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www.skyislandaction.org 4-1 State of the Coronado Forest DRAFT 11.05.08

Douglas RANGER DISTRICT

DRAFT 11.05.08 State of the Coronado Forest 4-2 www.skyislandaction.org

CHAPTER 4 Peloncillo Ecosystem Management Area

to the Gila River watershed. The most spectacularexample of this connectivity was the jaguarphotographed in the Forest in 1996. The large malespotted here is believed to have moved north from apopulation in Sonora. The bridge of the Peloncillosstraddles the eastern edge of the Sonoran Desert andthe western edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, while theAnimas Valley on its eastern side is the southwesternmost extension of the Great Plains. This creates a greatintermingling of species. Great Plains species such asthe Ord's kangaroo rat are found here next desert-adapted species such as mesquite.

The Peloncillo Ecosystem Management Area lies inone of the most biologically diverse and unfragmentedlandscapes remaining in North America. The southernportion of the Peloncillo range supports some of themost extensive and well developed Madrean evergreenwoodland found in New Mexico. The great diversity ofhabitat here supports a number of bird species that arethreatened or endangered in New Mexico includingelegant trogon, buff-collared nightjar and Aplomadofalcon. The range harbors the only fully nativepopulation of Gould’s Turkey, though the species hasbeen reintroduced into a few other sky islandmountain ranges. Birds are the most visible form ofbiodiversity with at least 318 species occurring in thePeloncillo region including 15 species ofhummingbirds alone. Because the mountains andcanyons of the Peloncillos are located between

The Peloncillo Ecosystem Management Area(EMA) contains some of the wildest country in theCoronado National Forest. Its 87,986 acres straddlethe Arizona-New Mexico border along the spine of thePeloncillo Mountains. These mountains andsurrounding desert grasslands have received nationaland international recognition for their outstandingbiological diversity. Much of the area's ecologicalintegrity remains intact and the area is rich inprehistory and history.

The Peloncillo Mountain Range stretchesapproximately 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico bordernorth to the Gila River. The area managed by theForest Service is situated at the southern end of therange near the U.S.-Mexico border. Elevations rangefrom 2,500 feet to 6,300 feet. The vegetation in themanagement area is approximately 35% broadleafwoodland, 30% coniferous woodland, and 30% desertgrassland, with small amounts of chaparral anddeciduous riparian. (See Figure 4.1 for an overviewmap.)

Natural HistoryThe Peloncillo Mountains and their flanking

valleys owe much of their biological glory to theirunique geographic position. The long mountain rangecreates a sky island bridge between the Sierra MadreOccidental and the Rocky Mountains. Far rangingspecies such as jaguar, and black bear can move alongthe Peloncillos from the mountains of Mexico north



been found in Cloverdale Valley on the eastern side ofthe Management Area. The archaeological site in theCloverdale area is thought to be a retooling area whereweapons were repaired.3

Despite Spanish claim to the area, for most ofrecorded history the Peloncillo region, including theChiricahua and Animas Mountains, was controlledmore completely by Apaches than by any other nation.Many old maps simply label the region “Apacheria.”The Peloncillos were a vital corridor for the Apachesbecause the range connects with the Sierra Madresand the scattered ranges of the Sky Islands —sanctuaries the semi-nomadic Apaches usedfrequently. In fact, few ranges figure more prominentlyin the history of U.S.-Apache relations than thePeloncillos.4 In 1872, a treaty with Apache leaderCochise gave the Chiricahua Apaches a reservation ina portion of their homeland, the eastern portion ofpresent-day Cochise County. Following Cochise’sdeath in 1874, the reservation was terminated and theChiricahuas were marched to the San CarlosReservation.5 When Geronimos’ band of Apaches laterrebelled and left the reservation system, the Peloncillosprovided a place of refuge where the army wasreluctant to follow. The small band of Chiricahuaswould move between San Carlos and the Sierra MadreMountains using Guadalupe Canyon as one of theirmajor corridors. By the mid-1880s military actionhad reduced the number of Apaches outside thereservations to perhaps 50; though tough and clever,they were vastly outnumbered by both U.S. andMexican forces. The Peloncillos, which had once beena sanctuary for the Apaches, became the site of theirfinal surrender. On 3 September 1886 Geronimo andhis followers — 19 men and 28 women and children— surrendered to General Nelson Miles in SkeletonCanyon.

Following the final surrender of Geronimo and thearrival of the transcontinental railroad in southernArizona, Anglo-American settlement boomed andpeaked during the 1910s. Cattle ranching quicklybecame the major economic activity in the area.

wintering and summering grounds of hundreds ofneotropical migrant bird species, they supportbiological diversity of migrant birds both in theUnited States and Mexico.1 Opening from the spine ofthe Peloncillo range south toward Mexico and RioBavispe, Clanton Canyon and Guadalupe Canyoncontain excellent riparian habitat. These canyonssupport many species of concern, as well as thehighest avian diversity, in the state of New Mexico.2

Many species of butterflies, most famously themonarch, also travel the continental pathway of thePeloncillos between the tropical south and temperatenorth.

Mammal diversity in the area is equally high. Theflanking Animas Valley has recorded 75 mammalspecies, more than are known for YellowstoneNational Park. In the San Simon Valley, west of themountains, one study plot found 25 species of smallmammals present.

The New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake, one ofthe rarest snakes in the United States inhabits rockyhillsides of the Peloncillos.

Human History and Pre-HistoryAccording to archaeological evidence, humans

have made the Peloncillo region their home nearlycontinuously for the last 13,000 years. These residentsranged from Paleo-Indians spear-hunting mammothsto Spanish crusaders seeking converts and copper, andfrom Apaches — for 300 years the dominant humanpresence in the region — to Euro-Americanwanderers acting out the drama of manifest destiny.During most of discernible history, the Peloncillo areawas a cultural crossroads where distinct peoples livedin close proximity and came together for trading,raiding, and boundary squabbles. This geographicmixing has created a wealth of cultural resources inthe area

The Peloncillos lie in a region of particularimportance to Paleo-Indian studies because the regionhas experienced significantly less severe erosion thanadjacent areas. Significant remains from the Clovisand Folsom cultures of the Paleo-Indian period have


Figure 4.1 Overview of Peloncillo EMA

The Peloncillo Ecosystem Management Areaharbors a unique combination of vegetation types andspecies that contribute to the biological diversity ofthe Coronado National Forest. The Forest Servicerecognizes that building a framework for ecologicalsustainability will require management of entirebiological communities combined with specialmanagement for particular species. For revision of theForest Plan the Forest Service identified species thatwill be the focus of planning efforts. Species andvegetation types of management interest found acrossthe Coronado National Forest were described andlisted in the Forest Overview (Table 1.1, page 1-11).Described here are species and vegetation typesspecifically found on the Peloncillo EcosystemManagement Area. The Forest Service identifiedspecies of plants and animals including Threatened orEndangered species, along with other speciesdetermined to be Species of Concern or Species ofInterest due to management issues (Table 4.1).

Ecological systems and the processes that sustainthem are the foundations of native biological diversity.Vegetation communities and aquatic habitats that areespecially species rich, diverse, or threatened; or areendemic to the region or locality are of particularmanagement concern. To evaluate current conditionsand management prescriptions for ecological systemsthe Forest Service is using the framework of PotentialNatural Vegetation Types. Potential Natural VegetationTypes are defined as the vegetation that woulddominate a site under natural disturbance regimesand biological processes. Using this classificationallows current vegetation to be compared to itshistorical range of variation. Because Potential NaturalVegetation Types are relatively broad groupings, andbecause the Forest contains a high diversity ofvegetation types, we present ecological systems as afocus for management direction. These ecologicalsystems are cross-walked with the Potential NaturalVegetation Types used by the Forest Service (Table4.2). Although there are many fine variations in plantcommunities on the Peloncillo EcosystemManagement Area, the broader classifications ofecological systems are grouped so as to be most usefulfor management actions such as mapping, landmanagement, and monitoring. Plant communities


Elements of Biological Diversity and Cultural Heritage

AmphibiansRana chiricahuensis

BirdsAmmodramus savannarumCyrtonix montezumaeEmpidonax fulvifrons pygmaeusEuptilotis neoxenusFalco femoralis septentrionalisMeleagris galloopavo mexicanaTrogon elegans

InsectsAdoaeoides prittwitzi Cicindela oregona maricopa

MammalsCanis lupus baileyiChoeronyceris mexicanaLasiurus blossevilliiLeptonycteris mexicanaPanthera oncaSorex arizonae

PlantsAstragalus cobrensis var. maguireiBouteloua parryiCarex ultraEriogonum arizonicumEscobaria orcuttiiEscobaria vivipara var. bisbeeanaFraxinus papillosaLimosella publifloraMammillaria heyderi var.

bullingtonianaPenstemon superbusPerityle dissectaTalinum humileVauquelinia californica ssp.

pauciflora

ReptilesAspidoscelis burti stictogrammaCroatalus willardi obscurusSceloporus sleviniTantilla yaquiaThamnophis eques megalops

Chiricahua Leopard Frog

Arizona Grasshopper SparrowMontezuma QuailNorthern Buff-breasted FlycatcherEared QuetzalNorthern Aplomado FalconGould's TurkeyElegant Trogon

Sunrise SkipperMaricopa Tiger Beetle

Mexican Gray WolfMexican Long-tongued BatWestern Red BatMexican Long-nosed BatJaguarArizona Shrew

Copper Mine Milk-vetchParry's GrammaCochise SedgeArizona Wild-buckwheatOrcutt's Foxtail CactusBisbee's Pincushion CactusChihuahua AshChiricahua MudwortLittle Nipple Cactus

Superb BeardtongueSlimlobe RockdaisyPinos Altos Mtns. FlameflowerArizona Limestone Rosewood

Canyon Spotted WhiptailNM Ridge-nosed RattlesnakeSlevin's Bunchgrass LizardYaqui Black-headed SnakeNorthern Mexican Gartersnake

Table 4.1 Species Identified by the ForestService to Guide Management Decisions


Figure 4.2 Ecological Systems of the Peloncillo EMA


were grouped based on shared characteristics such asnatural processes (e.g. fire and flood), substrates (e.g.shallow soils, limestone outcroppings), and localclimate.6 Protection of ecological systems will helpensure the protection of biological diversity in thePeloncillos. Figure 4.2 shows the distribution ofecological systems in the Peloncillos. Through contactwith regional scientists and experts, and other peoplefamiliar with the Peloncillos, we identified ecologicalsystems, physiographic features, additional species andcultural resources that should also be considered inthe Forest Plan revision.

Species that will need special managementattention include species that are endemic to theregion or locality, species that have a restricteddistribution within the region, and species dependenton specialized habitat. Other species that will needspecial consideration are species that are rare,vulnerable or declining throughout their ranges; arerare, imperiled or vulnerable in the U.S. portion oftheir ranges that overlap the Coronado NationalForest; or are harvested for economic interests. Thesespecies may not be adequately protected by managingfor ecological systems and may require specificmanagement actions or monitoring. Table 4.3 listsadditional species whose needs should be assessedduring plan revision. Many of the bird species thathave been identified are species that are rare orimperiled in the state of New Mexico even thoughthey may be more abundant in Arizona.

The Peloncillo Mountains contain a wealth ofprehistoric and historic influences. Visible andphysical remnants of previous human habitation ofthe area include built structures, physical sites, orobjects or assemblages of material culture. Humanuses of the land compatible with the protection ofbiological diversity, and traditional Apache uses of theland are also an important part of the CulturalHeritage of the area (Table 4.4).

Table 4.2 Foundations of Native BiologicalDiversity

“Potential Natural Vegetation Types” (bold) as theycorrespond with The Nature Conservancy’s “EcologicalSystems”___________________________________________

Desert CommunitiesChihuahuan Desert Scrub

Interior ChaparralInterior Chaparral

Madrean Encinal WoodlandMadrean Encinal

Madrean Pine-oak WoodlandMadrean pine-oak Woodland

Mixed Conifer ForestMontane Mixed-Conifer Forest

Semi-desert GrasslandsApachean Grassland and SavannahApachean Shrubland

Communities___________________________________________

CienegaChihuahuan Pine stands

Physiographic Features___________________________________________

Devil's KitchenEphemeral watercoursesSeepsScenic resources in Classes 1-3 and Attractiveness Class Distinctive

Human PrehistoryPaleo-Indian weapons repair site near Cloverdale

Human HistoryBlack Rock Civilian Conservation Corps historic dam (near Geronimo Trail)Old Cloverdale post officeCloverdale dance floorCochise’s Serrampion Camp (on east side of Skeleton Canyon)Surrender site of Geronimo

Other ValuesOpportunities for quiet and solitude

Table 4.4 Elements of Cultural Heritage


AmphibiansRana yavapaiensisSpea multiplicata

BirdsAmazilia violicepsAphelocoma ultramarinaAsturina nitida maximaButeo albonotatusButeogallus anthracinusCallipepla squamataCalothorax luciferCalypte costaeCamptostoma imberbeCamprimulgus ridgwayiColumbina passerinaCynanthus latirostrisDendroica graciaeMegascops trichopsisMelanerpes uropygialisMicrathene whitneyiMyiarchus tuberculiferMyiarchus tyrannulusMyioborus pictusPasserina versicolorPeucedramus taeniatusPicoides arizonaePiranga flavaPoecile sclateriPolioptila nigricepsTyrannus crassirostrisVireo bellii arizonaeVireo huttoniVireo vicinior

Lowland Leopard FrogNew Mexico Spadefoot

Violet-crowned HummingbirdMexican JayNorthern Gray HawkZone-tailed HawkCommon Black-hawkScaled QuailLucifer HummingbirdCosta’s HummingbirdNorthern Beardless-tyrannuletBuff-collared NightjarCommon Ground-doveBroad-billed HummingbirdGrace’s WarblerWhiskered Screech OwlGila WoodpeckerElf OwlDusky-capped FlycatcherBrown-crested FlycatcherPainted RedstartVaried BuntingOlive WarblerArizona WoodpeckerHepatic TanagerMexican ChickadeeBlack-capped GnatcatcherThick-billed KingbirdArizona Bell’s VireoHutton’s VireoGray Vireo

Table 4.3 Additional Species that Require Special Management Consideration

InsectsAgathymus aryxnaAgathymus polingiCalephelis arizonensisCicindela purpurea cimarronaLimenitis archippus obsoleta

MammalsDidelphis virginiana californicaMyotis veliferNasua naricaPanthera oncaSigmodon ochrognathus

MollusksSonorella hatchitana peloncillensis

Other InvertebratesDiplocentrus peloncillensis

ReptilesCrotalus lepidusHeloderma suspectumLampropeltis pyromelana pyromelanaPhrynosoma cornutumSenticolis triaspisSceloporus virgatus

PlantsBouteloua eludensBouteloua eriopidaCoryphantha robbinsorumNolina microcarpa

Faunal AssemblagesBreeding congregations of mixed toad species

Arizona Giant-skipperPoling’s Giant-skipperArizona MetalmarkA Tiger BeetleViceroy

Mexican OpossumCave MyotisWhite-nosed CoatiJaguarYellow-nosed Cotton Rat

Talus Snail (Skull Canyon)

Peloncillo Scorpion

Rock RattlesnakeGila MonsterArizona Mountain KingsnakeTexas Horned LizardGreen RatsnakeStriped Plateau Lizard

Santa Rita GrammaBlack GrammaCochise Pincushion CactusSacahuista Beargrass

Conservation assets work on behalf of desiredconditions and against the threats to the ecologicaland cultural elements of the Dragoons. They willcontribute to the Forest Service’s ability to maintainecological sustainability on the Management Area.The following emerged as strengths and opportunitiesfor conservation on the Dragoon EcosystemManagement Area.

Cloverdale CienegaCloverdale Cienega is fed by Cloverdale Creek,

which is the only semi-perennial creek in thePeloncillos and supports one of the healthiestpopulations of Chiricahua Leopard Frogs in the SkyIsland region of southern Arizona and southwesternNew Mexico.7 The watershed of Cloverdale Creek isespecially healthy because of good grazing practices inthe area, prescribed burning by land managers, and arelatively intact fire regime. Cloverdale Creek and thecienega it supports are of particular importance to thefederally listed Endangered Chiricahua Leopard Frogbecause they are free of exotic bullfrogs, predatoryfishes, and the highly lethal chytrid fungus, all ofwhich have contributed to the drastic decline of nativefrog populations in the Sky Island region. The cienegais also relatively free from other invasive species andoffers an excellent restoration opportunity. Along withthe rare leopard frog, the creek and cienega supportother riparian species of the Sky Island region that arebecoming increasingly rare because of rapidlydisappearing riparian habitat. Cloverdale Cienega is aunique asset to the Coronado National Forest.

The Diamond A RanchThe Diamond A Ranch (formerly the Gray Ranch)

covers 321,000 acres (500 square miles) in the boot-heel of New Mexico (far southwest corner). Itsbiological wealth includes more than 50 naturalcommunities, more than 700 species of plants, 75mammals, 50 reptiles and amphibians, and more than170 species of breeding birds. In 1990 The NatureConservancy purchased the ranch; in 1993 ittransferred the property to the newly formed AnimasFoundation, an organization dedicated to protectingthe natural values of the Gray Ranch whilemaintaining the cultural and economic heritage of theboot-heel country. The Animals Foundation is apartner in the Malpai Borderlands Group.

International and National Recognition of ConservationValue

In 2003 World Wildlife Fund partnered with SkyIsland Alliance and other organizations to produce areport that categorized the Peloncillo region as veryhigh in reptile, amphibian, bird, invertebrate, andplant diversity, as well as significant in endemism andrare species.10

The Nature Conservancy recognizes theChihuahuan Desert as a conservation target. ThePeloncillo Mountains and Baker Canyon are situatedin the Mexican Highlands section of the ChihuahuanDesert.

Clanton Canyon in the Peloncillo EMA has beendeclared an Important Bird Area by the NationalAudubon Society. This designation takes into accountstate or federally listed endangered and threatenedspecies; rare, unique, or representative habitats; andsignificant concentrations of species or assemblages,among other qualities. Clanton Canyon is anextension of the Sierra Madre Occidental from Mexicoand contains birds from the Madrean habitats.

Guadalupe Canyon in the southern PeloncilloMountains, along the southern border of theCoronado National Forest, has been declared anImportant Bird Area by the National AudubonSociety. This canyon supports many bird species rarelyseen in the United States because the canyon is thenortheastern edge of their range. Some such speciesinclude the Aplomado falcon, violet-crownedhummingbird, and buff-collared nightjar.11

Malpai Borderlands GroupThe Malpai Borderlands Group (MBG) was

formed in 1991 by working ranchers in the Peloncilloarea. The group formed in response to the threat offragmentation of the landscape through increasingpopulation pressure, as well as declining productivityand loss of biological diversity accompanying theencroachment of woody species on grasslands. Thegoal of the Malpai Group is “to restore and maintainthe natural processes that create and protect a healthy,unfragmented landscape to support a diverse,flourishing community of human plant and animallife.” To this end, MBG has secured conservationeasements on more than 72,000 acres of private land


Conservation Assets


The Coronado National Forest and surroundinglands have experienced a variety of changes in thetwenty years since the current Forest Plan was written.Management concerns and threats exist in thePeloncillos that are not addressed in the Forest Plan,or have not been adequately dealt throughmanagement. The Peloncillos remain a relativelyremote area on the Coronado National Forest thatreceives limited recreational use compared to thenearby Chiricahua and Dragoon Mountains. However,as the population of the region has grown in the lasttwenty years, so has use of the Forest. Increasednumbers of recreationists, coupled with theproliferation of the motorized recreation industry haslead to greater recreational impacts on the Forest. ThePeloncillo Management Area is located in a region thatis beginning to experience exurban growth, includingthe subdivision of large ranches into ranchettes andthe development of an ultralight flight center inneighboring Rodeo. Other nearby recreation areas arebecoming more congested as population grows in theregion and this pattern will push recreationist intomore remote areas of the Forest. The plan revision willupdate existing management direction and add newmanagement direction, both of which should addressthese concerns. The following issues present

challenges to ecological sustainability on thePeloncillo Ecosystem Management Area.

ADJACENT LAND USESSuburban and exurban development threaten to

rapidly fragment the relatively natural landscape ofthe San Simon and San Bernardino Valleys. This typeof development threatens the integrity of wildlifecorridors between the Peloncillos and surroundingmountain ranges, causes direct loss of wildlife habitat,and creates social resistance to grassland fires.Development will lead to more areas of wildland/urban interface bordering the Peloncillo EMA. Alongwith private and BLM lands, state lands of high-quality conservation value surround the Peloncillos.These lands are eligible to be leased or sold fordevelopment, which would have major effects onForest lands. This could also greatly impact wildlifemovement corridors between the PeloncilloMountains and the Chiricahua Mountains, the SanBernardino Valley and lands in Mexico.

Resources likely affected by land developmentadjacent to the EMA include: geological features,springs, ephemeral watercourses, seeps, scenicresources, all ecological systems, all native vegetationtypes and their associated flora and fauna; species

Threats to the Forest: A Need for Change

in the southern part of the Peloncillo Mountains toprotect against irreparable fragmentation of this wildlandscape.8 MBG also offers an innovative“grassbanking” program by which neighboringranchers experiencing problems with drought andoverutilization can rest their ranches from grazing bymoving their herds to the Diamond A Ranch underreciprocal conservation agreements. MBG currentlymaintains a Safe Harbor Agreement for theChiricahua Leopard Frog and will soon be signing aHabitat Conservation Plan.

The group has been a leader in the reintroductionof fire to the Peloncillo region through controlledburns and changes in fire management on their lands.In a unique example of private landowner initiativeand agency cooperation, local residents and ranchershave pushed for more use of fire, and the agencieshave responded.9 In cooperation with federal agencies,a comprehensive fire plan was developed, which

encompasses approximately 800,000 acres of bothprivate and public lands. The actions of MalpaiBorderlands Group benefit the ecology of the regionand the financial well-being of rural land users.

Peloncillo Programmatic Fire PlanThe Peloncillo Programmatic Fire Plan is a multi-

agency and -landowner strategy for fire managementin the southern Peloncillo Mountains. The planencompasses approximately 800,000 acres of privateand public lands and has greatly aided thereintroduction of fire in the region.

Topography of Wilderness Study AreasThe existing WSAs in the Peloncillo EMA are

protected to a certain extent by their ruggedtopography. These areas provide outstandingopportunities for solitude and primitive recreation,while protecting watersheds, wildlife, scenery, andcultural and spiritual values.

particularly sensitive to direct human disturbance(e.g., bats, lizards, desert box turtle, jaguar, ocelot,Mexican spotted owl, Coues’ white-tailed deer); wide-ranging species of terrestrial animals: mountain lion,jaguar, ocelot, black bear, white-nosed coati,pronghorn, deer; prehistoric and historical sites,structures, and artifacts; Apachean grassland andsavanna, Madrean pine-oak woodland, Madreanencinal grasslands, Chihuahuan pine stands; andanimal species dependent on fire-adapted vegetationcommunities (e.g., Mexican spotted owl, New Mexicoridge-nosed rattlesnake).

EXTRACTIVE USESCommercial/cultural collection of plants and non-

game animals leads to a depletion of speciespopulations and the depletion of habitat. Surroundinghabitat is degraded by vehicles driving off-road toreach desired plant and animal species (especiallybeargrass). Species affected by collection include theArizona mountain kingsnake, New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake, green ratsnake, and beargrass.Gould’s turkey, and Montezuma quail12 are affected bythe collection of beargrass on which they aredependent.

Cutting or removal of snags, dead trees, andbranches containing or suitable for nesting cavitiesdecreases essential habitat for the whiskered screechowl, elf owl, eared quetzal, Arizona woodpecker, andGila woodpecker.

Poorly managed livestock grazing currently affectsa minor portion of the rangeland in the PeloncilloEMA. It is primarily a potential future threat if thelivestock management in the area changes. Resourcesaffected by habitat damage and removal of grass coverinclude: riparian-associated species CoppermineMilkvetch (Astragalus cobrensis maguirei), Cochisesedge (Carex ultra), ecological systems historicallymaintained by low-intensity, regular fires,13 scaledquail, and Montezuma quail.14

Potential mineral withdrawal threats in thePeloncillos include extraction of tin, molybdenum,gold, or various other metals in the central part of theEMA.

INVASIVE SPECIESBULLFROGS: Competition with, and predation on,

native species, as well as the transmission of Chytridfungus, makes this a particularly concerning threat tothe healthy population of Chiricahua leopard frogs at

the Cloverdale Cienega. Impacts would be felt as wellby the lowland leopard frog and the NorthernMexican gartersnake.

CRAYFISH: Though not currently found here, thepotential for competition with, and predation on,native species, combined with the destruction ofnative stream vegetation, should have this species highon any list of species to be monitored for in this EMA.If they were to make their way into the Peloncillos,they could affect springs, ephemeral watercourses, allaquatic ecological systems and their associated floraand fauna

NONNATIVE GRASSES: Displacement of native grassesresults in changes to the fire regime and intensity offire. Affected are semidesert grasslands and savanna;cienega habitat; native grass species

TREE OF HEAVEN (Ailanthus altissima): Competeswith native vegetation and prevents the establishmentof native species through toxin production. Affectedare native tree species and wildlife that depends onthem.

BUFFELGRASS: Though not currently present on theEMA, the ongoing development of cold-hardy speciesof buffelgrass are of future concern here. The presenceof buffelgrass would result in competition with nativegrasses, and the alteration of natural fuel loads andfire regimes. Affected would be Apachean grasslandsand Savannas, and Chihuahuan desert scrub.

NON-EXTRACTIVE USESThe San Simon Valley has recently become home

to an ultralight flight club. Low altitude ultralightaircraft overflights, including flights through canyons,are an increasing problem in the Peloncillos.Disturbance of wildlife, noise pollution, and anincreased danger for uncontrollable wildfire, andwildfire during unnatural times of the year are all newmanagement concerns raised by the use of theseaircraft over Forest lands. Affected is all nativevegetation types and their associated flora and fauna;vegetation types with unnatural fuel loading due tohistorical fire suppression; animal species especiallysensitive to direct human disturbance (e.g., avianspecies that use canyon habitat); Apache goshawk.This type of motorized recreation also affects therecreation values of quiet and solitude, both of whichare sought by recreationists in the Peloncillos.

Increasing human population in the region andimmediate vicinity of the Peloncillos is contributing to



unmanaged visitation. This is damaging elements ofbiological diversity and cultural heritage along withdisrupting traditional human uses in the area.Visitation will only increase in the Peloncillos as theregion continues to grow and people continue to seekoutdoor recreation experiences. Unmanaged visitationnegatively affects physiographic features, all ecologicalsystems, all native vegetation types and their associatedflora and fauna; species sensitive to human disturbance(bats, lizards, desert box turtle, jaguar, Mexican spottedowl, Coues’ white-tailed deer); prehistoric andhistorical sites, structures, and artifacts.

ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMDecreased availability of open space outside of

public lands, combined with dramatic increases inmotorized recreation is likely to lead to increasedimpacts from off-road vehicle use in the Peloncillos.Motorized recreation has already brought economiccosts to the Peloncillos through acts such as cut fences,vandalism of water tanks, and loss of forage from soilerosion and gullying. Threats include existing non-system roads and creation of new non-system roadscombined with a lack of enforcement of the legaltransportation system.

Affected resources include: springs; ephemeralwatercourses; seeps; scenic resources, all ecologicalsystems, riparian plant and animal species, speciesespecially sensitive to direct disturbance, wide-rangingspecies of terrestrial animals, reptile species collectedfor captivity, game species; prehistoric and historicalsites, structures, and artifacts and traditional humanuses of the land.

U.S.-MEXICO BORDERHuman traffic, smuggling traffic, and efforts by the

U.S. Border Patrol to control the flow of people andsmuggled goods is impacting the land. The PeloncilloMountain range and surrounding valleys form acontinuum of natural lands extending across theborder to the Sky Islands of northern Mexico.Increasingly elaborate fencing and road networks willfragment the land and disrupt wildlife movement.Some species dependent on permeability of the borderinclude jaguar, ocelot, pronghorn, black bear, Gould’sturkey, white-nosed coati.

SITE-SPECIFIC THREATSCloverdale CienegaIn the past century cienegas and other marshland

habitats in Arizona have decreased significantly fromwidespread distribution to small-scattered remnants.

Cloverdale Cienega is one of the most extensiveremaining cienegas in the region and has excellentrestoration potential. Threats to the area include waterdiversions; water table drawdown, and the ongoingdrought, which may lead to a decrease in health ofCloverdale Cienega and the species that depend on it;and a road through the cienega which impairs theproper functioning of this rare wetland throughinterference with hydrological flow regimes. Feral pigsin the area, are destroying cienega-associatedvegetation and the forming extensive wallows(Cloverdale Spring).

The Forest Service has contemplated a multi-sitecampground in area. Increased recreational use in thearea would be particularly detrimental to the cienegahealth, imperiled species including Chiricahua leopardfrog, Cochise sedge and Northern Mexican gartersnakeand sensitive cultural sites adjacent to the cienega. Thiswould also create an overflow of impacts onto privateproperty in the area. Affected by all of these threatswould be the cienega wetlands and cienega-associatedvegetation and species, springs; the Chiricahua leopardfrog, Cochise sedge, Northern Mexican gartersnake;and prehistoric and historical sites.

Deer CreekThe Deer Creek Road is causing damage to

riparian habitat and has led to severe erosion. Affectedare riparian woodland, montane riparian woodlandand shrubland, and riparian-associated species

Skeleton CanyonThere currently exists an illegal, user-created trail

for motorized vehicles coming from the east intoSkeleton Canyon. This is leading to soil erosion anddamage to riparian canyon habitat. It will also likelylead to the spread of exotic/invasive species. Affectedare Montane Riparian Woodland and Shrubland, andMadrean Encinal grasslands.

Bunk Robinson and Whitmire Canyon Wilderness Study Area (WSA)When the Forest Service delineated Inventoried

Roadless Areas on the Peloncillo EMA under theRoadless Area Planning Rule, they were inaccuratelymapped. These errors include eliminating substantialacreage from both the existing Wilderness Study Area,and roadless areas. It is important that the accurateboundary of both Wilderness Study Areas isrecognized by the Forest Service so that all of theacreage is managed to maintain wildernesscharacteristics.

Recommended Objectives and Management Actions

The Peloncillo Ecosystem ManagementArea (EMA) offers great opportunities forprimitive recreation where quiet and solitude canbe experienced. The area is part of a vitalcontinental corridor for migratory and wide-ranging species traveling between the tropicalsouth and temperate north. The area was animportant cultural crossroads and continues tocontribute to the diverse cultural heritage of theregion. These region-wide contributions of thePeloncillo Ecosystem Management Area should

be a major focus and driver for futuremanagement of this area. New managementdirection that shows foresight and proactivelyaddresses threats will create a long-termframework for ecological health andsustainability. To confront threats and capitalizeon conservation assets, we recommend thefollowing objectives and management actions tobe incorporated into the revision of theCoronado National Forest Plan and subsequentproject level activities.

Continue to support and work collaboratively with the Malpai BorderlandsGroup to maintain the natural, open space character of lands adjacent to thePeloncillo EMA.

Work with state and county transportation departments (Arizona, New Mexico,Cochise County, Hidalgo County) in the U.S., as well as the Mexican highwaydepartment, to adopt ecologically sensitive road design and to retrofit existinghighways to ensure connectivity.

Maintain wildlife corridors between the Peloncillo EMA and (1) theChiricahua EMA, (2) the northern portion of the Peloncillos range, (3) thenorthern Sierra Madre Occidental, and (4) other surrounding natural areas.

Mitigate collection of reptile species and poaching of wildlife by (1) minimizingthe legal transportation system and (2) increasing Forest Service and lawenforcement personnel present on the Peloncillo EMA.

Prevent cutting of dead trees or branches that contain suitable nesting cavitiesfor Whiskered Screech Owl and/or Elf Owl.

Manage and limit the removal of beargrass from the Peloncillo EMA (it isimportant cover for young turkeys and Montezuma Quail).

Maintain healthy, functioning ecological systems and the native speciesassociated with those systems.

Restore and maintain mature and old-growth woodland habitat.

Maintain healthy populations of beargrass.

Maintain essential habitat elements for the Mexican Spotted Owl, includingrocky canyons with a naturally functioning water cycle and a complex foreststructure with uneven-aged, multistoried mature or old-growth stands andsnags.


Implement the guidelines of the Peloncillo Programmatic Fire Plan forappropriate management response to wildland fire.

Ensure that stock tanks function within the ecological context of theirwatersheds and provide water to wildlife.

Continue to restore and support the return of natural fire return intervals in thePeloncillos and adjacent land.

Prevent catastrophic stand-replacing wildfires.

Maintain the Cloverdale Cienega as a healthy, functioning wetland.

Adjacent Land Uses

Objectives Actions

Ecological Restoration

Objectives Actions

Extractive Uses

Objectives Actions

Monitor for bullfrogs within a 7-mile radius of Cloverdale Cienega. Eradicatebullfrogs found within this radius.

Monitor the Cloverdale area for expansion of existing populations or newinvasions of nonnative lovegrasses. Respond with eradication measures.

Monitor feral pigs’ use of Cloverdale Cienega and adjacent cienega to determineextent of damage they are causing, and species that are being affected. Incooperation with landowner and Sky Island Alliance, develop amanagement/control plan.

Use road closures or re-routing and provide minimum signage to forestallvandalism of the prehistoric site near Cloverdale Cienega.

Monitor for buffelgrass invasion along Geronimo Trail. Respond witheradication measures.

Monitor for invasion of nonnative crayfish in the EMA’s watercourses. Respondwith eradication measures.

Work collaboratively with individuals and groups in the private sector toconduct surveillance for invasive species: bullfrogs, nonnative lovegrasses,buffelgrass, feral pigs, crayfish, tamarisk and tree of heaven. Contain oreradicate existing invasions. Prevent new invasions.

Maintain Cloverdale Cienega as a healthy, functioning wetland free fromnonnative predators.

Restore and maintain lowland and grassland ecological systems.

Restore historical native wildlife diversity at Cloverdale Cienega.

Protect prehistoric and historic sites in the Cloverdale area from degradationdue to disturbance.


Do not develop any formal campgrounds in the EMA.

Do not reopen the road through Devil’s Kitchen.

Exclude ultralight overflights from the Peloncillo EMA.

Cultural and Historical Tourism

Use road closures or re-routing and provide minimum signage to forestallvandalism of the prehistoric site near Cloverdale Cienega.

Limit public use of historical sites to interpretive use.

Strengthen interpretation of these sites.

Maintain the Peloncillo EMA as a prime location for quiet and primitiverecreation.

Minimize interference with quiet recreation through management ofmotorized recreation

Cultural and Historical Tourism

Promote visitor appreciation of historical and cultural resources.

Protect historic and prehistoric sites from degradation.

Enforce existing regulations that prohibit cross-country travel and off-highwayvehicle use in restricted areas such as washes and special closure areas.

Completely exclude the use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) from the EMA with theexception of work vehicles used by permittees, Forest Service, Arizona Game andFish and New Mexico Game and Fish.

Prevent the reopening of the road through Devil’s Kitchen (Skeleton Canyon).

See Figure 4.3 for the proposed transportation system for the Peloncillo EMA.

Designate a legal road system (Transportation System) that minimizesnegative ecological impacts and damage to cultural resources.

Maintain a transportation system that minimizes erosion, fragmentation ofwildlife habitat, disturbance of wildlife, damage to cultural resources andvegetation, opportunities for poaching and collection of species, and thespread of exotic/invasive species that are aided by roads.

Minimize the creation of illegal roads by vehicular users.

Invasive Species

Objectives Actions

Non-extractive Uses

Objectives Actions

Roads/Transportation System

Objectives Actions


Figure 4.3 Travel Management Plan and Route Recommendations for the Peloncillo EMA


WILDERNESS STUDY AREASRoadless areas on the National Forests are

becoming increasingly rare and threatened byproliferation of motorized recreation. WildernessStudy Areas (WSA) that encompass these remainingroadless areas offer lasting protection for biologicaldiversity and primitive recreation opportunities. Twoacts of Congress established two Wilderness StudyAreas (WSAs) administered by the Coronado NationalForest in the Peloncillo Mountains. They are to be“administered by the Secretary [of Agriculture] so asto maintain their presently existing wildernesscharacter and potential for inclusion to the NationalWilderness Preservation System” (Public Laws 96-550[19 December 1980] and 98-406 [28 August 1984]).The proper management of these WSAs will protectecosystem processes and biological diversity of thePeloncillo Ecosystem Management Area

Bunk Robinson WSAPublic Law 96-550 (19 December 19 1980)

established the Bunk Robinson WSA in the state ofNew Mexico. This bill directed the Secretary ofAgriculture to review approximately 15,110 acres ofthe WSA as to its suitability for preservation aswilderness. Public Law 98-406 (28 August 28 1984)expanded the Bunk Robinson WSA into the state ofArizona. This bill also directed the Secretary ofAgriculture to review approximately 850 additionalacres in the WSA as to its suitability for preservationas wilderness (for a total of 15,960 acres). Inventoryconducted by Sky Island Alliance identified additionalroadless lands adjacent to the WSA for a total of

42,706 roadless acres. This larger roadless areacontains values consistent with the WSA and enhancesthe values of the U.S. Forest Service SpecialManagement Area.

The Bunk Robinson WSA and roadless areaencompass the main spine of the PeloncilloMountains from the Clanton Draw Road in the northto the southern boundary of the National Forest,which is about 3.5 miles north of the border withMexico. Steep, rugged ridges and deep, secludedcanyons characterize the area. Some of these canyonscontain permanent springs and seeps, providing animportant source of water for wildlife. Elevationsrange from less than 5,000 feet to nearly 6,500 feet atGuadalupe Mountain. Piñon-juniper woodland,Madrean evergreen woodland, and mountain scrubare the predominant vegetation types. Major canyonscontain Chihuahua Pine forests, while wateredcanyons support isolated stands of cottonwood andsycamore. The location of the Bunk Robinson WSAprovides a natural passage for unique wildlife fromMexico into the United States. In addition, many rareor sensitive plants and animals occur here.

Whitmire Canyon WSAPublic Law 96-550 (19 December 1980) established

the Whitmire Canyon WSA in the state of NewMexico. This bill directed the Secretary of Agricultureto review approximately 7,760 acres of the WSA as toits suitability for preservation as wilderness. PublicLaw 98-406 (28 August 1984) expanded the WhitmireCanyon WSA into the state of Arizona. This bill alsodirected the Secretary of Agriculture to review

Wilderness

Special Interest Areas

Objectives ActionsDo not designate off-road vehicle routes in the Peloncillo EMA.

Correct existing maps of boundaries of inventoried roadless areas to reflect thetrue boundaries on the ground.

Wilderness Study Areas

Correct existing maps of boundaries of Wilderness Study Areas to reflect thetrue boundaries on the ground so that all designated acreage is managed toprotect wilderness characteristics.

Continue to manage Bunk Robinson and Whitmire Canyon Wilderness StudyAreas to preserve and protect existing wilderness character.

Protect Roadless area values and characteristics.

Provide opportunities for quiet recreation on the Peloncillo EMA, includingzones of backcountry recreation areas.

Prevent actions that cause or promote the introduction or spread of invasivespecies (Executive Order 13112).

Minimize habitat fragmentation and degradation, and maintain biologicalcorridors and essential habitat for species through the exclusion of roads.


approximately 5,080 additional acres in the WSA as toits suitability for preservation as wilderness (for a totalof 12,840 acres). Inventory conducted by Sky IslandAlliance identified additional roadless lands adjacentto the WSA for a total of 38,300 roadless acres. Thisacreage includes 560 acres of adjacent BLM land onthe west side of the National Forest boundary. Thislarger roadless area contains values consistent with theWSA and enhances the values of the U.S. ForestService Special Management Area.

The Whitmire Canyon WSA and roadless areaencompass the main spine of the PeloncilloMountains from the Clanton Draw Road in the southto the northern boundary of the Coronado National

Forest in the north. This roadless area is alsocontiguous with the Gray Peak roadless area on BLMlands to the north. The characteristics of this WSA arevery similar to those of the Bunk Robinson WSA (seedescription above). The Coronado National ForestLand and Resource Management Plan (1986)recommends the Whitmire Canyon WSA for non-wilderness management. Nevertheless, until Congressmakes a decision, the WSA will be managed “tomaintain the existing wilderness character andpotential for inclusion in the National WildernessSystem” (Coronado National Forest Land andResource Management Plan, 1986).

Special Interest Areas are designated to protectunique values including botanical, zoological,geological, historical, or scenic values. They may alsobe designated to protect and manage sensitive orimperiled species or other elements of biologicaldiversity. Special Interest Areas help the Forest Servicepreserve important historic, cultural and naturalaspects of our national heritage. One special interestarea currently exists on the Peloncillo EcosystemManagement Area, Guadalupe Canyon Zoological andBotanical Area (ZBA). The extraordinarycharacteristics of the Peloncillo Management Areawarrant the expansion of the Guadalupe Canyon ZBAand the designation of new Southern PeloncilloMountains ZBA.

Guadalupe Canyon Zoological and Botanical AreaAccording to the 1986 Land and Resource

Management Plan for the Coronado National Forest,Guadalupe Canyon has unique flora and fauna thatrequire special management practices. This sector ofManagement Area 14 includes known essentialhabitats for threatened and endangered plants andanimals. The Management Plan calls for suitablerangelands to be managed at levels A and D. The areais within fire suppression zone 2. Independent of theForest Service’s recommendations for specialdesignation, the National Audubon Society hashighlighted Guadalupe Canyon as an Important BirdArea (see Assets, above).

Proposed Southern Peloncillo ZBA and Guadalupe ZBAexpansions

The expansion of the existing Guadalupe ZBA toencompass the entire watershed of Guadalupe Canyonwill greatly aid the Forest Service in protecting theoutstanding biological features of the area. Incombination with additional acreage the newlyencompasses the Cloverdale Creek Watershed andCloverdale Cienega, these proposed special interestareas will help to protect some of the mostoutstanding riparian habitat found on the CoronadoNational Forest.

NAME: Southern Peloncillo Mountains Zoologicaland Botanical Area, Hidalgo County, New Mexico

SIZE: 17,142 acres; existing Guadalupe CanyonZoological Area, 3,435 acres; Cloverdale Watershed,9,923 acres; Guadalupe Canyon Watershed Addition,3,784

BOUNDARIES: Cloverdale and Guadalupe CanyonWatersheds (Figure 4.4)

ELEVATION: Approximately 5,100 to 5,900 feet

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF AREA: These twowatersheds sit in extreme southwestern New Mexicoand includes both private and Forest lands. In theCloverdale Watershed the ephemeral Cloverdale Creekstarts approximately one mile above Maverick Springand flows for 13 miles through a small valley and outinto an ancient dried lake bed in the upper AnimasValley. As Cloverdale Creek enters the small CloverdaleValley it flows through Cloverdale Ciénega, a wetland

Special Management Areas


Figure 4.4 Proposed Southern Peloncillo Zoological and Botanical Area


is no effective measure for control of the disease inwild populations. This population of frogs is also asource for animal dispersal throughout the watershed.Guadalupe Canyon in the southern PeloncilloMountains, along the southern border of theCoronado National Forest, has been declared anImportant Bird Area by the National AudubonSociety. This canyon supports many bird species rarelyseen in the United States because the canyon is thenortheastern edge of their range. Some such speciesinclude the violet-crowned hummingbird and buff-collared nightjar.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE USE: Public accessshould be limited to the one parking area andtrailhead. The road from that point to the landowner’shome is on private property and should be removedfrom the Forest Route System as there are no routesabove the private property. In addition the road abovethe Forest access point should be removed from theciénega and rerouted on an upland alignment.

In cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, theU.S. Fish and Wildlife, New Mexico Department ofGame and Fish, The Nature Conservancy, and theproperty owner, Sky Island Alliance developed arestoration plan to restore a more natural hydrologicalregime to the Cloverdale Creek and its associatedwetlands, and to provide improved habitat for theChiricahua leopard frog. This plan was recentlyfunded and restoration, monitoring and managementactivities have commenced.

of approximately 150 acres. The Guadalupe CanyonWatershed sits adjacent to the Cloverdale Watershedand a portion of the area is a designated ZBA underthe current Forest Plan.

CURRENT USES: The private property in the area isunder single family ownership. Public access inCloverdale is restricted to one parking area andtrailhead that allows access to the Forest north andsouth of the valley. Geronimo Trail provides publicaccess to the upper watershed. In Guadalupe Canyonaccess is accomplished from Geronimo Trail. Uses inboth areas include research, hiking, backpacking, andhunting.

JUSTIFICATION FOR DESIGNATION: The privateproperty in the area is managed for the conservationof natural resources by a family involved in protectingthe historic Gray Ranch directly adjacent to theCloverdale area. Cloverdale Creek, Cloverdale Spring,other springs and associated cienegas in the areacompromise one of the largest and healthiest wetlandcomplexes in the State of New Mexico and on theCoronado National Forest. Recent research hasidentified a robust population of the federalthreatened Chiricahua leopard frog (Ranachiricahuensis) in the area. This population is free ofChytridiomycosis, a fatal infectious disease that affectsamphibians and is caused by the chytrid fungus-Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Chytridiomycosis hasbeen linked to dramatic population declines andextinctions in western North America, CentralAmerica, South America, and eastern Australia. There

1 Bodner, G., J. Atchley Montoya, R. Hanson, and W.Anderson, editors. 2006. Natural heritage of the PeloncilloMountain Region: a synthesis of science. World WildlifeFund and Sky Island Alliance, Tucson AZ.

2 New Mexico Steering Committee and IntermountainWest Joint Venture. 2005. Coordinated implementationplan for bird conservation in western New Mexico.

3 Lyons, P. D., A. Goldberg; and G. Bodner. A culturalcrossroads: the Peloncillo Conservation Planning Area.Unpublished report by Sky Island Alliance and A.E.O.Anthropological Consulting, L.L.C.

4 Numerous books have been written about the Apachesand their battles with U.S. troops. The following providedinformation for this piece and are recommended:

Kraft, L. 2000. Gatewood and Geronimo. University ofNew Mexico Press, Albuquerque, NM.

Utley, R. M. 1977. A clash of cultures: Fort Bowie and theChiricahua Apaches. Office of Publications, National ParkService, Washington, DC.

5 Hadley, D. Paleoindian to present. Found athttp://www.cuencalosojos.org/web/default.aspx (23 April2007).

6 Marshall, R.M., D. Turner, A. Gondor, D. Gori, C.Enquist, G. Luna, R. Paredes Aguilar, S. Anderson, S.Schwartz, C. Watts, E. Lopez, P. Comer. 2004. An

Ecological Analysis of Conservation Priorities in the ApacheHighlands Ecoregion. Prepared by The Nature Conservancyof Arizona, Instituto del Medio Ambiente y el DesarrolloSustentable del Estado de Sonora, agency and institutionalpartners. 152 pp.

7 Trevor Hare, personal communication, September 2006.

8 Data as of August 2004.

9 Curtin, C. G. 2003. Fire as a landscape restoration andmanagement tool in the Malpai Borderlands. Pages 79-87 inGalley, K. E. M., R. C. Klinger, and N. G. Sughara, editors.Proceedings of Fire Conference 2000: the first nationalcongress on fire ecology, prevention, and management.Miscellaneous Publication No. 13, Tall Timbers ResearchStation, Tallahassee, FL.

10 Bodner et al (2006).

11 Important Bird Area information from NationalAudubon Society (2004) athttp://www.audubon.org/bird/iba/index.html. 2004.(Consulted on 26 March 2007).

12 Both of these affected species come from Narca Moore-Craig, personal comjunication, February 2007..

13 Marshall et al (2004).

14 Affected quail species come from Narca Moore-Craig,personal communication, February 2007.


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