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Abstract:
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The purpose of this project is to explore and document the causes and possible
remedies of restoring a heavily degraded campsite and adjacent stream. The campsite and
stream in question are Millionaire Camp Site and Big Silver Creek, located within the El
Dorado National Forest, Pacific Ranger District, Crystal Basin Recreation Area. The
project is separated into three parts, stream health, restoration techniques and
management issues. The campsite suffers from a degraded state primarily from
depreciative visitor behavior as well as intensive use by forest visitors. The poor behavior
includes damaging natural resources, vandalism, criminal activity and illegal off-highway
vehicle use. Natural resource concerns of Big Silver Creek include lack of riparian
vegetation , introduction of excessive soil, trash and human waste. The project will
provide a justification for initiating an ecological restoration project that addresses the
concerns related to the health of the local ecosystem at Millionaire Camp Site and Big
Silver Creek. In addition, management issues will be explored, including examining the
responsible agency, U.S. Forest Service, role in ensuring continued healing of the site
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after restoration. The project will suggest a possible course the U.S. Forest Service can
take to ensure forest visitors will be properly educated regarding forest rules, regulations
and proper outdoor recreational ethics. This can be accomplished by providing
educational material via new technology such as Youtube and podcasts.
Specifically, the project will address the riparian component of Big Silver Creek
and rehabilitating degraded recreational resources of Millionaire Camp Site. The
streamside vegetation, or riparian area, of Big Silver Creek suffers from intensive visitor
use resulting in a loss of riparian vegetation. The benefits riparian vegetation provides the
aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem of Big Silver Creek include regulating water
temperatures, introduction of organic material into the water, cover for aquatic and
terrestrial animals, prevention of excessive soil entering the stream and aesthetics. In
addition, the project will focus on the benefits a healthy ecosystem will provide for
recreational opportunities including popular nature-based activities such as bird watching
and fishing.
The project will address issues and concerns related to restoring Millionaire Camp
Site including compacted soil and reestablishing vegetation at the campsite to reduce
erosion.
Sources of Data
Several sources were used in writing this project. A review of existing literature
on ecological restoration, contributed to the development of this project as well as
personal communication with specialists knowledgeable in the discipline of ecological
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restoration. Specialists were from both government agencies as well as the private sector.
In addition, field visits were conducted with specialists to discuss the issues related to
Millionaire Camp Site and Big Silver Creek.
Conclusions Reached
The project contains information on ecological restoration that can be used as a
justification for initiating ecological restoration projects on highly degraded sites. There
is an information gap in regards to restoring degraded, non-wilderness campsites. Much
of the literature reviewed emphasizes wilderness campsite restoration. This project will
expose land managers to lower elevation campsite restoration and the unique
management challenges campsites such as Millionaire Camp Site pose. After a successful
restoration and aggressive visitor management from the U.S. Forest Service, new, nature
based recreational opportunities will occur that will have less impact on the forest. |
