Prineville District planning update

24 Pages·1992·5.7 MB·English

by  United States. Bureau of Land Management. Prineville District

BLM LIBRARY
U.S. Department ofthe Interior
88057374 Bureau of Land Management
Prineville District Office
185 E. 4th Street
Prineville, Oregon 97754 February 1992
Prineville District Planning Update
HD
211
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1992
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Asthe Nation'sprincipalconservation agency, the Departmentofthe Interiorhasresponsibilityformostofournationallyowned publiclandsand
naturalresources. Thisincludesfostering thewisestuseofourlandandwaterresources, protecting ourfish andwildlife, preserving theenviron-
mentalandcultural valuesofournational parksandhistorical places,andproviding fortheenjoymentoflifethrough outdoorrecreation. The
Departmentassessesourenergyand mineral resourcesandworkstoassurethattheirdevelopmentis inthebestinterestofallourpeople. The
DepartmentalsohasamajorresponsibilityforAmerican Indian reservationcommunitiesandforpeoplewholive in IslandTerritoriesunderU.S.
administration.
J'
BLM-OR-EA-92-07-1792
U.S. Department ofthe Interior
BureauofLandManagement
PrineviUeDistrictOffice
185E.4th Street
PrineviUe,Oregon 97754
Introduction -
AsthePrineviUeDistrict'smultipleuseprogramscontinuetoexpandandbecomemorecomplex,itisimperative
thatwekeepyou(thepublic)informedofourongoingprogresstowardimplementinglanduseplans. Yourinterest
andparticipation in variousprograms and operations are invaluable to ourDistrict's success. In the continuing
efforttobetterinformyou,thePrineviUeDistricthasdevelopedthissummary. Thisisthesecondsuchdocument
developedbytheDistrictandwewillcontinuetoprovideyouthisupdatenormallyinJanuaryorFebruaryofeach
year. Thanks for yourcontinued interestin the managementofournation's public lands.
James L. Hancock
DistrictManager
What You Can Find In This Document
FeatureArticles: Anumberofarticleshavebeendevelopedonhigh briefsummaryoftheprogress made in implementingourthreeland
publicinteresttopicsofconcernthroughouttheDistrict.Forexample, useplans.
in this edition you can find articles on the Wild & Scenic River
planning process, the Deschutes River Management Plan, the land VolunteerProgramActivity/Opportunities: Wedependveryheavily
exchangeprogram,thebotanyprogram,andmore. Futurearticleswill onvolunteerservicebythepublicinnumerousactivities/rolestohelp
beofwidespreadinterestandwillportrayourDistrict'smajorannual manage the public lands. Countless hours of high quality public
accomplishmentsorupcomingevents. ADistrictmapisincludedand service havebeendonatedannually throughoutourDistrict andthe
keyedtothesearticles as wellasothernewsitems. State. This section of the summary will highlight the valuable
contributionsthatthesededicatedvolunteersmakeaswellasprovid-
ProgramofWorkSummary: Inordertogiveyouasummaryofwork ing information about the typesofopportunities availableforfuture
accomplishedlastfiscalyear(Oct.1, 1990toSept.30,1991)andwork volunteerworkintheDistrict.
expectedtobeaccomplishedthisfiscalyear(1992)asummaryofthe
work and units planned/accomplished is displayed. This is not a Environmental Assessment (EA) Register: The Eastern Oregon
detailedlist,butisdesignedtoindicatethemagnitudeoftheworkBLM BLM Districts have been distributing an EA register to interested
hasdoneorexpectsto accomplish. individualsandgroupsforseveralyears. This providesyouwithan
opportunity to become involved or provide input into a variety of
PlanImplimentationProgressReports: Wewillmaintainaregular plannedprojectsonanindividualprojectbasis.
reportingofprogress made toward implementation ofthe District's
three landuseplans. Theseplans include the TwoRiversResource Insummary,wehopeyoufindthissummaryinterestingandinforma-
Management Plan (RMP) completed in 1986, the John Day RMP tive. Wewanttomakefuturesuchdocumentsevenbetterandwould
(1985) andthe Brothers-LaPineRMP(1989). Wearenotpresently appreciateany commentsyou may haveregardingformat, content,
workingonaplan,butwillbegininFY93toamendtheJohnDayand etc. Pleasesendanysuchcommentsto: DistrictManager,Bureauof
TwoRiversRMP'stoaddressnewemerging issues. Moredetailon LandManagement,P.O.Box550,PrineviUe,OR97754.Thanksfor
thisamendmentwillbe providedinournextannualplanningupdate yourcontinuedinterestinthePrineviUeDistrict'sactivities.
whichwillbecompleted nextyear. Thiscurrentupdate givesyoua
1
and
Wild Scenic River Planning
Specific plans are being
developedfortheportions
ofsix rivers, totaling 37
miles,inthePrinevilleDis-
trictwithinthefederaldes-
ignated Wild and Scenic
River System. The plans
will be specific to eight
segmentsonthesixrivers.
Issues and alternatives to
guide each plan were de-
veloped through public
scoping last summer, and
AdHoc study groupsrep-
resentingavarietyofriver
users are assisting in the
preparationofthemanage- ^-^^
3*v
mentplans. i
The district's most recent
riverplanningeffortshave NorthForkCrookedRiver.
focused on the Deschutes River (see related article on
Deschutes River Management Plan). However, much
progresshasbeenmade thispastyearonotherriverplans LowerCrookedRiver&MiddleDeschutesRiver-This
while coordinating with the Forest Service river plans planwillbeajointBLM/FSefforttospecifymanagement
wherenecessaryto facilitate interagencyplanningefforts for26milesofriver,whichincludes7milesoftheLower
and public participation. Ongoing efforts include the CrookedRiverbetweentheNationalGrasslandsboundary
following rivermanagementplans: tojustsouthofOpalSpring,and 19milesoftheDeschutes
Riverbetween OdenFalls and Lake Billy Chinook.
John Day River (includingmain stem andSouthFork) -
This managementplan is being developed by BLM with The White River W&SR management plan has been
primary focusonthe 147.5-mile riverstem between Ser- postponedforayeartofacilitatethejointagencyplanning
viceCreekandTurnwaterFalls,and47milesontheSouth process for the 24.4 miles of this river administered by
ForkfromtheMalheurNationalForestboundarytoSmokey BLM and the 22.1 miles managed by the Mt. Hood
Creek.Additionally,thisplanwillprovideaframeworkfor National Forest.
riverplanningon the John Day segments not included in
W&SR
the Wild and Scenic RiverSystem. Draftsofthe four managementplanslisted above
willbereleasedforpubliccommentinthespring,andfinal
North Fork Crooked River -This W&SR plan isbeing managementplansshouldbecompletedbySeptember30,
developed jointly with the Ochoco National Forest to 1992.
incorporate two river segments, 14.7 miles administered
by the FS and 17.6 managed by the BLM. Anyone interested in these river management plans is
encouraged to become involved in the planning process.
Crooked River - A single management plan is being Thiscanbedonebysubmittingarequesttobeaddedtoour
developedbythedistrictfortheChimneyRocksegmentof mailing list.
the Crooked River involving an 8-mile stretch of river
below Bowman Dam.
Deschutes River
Management
Plan
A management plan for the lower 100 miles ofthe De- hearings were held during the summerinPendleton,The
schutesRiverfromPeltonDamtotheColumbiaisnearing Dalles,Portland,Medford,Eugene,Salem,Madras,Warm
completion. TheplanwasdraftedbyaPolicyGroupwith Springs,BendandMaupin. Atotalof500peopleattended
BLM
representatives from the and ten other Federal, the varioushearingstoexpresstheiropinionsonthedraft
Tribal,Stateandlocalgovernmentagencies,aswellasa9- plan and voice their preferences for management ofthe
membercitizens advisory team appointed by the Gover- river.
nor. Thegroupaddressednumerousissues,someofwhich
were controversial and complex, ranging from fish and ThePolicyGrouphas reviewedthepubliccommentsand
wildlife habitat requirements to social conflicts between isnowpreparingthe finalmanagementplan. Someofthe
boaters, and includinguserlimitsandenforcementneeds. complex issues are still in the resolution process. One
unresolved issue pertains tojet boat restrictions; another
A draftmanagementplan was released forpublic review relatestothe typeofpermitorallocationsystem thatmay
andcomment inJuneof 1991. Betweenthenandtheend be necessary in the future ifuse limits are implemented.
of October, over 1,800 letters were received. Public Completion ofthe final plan is expected in the spring of
1992.
Adventures
in the
Past Sometimes Occur
—
a Cave
in
rheBLM'sPrinevilleDistricthasfoundawayforpeople
to learnfirsthandaboutearlyNativeAmericans. Con-
tinuing apartnership establishedin 1990, theBLMandthe
OchocoNationalForestareplanningtohostanarchaeologi-
cal excavation as part ofthe Forest Service "Passport in
Time" program.
rheBLMIFSpartnershipwasformedtoprovidecultural
resourcemanagementopportunitiesthatallowforpublic
participationasameansofincreasingpublicawarenessand
appreciation ofthe significance ofcultural resources, and
also promoting public stewardship and involvement in the
protection ofprehistoricandhistoricproperties.
CentralOregonCave.[MapRef.#3J.
rhesiteoftheexcavationwillbeacavelocatednearRedmond,onpubliclandsadministeredbytheBLM andadjacent
,
topublic lands managed by the ForestService. Theproject is expectedto be conducted one weekendper month
beginning inJune orJuly andcontinuing throughAugustorSeptemberof1992.
rhecavewasbroughttotheattentionofBLMandFSbyalocalrancherwhowasconcernedaboutculturalpreservation.
Thecave,apopularrecreationspotformanyyoungpeopleovertheyears,isheavilydisturbedandvandalized. Inrecent
years, the rancherandotherarea residentshavebeenpatrolling the cavetopreventfurtherdamage.
rhe
cavewasidentifiedasagoodcandidatefora "PassportinTime"projectforanumberofreasons,onebeingthat
the location ofthe cave on the boundaiy oflands administered by the BLM and FS makesjoint agency efforts
appropriate. Excavation was determined to be preferable considering thepotentialfor the cave to contain cultural
resources in contrastto the likelihoodofactivities threatening itspreseivation.
rhe
excavationwillbethefirst "PassportinTime"projectincentralOregontobeconductedasajointeffortbetween
twofederalagencies. Additionalpartnershipprojectsforthisareaarebeingconsidered,toincludeculturalresource
inventory, evaluation, enhancement, historicbuilding reconstruction,developmentofinterpretive exhibitsanddisplays,
mapping ofsites,andcataloging ofhistoricphotographs.
District
Botany
Program
AstragolusDiaphanus
var.diurnas.
Certain public lands within
the Prineville District con-
tainknownorsuspectedhabi-
tatfor75specialstatusplants.
To manage for these plants,
the botany program has ex-
pandedsignificantlysinceits
earlydaysinthe1970s.There
are now fourprogram com-
ponents: species inventory,
monitoring, project clear-
ance, and species manage-
ment.
A
complete species inven-
toryisbasictoasoundbotany
programtoidentifytheloca-
tionsofspecialstatusspecies
withinthedistrict,thetypeof
preferred habitat, the num-
berandsizeofknownpopu-
lations,andthedocumentedorsuspectedthreatstothesepopu-
lations. Since 1983,approximately 115,000acresinthedistrict Allground-disturbingprojectsarereviewedpriortoimplemen-
havebeeninventoriedforspecialstatusplants,eitherspecificto tation todetermine whetheranyspecial statusplantsarein the
habitat or incidental to projects. Of the total, approximately projectarea,andifso,howtheprojectcanbemodified. Projects
13,000acresweredone in 1991. Such inventoryinghasdocu- requiring project clearance vary from livestock/wildlife water
mented 37 special status plants on the district, including 12 pipelines, reservoir developments, powerline rights-of-way,
which are candidates for Federal listing as endangered or andresidentialaccessroadstotimbersalesandlandexchanges.
Since 1983,nearly650clearancereportshavebeencompleted
threatened.
whichequatestoan averageof75 peryear.
Monitoring should ideally be done where any special status
plants are found. Basic monitoring may consist of simply In speciesmanagement, the desiredresultis enhancement of
counting individuals within a given area, or mapping plants theexistenceofspecialstatusplants. Thiscanbeaccomplished
withinpermanently-markedplots. Morecomplexstudiesmay throughactionplanswhichspecifyanyparticularmanagement,
seek to quantify the rates of reproduction and mortality, or monitoring, and habitat acquisitions that are needed. These
determine the effects ofcertain management actions (for ex- needscanbeconsideredthroughtheplanningprocessinvolving
amplelogging, grazing, recreation)onpopulationhealth. Due an interdisciplinary team. Cooperating with the public in
tobudgetaryconstraints,monitoringinthePrinevilleDistrictis conservationeffortsisanotherimportantapproachinmanaging
forspecial statusspecies.
limitedprimarily to federal candidate species.
Projectclearanceconsistsofplantinventorydonespecifically Thefinalnotetorememberisthatthesignificanceofmanaging
inresponsetoproposedmanagementactionstoensurethatthe forspecial status plants lies with sustaining ecosystems which
actionswillhavenodetrimentaleffectonspecialstatusplants. support notonly these plants,butalsoeachoneofus.
Land
Exhange
Program
Urban expansion and population
growthincentralOregonhaveplaced
increasing pressure on surrounding
publiclands.Thepressuresresultfrom
casual recreational activities such as
off-road vehicle use, target shooting,
horseback riding and mountain bik-
ing.Requestsfororganizedrecreation
such aspaint ball activities, shooting
andarcheryevents,scouting,stargaz-
ing, and wilderness training are also
increasing. Other demands include
expandeduseby theOregon Military
Department for training exercises, and increasing use of the Perhapsoneofthemajorconcerns,however,asurbanexpansion
Badlands and Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Areas for continues isthe increasingpotential foracatastrophic wildfire
recreationalactivities. situation. Recentfiresininterfaceareas(i.e., AwbreyHallFire
nearBend, theSpokaneareafires,andtheOakland,California
Proposals are being received for land exchanges, land use areafire)havedemonstratedthepossibledevastationofsucha
permits,andrights-ofway. Specificrequestsforuseofpublic situation. Heavy fuel loads, bug-killed trees, and extended
landshavebeenmadebytheBendMetroParksandRecreation droughtconditionscontribute tothe potential forwildfire.
District,DeschutesCounty,churchgroups.VeteransofForeign
Wars,andthepublicschools. Wealsohaveaproposalforaland The Prineville District is preparing an activity plan to address
exchangetoblockpublicownershipalongtheDeschutesRiver management needs specific to the above situations. Public
nearClineFalls. meetingswillbeheldtoidentifytheissuesandconcernsinthese
urban interface areas, as well as possible courses ofaction to
Oneconcernin urbaninterfaceareasisthatthedevelopmentof improve management. Times and locations ofsuch meetings
privatelandssometimesrestrictsaccesstopubliclands,creating willbeannouncedinpressreleases. Anyoneinterestedinmore
a need to acquire easements. Othermanagement concerns in informationorbeingincludedonthemailinglistshouldcontact
urban interface areas include illegal dumping of trash, occu- PhilPatemoorShaaronNethertonatthePrinevilleBLMat(503)
pancyandagricultural trespass,offroadvehicleuse,andunau- 447-4115.
thorizedwoodcutting.
Urban Growth Impacts on Public Lands
-
UrbanexpansionandpopulationgrowthincentralOregonhave landshavebeenmadebytheBendMetroParksandRecreation
placed increasing pressure on surrounding public lands. The District,DeschutesCounty,churchgroups.VeteransofForeign
pressuresresult fromcasual recreational activitiessuchasoff- Wars andthepublicschools Wealsohaveaproposalforaland
, .
roadvehicleuse,targetshooting,horsebackridingandmountain exchangetoblockpublicownershipalongtheDeschutesRiver
biking. Requests for organized recreation such as paint ball nearClineFalls.
activities, shooting and archery events, scouting, star gazing,
and wilderness training are also increasing. Other demands Oneconcernin urbaninterfaceareasisthatthedevelopmentof
include expanded use by the Oregon Military Department for privatelandssometimesrestrictsaccesstopubliclands,creating
training exercises, and increasing use of the Badlands and a need to acquire easements. Other management concerns in
SteelheadFallsWildernessStudyAreasforrecreationalactivi- urban interface areas include illegal dumping of trash, occu-
ties. pancyandagricultural trespass,offroadvehicleuse,andunau-
thorizedwoodcutting.
Proposals are being received for land exchanges, land use
permits,andrights-ofway. Specificrequests foruse ofpublic
Program Work Summary
of
AnannualcommitmenttoaprogramofworkismadebythePrinevilleBLMDistrictthroughthebudgetingprocess,andprogressis
trackedduringtheyearthroughaunitsofaccomplishmentaccountingsystem. Onthefollowingtableisasummaryofthefiscalyear
1991 unitsplannedand unitscompleted,andtheplannedprogramforfiscalyear 1992.
Unitsplannedareestimatesmadepriortothestartoftheyearandmayvaryconsiderablyfromtheactualunitscompletedduetochanges
inprioritiesduringtheyear,public demandrequests,andotherfactors.
Thislistshouldhelpyouunderstandthewidevarietyofmultipleusemanagementactivitiesundertakenannuallyonpublic landsby
thePrinevilleDistrict.
Units Units Units
Plan. Compl. Plan.
Description Measure FY 91 FY91 FY92
Range Management
Allotment Mgmt.
Plan #Developed 3 4
Monitoring Allotments.Monitored 120 165 95
Lease and permit
Administr. #issued 500 530 500
Project develpmnt #developed 15 18
Weed Control #projects 5 5 5
Trespass Abatemnt #cases 2 9
Soil, Water, Air
Watershed Activty
Plans #completed
1 1
Soil Survey 000's acres 10 10 10
Water Rights Waters resources
Documentation Quantified 25 10 25
Air Monitoring #stations 8 8 8
Watershed Monitor #stations 250 260 250
Watershed Impvmts #projects 9 5
Project Maint. #maintain 3 3 3
Perhapsoneofthemajorconcerns,however,asurbanexpansion
continuesistheincreasingpotentialforacatastrophic wildfire
situation. Recentfiresininterfaceareas(i.e., AwbreyHallFire
nearBend,theSpokaneareafires,andtheOakland,California
areafire)havedemonstratedthepossibledevastationofsucha
situation. Heavy fuel loads, bug-killed trees, and extended
droughtconditionscontribute tothepotentialforwildfire.
ThePrineville District ispreparing an activityplan toaddress
management needs specific to the above situations. Public
meetingswillbeheldtoidentifytheissuesandconcernsinthese
urban interface areas, as well as possible courses ofaction to
improve management. Times and locations ofsuch meetings
willbeannouncedinpressreleases. Anyoneinterestedinmore
informationorbeingincludedonthemailinglistshouldcontact
BLM
Phil Paterno or Shaaron Netherton at the Prineville at
CentralOregonUrbanGrowth.[MapReference#4] [phone].
Units Units Units
Plan. Compl. Plan.
Description Measure FY 91 FY91 FY92
Wild Horses/Burros
Inventory OOO's acres
Monitoring HerdMgmt 2 2 2
Forest Management
Planning #plans 2 3 2
Timber Sales MBF offered 27,400 29,664 13,900
Other Forest Prod #permits 190 212 190
Forest Development
Reforestation acres 20
Timber Stnd Imprv acres 100 82
Fire Management
Inventory OOO's acres 5 5 1
Fire Plans #complted 2 1
Hazard Reduction OOO's acres 1 1
Lands & Realty
Rights-of-Way #grants 28 34 44
Private Exchanges #acres 4,200 2,834 6,000
Trespass Abatemnt #cases 10 7 5
Permits #cases 8 9 5
Minerals Management
Surf.Mgmt. #reviewed 15 8 12
Notices #reviewed 2 2
Plans #reports 55 15 40
Inspections
Geothermal Lease #drill perm. 3 1
Operations
Mineral Material Sales #processed 7 33 44
Law Enforcement
Agreements & Contracts #signed 6 6 5
Recreation
Permitting #permits 190 146 183
Res. Protection #projects 1 1 2
Activity Plans #plans 1 1 5
Wilderness
Study Area Repts #completed 13160
Interim Mgmt. OOO's acres 196 196 175
Resource Protect. #projects 1
Cultural
Activity Plan #completed 1
Sites Mgmt. #managed 30 43 25
Wildlife Habitat Management
Inventory OOO's acre 1 1 4
Monitoring #monitored 6 5 6
Hab. Projects #completed 7 8 14
Maintenance #monitored 58 74 58
Hab Mgmt Plans #completed 1 1
Endangered Species Management
Inventory OOO's acre 18 13 3
Plans #completed 1
Monitoring #monitored 2 2 1
Implemented T&E Plans #completed 1 1
8