Notice2022-15970
Determination of Eligibility for Consideration as Wilderness Areas, Wupatki National Monument, Arizona
Primary source
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Published
July 26, 2022
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
Pursuant to the Wilderness Act of 1964, and in accordance with National Park Service (NPS) Management Policies (2006), Section 6.2.1, the NPS has completed a Wilderness Eligibility Assessment to determine if lands within Wupatki National Monument (Wupatki or monument) meet criteria indicating eligibility for preservation as wilderness.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 142 (Tuesday, July 26, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 26, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44421-44422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15970]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-IMR-WUPA-32891; PPIMFLAGS2, PPMPSPD1Z.YM]
Determination of Eligibility for Consideration as Wilderness
Areas, Wupatki National Monument, Arizona
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior
ACTION: Notice of Determination of Wilderness Eligibility for Lands in
Wupatki National Monument.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Wilderness Act of 1964, and in accordance with
National Park Service (NPS) Management Policies (2006), Section 6.2.1,
the NPS has completed a Wilderness Eligibility Assessment to determine
if lands within Wupatki National Monument (Wupatki or monument) meet
criteria indicating eligibility for preservation as wilderness.
ADDRESSES: A map of lands assessed is on file at Wupatki National
Monument Headquarters, 6400 U.S. 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Acting Superintendent Kristofer
Butcher, Flagstaff Area National Monuments, 6400 U.S. 89, Flagstaff, AZ
86004, Telephone: 928-526-1157 or 205-410-3543, email address:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#460d342f35322920233419243332252e23340628363568212930"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f5be879c86819a939087aa978081969d9087b59b8586db929a83">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Wupatki National Monument has determined
that a significant portion of the lands within the monument are
eligible for wilderness designation. Areas determined to be eligible
for wilderness designation total 34,194 acres or 96.5% of Wupatki's
total 35,424 acres, with the remaining 1,230 acres or 3.5% of total
monument acreage determined not eligible for wilderness designation.
Eligible wilderness areas at Wupatki National Monument are
subdivided into the following areas:
Eligible Wilderness Area 1: 6,284 acres. This area contains
outstanding grassland resources with some juniper savanna in the
eastern portions. The landscape is dominated by basalt mesas and offers
prime habitat for pronghorn antelope. The area is largely undeveloped
and retains most of its primeval character. This area is managed to
protect pronghorn habitat and sensitive cultural resources. The
western-most portion of this area is affected by the presence of
Highway 89 but is still eligible to be designated as wilderness.
Eligible Wilderness Area 2: 21,168 acres. Almost the entire area is
undeveloped, with few signs of people and one rarely used
administrative road (Crack-in-Rock Road). This area generally appears
to be affected primarily by natural forces. The area offers a variety
of habitats including pristine grassland, juniper savanna, and cold
desert scrub, and is bisected by a prominent geologic feature known as
the Doney monocline. The monocline contains deeply incised washes
including Antelope Wash, and outstanding views of the Painted Desert,
Little Colorado River valley to the north and east, and the San
Francisco Peaks to the south. Spectacular features found in this area
include red formations of Moenkopi sandstone and areas such as Deadman
Wash, which extends from well south of the monument around the north
side of the San Francisco Peaks, all the way to the Little Colorado
River.
Eligible Wilderness Area 3: 1,929 acres. This area surrounds
Wupatki
[[Page 44422]]
National Monument's primary interpretive feature, the Visitor Center,
and the housing area. Some development has occurred within this area to
support monument operations; however, it is confined to the Wupatki
Visitor Center area and on top of the Woodhouse Mesa. One above ground
utility line runs to Woodhouse Mesa, however, as the monument strives
to become more energy efficient and self-sufficient, it will pursue
removing the above ground line. The rest of the area consists of Doney
Mountain and Deadman Wash. Although this wilderness area is less than
5,000 acres, this area can be managed as wilderness because the
landscape is homogenous with the surrounding eligible wilderness areas
but is bisected by the primary road that goes through Wupatki. This
area has many locations not affected by modern development and the
potential for seclusion exists in this area. The area outside of the
administrative zones is undeveloped and is affected primarily by
natural forces.
Eligible Wilderness Area 4: 4,813 acres. This area contains
outstanding Moenkopi sandstone outcrops and deep washes. The landscape
is dominated by basalt mesas and offers prime locations for isolation
and quiet. The area is largely undeveloped and retains most of its
primeval character except for an interpretive pueblo site with
associated parking area and access road (Wukoki Pueblo), a small
administrative area used for maintenance activities (New Heiser) and a
special use permit residence with associated road access. At the
expiration of the special use permit for the residence, the area will
be rehabilitated to restore natural conditions.
In accordance with NPS Management Policies (2006), Section 6.2.2,
Wupatki National Monument will prepare a wilderness study to determine
if any portions of the monument should be recommended for inclusion in
the National Wilderness Preservation System as defined in the
Wilderness Act of 1964.
Charles F. Sams, III,
Director, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-15970 Filed 7-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on July 26, 2022.
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