Wilderness Values Exercise

Purpose of this exercise is to provoke thought
Wilderness decision-making is not black and white
Agency, individual values play a role whether we are conscious of it or not

Question: is it OK to use a chainsaw to clear wind blown trees from a trail if it seems to be the only way to get the trail open with the available personnel, skills, and equipment?

Discussion: Do different agencies have different practices/values on this? Do our publics? Does congress? Does reduced cost justify use of motorized equipment in wilderness? Decisions on this question are partly based on values: our own, our agency, as expressed in the law, and the public (access to public lands, trails).

Section 4(c) of the 1964 Wilderness Act says that motorized equipment can be used only if it is necessary to meet the minimum requirements for the administration of the area for the purposes of the act. Section 2(a) says the purpose of the act are 1) to assure that increasing population, expanding settlement, and growing mechanization does not occupy and modify all areas and 2) to secure for the public an enduring resource of wilderness. It goes on to say that “…these [areas] shall be administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such a manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness…”.

Does the public’s need/desire/right to use their lands constitute a minimum requirement to use chainsaws to clear the trail? Do we think we need chainsaws because they are faster or safer? Do we justify the need for chainsaws because the fire crew is available and qualified but there are no local resources qualified to use cross-cut saws? What are the consequences of not clearing the trails immediately or not using chainsaws?

Question: Do you think we should accept intense, stand replacement natural fire in a large wilderness surrounded by public lands?

Question: Do you think we should accept intense, stand replacement natural fire in a small wilderness adjacent to the urban interface?

Discussion: What causes a difference in answers? Firefighter, public safety? Homes, other values at risk? A trade-off is going on between wilderness and other values.

Question: Do you think we should use prescribed fire to mimic “natural” fire if the natural fire regime is severely altered by historic fire suppression and the surrounding landscape is heavily altered by development?

Question: Do you think we know what is “natural”? Can we define natural by managing for conditions as they were at a certain time in history? Pre-European discovery? 1964?

Discussion: Section 2(c) of the 1964 Wilderness Act defines wilderness. It uses words and phrases like untrammeled (not controlled, hindered, or manipulated by people), primeval, natural, affected primarily by the forces of nature. How do you think this definition affects the answer to the questions? Both the law and our values are interacting in how we answer these questions.

Discussion: Section 4(d) of the 1964 Wilderness Act says that measures may be taken as may be necessary in the control of fire, insects, and diseases subject to certain conditions. Are these measures allowed in order to protect places outside wilderness from wilderness? Visa versa? Both?

Question: Do you think that the use of herbicides to control noxious weeds in wilderness is appropriate?

Question: Do you think that the use of herbicides around wilderness is appropriate in order to protect wilderness?

Question: Do you think the use of biocontrol agents (typically non-native insects) to control non-native invasive plants is acceptable in wilderness?

Question: Scenario: Air pollution is causing acidification of lakes in your wilderness, a rare trout species is facing localized extinction as a result. Reversing the acidification will require a program of adding liming chemicals to all affected lakes. The liming will be required indefinitely into the future, it requires use of large helicopters, and is very expensive. Do you think the liming should be implemented?

Question: Do you think liming (treating the acidification) is treating the symptom or the cause of the problem?

Question: Do you think that remnants of 19th century mining (old mining equipment, cabins, etc.), should be preserved in wilderness as part of the historic values of wilderness?

Discussion: Section 1(c) of the 1964 Wilderness Act lists values of wilderness, “may contain certain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value.” Section 4(b) has additional direction about wilderness values, this time referring to “uses”, “…devoted to public purposes of recreational, scenic, scientific, educational, conservation, and historical use.”

Question: Do you think that mining activities themselves should be preserved and protected as a “historical” use?

Discussion: (Discuss section 4(d) 3 if necessary re mineral withdrawals and intent of congress.) What about primitive gold panning? What about other “historical” uses such as those of tribal groups? Grazing? Using pack stock? Discuss Diamond Bar decision re grazing as “historical use” and Chief’s remand and interpretation of “historical use”.

Question: Do you think commercial filming should be allowed in wilderness?

Discussion: Section 4c of the Wilderness Act prohibits commercial enterprise though commercial services (i.e. outfitters and guides) are allowed under Section 4d6. Is commercial filming a commercial enterprise? Should filming for Hollywood movies be prohibited but video of hunting trips for sale by outfitters be allowed?

Wrap-up: The purpose of this exercise is to provoke thought and examine the role of judgment and values in wilderness decision-making. Also to underscore that this is not a black and white environment for decisions. Use the law (1964 Wilderness Act, specific enabling legislation for your wilderness), agency policy, and our collective experience as managers for help when making difficult decisions.

Question: Do you think actual geocaching or letter-boxing or virtual geocaching should be allowed in wilderness?

Discussion: The activity can be a fun family oriented outdoor experience on public lands that combines new technology with the outdoors and it is growing in popularity. On the other hand geocaches, letter-boxes, and virtual geocache points are often located in trail-less areas and new trails and other impacts can be created by those looking for the sites.