BLM LIBRARY mm of Land Management 88067406 aI L Salem District l e M m Project Update D March 2006 i s t r i c t ary 11,2006 Yaquina Head landslide. Photo by Ron Tuttle HD 243 Public Lands: Use, Share, Appreciate .07 S25 2006 C.2 15 db _xJ X, ex'! ^ nTi / CXT United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Salem District Office 1717 Fabry Road S.E. Salem, Oregon 97306 Dear Citizen: Project Update is published to provide current information about projects planned on the Bureau of Land Management s Salem District lands. It is our intent to increase the public’s awareness of BLM issues, activities, and opportunities. More importantly, we are seeking ideas and comments from those who may be affected by our multiple-use management programs. Your ideas, comments, and participation help us make informed decisions and implement better projects. Project Update is organized by resource area and within each resource area by type of project. Additional information can be obtained from the BLM staff listed as contacts. Please send written comments, including the specific project name, to the appropriate address listed below during the identified public comment period. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Land Management Salem District Office Tillamook Resource Area 1717 Fabry Rd. SE 4610 Third St. Salem. OR 97306 Tillamook, OR 97141 (503) 375-5646 (503) 815-1100 OPEN: 7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. OPEN: 7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday Monday - Friday Please contact us if you no longer wish to receive Project Update. You can also find a copy of Project Update at your local public library. Your comments and concerns are welcome and may influence the final decision on these projects. Thank you for your continued interest! Sincerely, Denis Williamson Salem District Manager March 2006 Project Update 1 . Current projects are described in Tables 1-4. FY 2005 timber sales are described in Table 5. Explanatory comments concerning Tables 1-4: Projects are organized by project type, project name/description, location, planning status, and contact person. A project may include the following stages: Developing Proposed Action -A site-specific proposal, called a Proposed Action, is developed to move the existing condition of an area towards a desired condition or result. Scoping -Public comment is sought on the Proposed Action. Comments are used to refine the proposal or to identify issues which will define the scope of analysis and alternatives to be considered. Developing Alternatives -A range of alternatives is developed based on the issues raised during scoping, while addressing the purpose and need for the project. Analyzing Effects - The effects of implementing the altemative(s) are determined and documented in an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement), EA (Environmental Assessment), CX (Categorical Exclusion) or DNA (Determination of NEPA Adequacy). Comment Period - Comments are generally sought for 60 days on a draft EIS, and for 30 days on an EA and FONSI (Finding of No Significant Impact). There are no established comment periods for a CX or DNA. Comment periods are established commensurate with the anticipated level of public interest. Notice of Decisions - Notice of decisions from an EIS and EA will be published in “a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the lands affected by the decision are located” and sent to those who have requested such. Notices of decision from an EIS will also be published in the Federal Register. Notice lor projects which qualify as a CX or DNA will be available for public review at the appropriate Field Office. Abbreviations Used in Tables: AMA Adaptive Management Area AMR Adaptive Management Reserve APU Activity Planning Unit CCF Hundred Cubic Feet CON Connectivity CX Currently planned documentation is a Categorical Exclusion DNA Currently planned documentation is a Determination of NEPA Adequacy EA Currently planned documentation is an Environmental Assessment ERFO Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads GFM A General Forest Management Area JITW Jobs-In-The-Woods LUA Land Use Allocation LSR Late Successional Reserve MBF Thousand Board Feet RR Riparian Reserves SBA Small Business Administration TBD To Be Determined 3 March 2006 Project Update ACEC Nomination Results Last fall the public was given the opportunity to nominate potential Areas of Critical Environmental Concern fACECs) for consideration in the BLM’s Western Oregon Plan Revision process. ACECs are lands where special management attention is needed to protect and prevent irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, scenic values, fish and wildlife resources, or other natural systems or processes. Nominations were received 81 new ACECs, including 23 in the Salem District. BLM staff have evaluated these nominations and the existing ACECs in the planning area to determine which areas met the minimum criteria for “relevance and importance’’ for further consideration in the plan revisions. After review by the six districts, ninety-one of the existing ACECs and thirty-three of the nominated ACECs were recommended for further consideration. These 124 potential ACECs involve approximately 102,000 acres or about four percent of the planning area. What Happens Next? All existing and potential ACECs which passed the evaluation for “relevance and importance” will be considered in the development of each of the management plan alternatives. The special management needs of each area will be compared with the prescribed management under each of the planning alternatives. It is quite likely that some of the potential ACECs may surface as suitable for designation under one alternative and designation will not be needed under another alternative. For example, if a potential ACEC was nominated to provide special management attention for a unique ecosystem, and that area occurs within a broader area that would receive the same kind of management under one of the management alternatives, that ACEC would not be necessary. However, under another planning alternative, special management attention may be necessary because the surrounding area would not receive the same type of management. Final designation of ACEC status will occur after the final Environmental Impact Statement is approved and a formal Record of Decision for each revised Resource Management Plan is issued. This should occur in 2008. March 2006 Project Update 4 M a Table 1: Cascades Resource Area Proposed Projects r c h 2 Name / Description of Project Location Planning Status Contact 0 0 6 Vegetation Management Actions P ro (Additional Vegetation Management Actions are described under the Multiple Projects heading) j e c 2006 Timber Sale Project (EA# OR080-04-20): The proposed action is to thin t U approximately 1880 acres in four project areas (Annie’s Cabin, Missouri Ridge, Snakehouse Upper Molalla, Middle North Santiam and p d and Round Mountain), and constitutes the Cascades FY 2006 timber sale program. Average Little North Santiam watersheds near Mill EA completed July 2005. a te stand age ranges from 40 to 70 years old. Thinning would occur in the Matrix (1504 City, Rock Creek/Pudding River watershed Multiple final decisions are Steve Dowlan acres), Riparian Reserve (356 acres), and Late Successional Reserve (LSR) (20 acres in the near Scotts Mills, Crabtree Creek and expected to be issued Spring (503)315-5909 Snakehouse Project Area) Land Use Allocations (LUA). Approximately 713 acres of thinning Hamilton Creek/South Santiam watersheds 2006-Fall 2006. in the Molalla River Recreation Corridor and portions of the Molalla Shared Use Trail System near Lebanon. are included in this assessment (Annie’s Cabin Project Area). Gordon Creek/Lower Sandy watershed near 2007 Timber Sale Project (EA# OR080-06-06): Approximately 2900 acres are being Corbett, Upper Molalla (Pudding River assessed for commercial thinning in three project areas (Gordon Creek, Beeline, and and Upper Clear Creek subwatesheds) and Steve Dowlan McDowell Creek), and constitutes the Cascades FY 2007 timber sale program. Average stand Scoping Lower Molalla (Canyon Creek subwatershed) (503)315-5909 age ranges from 40 to 70 years old. Thinning would occur in the Matrix and Riparian Reserve watersheds near Colton, and Hamilton Creek/ Land Use Allocations (LUA). South Santiam watershed near Lebanon T8S R1E Sec. 35; T8S R2E Sec. 31, T9S R2E EA completed August 2004. Ag47 (EA# OR080-04-08, project 1): The proposed action is approximately 341 acres of Keith Walton Sections 3 and 5. Final decision expected to be thinning in the Matrix LUA; and 91 acres of riparian thinning. (503) 375-5676 issued Spring 2006. Clear Dodger Reissue (EA# OR080-03-03): Project 1 is a proposal to thin approximately 143 acres of 65-90 year old timber stands, and construct, then decommission 0.05 mile of Project 1 (Timber Sale) road. Road renovation and maintenance are also proposed. Project 2, Riparian Restoration, is T. 4 S„ R. 4 E„ Sections 13, 23-25, T. 4 S., R. Decision issued February 2006. a proposal to girdle trees to create snags, without wood removal within the Riparian Reserves. 5 E., Section 30, WM, approximately 7 miles Carolyn Sands Project 2 (Riparian Treatments) These projects were first documented in the Clear Dodger EA and FONSI (03/31/03) and the southeast of Estacada, Oregon in Clackamas (503) 315-5973 Final decision expected to be Clear Dodger Decision Rationale (7/29/03). The alternative selected in the Decision Rationale County, on the Hillockbum Road. issued Spring 2006. (02/22/06) is the same alternative selected in the original Decision Rationale. No material changes have been made “on the ground”. Keel Mtn Density Management Study (EA# OR080-06-07): This project is the second phase of the Keel Mtn Density Management Study cooperative resource project initiated in T.12 S. R. IE. Section 13, WM within Charley Thompson 1996. This phase of the research project consists primarily of various thinning densities in the Hamilton Creek and South Santiam Scoping (503) 315-5966 the matrix and riparian reserve land use allocations in existing research plots and in newly watersheds near Lebanon, OR. established research plots. Special Forest Products (CX# OR 080-05-03): Under the Special Forest Products Program, contracts would be offered and administered for harvesting a variety of special forest products over the period 2005-2010. Products would include, but not be limited to: fuelwood, posts and Jim LeComte Cascades Resource Area-wide CX completed January 2006. poles, chip material, cedar wood products, specialty hardwoods, cut sticks, transplant stock , (503) 315-5916 root products, moss, beargrass, conifer boughs, Christmas trees, floral greenery, cascara bark, quinine conk, mushrooms, pitch, and Pacific yew bark. Roadside Fuels Reduction (CX): A proposal to prune, remove invasive plants and other brush and pull back slash along roadsides on BLM lands, especially in rural/urban interface CX to be completed Winter/ Barbara Raible Cascades resource Area-wide areas. This will reduce roadside fuel accumulations to help prevent fire ignitions or slow fire Spring 2006 (503)375-5687 spread. M Table 1: Cascades Resource Area Proposed Projects a r c h 2 Name / Description of Project Location Planning Status Contact 0 0 6 P RAWS (Remote Access Weather Station) site vegetation management. (EA): The ro proposed action is to reduce encroaching vegetation (trees and brush) for the required distance Horse Creek RAWS - T7S, R3E, Sec.23 EA to be completed Spring Barbara Raible j ec around the weather stations so that they are an accurate reflection of the existing weather. The Yellowstone RAWS -T1 IS., R3E., Sec 22 2006 (503)375-5687 t U project may result in a small scale timber sale. p d a Watershed Restoration Actions t e none Multiple Projects none Recreation Actions Canyon Creek Recreation Site Water System Upgrade and Host Site Installation EA T.9S.,R.3E, Section 7, approximately 28 miles EA to be completed Spring Zach Jarrett (EA# OR080-06-07): The proposed action is to replace the existing water system and install a east of Salem on North Fork County Road. 2006 (503) 375-5610 host site to provide additional safety and security at Canyon Creek recreation site. Larch Mtn Scientific Educational Environment Research Area Management Plan and T1S, R5E, Section 3, 8 miles east of the city Laura Dowlan Scoping Environmental Assessment (EA): Will address long term management and use of site. of Corbett on Larch Mtn. Road. (503)315-5908 Molalla River Recreation Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA): Will Final planning area still being determined - Zach Jarrett address long term management of recreation and facility needs along the Molalla River and general area approximately 10 miles southeast Scoping (503) 375-5610 the Molalla River Shared-Use Trail System. of the City of Molalla. Final planning area still being determined Sandy River Management Plan: Will address long term resource protection and Laura Dowlan - general area located approximately 30 miles Scoping management needs for newly acquired lands in the Sandy River Watershed. (503) 315-5908 east of Portland. Table Rock Wilderness Management Plan Update and Environmental Assessment (EA): T. 7 S., R. 3 & 4 E, located approximately 19 Zach Jarrett Scoping The 1984 plan will be updated to address changes in use, access and resource protection. miles southeast of the City of Molalla. (503)375-5610 Wildwood House Replacement and Office Loop Road (EA# OR080-06-05): The volunteer and seasonal mobile home trailer would be replaced due to the age and deteriorating condition. A short maintenance road (approximately 430 feet) would be constructed around T. 2 S., R. 7 E. Section 31 approximately 12 EA to be completed Traci Meredith the maintenance shop compound to allow for safer turnarounds for vehicle and trailers. An miles from the City of Sandy Spring 2006 (503) 315-5991 existing host site at the maintenance compound would be moved to the maintenance road to allow for safer access for volunteer vehicles. Transportation System Management Actions Dan Nevin Road Maintenance and Repair (EA/CX/DNA). Cascades Resource Area-wide. Ongoing (503) 375-5673 Yellowbottom Box Culvert Replacement (EA): Replace a 52 year old concrete culvert T1 IS R4E, Section 19, about 20 miles NEPA to be completed Spring Dan Nevin structure. northeast of Sweet Home. 2006. (503) 375-5673 Miscellaneous Land Use Requests Clackamas County Communication Tower Environmental Assessment (EA# OR-080-05- T. 2 S., R. 6 E., Section 14, located 13): BLM has received a request from Clackamas County to install a 70-foot communication EA complete. Final Decision to Laura Dowlan approximately 12 miles east of the City of tower in the Brightwood Communication Site area to improve communications for emergency be issued Spring 2006 (503)315-5908 Sandy. services (police, fire and rescue). Clackamas County R/W grant (EA# OR-080-06-03): BLM has a request to issue a FLPMA Cascades Resource Area within Clackamas CX complete, R/W being Art Arroyo ON Right-of-Way grant authorizing all existing County Road Rights-of-Way that cross federal County Boundary. processed. (503) 375-5665 lands managed by BLM. M a Table 1: Cascades Resource Area Proposed Projects r c h 2 Name / Description of Project Location Planning Status Contact 0 0 6 Process requests (EA/CX/DNA) for various land uses such as rights-of-way, tailholds, and Cascades Resource Area-wide Carolyn Sands P Ongoing. ro special use permits. (503) 315-5973 j e c t Watershed Analysis U p Milk Creek Watershed Analysis: The BLM is working in partnership with Molalla River Townships: T4S-R3E, T4S-R4E, T5S-R3E, Scheduled for completion by Laura Dowlan d a t Watch to complete an analysis of the aquatic, terrestrial and social resources in this watershed. T5S-R4E Spring 2006 (503) 315-5908 e Pudding River Watershed Assessment: The BLM is working in partnership with the Townships: T6S-R1&2 E, T7S -R1 &2 E, Scheduled for completion by Wesley Wong Pudding River Watershed Council to complete an analysis of the aquatic, terrestrial and social T8S-11E Spring 2006 (503) 589-6844 resources in this watershed. Gordon Creek Watershed Analysis: The BLM has contracted with E&S Environmental Scheduled for completion by Patrick Hawe Chemistry, Inc of Corvallis to complete an analysis of the aquatic, terrestrial and social Townships: T1S- R4,5 and 6 E May 2006 (503) 315-5974 resources in this watershed. Wesley Wong Jackson Creek OHV Trail Closure (EA# OR-O8O-O6-O8): Obliterate and rehabilitate eroded EA to be completed T5S.,R4E„ Sec. 7,9,10,17 EAtobe (503) 589-6844 and unauthorized off-road vehicle trails. Spring 2006 Transportation System Management Actions FY2006 Road Maintenance Plan (DNA): Routine maintenance, including: aggregate Maintenance work is accomplished throughout The Road Maintenance Plan surface blading and placement; mechanical and manual roadside brush control; the boundaries of the Marys Peak Resource Area. (RMOP) is completed. Planned Steve Cyrus drainage maintenance; simple road decommissioning projects; slide and slough The DNA follows criteria established in the ROD/ DNA document completion (503) 315-5988 removal; hazard tree removal; minor asphalt maintenance; and other less frequent, low RMP and adheres to ESA terms and conditions. November 2005. impact work. Removal of hazard trees adjacent to a two lane Initial planning is occurring. paved road. The targeted trees would include: South Fork Alsea River Byway (Road #14-6-34.1) Hazard Tree Removal: Alleviate Project specifics are addressed Steve Cyrus trees leaning into or over the roadway; deciduous risk to public users resulting from hazard trees and excessive buildup of leaf litter. in the Road Maintenance Plan (503) 315-5988 trees overtopping the roadway; suppressed trees DNA. with hazardous root development; Miscellaneous Land Use Requests Process requests (EA/CX/DNA): For various land uses such as rights-of-way, Randy Gould Marys Peak Resource Area-wide Ongoing. tailholds, and special use permits. (503)375-5682 Watershed Analysis None M a r c Table 3: Tillamook Resource Area h 2 NltW / Description of Project 1 Location 1 Planning Status 1 Contact 0 0 6 Vegetation Management Actions P (Additional Vegetation Management Actions are described under the Multiple Projects heading) r o j e None c t U Watershed Restoration Actions p d a te None Multiple Projects Roaring Creek (EA) The proposed project includes density management thinning, Steve Bahe Upper Tualatin River Watershed Scoping to begin April ‘06 road decommissioning, and wildlife enhancement on approximately 1,150 acres. (503) 815-1123 Hoag Pass (EA 086-05-03) The proposed project includes density management The project area is 22 miles SE of thinning on approximately 921 acres of 30-97 year-old primarily Douglas fir. Tillamook, OR in the upper reaches of the The fish and wildlife habitat enhancement project encompasses 927 acres with Nestucca River Watershed. The project Bob McDonald Public comment March 2006 treatment of up to 8 trees per acre, and a project removing hardwoods to reduce road area includes T3S,R7W, sections 13, 14, (503) 815-1110 maintenance problems, approximately 10 miles of roadway treated with removal of 21-28, 34-36; T3S, R6W, sections 19, 30 hardwoods leaning over the roadway. and 31; Willamette Meridian. Recreation Actions Debra Drake Process requests for various actions such as special use permits (EA/CX/DNA). Tillamook Resource Area-wide. Ongoing (503)815-1134 Transportation System Management Actions Amy Herburger Road Maintenance and Repair (EA/CX/DNA). Tillamook Resource Area-wide. Ongoing (503)815-1142 Miscellaneous Land Use Requests Amy Herburger Process requests for various land uses such as right-of-ways, easements, etc. Tillamook Resource Area-wide. Ongoing (EA/CX/DNA). (503) 815-1142 Watershed Analysis East Fork Nehalem Watershed Assessment. The BLM is cooperating with the Ongoing; expected completion June Caroline Hooper Nehalem Watershed Council to complete a watershed assessment of a portion of the Portion of the Nehalem River watershed 2006 (503)315-5927 Nehalem Watershed. Salem Resource Management Plan Implementation Strategy Develo pment Walker Creek APU. An interdisciplinary team approach to project identification Project identification process not Walker Creek Sub-watershed. Headwaters Carolina Hooper on a watershed-level basis. Potential projects include: wildlife and fish habitat subject to National Environmental of the Nestucca River. (503) 815-1119 improvement, watershed restoration, and vegetation management. Policy Act CXI