Project Name: Little Echo Lake
Region: 2
Forest: Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grasslands
State: Colorado
Congressional District: 02
Acres: 319
Amount Requested: $950,000
Regional Priority: 3
SLARS Criterion 1: Healthy Watersheds
These parcels are near the top of the watershed. Any effect to water quality at this point effects the entire watershed. Acquisition of these parcels offers protection to the entire watershed.
SLARS Criterion 2: Wetlands and Riparian Habitat
Over 1 mile of Mammoth Gulch and Little Echo Lake would be protected by the acquisition of these parcels.
SLARS Criterion 3: Diverse Habitats for Threatened or Endangered Species
Wildlife values on these parcels are significant and include:
 winter forage habitat for the federally threatened Canada lynx,
 traveling and hibernation habitat (with potential breeding habitat nearby) for the Boreal toad, a Forest
Service sensitive species and Candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act; and
 potential year-round habitat for the Wolverine, a Forest Service Sensitive species.
There is also potential botanical habitat for the following:
 Moonwort species, several of which are Forest Service sensitive and candidates for listing under the
Endangered Species act.
 There are documented occurrences of rare alpine plants on nearby James Peak. There is potential habitat within the parcels.
Unique features such as scenic high elevation lakes, streams and riparian areas add to the biological value of these properties.
SLARS 4: Adaption to the Effects of Climate Change
The two parcels are the largest intact ownerships in the area. While one of the parcels has limited development potential the other is developable and is located just outside two of the three towns in Colorado with legalized gambling. The Forest Service has been offered the first opportunity to acquire the property, but the owner is not necessarily committed to a conservation buyer. Retaining this parcel in its undeveloped state and in Federal ownership is critical to maintain wilderness integrity and high elevation habitats.

SLARS Criterion 5: Conserving Forests for Landscape Restoration and to Mitigate the Effects of Climate
Change
Acquisition of these parcels will ensure that the values of the James Peak Wilderness Area are protected by removing the threat of development adjacent to its boundaries. Removing the threat of development will also result in preventing any new emissions of greenhouse gases should this land be developed. The Wilderness
Land Trust acquired a contract to purchase the property to hold until the Forest Service could purchase it in order to eliminate the threat of development and to preserve the unique landscape these parcels contain.
SLARS Criterion 6: Recreational Use and Improved Public Access
These parcels sustain and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities by:
 Facilitating remote, high elevation hiking and backpacking opportunities.
 Facilitating legal, appropriate non-motorized access to the James Peak Wilderness and Continental
Divide Trail.
 Acquisition would mean that primary destination locations like the James Peak Wilderness, James
Peak (13,249 feet), Rogers Pass, Heart Lake and the ever popular destination of Little Echo Lake can be more easily accessed.
 Management of both parcels would ensure consistent scenery management which plays a vital role in retaining the world renowned scenic skyline of the James Peak Wilderness.
 Little Echo Lake is a very deep lake, and is reported to have 20 pound lake trout (mackinaw). This acquisition would provide new fishing opportunities adjacent to the James Creek Wilderness Area.
Other recreational values of the area include:
 Both parcels are easily accessed via the James Creek trail (#802) from an established Forest Service trailhead. The Ute trail (#803) forks off this trail, and continues on through the southern parcel and continues north where it hits the second parcel.
 Postcard quality scenery offers sightseeing opportunities beyond expectation.
 Scenic vistas and opportunities for solitude rival that of the adjacent 14,000 acre James Peak
Wilderness.
 Combined, both parcels abut just less than two linear miles of the James Peak Wilderness boundary.
SLARS Criterion 7: Cultural and Heritage Resources
The property contains the remnants of a dilapidated historic cabin. It is unknown whether others are present.
SLARS Criterion 8: Inside Boundary or Congressionally Designated Area
These parcels are large blocks of privately owned land surrounded by National Forest System Lands. There is one small triangular inholding of National Forest Land within the northern parcel, to which there is no public access. When the James Peak Wilderness Area was designated in 2002, the boundary lines were drawn around these two parcels to exclude them from the Wilderness Area because they were in private ownership.
SLARS Criterion 9: Increased Management Efficiency
The land on three sides is the James Peak Wilderness. The boundary has not been marked and signed on the ground yet; therefore, no investment has been made yet in establishing landlines. Significant landline location cost would be saved as a result of this acquisition. An unauthorized trail segment already accesses the parcels through an established trail system. The acquisition of these parcels would provide legal access via this trail and the costs to mitigate trespass will be eliminated. Other than light routine trail maintenance, no additional expenditures would be required at this time other than ensuring proper drainage and proper trail designation. Other than one small shed, which will be removed prior to acquisition, there are no buildings, etc., or other rehabilitation costs on the parcels proposed for purchase.