Logging, Mining and Grazing, Wilderness, Water and Land 



Bill, would protect in one stroke more than 26,000 

 square miles of roadless wildlands in five western 

 states — an area collectively bigger than Maryland, 

 Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and 

 Delaware Combined. Vast swatches of Rock Creek 

 land would pass into wilderness with the Wild 

 Rockies Bill, including the following roadless areas: 

 103,266 acres of Stony Mountain, 80,003 acres of 

 Quigg Peak, 116,530 acres of Sapphire, 16,000 acres 

 of Emerine, 30,922 acres of Silver King and 1,102 

 acres to be added to the Welcome Creek 

 Wilderness. In 1991, this multi-state wilderness plan 

 was still looking for a sponsor Opponents point out 

 the bill is unlikely to find a western sponsor; pro- 

 ponents argue that didn't stop Congress from 

 legislating protection for the Grand Canyon. While 

 this or any other legislation is pending, it is worth 

 asking whether proposed wilderness lands in Rock 

 Creek are being managed in ways compatible with 

 eventual wilderness designation. 



Livestock grazing continues along the mid- 

 dle and upper reaches of Rock Creek on both 

 public and private lands, and that, too, will be a hot 

 issue in the 1990s. Conservationists are becoming 

 acutely aware that cattle can destroy vegetation, 

 break down stream banks and widen and flatten 

 stream channels. Ranchers feel they are being un- 

 justly targeted by anti-livestock campaigns. Those 

 who would protect Rock Qreek will find themselves 

 asking whether riparian areas are adequately fenc- 

 ed, with provisions for designated watering areas. 

 Ill general, rnost observers believe grazing practices 

 in the drainage are improving and ranchers should 

 be encouraged to maintain open land profitably in 

 the upper basin. But grazing, as much as logging, 

 mining or any other commercial activity, can be 

 managed well or inadequately, and it often depends 

 on who's watching. 



On Rock Creek's private lands, voluntary 

 agreements, rather than tough new zoning laws, 

 seem the most likely tool for maintaining the low- 

 density development that has kept the river relative- 

 ly healthy so far Accordingly, the Montana Land 

 Reliance is helping landowners negotiate the dona- 

 tion or sale of conservation easements to the Rock 

 Creek Advisory Council. 



The abundance of water for agriculture and 

 fisheries is not taken for granted in this hidden valley 

 Cascading spring runoff often collides with summer- 

 time drought. These are the cycles of nature; but they 

 are subject as well to the pressures of Rock Creek's 

 many water users. Basin residents, in maintaining their 

 diverse lifestyles, will need to commit to a cooperative 

 conservation ethic. Recreation on Rock Creek remains 

 a matter of intense public interest. The Montana 

 Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks created an ad 

 hoc citizens advisory group to help with a fisheries 

 management plan for 1989 through 1994. ^ Research 

 continues on the water-quality impact of chemicals 

 used to control road dust and noxious weeds. 

 Management of stream access, wildlife habitat and 

 historic sites all were subject to scrutiny during plan- 

 ning sessions in 1990.^ And of course, the float-fishing 

 versus wading arguments were revived. Some peo- 

 ple feel the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and 

 Parks— instead of the Forest Service— should control 

 floating on the creek. 



The preservation of Rock Creek's biologic 

 and scenic qualities is a generally accepted goal, ac- 

 cording to a 1989 state survey.^ But many Granite 

 County citizens fear reduction of logging and min- 

 ing in "the drainage already has had serious 

 economic consequences, and that recreational in- 

 come cannot replace these losses. So the balanc- 

 ing act will go on. The benefits of logging and road 

 construction will be weighed against the costs of 

 erosion and stream siltation. The profits from min- 

 ing will be considered against the damage from 

 mine wastes leaching into streams. The need for 

 vacation homes in the canyon will be judged against 

 the threat of sewage leaks and the loss of wildlife 

 habitat. Citizens and government agencies can help 

 protect the lands and waters of Rock Creek coun- 

 try by getting involved in the planning processes 

 for mining, timber sales, water allocation and graz- 

 ing allotments; participating in drainage -wide in- 

 teragency planning or ad hoc committees; and in- 

 suring that water quality monitoring is done in ac- 

 cordance with the landmark Rock Creek Advisory 

 Committee agreement. As with any fragile thing of 

 value, the future of Rock Creek depends on the ef- 

 forts of those who love it. 



