Upper Deschutes Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan ce Management Plan 

c. Access off designated roads and trails. designated roads and trails. 

3. Administrative access authorization will include mitigation measures to protect 

resources and to rehabilitate impacts caused by temporary motorized access or 

activities. activities. Some of these mitigations could include, but are not limited to: Some of these mitigations could include, but are not limited to: 

a. Closure and rehabilitation of temporary access routes. Closure and rehabilitation of temporary access routes. 

b. Activities/travel over snow or frozen ground. er snow or frozen ground. 

c. Activities/travel limited by season or soil moisture conditions. el limited by season or soil moisture conditions. 

d. Use of low-impact equipment and techniques. Use of low-impact equipment and techniques. 

e. Use of gates and signs to preclude general access. Use of gates and signs to preclude general access. 

4. Decisions regarding access authorization and special requirements will be 

decided on a case-by-case basis. The authorizing officer will consider the resource 

values involved, potential effects of the activity, cost vs. benefit, and appropriate/ 

reasonable mitigation measures to be applied. Access recommendations will 

normally be made during project planning through an interdisciplinary team 

process and with the appropriate level of NEPA analysis. analysis. 

5. Grazing permiĴees/lessees must apply for a permit to provide supplemental 

livestock feed, salt, or nutrients, or to construct new fences or other range 

improvements. The BLM will decide during the permit process whether or 

not off-road vehicle use will be allowed for these activities. If allowed, wriĴen 

authorization and conditions will be included in the permit/lease. The annual 

grazing billing process will also provide an opportunity to include or change 

wriĴen access authorizations prior to turnout. Motorized vehicle use off of 

designated roads/trails will generally be approved when: ed when: 

a. Moving caĴle in to or out of a pasture, and checking for stragglers a day or two 

later. 

b. Checking/repairing fences prior to turnout. Checking/repairing fences prior to turnout. 

c. Checking for breaks in fence or open gates aĞer finding strays. nding strays. 

d. Checking all perimeter fences/gates once per month (special authorization will 

be required for more frequent access). be required for more frequent access). 

e. Hauling water to troughs that are off-road. 

6. If road closures eliminate access to sites used for traditional cultural uses, tribal 

members may be granted administrative access for purposes of those uses. e access for purposes of those uses. 

Land Ownership Land Ownership 

Public lands have been classified for retention or disposal pursuant to the Section 7 of the 

Taylor Grazing aylor Grazing Act (43 U.S.C. 315f) and other authorities described in ) and other authorities described in Appendix Appendix A. 

Objective LO – 1 (Z-1): Identify lands for retention based on resource values and 

overall management objectives. Lands allocated for retention are identified as having 

high public resource values. They include areas that will generally be retained in 

public ownership, and where emphasis will be placed on increasing public land 

holdings. holdings. 

Rationale: Rationale: 

Public lands in Central Oregon provide a variety of resource values. These include but 

are not limited to native or natural species dominance, archaeological values, special 

or unique plant and animal habitats, support for wildlife populations, recreational 

opportunities, solitude and open space, and providing undeveloped space between 

burgeoning population areas. Underlying the objectives for land ownership is the 

assumption that retention of large blocks of public lands best serves these diverse values. 

Allocations/Allowable Uses: Allocations/Allowable Uses: 

1. Those public lands in Wild and Scenic River areas, identified for retention in the 

Middle Deschutes/Lower Crooked River (Chimney Rock Segment) Management 

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Plan (USDI-BLM 1992) and designated in the Brothers/La Pine Resource 

Management Plan (USDI-BLM 1989) will remain Z-1. Management Plan (USDI-BLM 1989) will remain Z-1. 

2. RMP Map 6 displays lands classified Z-1 for retention (approximately 323,931 

acres). acres). 

Guidelines: Guidelines: 

1. Retain lands in the more urban areas to provide for wildlife and more intensive 

recreational uses; retain lands in the more rural areas to provide for wildlife and 

moderate recreational uses. moderate recreational uses. 

2. Retention designations will provide for protection and management of resources for 

public benefits that include but are not limited to: ts that include but are not limited to: 

a. Retain public lands along stream corridors, including headwaters with upland 

buffers. 

b. Retain public lands with visible highland features including Cline BuĴes, Smith 

Rocks, and Grizzly Mountain. Rocks, and Grizzly Mountain. 

c. Retain public lands that connect large blocks of public lands for wildlife 

corridors, for access, and for recreation trails. corridors, for access, and for recreation trails. 

d. Retain large blocks of public ownership to maintain and protect the integrity of 

intact ecosystems. intact ecosystems. 

e. Retain public lands that provide trail corridors or maintain opportunities for 

longer distance trail loops or regional trail corridors in rapidly developing 

areas. 

f. Retain in federal ownership all habitat essential for the survival and recovery of 

any species federally listed or proposed for listing as threatened or endangered, 

or BLM sensitive species, including historic habitat that has retained it’s 

potential to sustain listed species and is deemed to be essential for species 

survival (BLM Manual 6840- Special Status Species Management). However, 

trading trading of land to acquire acquire habitats habitats of equal or beĴer in value may be considered. considered. 

3. In designated transportation corridors, until a site-specific NEPA analysis for that 

designated use has been completed, or other information indicates that the corridor 

is no longer needed for that use, do not authorize new uses that will preclude uses 

for which the corridor was designated. as designated. 

Objective LO – 2 (Z-2): Identify parcels to retain, but may be disposed of through 

exchange for lands with higher public values primarily for the purposes of 

connectivity, with a secondary emphasis on consolidation (blocking up). , with a secondary emphasis on consolidation (blocking up). 

Rationale: Rationale: 

Lands identified for exchange offer flexibility for acquisition of lands that have important 

resource values or that may improve the administration of existing lands. The BLM 

retains the option to consider the disposal of all properties for the best interests of 

the public under the appropriate review process. Retention is directly consistent with 

objectives that emphasize developing a land paĴern for the protection of resources. 

Retention also indirectly benefits acquiring land in a paĴern to benefit resources. 

Emphasizes exchanging isolated blocks to block up or connect larger blocks. Identifies 

fringe blocks between large blocks that may be exchanged to reconfigure the land paĴern 

to provide for connectivity between large blocks. een large blocks. 

Allocations/Allowable Uses: Allocations/Allowable Uses: 

1. RMP Map 6 displays lands classified Z-2 for retention with an option to exchange 

(approximately 62,753 acres). (approximately 62,753 acres). 

a. Some Isolated and fringe public parcels are identified as Z-2 to provide 

connectivity between larger blocks and eliminate trail and road entries onto 

private lands in the rural areas. Parcels are located at Steamboat Rock, Mayfield 

Pond to Badlands, and Prineville Reservoir area to the Maury Mountains. oir area to the Maury Mountains. 

b. Areas identified for blocking up public lands include east and south of Juniper 

Acres, Horse Ridge, Bend/Redmond, Mayfield Pond, and Prineville Reservoir 

area. 

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c. The majority of the public lands in La Pine are Z-2, extending south from 

Wickiup Junction to the boundary of the project area to provide the opportunity 

to change the public land paĴern to provide for deer migration, specifically 

between east Deschutes National Forest and west Deschutes National Forest. est Deschutes National Forest. 

Guidelines: Guidelines: 

1. Disposals involving exchange when the private parcels and public parcels are in 

the same general area is preferred; but other areas in the planning area may be 

acceptable if the exchange accomplishes important overall management objectives. 

2. The public parcels around Prineville will be available for exchange for parcels 

throughout the planning area. throughout the planning area. 

3. Parcels generally having the potential for high public resource values to retain may 

be exchanged for private parcels with higher public resource values, for parcels 

that will block up larger blocks of public lands, or for parcels that will provide 

connectivity between larger blocks of public lands. een larger blocks of public lands. 

4. Do not dispose of lands that contain special status species habitats unless the parcel 

to be disposed of will have a conservation easement, and/or the parcel to acquire 

contains similar resources of equal or beĴer quality for special status species. er quality for special status species. 

Objective LO – 3 (Z-3): Identify lands for disposal that generally do not provide 

substantial resource, public, or tribal benefits that may not be cost effective for the 

BLM to manage or that will represent a greater public benefit in other ownership. t in other ownership. 

Rationale: Rationale: 

Many BLM administered lands are isolated parcels that have limited resource values or 

no public or administrative access. Lands adjacent to growing communities oĞen are 

categorized as the least productive lands, and therefore are high priority for expansion of 

urban growth boundaries when compared with lands of higher productivity. Community 

expansion was provided for in the Brothers/La Pine RMP and was identified as an 

appropriate need throughout the Upper Deschutes EIS/RMP alternative development 

process. process. 

Lands that share boundaries with private lands are sometimes subject to trespass. While 

the bulk of a parcel may represent one or more public values, trespass that includes part 

of a structure, for instance, has lost public value. If the trespass was inadvertent, such 

as in an erroneous survey conducted under earlier standards; or, if the cost to remedy 

the trespass is not commensurate with the restored values, disposal of these properties 

will be facilitated. Current legislation (BACA Bill) allows for funds generated from sales 

of Z-3 lands identified in BLP to be retained by the BLM and applied to state-wide land 

acquisition purposes. acquisition purposes. 

Allocations/Allowable Uses: Allocations/Allowable Uses: 

1. Selected public lands identified as Z-3 in Brothers/La Pine RMP will continue as 

Z-3 and qualify for retention of funds in accordance with the BACA Bill. These 

lands include isolated parcels between Bend and Redmond, isolated parcels around 

Prineville, and isolated parcels northwest of La Pine (see RMP Map 6). Map 6). 

2. RMP Map 6 identifies lands classified Z-3 for disposal, (approximately 15,186 

acres). Parcels suitable for disposal include eight in the Northwest, eight south of 

Steamboat Rock, three at Cline BuĴes, one west of Redmond, two along Highway 

97, eight around O’Neal, 15 north of Prineville, 12 north of Highway 380, 19 

between Prineville and Prineville Reservoir, three east of Prineville Reservoir, three 

in Alkali Flat, two southeast of Bend, four near Burgess Road in La Pine, and one at 

the intersection of Highway 97 with Highway 31. 

Guidelines Guidelines 

1. Trade or sell small, isolated parcels to acquire lands adjacent to and/or surrounded 

by larger parcels of BLM or other federal, state or county administered lands. by larger parcels of BLM or other federal, state or county administered lands. 

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2. Lands allocated Z-3 in this RMP may be retained if the consultations, clearances, 

reports, or future site specific Environmental Assessments show any resource 

values worthy of permanent Federal retention. orthy of permanent Federal retention. 

3. Any exchange, sale, or transfer of public lands will be subject to appropriate 

analysis under NEPA, with applicable cultural, botanical or special status species 

clearances, as well as required mineral reports. ell as required mineral reports. 

4. BLM retains the option to reconsider the disposal of all properties for the best 

interests of the public under the appropriate review process. A proposed disposal 

must be consistent with the objective of protecting resources. e of protecting resources. 

5. Designate as Z-3 any parcels determined to be unsuitable for retention through 

subsequent site-specific analysis. c analysis. 

6. Use proceeds of sales (as permiĴed by BACA Bill) to acquire lands for the purpose 

of improving the BLM’s land ownership paĴern. (See Appendix D and Objective 

LO-5). 

7. Lands will be available for sale or exchange if the encumbrances are resolved 

and the public will be beĴer served. No exchanges will occur until satisfactory 

resolution of encumbrances. resolution of encumbrances. 

8. The lands in La Pine will have a first priority for community use, and then open to 

the general public. the general public. 

9. First priority for all land disposals will be to satisfy the State of Oregon’s entitlement 

to in-lieu selection lands for the purposes of providing for school funding. to in-lieu selection lands for the purposes of providing for school funding. 

Objective LO – 4: Provide land for community needs and uses consistent with public 

land management mandates (community expansion). land management mandates (community expansion). 

Rationale: Rationale: 

Public lands abut or surround many of the expanding communities in the basin, 

including the City of Redmond and the community of La Pine. Under State land use 

law, BLM administered lands are oĞen the most “urbanizable” lands adjacent to urban 

growth boundaries because they lie in the expanding urban area and are oĞen classified 

as “non-resource lands” in the state land use planning process. In La Pine, BLM 

administered lands are within and around the community, making them highly desirable 

for urban infrastructure and to supply future needs for parks and open spaces. for urban infrastructure and to supply future needs for parks and open spaces. 

Local land use planning and other community planning groups have identified public 

lands for potential community expansion needs. lands for potential community expansion needs. 

The United States, through BLM, owes the State of Oregon, through the Department of 

State Land (DSL), several thousand acres of land, called “in lieu” lands. BLM is seeking 

in this plan to repay DSL by providing parcels identified as Community Expansion. 

When communities request lands that are Community Expansion, BLM will request that 

DSL consider requesting those lands as “in lieu”. If DSL acquired the lands, they could 

then transfer them to the communities that requested them, which will provide public 

lands for community expansion while also relieving BLM of its debt. lands for community expansion while also relieving BLM of its debt. 

Allocations/Allowable Uses: Allocations/Allowable Uses: 

1. Classify approximately 3,612 acres of BLM administered lands for disposal for 

Community Expansion (see RMP Map 6). Map 6). 

a. In Redmond, several public land parcels south of the Redmond Airport, south 

of Redmond, and east of Highway 97 are identified for community expansion. ed for community expansion. 

b. Between Redmond and Bend, some public lands east of Highway 97 are 

identified for a park. ed for a park. 

c. East of Prineville, at Barnes BuĴe, public lands are identified for a park. ed for a park. 

d. Between La Pine and Wickiup Junction, several public land parcels are selected 

for public facilities and parks. for public facilities and parks. 

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Guidelines: Guidelines: 

1. Public land may be identified for community expansion when a bona-fide need 

for land has been identified through an urban reserve or other appropriate study. 

Such studies will consider unique resource values on those public lands but not 

recognized or prioritized by State Land Use urbanization processes. recognized or prioritized by State Land Use urbanization processes. 

2. Identify lands for community expansion that have particular value to communities 

for future infrastructure or other expansion needs, (including expansion of urban 

growth boundaries) or when another agency may have greater administrative 

capabilities in regard to particular parcels. These lands are highlighted for, but are 

not restricted to these uses, and will always have an underlying value of either 

retention or disposal related to the agency’s overall land ownership objectives. Sale 

or exchange of that land could occur in support of land acquisition objectives of the 

agency, regardless of the prospective buyer’s purpose. s purpose. 

3. Lands will be available for community expansion that will provide a greater 

public benefit being used for community expansion than for other public benefits. 

These lands will include but are not limited to lands with the following important 

characteristics: characteristics: 

a. Lands integrate the needs identified in Federal and State and local development 

and resource plans, and the plans of non-profit groups when selecting public 

lands. 

b. Sufficient public lands will be selected for ancillary facilities outside the urban 

growth boundaries that complement them, for example, airport clear zones. growth boundaries that complement them, for example, airport clear zones. 

c. Public lands will be maintained as a development buffer between communities, 

thus retaining community identities. thus retaining community identities. 

d. When public lands are selected for community purposes, BLM will request that 

they be evaluated for compatibility with in lieu selection criteria by Oregon 

Division of State Lands prior to transfer for community purposes. Division of State Lands prior to transfer for community purposes. 

e. The lands outside of Redmond and south of the north boundary line of 

Township 16 (called the sawtooth lands) will be available only for parks and 

other open space purposes. This does not preclude transportation uses. other open space purposes. This does not preclude transportation uses. 

f. The lands in La Pine will provide trails/connectors from Rosland Pit to public 

lands to the south. lands to the south. 

Objective LO - 5: Adjust land ownership paĴerns to improve the effectiveness of land 

management, wildlife habitats, and recreation. Provide connectivity for wildlife and 

recreation between larger blocks of lands, in urban areas and where no public access 

currently exists. currently exists. Acquire isolated private parcels in large blocks of public lands. Acquire isolated private parcels in large blocks of public lands. 

Rationale: Rationale: 

Many privately held parcels of land provide unique or special values or benefits that 

will contribute to the overall mission of the BLM. These values or benefits include 

but are not limited to natural or scenic resource values, public access to existing nonaccessible public lands, significant archaeological resources and areas of traditional 

cultural significance, or to reduce the potential for future fragmentation of habitats 

that could result from granting access to private lands through BLM-managed lands. 

Targeting a list of properties desirable for acquisition promotes a basin-wide approach 

to important resource management such as restoration of Threatened and Endangered 

species habitats. Identifying these properties allows for more efficient collection of funds 

to sponsor individual or joint acquisition procedures and facilitate more streamlined 

land exchanges and emphasizes selection of areas or specific parcels which will provide 

connectivity between, access to, or block up public lands. een, access to, or block up public lands. 

Allocations/Allowable Uses: Allocations/Allowable Uses: 

Parcels of interest include those between Deschutes National Forest and Clines BuĴes, 

Tumalo and Cline BuĴes, Mayfield Pond and Badlands and Reservoir West, and 

Reservoir East and Maury Mountains. (See RMP Map 6 and Map 6 and Map 6 and Appendix D) Appendix D) 

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Guidelines: Guidelines: 

1. Block up large blocks of public lands. Block up large blocks of public lands. 

2. Align boundaries to recognizable features and topography. 

3. Exchange isolated parcels that do not meet objectives and guidelines. es and guidelines. 

4. When other agencies have interests in public parcels, dispose of the parcels to 

the agency with the greatest interest and administrative capabilities, or develop 

management agreements indicating the lead agency and the responsibilities of all 

agencies. agencies. 

5. Acquisitions will occur only with willing land owners. Acquisitions will occur only with willing land owners. 

6. Acquisition priority will be the urban areas for wildlife and ecological purposes 

then for recreation purposes, and secondarily in the rural area for the same 

purposes. Less emphasized will be acquisition to consolidate public lands in 

Millican Valley, Horse Ridge, and La Pine. , Horse Ridge, and La Pine. 

7. Lands with the following qualities may be considered for acquisition. Lands with the following qualities may be considered for acquisition. 

a. Located along stream corridors, including headwaters with upland buffers. 

b. Include visible highland features including Cline BuĴes, Smith Rocks, and 

Grizzly Mountain. Grizzly Mountain. 

c. Connect large blocks of public lands for wildlife corridors, for access, and for 

recreation trails. recreation trails. 

d. Will block up public ownership to maintain and protect the integrity of intact 

ecosystems. ecosystems. 

e. Will block up public ownership to reduce social conflicts and maintain legal 

access and provide trail or road corridors, including private lands along Route 8 

in the Badlands WSA. in the Badlands WSA. 

f. Provide new or add to existing recreation opportunities that are in short supply 

(e.g., acquisition of lands at ODOT Pit on State Highway 20 to ensure long-term 

use as an OHV play area and staging area for events). 

g. Parcels will (1) facilitate access to public land and resources, (2) maintain or 

enhance important public values and uses, or (3) maintain or enhance local 

social and economic values in public ownership, or (4) facilitate implementation 

of other aspects of the approved Upper Deschutes RMP. 

8. Prioritize parcels for acquisition to meet management objectives based on the 

potential for imminent development. These objectives could include the following 

considerations (note: these are not in order of priority): considerations (note: these are not in order of priority): 

a. Reduce the number of developed in holdings. eloped in holdings. 

b. Improve wildlife values including habitat for special status species, travel 

corridors, etc. In prioritizing parcels for acquisition consider lands that have 

multiple wildlife values, contain habitats of special status species, are inholdings and/or contribute to effective habitat management practices such as: e habitat management practices such as: 

i. Parcels located in the La Pine deer and elk travel corridor, especially ones 

that block-up ownership and/or contain riparian or wetland habitats. etland habitats. 

ii. Parcels located along the Crooked River (and adjacent uplands) south of 

Prineville (to benefit riparian dependent species and potential bighorn 

sheep re-introduction). sheep re-introduction). 

iii. Parcels located in the Alkali BuĴe area that will help connect federal 

ownership between the BLM administered lands in the Reservoir East area 

with Forest Service administered lands located in the Maury Mountains. with Forest Service administered lands located in the Maury Mountains. 

iv. Parcels that contain important habitat for special status species and other 

species of high public interest or concern, including sage grouse. species of high public interest or concern, including sage grouse. 

c. Improve or increase riparian or wetland habitats. etland habitats. 

d. Improve recreation opportunities, including new or improved trail links, 

expanded existing recreation opportunities that are limited or in high demand, 

and access to lands that currently have no legal access. These opportunities may 

include, but are not limited to the following examples: include, but are not limited to the following examples: 

i. Acquire lands in the Horse Ridge and Skeleton Fire areas to maintain or 

provide new trail systems. provide new trail systems. 

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ii. Acquire lands surrounding Badlands WSA to beĴer manage wilderness 

values and provide adequate parking/trailheads. alues and provide adequate parking/trailheads. 

iii. Acquire land in Dry Canyon at Cline BuĴes to maintain trail system 

connectivity and improve parking/staging areas. e parking/staging areas. 

iv. Acquire land in Cline BuĴes to provide beĴer trail opportunities and 

reduce social conflicts. 

v. Retain use of ODOT pit area on State Highway 20. 

vi. Provide unique recreation and river access opportunities via acquisition 

of in holdings along the Deschutes and Crooked River; including the 

Hollywood Road area at CRR. ood Road area at CRR. 

vii. Provide for beĴer management of special management areas/sites such as 

ACECs, WSAs, etc. ACECs, WSAs, etc. 

Objective LO – 6: Use easements to complement acquisitions, in lieu of acquisition for 

conservation or access as appropriate to further public management objectives. conservation or access as appropriate to further public management objectives. 

Guidelines: Guidelines: 

1. Pursue easements or access agreements for public lands identified for retention that 

do not have public access. e public access. 

2. Maintain or improve access to public lands whenever possible during realty actions. er possible during realty actions. 

Objective LO – 7: All withdrawals affecting the planning unit will be reviewed 

periodically to insure the lands being utilized are consistent with the purpose for 

which the lands were withdrawn. which the lands were withdrawn. 

Guidelines: Guidelines: 

1. Lands found suitable for return to the public domain will be restored to entry and 

managed according to management prescriptions for lands having similar resource 

values. 

2. All new withdrawal proposals will be considered on a case-by-case basis, including 

land use needs of other Federal agencies. land use needs of other Federal agencies. 

Public Health and Safety Public Health and Safety 

Objective PHS - 1: Minimize risk of errant firearm discharge toward users of BLM 

administered land and adjacent public land that experience high levels of recreational 

visitation or commercial use. visitation or commercial use. 

Rationale: Rationale: 

BLM has been given the authority and direction to manage firearm discharge and reduce 

threats to public health and safety from multiple sources. The Federal Land Policy and 

Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), BLM’s enabling legislation, directs “In managing 

the public lands, the Secretary shall...regulate... the use, occupancy, and development 

of the public lands... (43 U.S.C. §1732(b)).” The same section furthermore directs, with 

consultation from state fish and game departments, “...the Secretary concerned may 

designate areas of public land ... where, and establish periods when, no hunting or 

fishing will be permiĴed for reasons of public safety, administration, or compliance with 

provisions of applicable law.” Additional direction can be found in the BLM Manual, and 

the BLM Strategic Plan (USDI-BLM, 2000a). The BLM Manual states one of the goals of 

the Bureau’s visitor service effort will be to: Make every reasonable aĴempt to provide 

the visitor with conditions conducive to having a safe, healthy, and rewarding experience 

(BLM Manual 8300.06(4)(a)(3).” The BLM Strategic Plan directs the agency to “Serve 

current and future publics by reducing threats to public health and safety, and property.” 

Unregulated firearm discharge poses a threat to human life when large numbers of 

people are present. With Central Oregon human populations expected to dramatically 

146