Steens mountain wilderness and wild and scenic rivers plan

BLM

Burns District Ofﬁce

WSRP

Steens Mountain Wilderness

and

Wild and Scenic Rivers Plan

Appendix P - Steens Mountain

Cooperative Management and

Protection Area Resource Management Plan

August 2005

Public Lands USA: Use, Share, Appreciate

As the Nation’s principal

conservation agency, the Department

of the Interior has responsibility for

most of our nationally owned public

lands and natural resources. This

includes fostering the wisest use

of our land and water resources,

protecting our ﬁsh and wildlife,

preserving the environmental and

cultural values of our national

parks and historical places, and

providing for the enjoyment of life

through outdoor recreation. The

department assesses our energy

and mineral resources and works to

assure that their development is in

the best interest of all our people.

The Department also has a major

responsibility for American Indian

reservation communities and for

people who live in Island Territories

under U.S. administration.

Photo courtesy of John Craig.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Steens Mountain Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Plan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acronym List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Plan Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Plan Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Relationship to BLM Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Public Involvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Steens Mountain Advisory Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Area Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

General Location and Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Land Ownership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

History of Use for Steens Mountain Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Steens Mountain Wilderness Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Unique Wilderness Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Wilderness Management Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Wild and Scenic Rivers Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Public Lands in Wild and Scenic River Corridors outside Steens Mountain Wilderness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Outstandingly Remarkable Values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Management Goals and Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Steens Mountain Wilderness Guidance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Wild and Scenic Rivers Guidance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Other Guidance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Management Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Wild and Scenic Rivers Management Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Wilderness Minimum Requirement Decision Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Wilderness Administrative Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Aircraft Overﬂights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Lands and Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Wildland Fire Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Emergency Services and Law Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Partnerships and Volunteers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Education and Outreach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Visitor Use Elements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Recreation Facilities only in Wild and Scenic River Corridors outside Wilderness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Wilderness Trails and Trailheads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River Use Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Special Recreation Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Natural and Cultural Resource Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Air Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Water Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Soils and Biological Soil Crusts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Noxious Weeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

P – i

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Paleontological Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Cultural Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

American Indian Traditional Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Visual Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Energy and Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Wild Horses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Areas of Critical and Environmental Concern. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Permitted Use Elements for Steens Mountain Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Grazing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Private Land Inholdings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Steens Mountain Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River Monitoring Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Monitoring Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Visitor Use Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Steens Mountain Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River Monitoring Indicators and Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Indicator 1: Campsite Condition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Indicator 2: Campsite Density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Indicator 3: Perception of Solitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Indicator 4: Trail Conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Indicator 5: Length-of-Stay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Indicator 6: Recreational Stock Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Indicator 7: Unauthorized Motor Vehicle and Mechanical Transport Intrusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Natural and Cultural Resource Elements Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Air Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Water Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Soils and Biological Soil Crusts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Noxious Weeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Paleontological Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Cultural Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

American Indian Traditional Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Visual Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Energy and Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Wild Horses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Areas of Critical and Environmental Concern. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Permitted Uses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Grazing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Private Land Inholdings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

List of Tables

Table 1: Summary of Wild and Scenic Rivers Segments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Table 2: Campsite Condition Guideline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

P – ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table 3: Campsite Density Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Table 4: Perception of Solitude Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Table 5: Trail Condition Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Table 6: Length-of-Stay Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Table 7: Recreational Stock Use Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Table 8: Unauthorized Motor Vehicle and Mechanical Transport Intrusions Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Table 9: Summary of Oregon DEQ 2002 303(d) List for Streams within Wild River Segments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Table 10: Proper Functioning Condition Assessment Summary for Public Land Stream Reaches

within the CMPA Conducted Between 1998 and 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Table 11: Proper Functioning Condition Assessment Summary for Public Land WSR Segments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Table 12: Summary of Road Categories and Mileage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Table 13: Summary of Grazing Allotments in Steens Mountain Wilderness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

List of Maps

W1: General Vicinity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

W2: Wilderness Management Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

W3: Wild and Scenic Rivers Management Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Attachments

Attachment 1: Public Use Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Attachment 2: Special Status Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Attachment 3: Campsite Monitoring Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

Attachment 4: Occupied Campsite Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

Attachment 5: Trail Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

Attachment 6: Encounters Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103

Attachment 7: Trail Monitoring Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

Attachment 8: Winter Recreation Monitoring Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

Attachment 9: Unauthorized Motor Vehicle and Mechanical Transport Intrusions Monitoring Form . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

P – iii

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

P – iv

ACRONYMS

Acronyms

Reader note: Please refer to the list below for acronyms that may be used in this document.

ACRONYM DEFINITION

ACEC Area of Critical Environmental Concern

AML Appropriate Management Level

AMP Allotment Management Plan

AMS Analysis of the Management Situation

AMU Andrews Management Unit/Andrews Resource

Area outside the CMPA

AUM Animal Unit Month

BCB Back Country Byway

BLM Bureau of Land Management

BMPs Best Management Practices

CAA Clean Air Act

CCD Census County Divisions

CD Compact Disc

CEQ Council on Environmental Quality

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CMPA Cooperative Management and Protection Area

CWA Clean Water Act

DEQ Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

DEIS Draft Environmental Impact Statement

DO District Ofﬁce

DRC Desired Range of Conditions

DRMP Draft Resource Management Plan

EA Environmental Assessment

EIS Environmental Impact Statement

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

ERMA Extensive Recreation Management Area

ESA Endangered Species Act

ESI Ecological Site Inventory

FAR Functional At Risk

FEIS Final Environmental Impact Statement

FFR Federal Fenced Range

FLPMA Federal Land Policy and Management Act

FMP Fire Management Plan

GIS Geographic Information System

GPS Global Positioning System

HMA Herd Management Area

HUC Hydrologic Unit Code

ICBEMP Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project

ID Interdisciplinary

Malheur NWR Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

MFP Management Framework Plan

MOA Memorandum of Agreement

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

MRDG Minimum Requirement Decision Guide

NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act

NSO No Surface Occupancy

ODA Oregon Department of Agriculture

ODF Oregon Department of Forestry

ODFW Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

P – v

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

OHV Off-Highway Vehicle

ONDA Oregon Natural Desert Association

ONHP Oregon Natural Heritage Program

ORS Oregon Revised Statute

ORV Outstandingly Remarkable Value

OWRD Oregon Water Resources Department

PFC Proper Functioning Condition

PILT Payments In Lieu of Taxes

PL Public Law

PM Particulate Matter

PNC Potential Natural Community

PRIA Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978

R&PP Recreation & Public Purpose

RA Resource Area

RAC Southeast Oregon Resource Advisory Council

RMIS Recreation Management Information System

RMP Resource Management Plan

RNA Research Natural Area

ROD Record of Decision

ROW Right-of-Way

RPS Rangeland Program Summary

RTR Redband Trout Reserve

S&Gs Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing

Management for Public Lands in Oregon and Washington

SBR Subbasin Review

SEORMP Southeastern Oregon Resource Management Plan

SIP State Implementation Plan

SMAC Steens Mountain Advisory Council

SRMA Special Recreation Management Area

SRP Special Recreation Permit

T&E Threatened and Endangered

TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load

TNC The Nature Conservancy

TNR Temporary Non-Renewable

TP Transportation Plan

TR Technical Reference

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

USDI United States Department of the Interior

USFS United States Forest Service

USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service

USGS United States Geological Survey

VRM Visual Resource Management

WJMA Wildlands Juniper Management Area

WQMP Water Quality Management Plan

WQRP Water Quality Restoration Plan

WSA IMP Interim Management Policy for Lands under Wilderness Review

WSA Wilderness Study Area

WSR Wild and Scenic River

WUI Wildland Urban Interface

ybp years before present

P – vi

APPENDIX P

Introduction

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is the agency responsible for managing Steens Mountain Wilderness

and three National Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSRs). The Donner und Blitzen WSR system has nine river

segments, Wildhorse WSR system has two river segments, and Kiger WSR has one river segment. All 12

river segments fall within Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA). The

CMPA is part of the BLM’s Andrews and Three Rivers Resource Areas (RAs) in the Burns District and is

located in Harney County, Oregon, approximately 70 miles south of Burns (Map W1).

Plan Organization

This document is presented in ﬁve sections:

• Introduction - provides background and public involvement information on Steens Mountain Wilderness

and WSRs.

• Area Overview - provides an overview of Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs.

• Management Goals and Objectives - provides guidance on management goals for Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSRs.

• Management Strategy - provides management strategy for Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs.

• Monitoring Plan - provides monitoring strategy for Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs.

Background

On October 30, 2000, the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000 (Steens

Act) designated the 428,156-acre CMPA. The Steens Act was the culmination of a cooperative effort among

Oregon’s Congressional delegation and Governor, the Secretary of the Interior, interest groups, and local

government to forge legislation stipulating long-term management and protection of the cultural, economic,

ecological, and social health of the Steens Mountain Area. The purpose of the Steens Act is “…to conserve,

protect, and manage the long-term ecological integrity of Steens Mountain for future and present generations.”

Within this area, cooperative and innovative management projects are encouraged and implemented by BLM,

private landowners, tribes, and other public interests. Sustainable grazing and recreational use, including

ﬁshing and hunting, will continue where consistent with the purpose of the Steens Act.

Within the CMPA, the Steens Act designated 170,084 acres as Steens Mountain Wilderness, whose primitive

landscapes

and wild natural resources cover the top, ﬂanks, and gorges of the mountain (Map W2). Also

established was a 97,229-acre No Livestock Grazing Area with 94,959 acres located within Steens Mountain

Wilderness. This is the ﬁrst Congressionally designated No Livestock Grazing Area in wilderness in the

United States.

The Steens Act also designated Wildhorse and Kiger Creeks as WSRs and added Mud, Ankle, and South

Fork

of Ankle Creeks to the existing Donner und Blitzen WSR system, originally designated in 1988 by the

Omnibus Oregon WSRs Act (Maps W2 and W3). Portions of Donner und Blitzen WSR were identiﬁed by

the Steens Act as the Redband Trout Reserve (RTR). The RTR was created “to conserve, protect, and enhance

the Donner und Blitzen River population of redband trout and the unique ecosystem of plants, ﬁsh, and

wildlife of a river system; and to provide opportunities for scientiﬁc research, environmental education, and

ﬁsh and wildlife oriented recreation and access to the extent compatible…” with the above purpose. Almost

all these river segments fall within Steens Mountain Wilderness. The Steens Act states where management

requirements for a stream segment differ between the WSRs Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) and Steens Mountain

Wilderness, the more restrictive requirements of the 1964 Wilderness Act shall apply.

Plan Purpose

The purpose of this management plan is to provide management guidance for Steens Mountain Wilderness

and the WSRs within the CMPA. Since most of the designated WSRs fall within Steens Mountain Wilderness,

both are managed under this integrated management plan. This management plan is designed to set guidelines

for on-the-ground management and for future project planning efforts. Management actions may be modiﬁed

or initiated as additional resource and visitor data become available.

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STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Relationship to BLM Planning

This management plan is a component of the Resource Management Plan (RMP) written to provide

management direction for the CMPA. The RMP addresses a spectrum of resource issues. Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSRs Management Plan (Wilderness/WSRs Plan) is an activity plan, which although an

appendix to the CMPA RMP functions as an independent document.

Public Involvement

Public involvement for this management plan was completed as part of the RMP process. Public involvement

activities included mass mailing a scoping brochure, holding public meetings, meeting with local governments

and tribal government ofﬁcials, and mailing the Summary of the Analysis of the Management Situation

(United States Department of the Interior [USDI] 2002) and Draft RMP/Draft Environmental Impact

Statement (EIS) to interested groups and individuals. When published with the Proposed RMP/Final EIS

(FEIS), the Wilderness/WSRs Plan was available for a 30-day public comment period. The Wilderness/

WSRs Plan became ﬁnal with approval of the Record of Decision for the CMPA RMP.

Steens Mountain Advisory Council

As part of the Steens Act, the Secretary of the Interior established the 12-member Steens Mountain Advisory

Council (SMAC) to advise the Secretary in managing the CMPA and in promoting cooperative management.

The SMAC’s purpose is to formulate recommendations regarding: (1) new and unique approaches to the

management of lands within the boundaries of the CMPA; and (2) cooperative programs and incentives for

seamless landscape management that meets human needs and maintains and improves the ecological and

economic integrity of the CMPA. The SMAC also advised the BLM in the preparation of the CMPA RMP

and the Wilderness/WSRs Plan.

The SMAC has met regularly since its creation in August 2001. Each meeting generally lasts two full days

and

is advertised in local and regional papers, on the internet, and through a Federal Register notice to ensure

the public has an opportunity to participate. Meetings have been held in Bend, Burns, and Frenchglen to

accommodate local and regional public involvement.

Area Overview

This section contains general background information about Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs. Included

is information about boundaries, public access, land ownership, history, unique wilderness attributes, and

Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORVs) for the WSRs.

General Location and Boundaries

Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSR segments fall entirely within the 426,156-acre CMPA. Steens Mountain

Wilderness is within an area generally bound on the west and south by State Highway 205 and Catlow Valley

Road, on the east by East Steens Road, and on the north by part of the North Steens Loop Road (Map W2).

Steens Mountain Wilderness lies in two segments. The larger eastern portion runs up the east slope of the

mountain, starting from the south near Fields and continuing about 35 miles northeast. This section contains

much of Kiger Gorge/Cold Springs area, Little Blitzen Gorge, Big and Little Indian Gorges, Wildhorse

Canyon, Ankle Creek Basin, and the main stem of Donner und Blitzen River to Page Springs.

The separate and smaller western portion of Steens Mountain Wilderness contains Threemile and Home

Creeks,

Dry Creek Canyon, and a portion of the rims on the east side of Catlow Valley. The designated river

segments fall generally within Steens Mountain Wilderness.

P – 2

APPENDIX P

Where open roads bisect or run adjacent to Steens Mountain Wilderness, the Steens Act authorizes BLM to

determine boundary setbacks for wilderness. The wilderness boundary along the well-traveled Steens Loop

Road is set back 100 feet from road centerline. The boundary is set back 30 feet from road centerline along

other open roads including Fish Creek, Grove Creek, Cold Springs, Dingle Creek, Wildhorse Lake Overlook,

Big Alvord Creek, Newton Cabin, Indian Creek, Weston Basin, Lauserica, Bone Creek, Miners Cabin, Frazer

Spring, Roaring Springs Creek Roads, and short sections of other roads. The wilderness boundary is set back

300 feet from road centerline along sections of Catlow Valley Road (Long Hollow) and East Steens Road

(south of Indian Creek Road for approximately four miles).

Access

Highway 205 provides two access points to Steens Mountain Wilderness and the WSRs. The community

of Frenchglen is the northwest access point, where Steens Loop Road, also known as Steens Mountain

Backcountry Byway (BCB), heads east along the northern boundary of the larger eastern wilderness segment.

Steens Loop Road passes through the narrow highlands of the mountain, descends over the steep and rough

Rooster Comb section, then traverses west to the south entrance to the Steens Loop Road, about 11 miles

south of Frenchglen. The Steens Loop Road may be driven in either direction, but drivers may wish to avoid

hazards of the Rooster Comb section. Steens Loop Road also provides access to the Donner und Blitzen WSR

system including parts of Donner und Blitzen River, Fish Creek, Little Blitzen River, Big Indian Creek, and

Little Indian Creek. When traveling Steens Loop Road, there are several opportunities to park at established

overlook points or campgrounds. Cold Springs Road offers high clearance four-wheel-drive access to the

area south of Fish Creek, but is extremely rough and is not a through route. Wildhorse Lake Overlook Road

leads south toward the peak of Steens Mountain and includes a parking area and trail to the overlook of

Wildhorse Lake and Wildhorse WSR. Newton Cabin Road provides parking and hiking access into Ankle

Creek Basin.

East Steens Road provides access to Big Alvord, Indian, and Bone Creek and Weston Basin Roads. Pike

Creek

Trail is also accessed from East Steens Road. Bone Creek Road passes through Steens Mountain

Wilderness north of Alvord Peak. A parcel of public land near Penland, north of Andrews, allows public

access for visitors wishing to hike or ride horseback into Wildhorse WSR from the south. No facilities or

developed access presently exist at this site.

The western segment of Steens Mountain Wilderness may be accessed directly from points where public

lands reach the Catlow Valley Road Right-Of-Way (ROW), or from Steens Loop Road near its south entrance

via primitive open roads.

Hiking and horseback riding are unlimited within Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs, although trailhead

facilities are limited and occur outside of wilderness. Trailheads include Blitzen River trailhead at Page

Springs Campground, Little Blitzen trailhead just east of South Steens Campground, and Big Indian trailhead

within South Steens Campground.

Land Ownership

Steens Mountain Wilderness includes 170,084 acres of public lands administered by the BLM and 4,668 acres

of state and private inholdings. Approximately 94,959 acres of wilderness were designated as a No Livestock

Grazing Area. There are 12 designated WSR segments with a total of 105 river miles, most of which fall

within Steens Mountain Wilderness and the No Livestock Grazing Area. Approximately 27,324 acres of

public land are administered by the BLM within the river corridor boundaries, along with approximately

4,022 acres of State and private land (Table 1).

P – 3

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

History of Use for Steens Mountain Wilderness and Wild and

Scenic Rivers

American Indians inhabited the Steens Mountain region from as early as 10,000 years ago through the late

century. The ﬁrst recorded history of the area began with exploration between 1826 and 1829 by fur

traders of the Snake Country expeditions. While exploring the region and trapping beaver on his third and

ﬁfth trips, Peter Skene Ogden entered Malheur Lake Basin north of Steens Mountain. In 1845, leading a

wagon train, Steven Meeks mistook the snow-capped Steens for the Cascade Mountains.

In 1860, the Army sent Major Enoch Steen to protect settlers and determine feasibility of a road from

southeastern

Oregon to Willamette Valley. His party named many prominent topographic features including

Steens Mountain. In 1864, during a thunderstorm, Captain George B. Curry and his command were forced to

cross a river on the west slope of Steens. He named the river “Donder und Blitzen,” which in German means

thunder and lightning. Later, the name became Donner und Blitzen River.

Cattle were driven into the area in 1872 and by the 1900s many cattle ranches had been established in valleys

surrounding

Steens. At one time, prior to passage of the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934, over 100,000 sheep and

cattle grazed the mountain.

In the 1940s and 1950s, recreational use started to occur on Steens. In 1962, Steens Loop Road was completed

allowing

vehicle access to the mountaintop. Recreational use has since been a popular activity. In 1972, the

BLM recognized the importance of the recreational opportunities and administratively designated part of

Steens Mountain as a Recreation Lands area. In 1991, almost 50,000 visitors came to the area.

On October 28, 1988, Congress passed the Omnibus Oregon WSRs Act, which amended the WSRs Act of

1968 to add 40 new rivers to the National WSRs System. Included were six river segments of the Donner und

Blitzen River system.

On October 30, 2000, Congress passed the Steens Act designating 428,156 acres as the CMPA including

establishment of Steens Mountain Wilderness and designation of Wildhorse and Kiger WSRs. Three new

river segments were also added to the Donner und Blitzen River system.

Steens Mountain Wilderness Overview

The Steens Act established the CMPA to conserve, protect, and manage the long-term ecological integrity of

Steens Mountain for future and present generations. This included designation of Steens Mountain Wilderness.

Section 201(a) of the Steens Act requires Steens Mountain Wilderness be managed in accordance with the

Wilderness Act of 1964.

The Wilderness Act of 1964 was passed by Congress to establish a National Wilderness Preservation System.

The

primary purpose of the Wilderness Act is to protect a designated wilderness area’s naturalness and

wildness, while providing for public use and enjoyment in a manner that will leave wilderness unimpaired

for future use.

Unique Wilderness Attributes

Some of the most unique attributes of Steens Mountain Wilderness are scenic vistas and spectacular geology.

Visitors can experience a diversity of habitats above tree line, where severe climate and thin soils result

in a belt of grasses, low-growing plants, and stunted, wind-formed shrubs. At the base of the mountain

where water is scarce, sagebrush is common. Stands of quaking aspen occur along streams while mountain

mahogany occupies the drier ridge tops. Visitors may see large raptors such as golden eagles, mammals such

as pronghorn antelope, or even a piece of living history, South Steens wild horses, which are descendants

of horses escaped from early explorers, settlers, miners, Indians, and ranchers. Many other unique features

within Steens Mountain Wilderness are described below as ORVs of the designated WSRs.

P – 4

APPENDIX P

Wilderness Management Areas

A key premise in BLM management strategy is recognition all wilderness areas are not the same. Further,

within any given wilderness, not all areas provide the same visitor experience or require the same management

practices. There can be a variety of wilderness settings present based on physical layout, visitor use, patterns

of use, degree of past human inﬂuences, and management issues. Within Steens Mountain Wilderness, two

different settings or areas are identiﬁed – Gorges and Uplands. These are not rigid, on-the-ground allocations

nor do they originate solely from speciﬁc conditions in these areas. They are theoretical descriptions of the

range of resource, social, and managerial conditions BLM intends to maintain and restore in Steens Mountain

Wilderness. Below is a description of each Management Area (Map W2). In this planning process, boundaries

of these Management Areas are generally deﬁned by patterns and types of historic use and physiography of

the wilderness.

Gorges Management Area

There are ﬁve separate canyons within the Gorges Management Area: Little Blitzen, Big Indian, Little

Indian, Wildhorse, and Kiger. Management actions can be initiated in each of the canyons separately to

accommodate individual management situations of each canyon. This portion of Steens Mountain Wilderness

is adjacent to primary access and popular destination points. Both overnight and day uses occur. Encounters

with other users are moderate to frequent, due to popularity of the gorges. Areas are monitored to protect

natural conditions while providing for use and enjoyment of recreational and natural features. Little Blitzen

River, Big Indian Creek, Little Indian Creek, Wildhorse Creek, Little Wildhorse Creek, and Kiger Creek

WSRs are in this management area.

Desired Conditions for the Natural Environment: Natural succession occurs in all existing vegetative

communities and is inﬂuenced by natural processes and disturbances. Structure, composition, function, and

spatial distribution of vegetation types are inﬂuenced and sustained by natural processes. Human inﬂuence

on vegetation is minimal, except where prescribed ﬁre or other treatments are needed to protect or restore

wilderness resources. Plant species are predominately native and indigenous to the immediate area. There are

no increases in nonindigenous species composition from an established baseline. Wildland ﬁre is reestablished

as a natural ecological force. Wildland ﬁre management activities are designed to restore or retain natural

characteristics of the ecosystem. Evidence of effects of ﬁre, insects, or disease may be present. Appropriate

air quality standards are met; however, periodic smoke could occur from wildland ﬁre. Visibility is generally

unimpaired.

Human inﬂuence on the composition, structure, and function of aquatic ecosystems is minimal in most

areas, except where restoration is determined necessary to restore or facilitate natural processes. Fish and

wildlife habitat management activities emphasize the protection of natural processes. A range of habitats is

sustained for all naturally occurring species. Special Status Species abundance and distribution is maintained

or increased. Human inﬂuence on physical features such as soils and geologic materials is minimal.

Desired Conditions for the Human Environment: In

gorge areas, opportunity exists for a moderate level

of risk and challenge. Contact with other users, recreational stock, or agency personnel can be relatively

frequent. Encounters with large and small groups are likely. Day-use opportunities are more common within

this management area. Campsites are dispersed, may be visible and activities in those sites may be audible

from adjacent campsites. Signing to indicate trail routes is not currently planned, but may occur in the future

at trail intersections and other areas as needed. Boundary signs, trailhead signs, trail junction signs, and other

information are provided to educate and inform wilderness users. Signs may consist of unstained wood with

incised letters mounted on unstained posts.

Except for commercial or organized groups, permits for day-use activities are not currently planned. Effects

from

camping meet Desired Conditions for the Natural Environment (see above). Permitted outﬁtters provide

services to visitors for activities meeting identiﬁed public needs and which usually cannot be provided in

nonwilderness settings. Permits for historic uses consistent with the Wilderness Act and recognized by

the Steens Act may continue. Recreational stock grazing adheres to appropriate standards and guidelines.

P – 5

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Structures and facilities may be allowed for resource protection and administration of the area; however,

they are allowed only when they are the minimum necessary to protect the wilderness resource and for health

and safety concerns. No facilities or improvements within Steens Mountain Wilderness are provided for the

comfort and convenience of the visitor. Evidence of historic and cultural sites may exist, but sites are not

interpreted or signed within Steens Mountain Wilderness.

Uplands Management Area

This area of Steens Mountain Wilderness features natural environmental conditions and offers a moderate

to high degree of solitude. Natural processes and conditions generally have not been and are not affected

by human activity. Areas are monitored to protect ecological conditions with effects of human activities

minimized. Fish Creek, Donner und Blitzen River, South Fork Donner und Blitzen River, Mud Creek, Ankle

Creek, and South Fork Ankle Creek WSRs are in this Management Area.

Desired Conditions for the Natural Environment: Natural succession occurs in all existing vegetative

communities

and is inﬂuenced by natural processes and disturbances. Structure, composition, function, and

spatial distribution of vegetative types are the result of natural successional processes. Human inﬂuence

on vegetation is minimal, except where prescribed ﬁre or other treatments are needed to restore or protect

wilderness resources. Plant species are predominately native and indigenous to the immediate area. There are

no increases in nonindigenous species composition from an established baseline. Wildland ﬁre is reestablished

as a natural ecological force. Wildland ﬁre management activities are designed to restore or retain natural

characteristics of the ecosystem. Evidence of effects of wildland ﬁre, insects, or disease may be present.

Appropriate air quality standards are met; however, periodic smoke could occur from wildland ﬁre. Visibility

is generally unimpaired.

Human inﬂuence on composition, structure, and function of aquatic ecosystems is unnoticeable in most areas,

except where restoration is determined necessary to facilitate natural processes. Fish and wildlife habitat

management activities emphasize protection of natural processes. A range of habitats is sustained for all

naturally occurring species. Special Status Species abundance and distribution are maintained or increased.

Human inﬂuence on physical features such as soils and geologic materials is unnoticeable in most areas.

Desired Conditions for the Human Environment: The

opportunity exists for a moderate to high level of

risk and challenge. Contact with individuals or groups occurs more frequently on trails than while traveling

cross-country. Encounters with large groups will occur less often than with small groups or individuals.

Domestic livestock and recreational stock may also be encountered. Campsites are dispersed; visitors at

adjacent campsites are usually not seen or heard. Existing campsites are evident as are maintained and user-

established trails.

Effects from camping are minimally noticeable. Permitted outﬁtters provide services to visitors for activities

meeting

identiﬁed public needs and which usually cannot be provided in nonwilderness settings. Permits for

historic uses recognized by the Steens Act and consistent with the Wilderness Act may continue. Signing to

indicate trail routes is not currently planned, but may occur at trail intersections and elsewhere as needed.

Management information and administrative signing are provided at trailheads as appropriate for resource

protection. Signs blend in with the natural setting. Livestock and recreational stock grazing adhere to

appropriate standards and guidelines. Evidence of historic and cultural sites may exist, but is not interpreted

or signed within the wilderness.

Wild and Scenic Rivers Overview

In 1968, Congress passed the WSRs Act establishing a nationwide system of outstandingly free-ﬂowing

rivers. The primary purpose of the WSRs Act is to balance river development with river protection and

conservation.

Twelve designated WSR segments fall within the CMPA. Under the WSRs Act, rivers are classiﬁed by

Congress

as Recreational, Scenic or Wild usually depending on the extent of development and access along

each river at time of designation. All of the designated river segments in the CMPA were classiﬁed as Wild by

P – 6

APPENDIX P

Congress. River segments with a Wild classiﬁcation are generally inaccessible except by trail, with watersheds

and shorelines essentially primitive, and waters unpolluted. Several river segments within the CMPA have

roads, recreation facilities, and historic structures that existed at time of designation. There is a concrete

bridge spanning the Donner und Blitzen WSR along South Steens Loop Road. These facilities continue to be

maintained and will be replaced as necessary to provide for public health and safety and resource protection.

However, the large majority of river segments are primitive in character.

The WSRs Act (Section 3(b)) speciﬁes that after a river is designated, the agency charged with its administration

must establish a proposed administrative boundary delineating the land area within the corridor managed

under the WSRs Act. The WSRs Act speciﬁes the area within the corridor shall not average more than 320

acres per river mile. See Map W3 for the corridor boundaries of each river segment.

Public Lands in Wild and Scenic River Corridors Outside Steens Mountain

Wilderness

There are 1,204 acres within the WSR corridors but outside of Steens Mountain Wilderness (See Table 1).

No site-speciﬁc management concerns or required actions for protecting river-related ORVs are identiﬁed for

these small parcels.

Table 1: Summary of Wild and Scenic Rivers Segments

Segment Description ORVs

Miles Acres In Wilderness

Donner und Blitzen WSR Segments

Donner und Blitzen River S,G,R,F,W,V 13.9 2540 Except 19 acres in

Page Springs Campground

and 73 other acres

Little Blitzen River S,G,R,F,W,V,C, H 14.1 6206 Except 850 acres of

Riddle Ranch

South Fork

Donner und Blitzen River

S,G,R,F,W,V 14.9 BLM

3.0 Private

2,730 BLM

758 Private

Except 67 acres in a WSA

Big Indian Creek S,G,R,F,W,V 12.2 5165 Except 28 acres along Steens Loop

Road

Little Indian Creek S,G,R,F,W,V 4.2 1362 Yes

Fish Creek S,G,R,F,W,V 6.5 BLM

8.0 Private

1,236 BLM

2,586 Private

40 State

Except 78 acres in Jackman Park

Campground and 89 other acres

Mud Creek S,R,F,W 5.1 1515 Yes

Ankle Creek S,R,F,W 6.0 BLM

2.1 Private

1,656 BLM

638 Private

Yes

South Fork

Ankle Creek

S,R,F,W 1.6 476 Yes

Wildhorse WSR Segments

Little Wildhorse Creek S,R,W,B 2.6 922 Yes

Wildhorse Creek S,R,W,B 7 2096 Yes

Kiger WSR Segment

Kiger Creek S,F,W 4.25 1420 Yes

Rivers Designated by the 1988 Omnibus Oregon WSRs Act. Note: River miles may vary slightly from the 1988 legislation due to improvements in mapping

data.

Rivers designated by the Steens Act.

ORVs: S=Scenery, G=Geological, R=Recreational, F=Fish, W=Wildlife, V=Vegetation, B=Botanic, C=Cultural, H=Historic

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STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Outstandingly Remarkable Values

The intent of the WSRs Act is to maintain the free-ﬂowing character of designated rivers and to protect or

enhance their values. Those values were termed ORVs by Congress. The ORVs are values or opportunities in

a river corridor which are directly related to rivers and which are rare, unique, or exemplary from a regional

or national perspective. Many ORVs described below for designated river segments also contribute to the

unique character of Steens Mountain Wilderness.

Donner und Blitzen WSR System

The Donner und Blitzen River system includes Little Blitzen River, South Fork of Donner und Blitzen River,

Big Indian Creek, Little Indian, Fish Creek, Mud Creek, Ankle Creek, and South Fork of Ankle Creek river

segments. Table 1 shows the ORVs by river segment. Below is a summary description of ORVs for each

segment of the Donner und Blitzen River system.

Scenic: Scenic values are ORVs for all nine segments in the Donner und Blitzen WSR system. Several river

segments contain a diversity of landforms and vegetation capturing the attention of the viewer. The river

and its tributaries pass through several vegetation zones, which are the result of climatic factors such as

temperature and precipitation. Progression from the lower sagebrush/bunchgrass community to the upper

subalpine zone gives depth and variety to different settings from which the observer experiences the scenery.

It is one of the greatest qualities of this river system. Upper elevations offer river visitors an opportunity to

view glaciated canyons and deep basalt formations of Donner und Blitzen River WSR. These viewsheds are

largely untouched and are in natural condition.

Geologic: Geologic features are considered ORVs and rare, unusual, or unique in this geographic region

are the westward-tilted Steens fault block, exposures of feeder dikes from Steens Basalt lava ﬂows, glacial

features from Fish Lake Advance ice cap such as kettle holes and glacial erratics, and glacial features from

Blitzen Advance valley glaciers such as U-shaped gorges and cirques. The 9,700-foot elevation at the eastern

edge of Steens Mountain allowed formation of alpine glaciers less than one million years ago. Gorges carved

by glaciers are as much as 2,000 feet deep and expose layers of Steens Basalt. Little Blitzen River, Fish, Big

Indian, and Little Indian Creeks are in deeply glaciated gorges and ﬂow westward across the Steens fault

block to Donner und Blitzen River. Unglaciated river segments generally have rimrock views of Steens

Basalt nearly 100 feet above river level.

Recreational: Recreation is an ORV for all nine segments in the Donner und Blitzen WSR system. Existing

recreation uses exceptional in quality include ﬁshing, hunting, hiking, photography, wildlife, and scenic

viewing. Many of these river segments are very natural in character and offer visitors many areas to experience

solitude in a primitive setting. The river segments provide a rare two- to four-day backpack trip or horseback

experience for individuals with moderate skill levels. Portions of the Oregon High Desert National Recreation

Trail are within sections of the river canyons.

Fish: Fisheries resources are an ORV for all nine segments in the Donner und Blitzen WSR system. Fish

species in Donner und Blitzen River above Page Springs Weir include redband trout, mountain whiteﬁsh,

redside shiner, longnose dace, and Malheur mottled sculpin. The redband trout is the most common sport

species found in the system. The Donner und Blitzen River system supports a wild, native redband trout

population, recognized as an ORV by Congress in the Omnibus Oregon WSRs Act of 1988. Historically,

Donner und Blitzen River and tributaries have provided excellent angling for native redband trout and are

recognized by anglers as some of Oregon’s ﬁnest wild trout streams. Redband trout and Malheur mottled

sculpin are recognized by the BLM as Special Status Species.

Wildlife: Wildlife resources are an ORV for all nine segments in the Donner und Blitzen WSR system. The

Donner und Blitzen drainage is highly valued for its abundant wildlife. The river area and adjacent uplands

are used by many wildlife species. Currently, no known American Indian cultural use of wildlife has been

identiﬁed. Mule deer winter along the lower four miles of Donner und Blitzen River and the lower four

miles of Fish Creek. Deer summer in upper parts of the area. The ridge between Big Indian and Little Indian

Gorges provides habitat for a high number of large bucks during summer months. Rocky Mountain elk

occasionally use lower elevations of drainages during the summer and winter. Pronghorn antelope frequent

P – 8

APPENDIX P

open terrain adjacent to the corridor in certain areas. Pikas are found in talus slopes near the head of Little

Blitzen Gorge.

Raptors nest along canyon rims of Donner und Blitzen River and its tributaries. Common species are American

kestrel and great horned owls. Turkey vultures and ravens also nest in these cliffs. One prairie falcon aerie

has been located along Little Blitzen Gorge. Chukars and California quail are found along the river at lower

elevations, while Greater sage-grouse summer in upper areas of the river in ﬂatter terrain. Migratory birds use

this corridor for nesting where willows and cottonwoods provide suitable habitat. Black rosy ﬁnches, rare in

Oregon, nest in subalpine vegetation above Little Blitzen Gorge.

Vegetation: Within the Donner und Blitzen WSR system, Donner und Blitzen River, Little Blitzen River,

South

Fork of the Donner und Blitzen River, and Big Indian, Little Indian, and Fish Creeks have a diversity

of plant communities considered an ORV. Vegetation includes riparian zones dominated by willows, western

birch, mountain alder, black cottonwood, and quaking aspen, as well as other species. In addition, sedge

and grass-dominated meadows, bog areas, springs, seeps, a variety of wetland communities, high elevation

cirque communities, and numerous other alpine and subalpine communities are found within this system. The

uplands include areas dominated by big sagebrush, western juniper, mountain mahogany, quaking aspen, and

mountain snowberry with Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass, needlegrasses, and numerous other species

in the understory.

Many sensitive plant species have been documented within the river corridors. These include species endemic

to Steens Mountain, species occurring in Oregon only on the Steens, and other species of special interest.

Historic: The

Little Blitzen River is the only river segment in Donner und Blitzen WSR system with cultural

resources as an ORV. The Riddle Brothers Ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This

district covers 1,120 acres of public land along Little Blitzen WSR of which approximately 850 acres lie

within the WSR corridor. Three complexes of structures are included in the historic district. Structures at

the main complex include a house, root cellar, bunkhouse, chicken house, storage building, tack room, barn,

and corrals built of willows and juniper. Another complex includes a house, root cellar, and stone storage

building, while the smallest complex has a log house and split rail fences. The Walter Riddle Ranch House

was destroyed by wildland ﬁre in 1996.

Cultural: The Mortar Riddle archaeological site is a regionally signiﬁcant prehistoric/historic site that was

occupied between 400 and 1840 AD. It is located within the Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District

and possesses data-rich, buried deposits. It is a rare example of a summer-fall base camp that was occupied

for root, seeds and fruit harvests, hunting and processing small and big game and ﬁshing. This site meets the

qualiﬁcations as an outstandingly remarkable value in the Little Blitzen River segment of the Donner und

Blitzen WSR.

Wildhorse WSR System

The Wildhorse WSR system includes Wildhorse Creek and Little Wildhorse Creek river segments. The ORVs

identiﬁed for Wildhorse and Little Wildhorse Creeks include Scenic, Recreational, Wildlife, and Botanic and

are described below.

Scenic: Both river corridors offer outstanding opportunities to view glacier formed canyons and other

signiﬁcant geologic features. These include two glacial lakes formed in cirques. Another scenic quality is

these are the only major canyons that drop off the east face of Steens Mountain, resulting in spectacular

views of geology and extensive landscape vistas. Both creeks exhibit good examples of past glacial activity,

erosional processes, and tilting action of a massive, fault-block mountain.

Recreational: These river corridors offer many opportunities for primitive recreation, as well as solitude,

especially

in upper pristine areas. Geologic formations and lakes present many scenic features. These

opportunities, combined with similar opportunities in the area, are enough to attract visitors from outside the

region. A portion of Oregon High Desert National Recreation Trail traverses Wildhorse and Little Wildhorse

Canyons.

P – 9

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Wildlife: These river corridors provide habitat for California bighorn sheep and a variety of wildlife from

headwaters to canyon mouths. Species such as pika can be found at upper elevations. Little Wildhorse Creek

contains excellent riparian habitat at higher elevations. Wildhorse and Little Wildhorse Lakes provide vernal

high elevation pools, talus and cliffs, willows, and adjacent upland vegetation, which together provide a

diversity of wildlife habitats.

Botanic: The headwaters of Little Wildhorse Creek are designated as a Research Natural Area (RNA)/

Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) because of a mid- to high-elevation lake and associated

ecosystem. This RNA/ACEC was designated to protect the area for scientiﬁc study opportunities. Wildhorse

and Little Wildhorse Creeks, above their conﬂuence, contain interesting and unique assemblages of vegetative

communities.

Kiger WSR

The ORVs identiﬁed for Kiger Creek include Scenic, Wildlife, Fish, and Botanic and are described below.

Scenic: Kiger Creek ﬂows through one of the most prominent canyons in the Steens Mountain area and

offers a spectacular display of past glacial activity. The long corridor can be seen from miles away, and is

identiﬁable by its own unique geologic feature - Kiger Notch. The U-shaped gorge is a classic example of a

glaciated canyon. On a clear day, scenic vistas extend to the horizon.

Recreational: This remote river corridor offers outstanding opportunities for both primitive recreation and

solitude.

The area lies in rugged country with difﬁcult and limited access. A high level of backcountry skill

is required of visitors to this area.

Wildlife: Elevation gradient and canyon slopes provide highly diverse habitats associated with the riparian

area. Pikas may be present in talus slopes near the canyon head. Bighorn sheep use the eastern slope of

the gorge; elk and mule deer use this area extensively during summer months. Aspen, western juniper,

cottonwood, beaver ponds, and large spring areas contribute to habitat diversity. Riparian dependent species

may be present in riparian areas.

Fish: Kiger Creek provides habitat for wild, native redband trout. Additionally, Malheur mottled sculpin,

mountain

whiteﬁsh, and longnose dace have been observed in Kiger Creek downstream of the WSR segment.

Redband trout and Malheur mottled sculpin are recognized by the BLM as Special Status Species.

Botanic: The west rim of Kiger WSR contains unique botanical sites. Wet meadows interspersed with willow

hummocks are habitat for several Special Status plant species including pinnate grapefern, Cusick’s draba,

and foetid sedge. Drier, rocky areas adjacent to meadows contain Steens Mountain penstemon, weak-stemmed

stonecrop, and sky pilot. Located above the meadows are cirque lakes perched on the side of the canyon wall

at edges of lateral moraines. Areas around these lakes display vegetation that grows in other canyon sections

but later in the season due to late-lying snowdrifts.

Management Goals and Objectives

General management of Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSR segments is guided by three pieces of

Congressional legislation: the Steens Act of 2000, the Wilderness Act of 1964, and the WSRs Act of 1968.

The Steens Act provides purposes and objectives for the CMPA including Steens Mountain Wilderness and

WSR segments. The Steens Act mandated, where management requirements differ between the WSRs Act

and Wilderness Act, more restrictive requirements shall apply.

P – 10

APPENDIX P

Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection

Act

The Steens Act established the CMPA to “…conserve, protect, and manage the long term ecological integrity

of Steens Mountain for present and future generations.” This included the designation of Steens Mountain

Wilderness. Section 101(b) of the Steens Act also identiﬁed ﬁve speciﬁc objectives, which include the

following:

1. To maintain and enhance cooperative and innovative management projects, programs and agreements

between tribal, public, and private interests in the CMP

2. To promote grazing, recreation, historic, and other uses that are sustainable.

3. To conserve, protect, and ensure traditional access to cultural, gathering, religious and archaeological

sites by the Burns Paiute Tribe on Federal lands and promote cooperation with private landowners.

4. To ensure the conservation, protection, and improved management of the ecological, social, and

economic environment of the CMPA, including geological, biological, wildlife, riparian, and scenic

resources.

5. To promote and foster cooperation, communication, and understanding and reduce conﬂict between

Steens Mountain users and interests.

Steens Mountain Wilderness Guidance

The Steens Act requires Steens Mountain Wilderness be administered in accordance with the Steens Act

and the Wilderness Act. The Wilderness Act provides four main goals guiding management of statutory

wilderness. These goals are also reiterated as standard goals for BLM wilderness management plans as

directed in BLM Manual 8561, Appendix 1. The goals are as follows:

1. Wilderness Character: T

o provide for long-term protection and preservation of the area’s wilderness

character under a principle of nondegradation. The area’s natural condition, opportunities for solitude,

opportunities for primitive and unconﬁned types of recreation, and any ecological, geological, or other

features of scientiﬁc, educational, scenic, or historical value present will be managed so they will remain

unimpaired.

2. Wilderness Use: To manage the wilderness area for use and enjoyment of visitors in a manner that will

leave the area unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness. The wilderness resource is dominant

in all management decisions where a choice must be made between preservation of wilderness character and

visitor use.

3. Minimum Requirement Decision: To manage the area using the minimum tool, equipment, or structure

necessary to successfully, safely and economically accomplish the objective. The chosen tool, equipment,

or structure should least degrade wilderness values temporarily or permanently. Management will seek

to preserve spontaneity of use and as much freedom from regulation as possible. The BLM will use the

Minimum Requirement Decision Guide (MRDG) for all projects undertaken in the wilderness to determine

the need and type of actions to be taken.

4. Nonconforming Uses: To manage nonconforming but accepted uses permitted by the Wilderness Act and

subsequent laws in a manner that will prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of the area’s wilderness

character. Nonconforming uses are exception rather than rule; therefore, emphasis is placed on maintaining

wilderness character.

P – 11

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Wild and Scenic Rivers Guidance

The WSRs Act provides three main goals that guide management of designated river segments:

1. Free-Flowing Characteristics: Free-ﬂowing

characteristics of all designated WSR segments shall be

protected. The WSRs Act speciﬁcally prohibits hydropower development on designated river segments.

2. Outstandingly Remarkable Values: The

ORVs identiﬁed for each designated river segment shall be

protected and enhanced.

3. Wild Classiﬁcation: River

characteristics necessary to support the Wild classiﬁcation of each designated

river segment will be protected and improved. Several river segments have roads, recreation facilities, and

historic structures that existed at time of designation. There is also a concrete bridge that crosses Donner

und Blitzen WSR along the South Steens Loop Road. These facilities continue to be maintained and will be

replaced as necessary to provide for public health and safety and resource protection; however, the majority

of the river segments are still primitive in character.

Other Guidance

Additional guidance related to management of wilderness and WSRs is provided in BLM Manual 8560 for

Management of Designated Wilderness Areas (April 1983), H-8560-1 Manual Handbook for Management

of Designated Wilderness Areas (July 1988), 8561 Manual for Wilderness Management Plans, and the

8351 Manual for Wild and Scenic Rivers - Policy and Program Direction for Identiﬁcation, Evaluation,

and Management (May 1992). Other guidance for wilderness can be found at Title 43 Code of Federal

Regulations (43 CFR) Part 6300 and for WSRs at 43 CFR Part 8351.2. This guidance will be incorporated

into management activities that take place in Steens Mountain Wilderness or WSR corridors. New guidance

will be incorporated into this management plan as manuals are periodically updated or new guidance becomes

available.

Management Strategy

Most WSR corridors are located within Steens Mountain Wilderness. The Steens Act mandated where

management requirements differ between the WSRs Act and the Wilderness Act, the more restrictive

requirements shall apply. In recognition of overlap between Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs, this

section of the management plan provides an integrated management strategy focusing on protecting and

improving wilderness values, which inherently includes WSRs. However, information or actions with a WSR

emphasis is speciﬁcally addressed where necessary. Guidance described under each of the four management

elements is meant to provide overall guidance for Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs. As project

implementation occurs, the MRDG is used as part of the project planning process. Management actions may

be modiﬁed or initiated as additional resource and visitor data become available (See Monitoring Strategy).

Wild and Scenic Rivers Management Assumptions

1. In general, requirements associated with protection of wilderness resources are more restrictive than

those for WSRs with a Wild River classiﬁcation.

2. Unless otherwise addressed, the protection of wilderness resources and character will provide adequate

protection for ORVs within WSR corridors. There are only 162 acres of BLM administered lands in

WSR corridors that fall outside of Steens Mountain Wilderness, Riddle Brothers Ranch, Wilderness

Study Areas (WSAs), developed recreation sites or existing roads (See Table 1).

3. Any management action or project proposed for Steens Mountain Wilderness that also falls within a

designated WSR corridor is screened for compliance with requirements of the WSRs Act.

P – 12

APPENDIX P

Wilderness Minimum Requirement Decision Guide

Development of the MRDG was an interagency effort among United States Forest Service (USFS), National

Park Service, BLM, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) with assistance from Arthur Carhart

National Wilderness Training Center. The guide was developed to provide consistency in evaluating project

proposals in wilderness to help determine if decisions strive toward maintaining or improving wilderness

character. There are two steps to the minimum requirements analysis: 1) to determine if the project or activity

proposed is the minimum necessary for administration of the area for purposes of the Wilderness Act, and

2) to determine which tool(s) will have the least effect on the wilderness resource. Any analysis required by

the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for project implementation that falls within Steens Mountain

Wilderness or WSRs is preceded by an MRDG evaluation.

The MRDG is meant to assist, not replace, analysis required by NEPA. Management direction described

the elements below is meant to provide overall guidance for Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs. As

project implementation occurs, the MRDG is used as part of the project planning process.

The BLM will use the MRDG for all projects undertaken in Steens Mountain Wilderness to determine need

and type, if any, of actions to be taken.

Wilderness Administrative Elements

Steens Mountain Wilderness falls within the CMPA in the Andrews RA of BLM’s Burns District Ofﬁce (DO).

The BLM also actively manages other programs within these areas including recreation, range, wildlife

habitat, soils, watershed, wild horses, and cultural resources.

Administrative responsibilities are vested with the Andrews Field Manager and are carried out by RA staff.

On-the-ground

management activities, such as visitor contact, visitor use data collection, monitoring, and

informational signing are accomplished primarily by BLM staff and volunteers. Below are other administrative

functions associated with managing Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs.

Aircraft Overﬂights

Current Management Situation

The BLM does not have jurisdiction to regulate aircraft ﬂight paths, altitude parameters, or noise levels

caused by civilian or military aircraft and overﬂ

ights.

By agreement in 1992 between BLM and the Federal Aviation Administration, civilian aircraft are requested

maintain a minimum altitude of 2,000 feet above ground level or higher while in airspace over designated

wilderness. This altitude advisory does not apply to military aircraft operating within an established military

training corridor.

Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs lie within military training airspace designated as VR 1301 and

managed

by the Idaho Air National Guard in Boise, Idaho. This airspace is used by numerous military units

in training and involves high- and low-elevation overﬂights of Steens Mountain Wilderness and the WSRs.

The number and frequency of ﬂights vary.

During wildlife management activities, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) uses aircraft over

Steens

Mountain Wilderness and WSRs to conduct aerial big game census activities and inspect wildlife water

developments. During winter months, low-level helicopter and ﬁxed-wing inventories are taken of mule deer,

elk, pronghorn antelope, and bighorn sheep. Helicopters are used for transplanting wildlife, primarily bighorn

sheep. Use of helicopters on these projects principally involves removal of animals from the area.

Historically, livestock grazing operations on allotments have been conducted with periodic use of helicopters

locate and monitor cattle, transport supplies and equipment, and manage fences and gates. Potential landing

P – 13

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

and dropping of supplies by aircraft into Steens Mountain Wilderness will be analyzed in an environmental

assessment (EA), prior to the landing of any aircraft or dropping of supplies.

Aircraft, both ﬁxed-wing and helicopter, are used for emergency operations such as search and rescue. Use

of aircraft within Steens Mountain Wilderness for such purposes is authorized at 43 CFR Part 6303.1. The

BLM has a law enforcement agreement with Harney County identifying Harney County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce as

responsible for search and rescue operations.

Use of aircraft by BLM personnel for administrative purposes includes use of ﬁxed-wing aircraft and

helicopters for reconnaissance and suppression of wildland ﬁres. Aircraft are used in wildlife and wild horse

monitoring and management programs. Analysis required by NEPA for use of administrative ﬂights includes

an MRDG evaluation. Fire suppression activities involving aircraft use are considered annually, prior to ﬁre

season. Aircraft activities are developed and considered through an MRDG evaluation. This consideration

aids in decision making for potential initial attack activities during Wildland Fire Situation Analyses and

other planning cycles. An emerging ﬁre program for Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs will also be

taken into consideration. The need for aircraft to participate in protection of human life is considered an

emergency activity during ﬁre suppression or prescribed ﬁre activities.

Management Objectives

• Direct BLM personnel by education and policy to restrict overﬂights and landing of aircraft within

Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs except as necessary for emergency situations or as otherwise

approved by the authorized ofﬁcer.

Management Direction

• Pursue development of agreements with cooperating agencies and permittees, which give concise

direction for authorization and use of aircraft within Steens Mountain W

ilderness and WSRs.

• Direct BLM personnel by education and policy to restrict overﬂights and landing of aircraft within

Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs except as necessary for emergency situations or as otherwise

approved by the authorized ofﬁcer.

Lands and Realty

Current Management Situation

Land management requirements in the Steens Act regarding land exchanges, Steens Mountain Wilderness,

and

the WSR designations created inconsistencies between the current land tenure designations and legislative

requirements. These inconsistencies were corrected in the CMPA RMP by adjusting land tenure zones to

provide consistency with the Steens Act.

One speciﬁc purpose of the Steens Act (Section 1(b)(4)) is to provide for acquisition of private lands through

exchange

or purchase from a willing seller for inclusion in Steens Mountain Wilderness and the WSR

corridors. In order to complete this, a number of speciﬁc land exchanges were outlined in the Steens Act and

carried out by the BLM. Lands acquired within the boundary of Steens Mountain Wilderness and the WSR

corridors came under those designations and are managed as such. The Steens Act also allows for additional

future acquisitions of private lands in Steens Mountain Wilderness and the WSR corridors, which will be

classiﬁed and managed accordingly. Acquired lands within the boundary of Steens Mountain Wilderness

will become wilderness in accordance with the Steens Act (Section 114(b)(2)). The acquisition of lands

inside an existing WSR lateral boundary (Section 3(b) of the WSR Act) will become part of the enacted WSR

boundary.

Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs were not speciﬁcally designated as ROWs and realty use avoidance/

exclusion

areas prior to the RMP. Most of these types of land uses are prohibited under terms of the Wilderness

Act and the WSRs Act. The RMP adjusts these zones to reﬂect ROWs and realty use exclusion zones.

P – 14

APPENDIX P

Commercial activities including ﬁlming permits are generally prohibited in Steens Mountain Wilderness and

WSRs. Commercial activities allowed in wilderness are addressed in this management plan under Special

Recreation Permits (SRPs). Requests related to commercial activities outside of Steens Mountain Wilderness,

but within a WSR corridor, such as Riddle Brothers Ranch, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Management Objectives

• To retain, consolidate, and acquire land or interest in land with high public resource values for

fective administration and improvement of resource management.

• To acquire legal public or administrative access to public land where necessary.

Management Direction

• Public land holdings in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSR corridors will be retained and

increased. Public lands within Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSR corridors may not be disposed

of under any circumstances.

• Private lands surrounded by Steens Mountain Wilderness or WSR corridors may be acquired from

willing landowners by exchange, purchase, donation, or other authorized methods from willing

landowners with the goal of ultimately achieving full fee title in Steens Mountain W

ilderness

and WSRs. Where fee acquisition is not possible, special emphasis is placed upon entering into

conservation management agreements, acquiring conservation easements, or providing incentive

payments for nondevelopment/conservation purposes (as funding is appropriated by Congress or

otherwise made available in the BLM budget) to protect and manage these lands.

• Acquisition opportunities within or adjacent to special management areas including Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSRs are considered higher priority than acquisition of nonpublic lands elsewhere

in the Andrews Management Unit (AMU)/CMPA. All forms of acquisition will be with willing

landowners.

• Steens Mountain Wilderness and all WSRs are designated as ROWs, realty use, and renewable

energy exclusion areas, except authorizations necessary to provide reasonable access to nonpublic

lands and interests in land. In addition to the above exception, low-impact commercial activities such

as ﬁlming permits may be considered on a case-by-case basis in the WSR portion of Riddle Brothers

Ranch National Historic District.

• Valid existing rights within Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs not currently noted on the BLM’s

land status records will be adjudicated, acknowledged, and noted in accordance with applicable law.

• Legal public or administrative access within Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs, including

conservation and scenic easements, will be acquired where public demand or an administrative need

exists, including any rights necessary to control and minimize access to areas containing sensitive

resource values. Emphasis is placed on providing access to areas containing high public values and

the protection of natural values. Land tenure transactions are designed to maintain and improve

public access.

Wildland Fire Management

Current Management Situation

Plant and animal communities throughout Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs have developed with

some

inﬂuence of wildland ﬁre. The extent of the inﬂuence depends on many physical and biological factors.

Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs experience an average of ten observed wildland ﬁre starts during each

annual wildland ﬁre season. Many more wildland ﬁres may be ignited, but are never discovered because they

are extinguished by accompanying precipitation, or burn only for a short time because of limited quantities

of fuel. The majority of these wildland ﬁres are less than ten acres, but occasionally wildland ﬁres will grow

to over 1,000 acres if weather and fuel conditions permit.

The diversity of landscapes in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs helps produce a wide spectrum of plant

communities, and ultimately, fuel conditions. The different landscapes and plant communities also result in

a variety of wildland ﬁre regimes. Ten general vegetation types have been characterized and mapped within

Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs. Vegetation types dominated by mountain big sagebrush, or have

P – 15

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

a western juniper overstory and mountain big sagebrush understory, are placed in Fire Regime II, frequent

stand replacing wildland ﬁres. These vegetation types historically experience wildland ﬁre once every one

to 35 years. Quaking aspen vegetation types are classiﬁed as Fire Regime III, infrequent mixed severity

wildland ﬁres. This wildland ﬁre regime could also be applied to most hardwood riparian communities within

Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs. Low sagebrush and pre-settlement western juniper vegetation types

are classiﬁed as Fire Regime V, rare (100-200 years between wildland ﬁre events) stand replacing wildland

ﬁres. There are other specialized plant communities not classiﬁed as a general vegetation type. Mountain

meadows and wet meadows have been mapped at less than 50 acres in Steens Mountain Wilderness and

WSRs. These and other small specialized plant communities typically occur within major vegetation types

referenced above and will operate at the wildland ﬁre regime of adjacent vegetation types.

The Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy and Program Review (Policy) (United State Department of

Agriculture [USDA]/USDI 1995) states wildland ﬁre is a critical natural process and must be reintroduced

into the ecosystem on a landscape scale. In many areas, wildland ﬁre should occur at higher frequency

(shorter return interval) than has been the case over the past 50 or more years. Wildland ﬁre evaluations and

management decisions are based upon approved wildland ﬁre management and activity-level plans tiered

to current and future RMPs. The Policy emphasizes that for all natural (e.g., lightning-caused) ignitions,

the manager must be able to choose from the full spectrum of management actions from prompt and full

suppression to allowing a wildland ﬁre to burn freely and function in its natural ecological role. Wildland ﬁre

management strategies and suppression activities should minimize damage to long-term ecosystem function

and emphasize protection, restoration, or maintenance of key habitat types.

Wilderness prescribed ﬁre issues are addressed by subsequent NEPA analysis on a “project-level” basis.

These documents analyze objectives of such actions. In addition, an MRDG will be developed for each

action taken. BLM Manual 8560, Management of Designated Wilderness Areas, also allows for use of

prescribed burning to achieve resource management goals and restoration of natural ecological processes.

Fireﬁghter and public safety are the highest priorities during all wildland ﬁre incidents. Once human safety

has been secured, protection of private property and natural and cultural resources becomes the next priority

in suppression actions.

Management Objectives

• To protect human life, private property, or areas that possess signiﬁcant resource values that are

threatened by wildﬁre.

• To restore and maintain the integrity of ecosystems by reestablishing appropriate wildland ﬁre

regimes.

Management Direction

• Develop guidance in the Burns District Fire Management Plan (FMP) that addresses management of

wildland ﬁre in Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSRs. Emphasis is given to restoring appropriate

wildland ﬁre regimes and ecosystem integrity, while still protecting human life, private property or

other signiﬁcant resource values. Appropriate rehabilitation guidelines associated with protecting

wilderness resources will also be developed as needed.

• As part of the FMP, agreements with other land management agencies and private landowners to

facilitate cooperative wildland ﬁ

re management will be pursued.

• All wildland ﬁres in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs will be suppressed using appropriate

management actions. To the extent possible, adverse effects on wilderness resources will be minimal.

Emergency Services and Law Enforcement

Current Management Situation

The BLM law enforcement rangers enforce Federal regulations on 3.36 million acres of BLM administered

lands

in the Burns District. Common law enforcement violations in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs

P – 16

APPENDIX P

include motorized vehicle travel in closed areas, illegal outﬁtters/guides, illegal wildlife hunting, vandalism,

and theft of archaeological resources.

Under a law enforcement agreement between BLM and Harney County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce, a County deputy

patrols areas in the vicinity of Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs during high recreation use periods

from June through October. This agreement is funded by BLM and the deputy primarily enforces violations

associated with Oregon State laws. Oregon State Police also conducts patrols focusing mainly on violations

of State ﬁsh and game laws, although ofﬁcers respond to other violations.

The Harney County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce is responsible for managing all search and rescue operations in Steens

Mountain

Wilderness and WSRs. The BLM assists the County in search and rescue operations as requested,

generally providing personnel and, on occasion, aircraft.

The 43 CFR 6303.1 states, “As necessary to meet minimum requirements for the administration of the

wilderness

area, BLM may: (d) Prescribe measures that may be used in emergencies involving the health

and safety of persons in the area including but not limited to, the conditions for use of motorized equipment,

mechanical transport, aircraft, installations, structures, rock drills, and ﬁxed anchors. BLM will require any

restoration activities that we ﬁnd necessary to be undertaken concurrently with the emergency activities or as

soon as practicable when the emergency ends.”

In addition, BLM Manual 8560 states mechanical transport and motorized equipment may be used for

emer

gency situations involving human health and safety and for emergencies involving criminal law and

pursuit of fugitives.

Management Objectives

• To increase BLM law enforcement capabilities to protect Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSR

resources.

• To pursue coordination and cooperation with other law enforcement agencies and work to inform

them about Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSR enforcement issues.

Management Direction

• As funding and a full-time position become available, consider hiring an additional BLM law

enforcement ofﬁ

cer responsible for the CMPA including Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs.

• Where needed, develop additional supplemental regulations governing public use in Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSRs as provided for in 43 CFR Part 8365.1-6.

• Continue and promote law enforcement and other cooperative agreements with Harney County

Sheriff’s Ofﬁce and Oregon State Police for protection of Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSR

resources.

• Develop written materials to help educate cooperating law enforcement and search and rescue agency

personnel about protection of Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSR resources related to public use

and appropriate use of motor vehicles, aircraft, and other motorized or mechanical equipment needs

during emergency situations.

Partnerships and Volunteers

Current Management Situation

Partnerships and volunteers are vital parts of managing Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs. Beginning in

2002,

volunteers began removal of fences in the Ankle Creek area no longer needed within the No Livestock

Grazing Area. In 2003, volunteers removed an additional two miles of fence from the Little Blitzen Gorge area.

The BLM entered into a Cooperative Conservation Initiative with a number of conservation organizations

in Oregon to continue fence removal efforts in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs. These groups

work under direction and coordination of Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) through a volunteer

agreement with BLM. The BLM organizes work projects for volunteers and provides available funding for

contracting with a packer and packstring to remove fencing materials after disassembly by volunteers. The

P – 17

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

BLM is developing its own packstring to assist with these and other Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs

management activities. Volunteer groups provided over 3,600 hours of volunteer labor to BLM during 2004

volunteer work projects. Oregon Archaeological Society volunteers worked with BLM to inventory Steens

Mountain Wilderness in 2003 and 2004. These activities are planned annually through 2009. Additional

Oregon Archaeological Society labor was donated at the Mortar Riddle Site excavations in Riddle Brothers

Ranch National Historic District in 2003 and 2004.

Following discussions with the SMAC, BLM may consider establishing a nonproﬁt cooperating association.

This organization could assist BLM in seeking funding opportunities for project work, recruiting volunteers,

developing information and education programs, as well as other programs supporting the intent of the Steens

Act.

Management Objectives

• To develop relationships and cooperative agreements with partners to beneﬁt management of Steens

Mountain Wilderness and WSRs.

Management Direction

• Continue ongoing efforts to recruit and utilize individual and group volunteers for work projects in

Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSR corridors.

• Develop an inventory of work projects needed to improve or monitor Steens Mountain Wilderness

and WSR resources and values, which can be used for recruiting volunteers.

• Pursue discussions with the SMAC on the possibility of establishing a nonproﬁt cooperating

association.

Education and Outreach

Current Management Situation

At present there is little speciﬁc education information available to the public regarding Steens Mountain

ilderness and WSRs; however, BLM distributes materials regarding Steens Mountain Wilderness and

WSRs use and ethics, including single sheet handouts and general Leave No Trace information.

Management Objectives

• To create a wilderness and WSR education program on Burns District which informs staff and

public about unique aspects of Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs and wilderness management

guidelines.

Management Direction

• Include wilderness and WSR ethics education in the CMPA brochure currently being developed.

Include similar information on the Burns District/Steens Mountain website.

• Develop an outdoor ethics education program, possibly in cooperation with USFS and USFWS,

which will be presented to BLM staf

f, local area schools, church and Scout groups, community

service organizations, and hunting, ﬁshing, and equestrian clubs.

• Post use ethics information about Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs in high use areas such as

trailheads, developed recreation sites near Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs, and locations in

nearby communities.

P – 18

APPENDIX P

Research

Current Management Situation

At present, short-term research studies conducted in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs include

wildlife studies by ODFW and the Point Reyes Bird Observatory. A BLM partnership with the University

of Wisconsin exists for archaeological research at the Mortar Riddle Site in Riddle Brothers Ranch National

Historic District.

Management Objectives

• To work with other agencies, universities, and interested entities to conduct research activities

in a manner that preserves the area’s wilderness character and furthers management, scientiﬁc,

educational, historical, and conservation purposes of Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs.

Management Direction

• Continue discussions with the SMAC on establishment of a Science Advisory Committee.

• Pursue cooperating partners for wilderness and river dependent research projects.

• Initiate cooperative management agreements between researchers and BLM.

• Use information gained through research for developing management projects and actions which

promote wilderness and

WSR character and values.

Visitor Use Elements

Recreation Facilities only in Wild and Scenic River Corridors Outside of

Wilderness

Current Management Situation

There are two developed recreation sites that fall within WSR corridors but outside of Steens Mountain

Wilderness. Page Springs Campground along the Donner und Blitzen WSR at 4,200 feet in elevation is open

year-round and accessed from North Steens Loop Road. Located only four miles from the community of

Frenchglen, Page Springs has 31 campsites and receives approximately 29,000 visits each year. Jackman

Park Campground is open July through October and is located along Fish Creek off North Steens Loop Road

in an aspen grove three miles from Fish Lake at 7,800 feet in elevation. Jackman Park has six campsites and

receives approximately 2,200 visits each year. Both campgrounds offer picnic tables, drinking water, ﬁre

rings, and vault restrooms.

Developed recreation sites are not normally found along a river with a Wild classiﬁcation. However, both

recreation sites existed at the time the rivers were designated and continued use and maintenance of these

facilities will be in accordance with the WSRs Act.

Riddle Brothers Ranch, located two miles north of the South Steens Loop Road, receives approximately 550

visits

each year. The ranch is further described in the Historic ORV Section for the Donner und Blitzen WSR

System.

Management Objectives

• To manage and maintain existing recreation facilities in a manner that provides for visitor safety and

natural resource protection.

• To minimize the development of new facilities in natural areas to that which is necessary for public

health and safety and resource protection.

P – 19

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Management Direction

• Develop a Comprehensive Recreation Plan to provide guidance for recreation facilities and

management in the CMPA, including an evaluation and recommendation of facility needs in WSR

corridors.

Wilderness Trails and Trailheads

Current Management Situation

There are no developed trailheads or other recreation facilities in Steens Mountain Wilderness or overlapping

portions with WSR corridors; however, there are ten trails within Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSR

corridors (Maps W2 and W3). Below is a summary of each trail and trailhead:

Oregon High Desert National Recreation Trail: Approximately

32.5 miles of Oregon High Desert National

Recreation Trail traverse Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs. This route is not an actual trail but rather

a corridor marked by occasional cairns. The trail provides great diversity of scenery, as well as outstanding

opportunities for solitude and wildlife viewing.

Little Blitzen Trail: The Little Blitzen Trail is approximately nine miles long. It begins east of South Steens

Campground, descends to Little Blitzen River, and heads up Little Blitzen Gorge. The trail parallels the river

and passes through groves of large cottonwood trees and open meadows before terminating at the head of

the canyon. One spur trail exits the canyon; Nye Trail is a constructed but primitive trail. Trailhead facilities

outside Steens Mountain Wilderness include a small dirt parking area with limited parking and one bulletin

board. In order to reach the trail, visitors must walk 0.25 mile farther east on the South Steens Loop Road.

Nye Trail: This primitive, narrow, and steep one-mile trail switchbacks 1,000 feet down the north wall of

Little Blitzen Gorge to its junction with Little Blitzen Trail. The Nye Trail is located near the mid-point of

the gorge. The top of the trail begins approximately 100 yards west of Nye Cabin. No formal trailhead exists,

although parking is allowed within 30 feet of Cold Springs Road centerline, adjacent to the beginning of the

trail.

Big Indian Trail: The Big Indian Trail is approximately nine miles long and begins at South Steens

Campground. The portion of the trail to the ﬁrst creek crossing is located on a closed two-track road presently

being rehabilitated to a single-track trail. After crossing Big Indian Creek, the trail turns north and then east

as it follows the creek for 9 miles to the head of the canyon. Along the way, the trail passes through numerous

meadows and cottonwood groves and by a waterfall near the canyon head. Trailhead facilities outside Steens

Mountain Wilderness include a small gravel parking lot and nearby vault toilet. The old road leading from

the trailhead toward Big Indian Gorge is gated at the parking lot.

Wildhorse Lake Trail: This

one-mile trail begins on a short section of closed dirt road that previously led

to the old Wildhorse Lake overlook. The trail then drops down the north wall of the cirque at the head of

Wildhorse Lake Basin and leads to the north shore of the lake through a sensitive alpine environment. The

trail is exceedingly steep with several dropoffs. The trailhead provides limited parking at a wide-bladed area

at the end of the Wildhorse Lake Overlook Road. No facilities are presently located at this trailhead.

Steens Summit Trail: This

short 0.4-mile trail is gated and follows an old road that is closed to vehicle

access by the general public. The trail reaches the 9,733-foot high summit of Steens Mountain and offers

outstanding views of the surrounding countryside. The road accesses communication facilities operated

under permit from the State of Oregon. Approximately half of the route is located within Steens Mountain

Wilderness with the remainder on State lands. The trailhead provides limited parking at a wide-bladed area at

the end of Wildhorse Lake Overlook Road. At present, no facilities are located at this trailhead.

Pike Creek Trail: This two-mile trail is located on the eastern slope of Steens Mountain and generally runs

along

the north side of Pike Creek and heads west up the canyon. Beginning on privately owned land, the

trail immediately enters BLM administered lands and passes through a portion of High Steens WSA before

P – 20

APPENDIX P

entering Steens Mountain Wilderness. The trailhead is a small wide area at the end of a dirt road and has very

limited parking. No facilities are present at this parking area, which is located on privately owned land.

Mud/Ankle Creek Trail: This 7.4-mile trail follows an unmaintained two-track dirt road that is open to

motor vehicle trafﬁc for the ﬁrst mile. At that point a small parking area is available as the road is closed to

vehicle travel by the general public. However, at time of publication of this document, motor vehicle access

is available to landowners and lessees who are permitted to access private land inholdings in the Ankle Creek

area (See Roads Section). This route provides access to Mud Creek and Ankle Creek within Ankle Creek

Basin, an area located south of Little Indian Gorge and west of Wildhorse Canyon. Visitors may park within

30 feet of the road centerline for the ﬁrst mile of Newton Cabin Road, and are encouraged to park within

existing disturbed parking spurs. For the ﬁrst mile, visitors may also park at South Steens Campground and

walk or ride horseback 0.25 mile west on South Steens Loop Road to reach Newton Cabin Road.

Blitzen River Trail: This four-mile trail begins at the trailhead at the south end of Page Springs Campground

and travels its entire length along the Donner und Blitzen WSR. The trail offers outstanding opportunities

for access to the river. The trailhead has a small bulletin board and trail registration box. Camping, toilets

facilities and water are available immediately adjacent to the parking area at the campground.

Wilderness Trail: Developed as a nature trail, this one-mile trail begins at Page Springs Campground. The

trailhead is a bladed dirt area providing limited parking. Facilities at this trailhead are limited to one brochure

box. The entire trail length is marked with rock cairns.

At time of development of the Steens Mountain Wilderness/WSRs Plan BLM recognized ten system trails

within

the Wilderness. While other historic trails may exist within the Wilderness, no conclusive evidence

has been presented to BLM regarding such trails and they are not currently recognized as part of the existing

Steens Mountain Wilderness trail system. The Steens Act allows for construction of new nonmotorized trails

and these may be authorized based on need. New trails may be constructed only if they are needed to preserve

wilderness values and resources, and they will not signiﬁcantly degrade the degree of naturalness or solitude

in the area.

Nonmotorized/nonmechanized cross-country travel is not prohibited in Steens Mountain Wilderness and

visitors

may travel where they wish. Excessive or continual off-trail use, which creates permanent and long-

lasting user trails not recognized as part of the established Steens Mountain Wilderness trail system listed

above, may be obliterated and restored to a natural condition, especially where resource damage has occurred

or is occurring or adverse effects to the wilderness experience are taking place. Continued or excessive use of

such areas, which causes development or re-development of “user” trails, may trigger initiation of restrictive

management actions to correct the situation. Occasional or incidental use and travel off the existing Steens

Mountain Wilderness trail system is not normally expected to cause an undue or excessive amount of resource

damage or a reduction of wilderness values.

Management Objectives

• To provide and manage a trail system that allows visitors to experience Steens Mountain Wilderness

and WSRs while minimizing effects to wilderness resources and opportunities for solitude.

• Any new trail construction or maintenance of existing trails will meet wilderness trail design and

safety standards for hiking and horseback riding use.

• Allow for nonmotorized/nonmechanized cross-country travel, but minimize the establishment of

user

-established trails from designated trails.

Management Direction

• Identify and implement any known trail construction or maintenance projects for Steens Mountain

ilderness and WSRs. To the extent possible, minimize stream crossings and limit signs to those

needed for visitor safety and resource protection within Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs.

Portal signs will be installed to clearly deﬁne the wilderness boundary on major trails.

• Obliterate and restore user-established trails that cause resource damage.

P – 21

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

• Seek trail development opportunities outside Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs to reduce

effects to wilderness and WSR resources when public demand for such trails is established.

Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River Use Guidelines

This section addresses guidelines associated with public use of Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs.

Recreational opportunities occurring in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs include hiking, backpacking,

equestrian

activities, nature study, hunting, and ﬁshing. Visitors participate in both day use and overnight

activities. Traditional recreational stock use is a current and historic use and activity in Steens Mountain

Wilderness.

Currently, the majority of recreation use in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs takes place in Wildhorse

Lake

and Big Indian Gorge. Activities are mainly sightseeing, day hiking, backpacking, ﬁshing, and day

and overnight trips by equestrians. Little Blitzen Gorge is also a popular destination for both day hikers and

backpackers. The east side of Steens Mountain Wilderness receives use from day users, primarily hikers in

Pike Creek. This area of Steens Mountain Wilderness and the Alvord Peak area are also popular with hunters

seeking big game and upland game birds. The area around Mud Creek and Ankle Creek WSRs has had light

use due to its remoteness. Use within Ankle Creek Basin is beginning to increase from equestrians, especially

those wanting to experience multi-day trips with solitude and big game hunting opportunities. Other portions

of Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs such as Cold Springs and Fish Creek areas receive very little

use.

Recreation use under SRPs amounted to 512 visits to Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs for ﬁscal year

2003.

These included 55 visits from outﬁtter/guides offering both single-day and multi-day trips into the

wilderness, 76 visits exclusively from single-day services, and 381 visits from a running camp.

Wilderness trail registration information recorded 2,475 visitors to Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs

for ﬁscal year 2003 and 2,127 for 2004. These included both day-trip and multi-day trips visits. The actual

number of visitors to Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs for the year is believed to be higher, due to the

unknown rate of visitor compliance with voluntary wilderness registration.

Use of Steens Mountain Wilderness Boundary Roads

Section 112 (b) of the Steens Act prohibits off-road use by motorized or mechanized vehicles and limits such

use

to roads and trails as may be designated for their use as part of the management plan. Currently roads

bound on both sides by Steens Mountain Wilderness and designated as open for public use include portions of

Steens Loop Road, Fish Creek, Grove Creek, Cold Springs, Wildhorse Lake Overlook, Indian Creek, Newton

Cabin, Bone Creek, and Big Alvord Creek Roads (Map W2).

During winter, snowmobile use is allowed under BLM use authorization, with access from the north entrance

Steens Loop Road. Snowmobiles may travel from snowline to Kiger Gorge Overlook. Snowmobile use is

allowed along Cold Springs Road to Nye Cabin and along Dingle Creek Road only when accompanied by

a commercial recreation permittee who is authorized to operate snowmobile trips, or by a member in good

standing of the local snowmobile club. The route to Nye Cabin, North Steens Loop Road above Cold Springs

Road turnoff, and the east side of Dingle Creek Road are bounded by Steens Mountain Wilderness.

There have been limited illegal intrusions into Steens Mountain Wilderness by motorized vehicles, primarily

areas near Weston Basin and Cold Springs Roads. Repetitive intrusions into Steens Mountain Wilderness

may result in restriction of certain recreation activities or closure of access points (See Unauthorized Motor

Vehicle and Mechanical Transport Intrusion Guideline, Table 8).

Prohibited Uses

Except as speciﬁcally stated in the Steens Act or the Wilderness Act, the following activities are currently

prohibited in wilderness (43 CFR 6302.20):

• Operate a commercial enterprise.

P – 22

APPENDIX P

• Build temporary or permanent roads.

• Build aircraft landing strips, heliports, or helispots.

• Use motorized equipment or motor vehicles, motorboats, or other forms of mechanical transport.

• Land aircraft, or drop or pick up any material, supplies or person by means of aircraft, including a

helicopter, hang glider, hot air balloon, parasail, or parachute.

• Build, install, or erect structures or installations, including transmission lines, motels, vacation

homes, sheds, stores, resorts, organization camps, hunting and ﬁshing lodges, electronic installations,

and similar structures, other than tents, tarpaulins, temporary corrals, and similar devices for

overnight camping.

• Cut trees.

• Enter or use wilderness areas without authorization, where the BLM requires authorization.

• Engage or participate in competitive use, including those activities involving physical endurance

of a person or animal, foot races, watercraft races, survival exercises, war games, or other similar

exercises.

• Violate any BLM regulation, authorization, or order.

Speciﬁc Use Guidelines

Below are public use guidelines that were speciﬁcally developed for Steens Mountain Wilderness and

WSRs:

• Management of party sizes will limit groups to a maximum of 12 individuals and 18 recreational

stock, except for historic permitted and American Indian uses.

• Length-of-stay limited to 14 days.

• Dogs allowed in all areas, but are required to be under voice or physical control.

• Catholes for human waste are required and must be at least 150 feet (60 footsteps) from all water

sources, campsites and trails. Packing out of human waste is strongly encouraged and may be

required for certain permitted activities.

• Toilet paper is required to be packed out.

• Overnight camping is allowed in Rooster Comb and Little Blitzen RNAs in historically used

areas when consistent with the purpose of the RNA and Steens Mountain Wilderness/WSRs Plan

objectives.

• Camping is allowed at Wildhorse Lake in a deﬁned area in designated campsites.

• No overnight recreational stock use at Wildhorse Lake is allowed. No camping is allowed in Little

Wildhorse RNA.

• Grazing of recreational stock is allowed consistent with Standards and Guidelines for Rangeland

Health (S&Gs).

• Recreational stock may graze freely in the No Livestock Grazing Area of Steens Mountain

Wilderness, except Little Blitzen RNA where such use will be monitored.

• Pack goats will be highlined or picketed.

• Tying recreational stock to trees will only be allowed for loading and unloading. No tying of

recreational stock to trees overnight is allowed.

• No permanent caches allowed by SRP holders or the general public in Steens Mountain Wilderness

and WSRs.

• The installation, erection, or building of temporary or permanent structures is prohibited except for

immediate use while camping or by authorized permit from BLM.

Recreation Use Levels and Indicators

The management of Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs considers level of use, or “Use Capacity”, of

the

area under management. A set of social and physical indicators has been developed to assess the health

or condition of Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs, rather than establishment of speciﬁc levels of use.

As described below, certain indicators will be monitored on a regular basis and results of monitoring will be

used to adjust type or level of management actions needed to meet the guideline that has been set for each

indicator. Two different management areas (see below) were identiﬁed for Steens Mountain Wilderness, each

with its own desired conditions. The same indicators are used; however, the guidelines for the indicators are

different for each management area.

P – 23

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Management Areas

The management areas deﬁned for Steens Mountain Wilderness are Gorges Management Area and Uplands

Management Area (Map W2). Boundaries of these management areas are generally deﬁned by patterns

and types of historic use and wilderness physiography. Within Gorges Management Area are ﬁve separate

canyons: Little Blitzen, Big Indian, Little Indian, Wildhorse, and Kiger. Management actions can be initiated

in each of the canyons separately to accommodate the individual management situation for each canyon. The

desired condition associated with public use is summarized below to provide a sense of the visitor experience

and wilderness setting that the indicators and guidelines were developed to meet.

Gorges Management Area Desired Condition: This portion of Steen Mountain Wilderness is adjacent

to primary access and popular destination points. The opportunity exists for a moderate level of risk and

challenge. Contact with other users, recreational stock, or agency personnel may be frequent. Encounters

with large and small groups are more likely. Day-use opportunities are more common within this management

area. Campsites are dispersed and may be visible or audible from adjacent campsites. Signing to indicate trail

routes is not currently planned, but may occur in the future at trail intersections and other areas as needed.

Boundary signs, trailhead signs, trail junction signs, and other information are provided to educate and inform

wilderness users. Signs are on unstained wood with incised letters and mounted on unstained posts.

Effects from camping activity meet Desired Conditions for the Natural Environment. Permitted outﬁtters

provide services to visitors for activities meeting identiﬁed public needs and cannot be provided in

nonwilderness settings. Structures and facilities may be allowed for resource protection and administration

of the area; however, they are allowed only when they are the minimum necessary to protect the wilderness

resource and for the health and safety of persons within the area. No facilities or improvements within Steens

Mountain Wilderness are provided for the comfort and convenience of the visitor. Evidence of historic and

cultural sites may exist, but is not interpreted or signed within wilderness.

Uplands Management Area Desired Condition: The opportunity exists for a moderate to high level of

risk and challenge. Contact with individuals or groups occurs more frequently on trails than while traveling

cross-country. Encounters with large groups occur less often than with small groups or individuals. Domestic

livestock and recreational stock may be encountered. Campsites are dispersed; visitors at adjacent campsites

are usually not seen or heard. Existing campsites are evident as are maintained and user-established trails.

Effects from camping are minimally noticeable. Permitted outﬁtters provide services to visitors for activities

that

meet identiﬁed public needs and cannot be provided in nonwilderness settings. Permits for historic uses

consistent with the Wilderness Act as recognized by the Steens Act may continue. Signing to indicate trail

routes is not currently planned, but may occur at trail intersections and elsewhere as needed. Management

information and administrative signing occur at trailheads as appropriate for resource protection. Signs blend

in with the natural setting. Livestock and recreational stock grazing adhere to appropriate S&Gs. Evidence of

historic and cultural sites may exist, but is not interpreted or signed within wilderness.

Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSR Condition Indicators

The following are indicators being monitored to assess baseline and ongoing Steens Mountain Wilderness and

WSR conditions. Indicators are items or speciﬁc conditions which are monitored. Through use of indicators,

wilderness conditions will be monitored to determine if desired conditions are being met.

1. Campsite Condition - campsite changes.

2. Campsite Density - number of campsites in a given area.

3. Perception of Solitude - trail register information, including length-of-stay, location of use, party size

and makeup, and interviews including location of encounters.

4. Trail Condition - changes in trails, including width, depth, and number of social trails.

5. Length-of-Stay - trail register and interviews on length-of-stay.

6. Recreational Stock Use - root exposure, manure in campsites, and tree girdling.

7. Unauthorized Motorized Vehicle and Mechanical Transport Intrusions - vehicles driven on closed roads,

unless authorized, or driven of

f roads into Steens Mountain Wilderness.

P – 24

APPENDIX P

Baseline Data Gathering on Indicators: The BLM began collecting information on Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSRs use upon establishment of the area as wilderness. A program for collecting speciﬁc

baseline monitoring data started in 2003 on the seven indicators described above to assess Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSR conditions related to recreational use and effects. Baseline data collection continued

through 2004. Data will be analyzed to determine where the indicators fall with respect to the guidelines

described below. Indicators will continue to be monitored on an annual basis.

Recreation Use Management Options and Condition Guidelines

The BLM has developed different management option levels describing management actions for attaining

desired

conditions and indicator guidelines. There are three general option levels associated with managing

public use. Level I is the least restrictive, often involving voluntary compliance by improving visitor information

and increasing visitor education efforts. Level II is more restrictive, stressing active discouragement of

undesirable use practices through contact with visitors, increased signing, and written materials. Nonquota

permit systems may also be implemented. Level III is the most restrictive, usually involving shorter stay

limits, quota permit systems, and temporary or permanent closures. Detailed descriptions of each of the three

management options levels have been developed for the seven monitoring categories (Attachment 1).

Baseline and annual monitoring data will be used to assess conditions of Steens Mountain Wilderness and

WSRs and determine need for implementation of management action. Implementation of the appropriate

level of management is based on exceeding the threshold. Thresholds are the upper limit in terms of time or

percentage of the standard or guideline that is exceeded, at which point the next level of management options

will be undertaken. Indicator guidelines and trigger thresholds used are described in Tables 2 through 8.

Management Objectives

• To manage recreation use in a manner that provides visitors with an opportunity to explore and

experience the wildness and naturalness of Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs, while still

protecting wilderness resources and WSR ORVs.

Management Direction

• Management actions associated with recreational use will remain at the lowest management option

level needed to meet indicator guidelines described above.

Table 2: Campsite Condition Guideline

Campsite Condition Guideline

Management Area Guideline

Gor

ges - No greater than 30 percent of campsites within an individual canyon at Campsite Condition

“heavy”, in 2 of 3 consecutive monitoring years Level I, in 3 of 4 consecutive monitoring years Level

II, and in 4 of 5 consecutive monitoring years Level III.

- No campsites at Campsite Condition “extreme” in any monitoring year, unless the campsite is

designated.

- No greater than 20 percent of campsites within the Management Area at Campsite Condition

Uplands “heavy”, in 2 of 3 consecutive monitoring years Level I, in 3 of 4 consecutive monitoring years Level

II, and in 4 of 5 consecutive monitoring years Level III.

- No campsites at Campsite Condition “extreme” in any monitoring year, unless the campsite is

designated.

Note: A campsite at Campsite Condition “extreme” will allow the implementation of management options for that speciﬁc campsite.

P – 25

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Table 3: Campsite Density Guideline

Campsite Density Guideline

Management Area Guideline

Gorges - 5 campsites per linear mile, in 2 of 3 consecutive monitoring years Level I, in 3 of 4 consecutive

monitoring years Level II, and in 4 of 5 consecutive monitoring years Level III.

Uplands - 6 campsites per square mile, in 2 of 3 consecutive monitoring years Level I, in 3 of 4 consecutive

monitoring years Level II, and in 4 of 5 consecutive monitoring years Level III.

Table 4: Perception of Solitude Guideline

Perception of Solitude Guideline

Management

Guideline

Area

Campsite Encounters Trail/Route Encounters Large Group Encounters Crowding Perception

Gorges 4 per 8-hour period, 9 per 8-hour period, 3 per 8-hour period, 20 percent increase in

in 2 of 3 consecutive in 2 of 3 consecutive in 2 of 3 consecutive visitors reporting to be

monitoring years Level monitoring years Level monitoring years Level moderately to extremely

I, in 3 of 4 consecutive I, in 3 of 4 consecutive I, in 3 of 4 consecutive crowded, in 2 of 3

monitoring years monitoring years monitoring years consecutive monitoring

Level II, and in 4 of 5 Level II, and in 4 of 5 Level II, and in 4 of 5 years Level I, in 3 of 4

consecutive monitoring consecutive monitoring consecutive monitoring consecutive monitoring

years Level III. years Level III. years Level III. years Level II, and in 4 of

5 consecutive monitoring

years Level III.

2 per 8-hour period, 4 per 8-hour period, 1 per 8-hour period, 10 percent increase in

Uplands in 2 of 3 consecutive in 2 of 3 consecutive in 2 of 3 consecutive visitors reporting to be

monitoring years Level monitoring years Level monitoring years Level moderately to extremely

I, in 3 of 4 consecutive I, in 3 of 4 consecutive I, in 3 of 4 consecutive crowded, in 2 of 3

monitoring years monitoring years monitoring years consecutive monitoring

Level II, and in 4 of 5 Level II, and in 4 of 5 Level II, and in 4 of 5 years Level I, in 3 of 4

consecutive monitoring consecutive monitoring consecutive monitoring consecutive monitoring

years Level III. years Level III. years Level III. years Level II, and in 4 of

5 consecutive monitoring

years Level III.

Table 5: Trail Condition Guideline

Trail Condition Guideline

Management Area Guideline

Gor

ges - 35 percent increase in the density of trails per acre, in 2 of 3 consecutive monitoring years Level I,

in 3 of 4 consecutive monitoring years Level II, and in 4 of 5 consecutive monitoring years Level III.

- 50 percent increase in the width or depth of trails in an individual canyon, in 2 of 3 consecutive

monitoring years Level I, in 3 of 4 consecutive monitoring years Level II, and in 4 of 5 consecutive

monitoring years Level III.

- 20 percent increase in the density of trails per acre, in 2 of 3 consecutive monitoring years Level I,

Uplands in 3 of 4 consecutive monitoring years Level II, and in 4 of 5 consecutive monitoring years Level III.

- 35 percent increase in the width or depth of trails in the Management Area, in 2 of 3 consecutive

monitoring years Level I, in 3 of 4 consecutive monitoring years Level II, and in 4 of 5 consecutive

monitoring years Level III.

P – 26

APPENDIX P

Table 6: Length-of-Stay Guideline

Length-of-Stay Guideline

Management Area Guideline

Gor

ges - 50 percent increase in average length of stay for all parties in Steens Mountain W

ilderness, in 2 of

3 consecutive monitoring years Level I, in 3 of 4 consecutive monitoring years Level II, and in 4 of 5

consecutive monitoring years Level III.

- 35 percent increase in average length of stay for all parties in Steens Mountain W

ilderness, in 2 of

Uplands 3 consecutive monitoring years Level I, in 3 of 4 consecutive monitoring years Level II, and in 4 of 5

consecutive monitoring years Level III.

Table 7: Recreational Stock Use Guideline

Recreational Stock Use Guideline

Management Area Guideline

Gor

ges - 50 percent increase in root exposure at campsites, in 2 of 3 consecutive monitoring years Level I, in

3 of 4 consecutive monitoring years Level II, and in 4 of 5 consecutive monitoring years Level III.

- 50 percent increase in tree girdling at campsites, in 2 of 3 consecutive monitoring years Level I, in 3

of 4 consecutive monitoring years Level II, and in 4 of 5 consecutive monitoring years Level III.

- 50 percent increase in manure present at campsites, in 2 of 3 consecutive monitoring years Level I,

in 3 of 4 consecutive monitoring years Level II, and in 4 of 5 consecutive monitoring years Level III.

- 35 percent increase in root exposure at campsites, in 2 of 3 consecutive monitoring years Level I, in

Uplands 3 of 4 consecutive monitoring years Level II, and in 4 of 5 consecutive monitoring years Level III.

- 35 percent increase in tree girdling at campsites, in 2 of 3 consecutive monitoring years Level I, in 3

of 4 consecutive monitoring years Level II, and in 4 of 5 consecutive monitoring years Level III.

- 35 percent increase in manure present at campsites, in 2 of 3 consecutive monitoring years Level I,

in 3 of 4 consecutive monitoring years Level II, and in 4 of 5 consecutive monitoring years Level III.

Table 8: Unauthorized Motor Vehicle and Mechanical Transport Intrusions Guideline

Unauthorized Motor Vehicle and Mechanical Transport Intrusions Guideline

Management Area Guideline

Gor

ges - Unauthorized motor vehicle and mechanical transport intrusions are an illegal activity in Steens

Mountain

Wilderness and require immediate implementation of Level I management options.

- Repeated, documented unauthorized intrusions into Steens Mountain Wilderness from any points of

access will be assessed for implementation of Level II management options.

- Unauthorized motor vehicle and mechanical transport intrusions are an illegal activity in Steens

Uplands Mountain Wilderness and require immediate implementation of Level I management options.

- Repeated, documented unauthorized intrusions into Steens Mountain W

ilderness from any points of

access will be assessed for implementation of Level II management options.

P – 27

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Special Recreation Permits

Current Management Situation

Section 115(b) of the Steens Act states, “The Secretary may renew a special recreation use permit applicable to

lands included in the Wilderness Area to the extent that the Secretary determines that the permit is consistent

with the Wilderness Act (16 USC 1131 et seq.). If renewal is not consistent with the Wilderness Act, the

Secretary shall seek other opportunities for the permit holder through modiﬁcation of the permit to realize

historic permit use to the extent that the use is consistent with the Wilderness Act and this Act, as determined

by the Secretary.”

Section 4(d)(6) of the Wilderness Act states, “Commercial services may be performed within the wilderness

areas

designated by this Act to the extent necessary for activities that are proper for realizing the recreational

or other wilderness purposes of the areas.” These activities are normally managed under SRPs issued and

administered by BLM.

Current Permits: In

2003, 11 commercial permittees were authorized to operate in Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSR corridors, offering both single-day and multi-day trips. These included seven long-term

permit holders and four permittees who offered one-time trips into Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs

during 2003. Additional services, principally day hiking and nature study, were offered by four outﬁtters

offering one-time permitted trips into Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs during 2003. Most SRPs are

associated with commercial guiding for hunting, ﬁshing, camping, llama pack trips, and trail rides. Four of

the special recreation permittees operate hunting and ﬁshing guide services and one offers llama pack trips

plus guided ﬁshing trips. Another operator offers a range of services including trail rides, overnight horseback

trips, hunting and ﬁshing trips, and a variety of winter recreation trips. A permittee with an historic use SRP

currently conducts distance running day trips in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs to provide endurance

training for youth. The 2004 use included six short-term and four long-term permits. These permits included

activities similar to those conducted in 2003.

Long-term permit holders reported a combined total of 436 visits to Steen Mountain Wilderness and WSRs

for 2003. One-time outﬁtter/guide services reported a combined total of 76 visits to the wilderness for the

same period.

Management Objectives

• To provide for the level and type of commercial services necessary, consistent with the Wilderness

Act, WSRs Act and WSRs ORVs to enable the public to use, access, enjoy and experience

recreational and other values of wilderness, emphasizing opportunities for primitive and unconﬁned

types of recreation, inspiration, and solitude.

• To recognize the historic permitted activities and assure continuation of these activities is consistent

with the Wilderness Act, Steens Act, and WSRs Act and the WSRs ORVs.

Management Direction

• New proposals for outﬁtters will be considered after preparing a needs assessment. No permanent

caches are allowed for either outﬁ

tters/guides or the general public.

• Monitor historic, current, and future permitted activities to assure consistency with the Wilderness

Act and WSRs Act and WSRs ORVs.

P – 28

APPENDIX P

Natural and Cultural Resource Elements

Air Quality

Current Management Situation

The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires Federal agencies to comply with all Federal, State, and local air pollution

requirements.

Under criteria established through the CAA as amended in 1990, Steens Mountain Wilderness

and the WSRs are designated as Class II.

Management Objectives

• To manage wildland ﬁres to avoid degradation of Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs airshed.

Management Direction

• Utilize wildland ﬁre to meet wilderness management objectives, while meeting Federal and State air

quality and opacity standards.

Water Resources

Water Quality:

Current Management Situation

Most of the WSRs discussed in this management plan have been identiﬁed as water quality impaired on the

Oregon

Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) 303(d) list for 2002 under the Clean Water Act (CWA)

(see Table 9). Additionally, Home and Willow Creeks, located within wilderness, are listed on the 303(d)

list as water quality impaired. The parameter warranting listing is stream temperature for the most sensitive

beneﬁcial use, salmonid (trout) ﬁsh rearing. The temperature standard applied to this listing criterion was

64 degrees Fahrenheit (

F). However, the Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) for Water Quality Standards

was amended in 2004 to specify 68

F as the temperature standard for redband trout and Lahontan cutthroat

trout.

Water quality issues in wilderness and WSRs are associated with potential nonpoint source pollutants, such

reduced thermal buffering of stream temperatures and sediment input from runoff events and streambank

erosion. The primary attribute and indicator for maintenance or restoration of water quality is riparian

vegetation. Adequate composition, distribution, and abundance of appropriate riparian vegetation deﬁned by

site/reach capability and potential provide physical function such as bank stability, sediment trapping, shade,

and ﬂood ﬂow detention.

Management Objectives

• To comply with State and Federal requirements to protect public waters.

Management Direction

• Develop Water Quality Restoration Plans (WQRP) for all streams within Steens Mountain Wilderness

and

WSR segments identiﬁed as water quality limited under the CWA 303(d) in coordination with

DEQ.

• Develop and implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) for management and restoration

activities to maintain or restore water quality

, and to reasonably prevent, reduce, or mitigate localized

or short-term effects to water quality through project speciﬁc planning.

P – 29

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Table 9: Summary of Oregon DEQ 2002 303(d) List for Streams within Wild River Segments

Stream River Mile Parameter Season List Date Status

Donner und Blitzen Subbasin

Ankle Creek

0 to 7.6 Temperature (64

F) Summer 1998 303(d) List

Big Indian Creek 0 to 7.1 Temperature (64

F) Summer 1998 303(d) List

Deep Creek 0 to 7.2 Temperature (64

F) Summer 1998 303(d) List

Donner und Blitzen River 45.3 to 77.3 Temperature (64

F) Summer 1998 303(d) List

Fish Creek 0 to 7.5 Temperature (64

F) Summer 1998 303(d) List

Indian Creek 0 to 4.2 Temperature (64

F) Summer 1998 303(d) List

Little Blitzen River 0 to 3.6 Temperature (64

F) Summer 2002 303(d) List

Little Blitzen River 3.6 to 12.8 Temperature (64

F) Summer 2002 Attained

Little Indian Creek 0 to 3.9 Temperature (64

F) Summer 1998 Attained

Mud Creek 0 to 4.8 Temperature (64

F) Summer 1998 303(d) List

Alvord Lake Subbasin

Little Wildhorse Creek 0 to 2.5 Temperature (64

F) Summer 1998 303(d) List

OAR 340-041-0028 (2004) revised the stream temperature standard (7-day average maximum) for Lahontan cutthroat trout and redband trout from 64

F to

F. Therefore, this stream meets the current stream temperature standard based on the supporting data used for listing.

Water Quantity:

Current Management Situation

The WSRs Act reserves the minimum quantity of water (ﬂow) necessary to maintain ORVs for which the

river

was designated. A Federal reserve water right is authorized by the WSRs Act with the priority date

assigned to the date of designation. However, a Federal reserve water right is not formally recognized by

Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) until assigned through the State water rights adjudication

process. The BLM policy is to use the State instream ﬂow water right process to protect ﬂow dependent

ORVs for designated streams and rivers pursuant to the WSRs Act. In the event ﬂow dependent ORVs are

threatened, BLM will seek cooperative solutions to promote adequate ﬂow to protect WSR ORVs prior to

exercising a Federal reserved water right.

Little Blitzen River, Big Indian Creek, Little Indian Creek, Mud Creek, Little Wildhorse Creek, Wildhorse

Creek, and Kiger Creek WSRs are contained entirely within Steens Mountain Wilderness on public lands

from headwaters to the downstream WSR and wilderness boundary. Therefore, instream ﬂows are inherently

protected. Headwaters of the Donner und Blitzen WSR, including Deep Creek and Fish Creek WSR segments,

are in private ownership. Portions of Ankle Creek contain private inholdings. However, these streams are

within a portion of the Donner und Blitzen subbasin, which is considered fully appropriated by OWRD and

will likely not be eligible for further allocation of water.

Several water developments, including small reservoirs and spring developments, occur within wilderness

for

livestock and wildlife water sources. Existing water developments for livestock management purposes

are considered “grandfathered” uses, and serve to appropriately manage livestock in accordance with the

Wilderness Act.

Management Objectives

• To maintain or improve ground water recharge and holding capacity of riparian/wetland areas to

maintain or increase base ﬂ

ow conditions of water sources (streams and springs).

Management Direction

• Inventory and assess existing water developments for beneﬁcial uses such as livestock, wildlife, or

wild horse management, and sediment catchment facilities.

P – 30

APPENDIX P

• Maintain existing water developments for protection and management of existing uses and wilderness

resources in accordance with regulations, policies, and wilderness management objectives.

• Reclaim or restore existing water developments determined to not provide for protection or

management of existing uses and wilderness resources through active or passive measures.

• Construct new water developments for protection and management of existing uses and wilderness

resources in accordance with regulations, policies, and wilderness management objectives.

• Manage riparian/wetland areas through active or passive measures using the MRDG and methods

compatible with wilderness and WSR designations to maintain or increase the distribution and

abundance of riparian/wetland vegetation.

Soils and Biological Soil Crusts

Current Management Situation

The soils in the valley bottoms and drainages are generally deep (40 to 60 inches) to very deep (greater than

inches) over bedrock and somewhat poorly to well drained. The soils formed in alluvium and slopes range

from two to ten percent. The surface textures are silt loams and loams about 30 inches thick over silty clay

loams and silty clays. The water erosion hazard is slight to moderate and the wind erosion hazard is low to

moderate.

The soils on canyon sides and hillsides are generally moderately deep (20 to 40 inches) to deep over bedrock,

and are well drained. Slopes range from 20 to 60 percent and soils formed in colluvium. The surface textures

are usually very gravelly loams or a very stony clay loam about ten inches thick, over clay loams and very

stony loams. The water erosion hazard is moderate to severe and the wind erosion hazard is slight.

The upland soils are typically shallow (less than 20 inches deep) to moderately deep over bedrock, and well

drained.

The soils formed in place from basalt and slopes range from two to 30 percent. The surface textures

range from very cobbly clay loams to extremely stony silt loams, about six to eight inches thick over clay

loams or very stony clays. The water erosion hazard is moderate to high and the wind erosion hazard is slight

to moderate.

Biological soil crusts are also known as cryptogamic, microbiotic, cryptobiotic, and microphytic crusts,

leading

to some confusion. The names are all meant to indicate common features of organisms that compose

crusts. The most inclusive term is probably biological soil crust, as this distinguishes them from physical

crusts while not limiting crust components to plants. Whatever name is used, there remains an important

distinction between these formations and physical or chemical crusts.

Biological soil crust data speciﬁc to the CMPA has not previously been collected. New monitoring studies

may be proposed for the CMPA, including portions of Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs, to provide

better data for future management actions.

Management Objectives

• To manage soils to maintain, restore, or improve soil erosion classes, watershed health, and areas of

fragile soils.

• To increase understanding of the management of Northern Great Basin biological soil crusts.

Management Direction

• The BMPs (Appendix – of the RMP) will be implemented to protect and manage soils and biological

soil crusts for all ground-disturbing activities including but not limited to livestock grazing, road

maintenance, and trail maintenance and construction.

• Biological soil crust data within Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs are collected to inform

future management decisions.

P – 31

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Vegetation

Current Management Situation

Steens Mountain Wilderness:

Steens Mountain Wilderness is located within the Basin and Range Physiographic Province in the northern

part

of the Great Basin. The lower elevations on the west side of Steens Mountain are dominated by Wyoming

big sagebrush, mountain big sagebrush and low sagebrush, interspersed with western juniper. As the elevation

increases eastward, juniper gradually decreases in abundance and snowberry and mountain mahogany start to

appear with mountain big sagebrush on the mesic west and north facing slopes and ridge tops. Quaking aspen

groves are abundant in all large canyons and gorges as well as the headwaters of some of the smaller streams

above 6,000 feet in elevation. The riparian communities are dominated by black cottonwood, alder, willow,

chokecherry, and birch. Above 8,500 feet in elevation, the mountain big sagebrush community gradually

changes into subalpine communities dominated by grasslands, meadows, and snow accumulation areas.

The steep and rocky east face of Steens Mountain has patches of mountain mahogany, western juniper, and

mountain

big sagebrush. The lower ridge tops and slopes contain an overstory of mountain big sagebrush

and rabbitbrush with an understory of bluebunch wheatgrass or Idaho fescue. The riparian areas ﬂowing off

the east rim are dominated by black cottonwood, narrow-leaf cottonwood, willow, dogwood, alder, rose, and

aspen.

Quaking aspen and mountain mahogany communities comprise a relatively small percentage of the landscape,

but contribute substantially to the biodiversity of plants and animals in the Great Basin. Quaking aspen plant

communities, especially below 7,000 feet, were inﬂuenced by ﬁre. These plant communities are often found

in productive deep soil areas and in a complex mosaic of mountain big sagebrush, mountain shrub, and low

sagebrush plant communities. These three plant communities share a dramatic increase in western juniper

over the last 120 years.

From Serrano Point south to Alvord Peak, the vegetation in Steens Mountain Wilderness is characterized by

Wyoming big sagebrush and bitterbrush at lower elevations and mountain big sagebrush and low sagebrush

at higher elevations and on ridgetops. The headwaters of some streams in this area contain aspen groves, but

dominant vegetation in most riparian areas is rose, willow, birch, chokecherry, and dogwood.

A total of 41 Special Status plant species is known or suspected to occur within Steens Mountain Wilderness.

None

of the plants on the Special Status Species list (Attachment 2) are listed as threatened or endangered.

Plants with a BLM status of “S” are Bureau Sensitive species and are potentially eligible for Federal listing,

Federal candidate status, State listing or State candidate status. Those species are also on list one of the

Oregon Natural Heritage Program (ONHP) database, which are those species that are threatened with

extinction or are presumed to be extinct throughout their range. Plants with a BLM status of “A” are Bureau

Assessment species and are on ONHP list 2. Those species are threatened with extirpation or are presumed to

be extirpated form the State of Oregon. Plants with a BLM status of “T” are Bureau Tracking species where

more information is needed before status can be determined. These plants are not necessarily considered

Special Status Species for management purposes, but they are of conservation concern. Bureau Tracking

species are not currently in danger of being threatened or endangered.

Donner und Blitzen WSR System:

Donner und Blitzen River: The lower part of the main Donner und Blitzen River is wider than the upper

part with riparian areas dominated by alder, willow, and dogwood. There are also many areas of spring fed

marshes dominated by sedges. This area was assessed as having signiﬁcant natural values. In the drier areas

of the lower canyon, basin big sagebrush is the dominant overstory plant.

The canyon narrows signiﬁcantly from the conﬂuence with Fish Creek upstream to South Fork of Donner

und

Blitzen River. The riparian area contains alder, willow, dogwood, and chokecherry. Rocky slopes above

the riparian area are dominated by basin big sagebrush and western juniper with an understory of bluebunch

P – 32

APPENDIX P

wheatgrass. Above Blitzen Crossing, moist meadows containing meadow foxtail, Kentucky bluegrass, and

sedges are interspersed with willows and alder along the river.

The Page Springs meadow area was assessed as having signiﬁcant natural values. The meadow is a good

representative of a low-elevation riparian community.

Little Blitzen River: The

lower part of Little Blitzen River, below Riddle Brothers Ranch, is dominated by

black cottonwood, willow, and alder. Meadows containing Kentucky bluegrass, sedges, rushes, and cheatgrass

occur sporadically along the stream.

Vegetation within Riddle Brothers Ranch is mostly in the form of meadows, which have been altered by

irrigation

from a series of ditches. The meadows are made up of both native and cultivated nonnative species.

Native species include redtop, tufted hairgrass, Cusick’s bluegrass, and Nebraska sedge. Nonnative species

include timothy and Kentucky bluegrass. The riparian area that runs through Riddle Brothers Ranch is

dominated by black cottonwood, alder, and willow.

Upstream from Riddle Brothers Ranch in the steep lower part of Little Blitzen Gorge, the riparian area is still

dominated

by black cottonwood, alder, dogwood, willow, western juniper, chokecherry, and quaking aspen.

In the drier areas above the riparian area, juniper, mountain mahogany, and big sagebrush are the dominant

overstory species. The upper gorge contains large aspen groves in spring areas and along the stream with

mountain big sagebrush communities on drier bottoms and on gorge walls. The north facing walls of the

upper gorge contain gently sloping ledges with wet meadows. These meadows contain interesting plant

communities as well as several Special Status plant species.

The areas in this segment assessed as having signiﬁcant unique natural values include Rooster Comb RNA/

ACEC, Little Blitzen RNA/ACEC, and the riparian/meadow complex at Riddle Brothers Ranch.

South Fork of the Donner und Blitzen River: V

egetation in the lower section of South Fork of Donner und

Blitzen River is dominated by basin big sagebrush, juniper, and Idaho fescue on side slopes with alder, willow,

chokecherry, and currant along the stream. This area is considered to have unique natural values because of

the canyon riparian vegetation. Farther upstream, the canyon widens into a broad basin dominated by large

meadows in the bottom and willows along the stream. Meadows are dominated by native species such as

meadow barley, mannagrass, tufted hairgrass, Nebraska sedge, woolly sedge, and rushes. The headwaters

area is privately owned but the springs and meadows are important because they represent a mix of low- and

high-elevation springs and meadows.

Areas containing unique natural values include the river canyon between Blitzen Crossing and the conﬂuence

with Mud Creek; the small stream, aspen grove, and meadow at Huffman Camp; and the headwaters of South

Fork of Donner und Blitzen River.

Big Indian Creek: The

lower part of Big Indian Creek contains a narrow band of riparian area dominated by

alder, dogwood, and willows. Upland areas contain juniper, mountain mahogany, and mountain big sagebrush

with an understory of Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass. Mountain mahogany increases in the uplands

of the lower part of Big Indian Gorge. As the riparian bottom becomes wider, black cottonwood, aspen,

and willow are the dominant species. The uplands are still dominated by mountain big sagebrush with an

understory of needlegrass and Idaho fescue.

Near the headwall, the riparian area is dominated by willows and wet meadows containing sedges, tufted

hair

grass, alpine timothy, bistort, moonworts, owl clover, and gentians. The cirques at the head of the gorge

contain alpine ponds and many Special Status plant species.

Within Big Indian Gorge, unique natural areas of particular interest include mountain mahogany stands near

the bend in the gorge, headwater meadows, and the upper cirque.

Little Indian Creek: Little

Indian Creek contains some of the most diverse riparian area in the entire river

corridor. The narrow lower part of the canyon contains alder, birch, black cottonwood, chokecherry, dogwood,

serviceberry, and hawthorn. As the canyon widens in the middle part of the segment, the riparian area is

P – 33

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

dominated by willows, wet meadows, and active beaver ponds. The meadows in this area are dominated by

many species of sedges in good ecological condition. Other species common in this area include monkshood,

groundsel, false hellebore, and grapeferns. Aspen stands integrate with the willow riparian area on north

facing slopes and contain vegetation such as blue wildrye, horsemint, and bearded wheatgrass. On drier

uplands, mountain big sagebrush and snowberry are dominant overstory plants with needlegrass and sedges

in the understory.

The headwaters and cirques contain many diverse and unusual alpine and subalpine communities. Sedges

and willows dominate these areas and aspen stands are present on north facing slopes.

Within Little Indian Creek, vegetation communities assessed as having signiﬁcant, unique natural values

include the lower riparian area, beaver ponds, south facing canyon side slopes, and the headwaters area

containing alpine, subalpine, and aspen communities.

Fish Creek: The lower part of Fish Creek Canyon is steep and rocky with a very narrow riparian area. The

riparian area is dominated by dogwood and willows with an occasional black cottonwood. The steep upland

slopes are dominated by juniper and big sagebrush, but mountain mahogany and aspen are present on the

slopes as the elevation increases.

The middle part of Fish Creek is not as steep as the lower part, but the riparian area is still narrow. Black

cottonwood, willows, and dogwood are the dominant species in this area. In the uplands, the major species

include juniper, mountain mahogany, mountain big sagebrush, basin wildrye, and bluebunch wheatgrass.

On north facing slopes, aspen groves are present on more mesic sites. The segment from this point to the

headwaters is all private land, except for Jackman Park Campground.

The upper part of Fish Creek Canyon widens signiﬁcantly into a basin containing large meadows, beaver

ponds, and extensive aspen groves. The meadows contain large numbers of sedges and forbs and the riparian

area is dominated by willows. The uplands contain mountain big sagebrush, snowberry, serviceberry,

mountain brome, needlegrass, and paintbrush.

The headwaters of Fish Creek are dominated by meadows and low-growing willows. Other species present

include tufted hairgrass, alpine timothy, sneezeweed, false hellebore, and many sedges and rushes. The areas

with unique natural values include meadows and extensive aspen forests in the upper part of the canyon and

meadows at the headwaters.

Mud Creek: The lower and middle parts of Mud Creek contain a somewhat narrow riparian area with

patches of willows and meadows containing sedges, rushes, Kentucky bluegrass, and many species of forbs.

The adjacent upland area is dominated by juniper and mountain big sagebrush. The upper part of Mud Creek

opens up into extensive aspen groves and meadows at the headwaters with mountain big sagebrush in the

uplands.

Ankle Creek: The lower parts of Ankle and Mud Creeks are similar. Willows and meadows dominate the

riparian area and juniper and mountain big sagebrush dominate adjacent uplands. The middle part of Ankle

Creek is also dominated by meadow areas, but there are fewer willows in the riparian area than in the lower

part. The uplands are dominated by mountain big sagebrush. The headwaters contain extensive meadow

areas dominated by sedges and rushes as well as large aspen groves.

South Fork Ankle Creek: The

riparian vegetation on South Fork of Ankle Creek is primarily made up of

meadows containing sedges, rushes, and forbs with occasional patches of willows. Mountain big sagebrush

is the dominant vegetation on adjacent uplands.

Wildhorse WSR System

Wildhorse Creek: The

vegetation in the upper portion of Wildhorse Creek from 7,600 feet to approximately

9,000 feet in elevation is mostly wet meadows containing sedges interspersed with dry rocky slopes, Steens

Mountain thistle, arnicas, and scattered patches of mountain big sagebrush. Special Status plant species

known to exist in this area are Steens Mountain paintbrush and Steens Mountain penstemon. From 6,000

P – 34

APPENDIX P

feet in elevation to approximately 7,600 feet, the riparian area is dominated sparingly in some areas by black

cottonwood and in other areas by quaking aspen. Willows are also present as well as western juniper in this

part of the segment. Mountain big sagebrush is the dominant vegetation on dry slopes above the riparian

area. From 6,000 feet down to the bottom of the segment at 5,000 feet in elevation, the riparian area consists

mostly of willows with some western juniper and mountain big sagebrush. Mountain big sagebrush and

western juniper are dominant vegetation types on dry slopes of the lowest part of Wildhorse Creek.

Little Wildhorse Creek: The vegetation in the upper portion of Little Wildhorse Creek from 9,000 feet

down to 8,000 feet in elevation consists mostly of wet and dry meadows dominated by various species of

sedges and arnicas. On the rocky slopes above Little Wildhorse Lake the dominant vegetation is mountain

big sagebrush and wax currant. Special Status plant species that are known to exist in this area include

Hayden’s cymopterus, Steens Mountain draba, weak-stemmed stonecrop, foetid sedge, new sedge, teacher’s

sedge, Cusick’s hyssop, Kruckberg’s sword fern, Nevada spring beauty, Steens Mountain paintbrush, and

Steens Mountain penstemon. The middle part of the segment from 8,000 feet in elevation down to 7,400

feet is characterized by narrow riparian areas with extensive wet meadows dominated by sedges. The dry,

rocky slopes above the creek are dominated by sedges, Steens Mountain thistle and mountain big sagebrush.

The lower portion of the drainage near the conﬂuence with Wildhorse Creek is a narrow band of riparian

area containing sedges and Steens Mountain thistle. Slopes above the lower riparian area are dominated by

mountain big sagebrush.

Kiger WSR

Kiger Creek: The

lower part of Kiger Creek contains large aspen groves on moist, gentle slopes above the

creek and mountain big sagebrush mixed with western juniper on drier slopes. Willows are densely packed

along the creek with sedge-dominated meadows in open areas. The upper portion of Kiger Creek consists of

many riparian tributaries originating from large snowﬁelds and springs. Streamside vegetation in the upper

gorge is dominated by willow thickets surrounded by large groves of quaking aspen. Spring areas contain

meadow vegetation such as sedges and forbs. High elevation vernal ponds perched on the west side of the

upper gorge were formed when glaciers retreated at the end of the ice age. The dry, rocky slopes above the

stream in the upper gorge are dominated by mountain big sagebrush.

Management Objectives

• Maintain or restore native vegetation communities through sound landscape management practices.

• Increase species and structural diversity at the plant community and landscape levels in the big

sagebrush communities. Provide multiple successional stages within the landscape.

• Manage Special Status plant species and their habitats so management actions do not contribute to

their decline or listing as

T&E.

Management Direction

• Maintain or restore ecological status of native plant communities.

• Using the MRDG and methods compatible with wilderness and WSR designations create a mosaic

of multiple successional stages, reduce the dominance of wood vegetation, and release suppressed

desirable plant species.

• Special Status plant species will be intensively managed to maintain or restore habitats or populations

where needed. Conservation Agreements and management plans will be completed for species

considered to be at the highest risk for listing. Monitoring and inventory data will be collected for all

Special Status Species.

Riparian Areas

Current Management Situation

Riparian vegetation communities are inﬂuenced by landform, stream gradient, water availability, soil, and

elevation, as well as historic and recent disturbance factors including ﬁre, ﬂooding/erosion, grazing, and

recreation. Riparian vegetation communities within the wilderness and WSR corridors generally consist of

P – 35

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

trees, shrubs, and herbaceous vegetation. Woody vegetation (trees and shrubs) may include cottonwood,

aspen, willow, alder, dogwood, and chokecherry. Herbaceous vegetation consists of a variety of sedges,

rushes, or grasses. The general vegetation discussion includes a description of riparian vegetation for the

WSRs. The observed expansion and competition of western juniper in riparian areas are of particular concern

relative to maintenance and restoration of riparian vegetation communities and associated values such as ﬁsh

and wildlife habitat and water quality and quantity.

The majority of public land perennial stream reaches and associated riparian areas in Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSRs were evaluated using Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) assessments. Table 10

summarizes PFC assessments conducted in the CMPA between 1997 and 2000, which includes the wilderness

and WSRs. Table 11 indicates the WSR segments are properly functioning and contain the attributes necessary

for riparian maintenance or recovery, or are in an upward trend. The BLM presents the concept of physical

function of riparian areas, referred to as PFC, as a minimal threshold for managing associated values such as

water quality, ﬁsh and wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and livestock forage. The PFC is a qualitative assessment

that considers hydrology, vegetation, and soil/landform attributes and rates riparian function as follows:

• Proper Functioning Condition: Riparian/wetland areas are properly functioning when adequate

vegetation, landform, or lar

ge woody debris are present to dissipate stream energy associated with

high waterﬂows. This situation reduces erosion and improves water quality, ﬁlters sediment, captures

bedload, aids in ﬂoodplain development, and improves ﬂoodwater retention and ground water

recharge. Also, conditions occur which develop root masses that stabilize streambanks against cutting

action and develop diverse ponding and channel characteristics to provide habitat and water depth,

duration, and temperature necessary for ﬁsh production, waterfowl breeding, and other uses resulting

in support for greater biodiversity.

• Functional At Risk (FAR): Riparian/wetland areas that are in functional condition, but an existing

soil, water, or vegetation attribute makes them susceptible to degradation are categorized as FAR.

Stream reaches determined to be FAR are further assessed for Trend – “upward”, “not apparent”, or

“downward”.

• Non-Functioning (NF): Nonfunctioning riparian/wetland areas clearly are not providing adequate

vegetation, landform, or large woody debris to dissipate stream energy associated with high ﬂows,

and thus are not reducing erosion or improving water quality.

The PFC does not necessarily equate to Potential Natural Community (PNC), advanced ecological status, or

desired

future condition. Rather, PFC demonstrates the level of resilience required for a system to function

and allow for maintenance and recovery of desired values such as water quality and ﬁsh habitat.

Management Objectives

• To maintain, restore, or improve riparian/wetland vegetation communities toward an advanced

ecological status condition at the reach or area scale relative to wilderness management and other

resource speciﬁc management objectives.

Management Direction

• Assess reach or area scale riparian/wetland vegetation community to evaluate site potential and

capability

, and evaluate opportunities and needs for maintenance, restoration, or improvement to

maintain or progress toward an advanced ecological status or other deﬁned ecological status in

accordance with wilderness management and other resource speciﬁc management objectives.

• Collect and propagate native riparian vegetation for restoration purposes. Implement restoration or

improvement of riparian vegetation communities through planting and protection, as necessary, based

on watershed or project-level assessment and planning in accordance with wilderness management

and other resource speciﬁc management objectives as determined through MRDG.

Human Altered Plant Communities

Western Juniper: Western juniper is a long-lived tree species capable of living 1,000 years or more. Old

growth western juniper woodlands are best described on the basis of presence of trees greater than 120 years

P – 36

APPENDIX P

Table 10: Proper Functioning Condition Assessment Summary for Public Land Stream Reaches

within the CMPA Conducted Between 1998 and 2000

Rating / Trend Miles Percent

Proper Functioning Condition 185 75%

Functional - At Risk / Upward Trend 33 13%

Functional - At Risk / Non-Apparent Trend 21 9%

Functional - At Risk / Downward Trend 4.5 2%

Non-Functioning 3 1%

Total 246.5 100%

Table 11: Proper Functioning Condition Assessment Summary for Public Land WSR Segments

Rating/Trend (miles) Percent

Stream PFC FAR/Trend NF PFC FAR NF

Donner und Blitzen River 9.25 4.25 / Upward --- 69% 31% 0%

Little Blitzen River 13.75 --- --- 100% 0% 0%

South Fork Donner und Blitzen River 10 3.75 / Upward --- 73% 27% 0%

Big Indian Creek 11.25 --- --- 100% 0% 0%

Little Indian Creek 4.25 --- --- 100% 0% 0%

Fish Creek 6.5 --- --- 100% 0% 0%

Mud Creek 3.5 1.75 / Upward --- 67% 33% 0%

Ankle Creek 2.75 5.25 / Upward --- 34% 66% 0%

South Fork Ankle Creek --- 1.50 / Upward --- 0% 100% 0%

Little Wildhorse Creek 2.5 --- --- 100% 0% 0%

Wildhorse Creek 7.25 --- --- 100% 0% 0%

Kiger Creek 4.25 --- --- 100% 0% 0%

Estimates to the 0.25 mile. PFC, FAR, and NF; Trend: Upward, Not Apparent or Downward.

before present (ybp) and structural characteristics such as standing and down dead trees, decadent living

trees, bole cavities, stripbark, and branches covered with lichens. These stands account for less than three

percent of western juniper woodlands across eastern Oregon. While special characteristics of old growth

woodlands provide habitat for plant and wildlife species, encroachment of western juniper into mountain

big sagebrush and quaking aspen plant communities is a major concern across large areas, both inside and

outside of the CMPA.

Historically, western juniper was limited to rocky ridge tops and shallow soil areas where ﬁres rarely occurred.

Past livestock management practices and ﬁre suppression have reduced the inﬂuence of ﬁre in these areas.

Subtle shifts in climate may have also helped western juniper expand its range over the last 120 years. Recent

expansion of western juniper into mountain big sagebrush, riparian woodlands, and quaking aspen and

mountain mahogany stands has been at the expense of associated vegetation. Western juniper has encroached

into some stands to the point that all associated woody vegetation has been replaced. Sections of Donner und

Blitzen WSR, Mud and Ankle Creek WSRs, and Kiger Creek WSR have been inﬂuenced by juniper. Large

stands of quaking aspen and riparian woodlands along these creeks have been replaced by western juniper.

The uplands are also being converted to western juniper woodlands. This total type conversion alters habitat

for

many plant and animal species. There are also physical changes that occur to riparian areas and uplands.

As western juniper trees approach maximum density, the amount of bare ground increases. This increases

the amount of sediment moved down slope toward riparian areas. If the riparian area has also been converted

to western juniper, there is a greater likelihood of sediment reaching the stream. Treatment of these stands,

especially small isolated pockets, may require protection from wild and domestic large herbivores until new

P – 37

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

suckers or plants can reach heights above the browse line. This kind of treatment also helps to increase

ground cover and reduce movement of soil down slope.

Management Objectives

• To maintain or improve the ecological status of native plant communities, consistent with wilderness

and

WSRs guidance.

• To maintain or improve late seral stage ecological characteristics in old growth western juniper

woodlands consistent with wilderness and WSRs guidance.

• To reduce the component of western juniper and other associated woody plant species in quaking

aspen and mountain mahogany stands, consistent with wilderness and WSRs guidance.

• To reduce inﬂuence of western juniper trees less than 120 years old to restore riparian and sagebrush

habitats, consistent with wilderness and WSRs guidance.

Management Direction

• Develop a restoration strategy for areas where western juniper encroachment is unnaturally

threatening ecological function and species diversity using the MRDG and methods compatible with

wilderness and

WSRs designation.

Noxious Weeds

Current Management Situation

Noxious weeds are present in limited amounts within Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs. The Burns

District

has an ongoing weed management program, which involves education/awareness, prevention,

inventory, treatment, and monitoring. Disturbance, especially along roads and other transportation corridors,

is the primary contributor to introduction and spread of weeds. Biological spread through birds or mammals

also plays a minor role. The Burns District weed management program incorporates a variety of treatment

options including manual, chemical, mechanical, and biological methods of control.

Management Objectives

• To reduce existing and prevent new noxious weed infestations in wilderness and WSRs. Priority is

given to lands with high-quality natural resource values or disturbed areas (roads, ROWs, waterholes,

and recreation sites).

• To improve awareness in BLM staff, permittees, private land inholders, and the public about what

they can do to help identify weed infestations and prevent the spread of noxious weeds in wilderness

and

WSRs.

Management Direction

• Identify and prioritize areas with noxious weed infestations in wilderness and WSRs and implement

the treatment method(s) that best provides for weed management or eradication, while protecting

wilderness character

• Continue with current outreach activities, which include handouts, displays, and posting information

on noxious weed identiﬁ

cation, and preventing the spread of noxious weeds. Consider targeting key

public use areas like developed recreation sites or trailheads where there is a speciﬁc noxious weed

concern.

• Maintain partnerships with local groups and government agencies to combine efforts in the control

and prevention of noxious weed infestations.

• Control new infestations in the ﬁrst year of discovery whenever possible.

P – 38

APPENDIX P

Fish

Current Management Situation

The BLM is responsible for managing a wide array of habitats used by native and introduced (Lahontan

cutthroat trout) ﬁsh species. The ODFW is responsible for managing ﬁsh and wildlife populations. The BLM

manages ﬁsh habitats in cooperation with ODFW. Management is directed toward maintenance, improvement,

and expansion of habitat quality and quantity under multiple use considerations.

Ten species of native ﬁsh (Attachment 2) are likely to be found in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs.

Three species or populations (redband trout, Malheur mottled sculpin, and Catlow tui chub) are considered

Special Status Species by BLM. Lahontan cutthroat trout is the only ﬁsh found in the wilderness or WSRs

listed as threatened by both the State of Oregon and the Federal government. The ODFW does not currently

stock any rivers in wilderness or WSRs with hatchery stock ﬁsh. At one time, a hatchery strain of Lahontan

cutthroat trout was stocked in Wildhorse Lake. This has been discontinued, and there are no plans to restart

this stocking. These ﬁsh seem to be self-sustaining in Wildhorse Lake. Fish and ﬁsh habitat are ORVs in

all WSR segments except for Wildhorse and Little Wildhorse Creeks. The primary focus for managing ﬁsh

habitat is on redband trout and populations of Lahontan cutthroat trout protected under the Endangered

Species Act (ESA). Management of these species provides the necessary habitat for other co-existing native

aquatic species.

Lahontan Cutthroat Trout: The Lahontan cutthroat trout is native to the Pleistocene Lake Lahontan Basin

of northwestern Nevada, northeastern California, and a small adjacent portion of southeastern Oregon. It has

been introduced elsewhere in southeastern Oregon and eastern Washington.

During the 1970s, Lahontan cutthroat trout from Willow and Whitehorse Creeks in the Trout Creek Mountains

were

introduced into Pike, Mosquito, Little McCoy, Big Alvord, Little Alvord, Cottonwood, and Willow

Creeks on the east side of the Steens. Surveys conducted in 1991 conﬁrmed many of the introduced Lahontan

cutthroat trout still exist. A population of hatchery-produced Lahontan cutthroat trout also inhabits Wildhorse

Lake and Wildhorse Creek. Since these ﬁsh originated from hatchery stock, they are not considered pure-

strain Lahontan cutthroat trout and are not considered a protected species.

Pursuant to the ESA, Lahontan cutthroat trout is Federally listed as threatened throughout its range. The

BLM

and USFWS conduct interagency consultation under to Section 7 of the ESA regarding authorization of

grazing permits where Lahontan cutthroat trout are present and may be affected, except for hatchery-produced

populations. These consultations have concluded that current grazing practices are not likely to jeopardize

the continued existence of the trout. The USFWS Biological Opinions (USDI 2001, 1999, and 1995) further

recognize current livestock grazing practices associated with these permits allow for continued improvement

of instream and riparian conditions. In 1995, the USFWS ofﬁce in Reno, Nevada formalized a cooperative

management agreement among ODFW, Nevada Division of Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and BLM

for the coordination and performance of activities identiﬁed in the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Recovery Plan.

The primary purpose of the agreement is to provide speciﬁc direction to conserve the trout and reduce or

remove threats that could prevent its recovery.

Habitat degradation, especially loss of riparian vegetation, is identiﬁed as a key factor in declining Oregon

stream

populations. Loss of vegetation has, in some cases, contributed to increases in stream temperatures

that exceed those considered optimal for the subspecies. Drought conditions coupled with extremely low

temperatures and limited riparian cover may cause stream segments to freeze completely during winter.

Redband Trout: Redband trout are a subspecies of rainbow trout, which have been segregated into three

forms: 1) Coastal rainbow trout west of the Cascade/Sierra mountain divide; 2) Interior Columbia River

redband trout upstream of Celilo Falls, including the Fraser and Athabasca rivers in Canada, Upper Klamath

River Basin, and isolated interior basins of Oregon; and 3) the Sacramento-San Joaquin redband trout. The

USFWS further recognizes the redband trout within the isolated interior basins of Oregon, including Steens

Mountain Wilderness and WSRs, as Great Basin redband trout.

P – 39

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Redband trout occupy a wide array of habitats. Research suggests redband trout are found in a range of

conditions, often more extreme than those associated with other species. Populations found in southern

Oregon deserts inhabit turbid and alkaline waters ranging from near freezing to over 77º F. Redband trout

tolerate warmer waters than many other salmonids; however, in warmer and drier environments the loss of

riparian cover has been associated with reduced numbers and production of ﬁsh.

Relatively little work has been completed to deﬁne habitat use for this ﬁsh, but patterns are generally similar

to other salmonids. Some researchers found redband trout most abundant in pool habitats and in association

with cover components including undercut banks, large woody debris, and overhanging vegetation.

Redband trout are found in the Donner und Blitzen WSR system and Kiger Creek WSR as well as Home

Creek

and Threemile Creek in wilderness. In the Donner und Blitzen WSR, the gauging weir upstream from

Page Springs Campground may limit upstream movement of redband trout and other native ﬁsh species.

Nonnative ﬁsh species, such as carp and sunﬁsh, which may compete for resources or prey upon redband

trout, are present downstream of the gauging weir. The weir provides an effective barrier to prevent these

nonnative ﬁsh species from migrating upstream and competing with native ﬁsh species present.

Redband Trout Reserve (RTR): Portions

of the Donner und Blitzen WSR located in wilderness provide

habitat for a population of redband trout. The RTR was created by the Steens Act to conserve, protect, and

enhance the Donner und Blitzen River population of redband trout and the unique ecosystem and to provide

opportunities for research, education, and ﬁsh- and wildlife-oriented recreation. The RTR consists of Donner

und Blitzen WSR above its conﬂuence with Fish Creek and adjacent riparian areas on public land within the

wilderness.

The management of this area is guided by the Steens Act, the WSRs Act, and the Wilderness Act, in addition

required consultation with the SMAC and ODFW. Recreation is allowed in the RTR as long as it is

consistent with previously mentioned acts and management guidelines as well as speciﬁc management criteria

developed through the RMP/EIS process.

Catlow Tui Chub: The Catlow tui chub, a small- to medium-sized minnow, is a recognized, though

undescribed, subspecies of the more widespread tui chub. Due to its restricted distributions and threats to

remaining habitat, the subspecies is considered a species of special concern by the American Fisheries Society

and is a BLM Tracking species.

Catlow tui chub occur in Home and Threemile Creeks that drain the west ﬂank of Catlow Rim. The Catlow

tui

chub has a restricted range, but appears to be locally abundant in streams and in Threemile Reservoir.

Threemile and Home Creeks are partially in Steens Mountain Wilderness.

Little is known about the habitat relationships of the Catlow tui chub. Their preference for low-gradient

reaches

of Threemile and Home Creeks suggests an afﬁnity for low-velocity habitats, which is typical of most

tui chubs. They also appear to be well adapted to Threemile Reservoir at the downstream end of Threemile

Creek.

Malheur Mottled Sculpin: Malheur

mottled sculpin is a recognized, though undescribed, subspecies of

the more widespread mottled sculpin. The Malheur mottled sculpin is endemic to the Harney Basin of

southeastern Oregon, including the Silvies and Blitzen River systems. It is listed as a Sensitive species by the

State of Oregon and BLM.

Distribution includes Donner und Blitzen River and tributary streams on Steens Mountain. The sculpin in

Harney Basin is considered to represent an undescribed relative of the mottled sculpin in the Snake River

drainage. Malheur mottled sculpin historically inhabited Harney Basin (Malheur Lake Basin) when it was

connected to the upper Snake River, and became isolated in small creeks when the basin dried up perhaps as

recently as 8,000 years ago. Through more recent geologic events, mottled sculpin from the lower Columbia

River drainage have entered the basin. This recent form of mottled sculpin has been hybridizing with the

older, previously isolated form though hybridization seems to be occurring mainly in northern Harney Basin.

Samples collected from the region mostly resemble preliminary descriptions of Malheur mottled sculpin.

P – 40

APPENDIX P

Very little is known about the life history of the Malheur mottled sculpin, but it is assumed to be comparable to

other mottled sculpins. According to some studies, the Malheur mottled sculpin requires cool-water streams

with large gravel or rubble substrates for cover and spawning. It requires water temperatures below 79º F

with high dissolved oxygen and very low turbidity. Given these characteristics, the Malheur mottled sculpin

can occupy small headwater streams and larger rivers such as the lower Donner und Blitzen River.

Management Objectives

• To maintain, restore, or improve Special Status Species habitats.

• To conserve Special Status animal species and the ecosystems on which they depend. To the extent

possible and practical, ﬁ

sh community connectivity and interrelationships are emphasized in most

habitats.

• To maintain genetic integrity of redband trout in the RTR.

• To increase the distribution and abundance of redband trout in the RTR through maintenance or

restoration of habitat quality and quantity

Management Direction

• Management of Special Status Species habitat includes passive and active measures associated with

development and implementation of other resource management actions to maintain, restore, or

improve speciﬁ

c habitat attributes identiﬁed through watershed assessment and site speciﬁc activity

plans to balance a variety of resource management and uses.

• The RTR consists of the public land portion of Donner und Blitzen River and tributaries upstream

of its conﬂ

uence with Fish Creek to the longitudinal extent of current and future redband trout

distribution and of the ﬂood prone area.

• Coordinate and cooperate with ODFW and Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in developing

and revising Native Fish Conservation Plan(s) for the Donner und Blitzen River subbasin in support

of ODFW’s Native Fish Conservation Policy.

• Riparian habitats are managed toward an advanced ecological status that provides a diversity of ﬁsh

habitat values including spawning, rearing, cover, forage, and cold-water refuge, and in accordance

with the Wilderness Act and the WSRs Act, as appropriate.

• Alternatives will be developed, evaluated, and implemented with USFWS, ODFW, SMAC, and

local interests and organizations, for removal or modiﬁcation of the Page Springs gauging weir to

facilitate upstream migration of redband trout and other aquatic species while limiting the migration

capabilities of nonnative ﬁsh. Any proposal for removal or modiﬁcation of the Page Springs weir

along Donner und Blitzen WSR needs to be evaluated for compliance with Section 7 of the WSRs

Act.

Wildlife

Current Management Situation

The Steens Mountain Wilderness and the WSRs contain a wide diversity of wildlife habitat with many

species

of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals found in the area. Parts of the wilderness and Donner

und Blitzen WSR are adjacent to the extensive wetlands found on the nearby Malheur NWR. This accounts

for some of the wetland Special Status Species that also occur along the WSR, as this corridor is used as a

travel route. A summary of the Special Status Species in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSR corridors is

listed in Attachment 2.

The ODFW is responsible for managing wildlife species populations through management objectives speciﬁed

their respective management plans; the BLM is responsible for managing the habitat that supports these

populations. The ODFW and BLM work cooperatively together on the management of wildlife and wildlife

habitat under a statewide Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by both agencies in 2001.

Special Status Species: The only Special Status Species in the area that is Federally listed is the bald eagle

(listed

as Threatened). Bald eagles are winter-spring residents having been sighted up the Donner und

Blitzen River Canyon. A winter roost exists in this area. The Columbia spotted frog is a candidate for listing.

P – 41

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Populations have been found from Page Springs Campground up to Fish Lake, McCoy Creek, Little Fish

Creek, and Grove Creek. Other areas are still being inventoried for the presence of this species. Several

Greater sage-grouse leks are located in Steens Mountain Wilderness. Most of Steens Mountain Wilderness

is sage-grouse nesting and early to late-brood rearing habitat with some areas along Catlow Rim and below

Alvord Peak used as winter habitat. Black rosy ﬁnches, rare in Oregon, nest in the subalpine area.

Nesting waterfowl make light use of the lower Donner und Blitzen WSR with common mergansers and

dabbling ducks the predominant nesting species. Some nesting by Canada geese occurs. Sub-zero temperatures

freeze canals and ponds on the Malheur NWR, causing waterfowl using the Refuge to move onto the lower

portion of the Donner und Blitzen WSR. Most of these birds are mallards, bufﬂehead, common goldeneye,

and Canada geese.

Game birds include chukar, California quail, mourning dove, Greater sage-grouse, common snipe, and

waterfowl. Pheasants occur near Page Springs Campground. Nesting raptors include golden eagle, prairie

falcon, great-horned owl, long-eared owl, American kestrel, northern harrier, red-tailed hawk, and ferruginous

hawk. Northern goshawk, sharp-shinned hawk, and Cooper’s hawk are species that also nest in the area

but are uncommon. Turkey vultures and ravens nest in cliffs along the deep canyons. American peregrine

falcons are observed rarely as migrants. Nongame birds using the river corridor include yellow warbler,

belted kingﬁsher, northern ﬂicker, western wood peewee, western kingbird, and many other species.

Game mammals include mule deer, pronghorn antelope, Rocky Mountain elk, California bighorn sheep (a

Special

Status Species), and cougar. The ODFW believes many of the canyons are potential bighorn sheep

summer and winter range. Future transplants may occur if domestic sheep are removed from private land

around Fish Lake. Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs provide yearlong habitat for all of these species

with seasonal elevational movements triggered by weather conditions.

Nongame mammals include golden-mantled ground squirrel, canyon mouse, deer mouse, harvest mouse,

marmot,

voles, several species of bats, coyotes, bobcat, and many other species. Beaver are found in many

stream segments. Pika may be found at the head of the gorges, but are a rare sight.

Amphibians and reptiles include Paciﬁc treefrog, western rattlesnake, gopher snake, sagebrush lizard, western

fence lizard, and others.

Commercial trapping, which is not an individual’s sole source of income, is prohibited by policy in BLM

wilderness under direction stated in Manual 8560 – Management of Designated Wilderness – Section .34 F.

Incidental trapping under the direction of State laws and regulations is allowed.

Management Objectives

• To the extent possible, wildlife species are allowed to maintain a natural balance with their habitat

and each other. Depending on wilderness conditions, however, management actions may be

necessary at times for the preservation of sensitive, rare, threatened or endangered species.

• To evaluate habitat requirements and conditions for the reintroduction of extirpated species into

historic habitat in Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSR corridors.

• To continue cooperation and coordination with other State and Federal agencies on the management

of wildlife, wildlife habitat, and protection of the character of the wilderness and WSRs.

• To manage forage production to support wildlife population levels identiﬁed by ODFW, while

minimizing effects to wilderness resources.

• To manage quaking aspen and western juniper plant communities to meet habitat requirements for

wildlife.

• To manage big sagebrush communities to meet life history habitat requirements of sagebrush

dependent species and other wildlife.

P – 42

APPENDIX P

Management Direction

• Identify site speciﬁc areas in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs where naturally occurring

critical habitat conditions required by sensitive, rare, threatened or endangered wildlife species are

not being met.

• Develop and implement habitat management actions where necessary to preserve these wildlife

species, while still protecting wilderness resources.

• Continue coordination with ODFW and other Federal and State agencies on wildlife habitat

management and monitoring as appropriate.

Where necessary, develop and implement habitat

management actions necessary to provide critical habitat (e.g. deer winter range) for these

populations, while still protecting wilderness resources.

• In wilderness, actions such as transplants, trapping, distribution of medicine, emergency situations,

and maintenance of existing guzzlers may be authorized on a case-by-case basis in accordance with

the Steens Act, the Wilderness Act, and Appendix B of House Report 101-405 of the 101st Congress.

• All new grazing applications for domestic sheep and goat permits, or proposed conversions of class

of livestock from cattle to sheep or goats, will be evaluated for consistency with BLM “1998 Revised

Guidelines for Management of Domestic Sheep and Goats in Native Wild Sheep Habitats.” These

guidelines will be implemented where new permits or conversions could occur within wild sheep

habitats.

• Initiate cooperative efforts with private landowners and current sheep (and goat if applicable)

permittees to reduce the chance of mixing domestic and wild sheep.

• Predator control measures will only be initiated when necessary to protect Federally listed threatened

and endangered species, prevent diseases or parasites from affecting other wildlife or humans,

prevent serious losses of domestic livestock, or control non-indigenous species in order to reduce

conﬂicts with indigenous species. Direction is provided by BLM Manual 8560, Section .34 H,

Predators and in Section 12 of Appendix B of House Report 101-405. Any control activities

undertaken on predator or nonnative wildlife will be the minimum necessary to effectively control

the situation. An MRDG analysis will be conducted for each action on a case-by-case basis. Any

predator control actions must be approved by the State Director on a case-by-case basis.

Paleontological Resources

Current Management Situation

Paleontological resources are deﬁned as fossilized remains of plants and animals. Of particular interest

and

importance are vertebrate fossils such as those of camels, saber toothed cats, rhinos, mammoths, giant

sloths, turtles, and horses. Fossil localities have been reported on public land in Steens Mountain Wilderness.

Paleontological localities are not known nor are they likely to occur within WSR corridors.

Most of the ﬁnds in Steens Mountain Wilderness have been exposed by wind or water erosion, and are widely

dispersed.

Several are the subject of ongoing academic research. Exposures of Miocene sedimentary rocks

are observable at the base of the east face of Steens Mountain, west of the East Steens Road. Known locations

of plant fossils are on private and public land, as well as several unexplored exposures that are likely to

contain animal fossils.

An assessment of known paleontological localities was conducted in May of 1999 within Steens Mountain

ilderness. Animal remains from sabertooth cats, mastodons, giant camels, small camels (llama-like), horses,

and horned rodents were found. A plant locality within the area was reassessed and yielded a ﬂora composed

of the following plants: true ﬁr, spruce, pine, Douglas ﬁr, juniper, cottonwoods, willow, hornbeam, barberry,

serviceberry, mountain mahogany, cherry, rose, mountain ash, indigo bush, sumac, maple, buckbrush, and

madrona. This ﬂora normally occurs in a lake environment in a slightly warmer, more temperate climate than

exists in the area today.

These fossil localities, especially the known and potential localities, are signiﬁcant because they are a window

an environment that existed millions of years ago. They are nonrenewable, extremely fragile, and usually

small in area extent. The precise number of acres encompassed by these localities is unknown because they

have not been completely described and mapped. Funding is currently being sought for challenge cost share

P – 43

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

inventory and assessment for a portion of Steens Mountain Wilderness that has not been inventoried for

paleontological resources.

Public education and interpretation have not been implemented on a large scale. No interpretive materials

have been developed, except for a paleontological poster used for display at special events and in the public

reception area at the Burns DO.

Management Objectives

• To preserve, protect, and manage vertebrate, noteworthy invertebrate, and plant paleontological

resources in accordance with existing laws and regulations to make these resources available for

appropriate uses by present and future generations.

Management Direction

• Use predictive modeling and sample inventory for identifying signiﬁcant paleontological localities,

which may be in conﬂ

ict with other resource uses.

• Excavate signiﬁcant paleontological localities in cooperation with universities, museums, and other

Federal agencies in compliance with all laws, regulations or other requirements, if compatible with

wilderness and WSRs designations and the MRDG.

• Record and salvage eroding paleontological material at localities in east-central and southeast part of

Steens Mountain

Wilderness once every ﬁve years in compliance with all laws, regulations, or other

requirements.

• Law enforcement surveillance is focused on the east side of Steens Mountain Wilderness near the

East Steens Road. Protective measures at signiﬁcant localities are used as appropriate.

• Create paleontology interpretive opportunities for public education including but not limited to

brochures and portable or static interpretive displays for local, regional, and national education,

where applicable.

• Any permanent interpretive facilities will be constructed outside Steens Mountain Wilderness.

Interpretation projects will be implemented only if they will not affect the paleontological values at

the subject locality.

• Monitor known paleontological sites within Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs after wildland

ﬁre in order to study ﬁre effects and to prevent post-ﬁre looting.

Cultural Resources

Current Management Situation

Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District: None

of the Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic

District falls within Steens Mountain Wilderness. A large portion of the Historic District does fall within

the Little Blitzen River WSR corridor and has been identiﬁed as an ORV. In 1991 Riddle Brothers Ranch

was designated a National Historic District. A Cultural Resource Management Plan was completed for the

ranch in 1995. Since then, Frederick Riddle House, cookhouse, barn, and Benjamin Riddle House have been

restored. Other historic structures in the Historic District such as the Frederick Riddle root cellar, blacksmith

shop/tackroom, and Benjamin Riddle root cellar are being maintained in their current condition. The Walter

Riddle House was destroyed by wildﬁre in 1994. All that remains is a stone ﬁreplace. A number of detailed

photos exist of the building that could guide any future reconstruction efforts.

Approximately 550 people visit the ranch each year. Due to snow and poor road conditions, access is normally

limited

to May through November. A volunteer caretaker stays onsite from June 1 through October 15 in a

small cabin on the west side of the Little Blitzen River. The grey house, a BLM administrative building, and

the corrals at the Frederick Riddle complex are used by the BLM employees and volunteers for administrative

purposes. Three portable restrooms provide sanitation for the caretaker and the public. A well at the grey

house provides potable water for the caretaker. When the caretaker is onsite, visitors are allowed to drive into

the ranch two days a week (normally on one week and weekend day). Otherwise, visitors must park outside

the ranch entrance gate and walk to the site. Only day use is allowed and the entrance gate is locked by the

P – 44

APPENDIX P

caretaker each night at dusk. As an additional security measure, a gate on Cold Springs Road near Desert

Meadows is locked. Motorized access past this gate is by permit only. Law enforcement personnel also patrol

the ranch.

Current ﬁre protection at the ranch headquarters complex is provided by a greenbelt of vegetation around

most of the historic and caretaker structures. The greenbelt is maintained by watering and frequent mowing

by the caretaker. The watering system is comprised of a large number of ﬁre hoses arrayed throughout the

complex with smaller garden hoses to various sprinklers. This system is cumbersome to manage, a safety

hazard for visitors, and does not blend with the historic setting of the ranch.

Interpretation at Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District has been approved and funded and is to be

completed in 2006. Interpretive panels will be installed at the south gate just outside the Historic District and

Little Blitzen WSR corridor.

Other Cultural Resources: Approximately

six percent of the designated Steens Mountain Wilderness has

been inventoried for cultural resources. With the exception of Riddle Brothers Ranch, much inventory work

is needed in the WSR corridors. Under current management, potential effects on sites in conﬂict with other

resource uses are mitigated on a case-by-case basis. Funding for the creation of a predictive model to aid in

locating signiﬁcant sites in conﬂict with other resource uses is currently being sought. Inventories have been

conducted atop Steens Mountain in recreation use areas and in Alvord Valley. Inventory data are used in site

evaluation, effects assessment, interpretation, and public education.

Management Objectives

Riddle Brothers Ranch Historic District:

• To protect the cultural resources in Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District and to manage

the ranch in compliance with the Cultural Resource Management Plan.

• To maintain, restore, or reconstruct historic structures in the existing Riddle Brothers National

Historic District as identiﬁ

ed in the Cultural Resource Management Plan.

• To provide adequate facilities to meet public health and safety needs, provide for resource protection,

and for administrative needs. All facilities should be in character with the ranch setting.

Other Cultural Resources:

• To preserve, protect, and manage other cultural resources in accordance and in compliance with

existing laws, regulations, and Executive Orders in coordination/consultation with the Burns Paiute

ribe, other American Indian tribes, Harney County Historical Society, and other heritage groups to

make cultural resources available for appropriate uses by present and future generations.

Management Direction

Riddle Brothers Ranch Historic District:

• Continue to manage visitor use in the Historic District as described in the current management

situation.

• Reduce wildland ﬁre hazards around the main building complex and caretaker’s cabin at the

northwest end of the Historic District by watering and mowing lawns around the structures and

keeping dried grasses cut down approximately 75 feet beyond the lawn perimeter. Encroaching

juniper trees will be felled if within 75 feet of the historic or administrative buildings. T

rees will be

cut up for ﬁrewood and slash will be hand piled and burned during late fall.

• Reduce wildland ﬁre hazards around Benjamin Riddle House complex by clearing brush and

high grass in a 50-foot circle around the complex. A ﬁreline will be dug to mineral soil and will

be maintained on the perimeter of the cleared area. If reconstructed, Walter Riddle Cabin will be

protected in a similar manner.

• Consider and analyze in a NEPA document the installation of an underground lawn watering system

that will continue to provide ﬁre protection, improve visitor safety, and are more in character with the

historic structures and setting.

P – 45

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

• Develop a self-guided tour brochure that could be distributed at Burns DO, Riddle Brothers Ranch

National Historic District, and other appropriate outlets. No trail construction is necessary for the

tour. Historic structures, features and equipment will be identiﬁed in the ﬁeld by a number or letter

incised into the side of a low juniper post. The access road into and through the Historic District will

continue to be bladed once a year.

• Consider and analyze in a NEPA document the installation of a more permanent restroom that has an

appearance more in character with the historic structures than the existing portable toilets.

Other Cultural Resources:

• Use predictive modeling and inventories and locate signiﬁcant sites that may be in conﬂict with other

resource uses.

As funding allows, attempt to inventory 500 acres per year until Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSRs cultural resource inventories have been completed. High priority areas include

the headwaters of Big Indian and Little Indian Creeks and the entire Little Blitzen WSR corridors.

• Use inventory data, site evaluations, condition assessments, site management plans, and interpretation

in public education.

• Research signiﬁcant cultural sites in cooperation with universities, Burns Paiute Tribe, other tribes,

and other heritage partners in compliance with all laws, regulations, and other requirements.

• Utilize BLM law enforcement staff to monitor illegal collecting and excavation activities in Steens

Mountain

Wilderness and WSR corridors especially Little Blitzen River and Donner und Blitzen

WSRs.

• As needed, implement physical, administrative, and data recovery measures where needed to mitigate

effects in compliance with all laws regulations and other requirements.

• Monitor known cultural sites in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs after wildland ﬁre in order to

study ﬁre effects and to prevent post-ﬁre looting.

American Indian Traditional Practices

Current Management Situation

Prior to establishment of a Euro-American population, the areas now designated as Steens Mountain

ilderness and WSRs were used by Northern Paiute bands. Many of their descendants now live on the Burns

Paiute Reservation in Burns, Oregon; the Warm Springs Reservation in Warm Springs, Oregon; and the Fort

McDermitt Reservation in McDermitt, Nevada.

No speciﬁc American Indian traditional practice areas have been identiﬁed to BLM staff in Steens Mountain

Wilderness or WSRs. Evidence of prehistoric use of Steens Mountain is widespread and recent excavations

at the Mortar Riddle Site reveal the use of the Little Blitzen WSR as early as 7,900 years ago. According to

the Burns Paiute Tribal Cultural Resource Manager, traditional resource areas and spiritual locations are used

by tribal members and known tribal historic sites do exist in the Steens Mountain area. In addition, Steens

Mountain served as a hideout or refuge during and after the Bannock War of 1878. Some of the Burns Paiute

elders refer to Steens Mountain as “Old Man” and consider it a sacred site. Speciﬁc traditional practice site-

location information has not been released to BLM because the Burns Paiute Tribe is concerned about data

security.

Traditionally used resources in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs include a wide variety of plants

and

animals for food, as well as materials for making tools and shelter. Edible roots include biscuitroot,

bitterroot, camas, carrots, and onions. Available in the area are seeds of goosefoot, Indian rice grass, Great

Basin wildrye, and berries such as chokecherry, currants, and elderberry. Game animals include waterfowl,

trout, marmots, pronghorn antelope, and bighorn sheep, which are found in speciﬁc habitats in the Steens

Mountain area. Other game animals such as mule deer, waterfowl, Greater sage-grouse, rabbit, and ground

squirrel have more widespread distribution. Plants such as red osier dogwood and willows are found in

riparian settings, while grasses for basketry and food seeds are encountered in upland plant communities. The

wide bands of quaking aspen on the mid-slopes of Steens Mountain are sources of posts for hide working, and

mountain mahogany for bows and digging sticks grows on the rocky ridges at and above the juniper zone.

Basalt toolstone sources are found in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSR corridors.

P – 46

APPENDIX P

The BLM has signed agreements with Burns Paiute Tribe, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, and

Confederated Tribes of Umatilla. These memoranda have been established to formalize consultation and

cooperation that include Steens Mountain Wilderness and the WSRs. The Burns Paiute Tribe and other

tribes are consulted on various projects, especially those involving large-scale vegetation manipulation.

Coordination and consultation with American Indian tribes are documented.

Management Objectives

• To monitor and protect traditional sites, landforms, burial sites, resources, and other areas of interest

in consultation with the Burns Paiute

Tribe and other tribes.

Management Direction

• The BLM staff continues to consult/coordinate with Burns Paiute Tribe and other tribes to identify

and manage traditional practice areas in Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSRs. Traditional Cultural

Properties will be nominated. Burial sites, if discovered, will be monitored. Coordination and

consultation with American Indian tribes are documented.

• Integrate maintenance and protection of native subsistence species into vegetation management

activities.

• The BLM will identify plants of cultural, traditional, and economic importance during botanical

and cultural inventories, and will input information into the Freedom of Information Act-exempt

Geographical Information System (GIS) layer

• Monitor known traditional sites in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs after wildland ﬁre in order

to study ﬁre effects and to prevent post-ﬁre looting.

Visual Resources

Current Management Situation

The Federal Land and Policy Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976 requires BLM to consider effects of

management

actions on the visual quality of the landscape. The BLM uses Visual Resource Management

(VRM) classes, which are assigned site speciﬁcally through visual resource inventories. The VRM class

objectives range from Class I, which requires the preservation of the existing character of the landscape, to

Class IV, which provides for management activities that require major modiﬁcations to the landscape.

Class I is normally assigned to areas where a management decision has been made to preserve the natural

landscape

as in Congressionally-designated areas such as Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs with a

Wild river classiﬁcation. Class I provides for natural ecological changes; however, it does not preclude very

limited management activity. The level of change to the characteristic landscape should be very low and must

not attract attention.

Management Objectives

• To protect, maintain, enhance, or restore visual resource values by managing all BLM administered

lands in Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSR corridors in accordance with VRM Class I objectives.

Management Direction

• Steens Mountain Wilderness and all WSRs corridors are designated as VRM Class I, which requires

the preservation of the existing character of the landscape with very limited management activity.

• A Visual Contrast Rating Worksheet (BLM Form 8400-4) is used to assess visual changes from key

observation points before implementing any project that may af

fect visual resources.

P – 47

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Energy and Minerals

Current Management Situation

The BLM administered land within WSRs and Steens Mountain Wilderness is withdrawn by the Steens Act

from mineral exploration and development under terms of the WSRs Act and Wilderness Act. There are no

pre-designation claims, leases, or permits with grandfathered or valid existing rights in the WSRs or Steens

Mountain Wilderness.

Wild Horses

Current Management Situation

The South Steens Herd Management Area (HMA) is the only HMA that occurs in Steens Mountain Wilderness

and the Donner und Blitzen WSR Corridor. It extends on the west side of Donner und Blitzen River from

near Page Springs Campground south to private land. Due to legislated land exchanges in the Steens Act,

the HMA presently includes the part of the WSR that extends onto private land. The HMA is on the east side

of Donner und Blitzen River from a fenceline between Indian and Mud Creeks south onto private land, and

out to the east rim overlooking Wildhorse Valley. The HMA also includes the portion of Steens Mountain

Wilderness on North Catlow Rim. The current Appropriate Management Level (AML) range is 159 to 304

horses in this HMA with 3,648 animal unit months (AUMs) being allocated for this herd. Wild horses are not

considered an ORV for any of the WSR corridors.

As a result of a lawsuit in 1996, BLM was ordered to fence the WSR corridors to restrict livestock entry.

Fencing

was completed in 1997. Due to fencing along the west boundary of the Donner und Blitzen WSR,

South Steens wild horses were not able to access the river in as many areas as they did before 1997. Fencing

has also reduced access to that part of the HMA on the east side of Donner und Blitzen River. While this

portion of the HMA is probably not a yearlong use area for wild horses, recent surveys have found fewer

than 20 wild horses using the area. Much of this area was private land prior to legislated land exchanges and

many fences were constructed to control livestock, which may have also kept wild horses from using the

area. Recent fence building near Bradeen Crossing and Burnt Car has reduced access for livestock and wild

horses to the river and water. Reduced access to watering areas along the river systems puts more pressure on

upland waterholes and springs. Monitoring needs to be conducted to determine ways to distribute horse use

throughout the HMA to reduce overuse of spring areas.

Appropriate herd management activities include periodic census inventories and gathering of excess wild

horses, as well as potential herd management projects such as fencing or water developments.

BLM direction for wild horse gather procedures are stated in BLM Manual 8560.37.C.4: “Use of equipment.

- Use of motorized and mechanical equipment, including aircraft; use, maintenance and type of material, and

equipment

such as temporary corrals; and the location, frequency, and timing of such uses must be speciﬁed

in the HMAPs [Herd Management Area Plans] and wilderness plans. Such uses are allowed when no other

alternatives exist, they are the minimum to accomplish the task, and they are the least degrading to wilderness

values temporarily or permanently. Use of these facilities and equipment require State Director approval.”

Though the BLM Manual states use of motorized and mechanized equipment, location of horse gathering

facilities,

and timing of gathers are to be stated in wilderness plans, this can be done in only the most general

sense. Contract stipulations between BLM and horse gathering contractors do not allow for such speciﬁc

details of gathering operations until the contract has been awarded and the contractor reviews the gathering

area. Such details as time of gather, facilities to be used, and equipment needs are subject to change and

variation on each horse gathering operation and cannot be pre-planned in wilderness plans or HMAPs.

While ﬁnal gathering trap sites, temporary corral locations, and use of motorized and mechanized equipment

are

the decision of the horse gathering contractor, per contract speciﬁcations, the BLM works with the

contractor to help locate gathering operations areas which have been previously disturbed or have an existing

use on that site, such as roads or grazing operation facilities. This is especially the case for wild horse

P – 48

APPENDIX P

gathers which take place in wilderness. The BLM will attempt to keep gather sites and facility placement

out of wilderness areas when possible. If not possible and horse gathers need to take place in wilderness,

disturbance and facility and equipment use will be kept to the minimum possible. Disturbances and damage

which occur will be restored and rehabilitated in a timely manner.

Management Objectives

• To designate/retain/adjust the HMA.

• To designate/retain/adjust Herd Areas in inactive status.

• To maintain/adjust AMLs and yearlong forage allocations for the HMA.

• To maintain a thriving natural ecological balance within the HMA.

• To maintain/improve year-round water sources to sustain the wild horse herd.

Management Direction

• The South Steens HMA is reduced in acreage and its boundary changed to reﬂect legislated Steens

land exchanges.

• The South Steens Herd Area increased in size to reﬂect change in land ownership resulting from

legislated Steens land exchanges.

• Current AMLs and wild horse forage allocations are maintained in all HMAs. Permanent increases or

decreases in AML and forage allocations will be considered if monitoring data determine changes in

long-term forage availability.

• Wild horse numbers are managed through gathering, removal, and other approved methods of

population control. Initiation of gathering or other methods of population control will be based on

census data, herd health, rangeland health, and productivity as determined by rangeland monitoring

studies, climatic conditions, and occurrence of catastrophic events such as wildland ﬁre and drought.

Wild horse numbers are normally reduced to the low end of AML range when gatherings are

conducted. An MRDG will be completed as part of this process.

• Perimeter fences will be maintained and any wild horses that stray outside HMA boundaries will

be removed or returned to the HMA. Gates in interior pasture division fences will be managed to

maximize horse access to the HMA.

• Management may maintain water sources critical to wild horses; develop additional water sources

to improve animal distribution and provide more stable water sources during periods of drought if

needed to protect wilderness resources and wilderness values; and seek cooperative management

agreements for access to or acquire legal access to private water sources critical to wild horses.

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern

Current Management Situation

There are ﬁve existing RNA/ACECs and one newly designated RNA/ACEC that fall almost entirely within

Steens

Mountain Wilderness and portions of the WSR corridors. All portions of the RNA/ACECs falling

within Steens Mountain Wilderness are exclusion areas for new ROWs and energy or mineral activities. The

RNA/ACECs in wilderness provide for protection and study of ecological processes. Key elements in these

areas are monitored for effects to the system from outside inﬂuences, such as recreation or grazing. Protection

of these sensitive areas contributes to the naturalness of Steens Mountain Wilderness and understanding of

natural processes. Below are a brief description and a summary of the management prescriptions for each

RNA/ACEC.

East Kiger Plateau RNA/ACEC: At 1,216 acres, this RNA/ACEC is almost entirely within wilderness.

This area was designated for protection of unique plant communities. There are no roads in this RNA/ACEC

and the area is designated as closed to motorized and mechanized vehicle use. Collection of plant materials

is allowed by permit only. In the portion of the RNA/ACEC that falls within High Steens WSA, new ROWs

or other realty use authorizations will be avoided unless the activity is compatible with the purpose for

which the area was designated. All but 40 acres of the RNA/ACEC is open to livestock grazing; however,

topography limits access to the RNA/ACEC for most livestock.

P – 49

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Little Blitzen RNA/ACEC: At 2,255 acres, this RNA/ACEC is located entirely within wilderness and

includes a portion of Little Blitzen River WSR. Steens Loop Road borders the RNA/ACEC on the south and

east. There are no roads in the RNA/ACEC. This RNA/ACEC was designated for protection of unique plant

communities and is located within the No Livestock Grazing Area. Collection of plant materials is allowed

by permit only.

Little Wildhorse Lake RNA/ACEC: At 241 acres, this RNA/ACEC is located entirely within Steens

Mountain Wilderness and includes a portion of Little Wildhorse Creek WSR. There are no roads in the RNA/

ACEC. This RNA/ACEC was designated for protection of unique plant communities and is located within

the No Livestock Grazing Area. Collection of plant materials is allowed by permit only.

Rooster Comb RNA/ACEC: At

683 acres, this RNA/ACEC is located entirely within wilderness and

includes a portion of Little Blitzen River WSR. There are no roads in the RNA/ACEC. This RNA/ACEC was

designated for protection of unique plant communities and is located within the No Livestock Grazing Area.

Collection of plant materials is allowed by permit only. Overnight camping is allowed in historically used

areas when consistent with the purpose of the RNA/ACEC and protection of wilderness resources.

South Fork Willow Creek RNA/ACEC: At

186 acres, this RNA/ACEC is located entirely within Steens

Mountain Wilderness. There are no roads in the RNA/ACEC. This RNA/ACEC was designated for protection

of unique plant communities and is located within the No Livestock Grazing Area. Collection of plant

materials is allowed by permit only.

Big Alvord Creek RNA/ACEC: At

1,676 acres, this newly designated RNA/ACEC is located entirely within

Steens Mountain Wilderness. There are no roads in this RNA/ACEC. This RNA/ACEC was designated for

protection of unique plant communities and is located within the No Livestock Grazing Area. Collection of

plant materials is allowed by permit only.

Management Objectives

• Maintain or improve the natural condition of unique plant communities or associations for which the

RNAs/ACECs were designated.

• Retain and manage existing ACECs if they meet relevance and importance criteria and require special

management or protection.

• Designate and manage new ACECs meeting relevance and importance criteria and need special

management or protection.

• Encourage research and education opportunities within the RNA/ACECs that do not degrade natural

ecological processes or conditions.

Management Direction

• Retain the designation for ﬁve existing RNA/ACECs and designate one new RNA/ACEC located

within Steens Mountain

Wilderness. The ACEC designations for two previously existing ACECs

(Steens Mountain ACEC and Alvord Peak ACEC) are revoked.

• Continue to monitor RNA/ACEC conditions and take actions as necessary should any resource

concerns be identiﬁed.

P – 50

APPENDIX P

Permitted Use Elements for Steens Mountain Wilderness and

WSRs

This section addresses permitted nonconforming uses in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs and those

roads bounded by wilderness, but not considered part of wilderness.

Roads

Current Management Situation

There are approximately 53 miles of roads in Steens Mountain Wilderness and 7.3 miles of roads in the WSR

corridors

that were closed to all forms of motorized and mechanized use by the Steens Act (Table 12 and Map

W2). There are approximately 49 miles of road open to the public and bound on both sides by wilderness.

Steens Loop Road is the main arterial road providing access from Highway 205 at Frenchglen to the summit

Steens Mountain. Most of this road is maintained as a high-standard gravel road. Approximately 18 miles

are bound on both sides by wilderness and approximately 2.75 miles run through WSR corridors. There is

also an existing concrete bridge where the South Steens Loop Road crosses the Donner und Blitzen WSR.

Portions of Steens Loop Road are typically open May through November and closed during winter months

due to weather conditions, except for winter recreation permit holders. Steens Loop Road is also open to

landowners accessing their private lands during periods when damage will not result to it or other roads in

the area. Approximately 7.5 miles of roads running through WSR corridors are still open to the public (Table

12 and Map W2).

There are approximately 51 miles of routes in wilderness as well as 7.3 miles of routes in the WSR corridors

classiﬁed

as Service/Permit Use Routes and private property access routes. These routes may still be used

by livestock operators to administer their BLM grazing permits and by private landowners to access their

inholdings (Table 12 and Map W2). These routes may occasionally be used by BLM staff for administrative

purposes, principally for emergency purposes. These routes are not open for use by the public. Grazing

operators and private landowners must have individual authorizations describing the type of access allowed

within Steens Mountain Wilderness. The various route management categories describing route uses are

deﬁned in the Transportation Section and Appendix M of the CMPA RMP.

Management Objectives

• Maintain existing public, private, and permittee routes and other related infrastructure provided for by

Section 1

12 of the Steens Act in a manner that minimizes effects to wilderness resources.

• Manage routes within Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSR corridors consistent with identiﬁed

Route Management Categories and Maintenance Levels in the Transportation Section of the CMPA

RMP.

Table 12: Summary of Road Categories and Mileage

Road Category Miles

Roads closed to motorized vehicles and mechanized transport in Steens Mountain Wilderness 53

Roads closed to motorized vehicles and mechanized transport in WSRs 7.3

Roads bound on both sides by Steens Mountain Wilderness and open to motorized vehicles and mechanized

transport

Roads in WSR Corridors open to motorized vehicles and mechanized transport 7.5

Service/Permit Use Routes and private property access routes in Steens Mountain Wilderness* 53.7

Service/Permit Use Routes and private property access routes in WSRs* 7.3

*Pending site-speciﬁc NEPA decisions. Permit use may be rescinded if private property is acquired by the BLM.

P – 51

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Management Direction

• Maintain the Steens Loop Road and other approved routes at their assigned condition and

maintenance standards as described in the Transportation Section of the CMPA RMP.

• Close two roads identiﬁed by the CMPA RMP for protection of wilderness and WSR characteristics.

These roads lead to Steens Mountain Wilderness and the WSR corridor boundary along the South

Fork Donner und Blitzen River (Maps W2 and W3).

Grazing

Current Management Situation

Steens Mountain Wilderness: The Steens

Act, Section 202 (d)(1), states, “Except as provided in section

113(e)(2), grazing of livestock shall be administered in accordance with the provision of section 4(d)(4) of the

Wilderness Act…, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and in accordance with the guidelines set forth

in Appendix A and B of House Report 101-405 of the 101

Congress.” Within Steens Mountain Wilderness

94,959 acres of BLM administered lands fall within the No Livestock Grazing Area. The remaining acres

continue to be open to livestock grazing. There are 13 grazing allotments in Steens Mountain Wilderness.

The three allotments containing the most wilderness are Alvord Peak with 16,812 acres, South Steens with

16,497 acres, and Serrano Point with 11,020 acres. See Table 13 for a summary of existing allotments within

Steens Mountain Wilderness.

Infrastructure associated with grazing management will continue to be visible, including but not limited to

fencing, cattleguards, pipelines, reservoirs, waterholes, and spring developments.

Wild and Scenic River Corridors: The majority

of BLM administered lands in the designated WSR

corridors falls within the No Livestock Grazing Area or developed recreation site exclosures. The remaining

BLM lands outside the No Livestock Grazing Area are two small parcels including 89 acres in the uplands

of Fish Creek and 67 acres in the uplands of the South Fork Donner und Blitzen River. Some grazing may

continue within the WSR corridors, but not generally in the active riparian zones.

Table 13: Summary of Grazing Allotments in Steens Mountain Wilderness

Allotment Acres of Allotment in Steens Percent of Allotment in Steens Mountain

Mountain Wilderness Wilderness

Alvord 5121 2

Alvord Peak 16812 69

Carlson Creek 8701 98

Chimney 373 3

East Ridge 474 9

Frazier Field 8732 43

Hardie Summer 40 2

Mann Lake 1145 3

Mann Lake FFR 814 50

Roaring Springs FFR 4794 75

Scharff FFR 40 15

Serrano Point 11020 79

South Steens 16497 19

Total

74563

P – 52

APPENDIX P

Management Objectives

• Provide for a sustained level of livestock grazing where allowed in Steens Mountain Wilderness,

while meeting Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management

for Public Lands in Oregon and Washington (S&Gs) as described in the CMPA RMP.

• Implement administrative solutions and rangeland projects to provide proper management for

livestock grazing while meeting resource objectives and requirements for S&Gs.

Management Direction

• Within the wilderness area open to grazing, management actions will provide for sustainable

livestock grazing in Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSRs that meets allotment management

(natural resource) objectives and the S&Gs. Revision of Allotment Management Plans (AMPs) is

based on evaluations and rangeland health assessments, which determine allowable AUMs and plant

community management.

• Interim and long-term grazing management and stocking levels are adjusted in accordance with

results of monitoring studies, allotment evaluations, and rangeland health assessments. Accepted

livestock management practices (e.g. adjustment of the timing, duration, and frequency of grazing,

or periodic rest or deferment) will be implemented.

These will be supplemented by administrative

actions (e.g. season of use changes, stocking level adjustments, exclusionary pastures) or rangeland

projects to accomplish natural resource management objectives.

• Existing grazing management projects will be maintained if they continue to support livestock

grazing. Projects not functioning to support grazing, wildlife, or wild horses will be abandoned and

the sites rehabilitated (e.g., removal of fencing in the No Livestock Grazing Area).

• Unless speciﬁcally needed as a vegetation management tool, the utilization level as measured at

the end of the growing season will not exceed 50 percent on native, herbaceous forage plants on a

pasture-average basis.

• No livestock grazing will occur on public lands within the Congressionally designated No Livestock

Grazing Area.

Private Land Inholdings

Current Management Situation

Neither the Steens Act, Wilderness Act, nor the WSRs Act provide Federal land management agencies with

authority

to regulate private land. The Steens Act did address providing reasonable access to private land

inholdings surrounded by wilderness, which is described in more detail in the roads section above. There

are approximately 4,668 acres of private and State lands within Steens Mountain Wilderness. There are

approximately 4,022 acres of private land within WSR corridors, most of which is within the Fish Creek and

Ankle Creek WSR segments.

Management Objectives

• Encourage a cooperative working relationship between BLM and private landowners within Steens

Mountain Wilderness and WSR corridors.

• Provide reasonable access to private inholdings while minimizing impacts to wilderness

characteristics.

Management Direction

• Pursue cooperative agreements or projects with willing landowners that help protect or improve

wilderness resources or OR

Vs in WSR corridors.

• Pursue cooperative agreements, projects, or land tenure adjustments with willing landowners.

P – 53

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND

WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS MONITORING

PLAN

Monitoring Strategy

Section 111(c) of the Steens Act requires implementation of a monitoring program for public lands in the

CMPA including Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs.

Monitoring data for use by BLM is usually collected only by BLM personnel or contractors, except where

speciﬁc

agreements are in place to allow permittees, scientiﬁc and research institutions, or volunteers to

collect data. All data must be collected under standards established by BLM, and are subject to constraints

speciﬁc to each resource being monitored. Frequency of monitoring is dependent on workforce and budget.

Visitor Use Monitoring

Goals

1. To establish and maintain a wilderness recreational effects monitoring system, including gathering

baseline data that will assist with future planning by monitoring seven indicators: campsite condition,

campsite density, perception of solitude, trail condition, length of visitor stay, recreational stock use,

and motor vehicle and mechanical transport intrusions.

2. To evaluate current condition of the resource in relation to management objectives in order to identify

any problems.

3. To recognize trends and evaluate effectiveness of management programs in relation to wilderness use.

Objectives

1. To locate, inventory, and document wilderness campsites.

2. To document the condition of wilderness campsites.

3. To evaluate campsite density per management area.

4. To evaluate wilderness solitude by the closeness of wilderness campsites to each other and by

monitoring the number of inter-party wilderness encounters.

5. To determine average length of visitor stay in the wilderness.

6. To establish effects, or lack thereof, of recreational stock use on each backcountry campsite.

7. To evaluate change in trail width and depth and analyze and document multiple trailing on established

wilderness trails and campsite social trails.

8. To monitor effects of winter recreation within Steens Mountain Wilderness.

9. To monitor for unauthorized motor vehicle and mechanical transport intrusions into Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSRs.

Procedures

1. Campsites in Big Indian Gorge, Kiger Gorge, Little Blitzen Gorge, Wildhorse and Little Wildhorse

Canyons, Little Indian Gorge, Pike Creek Canyon, Cold Springs Canyon, Mud and Ankle Creeks and

Donner und Blitzen River will be monitored. Each campsite will be assigned a rating of minimum,

moderate, high or extreme impact according to the Campsite Monitoring Form (OR020-8560-01)

(Attachment 3). Camps will be plotted on maps. The wilderness will continue to be surveyed for

additional campsites. The exception is at Wildhorse Lake where camping is only allowed at two

established and designated campsites. Any sign of other campsites within Wildhorse Lake basin will

be reported, dismantled and naturalized immediately. Also, any sign of campsites at Little Wildhorse

Lake will be eliminated.

P – 54

APPENDIX P

2. Recreational stock use and effects on campsites will be recorded on the Campsite Monitoring Form.

3. Parties found camping within sight or sound of each other will be documented on an Occupied

Campsite Form (OR020-8560-03) (Attachment 4) to evaluate degree of wilderness crowding. Trail

data.

4. Inter-party wilderness encounters, on and off trail, will be documented and monitored on the

Encounters Form (OR020-8560-04) (Attachment 6) to evaluate degree of wilderness crowding and

opportunities for solitude. Comments made by visitors on the Trailhead Register pages will be used

in conjunction with compiled ranger data.

5. Trail counter data will be used in conjunction with completed Trail Register pages and ranger ﬁeld

observations to determine wilderness recreation use numbers.

6. Average length of visitor stay will be determined by tallying information from Trailhead Registers

at Big Indian, Little Blitzen, Kiger Gorge, Wildhorse Lake, Pike Creek, and the Donner und Blitzen

River.

7. Trail width and depth and multiple trailing will be monitored on established wilderness trails and

will be recorded on the Trail Monitoring Form (OR020-8560-02) (Attachment 7). Established trails

include Big Indian, Little Blitzen, Wildhorse Lake, Pike Creek, Mud/Ankle Creek, and Donner und

Blitzen River. A random number table was used to determine the points where the trail monitoring

will be done. The numbers 1, 2, 4, and 7 were chosen from the random number table to reﬂect the

approximate mile points where the trail monitoring will occur. At these points, a Global Positioning

System (GPS) reading will be taken and monitoring conducted at these points. An exception is the

Donner und Blitzen River trail where the trail is not seven miles long so only miles 1, 2 and 4 will

be used. Pike Creek trail is less than four miles long, so miles 1 and 2 will be used. On the Wildhorse

Lake trail, the monitoring will be done along the steep upper slope and on the lower, ﬂat meadow

area.

8. Winter Recreation Monitoring Form (OR020-8560-06) (Attachment 8) will be completed by BLM

personnel after each monitoring trip into the winter recreation area. Monitoring will include user

activity and will also document any intrusions into the wilderness or WSA, which will be noted as

violations. The winter recreation area is deﬁned as the snowline on North Steens Loop Road to Kiger

Gorge Overlook.

9. A winter recreation registration box will be installed along North Steens Loop Road upon closure

of the road for the winter season to estimate use of walk up visitors not wishing to get a winter

use permit. Data will be used in conjunction with ranger ﬁeld observations to evaluate degree of

wilderness crowding and opportunities for solitude. This box will be retrieved when the Page Springs

gate is opened.

10. Unauthorized Motor Vehicle and Mechanical Transport Intrusions Monitoring Form (OR020-8560-

07)(Attachment 9) will be completed by BLM personnel after unauthorized motor vehicle and

mechanized transport use and intrusion into Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs are observed.

Such monitoring will be yearlong, including winter months. Monitoring will include user activity

and documentation of unauthorized vehicle and mechanical transport intrusions into wilderness.

The category of motor vehicle and mechanical transport includes, but is not limited to, OHVs,

snowmobiles, bicycles, ultra-light aircraft, and hang gliders.

Frequency

1. Campsite inventories will be completed twice during the season, using the Campsite Monitoring

Form.

2. Big Indian, Little Blitzen, Pike Creek, Donner und Blitzen River, Wildhorse Canyons, Cold Springs,

Little Indian, Little Wildhorse, and Kiger Canyons and Mud and Ankle Creeks will be monitored

twice – once in early summer and once in early fall. Other locations may be added if deemed

necessary.

3. Recreational stock use and effects will be monitored twice a year with the regular campsite inventory.

4. The Occupied Campsite Form will be ﬁlled out whenever anyone camping in wilderness is

encountered, including monitoring personnel.

5. The Encounters Form will be ﬁlled out for every day spent in wilderness, regardless of whether

someone is encountered or not.

6. Trail Register pages will be collected when a page becomes full, or nearly full, to prevent pages from

being stolen or defaced. This includes the winter registration box.

P – 55

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

7. Calibration of trail counters and observations by rangers of visitor trailhead-registration boxes will be

done to achieve better wilderness use numbers. Trail counter calibration will be done once a month

by either physically observing the number of people crossing over the counter or by BLM personnel

walking over the counter a number of times and verifying the number of crosses with the counter.

Registration boxes will be observed for a minimum of four hours a day twice a month to help

determine visitor registration rates. In both cases, calibration will be done with the ranger out of view

of visitors.

8. Established GPS points on trails will be monitored at the beginning and end of every summer season.

9. Winter recreation use will be monitored on North Steens Loop Road to Kiger Overlook as snow

conditions and personnel availability allow and preferably twice a month. Cold Springs and Dingle

Creek Roads will be monitored if use by snowmobiles is observed.

10. Monitoring of unauthorized motorized vehicle and mechanical transport use intrusions into

wilderness will occur whenever such intrusions are observed. Also, a strategy will be developed for

increased patrolling if intrusions increase.

Files

Completed forms, photographs, and maps will be kept in a ﬁle in the Burns DO. In addition, a wilderness

database will be created for ease of organization and retrieval of monitoring information. Data collected will

be summarized annually and compiled into a yearly monitoring report.

Steens Mountain Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers

Monitoring Indicators and Forms

Indicator 1: Campsite Condition

• Monitor using the Campsite Monitoring Form (OR020-8560-01)

• Monitor twice a year - once in early summer and again in early fall.

• Take photos of each campsite at beginning of summer season to measure off-season recovery rate and

again in early fall to measure summer usage.

• Campsite condition is deﬁned as human or recreational stock-caused change in the site and is

measured by comparison with an adjacent plot of land.

• Make notation to campsite monitoring form of any “natural” event or occurrence, which effects or

alters the campsite area or condition. Such an instance would not be due to human use or visitor

activities and will be ‘noted’ on the monitoring form but not ‘rated’.

• Maintain a permanent ﬁle for each campsite containing an updated Campsite Monitoring Form,

photos and a detailed map of the campsite.

• Attention should be paid to changes in rating.

• Document ratings and map campsites on a large campsite inventory map. Symbols should go next

to campsite number. Place a symbol next to the corresponding campsite number each year to easily

indicate change in status. Symbols are as follows:

Red circle: minimum impact

Blue triangle: moderate impact

Green square: heavy impact

Yellow star: extreme impact

Black rectangle: campsite has been naturalized and is being monitored

Indicator 2: Campsite Density

• Monitor density using the Campsite Monitoring Form as a guideline.

• Measure per each management area, Gorges or Uplands.

• A campsite is deﬁned as an area of human ﬂattened vegetation where it can be inferred that at least

one person camped or spent a considerable amount of time.

• A campsite does not need to have a ﬁre ring, structures, etc., in order to be labeled a campsite.

P – 56

APPENDIX P

• All campsites found within the wilderness boundary will be inventoried, inspected, documented,

labeled, and mapped on 7.5 minute series quadrangle maps.

• When a campsite has been rehabilitated by natural or human means and has been monitored for a

period of three summer seasons without further use, it can be taken out of the system.

• If an area was rehabilitated, then camped in again, the campsite will be put back in the system.

• As new campsites are found, they will be inventoried, documented, and added to the campsite map.

• Once a year, preferably at end of the summer season, the number of campsites per management area

will be counted and analyzed by monitoring personnel. Special attention will be given to the number

of new campsites located and any change in campsite rating.

Indicator 3: Perception of Solitude

Number of other parties camped within sight or continuous sound per canyon or Management Area (not

including car camping on or near wilderness boundaries).

• Monitor using the Occupied Campsite Form (OR020-8560-03) and Trail Register (OR020-8560-05)

pages.

• Campsites within sight or sound of each other are deﬁned as two or more campsites situated 100

yards or less from each other.

• Monitor whenever an occupied campsite is seen, including that of monitoring personnel, within the

wilderness boundary. This does not include car camping on wilderness boundaries or along roads

bounded by wilderness.

• Document also if no campsites are seen within sight or sound of a particular camp.

• If the same group previously monitored is seen on a different day, document it again as a new entry.

• Record a given camp only once a day.

• Visitor comments (e.g., “I camped next to a party of eight on Tuesday.”) can be used as reliable

monitoring information if their entire trip can be documented. This includes dates, camp locations,

and the number of occupied campsites within sight or sound every night of their trip.

• Rangers should not go out of their way to camp near someone.

• Completed forms will be ﬁled and an analysis completed at the end of each summer season.

Number of wilderness encounters per day on or off trail, per canyon or Management Area.

• Monitor using the Encounter Form (OR020-8560-04).

• An encounter is deﬁned as a situation within the wilderness boundary when two or more separate

parties pass each other

, talk to each other, or are close enough to hear each other. This includes all

areas except campgrounds.

• Monitor number of encounters every day spent in wilderness, along with speciﬁc location and party

size. If no one is encountered on a given day

, this too should be documented.

• Visitor comments (e.g., “There were six people at the headwall of the gorge yesterday.”) can be used

as reliable monitoring information if their whole trip can be documented. This includes dates, camp

locations and the number of encounters during their trip.

• Completed forms will be ﬁled and analysis completed at the end of each summer season.

Indicator 4: Trail Conditions

• Monitor trail width, trail depth, and multiple trailing of established wilderness and campsite social

trails using the Trail Monitoring Form (OR020-8560-02).

• Established wilderness trails include Little Blitzen, Big Indian, Donner und Blitzen River, Pike

Creek, and Wildhorse Lake. The Mud/Ankle Creek trail will be monitored if and when single track

trail conditions exist.

• Monitor campsite social trails and map them on the Campsite Monitoring Form (OR020-8560-01).

• For established wilderness trails, use established GPS points along each trail to be monitored and

continue to use these same points every year.

• Monitor condition of established trails twice a year, once at the beginning of the summer season and

once at the end.

P – 57

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

• Monitor any newly discovered or created established trails similarly.

• Make notation to Trail Monitoring Form of any “natural” event or occurrence which affects or alters

the trail or its condition. Such an instance would not be due to human use or visitor activities and

will be noted on the monitoring form but not rated.

Indicator 5: Length-of-Stay

• Assess length-of-stay primarily by retrieval of visitor Trail Register pages, as well as information

gathered from wilderness ranger visitor contacts.

• Place visitor registration books at the following trailheads: Big Indian, Little Blitzen, Donner und

Blitzen River, Kiger, Pike Creek, South Steens equestrian campground, Mud/Ankle Creek, and

Wildhorse Lake.

• Post a sign at each trailhead explaining why it is important to sign in.

• Analyze information annually.

Indicator 6: Recreational Stock Use

• Record recreational stock use in the recreational stock section of the Campsite Monitoring Form

(OR020-8560-01).

• Recreational stock effects that will be assessed include tree root exposure due to stock, tree girdling,

and evidence of stock by presence of feed and manure.

• Analyze the relationship between frequent recreational stock use and campsite impact ratings

annually.

• Evidence of cows, speciﬁcally manure, is not to be used as evidence of recreational stock within the

campsite.

Indicator 7: Unauthorized Motor Vehicle and Mechanical Transport

Intrusions

• Monitor unauthorized motorized vehicle and mechanical transport intrusions into wilderness on the

Unauthorized Motor Vehicle and Mechanical Transport Intrusions Monitoring Form (OR020-8560-

07).

• Intrusions into wilderness which have not been authorized, including use of closed roads by any

type of motor vehicle and mechanical transport, including but not limited to, OHVs, snowmobiles,

bicycles, ultra-light aircraft, and hang gliders will be assessed.

• Monitoring will occur year-round, including winter months, and will be increased in areas where

unauthorized intrusions are observed.

• Analyze the need to restrict or discontinue motorized vehicle and mechanical transport use in certain

areas based on the number of unauthorized motor vehicle and mechanical transport intrusions into

wilderness over an established time period.

Natural and Cultural Resource Elements Monitoring

Air Quality

The Fuel Analysis, Smoke Tracking, and Report Access Computer System (an emissions information

system) is used in Oregon to quantify prescribed ﬁre emissions and track changes in emissions and emission

production in the State. An air-monitoring network has been developed for Oregon that is used to determine

whether national ambient air quality standards are met. However, no monitors are located within the CMPA.

Steens Mountain Wilderness and the WSRs are designated as Class II.

P – 58

APPENDIX P

Water Resources

Water Quality: Water temperatures along perennial streams in Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs are

periodically measured with continuous recording devices to monitor long-term maintenance or restoration

of water quality. Riparian vegetation, as discussed under the vegetation section, may be monitored as a

surrogate measure of water quality and serves as short-term and intermediate monitoring of maintenance

and restoration. Monitoring of project speciﬁc management or restoration activities will be developed and

implemented through the respective activity planning process.

Water Quantity: Water developments in Steens Mountain Wilderness will be inventoried, mapped,

photographed, and evaluated for beneﬁcial use and maintenance or reclamation/restoration needs.

Soils and Biological Soil Crusts

Monitoring studies within the CMPA focus on presence/absence and cover, and may be established and read

by either the range conservationist for the allotment, a Burns District biologist, or may have an entire BLM

Interdisciplinary Team (ID Team) present. Provisions for these monitoring efforts are included in the soils

and biological soil crust sections of the RMP. The RMP provides for monitoring of the indicators of rangeland

health, including biological soil crusts. The BLM uses data resulting from this monitoring to inform decisions

regarding management of grazing and other resource uses.

Vegetation

No Livestock Grazing Area: Photo points are taken at key locations approximately every ﬁve years or as

funding allows to evaluate the trend of each site. Additional studies may occur as funding allows.

Special Status Species: For a list of Special Status plant species see Attachment 2.

BLM Sensitive Species: Transects are established and read in habitats to determine the trend of individual

plants or populations. Transects are read every one or two years. The number of transects varies with the

number of species on the BLM Sensitive plant species list.

BLM Assessment and Tracking Species: Ocular reconnaissance monitoring of each species occurs every

ﬁve to ten years. Populations are checked for presence/absence, numbers, and if there are any visible threats

to plants or habitat.

Riparian: Photo point monitoring is used to monitor general condition and trend of riparian vegetation.

Riparian vegetation community composition and relative abundance are monitored at selected sites to

evaluate maintenance or improvement at the reach or area scale using standard methodologies. Additional

monitoring, depending on site- speciﬁc issues or concerns, may include qualitative or quantitative measures

of bank stability/disturbance, channel cross section proﬁles, and riparian canopy cover/shade.

Noxious Weeds

Noxious weed monitoring consists of annual surveys of high probability areas for weed introduction,

identiﬁcation of new weed introductions, and other inventories to determine the density and distribution of

existing weed populations.

Fish

Fish habitat is monitored primarily in connection with assessment of water quality, riparian vegetation

condition, and management. Additionally, BLM, independently or in coordination with ODFW or USFWS,

periodically assesses ﬁsh and aquatic habitat using established inventory and monitoring protocols.

Management and monitoring of ﬁsh population and distribution are under jurisdiction of ODFW or USFWS;

P – 59

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

BLM coordinates and cooperates with these agencies relative to ﬁsheries management and monitoring in

wilderness and WSRs.

Wildlife

Monitoring of wildlife habitat occurs as described in the monitoring sections for Riparian and Wetlands and

Rangelands in the CMPA RMP. Other methods include shrub utilization transects to determine amount of

livestock use on shrubs used mainly by big game species. Monitoring also includes use of ODFW survey data

on locations and numbers for various wildlife species, allowing for evaluation of the adequacy of wildlife

forage allocations.

Paleontological Resources

Monitoring entails measurement, description, and photo documentation of disturbed areas within localities

and recording evidence of illegal collection and excavation. These data serve as baseline information to

compare to subsequent monitoring visits. All localities within Steens Mountain Wilderness are monitored

once every ﬁve years.

Cultural Resources

Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District: The Benjamin Riddle House and associated structures

are visited annually to assess maintenance needs. The caretaker reports historic structure/feature maintenance

needs to the Burns DO cultural resources staff. The caretaker monitors visitor use and acts as a deterrent to

illegal theft of historic and prehistoric artifacts.

Other Cultural Resources: National

livestock grazing are monitored at least once every ﬁve years. Sites susceptible to illegal looting or excavation

are monitored every year. Other National Register eligible sites will be monitored once every ten years.

Monitoring entails measurement, description, and photo documentation of disturbed areas within sites and

recording

evidence of looting and illegal excavation. These data will serve as baseline information to compare

to subsequent monitoring visits.

American Indian Traditional Practices

A monitoring plan of identiﬁed traditional practice sites will be developed in order to determine condition,

adverse effects, deterioration, and use of such sites. Procedures will be developed to track consultation

and to document all written, telephone, electronic, and in-person communications with yearly review for

adequacy.

Visual Resources

The visual contrast rating system described in BLM Manual Handbook H-8431-1 is used when assessing

proposals for projects in wilderness and WSRs. No other monitoring is planned.

Energy and Minerals

No locatable or leasable mineral exploration or development proposals are authorized in Steens Mountain

Wilderness and WSRs; therefore, no monitoring of locatable or leasable minerals is required or necessary.

Monitoring for saleable minerals exploration and development is designed to provide compliance with

applicable

laws, regulations, policy, and site-speciﬁc plans. In addition, monitoring helps provide compatibility

with other resource management objectives, other resource uses, and protection of public lands.

P – 60

APPENDIX P

Saleable Minerals

Inspections of saleable minerals operations are conducted primarily to determine compliance with 43

CFR 3600 regulations and site-speciﬁc plans. Where mineral production occurs, inspections show an

accurate accounting of materials removed; proper compensation to the Federal government; protection of

the environment, public health, and safety; and identiﬁcation and resolution of saleable mineral trespass.

Activities in sensitive areas or areas with a high potential for greater than usual effects are inspected more

frequently in accordance with BLM policy.

Wild Horses

Wild horses and their habitat are monitored to determine need for and timing of gathers, which animals to

remove, and whether or not to maintain or adjust AMLs. Habitat monitoring includes collecting climatic

data, conducting vegetation utilization studies, recording actual use by horses and livestock, and determining

vegetation condition, trend, and areas of use by livestock and horses. Animal monitoring includes periodic

horse counts, determination of horse locations and seasonal movements/use areas, annual reproduction rates,

herd age structure, sex ratios, physical traits (size, color, weight, unique markings), and establishment and

reassessment of herd baseline genomes.

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern

Monitoring of RNA/ACECs is designed to measure uses and activities on relevant and important values

associated with an RNA/ACEC. Monitoring is divided into two categories - visual observations and trend

indicators. Baseline sampling has been established in some RNA/ACECs to document trends and conditions

of relevant and important values. If visual monitoring indicates a potential problem, permanent plots could be

established to identify potential causes and provide information for necessary changes in management.

Permitted Uses

Roads

Monitoring will occur on Service/Permit Use Routes to ensure they do not become more developed than they

were at the time of wilderness designation. They will also be signed indicating the routes are closed to public

motorized access and open only to livestock operators and private landowners under special authorization

or for administrative use by BLM. Wilderness satisfaction information gathered will help determine effects

to visitors from motorized activity. Other closed routes (those closed to all motorized and mechanized

activity) will also be signed and monitored to discourage use by motorized vehicles or mechanical transport.

Where needed, physical barriers will be used to close routes and monitored for effectiveness. Open roads

will be monitored for maintenance needs. Service/Permit Routes may also be repaired as needed to provide

reasonable motorized use. Photographs documenting route conditions at multiple locations will be used

to determine if motorized routes within Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs are staying at a desired

condition. Stream crossings will be monitored for effects to riparian vegetation, wildlife mortality along

routes will be documented, and noxious weed sightings will be reported for treatment.

Grazing

Monitoring of livestock grazing in Steens Mountain Wilderness includes recording actual use and

measurements of forage utilization, climate, and trend. These monitoring data are utilized to determine the

attainment of the ﬁve standards of rangeland health. Trend in rangeland condition is monitored to provide

data for periodic evaluation to determine effectiveness of current grazing management practices in attaining

resource objectives.

Private Land Inholdings

No monitoring of private land will occur other than the monitoring of access routes into such inholdings

across BLM administered lands.

P – 61

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

P – 62

APPENDIX P

Bibliography

Bailey, R.M. and C.E. Bond. 1963. Four Species of Freshwater Sculpins, Genus Cottus, From Western North America.

Occasional Paper of the Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan. 634:1-27.

Behnke, R.J. 1992. Native Trout of Western North America. American Fisheries Society Symposium 17. Bethesda, Maryland.

Belnap. 2003. http://www.soilcrust.org/ and http://www.soilcrust.org/crust101.htm . USGS Canyonlands Field Station,

Southwest Biological Science Center, 2290 SW Resource Blvd., Moab, UT 84532 (435)719-2331.

Bond, C.E. 1974. Fishes. Endangered Plants and Animals of Oregon: 1. Special Report No. 205. Oregon State University

Agricultural Experiment Station. Corvallis, Oregon.

Evans, R. D. And J. R. Johansen. 1999. Microbiotic Crusts and Ecosystem Processes. Critical Reviews in Plant Science.

18(2):183-225.

Federal Register. 2000. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding for a Petition to List the Great

Basin Redband Trout as Threatened or Endangered. Volume 65, Number 54. March 20, 2000.

Gamperl, K.C. and K. Rodnick. 2003. Metabolic and Thermal Physiology of Eastern Oregon Redband Trout:

Recommendations for Appropriate Numeric Temperature Criteria. Final Report for Oregon Department of Environmental

Quality.

Hall, F.C. 2001. Ground-based Photographic Monitoring. General Technical Report. PNW-GTR503. Portland, OR; U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Paciﬁc Northwest Research Station. 340p.

Hilty, J.H., J.D.Eldridge, R. Rosentreter, M.C. Wicklow-Howard, and M. Pellant. 2004. Recovery of Biological Soil Crusts

Following Wildﬁre in Idaho, USA. Journal of Range Management 57:89-96.

Johnson, D., D. Richard Lycan, J. Sweet, M. Heuhaus, and A. Schaedel. 1985. Atlas of Oregon Lakes. Oregon State

University Press, Corvallis, Oregon.

Kunkel, C.M. 1976. Biology and Production of the Redband Trout in Four Southeastern Oregon Streams. Master’s Thesis,

Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.

Li, H.W., G.A. Lamberti, T. Pearsons, C.Tait, J. Li, and J. Buckhouse. 1994. Cumulative Effects of Riparian Distribution

along High Desert Trout Streams of the John Day Basin, Oregon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society.

Markle, D.F. and D.L. Hill, Jr. 2000. Taxonomy and Distribution of the Malheur Mottled Sculpin, Cottus benderei. Northwest

Science 74(3):202-211.

Oregon Administrative Rule. No date. Chapter 340, Division 041. Water Quality Standards: Beneﬁcial Uses, Policies, and

Criteria for Oregon. Department of Environmental Quality. Salem, Oregon.

Ponzetti, J.M. and B.P. McCune. 2001. Biotic Soil Crusts of Oregon’s Shrub Steppe: Community Composition in Relation to

Soil Chemistry, Climate, and Livestock Activity. The Bryologist 104(2):212-225.

Scott, W.B. and E.J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Bulletin 184, Fisheries Research Board of Canada.

Ottawa, Canada.

Tait, C.K., J. Li, G. Lamberti, T. Pearsons, and H. Li. 1994. Relationships between Riparian Cover and the Community

Structure of High Desert Streams. Journal of the North American Benthological Society. 13: 45-56.

Thurow, R. 1988. Wood River Fisheries Investigations. Job Performance Report. Project F-73-R-10. Idaho Department of

Fish and Game. Boise, Idaho.

United States Department of the Interior. 1995a. USFWS. Biological Opinions - Section 7 Consultation for the 1995-1996

Grazing Authorization on the Alvord and Mann Lake Allotments and Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service.

____. 1997. BLM. Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management for Public Lands in

Oregon and Washington. August 1997.

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____. 1998. BLM. Proper Functioning Conditions Assessments.

____. 1999. USFWS. Biological Opinions - Section 7 Consultation for the 1999-2004 Grazing Activities on the Pueblo

Mountain Allotment. United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

___. 2001a. Ofﬁce of Hearings and Appeals. Settlement Agreement. ONDA v. BLM OR-020-97-01 and OR-020-96-01.

November 2001.

____. 2001b. BLM-USGS. Biological Soil Crust: Ecology and Management. TR-1730-2.

____. 2001c. USFWS. Biological Opinions - Section 7 Consultation for Ongoing Implementation of the Pueblo-Lone

Mountain Allotment Management Plan. United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

____. 2002. BLM. Summary of the Analysis of the Management Situation. April 2002. Hines, Oregon.

____. 2004. USFWS. Biological Opinions - Section 7 Consultation for Grazing Authorization on the Alvord and Mann Lake

Allotments and Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Williams, J.E., J.E. Johnson, D.A Hendrickson et al. 1989. Fishes of North America Endangered, Threatened or of Special

Concern. American Fisheries Society. Bethesda, Maryland. 14(6): 2-20.

Zoellick, B. 1995. Summer Water Temperatures and the Distribution of Redband Trout in Four Streams in the Owyhee

Mountains. Unpublished information presented at Idaho Chapter Annual Meeting of American Fisheries Society. Boise,

Idaho.

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APPENDIX P

Glossary

A complete glossary of Transportation Management terms can be found in Appendix M.

Adaptive Management – A type of natural resource management in which decisions are made as part of

an ongoing process. Adaptive management involves testing, monitoring, evaluation, and incorporating new

knowledge into management approaches based on scientiﬁc ﬁndings and the needs of society. Results are

used to modify management policy.

Advanced ecological status – A biotic community with a high similarity to a deﬁned or perceived potential

natural community (PNC) for an ecological site, usually late seral or PNC ecological status.

Allotment – A speciﬁc portion of public land allocated for livestock grazing, typically with identiﬁable or

fenced boundaries and permitted for a speciﬁ

ed number of livestock.

Allotment (grazing) – Area designated for the use of a certain number and kind of livestock for a prescribed

period of time.

Allotment Management Plan (AMP) – A plan for managing livestock grazing on speciﬁed public land.

Analysis of the Management Situation (AMS) – Step 4 of the BLM’s land use planning process. It is a

comprehensive

documentation of the present conditions of the resources, current management guidance, and

opportunities for change.

Animal unit – One cow, one cow/calf pair, one horse, or ﬁve sheep.

Animal Unit Month (AUM) – The forage needed to support one cow, one cow/calf pair, one horse, or ﬁve

sheep for one month. Approximately 800 pounds of forage.

Appropriate Management Level (AML) – An established population range that represents the number of

animals

that the designated HMA can sustain and that results in a thriving natural ecological balance with

other uses and resources common to the area and avoids deterioration of the public range.

Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) – Area where special management attention is required

protect and prevent irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, or scenic values, ﬁsh and wildlife

resources, or other natural systems or processes, or to protect humans from natural hazards.

Avoidance Areas – Areas with sensitive resource values where rights-of-way and land use authorizations will

be strongly discouraged. Authorizations made in avoidance areas will have to be compatible with the purpose

for which the area was designated and not be otherwise feasible outside the avoidance area.

Basalt – A dark, heavy, ﬁne-grained silica-poor igneous rock composed largely of iron and magnesium

minerals and calcium-rich plagioclase feldspars.

Basin (river) – In general, the area of land that drains water, sediment, and dissolved materials to a common

point

along a stream channel. River basins are composed of large river systems. In this EIS, the term refers

to the equivalent of a third ﬁeld hydrologic unit code, an area of about nine million acres, such as the Salmon

River basin. It also is used to refer in general to the Interior Columbia River Basin.

Best Management Practices (BMPs) – A set of practices which, when applied during implementation of

management actions, ensures that negative impacts to natural resources are minimized. BMPs are applied

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based on site speciﬁc evaluation and represent the most effective and practical means to achieve management

goals for a given site.

Biological Soil Crust - Lichens, mosses, green algae, fungi, cyanobacteria, and bacteria growing on or just

below the surface of soils.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) (Bureau) – Government agency with the mandate to manage Federal

lands under its jurisdiction for multiple uses.

BLM assessment species – Plant and animal species on List 2 of the Oregon Natural Heritage Data Base,

or those species on the Oregon List of Sensitive Wildlife Species (OAR 635-100-040) that are identiﬁed in

BLM Instruction Memo OR-91-57 and are not included as federal candidate, state listed, or BLM sensitive

species.

BLM sensitive species – Plant or animal species eligible for federal listed, federal candidate, state listed, or

state candidate (plant) status, or on List 1 in the Oregon Natural Heritage Data Base, or approved for this

category by the BLM State Director.

BLM tracking species – Plant and animal species on List 3 and 4 of the Oregon Natural Heritage Data Base,

those species on the Oregon List of Sensitive Wildlife Species (OAR 635-100-040) that are identiﬁed in

BLM Instruction Memo OR-91-57 and are not included as federal candidate, state listed, BLM sensitive, or

BLM assessment species.

Candidate Species – Any species included in the Federal Register Notice of Review that are being considered

for listing as threatened or endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Canopy – In a forest, the branches from the uppermost layer of trees; on rangeland, the vertical projection

downward of the aerial portion of vegetation.

Cell - Unique ecosystem type used by the Natural Heritage Plan to inventory, classify, and evaluate natural

areas.

Cells contain one or more ecosystem elements (i.e., plant communities or ecosystems such as Natural

Heritage Resources or special species).

Classiﬁcation – A process required by law for determining the suitability of public lands for certain types of

disposal or lease under the public land laws or for retention in public ownership.

Climax vegetation – The stabilized plant community on a particular site. The plant cover reproduces itself

and does not change as long as the environment remains the same.

Colluvium – Soil material, rock fragments, or both, moved by creep, slide, or local wash and deposited at the

base of steep slopes.

Commodities – Goods and services produced by industries which include but are not limited to agriculture,

livestock grazing, and mining.

Community – A group of species of plants and/or animals living and interacting at a particular time and place;

a group of people residing in the same place and under the same government.

Consultation – (1) An active, afﬁrmative process that (a) identiﬁes issues and seeks input from appropriate

American Indian governments, community groups, and individuals; and (b) considers their interests as a

necessary and integral part of the BLM’s and USFS’s decision-making process. (2) The Federal Government

has a legal obligation to consult with American Indian Tribes. This legal obligation is based in such laws as the

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, and

numerous other Executive Orders and statutes. This legal responsibility is, through consultation, to consider

Indian interests and account for those interests in the decision. (3) The term also refers to a requirement under

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APPENDIX P

Section 7 of the ESA for federal agencies to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or National

Marine Fisheries Service with regard to federal actions that may affect listed threatened and endangered

species or critical habitat.

Corridor (landscape) – Landscape elements that connect similar patches of habitat through an area with

different characteristics. For example, streamside vegetation may create a corridor of willows and hardwoods

between meadows or through a forest.

Custodial management – Management of a group of similar allotments with minimal expenditure of

appropriated funds to continue protecting existing resource values.

Deep soil – A soil that is 40 to 60 inches deep over bedrock or to other material that restricts the penetration

of plant roots.

Developed recreation – Recreation that requires facilities which in turn result in concentrated use of an area;

for example, a campground.

Dispersed recreation – Recreation that does not occur in a developed recreation site; for example, hunting or

backpacking.

Disturbance – Refers to events that alter the structure, composition, or function of terrestrial or aquatic

habitats.

Natural disturbances include, among others, drought, ﬂoods, wind, ﬁres, wildlife grazing, insects,

and pathogens. Human-caused disturbances include actions such as timber harvest, livestock grazing, roads,

and the introduction of exotic species.

Ecological Site Inventory (ESI) – The basic inventory of present and potential vegetation on BLM rangelands.

Ecological sites are differentiated on the basis of the kind, proportion, or amount of plant species.

Ecological status – The present state of vegetation of a range site in relation to the potential natural community

for

that site. Four classes are used to express the degree to which the production or composition of the present

plant community reﬂects that of the potential natural community (climax):

Ecological Status (Seral stage)

Percent of Community in Climax Condition:

Potential natural community 76-100

Late seral 51-75

Mid-seral 26-50

Early seral 0-25

Ecosystem – A complete, interacting system of living organisms and the land and water that make up their

environment; the home places of all living things, including humans.

Ecosystem Management – The use of a “whole-landscape” approach to achieve multiple-use management

public lands by blending the needs of people and environmental values in such a way that these lands

represent diverse, healthy, productive, and sustainable ecosystems.

Endangered Species – Any species deﬁned under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as being in danger of

extinction throughout all or a signiﬁ

cant portion of its range. Listings are published in the Federal Register.

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Environmental Assessment (EA) – One type of document prepared by federal agencies in compliance with

the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which portrays the environmental consequences of proposed

federal actions which are not expected to have signiﬁcant effects on the human environment.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) – One type of document prepared by federal agencies in compliance

with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which portrays the environmental consequences of

proposed major federal actions expected to have signiﬁcant impacts on the human environment.

Ephemeral stream – A stream, or reach of a stream, that ﬂows only in direct response to precipitation. It

receives

no continuous supply from melting snow or other source, and its channel is above the water table

at all times.

Exclusion Areas – Areas with sensitive resource values where rights-of-way and land use authorizations will

not be authorized.

Existing Management Situation – A component of the AMP; a description of the existing management

direction governing resource management programs for a Planning Area.

Extensive Recreation Management Area (ERMA) – Area where recreation is unstructured and dispersed with

minimal regulatory constraints and where minimal recreation-related investments are required.

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) – Law mandating that the BLM manage lands

under its jurisdiction for multiple uses. Establishes guidelines for its administration; and provides for the

management, protection, development, and enhancement of the public lands, among other provisions.

Fire Management Plan (FMP) – A strategic plan that deﬁnes a program to manage wildland and prescribed

ﬁres

and documents the Fire Management Program in the approved land use plan. The plan is supplemented

by operational procedures such as preparedness plans, preplanned dispatch plans, prescribed ﬁre plans and

prevention plans.

Fire regime – The characteristics of ﬁre in a given ecosystem, such as the frequency, predictability, intensity,

and seasonality of ﬁre.

Fire return interval – The number of years between ﬁre events for a speciﬁed area.

Flood plain – A nearly level alluvial plain that borders a stream and is subject to inundation under ﬂood-stage

conditions

unless protected artiﬁcially. It is usually a constructional landform built of sediment deposited

during overﬂow and lateral migration of the stream.

Forb – Any herbaceous plant that is not a grass or a grasslike species. Broad-leafed plants; includes plants that

commonly are called weeds or wildﬂ

owers.

Functional at Risk (FAR) - Riparian/Wetland areas that are in functional condition but an existing soil, water,

or vegetation attribute makes them susceptible to degradation.

Geographic Information System (GIS) – An information processing technology to input, store, manipulate,

analyze, and display data; a system of computer maps with corresponding site speciﬁc information that can

be combined electronically to provide reports and maps.

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APPENDIX P

Herd Area – A geographic area identiﬁed as having provided habitat for a wild horse herd in 1971. A Herd

Area may be solely the active Herd Management Area, or inactive, where wild horses are no longer managed,

or a combination of both.

Herd Management Area (HMA) – A geographic area identiﬁed in a Management Framework Plan or Resource

Management Plan for the long-term management of a wild horse herd.

Herd Management Area Plan – A plan that prescribes measures for the protection, management, and control

of wild horses and their habitat on one or more HMAs, in conformance with decisions made in approved

Management Framework or Resource Management Plans.

Hiking Trail - A pathway created and maintained by human foot trafﬁc, saddle or pack stock, or constructed

and maintained for these uses.

Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) – A coding system developed by the U.S. Geological Service to map geographic

boundaries of watersheds of various sizes.

Hydrothermal deposit – A mineral deposit formed by hot mineral-laden ﬂuids.

Incident commander – Individual responsible for the management of all incident (ﬁre) operations.

Interim Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review (WSA IMP) – Policy for managing public

lands under wilderness review. Section 603(c) of the FLPMAstates: “During the period of review of such areas

and until Congress has determined otherwise, the Secretary shall continue to manage such lands according to

his authority under this Act and other applicable laws in a manner so as not to impair the suitability of such

areas for preservation as wilderness, subject, however, to the continuation of existing mining and grazing uses

and mineral leasing in the manner and degree in which the same was being conducted on the date of approval

of this Act: Provided, that, in managing the public lands the Secretary shall by regulation or otherwise take

any action required to prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of the lands and their resources or to afford

environmental protection.”

Intermittent stream – A stream, or reach of a stream, that ﬂows for prolonged periods only when it receives

groundwater discharge or long, continued contributions from melting snow or other surface and shallow

subsurface sources.

Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project (ICBEMP) – An on going project examining the

effects (on a large regional scale) of past and present land use activities on the Interior Columbia River Basin

ecosystem and a small part of the Great Basin ecosystem.

Interior drainage – A system of streams with no outlet to the sea (e.g. Great Basin).

Known Geothermal Resource Area – “An area in which the geology, nearby discoveries, competitive interest,

or other indicia will, in the opinion of the Secretary, engender the belief in men who are experienced in the

subject matter that the prospect for extraction of geothermal stream or associated geothermal resources are

good enough to warrant expenditures or money for that purpose” (43 CFR 3200.0-5(k)).

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Land Use Authorizations – Those realty related authorizations such as leases, permits, and easements authorized

under 43 CFR 2920 and the R&PP Act. Land use authorizations also include any other authorizations with

the exception of rights-of-way (43 CFR 2800) and Special Recreation Permits (proposed in 43 CFR 2930)

generally contained in 43 CFR 2000 series of regulations.

Leasable Minerals – Minerals that may be leased to private interests by the federal government including oil,

gas, geothermal, coal, and sodium compounds.

Locatable Minerals – Minerals subject to exploration, development, and disposal by staking mining claims

as authorized by the Mining Law of 1872, as amended. This includes deposits of gold, silver, and other

uncommon minerals not subject to lease or sale.

Management Concern – Procedures or land use allocations that do not constitute issues but which are

recognized, through the RMP/EIS preparation process, as needing modiﬁcation or decision regarding

management direction.

Management Direction – A statement of goals and objectives, management prescriptions, and associated

standards and guidelines for attaining them.

Management Framework Plan (MFP) – BLM land use plan, predecessor to the RMP. Older generation

of land use plans developed by the BLM. This generation of planning has been replaced by the Resource

Management Plan (RMP).

Management Opportunities – A component of the AMP; actions or management directions that could be

taken to resolve issues or management concerns.

Map unit – The basic system of description in a soil survey and delineation on a soil map. Can vary in level

of detail.

Medium textured soil - Very ﬁne sandy loam, loam, silt loam, or silt.

Mechanized Equipment - Any machine that uses or is activated by either a living or nonliving power source.

This

includes, but is not limited to, chain saws, power drills, aircraft, generators, motor vehicles, snow

machines, etc. The term does not include shavers, wrist watches or clocks, ﬂashlights, cameras, camp stoves,

cell phones, radio transmitters/receivers, GPS units or other similar small hand held or portable equipment.

Mechanized Vehicle (for OHV) - Any vehicle, device, or contrivance that has moving parts for moving people

material in or over land, water, snow, or air. This includes, but is not limited to, sailboats, sailboards, hang

gliders, parachutes, bicycles, game carriers, carts, and wagons. It does not include wheelchairs, horses, or

other pack stock, skis, snowshoes, nonmotorized river craft, sleds, travois, or similar devices without moving

parts.

Migration corridor – The habitat pathway an animal uses to move from one place to another.

Mineral Estate – Refers to the ownership of minerals at or beneath the surface of the land.

Mitigation – Measures designed to counteract environmental impacts or to make impacts less severe.

Monitoring – The periodic and systematic collection of resource data to measure progress toward achieving

objectives.

Monitoring and Evaluation – The collection and analysis of data to evaluate the progress and effectiveness of

on-the-ground actions in meeting resource management goals and objectives.

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APPENDIX P

Motor Vehicle - Any vehicle, device, or contrivance which is self-propelled and is used for moving people

or materials in or over land, water, snow, or air and is powered by a motor or engine.

Motorized Equipment - Any machine that uses or is activated by a motor, engine, or other power source. This

includes, but is not limited to, chain saws, power drills, aircraft, generators, motor vehicles, snow machines,

etc. The term does not include shavers, wrist watches or clocks, ﬂashlights, cameras, camp stoves, cell

phones, radio transmitters/receivers, GPS units or other similar small hand held or portable equipment.

Multiple Use – Management of public land and its resources to best meet various present and future needs

of the American people. This means coordinated management of resources and uses to assure the long-term

health of the ecosystem.

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) – Law requiring all federal agencies to evaluate the

impacts of proposed major federal actions with respect to their signiﬁcance on the human environment.

National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) – An area administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the

purpose of managing certain ﬁ

sh or wildlife species.

Naturalness (a primary wilderness value) – An area that generally appears to have been affected primarily by

the forces of nature with the imprint of people’

s work substantially unnoticeable.

Noxious Weed – A plant speciﬁed by law as being especially undesirable, troublesome, and difﬁcult to control.

plant species designated by federal or state law as generally possessing one or more of the following

characteristics: aggressive and difﬁcult to manage; parasitic; a carrier or host of serious insects or disease;

or nonnative, new, or not common to the United States. According to the Federal Noxious Weed Act (PL

93-639), a noxious weed is one that causes disease or has other adverse effects on man or his environment and

therefore is detrimental to the agriculture and commerce of the United States and to the public health.

Objectives (management) – In this EIS, refers to indicators used to measure progress toward attainment

of goals. They address short- and long-term actions taken to meet goals and the desired ranges of future

conditions.

Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) – Any motorized vehicle capable of, or designed for, travel on or immediately

over

land, water, or other natural terrain, excluding the following: 1) any nonamphibious registered motorboat;

2) any military, ﬁre, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle while being used for emergency purposes; (3)

any vehicle whose use is expressly permitted by the authorized ofﬁcer, or otherwise ofﬁcially approved; 4)

vehicles in ofﬁcial use; and 5) any combat or combat support vehicle when used in times of national defense

emergencies.

Perennial – A plant that lives for three or more years.

Perennial stream – A stream in which water is present during all seasons of the year.

Permeability – The quality of the soil that enables water to move downward through the proﬁle, measured as

the number of inches per hour that water moves downward through the saturated soil.

pH value – A numerical designation of acidity and alkalinity in soil.

Playa Lake – A shallow lake that is seasonally dry. Soils on the lake bottom are usually quite alkaline.

Pluvial – Referring to a period of greater rainfall.

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STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Pluvial Lake – A lake formed during a period of exceptionally high rainfall (e.g., a time of glacial advance

during the Pleistocene epoch) and now either extinct or existing as a remnant, such as Lake Bonneville.

Point source pollution – Pollution that comes from a single identiﬁable source such as a smokestack, a sewer,

or a pipe.

Prescribed burning – Controlled application of ﬁre to wildland fuels in either their natural or modiﬁed state,

under speciﬁed environmental conditions which allow the ﬁre to be conﬁned to a predetermined area and

at the same time to produce the ﬁre line intensity and rate of spread required to attain planned resource

management objectives.

Prescribed ﬁre – Any ﬁre ignited by management actions to meet speciﬁc objectives. A written and approved

prescribed ﬁre plan must exist, and NEPA requirements must be met prior to ignition. The introduction of ﬁre

to an area under regulated conditions for speciﬁc management purposes (usually vegetation manipulation).

Prescribed Natural Fire - A naturally-ignited ﬁre that is managed for resource beneﬁts. Currently called

ildland Fire Use.

Prescription – Written statement deﬁning objectives to be attained, as well as measurable criteria which guide

the

selection of appropriate management actions. Prescription criteria may include safety, economic, public

health, environmental, geographic, administrative, social or legal considerations under which the ﬁre will be

allowed to burn.

Primary wilderness values – The primary or key wilderness values described in the Wilderness Act by

which

WSAs and wildernesses are managed to protect and enhance the wilderness resource. Values include

roadlessness, naturalness, solitude, primitive and unconﬁned recreation, and size.

Primitive and unconﬁned recreation (a primary wilderness value) – nonmotorized and undeveloped types

outdoor recreation activities. Refers to wilderness recreation opportunities such as nature study, hiking,

photography, backpacking, ﬁshing, hunting, and other related activities. Does not include the use of motorized

vehicles, bicycles, or other mechanized means of travel.

Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) – PFC is both a qualitative method for assessing the physical function

of riparian-wetland areas, and a deﬁ

ned condition of a riparian-wetland area.

Public lands – Any land or interest in land owned by the citizens of the United States and administered by the

Secretary of the Interior through the BLM as deﬁ

ned in FLPMA.

Rangeland – Land on which the potential natural vegetation is predominantly grasses, grasslike plants, forbs,

or shrubs suitable for grazing or browsing. It includes natural grasslands, savannas, many wetlands, some

deserts, tundras, and areas that support certain forb and shrub communities.

Range site – An area of rangeland where climate, soil, and relief are sufﬁciently uniform to produce a distinct

natural

plant community. A range site is the product of all the environmental factors responsible for its

development. It is typiﬁed by an association of species that differ from those on other range sites in kind or

proportion of species or total production.

Record of Decision (ROD) – An ofﬁcial document in which a deciding ofﬁcial states the alternative that will

be implemented from a prepared Final EIS.

Recreation site – An area where management actions are required to provide a speciﬁc recreation setting

and activity opportunities, to protect resource values, provide public visitor safety and health, and/or to

P – 72

APPENDIX P

meet public recreational use demands and recreation partnership commitments. A site may or may not have

permanent facilities.

Recreational river – A river or section of a river that is readily accessible by road or railroad. It may have

had some development along the shorelines and may have undergone some impoundments or diversions in

the past.

Research Natural Area (RNA) – An area where natural processes predominate and which is preserved for

research and education. Under current BLM policy, these areas must meet the relevance and importance

criteria of ACECs and are designated as ACECs. An area of signiﬁcant scientiﬁc interest that is designated to

protect its resource values for scientiﬁc research and study.

Resource advisor – Resource specialist responsible to the incident commander for gathering and analyzing

information concerning values-at-risk that may be impacted by ﬁ

re or ﬁre suppression activities.

Resource Area – The “on-the-ground” management unit of the BLM comprised of BLM administered land

within a speciﬁ

c geographic area.

Resource Area Proﬁle – A component of the AMP; a description of the current condition, amount, location,

use, and demands of the natural resources in a Resource

Area.

Resource Management Plan (RMP) – Current generation of land use plans developed by the BLM under the

Federal

Land Policy and Management Act. Replaces the older generation Management Framework Plans.

Provides long-term (up to 20 years) direction for the management of a particular area of land and its resources,

usually corresponding to a BLM Resource Area.

Right-of-way (ROW) – A permit or an easement which authorizes the use of public land for certain speciﬁed

purposes,

commonly for pipelines, roads, telephone lines, electric lines, reservoirs, etc; also, the reference to

the land covered by such an easement or permit.

Right-of-way corridor – A parcel of land that has been identiﬁed by law, Secretarial Order, through a land use

plan,

or by other management decision as being the preferred location for existing and future right-of-way

grants and suitable to accommodate one type of right-of-way or one or more rights-of-way which are similar,

identical or compatible.

Riparian area – Area with distinctive soil and vegetation between a stream or other body of water and the

adjacent upland; includes wetlands and those portions of ﬂoodplains and valley bottoms that support riparian

vegetation.

Risk assessment – Assessing the chance of ﬁre starting, naturally- or human-caused, and its potential risk to

life, resources and property.

Road - Constructed or evolved transportation route that is normally maintained for regular use (except during

periods of closure) that can be reasonably and prudently driven by motorized or mechanized vehicles.

Route - A linear ground transportation feature such as a way or road.

Saleable Minerals – High volume, low value mineral resources including common varieties of rock, clay,

decorative stone, sand, gravel, and cinder.

Scenic river – A river, or section of a river, that is free of impoundments and whose shorelines are largely

undeveloped but accessible in places by roads.

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STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Scoping – The process of identifying the range of consideration, issues, management concerns, preliminary

alternatives, and other components of an environmental impact statement or land-use planning document. It

involves both internal and external, or public, involvement.

Section 202 lands – Lands being considered for wilderness designation under Section 202 of the Federal

Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.

Sensitive species – Species identiﬁed by a Forest Service regional forester, or BLM state director, for which

population

viability is a concern either (a) because of signiﬁcant current or predicted downward trends in

population numbers or density, or (b) because of signiﬁcant current or predicted downward trends in habitat

capability that will reduce a species’ existing distribution.

Seral – Refers to the sequence of transitional plant communities during succession. Early-seral refers to

plants

that are present soon after a disturbance or at the beginning of a new successional process (such as

seedling or sapling growth stages in a forest); mid-seral in a forest will refer to pole or medium sawtimber

growth stages; late- or old-seral refers to plants present during a later stage of plant community succession

(such as mature and old forest stages).

Seral stage BThe developmental phase of a forest stand or rangeland with characteristic structure and plant

species

composition. The rated departure of a plant community from a described PNC for a speciﬁc ecological

site. Low-seral stage is an existing plant community which is deﬁned as 0 to 25 percent comparability to the

deﬁned PNC; Mid-seral stage is an existing plant community which has 26 to 50 percent comparability to the

PNC; Late seral stage is 51 to 75 percent comparable to the PNC; PNC is an existing plant community with

76 to 100 percent comparability to the deﬁned PNC.

Slope – The inclination of the land surface from the horizontal. Percentage of slope is the vertical distance

divided

by horizontal distance, then multiplied by 100. Thus, a slope of 20 percent is a drop of 20 feet in 100

feet of horizontal distance.

Soil association – A group of soils geographically associated in a characteristic repeating pattern and deﬁned

and delineated as a single soil map unit.

Soil classiﬁcation – The systematic arrangement of soils into groups or categories on the basis of their

characteristics.

Soil compaction – An increase in soil bulk density of 15 percent or more from the undisturbed level.

Soil complex – A map unit of two or more kinds of soils in such an intricate pattern or so small in area that it

is not practical to map them separately at the selected scale of mapping.

Soil Horizon - A layer of soil, approximately parallel to the surface, having distinct characteristics produced

by soil-forming processes.

Soil proﬁle – A vertical section of the soil extending through all its horizons and into the parent material.

Soil series - A nationally deﬁned soil type set apart on distinct soil properties that affect use and management.

In a soil survey, this includes a group of soils having proﬁles that are almost alike, except for differences in

texture of the surface layer or of the underlying material. All the soils of a series have horizons that are similar

in composition, thickness, and arrangement.

Soil survey – A ﬁeld investigation resulting in a soil map showing the geographic distribution of various

kinds of soil and an accompanying report that describes the soil types and interprets the ﬁndings.

Soil texture – The relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles in a mass of soil.

P – 74

APPENDIX P

Solitude (a primary wilderness value) – The state of being alone or remote from habitations; a lonely,

unfrequented, or secluded place. The intent is to evaluate the opportunity for solitude in comparison to

habitations of people.

Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) – An area where recreation is the principal management

objective, where intensive recreation management is needed, and where more than minimal recreation related

investments are required.

Special Status Species – Plant or animal species known or suspected to be limited in distribution, rare or

uncommon within a speciﬁc area, and/or vulnerable to activities which may affect their survival. Lists of

Special Status Species are prepared by knowledgeable specialists through the State of Oregon; the BLM

prepares a list of state sensitive species predominantly based on the list prepared biennially by the Oregon

Natural Heritage Program (ONHP).

Stand – A community of trees occupying a speciﬁc area and sufﬁciently uniform in species, age, spatial

arrangement and condition as to be distinguishable from trees on surrounding lands.

State Implementation Plan (SIP) – A document prepared by each state describing existing air quality conditions

and measures that will be taken to attain and maintain national ambient air quality standards.

State Listed Species – Any plant or animal species listed by the State of Oregon as threatened or endangered

within the state under Oregon Revised Statue (ORS) 496.004, ORS 498.026, or ORS 564.040.

Step-down – The process of applying broad-scale science ﬁndings and land use decisions to site speciﬁc

areas using a hierarchical approach (subbasin review) of understanding current resource conditions, risks,

and opportunities.

Stream channel – The hollow bed where a natural stream of surface water ﬂows or may ﬂow; the deepest or

central part of the bed, formed by the main current and covered more or less continuously by water.

Subalpine – A terrestrial community that is generally found in harsher environments than the montane

terrestrial

community. Subalpine communities are generally colder than montane and support a unique

clustering of wildlife species.

Subbasin review – An interagency collaborative consideration of resources, resource management issues, and

management

recommendations for one or more subbasins or watershed drainages approximately 800,000 to

1,000,000 acres in size, equivalent to a 4th-ﬁeld HUC.

Subwatershed – A drainage area of approximately 20,000 acres, equivalent to a 6th-ﬁeld HUC. Hierarchically,

subwatersheds

(6th-ﬁeld HUC) are contained within a watershed (5th-ﬁeld HUC), which in turn is contained

within a subbasin (4th-ﬁeld HUC).

Succession – A predictable process of changes in structure and composition of plant and animal communities

over

time. Conditions of the prior plant community or successional stage create conditions that are favorable

for the establishment of the next stage. The different stages in succession are often referred to as “seral

stages.” (See Seral.)

Sustainability – (1) meeting the needs of the present without compromising the abilities of future generations

meet their needs; emphasizing and maintaining the underlying ecological processes that ensure long-term

productivity of goods, services, and values without impairing productivity of the land. (2) In commodity

production, refers to the yield of a natural resource that can be produced continually at a given intensity of

management.

Supplemental wilderness values – Includes ecological (e.g., vegetation, wildlife, and overall biological/

botanical processes and values associated with the natural environment), geological, scientiﬁc, educational,

scenic, and historic values. When present, they can enhance primary wilderness values, but are not mandated

by Congress.

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STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Sustained yield – Maintenance of an annual or regular periodic output of a renewable resource from public

land consistent with the principles of multiple use.

Terrestrial communities – Groups of cover types with similar moisture and temperature regimes, elevational

gradients, structures, and used by vertebrate wildlife species.

Threatened Species – Any plant or animal species deﬁned under the ESA as likely to become endangered

within

the foreseeable future throughout all or a signiﬁcant portion of its range. Listings are published in the

Federal Register.

Trend – The direction of change in ecological status observed over time. Trend is described as toward or away

from the PNC, or as not apparent.

Upland (geology) – Land at a higher elevation, in general, than the alluvial plain or stream terrace; land above

the lowlands along streams.

Utilization – The proportion or degree of the current year’s forage production that is consumed or destroyed

animals (including insects). Utilization may refer either to a single plant species, a group of species, or to

the vegetation as a whole. Utilization is synonymous with use.

Values-at-risk – Any or all natural resources, improvements, or other values which may be jeopardized if a

ﬁre occurs (value-at-risk, risk of resource values).

Visual Resource Management (VRM) Objectives

Class

I - The objective of this classiﬁcation is to preserve the existing character of the landscape. This class

provides for natural ecological changes and limited management activity. The level of change should be very

low and must not attract attention. Class I is assigned to those areas where a management decision has been

made to preserve a natural landscape.

Class II-The objective of this classiﬁcation is to retain the existing character of the landscape. The level of

change to landscape characteristics should be low. Management activities may be seen but should not attract

the attention of a casual observer. Any changes must conform to the basic elements of form, line, color, and

texture found in the predominant natural features of the characteristic landscape. This class represents the

minimum level of VRM for WSAs.

Class III-The objective of Class III is to partially retain the existing character of the landscape. Moderate

levels

of change are acceptable. Management activities may attract attention but should not dominate the

view of a casual observer. Changes should conform to the basic elements of the predominant natural features

of the characteristic landscape.

Class IV-The objective of Class IV is to provide for management activities that require major modiﬁcation

the landscape. These management activities may dominate the view and become the focus of viewer

attention; however, every effort should be made to minimize the impact of these projects by carefully locating

activities, minimizing disturbance, and designing the projects to conform to the characteristic landscape.

Way - A travel route in a WSA maintained solely by the passage of vehicles which has not been improved

and/or maintained by mechanical means to ensure relatively regular and continuous use.

P – 76

APPENDIX P

Wild River - A river or section of a river that is free of impoundments and generally inaccessible except by

trail, with watersheds and shorelines essentially primitive and waters unpolluted.

Wildland Fire - A general category of lightning or human-ignited ﬁre in natural vegetation. Includes wildland

ﬁres, prescribed ﬁres, and ﬁre managed for resource beneﬁts.

Wildland Fire Use - An unplanned ignition that is managed for resource beneﬁts. Formally called Prescribed

Natural Fire.

Withdrawal – Withholding an area of federal land from settlement, sale, location, or entry, under some or all of

the general land laws, for the purpose of limiting activities under those laws in order to maintain other public

values in the area or reserving the area for a particular public purpose or program; or transferring jurisdiction

over an area of federal land, other than “property” governed by the Federal Property and Administrative

Services Act, as amended (40U.S.C.472) from one department, bureau, or agency to another department,

bureau, or agency.

P – 77

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

P – 78

APPENDIX P

P – 79

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

P – 80

APPENDIX P

Attachment 1 - Public Use Management

Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSRs Condition Standards

Seven speciﬁc standards have been developed for use in evaluating the Management Areas with monitoring

that is conducted to assess the baseline and ongoing wilderness condition. These include the following:

1. Campsite Condition - campsite changes.

2. Campsite Density - number of campsites in a given area.

3. Perception of Solitude - trail register information, including length-of-stay, location of use, party size

and makeup, and interviews including location of use encounters.

4. Trail Condition - changes in trails, including width, depth, and number of social trails.

5. Length-of-Stay - trail register and interviews on the length-of-stay.

6. Recreational Stock Use - root exposure, manure in campsites, and tree girdling.

7. Unauthorized Motorized Vehicle and Mechanical Transport Intrusions - unauthorized vehicles and

mechanical transport on closed roads or off of roads into the wilderness.

Indicators

Certain indicators will be monitored on a regular basis and the results of the monitoring will be used to adjust

the management option levels needed to meet the guideline set for each indicator. Two different management

areas, Gorges and Uplands, were identiﬁed for Steens Mountain Wilderness, each with its own desired

conditions. The same indicators are used; however, the guidelines for the indicators are different for each of

the management areas.

Management Option Levels

This section describes the management options used to help maintain or achieve the desired conditions in each

management area. Management options are techniques, regulations, or responses that can be implemented to

affect wilderness conditions on the ground. Management options are categorized into 3 levels as follows:

Level I - Management options are generally informational and educational measures that can be implemented

initially

Level II - Management options are generally indirect methods intended to return a given condition to

compliance with a standard or guideline.

Level III - Management options are more direct or restrictive and are not undertaken until guidelines are

exceeded to a certain extent that is sustained a number of times or for a certain period of time (described as

thresholds).

Management Option Levels by Standard

The monitoring data are applied to the guidelines shown in Tables 2 through 8 to determine whether each

management area or individual canyon within Gorges Management Area meets the guidelines. Each standard

and its management options will be implemented based on the degree to which the management area or

individual canyon in Gorges Management Area exceeds a threshold for one or more guidelines.

P – 81

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Campsite Condition Standard

Campsite conditions reﬂect the visual imprint of human uses, as well as effects to soil and vegetation and

often, hydrologic and water quality. The Cole Campsite Monitoring System was developed through USFS

to provide a method for systematic monitoring of campsites to assess use and conditions. A modiﬁed Cole

Campsite Monitoring System is used to classify camp area conditions. Conditions are grouped into 4 categories

based on a score determined by surveying a variety of factors inﬂuencing campsite effects. Conditions range

from “minimum”, showing least effects, to “extreme”, showing highest effects.

Campsite Condition - Management Options

Indicator

Number of campsites

within a Management

Area or individual

canyon that are within a

Campsite Condition.

Level I Options

- Voluntary dispersal of use

through education ef

forts by

agency personnel, volunteers,

and publications.

- Inform visitors of

opportunities outside Steens

Mountain Wilderness.

- Emphasize Leave No Trace

education efforts.

- Increase in visitor

information programs

by agency personnel and

volunteers.

Level II Options

- Discourage the inclusion of

information in publications or

guidebooks directing visitors to

high use areas.

- Inform users about alternative

areas.

- Implement area-wide, non-quota

permit system to increase visitor

education.

- Limit improvements of trail and

trailhead access to areas where

crowding is a concern.

- Restrict campﬁre use to

previously used areas.

- Limit camping to designated

campsites in high use zones to

minimize establishment of new

campsites.

- Close and rehabilitate selected

campsites where campsite density

is high.

- Limit group sizes to reduce

effects to campsites.

- Implement regulations to restrict

recreational stock from being tied

to trees in campsites.

Level III Options

- Shorten length-of-stay

period.

- Implement permit quota

system for speciﬁc areas that

are exceeding guidelines.

- Implement area-wide

permit quota system at

trailheads or at individual

destinations.

- Implement closure of

speciﬁc areas to the use of

campﬁres and remove ﬁre

rings.

P – 82

APPENDIX P

Campsite Density Standard

The campsite density standard describes the maximum allowable number of established campsites per section

(one square mile) within Uplands Management Area or per linear mile within Gorges Management Area

or individual canyon. Established campsites are determined from evidence continued or repeated camping

has occurred at the campsite. Evidence could consist of ﬁre ring(s), barren ground caused by compaction,

long-term vegetation effects, or other severe signs of human usage. Campsite density is also monitored at

designated high-altitude lake basins. The guideline for the maximum allowable established campsites will be

determined for each lake basin.

Campsite Density - Management Options

Indicator

Number of existing campsites

within a management area or

individual canyon.

Number of established campsites

within a lake basin area.

Level I Options

- Voluntary dispersal of

use through education

forts by agency

personnel, volunteers, and

publications.

- Inform visitors of

opportunities outside

Steens Mountain

ilderness.

- Emphasize Leave No

Trace education efforts.

- Agency personnel educate

users to utilize existing

campsites in high use

areas.

Level II Options

- Discourage the inclusion

of information in

publications or guidebooks

directing visitors to high

use areas.

- Inform users about

alternative areas.

- Implement area-wide

non-quota permit system to

increase visitor education.

- Limit improvements of

trail and trailhead access to

areas where crowding is a

concern.

- In site-speciﬁc areas,

increase the distance

from campsite to water

resources.

- Restrict campﬁre use to

previously used areas.

- Limit camping to

designated campsites in

high use zones to minimize

establishment of new

campsites.

- Close and rehabilitate

selected campsites where

campsite density is high.

Level III Options

- Shorten length-of-stay

period.

- Implement permit

quota system for speciﬁc

areas that are exceeding

guidelines.

- Implement area-wide

permit quota system at

trailheads or at individual

destinations.

P – 83

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Perception of Solitude Standard

Perception of Solitude is measured by campsite and trail encounters, the sizes of groups encountered, and

the degree of “perceived crowding,” as determined from surveying Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSR

users. The Campsite Encounter Guideline monitors the average number of occupied campsites within sight

or sound of the monitor’s campsite per management area or individual canyon. The monitored number of

encounters is averaged over the summer use season varying by management area or individual canyon.

The Trail Encounter Guideline monitors the average number of encounters with parties (groups) on a trail or

cross-country

route. Encounter rates depend on the length of time spent hiking or riding and are converted

to an eight-hour period to obtain monitoring consistency. The location of a trail or route segment relative to

the different management areas determines the location of encounters. Trail or route encounters with large

groups (deﬁned as groups having more than 12 people) are monitored by the same methodology. Crowding

perception is monitored through surveys of Steens Mountain Wilderness and WSR users to obtain their

viewpoints regarding crowding levels during their visit. The crowding scale ranges from Not Crowded to

Extremely Crowded. The guideline refers to the percentage of respondents who reported being moderately

to extremely crowded.

Perception of Solitude - Management Options

Indicator

Number of campsites occupied

within sight or sound of

the monitor

’s campsite per

management area or individual

canyon (season average).

Number of party encounters

on or of

f trail per 8-hour day

(season average).

Percent of sampled visitors

who report being moderately

to extremely crowded within a

management area or individual

canyon.

Level I Options

- Voluntary dispersal of use

through education ef

forts

by agency personnel,

volunteers, and publications.

- Inform visitors of

opportunities outside Steens

Mountain

Wilderness.

- Inform visitors of the type

of experience (i.e. high

encounter rate, or numerous

campsites) they are likely to

have.

- Inform visitors of areas or

times best to visit that will

reduce crowding.

Level II Options

- Discourage the inclusion of

information in publications or

guidebooks directing visitors to

areas.

- Inform users about alternative

areas.

- Implement area-wide, non-quota

permit system to increase visitor

education.

- Limit group size in areas of

concentrated use.

- Limit improvements of trails and

trailhead access to areas where

crowding is a concern.

- In speciﬁc areas, increase the

distance that campsites must be

away from water.

Level III Options

- Institute parking fees

at high-use trailheads.

- Shorten length-of-stay

period.

- Implement

backcountry use fees for

high-use areas.

- Implement permit

quota system for

speciﬁc areas that are

exceeding guidelines.

- Implement area-wide

permit quota system

at trailheads or at

individual destinations.

P – 84

APPENDIX P

Trail Condition Standard

The trail condition standard describes the maximum allowable number of social trails per management area

or individual canyon, as well as changes in the width and depth of the system trails. System and social trails

refer to evidence continued or repetitive use has occurred along a trail in the past. Evidence could consist

of trampled vegetation, barren ground caused by compaction, long-term vegetation effects, or other severe

signs of human use. System trails are those managed for continual long-term use. Social trails are the result

of random use patterns and are unplanned in their location.

Trail Condition - Management Options

Indicator

Number of social trails within a

management area or individual

canyon.

Width and depth of system trails.

Level I Options

- Voluntary dispersal of

use through education

forts by agency

personnel, volunteers, and

publications.

- Inform visitors of

opportunities outside

Steens Mountain

ilderness.

- Emphasize Leave No

Trace education efforts.

- Agency personnel educate

users to utilize existing

campsites in high use

areas.

Level II Options

- Discourage the inclusion

of information in

publications or guidebooks

directing visitors to high

use areas.

- Inform users about

alternative areas.

- Implement area-wide,

non-quota permit system to

increase visitor education.

- Limit improvements of

trails and trailhead access

to areas where crowding is

a concern.

- In site-speciﬁc areas,

increase the distance

campsites must be away

from water.

- Limit camping to

designated campsites in

high-use zones to minimize

establishment of new

campsites.

- Close and rehabilitate

selected trails where trail

density is high.

Level III Options

- Shorten length-of-stay

period.

- Implement permit

quota system for speciﬁc

areas that are exceeding

guidelines.

- Implement area-wide

permit quota system at

trailheads or at individual

destinations.

P – 85

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Length-of-Stay Standard

The length-of-stay standard describes the maximum allowable number of days individuals or groups stay

within a management area or individual canyon. The length-of-stay will be based on information collected

by voluntary reporting at trailheads and interviews.

Length-of-Stay - Management Options

Indicator

Length-of-stay within a

management area or individual

canyon.

Level I Options

- Voluntary reduction in

the lengths-of-stay through

education ef

forts by agency

personnel, volunteers, and

publications.

- Inform visitors of

opportunities outside

Steens Mountain

ilderness.

- Emphasize Leave No

Trace education efforts.

-Increase in visitor

information programs

by agency personnel and

volunteers.

Level II Options

- Discourage the inclusion

of information in

publications or guidebooks

directing visitors to high

use areas.

- Inform users about

alternative areas.

- Implement area-wide,

non-quota permit system to

increase visitor education.

- Limit improvements of

trails and trailhead access

to areas where length-of-

stay is a concern.

- Limit camping to

designated campsites

in high use zones, to

minimize establishment of

new campsites.

Level III Options

- Shorten length-of-stay

period.

- Implement permit

quota system for speciﬁc

areas that are exceeding

guidelines.

- Implement area-wide

permit quota system at

trailheads or at individual

destinations.

- Implement closure of

speciﬁc areas to the use of

campﬁres and remove ﬁre

rings.

P – 86

APPENDIX P

Recreational Stock Use Standard

The effects of recreational stock use on vegetation, meadows, and riparian areas are determined by monitoring

the amount of manure in campsite areas, the condition of tree roots, and presence of tree girdling in campsite

areas.

Recreational Stock Use - Management Options

Indicator

Amount of recreational stock

use within a management area

or individual canyon.

Level I Options

- Educate public

on proper use of

recreational stock in

the backcountry

- Voluntary dispersal

of use through

educational efforts.

- Inform visitors of

opportunities outside

these areas.

- Emphasize Leave No

Trace education efforts

for all backcountry

users, with emphasis

for recreational stock

users.

Level II Options

- Limit the number of recreational

stock-per-party in areas exceeding

guidelines.

- Require certiﬁed weed-free feed/

hay be used for recreational stock in

place of grazing.

- Prohibit picketing in areas where

guidelines are exceeded.

- Implement and enforce special rules

to prohibit tying of recreational stock

to trees.

- Restrict grazing within areas

exceeding guidelines to no more than

one-third of the grazing season.

- Establish an “on” date for

recreational stock use or a season of

use.

- Develop a rotational system within

a Management Area or individual

canyon that would allow recreational

stock grazing only within speciﬁed

areas.

- Limit length-of-stay by recreational

stock within areas exceeding

guidelines.

Level III Options

- Close speciﬁc areas

exceeding guidelines to use

by recreational stock.

- Close management area

or individual canyons to

grazing by recreational

stock.

P – 87

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Unauthorized Motor Vehicle and Mechanical Transport

Intrusions Standard

The unauthorized motor vehicle and mechanical transport intrusions standard describes the maximum

number of unauthorized intrusions into Steens Mountain Wilderness off road, on any closed road, from the

offset boundary of any road bound on both sides by Steens Mountain Wilderness, or any road which runs

parallel to the Steens Mountain Wilderness. Unauthorized intrusions can include any type of motor vehicle

and mechanical transport including, but not limited to, OHVs, snowmobiles, bicycles, ultra-light aircraft, and

hang gliders. Unauthorized intrusions are determined from evidence of vehicle tracks in wilderness or from

actual sightings of vehicles in wilderness.

Unauthorized Motor Vehicle and Mechanical Transport Intrusions - Management Options

Indicator

Number of intrusions into Steens

Mountain

Wilderness by unauthorized

motor vehicles and mechanical transport

on closed roads or off of roads.

Level I Options

- Disperse educational information

regarding motor vehicle and mechanical

transport regulations in Steens Mountain

ilderness with efforts by agency

personnel, volunteers, and publications.

- Increase signing of Steens Mountain

Wilderness boundary and area closures.

- Inform visitors of driving opportunities

outside Steens Mountain Wilderness.

- Emphasize Leave No Trace education

efforts.

- Agency personnel educate users and

other agency personnel about regulations

regarding motor vehicles and mechanical

transport in Steens Mountain Wilderness.

- Post regulations regarding motor vehicle

and mechanical transport use restrictions

in Steens Mountain Wilderness at

campgrounds, trailheads, and other areas

appropriate for public information.

- Cite any known violators driving in

Steens Mountain Wilderness.

Level II Options

- Restrict public use for certain

recreational activities.

- Develop controls at access points

to exclude motor vehicles and

mechanical transport from Steens

Mountain Wilderness.

- Increase law enforcement and other

routine patrols.

P – 88

APPENDIX P

Attachment 2 – Special Status Species

Special Status Species

Table A2-1 Special Status Fish Species Summary Table

Common Name Scientiﬁc Name Status

BLM State

Federal

Lahontan cutthroat trout Oncorhynclus clarki henshawi T T X

Great Basin redband trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Tracking S X

Mountain whiteﬁsh Prosopium williamsoni X

Malheur

mottled sculpin Cottus bairdi ssp. Sensitive X

Catlow

Valley tui chub Gila bicolor spp. Tracking S X

Longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae X

Speckled dace Rhinichthys osculus X

Redside shiner Richardsonium balteatus X

Largescale sucker Catostomus macrocheilus X

Bridgelip sucker Catostomus columbianus X

State Status (ODFW): E-endangered; T-threatened

Federal Status (USFWS): T-threatened; S-Species of special concern with conservation agreements.

Table A2-2 Special Status Plants Species Summary Table

Common Name

alpine fescue

alpine lily

Back’

s sedge

Bellard’s kobresia

capitate sedge

Cusick’s hyssop

Cusicks’s draba

dark alpine sedge

Davidson’s penstemon

desert needlegrass

discoid goldenweed

Drummond willow

ephemeral monkey ﬂower

foetid sedge

gray moonwort

hairstemmed rush

Hayden’s cymopterus

Hayden’s sedge

Kruckeberg’s holly fern

lance-leaved grapefern

least rush

long-ﬂowered snowberry

moonwort

Scientiﬁc Name

Festuca brachyphylla

Lloydia ser

otina

Carex cordillerana

Kobresia bellardii

Carex capitata

Agastache cusickii

Draba cusickii

Carex subnigricans

Penstemon davidsonii var. praeteritus

Achnatherum speciosum

Ericameria discoidea var discoidea

Salix drummondiana

Mimulus evanescens

Carex vernacula

Botrychium minganense

Juncus capillaris

Cymopterus nivalis

Carex haydeniana

Polystichum kruckebergii

Botrychium lanceolatum ssp. lanceolatum

Juncus hemiendytus var. abjectus

Symphoricarpos longiﬂorus

Botrychium lunaria

BLM Status

ONHP Status

P – 89

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Common Name

moss gentian

mosslike dwarf rush

narrowleaf cottonwood

new sedge

nodding melic

pinnate grapefern

Rocky Mtn. Helianthella

short-fruited willow

short-lobed penstemon

Sierra willow

Sierran springbeauty

sky pilot

slender gentian

Steens Mountain paint brush

teacher’s sedge

weak-stemmed stonecrop

wedge-leaf saxifrage

white-ﬂowered penstemon

BLM Status

Scientiﬁc Name

Gentiana prostrata

Juncus bryoides

Populus angustifolia

Car

ex nova

Melica stricta

Botrychium pinnatum

Helianthella uniﬂora var. uniﬂora

Salix brachycarpa var brachycarpa

Penstemon seorsus

Salix orestera

Claytonia nevadensis

Polemonium viscosum

Gentianella tenella

Castilleja pilosa var. steenensis

Carex praeceptorum

Sedum debile

Saxifraga adscendens var.oregonensis

Penstemon pratensis

BLM Status ONHP Status

A L2

T L3

T L4

A L2

T L4

A L2

T L3

T L4

T L3

T L4

A L2

S L4

T L3

T L4

A L2

T L3

S=Sensitive - species that could easily become endangered or extinct in a state, are restricted in range, and have natural- or human-caused threats to survival.

A=Assessment - species not presently eligible for ofﬁcial Federal or State status but are still of concern and need protection or mitigation in BLM activities.

T=Tracking - species that may become of concern in the future, but more information is needed to determine status for management purposes.

ONHP (Oregon Natural Heritage Program) Status

L1 - taxa threatened with extinction or presumed to be extinct throughout their range.

L2 - taxa threatened with extirpation or presumed to be extirpated from the State of Oregon.

L3 - taxa of conservation concern that need more information to determine status.

L4 – taxa which are of concern because they are rare and stable or common and declining.

P – 90

APPENDIX P

Table A2-3 Special Status Wildlife Species Summary Table

Common Name

Columbia spotted frog

western toad #

American white pelican

bank swallow

black rosy ﬁnch

black tern

black-throated sparrow

bobolink

broad-tailed hummingbird

Columbia sharp-tailed grouse #

ferruginous hawk

ﬂammulated owl

Forster

’s tern

Franklin’s gull

great egret

Greater sage-grouse

greater sandhill crane

horned grebe

least bittern

loggerhead shrike

mountain quail #

northern bald eagle

northern goshawk

olive-sided ﬂycatcher

peregrine falcon

pinyon jay

sage sparrow

snowy egret

Swainson’s hawk

white-faced ibis

willow ﬂycatcher

yellow-billed cuckoo

Catlow Valley tui chub

Great Basin redband trout

Lahontan cutthroat trout

Malheur mottled sculpin

California bighorn sheep

California wolverine

Canada lynx*

fringed myotis

gray wolf

Scientiﬁc Name

Amphibian

Rana luteiventris

Bufo bor

eas

Bird

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Riparia riparia

Leucosticte atrata

Chlidonias niger

Amphispiza bilineata

Dolichonyx oryzivorus

Selasphorus platycer

cus

Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus

Buteo regalis

Otus ﬂammeolus

Sterna forsteri

Larus pipixcan

Casmerodius albus

Centrocercus urophasianus

Grus canadensis ssp.

Podiceps auritus

Ixobrychus exilis

Lanius ludovicianus

Oreortyx pictus

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Accipiter gentilis

Contopus cooperi

Falco peregrinus ssp.

Gymnorhinus cyancephalus

Amphispiza belli

Egretta thula

Buteo swainsoni

Plegadis chihi

Empidonax traillii adastus

Coccyzus americanus

Fish

Gila bicolor ssp.

Oncor

hynchus mykiss ssp.

Oncorhynchus clark henshawi

Cottus bairdi ssp.

Mammal

Ovis canadensis ssp.

Gulo gulo

ynx canadensis

Myotis thysanodes

Canis lupus

Fed

SoC

Status

BLM OR

BS SE

ONHP

L2-ex

P – 91

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Common Name

long-eared myotis

long-legged myotis

pallid bat

Preble’s shrew

silver-haired bat

spotted bat

Townsend’s big-eared bat

western small-footed myotis

white-tailed antelope ground

squirrel

white-tailed jackrabbit

Yuma myotis

desert horned lizard

long-nosed leopard lizard

Mojave black-collared lizard

northern sagebrush lizard

Status:

Scientiﬁc Name

Myotis evotis

Myotis volans

Antr

ozous pallidus

Sorex preblei

Lasionycteris noctivagans

Euderma maculatum

Corynorhinus townsendii

Myotis ciliolabrum

Ammospermophilus leucurus

Lepus townsendii

Myotis yumanensis

Reptile

Phrynosoma platyrhinos

Gambelia wislizenii

otophytus bicinctores

Sceloporus graciosus

Status

Fed BLM OR ONHP

SoC

BT L4

BT L3

BA L2

BS L2

BT L3

BT L4

BT L3

BT L4

BT L3

BT L4

FE=Federal Endangered: A species which is in danger of becoming extinct within the forseeable future throughout all or a signiﬁcant portion of its

range.

FT=Federal Threatened: A species that is likely to become endangered within the forseeable future.

FC=Federal Candidate: A species for which the USFWS or National Marine Fisheries Service have sufﬁcient information to support a proposal for listing

as Threatened or Endangered under the ESA.

SoC=Species of Concern: A former C2 candidate species which needs additional information in order to propose as threatened or endangered under the

ESA. The USFWS is reviewing species information for consideration as Candidates for listing under the ESA.

SE=State Endangered: A species which is in danger of becoming extinct within the foreseeable future throughout all or a signiﬁcant portion of its range.

This species may be extirpated from its range within the state.

ST=State Threatened: An animal that could become endangered within the foreseeable future within all or a portion of its range.

BS=BLM Sensitive: Species that could easily become endangered or extinct in a state, are restricted in range, and have natural or human-caused

threats to survival.

BA=BLM Assessment: Species not presently eligible for ofﬁcial federal or state status but are still of concern and need protection of mitigation win BLM

activities.

BT=BLM Tracking: Species that may become of concern in the future, but more information is needed to determine status for management

purposes.

ONHP (Oregon Natural Heritage Program):

L1=List 1: Taxa that are threatened with extinction or presumed to be extinct throughout their entire range.

L2=List 2: Taxa that are threatened with extirpation or presumed to be extirpated from the state of Oregon.

L3=List 3: Species for which more information is needed before status can be determined, but which may be threatened or endangered in Oregon

or throughout their range.

L4=List 4: Taxa which are of concern, but are not currently threatened or endangered.

# - No longer found in the Planning Area.

* - Trapped once in the Steens Mountain, which is outside its normal range of habitat.

Ex = Extirpated - no longer within the original range of the species in Oregon. Outside of the recovery zone for gray wolves.

P – 92

APPENDIX P

Attachment 3 – Campsite Monitoring Form

Steens Mountain Wilderness

Campsite Monitoring Form

LOCATION

1. Campsite # 2. Survey Time and Date: 3. Former Names

4. Township Range: Section: ¼ Section ¼ ¼ Section

5. GPS Coordinates: 5a. Elevation

6. Closest Trailhead

DESCRIPTION

7. General Description

8. Tent Sites (# of tent sites and location within the campsite):

9. Other Notes (Cultural Resources, Prominent Natural Features, Naturally Occurring Events or Effects, Interesting

Hikes):

WATER

10. Type and location of freshwater source:

11. Distance from campsite to water:

12. Recent Ranger Updates

Dates: Ranger:

13. Can sounds/noises be heard from adjacent campsites?

14. Number of campsites within 100 yards:

15. Distance from campsite to trail:

16. Firewood availability:

17. Distance to nearest campsite (over 100 yards not to be monitored):

18. Outﬁtter/Guide use:

19: Visitor record (visitors seen, contacted, and inferred):

20. Wildlife Observations:

Length of Site Check:

21. Photo Point:

P – 93

Burns BLM District, OR020-8560-03

(March 2004)

MONITORING

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Steens Mountain Wilderness

Campsite Monitoring Form (continued)

22. MAP OF CAMPSITE (Draw a detailed map that includes measurements, compass directions, social trails,

geologic and natural features, naturally occurring events or effects, tent site locations, and mineral soil exposure.

Burns BLM District, OR020-8560-03

(March 2004)

P – 94

APPENDIX P

Steens Mountain Wilderness

Campsite Monitoring Form (continued)

Inside Campsite Outside Campsite

23. Vegetation Cover

0-5% 6-25% 26-50% 51-75% 76-100% 0-5% 6-25% 26-50% 51-75% 76-100%

24. Mineral Soil Exposure

0-5% 6-25% 26-50% 51-75% 76-100% 0-5% 6-25% 26-50% 51-75% 76-100%

Human-caused ratings

25. Vegetation Loss

26. Mineral Soil Increase

27. Human Caused Tree

Damage

# of trees scarred =

# of trees felled =

28. Development

29. Cleanliness

# of ﬁre rings =

Litter?

30. Social Trails

# of trails =

31. Camp Area =

squar

e feet

No difference in cover

0-25% of all trees in

campsite scarred or

felled or have broken

lower branches

None

No more than evidence

of ﬁre. No ﬁre ring or

litter

No more than one

discernable trail

0-500 sq. feet

Difference of one

coverage class

Dif

ference of one

coverage class

26-50% of all trees in

campsite scarred or

felled or have broken

lower branches

1-2 rock or log

structures

One ﬁre ring, some

litter

, one burnt log or

up to 50% of rocks in

campsite scarred

Up to 3 discernable

trails

501-1500 sq. feet

Difference of two or

more coverage classes

Dif

ference of two or

more coverage classes

More than 50% of

all trees in campsite

scarred or felled or

have broken lower

branches

More than 2 structures

More than one ﬁre

ring, or a lar

amount of litter, or

any sign of human

waste, or greater

than 50% of rocks in

campsite scarred, or

more than one burnt

log

More than 3

discernable trails

More than 1500 sq.

feet

Impact Index

x 2 =

x 3 =

x 1 =

x 2 =

x 3 =

Recreational Stock Ratings

32. Root Exposure

33. Tree Girdling

34. Evidence of

Recr

eational Stock Within

Campsite Area

0-25%

0-1 tree girdled

None

26-50%

2 to 3 trees girdled

Manure or feed only

3 Impact Index

More than 50% x 3 =

More than 3 trees x 3 =

girdled

Manure, feed and/or x 3 =

tree damage present.

35. Minimum Impact 20 - 29 Moderate Impact 30 - 39 Heavy Impact 40 - 49 Extreme Impact 50+

otal Impact Index Total =

(include recreational stock totals)

36. Minimum Impact 9 - 12 Moderate Impact 13 - 15 Heavy Impact 16 - 19 Extreme Impact 20+

Total Impact Recreational Stock Total =

Burns BLM District, OR020-8560-03

(March 2004)

P – 95

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Steens Mountain Wilderness

Campsite Monitoring Form Instructions

Permanent ﬁles located in Burns DO will be maintained that will contain Campsite Monitoring Forms, photos, and a map of

each campsite. In addition, there will be a separate ﬁle for each area (see below #1) including a 7½ minute map with all area

campsites marked by GPS points. Campsites will be monitored twice a year, once at beginning and once at end of summer

season.

1) Campsite #: Record current campsite number. This is a three or four digit identiﬁer unique to each campsite. The ﬁrst

two digits refer to a particular area or drainage and are as follows:

Wildhorse Lake: WH

Cold Springs Canyon: CS

Mud Creek: MC

Ankle Creek: AC

Big Indian: BI

Little Blitzen: LB

Donner und Blitzen River: BR

Pike Creek: PC

The third and forth numbers will be numbers that reﬂect the order in which the campsite was discovered. Other areas will be

added as needed.

2) Survey date: Enter exact time and date the campsite was monitored. Record as DAY-MONTH-YEAR-TIME. Both are

crucial in or

ganizing ﬁeld photos with a digital camera.

3) Former names: For comparison with past inventories, record any nicknames or former names. For newly discovered

campsites, a name may be assigned if desired.

4) Township, range, section and quarter section: Fill in the correct grid information.

5) GPS coordinates: Enter coordinates. Take reading in the same place as the campsite photo.

6) Closest trailhead: Record the closest trailhead. Established trailheads include Big Indian, Wildhorse Lake, Little Blitzen,

Donner und Blitzen River, and Riddle Ranch, Mud/Ankle, and Pike Creeks.

7) General description: Give a description of the campsite including size, impact, vegetation type, and anything else

pertinent.

8) Tent Sites: Enter the number of tent sites, condition of sites, and general location of each site.

9) Other notes: Include information on cultural resources, natural features, and nearby hikes, etc.

10) Freshwater sources: Record name of river, creek or drainage. Document up to two sources.

11) Distance from campsite to water: This is the distance in feet the campsite is from a perennial or annual river, spring,

creek or lake. Measure the distance from the middle of the campsite or ﬁre ring, if present.

12) Recent ranger updates: Include the date, your ﬁrst and last name, and the length of time you spent monitoring the

campsite.

13) Sounds from adjacent campsites: Include any human or recreational stock noises heard from any other nearby campsite.

Record on the Occupied Campsite Form (OR020-8560-03).

14) Number of campsites within 100 yards: Record number and name of any campsite, regardless if the other campsite is

occupied by a camping party or not. Record on the Occupied Campsite Form (OR020-8560-03).

Burns BLM District, OR020-8560-03

(March 2004)

P – 96

APPENDIX P

15) Distance from campsite to an established trail system: Measure the distance in feet from the nearest trail to the campsite.

If the nearest trail is miles away, round to the nearest tenth of a mile. Differentiate between an established trail and a

social trail and measure from the middle of the campsite or ﬁre ring if present. Current established trail systems include

Donner und Blitzen River, Wildhorse Lake, Big Indian, Mud/Ankle Creek, Little Blitzen, and Pike Creek.

16) Firewood availability: Walk around the campsite and note the different types of possible ﬁrewood on the ground.

Record the nearest distance in feet from the center of the campsite to the closest available wood. This should be enough

to make a small ﬁre for one night, approximately 2 cubic feet of varying sizes of wood, including kindling. Do not count

already collected ﬁrewood. Also make note of the type of ﬁrewood available in the area.

17) Distance to nearest campsite: This is meant to be a check for future seasons. Only monitor the distance up to 100 yards.

Leave the section blank when distances are greater than this.

18) Outﬁtter/Guide use: Record encounters with guides as well as groups that are known to use the campsite.

19) Visitor record: Document number of visitors seen, contacted, or inferred at the campsite. Be sure to also document on

the Occupied Campsite (OR020-8560-03) and Encounters Forms (OR020-8560-04).

20) Wildlife observations: Includes any wildlife sightings, big or small, furry or feathered observed at the campsite. Also

include any intriguing tracks.

21) Photo point: Take photos at the same location where the GPS reading was taken, preferably the center of the campsite.

Take four photos at each campsite which point towards the four cardinal directions; north, east, south and west.

22) Campsite Map: Draw a detailed map of the campsite. Include measurements, compass directions, social trails, geologic

features, locations of tent sites, and any mineral soil exposure. Keep a permanent map of each campsite in each campsite

ﬁle. Make a copy of the map and mark in pencil any changes to the campsite. The map drawing may be done only once

per season.

23) Vegetative cover (Inside campsite): Study the ground on the inside of the campsite thoroughly. Speculate, on average,

what percentage of the ground is covered by vegetation. Do not count trails going through camp. Do count satellite areas

outside the campsite into the equation such as recreational stock areas, tent pads, kitchen areas, etc. Circle 0-5%, 6-25%,

26-50%, 51-75%, or 76-100%.

Vegetative cover (Outside campsite): Study the ground at least 20 feet outside of the campsite thoroughly. Speculate, on

average, what percentage of the ground is covered by vegetation. Circle 0-5%, 6-25%, 26-50%, 51-75%, or 76-100%.

24) Mineral soil exposure (Inside campsite): Study the ground on the inside of the campsite thoroughly. Speculate, on

average, what percentage of the ground has mineral soil exposed. Mineral soil is deﬁned as bare soil with no vegetation

growing anywhere. If there are sprouts of any kind growing, then it does not count as mineral soil. Do not count trails

going through camp. Do count satellite areas outside the campsite into the equation such as recreational stock areas,

tent pads, kitchen areas, etc. Circle the correct percent of mineral soil that is exposed; 0-5%, 6-25%, 26-50%, 51-75%,

or 76-100%.

Mineral soil exposure (Outside campsite): Thoroughly study the ground at least 20 feet outside of the campsite.

Speculate, on average, what percentage of the ground has mineral soil exposed. Circle the correct percent of mineral

soil exposed. Circle 0-5%, 6-25%, 26-50%, 51-75%, or 76-100%.

25) Root Exposure: Calculate the percentage of trees with roots exposed from human use. Do not count trees that have

naturally exposed roots. Count trees with damaged roots before scarred trees. Do not count a tree for both root exposure

and scarring. Find impact index.

26) Tree Girdling: Deﬁned tree damage encircling the tree. Count tree girdling before scarring and root exposure. Do not

count any girdled tree for root exposure and scarring. Find impact index.

Burns BLM District, OR020-8560-03

(March 2004)

P – 97

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

27) Evidence of recreational stock: Be sure that evidence points to horse, mule, llama or other pack animal dung, not a wild

animal or cattle. Find impact index.

28) Vegetation loss: Take note of the difference in coverage classes from number 23, vegetation cover. Circle the appropriate

box. Under the Impact index, multiply the rating number above the box you circled by the number already in the Impact

index box. For example, if you recorded campsite vegetative cover was 50% inside the campsite and 75% outside the

campsite, this would be a difference of one coverage class with a rating of 2. You would then multiply the 2 by 2, for a

total of 4.

29) Mineral soil increase: Take note of the difference in coverage classes from number 24, mineral soil exposure. Circle the

appropriate box. Under the impact index, multiply the rating number above the box you circled by the number already

in the impact index box. For example, if you recorded the average percentage of mineral exposed as 25% inside the

campsite and 5% outside the campsite, this would be a difference of one coverage class with a rating of 2. You would

then multiply the 2 by 3, for a total of 6.

30) Tree damage: Record the number of trees scarred, inside as well as immediately outside, the campsite. Scarring trees

include anything nailed or inserted in a tree, or anything carved into a tree. One nail found in a tree counts as scarring.

Girdling does not count, as there is a separate section for recreational stock use. Record the number of felled trees within

and immediately outside the campsite. Calculate the percentage of scarred and/or felled trees and circle the appropriate

percentage. Multiply the rating by 3 to get the impact index.

31) Development: This counts as any human made structure and includes, but is not limited to rock chairs, altars, backrests,

log benches, meat hangers, seats or tables. Circle the category and calculate the impact index.

32) Cleanliness: Count the number of ﬁre rings and document whether or not litter is present. Count all ﬁre rings and sites

of repeated ﬁres, with or without rock rings. Faint scars or sites of one time use should not be counted. If there is more

that one ﬁre ring, a large amount of litter, more than one burnt log or any evidence of human waste, rating 3 should be

circled and the impact index would be a 3.

33) Social Trails: Any trail, besides the main trail that leads to the campsite. These are side trails which provide access to

water, other campsites, viewpoints, ﬁrewood, bathroom places, etc. Find impact index. Draw all social trails on the map

drawn of each campsite.

34) Camp area: This is the total camp area in square feet measured by using a tape measure. Measure satellite areas (tent

pads, etc.) outside the campsite and add them to the total campsite size. Calculate the impact index.

35) Add

up all of the impact indexes to ﬁnd the total index. Designate impact by circling either minimum, moderate, heavy

or extreme impact.

36) Add up the three recreational stock indexes to ﬁnd the total recreational stock impact index. Designate impact by

circling either minimum, moderate, heavy or extreme recreational stock impact.

Burns BLM District, OR020-8560-03

(March 2004)

P – 98

Attachment 4 – Occupied Campsite Form

Steens Mountain Wilderness

OCCUPIED CAMPSITE FORM

Perception of Solitude Indicator

Number of other parties camped within sight or continuous sound per canyon or destination area

Instructions: Record date, location of camp and number of other campsites within sight or sound for every occupied camp discovered

in the wilderness, including your own. If no other camps are within sight or sound, this too must be documented.

CAMPSITE # OF CAMPS WITHIN

DATE LOCATION COMMENTS

NUMBER SIGHT AND/OR SOUND

Burns BLM District,

OR020-8560-03

(March 2004)

P – 99

APPENDIX P

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

P – 100

Attachment 5 – Trail Register Form

Steens Mountain Wilderness Trail Register

WELCOME TO: STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS

Please register only once per group. The information you provide is very important in helping to manage the wilderness.

ACTIVITY

ENTRY # # # EXIT DATE/

NAME (Hike, Hunt, Fish, DESTINATION

DATE PEOPLE DAYS STOCK COMMENTS

etc)

Burns BLM District,

OR020-8560-03

(March 2004)

APPENDIX P

P – 101

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

P – 102

Attachment 6 – Encounters Form

Steens Mountain Wilderness

ENCOUNTERS FORM

Perception of Solitude Indicator

Document each encounter in the wilderness, on trail and off. If no one is encountered on a certain day, record the date and location,

and leave the rest of the line blank.

ACTIVITY

# # # AND TYPE

DATE LOCATION COMMENTS

(DAY HIKE, BACKPACK,

PEOPLE DOGS OF STOCK

FISH, HUNT, ETC.)

Burns BLM District,

OR020-8560-03

(March 2004)

P – 103

APPENDIX P

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

P – 104

APPENDIX P

Attachment 7 – Trail Monitoring Form

Steens Mountain Wilderness

Trail Monitoring Form

Date and Time_________________________________

Name________________________________________

Multiple Trails

Trail Name GPS Point Photo # Width Rating Depth Rating

Rating

Note any ‘Naturally Occurring’ Event Which Affects the Trail

Burns BLM District,

OR020-8560-03

(March 2004)

P – 105

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

Steens Mountain Wilderness

Trail Monitoring Form Instructions

A. Trail width:

1 = Slight. Trail widening is width greater than 24 inches occurring in dry and sandy or upland soils with little impact to

vegetation and little soil compaction.

Trail is likely to become wider.

2 = Moderate. Trail widening is occurring 24 to 36 inches, and in an area of sensitive riparian vegetation, causing moderate

damage to riparian vegetation and sod; moderate soil erosion is occurring along dry areas where soil productivity is

affected. Potential for increased damage is likely.

3 = Severe. Trail widening is greater than 36 inches within a wet riparian/meadow area or adjacent stream crossing, causing

signiﬁcant damage to sod, and active erosion is occurring. Condition is in an active state and has a potential to become

worse.

B. Trail depth:

1 = Slight. Slightly depressed trail is evident. Slight root exposure is noticeable.

2 = Moderate. Tread depth shows active erosion and the trail is incising. Tread is less than 12 inches below ground surface.

Evidence

of scour and sediment is leaving the trail and a moderate amount may be entering stream channels where

trail is adjacent to streams. Beginning stages of gullying is starting to form.

3 = Severe. Trail is actively eroding, gullies are present. Tread is greater than 12 inches below ground surface. Evidence of

sediment transport into stream channels at crossings is apparent. Trail is in an eroded state and difﬁcult to tread.

C. Multiple trailing:

0 = None

1 = Slight. Multiple trailing is occurring, though not in an advanced condition.

2 = Moderate. Two to three trails have formed, some moderate damage has occurred to sod and riparian vegetation, some

erosion within the trail troughs. Condition is worsening.

3 = Severe. Two to three trails have formed, have deeply incised troughs, loss of sod and damage to riparian vegetation is

occurring.

D. Natural Event:

Note on form but do not rate as a human effect or visitor activity.

Burns BLM District,

OR020-8560-03

(March 2004)

P – 106

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

APPENDIX P

Attachment 8 – Winter Recreation Monitoring

Form

Steens Mountain Wilderness

Winter Recreation

Monitoring Form

Name(s):_________________________________________________________Date:____________Time:________________

Area(s) Visited: _______________________________________________________________________________________

What Road, Mile Mark, Elevation or Landmark

Road Conditions: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Snow Conditions/Elevations: ____________________________________________________________________________

Your Activity: ________________________________________________________________________________________

Snowmobiling, Skiing, Snowshoeing, Driving

Number & Type of Vehicles Encountered: __________________________________________________________________

User Activity & Numbers - Snowmobiling: ________________ Skiing: ________________Snowshoeing:___________

Describe User Activity: _______________________________________________________________________________

# people encountered, track type(s), location, etc.

Wildlife Observed:____________________________________________________________________________________

Type(s), Numbers, Tracks, Location

Wilderness/WSA Violations: ____________________________________________________________________________

Other Comments: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Landmark Notes: 1

Cattle Guard .2 mi 2

Cattle Guard: 1.6 mi

Cattle Guard: 6.7 mi 4

Cattle Guard (Lake Creek Turnoff): 9.5 mi

Cattle Guard: 12.3 mi 6

Cattle Guard (Fish Lake): 13.7 mi

Elevations: Page Springs Gate: 4200’ Juniper Line: 5400’ Fish Lake: 7400’

Kiger Gorge Overlook Turnoff: 8800’

Burns BLM District,

OR020-8560-03

(March 2004)

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_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

APPENDIX P

Attachment 9 – Unauthorized Intrusions

Monitoring Form

Steens Mountain Wilderness

Unauthorized Motor Vehicle and

Mechanical Transport Intrusions

Monitoring Form

Name(s) of Observer(s): _________________________________________________ Date:___________ Time:__________

Area(s) Location(s):____________________________________________________________________________________

Road Name(s): _______________________________________________________________________________________

GPS

or Map Legal Description(s): _______________________________________________________________________

Number of Unauthorized Vehicles /Tracks Encountered: _____________________________________________________

Vehicle Description(s)/License Number(s): ________________________________________________________________

Describe User Activity: _________________________________________________________________________________

Wilderness Violation(s): ________________________________________________________________________________

Other Comments: _____________________________________________________________________________________

***Attach photos to this form

Burns BLM District,

OR020-8560-03

(March 2004)

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P – 110

United States Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management

Burns District Ofﬁce

28910 Hwy 20 West

Hines, Oregon 97738

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300

PRIORITY MAIL

POST

AGE & FEES PAID

Bureau of Land Management

Permit No. G-76

Bureau of Land

Management

Burns District

Ofﬁce

BLM/OR/WA/PL-05/027-1792

STEENS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS & WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS PLAN

APPENDIX P