Fossil Creek
ARIZONA
Location
Coconino National Forest
Northern Arizona, 8 miles west of Strawberry
Congressional District: 1
Member(s): Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick
Acquired to Date
Acres
Cost ($)
0
$0
0
$0
0
$0
0
$0
0
$0
FY 2010 Enacted
Method
Acres
Cost ($)
Purchase
0
$0
President’s Budget FY2011
Method
Acres
Cost ($)
Purchase
18
$900,000
Pending Future Request
Method
Acres
Cost ($)
Purchase
0
$0
Method
Purchase
Exchange
Donation
Other
Partners
Purpose
Conserve and enhance significant scenic,
recreational,
cultural,
wilderness,
and
wildlife/plant resources within and near the
project area.
Purchase
Opportunities
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is currently
obtaining an option for this property.
Partners
Trust for Public Land (TPL)
Cooperators
Yavapai County Commissioners, Arizona Game
and Fish Department, Arizona State Parks, The
Nature Conservancy. This project has general
county and local support.
Project
Description
Wild and Scenic River corridor, adjacent to the Mazatal Wilderness area and near the Fossil
Springs Wilderness. This is the only parcel of private land within the Fossil Creek Wild and
Scenic River corridor which was designated as such on March 30, 2009. The purpose of this
proposed land acquisition is to protect the outstanding archeological, scenic and natural
setting along Fossil Creek and to retain its biologically rich riparian area and wildlife habitat.
Fossil Creek runs along one edge of the subject tract (aka the Henrich parcel). Two other
private parcels adjoining this one were acquired by the Forest several years ago in an effort
to protect this unique desert riparian habitat within the recreational segment of the Wild &
Scenic River. The property contains evidence of thousands of years of human occupation
including creek-related prehistoric sites, pueblo sites, habitation sites, roasting pits, hill top
sites, rock art sites, and resource production sites. Historic resources reflect livestock use,
long established recreational pursuits and hydroelectric power construction, production, and
maintenance related sites and structures. There are a total of ten fish, bird and plant
threatened, endangered, sensitive, or special status species present within the Fossil Creek
drainage.
This acquisition will maintain resilient land and water conditions at the watershed level by
securing the property along Fossil Creek; to maintain the environmental, social and economic
benefits of the Forests.
O&M Cost
Estimated “start up” costs: $200
USDA Goal
Provide for quality recreation and wilderness experiences, public access, and enjoyment of
natural and cultural resources on Forest Service managed lands and waters.
Estimated annual maintenance: $50