Idaho Wilderness and Wild & Scenic Initiative
(Morgan Ranch)
Intermountain Region (04), Salmon-Challis National Forest
Acres = 160 Request = $2,200,000
Regional Priority: 1
SLARS Criterion 1: Healthy Watersheds (Strategic Plan Goal 1 Restore, Sustain, and
Enhance the Nation’s Forests and Grasslands) – The Morgan Ranch, an old homestead, lies
within the Frank Church River of No Return (FCRONR) Wilderness. The property is located on
Sulphur Creek, just upstream from its confluence with the Middle Fork of the Salmon River
(Middle Fork). The Middle Fork is a nationally recognized Wild River that not only provides
excellent aquatic habitat, it provides access to even more high quality fish habitat in its tributaries.
Sulphur Creek is an excellent example of just such a tributary. Along its eighteen miles, it
provides significant spawning and rearing habitat for three species of fish listed under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA): Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, and bull trout. The Middle
Fork run of Chinook salmon is the only remaining wild run of Chinook on the Snake River
System and Sulphur Creek provides critical habitat for this run. The northeast portion of Morgan
Ranch (fee purchase) contains approximately 60 acres of marsh and forested wetland complex
along Prospect Creek. The entire Sulphur Creek watershed lies upstream of this property, thus the
possibility of diversion, irrigation, and/or dewatering should this property be developed, would
seriously impact the entire runs of all three listed species using Sulphur Creek.
This private in holding has high probability of future land development with very adverse effects
to Wilderness Management and to ESA listed species recovery. The property contains an airstrip
and its proximity to the Wilderness boundary, coupled with the existence of an historic road to the
property, makes it a prime candidate for development. The financial situation of the current
owners further increases vulnerability to development. This fee acquisition and conservation
easement would eliminate the possible development and provide critical protection to the existing
watershed habitat of the surrounding resources.
SLARS Criterion 2: Wetlands and Riparian Habitat (Strategic Plan Goal 1 Restore, Sustain,
and Enhance the Nation’s Forests and Grasslands) – The property contains approximately 60
acres of marsh and forested wetland along Prospect Creek and approximately 20 acres of aquatic
and riparian habitat along Sulphur Creek. These areas provide important habitat, not only for
listed salmonoids, but for a variety of wetland associated wildlife such as moose and sandhill
crane. Adding this property to the National Forest System (NFS) will provide valued protection
for species that rely on these areas.
SLARS Criterion 3: Diverse Habitats for Threatened or Endangered Species (Strategic Plan
Goal 1 Restore, Sustain, and Enhance the Nation’s Forests and Grasslands ) – As previously
mentioned, this property not only contains critical habit for three ESA listed salmonoids, it also
provides critical access to the entire Sulphur Creek watershed for these fish. Sulphur Creek itself,
not including tributaries, is 18 miles long and every Chinook salmon, bull trout, and steelhead
must pass through Morgan Ranch to access this habitat. Because so much water either crosses or
originates on the property, protection from development will ensure water quality continues.
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SLARS Criterion 4: Adaptation to the Effects of Climate Change (Strategic Plan Goal 1
Restore, Sustain, and Enhance the Nation’s Forests and Grasslands) – Climate change has had
some effect on the area, mainly in terms of forest health. Because climate change affects ocean
conditions, it affects salmon and steelhead during the period of their life history spent at sea.
Providing high quality salmonoid habitat in this area will help moderate those effects.
SLARS Criterion 5: Conserving Forests for Landscape Restoration and to Mitigate the
Effects of Climate Change (Strategic Plan Goal 3 Conserve Open Space) – The Morgan Ranch
acquisition will eliminate the threat of subdivision development of the 160 acres and loss of
important natural resources which affect the private property and adjacent NFS lands.
Cumulative impacts to the NFS will be eliminated with protection of the subdivision, including
hydropower development, roads, utility lines, and other facilities required for subdivision
development. Additionally, development within the Wilderness places further constraints on
management efforts to achieve a natural fire regime in the FCRONR Wilderness. Suppression
actions taken in consideration of development only increase the probability of future, catastrophic
fire.
SLARS Criterion 6: Recreational Use and Improved Public Access (Strategic Plan Goal 4
Sustain and Enhance Outdoor Recreation Opportunities) – The property is minimally developed.
Recreation use on the property itself is dispersed in nature. However, less than 200 yards from
the property lies the Middle Fork, a river designated “Wild” under the Wild and Scenic Rivers
Act. Yearly, over 10,000 people float the Middle Fork to enjoy the solitude and wilderness
aspects of the River. Development of the Morgan Ranch would substantially detract from this
experience.
SLARS Criterion 7: Cultural and Heritage Resources (Strategic Plan Goal 4 Sustain and
Enhance Outdoor Recreation Opportunities) – The Morgan Ranch property is an old homestead
which adds to the cultural heritage of the area. Old ranch type buildings on the property add to
the character of the setting and will likely be considered historical structures when the action is
completed.
SLARS Criterion 8: Inside Boundary or Congressionally Designated Area (Strategic Plan
Goal 4 Sustain and Enhance Outdoor Recreation Opportunities) – The Morgan Ranch property is
located well within the administrative boundaries of the Challis National Forest. There are no
other private properties close or adjacent, making it an isolated private parcel. The fee portion is
in a natural condition, blending with the surrounding Wilderness. The conservation easement
portion is removed from public access and has inconspicuous existing development. Currently
the property is presumed by most visitors to be NFS lands; the acquisition will ensure this
characteristic continues into the future.
SLARS Criterion 9: Increased Management Efficiency (Strategic Plan Goal 5 Maintain Basic
Management Capabilities of the Forest Service) – The property has not been cultivated for
several years. No fences or other restrictions are separating NFS lands from private land.
Management of the property following acquisition will continue as it currently has, with little to
no changes. Uncontrolled future development of the property would cause large management
changes due to boundary issues, fences, fire protection, and land access restrictions.
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