Notice of Availability

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[OR-014-96-6350-00; G6-0087]

Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Klamath Falls Resource Area,

Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision, Resource

Management Plan, for the Upper Klamath Basin and Wood River Wetland on

the Klamath Falls Resource Area of the Lakeview District, Oregon.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of

1969 (40 CFR 150.2), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of

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1976, (43 CFR part 1610 [g]), the Department of the Interior, Bureau of

Land Management, Klamath Falls Resource Area of the Lakeview District

provides notice of availability of the Record of Decision (ROD),

Approved Resource Management Plan (ARMP), for the Upper Klamath Basin

and Wood River Wetland on the Klamath Falls Resource Area of the

Lakeview District. The ARMP will provide the framework to guide land

and resource allocations and management direction for the next 10 to 20

years on the Wood River property in the Klamath Falls Resource Area of

the Lakeview District, including designation of the property as an Area

of Critical Environmental Concern. This ARMP supersedes any applicable

portions of the existing Lost River and Jackson-Klamath Management

Framework Plans and other related documents for managing BLM-

administered lands and resources in the subject area. The Klamath Falls

Resource Area of the Lakeview District is responsible for management of

approximately 3,220 acres of public land located approximately 25 miles

north of Klamath Falls. It is bounded on the south by Agency Lake, on

the east by the Wood River and associated marsh, on the north-northwest

by a dike, and on the west by Sevenmile Creek. It is located in Klamath

County, just east of the Cascade Range in southern Oregon.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the ARMP/ROD are available upon request by

contacting the Klamath Falls Resource Area of the Lakeview District,

Bureau of Land Management, 2795 Anderson Ave., Bldg 25, Klamath Falls,

Oregon, 97603. The telephone number is (541) 883-6916. This document

has been sent to all those individuals and groups who were on the

mailing list for the Upper Klamath Basin and Wood River Wetland

Proposed Resource Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement.

The full supporting record for the approved Upper Klamath Basin and

Wood River Wetland RMP is also available for inspection in the Klamath

Falls Resource Area office during normal operating hours, at the office

given above. Copies of the draft and final EISs are also available for

inspection in the public room at the BLM Oregon/Washington State

Office, 1515 S.W. 5th St., Portland, Oregon 97201; and Klamath County

library, at 126 S. 3rd St., Klamath Falls, Oregon during normal

operating hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A. Barron Bail, Area Manager, Klamath

Falls Resource Area office, Phone (503) 883-6916.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Upper Klamath Basin and Wood River

Wetland ARMP/ROD is essentially the same as the proposed action in the

Upper Klamath Basin and Wood River Wetland Resource Management Plan/

Final Environmental Impact Statement (PRMP/FEIS). Virtually no changes

to the proposed decisions have been made, however some clarifying

language has been made in response to several comment letters, and as a

result of ongoing staff review. Four alternatives that encompass a

spectrum of realistic management options were considered in the

planning process. The final plan is a mixture of the management

objectives and actions that, in the opinion of the BLM, best resolve

the issues and concerns that originally drove the preparation of the

plan.

The overall goal of the plan is to restore the Wood River property

to its previous function as a wetland community, within the unalterable

constraints (such as water rights, land ownership patterns, and funds).

Within that goal, the primary objectives would be to improve water

quality and quantity entering Agency Lake from the property; and to

restore and enhance wetland habitat, primarily for Lost River and

shortnose suckers, and secondarily for other species.

Stream Channel Restoration

To provide a wider riparian area and floodplain along Wood River

and Sevenmile Creek that would allow for meandering flow patterns to

develop. To encourage channel sinuosity and complexity within BLM

administered lands and consistant with Oregon water laws. To not

adversely affect water use or rights of other landowners.

Wetland Restoration

To restore the majority of the property to a wetland in proper

functioning condition, dominated by a native plant community.

Vegetation management could occur using several methods, including but

not limited to water level fluctuations, livestock grazing, haying,

planting and seeding, prescribed fire, and mechanical or chemical

methods.

Special Status Species Habitat

To manage for a diversity of habitats for special status species.

Maintain a viable population of spotted frogs on the property. To

protect habitats of federally listed or proposed threatened or

endangered species; to avoid contributing to the need to list category

1 and 2 federal candidate, state listed, and Bureau sensitive species.

Fish and Wildlife Habitat

To improve habitat conditions for suckers and salmonids; to improve

habitat for raptors and neotropical migratory birds; and to optimize

waterfowl habitat within the constraints of other resource objectives.

Recreation

To provide opportunities for roaded and semi-primitive recreation

experiences (opportunities to have a high degree of interaction with

the natural environment, to have moderate challenge and risk and to use

outdoor skills). To manage the area for day use only.

Day use is defined as two hours before sunrise and one half-hour

after sunset. To manage the area for low to moderate recreation use

levels. Recreation use and facilities would be secondary to the overall

objectives of wetland restoration and water quality improvement. The

area will be closed to off-highway vehicles, except for designated

roads and trails and administrative or emergency vehicles, as

authorized by the Area Manager. In addition, other parties with right-

of-way agreements or easements will have limited access rights.

In addition to the above mentioned day use only restrictions, the

following rules apply to the Wood River property: No fires of any kind

are permitted. No personal property such as hunting decoys, tents, etc.

can remain on the Wood River property during the overnight hours. Pit

hunting blinds may not be dug on the property. Jet boats and air boats

are prohibited from the existing Wood River marsh and in other wetland

areas as they are constructed. Small motorized boats are allowed into

the wetland areas between October 1 and January 31.

Any person who fails to comply with this closure restriction order

is subject to the penalties provided in 8360.0-7. Violoations are

punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to

exceed 12 months. This Federal Register notice supercedes any previous

notices regarding off-highway vehicle restrictions and other rules

applying to the Wood River property.

The ARMP/ROD designates the Wood River property as a new Area of

Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) with the restrictions noted

below:

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Vegetation Mining Mineral Rights-of-

Area name Acres harvest ORV use location leasing way

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Wood River................... 3,220 R P R R R

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NC = No Change from existing situation.

R = Use is allowed but with restrictions.

P = Use is prohibited.

The Wood River property is designated an area of critical

environmental concern to protect and restore the areas relevant and

important values, which are cultural, fish and wildlife values and

natural processes and systems. Livestock grazing is restricted to meet

management objectives, as noted above. Mineral leasing is subject to no

surface occupancy. The area is closed to off-highway vehicle use .

Special Recreation Management Areas: The plan identifies the Wood

River property as a new Special Recreation Management Area.

To ensure that mineral activities do not conflict with other

management goals, the lands will be withdrawn from (closed to)

settlement, sale, location and entry under the general land laws,

including the United States Mining Laws (30 U.S.C. Ch.2,1988), but not

the mineral leasing laws, subject to valid and existing rights.

Dated: March 15, 1996.

Edwin J. Singleton,

Lakeview District Manager.

[FR Doc. 96-7509 Filed 3-27-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-33-P