Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K

Draft Southeastern Oregon 

Resource Management Plan Amendment 

and Environmental Impact Statement 

Appendix K

Resource Objectives, 

DRFCs, and Design 

Features
Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K

K-1 

Introduction 

This appendix presents the key resources and resource use objectives (section K.1) used in this analysis as 

established in the 2002 Southeastern Oregon RMP and the 2015 GRSG ARMPA. This section is 

organized by resources in the same order as they are listed in Chapter 3, beginning with lands with 

wilderness characteristics.

In addition, section K.2 provides information on the Desired Range of Future Conditions (DRFCs). The 

DRFCs portray the land, resource, or social and economic conditions that are expected in 50 to 100 years, 

or more, provided management objectives are achieved. This is a vision of the long-term conditions of the 

ecosystem, and serves as a guide on how the public land will be managed (BLM 2002, 24–27). DRFCs 

were established under the 2002 SEORMP ROD. While BLM policy continues to evolve, resource 

objectives and desired conditions reflect management outcomes that are used to determine appropriate 

actions.

Finally, the SEORMP Amendment interdisciplinary team (IDT) considered a full range of potential 

actions and whether they could be implemented in protected lands with wilderness characteristics: (a) 

without additional designs to avoid or reduce impacts; (b) with design features to avoid or reduce impacts; 

or (c) would not be allowed. The IDT grouped actions into categories that could be addressed as a set of 

options for addressing impacts. This is provided in section K.3 as Table K-1 and provides examples of 

design features that would be considered at the project level to address impacts.

K.1 Resource Objectives 

Lands with Wilderness Characteristics

SEORMP Objectives

No objectives for managing lands with wilderness characteristics were identified in the 2002 SEORMP 

and ROD.

A new objective is proposed in Alternatives B, C, and D, as identified in Chapter 2 as follows: Manage 

wilderness characteristics (roadlessness, naturalness; opportunities for solitude and primitive unconfined 

recreation; and identified supplemental values) on BLM -administered land identified for such 

management to prioritize protection of wilderness characteristics.

GRSG Objectives

None 

Travel Management

SEORMP Objectives

Objective: Manage off-highway vehicle (OHV) use to protect resource values, promote public safety, 

provide OHV use opportunities where appropriate, and minimize conflicts among various users (BLM 

2002, 65). 
Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K

K-2

GRSG Objectives

Objective TTM 1: Manage OHV designations (open, limited, and closed) to conserve Greater Sagegrouse habitat and populations by taking actions that create neutral or positive responses (BLM 2015, 2-

30). 

Objective TTM 2: Reduce disturbance to Greater Sage-grouse by evaluating or modifying OHV 

designations and route selection in accordance with minimization criteria (BLM 2015, 2-30). 

Livestock Grazing and Rangeland Management

SEORMP Objectives

Objective: Provide for a sustained level of livestock grazing consistent with other resource objectives and

public land use allocations (BLM 2002, 56). 

GRSG Objectives

Objective LG 1: Manage livestock grazing to maintain or improve Greater Sage-grouse habitat by 

achieving Standards for Rangeland Health (SRH) (BLM 2015, 2-17). 

Objective LG 2: On BLM-managed lands, 12,105,581 acres will continue to be available for livestock 

grazing in Greater Sage-grouse habitat. 

Objective LG 3: Complete rangeland health assessments for grazing permits/leases that have not been 

renewed and prioritized by Allotment Categories I, M, and C. The priority order for completing 

rangeland health assessments in Greater Sage-grouse habitat is: 

1. Allotments containing SFA that have never been evaluated.

2. Allotments containing SFA that have not been re-evaluated in 10 or more years.

3. Allotments containing PHMA that have never been evaluated.

4. Allotments containing PHMA that have not been re-evaluated in 10 or more years.

5. Allotments containing GHMA that have never been evaluated.

6. Allotments containing GHMA that have not been re-evaluated in 10 or more years (BLM 2015, 2-18).

Soils

SEORMP Objectives

None 

GRSG Objectives

None 
Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K

K-3 

Water Resources and Riparian/Wetland Areas

SEORMP Objectives

Objective 1: Ensure that surface water and ground water influenced by BLM activities comply with or are 

making progress toward achieving State of Oregon water quality standards for beneficial uses as 

established per stream by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) (BLM 2002, 44).

Objective 2: Restore, maintain, or improve riparian vegetation, habitat diversity, and associated watershed 

function to achieve healthy and productive riparian areas and wetlands (BLM 2002, 48).

GRSG Objectives

None 

General Vegetation

SEORMP Objectives

Veg Objective 1: Restore, protect, and enhance the diversity and distribution of desirable vegetation 

communities, including perennial native and desirable introduced plant species. Provide for their 

continued existence and normal function in nutrient, water, and energy cycles (BLM 2002, 38). 

Veg Objective 2: Manage big sagebrush cover in seedings and on native rangeland to meet the life history 

requirements of sagebrush-dependent wildlife (BLM 2002, 40). 

GRSG Objectives

Objective VEG 1: Within the boundaries of the field office, establish a mix of sagebrush classes. Evaluate 

progress toward the objective every ten years (BLM 2015, 2-10). 

Objective VEG 3: Reduce the area dominated by invasive annual grasses to no more than 5% within 4.0 

miles of all occupied or pending leks. Manage vegetation to retain resistance to invasion where invasive 

annual grasses dominate less than 5% of the area within 4.0 miles of such leks (BLM 2015, 2-10). 

Objective VEG 4: Thin sagebrush stands that exceed 30% cover in cool-moist sagebrush and 25% cover 

warm-dry sagebrush to no less than 15% cover within 4.0 miles of all occupied or pending leks (BLM 

2015, 2-10). 

Objective VEG 5: Increase native plant diversity (number of species) to at least 50% of the potential 

diversity listed for the relevant ecological site description and sagebrush cover where it is less than 15% 

in half of crested wheatgrass seedings in PHMA. If existing diversity equals or exceeds 50% of the 

potential diversity, no forb restoration is needed (BLM 2015, 2-11). 

Objective VEG 6: Conduct vegetation treatments based on the following 10-year (decadal) acreage 

objectives within four miles of occupied and pending leks, using results of the fire and invasives 

assessment tool (FIAT; Fire and Invasive Assessment Team 2014) to establish the priority PACs and 

treatments within PACs (BLM 2015, 2-11). 

Objective VEG 7: Each Oregon PAC has at least 5% sagebrush cover on a minimum of 70% of the area 

within the Oregon PAC that is capable of supporting sagebrush plant communities. Use ecological site 

descriptions to determine which sites are capable of supporting sagebrush plant communities (BLM 2015, 

2-11). 
Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K

K-4 

Objective VEG 8: Coordinate vegetation management activities with adjoining landowners (BLM 2015,

2-11). 

Objective VEG 9: In all Sagebrush Focal Areas and Priority Habitat Management Areas, the desired 

condition is to maintain all lands ecologically capable of producing sagebrush (but no less than 70%) with 

a minimum of 15% sagebrush cover or as consistent with specific ecological site conditions. The 

attributes necessary to sustain these habitats are described in Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health 

(BLM Tech Ref 1734-6) (BLM 2015, 2-12). 

Objective FIRE 2: Use a combination of vegetation management and wildfire response to minimize the 

probability of a wildfire tripping an adaptive management trigger for habitat within an Oregon PAC 

(BLM 2015, 2-15). 

Objective FIRE 3: Within 4.0 miles of occupied or pending leks, maintain or develop a mosaic of 

structure and species of sagebrush consistent with site potential and vegetation management objectives 

(BLM 2015, 2-15). 

Invasive Species

SEORMP Objective

Invasive Species Objective 11: Control the introduction and proliferation of invasive plants species and 

reduce the extent and density of established weed species to within acceptable limits. 

GRSG Objective

Objective VEG 3: Reduce the area dominated by invasive annual grasses to no more than 5% within 4.0 

miles of all occupied or pending leks. Manage vegetation to retain resistance to invasion where invasive 

annual grasses dominate less than 5% of the area within 4.0 miles of such leks (BLM 2015, 2-10). 

Forest and Woodlands

SEORMP Objectives

Objective 1: Manage forests to maintain or restore ecosystems to a condition in which biodiversity is 

preserved and occurrences of fire, insects, and disease do not exceed levels normally expected in a 

healthy forest. Increase the dominance of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and western larch on appropriate 

sites in mature forests. Decrease the amount of Douglas-fir, white fir, and grand fir where they were not 

historically maintained by the dominant fire regime. Manage forests for long-term, healthy habitat for 

animal and plant species. Provide for timber production where feasible and compatible with forest health 

(SEORMP 2002, 41). 

Objective 2: Restore productivity and biodiversity in western juniper and quaking aspen woodland areas. 

Manage western juniper areas where encroachment or increased density is threatening other resource 

values. Retain old growth characteristics in historic western juniper sites not prone to frequent fire. 

 

1

The 2002 SEORMP and ROD identified noxious weed management objectives only as Rangeland Vegetation 

Objective 3: Control the introduction and proliferation of noxious weed species and reduce the extent and density of 

established weed species to within acceptable limits (41). This Amendment updates the weed species objectives to 

include all invasive plants. 
Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K

K-5 

Manage quaking aspen to maintain diversity of age classes and to allow for species reestablishment 

(SEORMP 2002, 42). 

GRSG Objectives

Objective VEG 2: Reduce encroaching conifer cover to zero within 1.0 mile of all occupied or pending 

leks and to less than 5 percent within 4.0 miles of such leks at a rate at least equal to the rate of 

encroachment. Priorities for treatment are phase I and phase II juniper, and phase III juniper with a grassforb understory. Retain all old trees, culturally significant trees, and trees in active use by special status 

species (e.g. nest, den, and roost trees) and all old growth stands of juniper within 4.0 miles of occupied 

or pending leks. See OSU Technical Bulletin 152, or its successor, for the key characteristics of old trees. 

Old growth stands are those where the dominant trees in the stand meet the key characteristics for old 

trees. Pending occupied leks and pending unoccupied leks are hereafter collectively referred to as 

“pending leks” (see Glossary) (BLM 2015, 2-10). 

Fire and Fuels Management

SEORMP Objectives

Objective 1: Provide a fire response on all wildfires, considering firefighter and public safety, benefits, 

and values to be protected while minimizing costs. The protection of human life is the single, overriding 

priority in every fire management activity.2

Objective 2: Recognize fire as a critical natural process and use it to protect, maintain, and enhance 

resources (BLM 2002, 38). 

GRSG Objectives 

Objective FIRE 1: Manage wildland fire and hazardous fuels to protect, enhance, and restore Greater 

Sage-grouse habitat (BLM 2015, 2-15). 

Objective FIRE 2: Use a combination of vegetation management and wildfire response to minimize the 

probability of a wildfire tripping an adaptive management trigger for habitat within an Oregon PAC 

(BLM 2015, 2-15). 

Objective VEG 2: Reduce encroaching conifer cover to zero within 1.0 mile of all occupied or pending 

leks and to less than 5 percent within 4.0 miles of such leks at a rate at least equal to the rate of 

encroachment. Priorities for treatment are phase I and phase II juniper, and phase III juniper with a grassforb understory. Retain all old trees, culturally significant trees, and trees in active use by special status 

species (e.g. nest, den, and roost trees) and all old growth stands of juniper within 4.0 miles of occupied 

or pending leks. See OSU Technical Bulletin 152, or its successor, for the key characteristics of old trees. 

Old growth stands are those where the dominant trees in the stand meet the key characteristics for old 

trees. Pending occupied leks and pending unoccupied leks are hereafter collectively referred to as 

“pending leks” (see Glossary) (BLM 2015, 2-10). 

Objective VEG 3: Reduce the area dominated by invasive annual grasses to no more than 5 percent 

within 4.0 miles of all occupied or pending leks. Manage vegetation to retain resistance to invasion where 

invasive annual grasses dominate less than 5 percent of the area within 4.0 miles of such leks.

 

2 This objective reflects changed wording as a result of plan maintenance; the original wording can be found in the 

2002 SEORMP and ROD (37). 
Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K

K-6 

Objective VEG 4: Thin sagebrush stands that exceed 30 percent cover in cool-moist sagebrush and 25 

percent cover warm-dry sagebrush to no less than 15 percent cover within 4.0 miles of all occupied or 

pending leks. 

Special Status Plant Species

SEORMP Objective

Objective 1: Provide for the conservation and recovery of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed 

threatened, endangered, and candidate plants. Manage to conserve, maintain, restore, or enhance 

populations and habitats of Bureau Special Status plant species to prevent federal listing .3

 

GRSG Objectives

None 

Fish and Wildlife

SEORMP Objectives 

Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Objective 1: Maintain, restore, or enhance riparian areas and wetlands so 

they provide diverse and healthy habitat conditions for wildlife (BLM 2002, 50). 

Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Objective 2: Manage upland habitats in forest, woodland, and rangeland 

vegetation types so that the forage, water, cover, structure, and security necessary for wildlife are 

available on the public land (BLM 2002, 51). 

Objective 3: Coordinate with ODFW to facilitate the maintenance, restoration, and enhancement of 

bighorn sheep populations and habitat on public land in a manner consistent with the principles of 

multiple use management.

4

SSAS Objective 1: Provide for the conservation and recovery of US Fish and Wildlife Service listed 

threatened, endangered and candidate animals. Manage to conserve, maintain, restore, or enhance 

populations and habitats of Bureau Special Status animal species to prevent federal listing ).5

Fish and Aquatic Habitat Objective: Restore, maintain, or improve habitat to provide for diverse and selfsustaining communities of fishes and other aquatic organisms (BLM 2002, 49). 

GRSG Objectives

Objective SSS 1: Protect PHMA necessary to conserve 90% of Oregon’s Greater Sage-grouse population 

with emphasis on highest density and important use areas that provide for breeding, wintering, and 

connectivity corridors. Protect GHMA necessary to conserve occupied seasonal or year-round habitat 

outside of PHMA (BLM 2015, 2-3). 

 

3 This objective reflects changed wording as a result of plan maintenance; the original wording can be found in the 

2002 SEORMP and ROD (43). 4 This objective was Objective 2 in the Special Status Animal Species section of the 2002 SEORMP and ROD but has 

been updated and moved to the Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat section, because bighorn sheep are no longer a special 

status species. The original wording can be found in the 2002 SEORMP and ROD (55). 5 This objective reflects changed wording as a result of plan maintenance; the original wording can be found in the 

2002 SEORMP and ROD (51-52).
Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K

K-7 

Objective SSS 2: Maintain or improve habitat connectivity between PHMA within Oregon and adjoining 

states to promote Greater Sage-grouse movement and genetic diversity (BLM 2015, 2-3). 

Objective SSS 3: In addition to the net conservation gain mitigation requirement, manage Oregon PACs 

so that: discrete anthropogenic disturbances, whether temporary or permanent, cover less than 3% of the 

total available Greater Sage-grouse habitat, regardless of ownership (BLM 2015, 2-3). 

Objective SSS 4: Manage land resource uses in GRSG habitat to meet the desired conditions. Use the 

desired conditions to evaluate management actions that are proposed in GRSG habitat to ensure that 

habitat conditions are maintained if they are currently meeting objectives or habitat conditions move 

toward these objectives if the current conditions do not meet these objectives (BLM 2015, 2-4). 

Objective SSS 5: Manage anthropogenic uses and GRSG predator subsidies on public lands (landfills, 

transfer stations, predator perches and nest sites) to reduce the effects of predation on GRSG (BLM 2015, 

2-6). 

Objective SSS 6: The BLM will coordinate with the State of Oregon regarding proposed management 

changes, the implementation of conservation measures, mitigation, and site-specific monitoring related to 

adaptive management and anthropogenic disturbance (BLM 2015, 2-6). 

Wild Horses

SEORMP Objective

Objective: Maintain and manage wild horse herds in established herd management areas (HMAs) at 

appropriate management levels (AMLs) to ensure a thriving natural ecological balance between wild 

horse populations, wildlife, livestock, vegetation resources, and other resource values. Enhance and 

perpetuate special and unique characteristics that distinguish the respective herds (BLM 2002, 55). 

GRSG Objectives

Objective WHB 1: Manage wild horses and burros as components of BLM-administered lands in a 

manner that preserves and maintains a thriving natural ecological balance in a multiple use relationship 

(BLM 2015, 2-21). 

Objective WHB 2: Manage wild horse and burro population levels within established appropriate 

management levels (AML) (BLM 2015, 2-21). 

Objective WHB 3: Complete assessments of Greater Sage-grouse habitat indicators for HMAs containing 

PHMA and GHMA. The priorities for conducting evaluations are: 

1. HMAs containing SFA. 

2. HMAs containing PHMA.

3. HMAs containing GHMA.

4. HMAs without GRSG Habitat (BLM 2015, 2-21). 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources

SEORMP Objectives

Objective 1: Protect and conserve cultural and paleontological resources (BLM 2002, 106). 
Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K

K-8 

Objective 2: Increase the public’s knowledge of, appreciation for, and sensitivity to cultural and 

paleontological resources (BLM 2002, 107). 

Objective 3: Consult and coordinate with American Indian groups to ensure their interests are considered 

and their traditional religious sites, landforms, and resources are taken into account (BLM 2002, 107). 

GRSG Objectives

None 

Social and Economic Values

SEORMP Objective

SEO Hum Objective: Manage public land and pursue partnerships to provide social and economic 

benefits to local residents, businesses, visitors, and future generations (BLM 2002, 106). 

GRSG Objectives

None 

Recreation

SEORMP Objective

Objective: Provide and enhance developed and undeveloped recreation opportunities, while protecting 

resources, to manage the increasing demand for resource-dependent recreation activities (BLM 2002, 60). 

GRSG Objectives 

None 

Visual Resources

SEORMP Objective

Manage public land actions and activities in a manner consistent with visual resource management 

(VRM) class objectives (BLM 2002, 67). 

GRSG Objectives

None 
Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K

K-9

ACECs

SEORMP Objective

Objective 1: Designated areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs)/research natural areas (RNAs) 

where relevance and importance criteria are met and special management attention is required will be

managed to protect the values identified.6

 

GRSG Objectives

Objective SD 1: Provide for Conservation of Greater Sage-grouse within Key Existing Areas of Critical 

Environmental Concern (ACECs) and Research Natural Areas (RNAs) (BLM 2015, 2-33). 

Objective SD 2: Manage all ACECs and RNAs for the values for which they were designated, per district

resource management plans, following existing management actions, and consistent with proposed 

actions for PHMA and GHMA (BLM 2015, 2-33). 

Objective SD 3: Manage habitat maintenance and restoration, and conservation actions in key ACECs for

Greater Sage-grouse consistent with the values the areas were designated (BLM 2015, 2-33). 

Objective SD 4: Minimize human disturbance in all 15 key RNAs, allowing natural ecological processes

to proceed.

WSRs 

SEORMP Objective

Protect and enhance outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs) of designated national wild and scenic 

rivers (NWSRs), and provide interim protection of ORVs of rivers found suitable for inclusion in the 

NWSRS until Congress acts (BLM 2002, 102). 

GRSG Objectives

None 

WSAs with Contiguous Wilderness Characteristics Units 

SEORMP Objective

Objective: BLM-administered land identified in the 1991 “Wilderness Study Report, Oregon” (WSRO) 

and determined to have wilderness values will be included in adjacent wilderness study areas (WSAs) 

and managed under the “Interim Management Policy for Land under Wilderness Review” (IMPLWR) 

(BLM 2002, 104). 

GRSG Objectives

None 

6 This objective reflects changed wording as a result of plan maintenance; the original wording can be found in the 

2002 SEORMP and ROD (68). 
Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K

K-10

Mineral Resources - Locatables

SEORMP Objective

Provide opportunities for exploration and development of locatable mineral resources while protecting 

other sensitive resources (BLM 2002, 30).

GRSG Objectives

None 

Mineral Resources - Leasables

SEORMP Objective

Provide opportunities for exploration and development of leasable energy and mineral resources while 

protecting other sensitive resources (BLM 2002, 28). 

GRSG Objectives

Objective MR 1: Priority will be given to leasing and development of fluid mineral resources, including 

geothermal, outside of PHMA and GHMA. When analyzing leasing and authorizing development of fluid 

mineral resources, including geothermal, in PHMA and GHMA, and subject to applicable stipulations for 

the conservation of Greater Sage-grouse, priority will be given to development in non-habitat areas first 

and then in the least suitable habitat for Greater Sage-grouse. The implementation of these priorities will 

be subject to valid existing rights and any applicable law or regulation, including, but not limited to, 30 

USC 226(p) and 43 CFR, Part 3162.3-1(h) (BLM 2015, 2-22). 

Objective MR 2: Where a proposed fluid mineral development project on an existing lease could 

adversely affect GRSG populations or habitat, the BLM will work with the lessees, operators, or other 

project proponents to avoid, minimize, and provide compensatory mitigation to reduce adverse impacts 

on GRSG to the extent compatible with lessees’ rights to drill and produce fluid mineral resources. The 

BLM will work with the lessee, operator, or project proponent in developing an Application for Permit to 

Drill (APD) or Geothermal Drilling Permit (GDP) on the lease to avoid and minimize impacts on GRSG 

or its habitat and will ensure that the best information about the GRSG and its habitat informs and helps 

to guide development of such Federal leases (BLM 2015, 2-23).

Mineral Resources - Saleables

SEORMP Objective

Provide for public demand for saleable minerals from public land while protecting sensitive resources 

(BLM 2002, 31). 

GRSG Objectives

None 
Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K

K-11

Lands and Realty

SEORMP Objective

Objective 1: Retain public land with high and public resource values. Consolidate public landholdings 

and acquire land or interests in land with high and public resource values to ensure effective 

administration and improve resource management in Zone 1 (see Appendix L [of the 2002 SEORMP and 

ROD] for definitions of Zones 1, 2 and 3). Acquired land will be managed for the purposes for which it 

was acquired. Make available for disposal up to approximately 52,302 acres of public land within Zone 2, 

primarily by exchange. Make available for disposal approximately 10,785 acres of public land within 

Zone 3 by State Indemnity Selection, private, or State exchange, “Recreation and Public Purpose Act” 

(R&PP) lease or sale, public sale, or other authorized method (see Appendix L [of the 2002 SEORMP and 

ROD]).7

Objective 2: Establish right-of-way corridor routes and consider potential sites for wind or solar energy 

facilities to the extent possible, taking into account avoidance areas, consistent with resource objectives 

(BLM 2002, 109) 

GRSG Objectives 

Objective LR 1: Effects of infrastructure projects, including siting, will be minimized using the best 

available science, updated as monitoring information on current infrastructure projects becomes available

(BLM 2015, 2-26). 

K.2 Desired Range of Future Conditions (DRFCs) 

The Desired Range of Future Conditions (DRFCs) portray the land, resource, or social and economic 

conditions that are expected in 50 to 100 years, or more, provided management objectives are achieved. 

This is a vision of the long-term conditions of the ecosystem, and serves as a guide on how the public 

land will be managed (BLM 2002, 24–27). 

• Social and economic systems continue to adjust to population growth. Public land provides 

commodity and natural resource values that contribute to the local economy and quality of 

life. Public resources have become increasingly valuable, and management focuses on 

maintaining important values into the future. This has resulted in changes in the location, 

amount, and distribution of commodity outputs across the landscape. Traditional industries 

contribute to local economic activity, as do rapidly growing businesses related to outdoor 

recreation, high technology, agricultural processing, service, construction, and other 

nontraditional products and services. 

• The area provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities for a growing demand, as the 

population increases and urban dwellers exhibit a greater desire to experience the open spaces 

commonly found on public land. Additional recreation facilities, restored and maintained 

recreation sites, and more intensive management are a few of the means used to meet the 

increased demand. Protection of the natural landscape is an important consideration when

 

7 The acreages described herein have been updated from the 2002 SEORMP. The 2015 Greater-Sage Grouse 

(GRSG) Oregon Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment (ARMPA) changed land tenure by designating 

all lands that are located in both Priority and General Sage-grouse Habitat Management Areas (PHMA/GHMA) as 

Land Tenure 1 and retain in public ownership. 
Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K

K-12

designing recreation facilities and planning for related activities. Certain areas are excluded 

from recreational development to preserve their natural character. 

• SMAs, such as wilderness, NWSRs, and ACECs, preserve the integrity of special or unique 

values over the long term. 

• Rangeland vegetation includes a mosaic of multiple-aged shrubs, forbs, and native and 

desirable nonnative perennial grasses. Shrub overstories are present in a variety of spatial 

arrangements and scales across the landscape level, including some large contiguous blocks, 

islands, and corridors. Shrub overstories are present in predominantly mature, late structural 

status. Plant communities not meeting DRFC’s show upward trends in condition and 

structural diversity. Desirable plants continue to improve in health and vigor. New infestations 

of noxious weeds are not common across the landscape, and existing large infestations are 

declining. Populations and habitat of rare plant species are stable or continue to improve in 

vigor and distribution. 

• Upland soils have sufficient vegetation cover to minimize accelerated soil erosion. Physical 

and chemical soil properties are adequate for vegetation growth and hydrologic function 

appropriate to the specific soil type, landform, and climate. 

• Western juniper dominance is limited to rock outcrops, ridges, mesas, or other sites where 

wildfire frequency is limited by site productivity. Western juniper generally occurs in low 

densities in association with vigorous shrub, grass, and forb species, consistent with site 

potential. Historic western juniper sites retain old growth characteristics. Quaking aspen 

communities occupy their historic range and are stable or improving in vigor. 

• Wildland and prescribed fire play an active role in defining the composition of vegetation and 

limit the dominance of woody species. 

• Forested land is producing healthy stands of appropriate forest species. Dominant dry forest 

tree species are Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, and western larch. Stands are predominantly 

open and are resilient to low-intensity fire; they have only normally expected levels of disease 

and insects. Examples of relict stands are retained for research and maintenance of 

biodiversity. 

• The amount and diversity of wildlife habitat are maintained or improved through time. Lateseral grass/shrublands exist in blocks of various sizes in well-distributed patterns across the 

landscape. Ongoing management of rangeland habitat components and conditions (such as 

vegetation cover, forage, and roads) and of key areas helps to maintain big game populations 

near State wildlife agency objectives. Hunting opportunities continue to be provided 

throughout the planning area. Improvement in the condition of grass/shrubland steppe and 

riparian areas benefits a variety of wildlife species by increasing the quality, quantity, and 

variety of habitat. Such species include upland game, raptors, and nongame species. 

Management has helped to create the long-term habitat changes that contribute toward 

restoring some sensitive species and toward recovery of listed species. 

• Riparian areas and stream habitat conditions have improved as a result of protection and 

management. Watersheds are stable and provide for capture, storage, and safe release of water 

appropriate to soil type, climate, and landform. Most riparian/wetland areas are stable and 

include natural streamflow and sediment regimes related to contributing watersheds. Soil 

supports native riparian/wetland vegetation to allow water movement, filtration, and storage. 

Riparian/wetland vegetation structure and diversity are significantly progressing toward 

controlling erosion, stabilizing stream-banks, healing incised channels, shading water areas, 

filtering sediment, aiding in floodplain development, dissipating energy, delaying floodwater, 
Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K

K-13

and increasing recharge of ground water. Stream channels are narrower, water depth and 

channel meanders are increasing, and developing floodplains are making significant progress 

in dissipating energy at high-water flows and depositing sediment. Riparian/wetland 

vegetation is increasing in herbaceous ground cover, canopy volume (height and width) and in 

healthy uneven-aged stands of key woody plants, increasing in herbaceous ground cover, and 

shifting toward late succession. Surface disturbances which are inconsistent with the physical 

and biological processes described above have been reduced, and soils and vegetation recover 

naturally. 

• Human use of natural resources is managed to enhance fisheries, improve water quality, and 

promote healthy riparian conditions. Water quality is managed so that most streams are 

providing cool, clear, and clean water. High-quality water is in greater demand from all users. 

Better regulation of runoff has improved the water supply from rangelands. There is increased 

infiltration on upland sites, increased ground water recharge, increased spring flow, reduced 

peak flow during floods, and increased stability of baseflow during late summer and winter.

• Large portions of the landscape have a protective soil cover of deep-rooted plants and litter 

which supports proper hydrologic function. 

• Management activities have been implemented on nearly all high-risk sites to facilitate 

recovery of upland, riparian, aquatic, and water quality conditions. Improved aquatic habitat 

conditions allow populations of threatened and endangered aquatic species to stabilize and 

expand into appropriate, previously occupied habitat. Populations of native aquatic species are 

increasing. 

• Water quality is improved to provide stable and productive riparian and aquatic ecosystems. 

Water quality of high-priority streams is within State standards, and the remaining streams 

have made significant progress toward attaining those standards. Upland, riparian, and aquatic 

ecosystems are stable and productive to a degree that leads to acceptable water quality for 

identified beneficial uses. Improvement has occurred in stream channel integrity and channel 

processes, under which the riparian and aquatic systems developed. Hydrologic and sediment 

regimes (the characteristic behavior or orderly occurrence of a natural phenomenon or 

process) in streams, lakes, and wetlands are appropriate to the surrounding soils, climate, and 

landform. Instream flows are sufficient to support healthy riparian and aquatic habitats, and 

stream functions are stable and effective. Flooding streams discharge without significant 

damage to the watershed. Riparian vegetation provides sufficient vegetation debris; provides 

adequate regulation of air and water temperatures during both summer and winter; and helps 

reduce surface erosion, bank erosion, and channel migration to levels characteristic of natural 

conditions. 

• Riparian and aquatic habitats exhibit the same characteristics that led to the evolution of the 

unique genetic fish stocks that currently exist. These habitats also support populations of welldistributed native and desired nonnative plant, vertebrate, and invertebrate populations. 

• Complex instream structure formed from woody debris, aquatic plants, roots, undercut banks, 

or boulders, serves as cover for all life cycle stages. 

• Biologically diverse habitats are maintained to ensure the presence of organisms and 

processes necessary to sustain native aquatic communities over the long term. Adequate 

spatial distribution of these communities is maintained, avoiding habitat fragmentation and 

allowing for recolonization of populations after disturbance. A diversity of breeding habitats 

for aquatic species provides clean gravels, quiet backwaters, and emergent and submergent 

vegetation. Rearing habitats for larvae and fry are available in backwaters, shallow edges, and 

other protected sites.
Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K

K-14

K.3 Action Categories and Design Features 

As described in the introduction to this appendix, Table K-1 below lists categories of potential actions 

that were considered by the IDT to determine types of actions that may be allowed in protected lands with 

wilderness characteristics. Table K-1 also provides example design features that may be considered as a 

component of the proposed action by category. 

Any management action may have direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts to one or more resource or 

resource use. As the SEORMP interdisciplinary team considered potential management actions and 

resource allocations for management of wilderness characteristics, categories of management actions 

were created to allow the team to consider future project-level impacts. The following categories were 

considered in evaluating management actions and whether additional design features would be necessary 

to avoid, reduce, or shorten the duration of, impacts in units identified for protection of wilderness 

characteristics: 

• Surface-disturbing restoration activities 

• Restoration activities that could be implemented without surface or ground disturbing impacts 

like monitoring, aerial seeding or herbicide spraying

• Rehabilitation activities after wildfire or other natural disturbance

• Authorized administrative actions 

• Emergency activities and actions

• Road construction and road maintenance

• Forest management actions including thinning, temporary skid and access routes, and harvest

• Infrastructure construction and maintenance related to grazing or recreation

The BLM evaluated these categories of actions for implementation on lands identified for protection of 

wilderness characteristics, with three outcomes: (a) actions could be implemented without design features, 

(b) actions could be implemented, but with adequate or appropriate design features, or (c) actions would 

not be allowed because they reduce or eliminate the wilderness characteristics in the specific areas 

identified for protection under each alternative either permanently or long term. Design features become a 

component of the proposed action(s) and environmental consequences and are analyzed at the 

project/site-specific level.

Each management action category may have design features to avoid or reduce impacts to a level that 

both retains the wilderness characteristics of the protected area and meets Visual Resource Management 

(VRM) Class II Objectives. Under subsequent site-specific project-level analysis, if it is determined that 

the action(s) may proceed, but only with appropriate design features, one or more feature may be selected 

to meet project objectives while protecting wilderness characteristics.
 

Table K-1. Categories of actions for implementation on lands identified for protection of wilderness characteristics. 

Action Group Action 

Authorized 

within Area 

Protected for 

Wilderness 

Characteristics 

(No Design 

Features 

Required) 

Authorized 

with 

Applicable 

Design 

Features 

Action not 

Authorized8 Example Design Features 

Vegetation Management and Invasive Species Control 

Restoration 

Activities - Surface 

Disturbing 

Actions which may leave a residual visual impact on the soil surface or vegetation overstory after implementation. 

Shrub Density 

Modification (e.g. 

mowing, chemical) 

X 

•

•

•

•

Unit layout would be implemented so that no 

visually abrupt horizontal or vertical linear 

contrasts could be noticed on the landscape after 

treatments. 

Contouring 

Vary residual vegetation height 

Apply mosaic designs 

Seeding/Seeding 

Preparation 

(e.g., Rx Fire or 

disking in combination 

with applying herbicides 

and/or drill seeding) 

X 

Design features 

may be 

necessary for 

individual 

treatments 

• Seeding would be done in a manner that 

eliminates or minimizes the appearance of drill 

rows. This would be done by one or a 

combination of the following: 

o Modifying rangeland drills to eliminate spaces 

between individual drills pulled in a set 

(usually 3) 

o Utilizing a drag to smooth the surface 

disturbance 

o Contouring with the natural features of the 

landscape 

•

•

Orientation of drill direction to avoid visual 

contrast from high use areas 

Unit layout would be implemented so that no 

visually abrupt horizontal or vertical linear 

 

Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K 

8 Action would not be authorized in protected lands with wilderness characteristics because impacts would be persistent of permanent 

K-15 
 

Authorized 

Action Group Action 

within Area 

Protected for 

Wilderness 

Characteristics 

(No Design 

Features 

Authorized 

with 

Applicable 

Design 

Features 

Action not 

Authorized8 Example Design Features 

Required) 

contrasts could be noticed on the landscape after 

treatments 

• Unit layout would be implemented so that no 

visually abrupt horizontal or vertical linear 

contrasts could be noticed on the landscape after 

Prescribed (Rx) Burning X •

•

treatments 

Apply mosaic designs 

Control Lines may be used if pulled back in post 

burn situations 

• Avoid creating linear or geometric features 

Juniper Treatments X 

•

•

Stumps would be flush cut and covered with soil 

or debris to reduce visibility 

Piles would be constructed over stumps wherever 

possible so that stumps were degraded by 

subsequent pile burning so that the effects of 

manual treatment were obscured 

•

•

Any wood material that was left after pile burn 

would be distributed to eliminate piles. 

Retreatments will utilize design features that will 

maintain wilderness characteristics 

Conifer Encroachment X Same as Juniper Treatments 

Forest and Woodlands 

Management 

(silvicultural treatments, 

aspen restoration, 

mahogany, etc.) X 

•

•

•

•

Temporary Protection fencing will be allowed to 

meet restoration objectives and will be located to 

minimize visual impacts 

Feather unit edges of thinning units to minimize 

visual contrast and mimic natural contours 

Regulate skid trail and landing spacing to 

minimize the percent of ground disturbance and 

reseed with native species 

Locate skid trails in areas that “minimize visual 

impacts to the greatest practical extent possible” 

Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K 

K-16 
 

Authorized 

Action Group Action 

within Area 

Protected for 

Wilderness 

Characteristics 

(No Design 

Features 

Authorized 

with 

Applicable 

Design 

Features 

Action not 

Authorized8 Example Design Features 

Required) 

• Regulate stump height to minimize visual 

contrast 

• Slash will either be promptly piled and burned or 

lopped and scattered at or below existing 

vegetation height 

Manual seeding and 

Planting seedlings X 

Unit layout would be implemented so that no 

visually abrupt horizontal or vertical linear 

contrasts could be noticed on the landscape after 

treatments. 

Assumption is minor planting success techniques 

(like netting) would be allowed. 

Restoration/NonSurface Disturbing Aerial activities or actions that are wholly ephemeral in nature (for example, seed selection, walking, horseback, targeted grazing, and 

so on). 

Aerial Seeding X 

Unit layout would be implemented so that no 

visually abrupt horizontal or vertical linear 

contrasts could be noticed on the landscape after 

treatments. 

Aerial Spraying X 

Manual Actions X 

Seed Type (native/nonnative) X 

Seed species will be selected with a preference 

toward the use of native species, though nonnative 

species may be used when better adapted to outcompete established annual species. Use of 

competitive native species or desirable nonnative 

species will be emphasized in sites which are 

moderately or highly susceptible to degradation. 

Monitoring X 

Emergency 

Stabilization and 

Rehabilitation 

ESR is generally considered post-wildfire; however, rehabilitation activities considered below may include after landslides, high flow 

precipitation events, slope failure, etc. 

Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K 

K-17 
 

 

 

Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K 

Action Group Action 

Authorized 

within Area 

Protected for 

Wilderness 

Characteristics 

(No Design 

Features 

Required) 

Authorized 

with 

Applicable 

Design 

Features 

Action not 

Authorized8 Example Design Features 

Normal ESR activities 

will be allowed within 

areas managed for 

wilderness 

characteristics; 

however, applicable 

Design Features will be 

applied where required. 

X X Follow Integrated Vegetation Management and 

ESR protocols. 

Stabilization Actions 

(e.g., wattles, hay bales, 

hydromulch) 

X None: Temporary visual impacts that are rapidly 

obscured. 

Other Administrative Actions 

Administrative 

Access and 

Authorized Uses 

X 

Administrative access is authorized to perform 

appropriate management and maintenance, with 

the following design features: 

• Minimize repeated use of travel route 

• Utilize existing motorized primitive routes 

where possible 

• Minimize vegetation and soil disturbance by 

utilizing appropriate vehicle types 

• Prioritize cross country motorized access to 

within boundary setbacks” where possible 

Road Construction New Roads X Not allowed in areas protected for wilderness 

characteristics, except for valid existing rights. 

Conversion of 

Motorized Primitive 

Routes to Constructed 

and Maintained Roads 

X Not Allowed 

K-18 
 

 

 

Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K 

Action Group Action 

Authorized 

within Area 

Protected for 

Wilderness 

Characteristics 

(No Design 

Features 

Required) 

Authorized 

with 

Applicable 

Design 

Features 

Action not 

Authorized8 Example Design Features 

Temporary Roads 

• Avoid where possible 

• Administrative/Authorized use only 

• Design Features would ensure rehabilitation 

actions and short duration impacts 

Road Maintenance 

Spot Maintenance on Evaluated on case by case basis. 

Primitive Routes within 

Areas Managed for X Spot maintenance may be authorized depending 

Wilderness purpose, safety and for administrative/ authorized 

Characteristics uses. 

Total Route 

Maintenance on 

Primitive Routes X 

Not allowed to improve primitive routes beyond 

minimal spot maintenance or to meet existing 

Transportation Plan Maintenance Levels (see 

above). 

User impacts and 

Monitoring X Educational efforts and monitoring will encourage public to stay on existing primitive routes. 

Forest and 

Woodlands 

Operations 

Management 

Temporary roads X 

RDF would enforce rehabilitation and short 

duration of impacts. 

Administrative use only. 

Landings X 

Locations planned to avoid impacts. In protected 

wilderness characteristics units, would be 

rehabilitated as soon as practicable (but within 

three years). Rehabilitation may include: 

appropriate slash burning, reseeding, and recontouring. 

K-19 
 

 

 

 

 

Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K 

Action Group Action 

Authorized 

within Area 

Protected for 

Wilderness 

Characteristics 

(No Design 

Features 

Required) 

Authorized 

with 

Applicable 

Design 

Features 

Action not 

Authorized8 Example Design Features 

Salvage Operations9 X 

Analyze on a case by case basis. 

Design features would emphasize rehabilitation 

and short duration of impacts to meet VRM class 

II objectives. 

Fire Management 

Fire and Other 

Incident 

management 

Operations 

Operations during and immediately after emergency incidents. 

Emergency Actions 

No restrictions 

within legal 

authority 

Emergency Actions 

Life and 

Property 

protection hold 

ultimate 

priority 

Suppression 

No restrictions 

within legal 

authority 

Fire managers would inform suppression 

personnel of wilderness character units and that 

special constraints may apply to prevent negative 

impacts to wilderness characteristics. 

A fire resource advisor with experience in 

wilderness character management should be 

assigned to all fires in wilderness character units to 

assist in the protection of wilderness 

characteristics. 

9 Refers to materials salvage operations following insect or disease outbreaks, fire, mass failure, etc. 

K-20 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K 

Action Group Action 

Authorized 

within Area 

Protected for 

Wilderness 

Characteristics 

(No Design 

Features 

Required) 

Authorized 

with 

Applicable 

Design 

Features 

Action not 

Authorized8 Example Design Features 

Rehabilitation of Fire 

Suppression Activities 

During suppression activities, consider location of 

fire lines on existing primitive routes. 

Emphasize rehabilitation efforts along the edge of 

the area managed for wilderness characteristics to 

reduce short term impacts to visual quality. 

Emphasis on rehabilitating cross-unit bladed fire 

lines to approximate pre-fire visual quality. 

Constructed fire lines would be re-contoured and 

seeded. 

Facilities 

Infrastructure10 In general, maintenance of existing infrastructure within areas managed for wilderness characteristics is allowed. New construction 

must be designed to conform with preserving and enhancing wilderness characteristics. 

Maintenance of existing 

infrastructure X 

Access to, and maintenance of, existing 

infrastructure is allowed for administrative and 

authorized purposes only. 

Signage and Other 

Interpretive, Safety or 

Public Services 

X Would be designed to preserve and/or enhance 

wilderness characteristics. 

New Building 

Construction X Building construction is not authorized within areas managed for wilderness characteristics. 

Fencelines (new) X 

• Developed at the project level designed to meet 

VRM II objectives and maintain wilderness 

characteristics within the protected unit 

• Could include: 

10 See manual for exception regarding development that is consistent with management of wilderness characteristics 

K-21 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K 

Action Group Action 

Authorized 

within Area 

Protected for 

Wilderness 

Characteristics 

(No Design 

Features 

Required) 

Authorized 

with 

Applicable 

Design 

Features 

Action not 

Authorized8 Example Design Features 

o Locating fence line so it is not “sky lined” (off 

hill tops) 

o T-Posts color blend with landscape 

o Remove minimal vegetation during 

construction 

• Designs will conform to meeting other required 

resource objectives (e.g., flagging, location, etc.) 

Fencelines 

(maintenance) X 

Retrofitting existing fencelines to meet other 

resource objectives (e.g., reducing avian 

collisions) are allowed, along with normal 

maintenance. 

Water Developments 

(maintenance) X Maintenance of existing water development is authorized. 

Water Developments 

(new) X 

Design features will be developed at the project 

level and will be designed to maintain class 2 

visual objectives and maintain wilderness 

characteristics within the unit. 

Design features could include: 

• Locate storage tanks so it is not “sky lined” (off 

hill tops) 

• Locate troughs to minimize their visual impact 

• Make tanks and troughs a color that blends 

with landscape 

• Remove minimal vegetation during 

construction 

• Bury all pipeline 

New Administrative or 

Authorized Construction X 

Design Features will be developed at the project 

level and will be designed to maintain class 2 

visual objectives and maintain wilderness 

characteristics within the unit. 

K-22 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K 

Action Group Action 

Authorized 

within Area 

Protected for 

Wilderness 

Characteristics 

(No Design 

Features 

Required) 

Authorized 

with 

Applicable 

Design 

Features 

Action not 

Authorized8 Example Design Features 

“Major”, “Minor”, Authorizations for existing and new Rights of Way 

Renewable, and renewal and authorizations will conform to 

Communication Site Greater Sage-Grouse management as defined in 

ROWs11 Chapter 2. 

Administrative Activities 

Administrative 

Access and 

Authorized use 

X 

Administrative access and use is authorized. 

Design features may include: 

• Minimize repeated use of travel route. 

• Travel on dry or frozen surfaces when possible 

to minimize soil impacts. 

• Utilize existing primitive routes where possible 

• Utilize vehicles with high flotation tires when 

possible to minimize soil impacts 

• Prioritize access to within setbacks where 

possible. 

Other Regular 

Administrative 

Actions 

Normal BLM 

Operations X 

Normal operations in the management of public 

lands are authorized. These include monitoring, 

inventories, research, utilization studies, etc. 

Public Access 

Public 

Allowable uses for Off Highway Vehicle use vary 

by alternative, but cross country travel off 

primitive routes in protected wilderness 

characteristics are not allowed in Alternatives C 

and D. Units closed to all routes and cross country 

travel in Alternative B. 

11 Driven by (amended, GRSG) 

K-23 
 

 

 

 

Draft SEORMP Amendment and EIS Appendix K 

Action Group Action 

Authorized 

within Area 

Protected for 

Wilderness 

Characteristics 

(No Design 

Features 

Required) 

Authorized 

with 

Applicable 

Design 

Features 

Action not 

Authorized8 Example Design Features 

Aircraft takeoff/landing 

Not allowed within areas protected for wilderness 

characteristics under Alternative B. Only allowed 

on primitive routes in Alternatives C and D. 

Exceptions are standard emergency or other 

authorized exceptions. 

Permitting 

Special Recreation 

Permits (SRPs) which 

may have surface 

disturbing impacts 

X X Considered on case-by-case review 

Special Forest Products X X Considered on case-by-case review 

K-24