Management Program 



T. 27 N., R. 101 W., 

 sec. 4, SWV4, SV2NWy4; 

 sec. 5, SEy4, SV2NEy4. 



The subject lands were withdrawn for protection 

 of segments of the historic Oregon Trail corridor 

 and associated landmarks. The lands are presently 

 used for grazing, recreation, and wildlife habitat. 

 The mineral report for the subject lands shows 

 the lands are not known to contain locatable 

 minerals of more than nominal value, although 

 numerous mining claims have been filed on these 

 lands. 



Site SS-13 Radium Springs (Gillispie Place). 



Radium Springs was utilized by Oregon and 

 Mormon Trail emigrants, the Pony Express, and 

 miners from the Lewiston mining district. The 

 buildings will be fenced to protect them from cattle 

 and vandalism (FY85). A rustic designed 

 interpretive sign will be placed at the site to inform 

 visitors about its history (FY85). The structures 

 will be stabilized to prevent further deterioration. 

 The site should be evaluated for nomination to 

 the National Register of Historic Places. 



Site SS-14 Willie's Handcart Disaster Site. Willie's 

 Handcart Company was a group of Mormons 

 bound for Utah who got caught in a severe storm 

 in November 1856. They were trapped on Rock 

 Creek and, before their rescue, 77 Mormons died. 

 The majority of the site is on private land. The 

 portion on public land should be maintained in 

 a natural condition and managed as an important 

 historic site. Surface disturbance will not be 

 allowed. Existing mining claims will be honored 

 and managed under 43 CFR 3809, Surface 

 Management. Undeveloped group camping will 

 continue to be a major use of this sheltered Rock 

 Creek Cove. 



Site SS-15 Burnt Ranch (private land). Burnt 

 Ranch is the site of the ninth crossing of the 

 Sweetwater, where the Seminoe Cutoff rejoined 

 the original trail. Burnt Ranch is also the site of 

 the beginning of the Lander Cutoff. The BLM 

 would continue to negotiate acquisition of the 

 private lands at Burnt Ranch through purchase 

 or exchange. Attempts have been made to acquire 

 the property by those means in the past without 

 success. The landowner has expressed a willing- 

 ness to negotiate on the sale of the property and 

 is in favor of protecting its historic value. The lands 

 that should be acquired are in Sees. 23, 24, 25, 

 and 26, T. 28 N., R. 100 W. The most important 

 lands to acquire are the SWV4SEy4 Sec. 23 and 

 the NE'A, NE'ASE'A Sec. 26, T 28 N., R. 100 W. 

 (240 acres). This action would place in public 

 ownership lands that were used as: 



part of a fur trade route; 



a military garrison post; 



a telegraph station; 



the ninth crossing of the Sweetwater on the 



Oregon Trail; 

 a Mormon mail station and camp site; 

 a stage stop; 

 the Junction of the Oregon Trail and the Lander 



Road/Seminoe Cutoff; 

 a historic ranch; 

 an emigrant campsite; 

 a site for numerous emigrant graves; 

 the Point-of-Rocks/South Pass stage; or 

 a road crossing of the Sweetwater. 



This proposed land acquisition will be handled 

 on a willing buyer/willing seller basis. No condem- 

 nation actions will be utilized to meet BLM 

 management objectives for the Oregon/Mormon 

 Trails. In the event that it proves impossible to 

 acquire the above private lands, the BLM will seek 

 to acquire a scenic/conservation easement for the 

 240 acres described above. The purpose of this 

 action will be to preserve the historic values of 

 the site and provide some compensation for the 

 owner. 



If acquired, the lands would be managed to 

 minimize surface disturbance and damage to the 

 historic properties. 



Recreational development would not be 

 undertaken. No campgrounds or other facilities 

 for the convenience of visitors would be devel- 

 oped. No improvement of access would be 

 attempted. 



Interpretive signing would be installed to inform 

 visitors of the historic value of the site. The 

 subjects to be included in the interpretive display 

 are listed above. 



Burnt Ranch would be nominated to the 

 National Register of Historic Places and not be 

 made available for mineral leasing (if the BLM is 

 able to acquire both the surface and mineral 

 estate), rights-of-way, or other activities that 

 would cause surface disturbance. Patrol of the site 

 would be performed periodically to deter 

 vandalism and monitor site condition. 



Site SS-16 Twin Mounds. The Twin Mounds are 

 low hills located east of the Continental Divide 

 at South Pass; a minor Oregon Trail landmark. 

 Numerous travelers thought them to be South 

 Pass. A small sign will be placed adjacent to the 

 trail ruts to identify the Twin Mounds. 



Site SS-17 South Pass. South Pass is the point 

 where the Oregon/Mormon Pioneer Trails crossed 

 the Continental Divide. The site will be retained 



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