Lower Potomac River : approved coordinated management plan decision record

2004·2.4 MB·English

by  United States. Bureau of Land Management. Lower Potomac Field Station

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BureauofLandManagement
EasternStates
LowerPotomacFieldStation September2004
Lower Potomac River
Approved Coordinated Management
Plan Decision Record
Preparedincooperationwiththe
StateofMaryland
DepartmentofNatural Resources
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Introduction
OnMay7,2004,theBureauofLandManagement(BLM)andMarylandDepartmentof
NaturalResources(MDNR)releasedtheLowerPotomacRiverProposedCoordinated
ManagementPlan(CMP). Thepublicwasgiventhirtydaystoreviewthedocumentand
fileproteststotheBLMDirectoronproposalsaffectingBLMlandsandtotheMDNRfor
proposalsandissuesrelatedtoStatemanagementandlands.
NoprotestswerefiledwithBLMduringtheofficialprotestperiod. TheMDNRreceived
onecommentletterrequestingclarificationandhasrespondedtoit. Thecommentswill
alsobeaddressedinthisdocumenttoclarifytheproposals.
BecauseBLMandMDNRhavedifferentplanninganddecisionmakingprocesses,this
documentwillbeusedfordifferentpurposesbythetwoagencies. ForBLM,itisthe
finaladministrativedecisionoftheagencyandwillguidefuturemanagementofitslands
intheplanningarea. ForMDNR,thisdocumentisatemplatetofillinwithactivities,
capitalimprovements,staffingandoperationaldirectiontoguidethemanagementofthe
propertyforthenext15-20years.
TheCMP/EAanalyzedfouralternativesandfocusedontheimpactsofdeveloping
recreationalandotheractivitiesonStateandFederallandswithintheplanningarea.
TheProposedCMPidentifiedAlternative4,withmodifications,asMDNR’sandBLM’s
preferredalternative. Originally,Alternative4waspartofacommunity-basedeffort
calledtheNanjemoyVisiontodevelopalocalconsensusonwhattheregionshouldbe
likein2020. Theplanningteamextractedtheapplicableenvironmentalandresource
managementelementsoftheNanjemoyVisiontocreateAlternative4.
Inessence.Alternative4envisionedamoderatelevelofdevelopmenttotakeadvantage
oftheregion’srichnaturalandculturalresourcebase. TheNanjemoyVisionwassilent
ontwoproposals,whichwereincludedintheCMP:aboatrampatWilsonFarmand
limitedtimbermanagementactivitiestopromotehealthyforestgrowth. Theseproposals
wereadoptedfromAlternative3,analyzed,andincludedintheCMP.
AlternativesConsidered
TheCMP/EAconsideredfouralternatives: Alternative1or“NoAction”,requiredbythe
NationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA)providesforthecontinuedcustodial
managementofthepubliclands.Continuationofcurrentmanagementwouldnothave
takenadvantageofthemanynaturalandculturalresourcesforwhichthepropertieswere
acquiredbythegovernment. Inaddition,itwouldpossiblycreatenegativeenvironmental
impactsbyleavingtheareavacantandunmanaged. Unauthorizedtrespasswouldlikely
occurandtherecouldbelossofvaluableresourcesandforegoneopportunities.
Alternative2emphasizesthearea’sculturalresourceheritageandproposescertainminor
activitiestointerpretthem. UnderAlternative2,trailsandsmallinterpretativekiosksand
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signsareallowed. Amongthefourproposedalternatives,thisonecontributesverylittle
tothelocaleconomy. Giventhateconomicdevelopmentwasoneofthemajorgoalsof
theplan,thisalternativewasnotconsideredoptimal.
Alternative3proposesgreaterdevelopmentthanintheotheralternatives,especiallyon
thesizeofthevisitors’center. Campgroundsareslightlylargerandotheramenities,such
asaboatrampatWilsonFarm,areallowed. Implementationwouldbebasedon
additionalrecreationplanning. Althoughthisoptionisessentiallythesameas
Alternative4,thescaleofdevelopmentisconsideredtoolargeforthearea.
Alternative4incorporatestheenvironmental,naturalresourceandculturalresource
elementsoftheNanjemoyVisionprocessundertakenbyalocalcitizensgroupfrom2001
throughthepresent. Itproposesamoderatelevelofdevelopmentofthearea’s
recreationalandculturalresources. Thisalternativeemphasizespreservingmuchofthe
publiclandinanaturalstatetoprovideopenspaceandtomaintainthearea’srural
character. Alternative4allowsconstructionofasmallinterpretative/culturalheritage
visitorscenter,mostlikelyonStatelandatWilsonFarm. Smalltentcampgroundsare
allowed.
ResponsetoCommentsReceived
TheNanjemoyVision,Inc.submittedquestionstotheStatepertainingtoclarifications
aboutmountainbikeandequestrianuses;usespermittedatboatramparea,and
clarificationofthefutureplanningprocessrelativetospecificactivitiesorfacilities,and
clarificationofspecificstatementsandproposalsmadeintheCMP. Noneofthese
clarificationsconstituteamaterialchangeintheplannordotheyrequireadditional
impactassessment. Similarquestionshavebeengroupedandansweredtogether.
Questions
Incompatibilitydeterminationgeneratedbysiteanalysis: TheprimarygoaloftheCMP
isto...“fosterconservationofopenspaceandprotectionofcrucialwildlifeandcultural
resourcesandtoprovideforlowimpactrecreationalopportunities. Onlylandusesthat
arefoundtobecompatiblewiththisgoalwillbeconsideredinthisplan”. Itseemssome
landusesidentifiedintheCMP,suchas,30carparkingareas,30campsites,picnic
shelterfor50people,waterservice,commercialsalesoftimber,andtrailusefor
mountainbikes,andhorsesbedeterminedtobeincompatibleasaresultofasitespecific
assessmentandreviewofenvironmentalstudies/reports?
Sizerangeandnumberoffacilitiesproposed: AccordingtotheCMP,coulda
determinationbemadeforprojectsthattherearezerocampsites,five-carparkinglots,no
picnicshelter,nowaterservice,andnocommercialsalesoftimberpermittedoverthelife
oftheplanascompatibleuses?
TrailUse: TheCMPallowshorsesandmountainbikesonexistingtrails.Wouldhorses
andmountainbikesbeallowedonanynewtrailsdeveloped?
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impacts,couldtheoutcomebeoneofnopowerboatramporbelimitedtothe
constructionofasinglepowerboatrampandonenon-motorizedboatlauncharea?
Couldthedevelopmentofanon-motorizedboatlaunchontheBLMDouglasPointtract
bedeterminedtobeanincompatibleuse?
Ifthereisanon-motorizedboatlaunchatWilsonFarm,couldtheneedforanon-
motorizedlaunchareaontheBLMDouglasPointlandbedeterminedtonolongerbe
requiredduetotherelativeshortdistancebetweenWilsonFarmandDouglasPoint?
Ifthereisanon-powerboatlaunchatWilsonFarm,wouldtheneedtoaddressthe
recreationaluseforanon-powerlaunchontheMDNRDouglasPointlandbefulfilled
duetotherelativeshortdistancebetweenWilsonFarmandDouglasPoint?
Forestpractices: Ifthereisnotyetastate-wideformaldirectiveforcertificationof
timberharvestsonstatelands,wewouldliketoobtainawrittencommitmentthatall
futureplanningandprojectleveltimberactivitiesontheselandswillbecarriedoutunder
theForestStewardshipCouncilcertificationprogramandthatthiscommitmentbemade
apartofthisrecord.
PhasingandMonitoring: DouglasPointisarelativelysmallareatoabsorbtheusesthat
currentlyMIGHTbeallowedundertheCMP,andthepotentiallevelstheCMPallows,
particularlyconsideringtheecologicalfragilenessoftheareawhichwilllimitwhere
recreationalactivitiescanoccur.
UseConflicts: Assitespecificstudiesandplansaredeveloped,whatareyourplansto
examinethepotentialforandminimizethepotentialforrecreationaluserconflictswhich
willinevitablyoccur,particularlyontrails?
SincehuntingisaplanneduseforallpubliclandsexceptMarylandPoint,coulditbe
determinedthattheWestsideoftheDouglasPointtractbeopentousesthatinclude
hiking,wildlifeobservation,fishing,andbeachcombingandbutnotforhuntingtoavoid
serioususerconflicts?
Publiccoordination: SincetheNanjemoycommunityhasbeenrecognizedasapartnerin
theplanningasaddressedintheDirectorofBLMKathleenClarke’sspeechonMay25,
2004,astheNanjemoyVision,Inc.,CharlesCountyGovernment,MDNR,andBLM
receivedthe4C’sAward,howdoyouplantohelpthelocalcommunitycontinuetobe
involvedinplanningasimplementationoftheCMPproceeds?Howcanthecommunity
beupdatedregularly? Canacommunityrepresentativereceivemonthlyupdatesby
email/mailofplanningandprojectexecutionprogressbythesitemanagerwithalistof
dates,productsandpointswherepeoplecanweighinwithcontactandinformation
numbers?
General: Overall,clarificationsneedtobemadetoproposedallowableusesontheEast
andWestsideoftheDouglasPointtract. Wehopethewestsidewillremainmore
protectedduetoitssensitiveecologicalnature.
ThemaponAppendix16-5needsadjustmenttoaccuratelyreflecttheproposedallowable
usesforeachparcel.
Responses
MostofthedecisionstobeapprovedbytheDecisionRecordaresubjecttoadditional
studyandanalysis. BureauofLandManagement(BLM)landuseplansaredesignedto
provideverybasiclanduseallocations,suchaswhetherthelandisopenorclosedto
mineralleasing,off-roadvehicleuseandlivestockgrazing. Plansmustalsoconsider
likelyusesandtheirenvironmentalimpacts. Table1intheDecisionRecord(which
incorporatestheactivitiesfromAlternative4inTable1fromtheCMP)willshowthe
usesthatareallowableundertheCMP,butwillrequireadditionalstudytodetermine
specificimpacts. TheseprinciplesapplytotheMDNRlandsaswell. Afteradditional
study,adecisionwillbemadetoauthorizespecifictraillocations,usesandmitigation
measures. Adesignphaseandconstructionphasewillfollowthisadditionalplanning.
Theidentifiedallowableusesdonotallhavetobeimplemented,andimplementationcan
occurinstagesinresponsetodemandandtheavailabilityoffunding. TheCMPserves
asamenuofcompatibleusesbasedontheresourcesanddemandsforthesite. TheCMP
identifiesrangesforthesizeoffacilities,suchasparkinglotsandthenumberof
campsites. Thesizeandlocationofproposedactivityareasandfacilitieswillbe
determinedbyamorethoroughanalysisoftheresourceinformationduringthenext
planningphase(thedevelopmentofaLandUnitPlan/ActivityPlan),throughsubsequent
resourcemanagementplansthatmayberequiredbytheLandUnitPlan/ActivityPlan
(i.e.,aForestManagementPlan),andthroughtherigorsofthedesignphase. Aspartof
theplanninganalysis,compatibilityofdifferentusesandactivitieswillbeevaluatedand
effortswillbetakentominimizethepotentialforrecreationalconflicts. Inaddition,
futureuseoftheareawillbemonitoredandifproblemsoccur,managementadjustments
willbemadetoaddressandresolvetheproblems.
IthasbeennotedthatsomeoftheproposalsoutlinedinTable1(Summaryofthe
Alternatives)didnotalwayscorrespondwiththeAlternativesmapsinAppendix16. We
acknowledgethatthetableandmapsareinconsistent. Fortherecord,theProposedCMP
consistsoftheactivitiesinTable1withtheadditionsofthemotorizedboatrampat
WilsonFarmandpossibleselectiveharvestingonStateland,whichmaybeconducted
throughcommercialsales. AnytimbermanagementactivitieswillbeoutlinedinaForest
ManagementPlanthattheStatewilldevelop.
Ingeneral,theDepartment(MDNR)managesitsforestlandinamannerthatmaintains
foresthealth,conservessoilandwaterresources,andprotectsbiologicaldiversityand
sensitivehabitatswhileprovidingmultiplesocialandeconomicbenefits. Withthat
premise,itistheintentionofMDNRtomanageitsforestsinamannerthatallowsforthe
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harvestingoftimberoutsideofsensitiveresourceareas. Astheleveloftimber
managementisdetermined,adecisionregardingcertificationwillbemade.
Theproposaltocreateanon-motorizedboatput-inontheDouglasPointtractwould
likelyrequiretheimprovementofanaccessroadbecauseMDRte.224isoveramile
fromtheriveratthatpoint. Thisproposal,likeallothersintheCMP,issubjecttofurther
analysisduringthenextplanningphase. Theplanwillinvestigateinmoredetailwhether
theput-inandassociatedroad(whichcurrentlyexists,butwouldrequireimprovement)is
appropriate. Theplanwillalsoconsiderenvironmentalimpactsofallproposalsandany
alternativeswithintheoveralldirectionapprovedbytheCMP. Itmaybethata
developednon-motorizedput-inisinappropriateforthatsite.
ItistheintentofBLMandMDNRtocontinuetoinvolveNanjemoyVision,Inc.and
otherpublicsintheplanningprocess.
DecisionandRationale
BasedontheinformationcontainedintheCMP/EA,thedecisionisherebymadebyboth
BLMandMDNRtoapproveAlternative4,asmodified(preferredalternative). The
modificationsaretheinclusionofapotentialmotorizedboatrampatWilsonFarm(State)
andtheaddition(sincetheinitialdraftCMP)ofpotentialsilvaculturepracticesonthe
stateproperties.
ThisplanwaspreparedundertheregulationsimplementingFederalLandPolicyand
ManagementAct(FLPMA)(43CFR1600). AnEAwaspreparedfortheCMPin
compliancewithNEPA. ApprovalofthisCMPprovidesfortheuseoftheBLM
administeredpubliclandsundertheconditionsdescribedandthelevelanalyzedinthe
EA.
SomeactionsconditionallyapprovedbythisDecisionRecord,willstillbesubjectto
additionalsite-specificanalysis.
ImplementationofthemodifiedAlternative4balancesopenspaceandrecreational
activitiesontheNanjemoyPeninsulaandadequatelyprotectstheregion’scritical
environmentalresources. Itencourageeconomicdevelopmentbasedonincreased
recreationalandheritagetourism,whichisconsistentwiththeobjectivesoftheCMPand
theplansofCharlesCountyandtheStateofMaryland.
ApprovedBLMPlanningDecisions
Table1belowcontainstheactivitiesapprovedbythisdecisionrecord. Someofthe
actionsareimplementeduponapprovaloftheplan:
• TheFederalportionsoftheDouglasPointandMarylandPointtractsare
designatedasaSpecialRecreationManagementArea(SRMA). TheSRMAisan
areawhereacommitmentofBLMstaffingandfundinghasbeenmadewithinthe
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parametersofmultipleuses,toprovideopportunitiesforspecificrecreation
opportunitiesandexperiencesonasustainedyieldbasis.
• AllFederallandsareclosedtooff-roadmotorvehicles
• AllFederallandisclosedtolivestockgrazing.
• AllFederallandisclosedtomineralleasing.
• NoFederallandisavailableforlandexchanges,RecreationandPublicPurposes
Actsales,timbersalesandlandsales.
• TheFederallandisdesignatedasanavoidanceareafornewrights-of-way.
• TheFederallandhasnotbeendesignatedasanAreaofCriticalEnvironmental
Concern.
• TheFederallandsaredesignatedasRecreationOpportunitySpectrumcategory
semi-primitivenon-motorized.
• ActivitiestakingplaceonFederallandorbyFederalactionmustconformwith
thePreventionofSignificantDeteriorationairqualityClass1designation.
• TheFederalportionofDouglasPointisdesignatedasaVisualResource
ManagementClassIIandMarylandPointasClassIII.
• AfiremanagementplanwillbecompletedaftertheCMP. Thisplanwillanalyze
themosteffectivemodesofprotectionandwilldetermineifprescribedfireor
otherfuelstreatmentsarenecessaryfortheecosystemhealthandprotectionoflife
andproperty. Untilthefiremanagementplaniscompleted,allwildlandfireswill
besuppressedthroughagreementswithlocalcooperators.
Changestothesedesignationswillrequireaplanamendmentorrevision.
ThisDecisionRecordfulfillstheBLM’srequirementtoissueadecisionattheconclusion
oflanduseplanning(43CFR1610.5).
StateofMarylandDNRPlanningDecisions
NosimilarrequirementexistsfortheStateatthisstageoflanduseplanning. Thefinal
administrativedecisionforMDNRwilloccuratthecompletionofthenextplanning
phase,whichwillresultinthedevelopmentofalandunitplan. TheMDNRconcurswith
theselectionofAlternative4modifiedandwillutilizetheCMPasaguideinthe
developmentofthelandunitplan.
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ImplementationPlan
Animplementationplansetsgeneralprioritiesforimplementingthedecisionsmadeby
theCMP. Althoughsomespecifictasksandtimeframescannotbepreciselydetermined
atthisstage,theimplementationplanallowsofficialstoplanstaffandbudgetary
resources. TheimplementationplanfortheCMPisasfollows:
BLMActions
1. EvaluateChilesHomesiteforpossiblenominationtotheNationalRegisterof
HistoricPlacesandpreparenominationifappropriate.
2. SurveyFederalpropertyline,postsigns(e.g.,off-highwayvehicles&fossil
collectionprohibition).
3. Developintegratedactivityplanforrecreationandculturalresources.
4. Developinterpretativematerials(maps,signs,kiosks,brochures).
5. Preparesiteandengineeringplans,ifnecessary.
6. Installsanitationfacilities.
7. Monitoringprotocoldevelopment.
8. Monitoringplan.
9. Developrecreationusesurveys.
MDNRActions
1. SurveyandmarkStateboundaries.
2. GPSandmapexistingtrails.
3. Developaplanforresourcemanagementandpublicuse(LandUnitPlan).
4. LeaseWilsonFarmtracttoCharlesCounty.
5. DevelopForest/TimberManagementPlanandotherspecificresource
managementplansthatmayberequired.
6. Submitcapitalbudgetrequestforproposedrecreationalimprovements.
7. Preparesitedesignsandengineeringplansforanyproposedrecreational
development.
8. Developinterpretivematerials.
9. Monitoring.
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Table1. ActivitiesApprovedbytheDecisionRecord
ProgramArea DouglasPoint DouglasPoint MarylandPt. WilsonFarm PurseStatePark
(Federal) (State) (Federal) (State) (State)
Parking • Developtrailhead • Developedparking • Mediumparkinglot • Developparkingsites • Minorimprovements
area/trailhead andsmallparkinglot sites(e.g.gravelor (gravelorpaved) (e.g.gravelorpaved toexistingparking
construction ateachofthree pavedlots10-30cars • Assessneedfor 10-15carsea.)and siteandimprovetrail
accesspoints(gated) ea.)andtrailhead trailheadconstruction trailhead andtrailheadto
• Maintainandsign constructionparking inconnectionwith construction. reduceerosion.
twoexistingtrails siteswouldbe usesdevelopedby
situatedwithin implementationplan.
propertytosupport
otherfacilitiesor
amenities.
Signing • Moderatelevelof • Moderatelevelof • Minimallevelof • Moderatelevelof • Moderatelevelof
regulatory,safety, regulatory,safety, regulatory,safety, regulatory,safety, regulatory,safety,
directional,and directional,and directional,and directional,and directional,and
interpretativesigns. interpretativesigns. interpretativesigns. interpretativesigns. interpretativesigns.
Interpretivesites • Providemoderate • Interpretivetrails- • Providemoderate • Visitor-Heritage • Interpretivetrails-
levelofsitesto signs;kiosks;self- levelofsitesto Centerandcontact signs;kiosks;self-
interpretarea’s guidedtrails. interpretarea’s station(e.g.,5,000 guidedtrails
culturalandother culturalandother sq.ft.);
resources. resources • Interpretivetrails-
• Nodevelopedpicnic • Developedpicnic signs;kiosks;self-
areas. areasasneeded. guidedtrails
DayUse • Nofacilities-informal • Picnictables/shelters, • Smallpicnicarea; • Picnictables/shelters, • Nofacilities-informal
Facilities useforpicnicking 20-50peopleeach tables/grills 20-50peopleeach useforpicnicking
etc. etc.
Toilets • Installvaulttoiletsat • ClivusorVault;may • Provideadequate • Yes(Clivus,Vault • No
oneofthethree requirewaterfor sanitationfacilities and/orrestrooms
trailheadsorparking picnicgroupshelters (Vaulttoilets) withwater)
lotcomplexes.