. As this plan was being written,
interest was expressed in the following trail expansions:
Over the Top Connector This trail connects the City Creek and Cusick Creek drainages, linking
Sullivans to Cusick Creek Road. Extensions to the currently existing trail might include additional
section(s) to connect with Kinport Road at higher elevations. These trail additions would provide users
with unique environments and views associated with higher elevations and would lower pressure on the
lower elevation trails. Several new looping opportunities using existing Kinport Road and Cusick Road
sections would also be possible.
South Serengeti/Johnny Creek Connector Extension of the trail network to the South above the
existing Johnny Creek subdivision(s) and beyond is desirable. This extension would support direct user
access and lower the level of daily driving trips associated with use of the system.
Gibson Jack Connector A connector between CCMA and Gibson Jack would provide highly
desirable interconnectivity of two major trail systems as well as an opportunity for long distance looping
over existing Forest Service trails to the West. This trail extension will involve Forest Service Land So
the project will be required to address additional regulatory requirements for trail development on
Federal property. If the trail cannot be developed at a sustained elevation minimum of 6,000 feet, then
additional issues involving private property will be encountered.
North Fork to Sap Tree Connector The potential exists for a connector starting at around elevation
5600 of the North Fork Road climbing about 800 feet in elevation over a saddle and down to connect
with the Sap Tree Trail around elevation 5800. This would provide users with a high elevation loop
that would take pressure off the lower elevation trails.
21 ¦ P a g e
Review Process for New Trails
A review process for formal City approval of proposed new trails and management of new trail
construction is proposed to include the following steps:
 Interested trail developers must designate a single point-of-contact for the group sponsoring the
new trail.
 Provide CCTUG and City of Pocatello staff maps showing the proposed trail route.
 CCTUG reviews the proposal for compliance with International Mountain Bicycling
Association (IMBA) sustainable singletrack construction guidelines and outlines the plan for
construction including IMBA compliance.
 Representatives from the following City Departments will review and approve or deny the
plans:
o Engineering staff will review the proposed trail design.
o Science and Environment staff will review the plans for environmental impacts.
o Planning staff will review the proposed trail locations for compliance with the CCMA
management plan.
o Parks and Recreation staff will review the plans to ensure that the City of Pocatello will
be able to maintain the new trail system.
 A City Creek Management Area Coordination Committee with representatives from
CCTUG and involved City Departments will convene to review the proposed plans. If
approved, the Committee will issue formal written approval after which trail construction can
begin.
 A designated point of contact for trail construction will be responsible for coordinating with
designated CCTUG and City representatives who will observe and/or participate in trail
construction. The designated CCTUG contact will provide independent verification that the
construction is in compliance with IMBA design guidelines.
When a new trail is being proposed, the Committee charged with review should consider the following
criteria:
 Would the trail create a connection that is not available elsewhere?
 Why should this trail be built?
 Would the trail help to further disperse users?
 Is the trail located in an area with that already has a high concentration of trails?
 What type of soil is located in the area where the trail is proposed? Is there any potential that
the trail will create erosion problems?
 Will the trail impact wildlife habitat?
22 ¦ P a g e
Chapter 4: Management and Maintenance
Management and Maintenance Responsibilities
As the property owner, the City of Pocatello is ultimately responsible for the management and the
maintenance of the CCMA. The Environment and Science Division is charged with managing the
environmental quality of the area, the Parks and Recreation Department maintains and manages the
use of the trail system, and the Police Department patrols for illegal activities. Even within the City
government, there are multiple parties who must coordinate with each other to manage the CCMA.
The City does not have adequate funding or staff to monitor the streams and trails as well as it would
like to do; especially given the size of the CCMA and the fact that much of it is only accessible by foot
or bike. Therefore, it is in the City’s benefit to work with the Community to find creative ways to
reduce management costs and involve volunteers wherever possible.
Tasks the City is responsible for include emptying trash and sign maintenance. Some of the tasks that
the Mayor’s Ad-hoc Committee found should be conducted on a regular basis include the following:





An annual or semi-annual inventory of erosion issues
Road maintenance including cleaning silt out of the water bars road annually and assessing
rolling dips for effectiveness
Checking he integrity of bridges on an annual basis
Cutting back brush
Blocking off unauthorized & cut-through trails (including dog paths), and erosion prone trails.
The Mayor’s Ad-Hoc Committee found that volunteers can be called on to perform some of these tasks
and their efforts can be very useful in filling the gaps in what City staff is not able to do.
Volunteer Involvement As part of this Management Plan CCTUG will seek volunteers to complete
specific tasks such as mitigating non-native invasive plant species and introducing native species
conducive to supporting wildlife habitat. Other tasks that volunteers can be involved in include
building trails (after City approval is obtained for the project) and building obstacles to prevent use of
erodible or unauthorized trails and cut-through paths. Volunteers can also help cut back brush on the
trail and conduct the annual or semi-annual site analysis to identify maintenance projects and issues
that need to be addressed.
CCTUG has expressed an interest in raising much needed funds for maintenance or improvements on
the trail system. CCTUG members have also expressed interest in volunteering time for informal
surveillance of the trail in a trail patrol program similar to the Neighborhood Watch model.
23 ¦ P a g e
Directional Maps and Signage
Several maps have been installed at the bottom of the Grant Street access. However, the current maps
need to be updated. Trail name signs were installed by CCTUG members in the fall of 2008. The
“carsonite” posts along with the loan of installation equipment were provided by the BLM with City
personnel providing sign lettering.
There will be an ongoing need for limited new trail name sign installation for special needs and to
replace vandalized signs. Installation of signs containing the trail map created in conjunction with this
Plan will allow persons unfamiliar with the trail system to know where the trails are, along with the
difficulty and distance involved.
The Trail System Map (see Attachment A) was created as part of this plan which classifies trails
according to what types of use are allowed on each trail. This map should be distributed as widely as
possible and be available on the City’s website. The map can be folded into a brochure format and
includes user rules.
User Rules and Enforcement
Enforcing the law in the CCMA is a constant challenge due to the size of the area and the accessibility
challenges for law enforcement officers. In 2006 the City of Pocatello entered into a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Bureau of Land Management to allow for joint participation in patrolling the
City Creek and bench areas specifically for illegal motorized vehicle use causing damage and erosion.
Patrols are expected to be for a few hours on weekends and during peak periods. The BLM is to provide
equipment such as four-wheel drive vehicles to access the back country areas in the CCMA.
Law enforcement officers report that current patrol practices occur on a seasonal basis, usually starting
in April, but depending on weather conditions. City Police Officers team up with BLM and Forest
Service Officers to assist them with their areas in addition to working in the CCMA. Patrols on the
weekend last about 4-5 hours each day and focus on violations of trail closures. In June the officers
usually begin night patrols with an emphasis on finding violation of trail closures. Officers report some
of the common problem activities include juvenile parties, underage drinking, DUI’s, drug violations,
warrant violations, trespassing in the area of the water tower, illegal fires, transient camps, off-road
vehicle registration, and off-road vehicles not staying on designated routes and damaging resources.
CCTUG recognized the challenges and issues and noted a need to work in partnership with the City to
establish viable rules for responsible use of CCMA resources. CCTUG also supports the enforcement
of those rules by the proper government representatives. CCTUG supports forming an enforcement
program similar in nature to a Neighborhood Watch program that will allow CCTUG members and
other stakeholders to notify appropriate enforcement agencies, such as the City Police and BLM
Personnel, of unlawful practices. CCTUG will members will be strongly discouraged from taking any
personal enforcement actions.
24 ¦ P a g e
Dogs The Mayor’s Ad-Hoc group had an in-
depth discussion of the role of dogs on the
trail. The smell of dog waste detracts from the
outdoor recreation experience; additionally,
dog waste could be a contributor of E. coli in
the stream (the source of E. coli should be
traced through microbial tracking to verify).
In addition, “dog paths” from the trail to the
creek are highly eroded and could also be a
contributor to sediment loading in the creek.
These issues can be addressed if all trail users
pick up after their own pets and keep their
animals on leashes. However, changing these
pet-owner behaviors is a major challenge.
Posted Rules Part of the task that the Mayor’s Ad-Hoc Committee was charged with was to review
and update user rules which are posted at the main trailhead. New signage needs to be placed at all
trailheads which clearly state to rules and a public education campaign is needed to familiarize trail
users with the rules.
The Committee came up with the following suggestions for user rules:
 Hunting (discharge of projectiles)
 No stream alterations
allowed at this time. Limitations on
 No trail alterations without approval
from the City (see review process and
hunting should be considered and
guidelines previously listed.
adopted in the future via City
 Stay on existing trails
Ordinance.
 Stay off the trail in muddy conditions
 If riding a bike down City Creek Trail
 Pack in/Pack out, including animal
(creekside or “gut” trail), go slow
waste
 Yield to uphill traffic
 No glass containers
 Bikers yield to hikers, all yield to horses
 No overnight camping
 Follow City Creek map for guidance in
 No paintballing
which users can use which trails
 No fireworks or campfires
25 ¦ P a g e
Large Events In recent years large scale events such as bike races have become more common in the
CCMA. The Committee was concerned that a large number of people could do a significant amount
of damage to the main City Creek Trail along the creek. The Mayor’s Ad-Hoc Committee discussed
the trend and recommended that some basic guidelines need to be established. The Committee
suggested the following:
 Races and events need to have minimal impact to the CCMA
 Everything must be cleaned up and returned to previous conditions
 A permit for the event needs to be issued by the City of Pocatello, the details of each permit
need to be worked out with the particular group to account for their particular needs
 The permit should account for: group size, staging area, trash, recycling, toilets, trail use, trail
marking methods, etc.
 A set amount of time should be given for City review of the permit
 The applicant may need to provide a performance bond to ensure trail cleanup
 The applicants need to provide proof of liability insurance.
The number of participants in an event before it is considered a large event must be determined. The
Forest Service requires special permits for people with over 75 people or for commercial groups.
In the Spring of 2009 the Parks and Recreation Department started requiring groups to apply for an
event permit and a fee of $100 was charged. That fee may need to be revisited to determine if it is
adequate. The Committee recommends that a portion of the permit fee be set aside in a City Creek
Maintenance Fund.
26 ¦ P a g e
Chapter 5: Desired Outcomes, Objectives & Action Items
This Chapter outlines desired outcomes for the future of the CCMA and further outlines objectives
and action items to help realize the desired outcomes. Desired outcomes are provided for water quality,
trail and road maintenance, trail system development, natural character, user behavior, and community
education.
Water Quality Desired Outcome:
City Creek and Cusick Creek are healthy streams which support functional steam ecosystems with
limited bacteria and sediment loads.
Objective 1: Ensure that City Creek and Cusick Creek meet desired water quality measures such as
Total Maximum Daily Loads (i.e. low levels of sediment, E. coli, nitrogen and phosphorous) and both
creeks support beneficial uses (fishing and wading).

Action Item: Study water quality indicators
to identify water quality challenges including
sources of water quality degradation and
identification of appropriate remediation
strategies.


sources of sedimentation.

Action Item: Develop scientific baseline data
Action Item: Monitor water quality against
baseline data as prescribed by the Department
of Environmental Quality.


Action Item: Set water quality benchmarks
for reestablishing riparian vegetation and
reducing the presence of elements degrading
water quality including, but not limited to,
sediment and E. coli.


Action Item: Make alterations and/or
repairs to existing roads and trails to address
most visible erosion trouble spots (see list of
erosion control project listed in plan).
Action Item: Research trail construction
practices and designs that eliminate erosion
and implement those practices and designs on
existing trails and roads.
Action Item: Partner with existing water
quality monitoring programs/research labs or
educational projects on gathering data.
Action Item: Conduct annual of bi-annual
inventories for significant erosion problems to
prioritize where efforts and resources should
be used to correct problems based on where
projects will have the greatest beneficial
impact.
of existing water quality conditions.

Action Item: Conduct studies to identify the

Action Item: Identify source of E. coli and
take appropriate actions based on findings.

Action Item: If E. coli is linked to animal
waste, establish mechanisms for scat control
such as installing additional mutt mitt
stations, signage and enforcement.

Action Item: Incorporate all studies
conducted for City Creek and Cusick Creek
into the Portneuf River Watershed Total
Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plan.
Objective 2: Establish restrooms and/or vault toilets at strategic locations.
27 ¦ P a g e
Trail & Road Maintenance Desired Outcome:
Trails and roads are maintained in an excellent condition; upkeep of the trail and road systems is
supported by a combination of user fees, grants, donations and volunteer support.
Objective 1: Develop and implement a trail maintenance program which includes stakeholders and
volunteers in trail maintenance activities.
 Action Item: Conduct an inventory of
maintenance issues at the beginning
end of each season to determine which
maintenance project must be
completed.

Action Item: Facilitate the effort of
groups such as CCTUG to prioritize
and complete projects.
Objective 2: Develop a fee and/or donation structure to provide funding for trail, road and watershed
maintenance activities which is reasonable and fair to all CCMA users.
 Action Item: Survey similar trail
 Action Item: Survey trail system users
systems in other communities.
to see what they would be willing to
pay.
Objective 3: Submit grant applications for projects to improve and maintain trail and road systems in
the CCMA.
 Action Item: Identify available grant
resources and work with user group
organizations such as CCTUG to
develop grant applications.
28 ¦ P a g e
Trail & Road System Development Desired Outcome:
The trail and road system disperses users amongst multiple trailheads and trail routes. Problematic
trails have been either eliminated or rerouted. Easements for designated access routes through private
properties have been established so non-motorized access is allowed from multiple points and directly
from residential neighborhoods.
Objective 1: Close trails located on private property when they are not necessary. Where they are
necessary or convenient, obtain easements to allow for continued access.
 Action Item: Sign all closed trails with
 Action Item: Contact and work with
“no trespassing” signs and block those
property owners to obtain easements
trails with physical barriers if necessary.
where needed.
Objective 2: Disperse users on trails and trailheads.

Action Item: Identify trail expansion
options that would further disperse
users from overburdened trails and
would not result in additional harmful
impacts to the environment.


trailhead so it is less vulnerable to use
impacts and overcrowding.

Action Item: Work with USFS and
BLM on trails that link to federal land.
Action Item: Identify additional
access points to relieve congestion from
the Grant Street Trailhead. Accesses
from multiple points on the West
Bench, including the Trail Creek and
Johnny Creek neighborhoods are
needed.
Action Item: Improve Grant Street

Action Item: Improve designated
parking areas to protect the riparian
zone in the City Creek – North Fork
confluence area and possibly other
selected locations as well.
29 ¦ P a g e
Natural Character Desired Outcome:
The natural character of the CCMA has been maintained and improved.
Objective 1: Restore riparian vegetation in
the riparian corridor.
Objective 2: Restore and promote native
vegetation throughout the CCMA.
Objective 3: Control noxious weeds so
natural vegetation can thrive.
Objective 4: Maintain and improve wildlife
habitat.
 Action Item: Inventory wildlife in the
CCMA.

Action Item: Assess methods for
improving wildlife habitat.

Action Item: Implement wildlife
habitat improvement projects.
30 ¦ P a g e
Trail & Road User Behaviors Desired Outcome:
Trail and road users follow posted rules and are respectful to the natural environment and to each
other.
Objective 1: Create and enforce rules related to animal waste.

Action Item: Post rule requiring all pet

owners to pick up their own animal’s waste.

Action Item: Provide mutt mitt stations
to provide the tools for people to follow this
rule.
Action Item: Develop and put in practice
an enforcement strategy to make sure this
rule is being followed.

Action Item: Set aside a “no animal zone”
if other action items are not effective.
Objective 2: Regulate use of trails and yielding practices to prevent collisions and conflicts.

Action Item: Post map showing which

uses are allowed on each trail.

Action Item: Survey trail system to
identify problem spots where visibility or
grade of trails may contribute to accidents
and make changes to correct situations.
Action Item: Include guidelines related to
yielding based on user type along with all
posted user rules.

Action Item: Develop volunteer trail
patrol program for informal surveillance to
curtail inappropriate use of trail system.
Objective 3: Eliminate unauthorized trail development and trail use.

Action Item: Close trails when trail

when ecosystem restoration activities are in
progress. Provide stakeholders with
educational materials on specific projects.
conditions, especially mud, make the trail
system particularly vulnerable to damage.

Action Item: Shut down any trail
construction which has not been approved
by the City of Pocatello.
Action Item: Close particular trail sections

Action Item: Block trail entrances where
illegal off-road activity occurs.
Objective 4: Control other undesirable activities in the CCMA.

Action Item: Remove all fire rings in the

CCMA and prohibit open fires.

Action Item: In coordination with Idaho
Fish & Game develop and implement a City
ordinance to place limitations on the
discharge of projectiles within the CCMA.
Action Item: Prohibit overnight camping
in the CCMA.
Objective 5: Allow large group events that do not damage or create undue burden on CCMA.

Action Item: Establish rules and
guidelines for group events.

Action Item: Establish a fee structure for
group events.
31 ¦ P a g e
Community Education Desired Outcome:
Community members are familiar with the importance of the CCMA for protection of the City water
quality resource and as part of the local ecosystem. Local users and visitors are familiar with the trail
system and have convenient access to information such as user rules and trail maps.
Objective 1: Post signs with user rules and CCMA map.

Action Item: Establish appropriate

Action Item: Install signs.

Action Item: Install directional
content for signs.

Action Item: Determine the type,
signage to point visitors to trailheads.
number, size and location of signs
needed in order to provide reasonable
directions and use restriction
notification for trails.
Objective 2: Publicize the CCMA and its attributes.

Action Item: Print and distribute trail

map brochures to local venues such as
hotels and visitor centers and sporting
good shops.

Action Item: Develop a series of
Action Item: Develop a presentation
that can be taken to community groups
and user groups with information
about the CCMA and the trail system.

Public Service Announcements during
the open season for radio, TV,
newspapers and user group newsletters.
Action Item: Regularly updated
information about the CCMA on the
City’s website including maps.
Objective 3: Increase community involvement in managing the CCMA.

Action Item: Solicit volunteer support
to help with maintenance projects in
the CCMA.


Action Item: Encourage fund-raising
efforts to support CCMA
maintenance and projects.
Action Item: Facilitate the creation of
a CCMA patrol program.
32 ¦ P a g e
ATTACHMENT A ‒ TRAIL NETWORK MAP
-
33 ¦ P a g e
ATTACHMENT B ‒ EXISTING TRAIL NETWORK ASSESSMENT
A three-step process (reference Figure 1) was used to categorize the entire CCMA road and trail
network to determine the future status, classification and work activity for each road and trail.
Step 1: Each route was first categorized as either a road or a trail.
Roads are defined as unrestricted use routes, typically unimproved, suitable for 4x4 vehicle and
ATV access. Trails may be either single track pathways typically restricted to hiking, mountain
bikes and horse traffic or double track trails which can also support ATV and off-road
motorcycle traffic.
Step 2: A secondary classification of “system” (active part of the currently used route network) or
“non-system” (abandoned) was completed.
Consideration of land ownership (City/Federal/Private) also helped determine road and/or
trails system classification.
Step 3: Determine if no action (status-quo).
If action is required, define the related activities, priority, resources, and action plan.
System routes are generally recommended to remain as status-quo with a plan for erosion, safety or
other improvements and regular maintenance. Non-system, or abandoned routes, are recommended to
be actively decommissioned (i.e. install access barriers such as rocks or berms, install closure signage,
remove stream crossings, restore the original grade, re-seed, etc.) or simply be left alone to be reclaimed
by nature and monitored to ensure it is not illegally re-opened.
The categorization process of the existing route network is based on institutional knowledge of the
network and field observations.
Public recommendations and comment on a map depicting the existing route network along with
recommended use restrictions were invited through participation in regularly scheduled CCTUG
meetings. The proposed map was also posted for a one week period in large format as well as in small
handouts in three locations (City Hall, the library and Ride-On Sports) and public comment was
solicited through an article in the newspaper.
34 ¦ P a g e
Trail Assessment Flow Chart
Road or Trail
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
ROAD
TRAIL
System or
System or
Non-System
Non-System
SYSTEM ROAD
NON-SYSTEM ROAD
SYSTEM TRAIL
Action Plan
Action Plan
Action Plan
Action Plan
Assessment
Assessment
Assessment
Assessment
Status-Quo
UPGRADE
Status-Quo
DECOMMISSION
Status-Quo
UPGRADE
NON- SYSTEM TRAIL
Status-Quo
DECOMMISSION
35 ¦ P a g e
Designation
STEP 3
Upgrade or
Decommission
STEP 2
System or
Non-system
STEP 1
Road or Trail
Distance
Route
(miles)
Name of
Undesirable Effect(s)
1-10 (10=bad)
Comments
Erosion
Redundant
Priority
nonmotorized
6
5
low
2
3
medium
8
1
high
statusquo
statusquo
statusquo
nonmotorized
nonmotorized
nonmotorized
nonmotorized
nonmotorized
5
1
medium
1
3
low
2
2
medium
Adrenalin
0.35
trail
System
Bail
0.27
trail
System
Bench Trail
1.21
trail
System
Black Cairn
1.37
trail
System
Bump Trail
0.65
trail
System
Burrito
0.71
trail
System
City Creek
Trail Parking
Lot to Bridge 1
City Creek
Trail Bridge 1
to 10
City Creek
Trail Bridge 10
to top
City Crk Trail
Connector to
Cone
0.23
trail
System
statusquo
nonmotorized
4
1
high
Decommission miscellaneous micro
trails into creek
0.98
trail
System
statusquo
nonmotorized
3
1
high
trails into creek into creek
1.54
trail
System
statusquo
nonmotorized
2
1
high
trails into creek
0.02
trail
System
upgrade
nonmotorized
7
1
medium
statusquo
upgrade
BLM land; Needs water bars
New bridge to cross creek
recommended
36 ¦ P a g e
0.55
road
Clark Street
1.05
road
0.76
road
Cone
0.29
trail
Nonsystem
Nonsystem
Nonsystem
System
Cross-Cut
0.74
trail
System
Cross-cut Bench
0.05
trail
System
0.08
trail
System
2.13
road
System
statusquo
1.59
road
System
statusquo
Ridge Trail
Clark Street
Toboggan Trail
decommi
ssion
decommi
ssion
decommi
ssion
statusquo
statusquo
Connector - east
Cross-cut Bench
Connector - west
Cusick Creek
Road Lower
Designation
Clark Street 4x4
STEP 3
Upgrade or
Decommission
STEP 2
System or
Non-system
STEP 1
Road or Trail
Distance
Route
(miles)
Name of
1-10 (10=bad)
Comments
Erosion
Redundant
Priority
(reclaim)
10
10
TBD
Partially located on private land
(reclaim)
8
8
TBD
Partially located on private land
(reclaim)
5
5
TBD
Located on private land
nonmotorized
nonmotorized
nonmotorized
nonmotorized
motorized
1
2
medium
1
2
medium
1
2
medium
1
2
medium
5
1
high
motorized
5
1
high
Portion
Cusick Creek
Road – Upper
Portion
Primary utility company motorized
access to Kinport; Managed only to
CCMA boundary
Primary utility company motorized
access to Kinport; Upper portion to
Kinport saddle outside of CCMA
37 ¦ P a g e
System
Death Valley
1.08
trail
System
Fenceline
0.20
trail
System
Juniper Hills
0.47
trail
System
Kinport Road
3.40
road
System
1.98
road
The Grove
0.90
Lichen
Lifeflight /
911
Comments
1-10 (10=bad)
Erosion
Redundant
Priority
6
2
low
1
1
low
1
7
low
statusquo
statusquo
nonmotorized
nonmotorized
statusquo
statusquo
statusquo
nonmotorized
nonmotorized
motorized
8
1
high
System
statusquo
motorized
8
1
high
trail
System
3
medium
trail
Nonsystem
nonmotorized
nonmotorized
2
0.39
statusquo
upgrade
1
3
low
Important alternate to main city
creek trail
0.62
trail
System
upgrade
nonmotorized
1
1
low
Bikes - one way downhill only in
gulch; Improve uphill trail
Lower Portion
Kinport Road
Designation
trail
STEP 3
0.49
Upgrade or
Dairy
Decommission
STEP 2
System or
Non-system
STEP 1
Road or Trail
Distance
Route
(miles)
Name of
Summit
Important alternate to main City
Creek trail
Private Land
Primary public motorized access to
Kinport, also utility access;
Managed only to CCMA boundary
Primary public motorized access to
Kinport, also utility access; Summit
Road outside of CCMA
38 ¦ P a g e
Designation
STEP 3
Upgrade or
Decommission
STEP 2
System or Non-
system
STEP 1
Road or Trail
Distance
Route
(miles)
Name of
Comments
1-10 (10=bad)
Erosion
Redundant
Priority
Lincoln
Connector
0.20
trail
Nonsystem
upgrade
nonmotorized
5
1
high
Mushroom
0.87
trail
System
1
low
0.04
trail
System
0.25
road
System
nonmotorized
nonmotorized
motorized
2
Mushroom
Bailout
North Fork
statusquo
statusquo
upgrade
10
1
high
1.67
road
System
upgrade
motorized
7
1
high
Old Two Track
2.36
trail
System
motorized
5
1
low
Old Two Track
0.34
trail
System
statusquo
statusquo
nonmotorized
5
1
low
Outlaw
0.96
trail
System
statusquo
motorized
1
1
medium
Outlaw Lower
0.61
trail
System
statusquo
motorized
8
1
medium
0.97
road
5
5
medium
trail
statusquo
statusquo
motorized
3.77
Nonsystem
System
nonmotorized
6
1
medium
Lower
North Fork
Main
Rocky Pt
connector
Portion
Outlaw Spring
Road
Over the Top
New subdivisions & high
density city creek use area
Abandon, reclaim and build new
replacement, water to drainage
Grade reversal swale improvements
needed
Portion travels over private land
USFS land; Steep section needs
upgrades for erosion control
Portion travels over private land
Monitor for erosion & implement
improvements if needed
39 ¦ P a g e
Designation
STEP 3
Upgrade or
Decommission
STEP 2
System or Non-
system
STEP 1
Road or Trail
Distance
Route
(miles)
Name of
Comments
1-10 (10=bad)
Erosion
Redundant
Priority
Parking Lot
Slide
0.08
trail
Nonsystem
decommi
ssion
nonmotorized
10
10
high
Prison Trail
0.69
trail
System
1
medium
3.18
road
5
5
low
0.60
trail
Nonsystem
System
nonmotorized
motorized
3
Ridge Line
Track
Rim Trail
statusquo
system
1
low
0.43
trail
System
nonmotorized
nonmotorized
1
Ritalin
statusquo
statusquo
5
2
high
Ritalin Serengeti
0.06
trail
high
trail
nonmotorized
nonmotorized
10
0.35
decommi
ssion
statusquo
8
Rocky Point
Nonsystem
System
3
1
medium
Sap Tree Lower
0.65
trail
System
upgrade
nonmotorized
6
1
high
1.21
trail
System
upgrade
nonmotorized
6
1
high
Connector
Portion
Sap Tree Upper
Portion
Steep track directly up the hill from
the Grant Street parking lot
BLM/Forest Service property
Water bars needed (monitor to
determine locations)
Subdivision connector and
alternate access route needs water
bars
Move trail north out of spring
track& eliminate two creek
crossings; Managed only to CCMA
boundary
Move trail north out of spring
track& eliminate 2 creek crossings;
Upper portion to Kinport outside of
CCMA (USFS and IDL lands).
40 ¦ P a g e
System
System
Steep Old Tank
Road
Sullivan’s
0.32
road
1.20
trail
Nonsystem
System
Switchback
1.55
trail
System
Tank Road
0.38
road
System
T-Box
0.56
trail
System
Water Tank
Ridge
Water Tank
Ridge Side Slopes
2.05
road
System
1.15
roads
Nonsystem
White Cairn
1.43
trail
System
TOTALS
54.44
upgrade
statusquo
decommi
ssion
statusquo
statusquo
statusquo
statusquo
statusquo
decommi
ssion
statusquo
Designation
trail
road
STEP 3
1.23
1.18
Upgrade or
Serengeti
South Serengeti
Decommission
STEP 2
System or Non-
system
STEP 1
Road or Trail
Distance
Route
(miles)
Name of
Comments
1-10 (10=bad)
Erosion
Redundant
Priority
motorized
motorized
8
7
1
1
high
medium
reclaim
8
10
high
nonmotorized
nonmotorized
2
1
medium
3
1
medium
motorized
2
1
low
nonmotorized
motorized
5
5
medium
motorized
5
5
high
nonmotorized
3
1
medium
Improve 1st quarter mile
Important loop trail - needs water
bars
Private land
Water bars needed
Decommission motorized “play”
tracks on side slopes
Partially on private land
41 ¦ P a g e
ATTACHMENT C ‒ Habitat Overview
Hydrology
City Creek is a valuable small urban fringe watershed which provides habitat for wildlife, is important
to the quality of life of outdoor enthusiasts, and contributes to the larger Portneuf River watershed.
City Creek joins the Portneuf River in the City of Pocatello.
The creek arises from a spring on State land near Kinport Peak above the west boundary of the City
Property. It flows through the parcel from west to east. City Creek was categorized as supporting coldwater biota by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (State of Idaho, 2005). Recent
(summer 2008) data collected by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality indicate lower City
Creek does not meet E. coli bacteria standards for contact recreation (i.e., wading).
City Creek is mainly impacted by non-motorized recreational land use, with some motorized vehicle
access on the north rim of the watershed. Water quality in City Creek has been degraded by erosion
which increases the amount of dirt that covers the rocks in the bottom of the stream. With the rocks
buried in mud there is a decrease in the abundance and diversity of aquatic insects that would normally
be found in a stream of this type. Aquatic insects like mayflies, stoneflies and caddis flies need clean
gravel. Although some degradation has occurred, the aquatic habitat of City Creek continues to
support numerous invertebrates and could be considered 'healthy' by state water quality standards. A
modest fishery could possibly be supported in the stream, but this would require reduction in
sedimentation to support the clean gravel necessary.
Actions that can be implemented to improve the stream involve directing traffic away from stream
banks, stabilizing those banks that are actively eroding, and improving bridges and approaches so that
they don't contribute to the problem. Redundant routes and trails that were not designed or built to
minimize erosion and sediment production should be brought up to standards or closed. Ultimately the
plan should have scheduled road maintenance (graveling, erosion control, limiting vehicle traffic in wet
seasons, etc.) on all roads and trails in the system.
Presence of E. coli in the waters of City Creek is probably the cumulative impact of wildlife, horses and
dogs in the watershed. The large number of dogs using the trail along the creek is probably the largest
contributor. A public education campaign to reinforce the present policy of cleaning up after pets
should be able to bring the contamination down.
Protection of the riparian area will maintain bank stability and allow riparian vegetation including
grasses, shrubs and trees to continue to support stream functionality and wildlife. Vegetation improves
bank stability and filters overland water flows to reduce sedimentation and nutrient loading of the
stream. Good bank stability reduces stream channel changes and sediment inputs.
42 ¦ P a g e
Vegetation
The upper watershed remains largely in native vegetation. The table below lists the original native
vegetation for the soil types present in the lower watershed where most of the activity is concentrated.
The original vegetation was primarily big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass. The western edge of the
property supports a mountain brush community with serviceberry, chokecherry, bitterbrush and aspen.
The north-facing slope along the creek supports aspen, big-tooth maple and some Douglas-fir.
Much of the lower watershed (2680 acres) was burned August 30 to September 4, 1987. The US Forest
Service and Bureau of Land Management conducted extensive rehabilitation efforts that fall. Drill
seeders were used on 316 acres and aerial application of seed was done on 848 acres. The vegetation on
the lower slopes is the result of that seeding effort and is composed largely of crested wheatgrass,
intermediate wheatgrass, yellow sweet clover and the re-invasion of native shrubs including three-tip
sagebrush. Data on the fire and rehabilitation efforts are available from the BLM or US Forest Service
offices in Pocatello.
Civilian Conservation Corps watershed rehabilitation efforts in the 1930’s are reflected in the contour
trenching visible in the watershed and the presence of Russian olive and Siberian pea which were
planted along the contour terraces and in the riparian area to abate the flooding/mudslide danger that
existed at the time.
Weeds include curly-cup gumweed, dyer’s woad, Canada thistle, spotted knapweed, hound’s toungue,
dandelions and others. There is lots of cheatgrass especially in those areas which have burned or have
experienced disturbance such as roads or pipeline rights-of-way.
43 ¦ P a g e
Soil name
Soil type
Broncho variantRirie- Pocatello
complex
20-50 percent slopes
Stony loam 8-12
ARTRW8/PSSP6
Cedarhill-RirieWatercanyon complex
Steep slopes 12-16
ARTRV/PSSP6
South slope loamy 12-16
ARTRW8/ PSSP6
Moonlight-Camelback
Association
Loamy tall brush
16-22 ACGL/ BRMA4
Pocatello silt loam
8-12 percent slopes
Loamy 11-13
ARTRW8/PSSP6
Pocatello silt loam
Loamy 11-13
ARTRW8/PSSP6
Pocatello silt loam
Loamy 11-13
ARTRW8/PSSP6
Ririe silt loam
4 - 12 percent slopes
Loamy 12 -16
ARTRV/PSSP6
Ririe-WatercanyonCedarhill complex
Steep south slopes
12-16 ARTRV/ PSSP6
Valmar-CamelbackHades complex
Steep south slopes
12-16 ARTRV/ PSSP6
Vegetation
Wyoming big sagebrush
Mountain big sagebrush
Bluebunch wheatgrass
Western snowberry
Antelope bitterbrush
Arrowleaf balsamroot
Needle-and-thread grass
Western snowberry
Thurber needlegrass
Quaking aspen
Rocky Mountain maple
Common chokecherry
Mountain bigsagebrush
Blue wildrye
Mountain bromegrass
Thurber needlegrass
Thurber needlegrass
Thurber needlegrass
Western snowberry
Cutleaf balsamroot
Lupine
Nevada bluegrass
Western wheatgrass
Sandberg bluegrass
Slender wheatgrass
Tapertip hawksbeard
Hood’s phlox
Nevada bluegrass
Sandberg bluegrass
Prairie junegrass
Western wheatgrass
Cutleaf balsamroot
Slender wheatgrass
Nevada bluegrass
Pinegrass
Sticky geranium
Saskatoon serviceberry
Tapertip hawksbeard
Hood’s phlox
Sandberg bluegrass
Tapertip hawksbeard
Three-tip sagebrush
Sandberg bluegrass
Tapertip hawksbeard
Three-tip sagebrush
Sandberg bluegrass
Tapertip hawksbeard
Three-tip sagebrush
Nevada bluegrass
Western wheatgrass
Slender wheatgrass
Nevada bluegrass
Western wheatgrass
Sandberg bluegrass
Slender wheatgrass
Nevada bluegrass
Western wheatgrass
Tapertip hawksbeard
Slender wheatgrass
Western snowberry
Saskatoon serviceberry
44 ¦ P a g e
Wetlands There is no detailed wetland delineation survey for City Creek in the National Wetlands
database developed and maintained by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Although City Creek is a
perennial stream, there are not significant wetlands associated with the riparian zone. The riparian
corridor is confined in a narrow channel by the overall topography. It has narrow-leaf cottonwood,
water birch, aspen, willow, red-osier dogwood, several unidentified grasses, sedges, some cattail and a
mix of forbs. Stream banks are mostly stable, but show some damage by recreational use and the
resulting channel movement.
Wildlife
Sharp-tailed grouse, which inhabit the Management Area, are classified as sensitive by the US Forest
Service, Region 4. The BLM identifies them as Regional/State imperiled (Type 3). While they are
considered a game bird by IDFG, their status could change if, or when, the CRP program is ended.
Since current sharp-tailed grouse population levels are largely the product of the increase in farmlands
being put into grass across southern Idaho, loss of these grasslands to farming again would likely cause a
decline in statewide grouse numbers.
Much of the watershed provides deer summer and winter range as designated by the Idaho Department
of Fish and Game (IDFG). Moose can be seen in the drainage at any time of the year. Elk rarely use the
basin in winter.
Species of Greatest Conservation Need The Idaho Department of Fish and Game developed the
Idaho Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS) (IDFG. 2005). The document lists
229 animals the Department identifies as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). These
species were ranked based on their rarity, distribution, and known threats to their continued existence.
Given the habitat types present in the watershed and using the distribution maps from the Overthrust
Mountains Section of the CWCS, the SGCN that may be found in the watershed include:
Swainson’s hawk Buteo swainsoni
Leopard frog Rana pipiens
Ring-necked snake Diadophis punctatus
Merlin Falco columbarius
Merriam’s shrew Sorex merriami
Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus
Townsend’s big-eared bat Corynorhinus
Long-billed curlew Numenius americanus
townsendii
Great Basin ground squirrel Spermophilus mollis Lesser goldfinch Carduelis psaltria
A field visit noted signs of badger, deer, desert cottontail, sharp-tailed grouse, pocket gophers, voles,
gopher snakes, blue racer snakes, sagebrush lizards, white-tailed jackrabbits, red-tail hawks and harriers.
45 ¦ P a g e
Birds Dr. Charles Trost, Professor Emeritus Idaho State University has compiled a list of birds nesting
in the City Creek drainage:
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Common Poorwill*
Broad-tailed
Hummingbird*
Calliope
Hummingbird*
Red-naped Sapsucker*
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Western WoodPewee*
Dusky Flycatcher*
Willow Flycatcher*
Gray Flycatcher*
Western Kingbird*
Warbling Vireo*
Plunbeous Vireo*
Black-billed Magpie
American Crow
Black-capped
Chickadee
Juniper Titmouse
House Wren*
American Robin
Swainson’s Thrush*
Hermit Thrush*
Gray Catbird*
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned
Warbler*
Virginia’s Warbler*
Yellow Warbler*
Yellow-rumped
Warbler
MacGillvray’s
Warbler*
Yellow-breasted Chat*
Black-headed
Grosbeak*
Spotted Towhee
Green-tailed Towhee*
Lazuli Bunting*
Lark Sparrow*
Chipping Sparrow*
Fox Sparrow*
Grasshopper Sparrow*
Vesper Sparrow*
Song Sparrow
Western Meadowlark
Brown-headed
Cowbird*
Bullock’s Oriole*
House Finch
Cassin’s Finch
American Goldfinch
Lesser Goldfinch
*At least 27 of these 52 birds (nearly 54%) are Neotropical Migrants, which means that they spend the
winter months somewhere between Mexico and Central America. The Brown-headed Cowbird is a
nest parasite, which lays its eggs in other songbird nests.
Habitat Management Opportunities
Under the existing situation, opportunities for improving wildlife habitat in the watershed are limited
since it is in good to excellent condition. Rehabilitation efforts from the 1987 fire used non-native
species and mechanical seeding to decrease recovery time and ensure plant establishment. According to
a study by Idaho State University (Ratzlaff and Anderson, July 5, 1990) much of the vegetation would
have recovered naturally.
Most of the rehabilitation effort went toward establishing grass cover to reduce the erosion hazard. An
opportunity exists for increasing vegetation diversity by inter-seeding the established grassy areas with
native forbs and shrubs, both of which are reduced in those areas. Any future rehabilitation efforts in
the watershed should emphasize the use of native plants.
The sagebrush that dominates the habitat in the lower watershed is three-tip sagebrush. While it does
provide cover for birds and small mammals, the value for wildlife is reduced by its inedibility. When the
opportunity presents itself, replacing the three-tip sage with mountain big sage, preferably the Hobble
Creek variety, would be advantageous.
46 ¦ P a g e

City Creek Management Area (CCMA)

Transcription

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