Appendix Appendix H 

Appendix H

Visual Resource Inventory Process 

Introduction Introduction 

The visual resource analysis consists of a scenic quality evaluation, sensitivity level analysis, and a consideration 

of distance zones. Based on these factors, BLM administered lands are placed into one of four visual resource 

classes. These inventory classes represent the relative value of visual resources, with Class I and II being the 

most valued, Class III representing a moderate value, and Class IV being of least value. In addition, areas can 

be identified through the RMP process as Class V – areas where the natural character of the landscape have been 

disturbed to a point where rehabilitation is needed to bring it up to one of the four other classifications. This 

classification also applies to areas where there is potential to increase an area’s visual quality; Class V is oĞen 

used as an interim classification until objectives of another VRM Class can be reached. es of another VRM Class can be reached. 

The establishment of VRM classes on public land is based on an evaluation of the landscape’s scenic qualities, 

public sensitivity toward certain areas, and the location of affected land from major travel corridors (distance 

zoning). zoning). 

Desired Future Condition Desired Future Condition 

Landscapes seen from high use travel routes, recreation destinations, and special management areas will be 

managed to maintain or enhance their appearance. Landforms that provide a visual backdrop to communities 

will also be managed to maintain or enhance their appearance. To the casual observer, results of management 

activities in these areas either will not be evident or will be visually subordinate to the existing landscape. activities in these areas either will not be evident or will be visually subordinate to the existing landscape. 

Landscapes will be enhanced by opening views to distant peaks, unique landforms, or other features of interest. 

Variety will be introduced to uniform landscapes by creating openings and edges between juniper woodland 

and sagebrush grassland. Landscapes containing negative visual elements, including braided or extremely 

dense road networks, garbage piles, unstable cut or fill slopes, open pits, or a preponderance of damaged trees or 

stumps, etc. will be rehabilitated. stumps, etc. will be rehabilitated. 

Management activities on highly visible landforms that form a community backdrop will not be evident. In these 

areas, vegetation management will only be approved if it protects and improves visual quality. 

Rationale Rationale 

Section 102(8) of FLPMA declares that public land will be managed to protect the quality of scenic values and, 

where appropriate, to preserve and protect certain public land in its natural condition. NEPA, Section 101(b), 

requires Federal agencies to “assure for all Americans...esthetically pleasing surroundings.” Section 102 of NEPA 

requires agencies to “utilize a systematic, interdisciplinary approach which would ensure the integrated use of... 

environmental design in the planning and decision making process.” Guidelines for the identification of VRM 

Classes on public lands are contained in BLM Manual Handbook 8410-1, Visual Resource Inventory. 

Characteristics of the Planning Area Characteristics of the Planning Area 

The planning area is located within the Columbia Plateau Physiographic Province (Illustration 5 – Physiographic 

Province Map, Manual 8410 – Visual Resource Inventory). This physiographic province is characterized by 

incised rivers, extensive plateaus, and anticlinal ridges. The planning area itself consists of gently sloping to flat 

lands covered in Sagebrush - grassland and Juniper. This general visual character is punctuated by the Deschutes 

River Canyon and the Crooked River Canyon; and by numerous buĴes (e.g., Cline BuĴes, West BuĴe, Grey BuĴe, 

and others). Other visual features of the planning area include smaller canyons such as Squaw Creek, several dry 

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

canyons, and several large water bodies, including Prineville Reservoir and Ochoco Reservoir. The BLM lands 

are generally seen against a longer distance backdrop of high peaks and forest lands to the west (Cascade Range 

– Deschutes National Forest), to the north and east (Gray BuĴe – Crooked River National Grasslands, Ochoco 

Mountains – Ochoco National Forest), and to the south (Pine Mountain – Deschutes National Forest). Other key 

visual elements of the planning area include the rock cliffs and upland spires along the Crooked River at Smith 

Rock State Park and adjacent BLM lands. Pronounced cliffs and river views are also apparent along the Chimney 

Rock Segment of the Crooked River south of Prineville. er south of Prineville. 

Portions of the major river canyons in the planning area are designated as Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers. The 

Lower Crooked (Chimney Rock Segment) Wild and Scenic River is classified as a Recreational River. This stretch 

of river is located below Prineville Reservoir in Crook County. The Middle Deschutes Wild and Scenic River 

between Lake Billy Chinook and Odin Falls is classified as a Scenic River. The Crooked River between Lake 

Billy Chinook and Ogden Wayside is classified as a Recreational River. These two stretches of river are located 

adjacent to Crooked River Ranch in Deschutes and Jefferson Counties. While the Upper Deschutes Wild and 

Scenic River does not flow through BLM lands in La Pine, a small portion of BLM lands between Forest Road 4360 

and La Pine State Park are located within the Wild and Scenic River corridor. 

The visual resource management guidelines for the Chimney Rock segment of the Crooked River are defined 

as a Retention Visual Quality Objective (VQO) or Partial Retention VQO. These correspond roughly to BLM’s 

Visual Resource Management Class II and Class III. The Middle Deschutes and Crooked Wild and Scenic 

River stretches adjacent to Crooked River Ranch are designated as VRM Class I within the canyon, and Class II 

for the surrounding upland above the rim. The VRM Classes for a portion of the Middle Deschutes Wild and 

Scenic River were superceded by BLM Instruction Memorandum 2000-096, which applied a VRM Class I to the 

Steelhead Falls WSA. The Upper Deschutes Wild and Scenic River/State Scenic Waterway Plan (1996) applied a 

Partial Retention VQO to the 79 acres of BLM lands within the Upper Deschutes W&S River – this corresponds 

roughly to BLM’s VRM Class III designation. s VRM Class III designation. 

Other features that play a role in the area’s visual quality and diversity include large tracts of rural ranch and 

farmland that generally preserve open views and provide a pastoral seĴing. The area still retains a large number 

of older buildings and vestiges of earlier ranching, agricultural, and land seĴlement activities that are valued for 

their historic and visual interest. Many irrigation canals are located on BLM lands, and these also provide some 

visual interest, particularly during the summer, when they are at full flow. Isolated geologic features such as lava 

tubes, lava blisters, and individual large juniper trees, etc. also have high visual interest. e high visual interest. 

When compared to the visual character of the cascade peaks and slopes or the Deschutes and Crooked River 

canyons, the majority of BLM lands have much less pronounced visual quality – these are not lands that are going 

to appear on many travel postcards. However, given the rapid development of central Oregon, these lands are 

highly valued for their visual quality in that they are not developed and provide a natural backdrop for local 

communities and a buffer between rapidly developing areas. eloping areas. 

The presence of large stands of juniper is seen by some people to be a visual benefit, particularly for residents 

whose homes are screened and somewhat isolated by existing juniper stands. The planning area contains many 

large stands of old growth juniper, which when viewed individually, have great visual interest, character and 

diversity; however, at a regional scale, these old growth stands are not highly distinguishable. , at a regional scale, these old growth stands are not highly distinguishable. 

Visual Resource Management (VRM)

Mapping Process 

Existing Visual Quality isual Quality 

Based on the characteristics of the physiographic province and the local area, the elements in the following table 

(Table H-1) were used to develop a scenic quality overlay (map) for the planning area: erlay (map) for the planning area: 

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able H-1. Characteristics of the physiographic province and the local area.

Class A – combines 

the most outstanding 

characteristics of 

each rating factor. 

Landform Water Cultural 

Modifications Adjacent Scenery 

High vertical relief 

such as prominent 

cliffs, spires, or large 

rock outcrops or 

a concentration of 

surface variation 

such as ridges, 

canyons, or lava 

tubes 

Clear and clean 

appearing still, or 

cascading white 

water, any of which 

are a dominant factor 

in the landscape 

Landscape free 

from esthetically 

undesirable or 

discordant sights 

and influences or 

modifications add 

favorably to visual 

character 

Adjacent scenery 

greatly enhances 

visual quality 

Mesas, buĴes, or 

interesting size or 

shaped landforms, 

though not dominant 

or exceptional 

Flowing or still 

water, but not 

dominant in the 

landscape 

Cultural 

modifications 

distinctive, though 

somewhat similar to 

others in the region 

Adjacent scenery 

moderately 

enhances visual 

quality 

Low hills or gently 

sloping to flat lands 

with few interesting 

or detailed landscape 

features. 

Water is absent or not 

noticeable 

Modifications are 

so extensive that 

scenic qualities are 

mostly nullified 

or substantially 

reduced. 

Adjacent scenery 

has liĴle or no 

influence on overall 

visual quality 

Class B – Area in 

which there is a 

combination of some 

outstanding features 

and some that are 

fairly common to 

the physiographic 

region. 

Class C – Area in 

which the features 

are fairly common 

to the physiographic 

region. 

Appendix Appendix H 

Table H-1. able H-1.able H-1. Characteristics of the physiographic province and the local area.
1

Sensitivity Level Analysis Sensitivity Level Analysis 

Each viewer of BLM managed public lands in the planning area has different perceptions formed by individual 

influences. To some, the BLM lands are a desert wasteland, to others a place to recreate, to others a source of 

income, and to still others, a defense against unchecked growth and urbanization. The high growth rates and 

development in the area has led to many public concerns over visual quality and the role of the landscape in 

providing community identity and in maintaining a quality of life standard in central Oregon. Many land use 

issues have recently become publicized as visual resource and quality of life issues, including: the placement of 

cell phone towers; the recent construction of a highly visible golf driving range north of Bend; and the proposed 

piping of water formerly transported in surface canals. The common element of these issues is the public concern 

for visual quality and a desire to retain the special, intrinsic and appreciated qualities of the natural backdrop 

surrounding local communities. surrounding local communities. 

Given the urban nature of the planning area, and the fragmented public land paĴern of the BLM parcels, these 

BLM lands are highly visible on a daily basis to a large number of residents and visitors. While these viewers 

may not have expectations for pristine views as seen in a national park or other highly managed area; these views 

are common, continuous, and experienced by large numbers of viewers who have a high degree of ownership 

and concern about the visual character of landforms that come to define their community (e.g., Cline BuĴes, 

Powell BuĴes, etc.). As the area continues to grow and develop, the use volume, or number of viewers will 

increase (thus increasing the visual sensitivity), and the relative scarcity of undeveloped, natural landscapes will 

increase (again increasing the visual sensitivity). increase (again increasing the visual sensitivity). 

Most of the higher elevation or moderate to high slopes category BLM managed land in the planning area are 

regularly seen by a multitude of public viewpoints, including State Highways, County Roads, State or local 

parks, and community areas. These lands are oĞen highly recognized landscape features that give identity to 

local communities such as Powell BuĴe and Cline BuĴes. While these areas may not be of extreme visual quality 

when viewed in the context of the physiographic region, their prominence as a community backdrop in a rapidly 

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1. Landforms that form community backdrops or are prominent at a regional scale 1. Landforms that form community backdrops or are prominent at a regional scale 

2. Areas with congressional or state designations, or areas that could be perceived by the public as having the 

same type of designations and protections...i.e., Wild and Scenic River corridors and the remaining public 

land river parcels that are outside these designated corridors. WSAs also fall into this category. land river parcels that are outside these designated corridors. WSAs also fall into this category. 

3. Areas that serve as recreation destinations for a variety of user groups and are used by out of area visitors 

on a regular basis. These would include river corridors, BLM lands adjacent to State Park units, dry canyons 

with defined and well used trail systems, etc. with defined and well used trail systems, etc. 

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

growing and developing area makes them of high sensitivity – i.e., the public generally has a high degree of 

concern for scenic quality in these highly visible and prominent areas. concern for scenic quality in these highly visible and prominent areas. 

In other cases, areas of BLM managed land have specific values and identity for a variety of recreationists. These 

areas include the Steelhead Falls area along the Deschutes River, the Horse Ridge area, Dry River Canyon, the 

Deep Canyon area, and the Badlands WSA. In these areas, visitors generally are seeking a natural seĴing and 

some degree of solitude and generally have a relatively high degree of concern for visual quality. 

The factors referenced in BLM Manual 8410-1 relating to Sensitivity Levels include type of user (e.g., recreational 

vs. commuter), amount of use, public interest (local, statewide, national), adjacent land uses, and special areas. vs. commuter), amount of use, public interest (local, statewide, national), adjacent land uses, and special areas. 

In general the following criteria were used to establish Sensitivity Levels for the Upper Deschutes Planning els for the Upper Deschutes Planning Area: 

High Sensitivity High Sensitivity 

Moderate Sensitivity Moderate Sensitivity 

The Sensitivity Level is Moderate for most of the remainder of the planning area. These areas would be those that 

receive moderate to low levels of recreational use, or high levels of use that are primarily higher speed, motorized 

trail use, or are used nearly exclusively by local residents. ely by local residents. 

Low Sensitivity Low Sensitivity 

This includes lands that receive liĴle if any recreation use, and are mostly used only by adjacent residents. Areas 

of low sensitivity also include BLM lands that are isolated small parcels that have no legal public access, or are 

not recognizable by the majority of the public as being public land. Areas of BLM managed land that are so 

fragmented by inholdings or convoluted ownership boundaries that the public land is not recognizable may also 

be designated as Low sensitivity. 

Key Observation Points Key Observation Points 

Due to the relatively high development density throughout the planning area, when compared to the other 

resource areas in the BLM Prineville District, nearly all BLM lands are visible from residences, use areas or public 

roads. Key observation points (KOPs) are identified in the RMP process to establish distance zones, which in turn 

lead to differentiating areas of different visual sensitivity (i.e., areas that are seen in the distance can typically 

absorb greater degrees of alteration and visual contrast). Since the planning area is so heavily developed, these 

key observation points may overlap to the extent that liĴle, if any differentiation is made based on distance zones. erentiation is made based on distance zones. 

Key Observation Points were mapped and viewsheds generated using Arcinfo for most of these points 

(redundant points located close together were not all used). ere not all used). The list of KOPs is as follows: The list of KOPs is as follows: 

254 
 

Appendix Appendix H 

Roads 

1. State Highway 20 

2. State Highway 97 

3. State Highway 126 

4. State Highway 27 (includes National Back Country Byway) 

5. State Highway 31 (Outback State Scenic Byway) 

6. State Highway 26 

7. Paulina Lake Highway (Forest Road 21) ay (Forest Road 21) 

8. South Century Drive 

9. Finley BuĴe Road (Forest Road 22) e Road (Forest Road 22) 

10. The Millican Road was added during the RMP alternative development process when the decision to pave the 

road was made through legislative action. e action. 

Parks 

1. Smith Rocks State Park 

2. Prineville Reservoir State Park 

3. Cline Falls State Park 

4. Tumalo State Park 

5. Pilot BuĴe State Park 

6. Ochoco Wayside/Ochoco Lake State Park 

7. Peter Skene Ogden Wayside State Park 

8. La Pine State Park 

9. Rosland Campground Rosland Campground 

Note: The scaĴered State Parks parcels along State Highway 97 between Bend and Redmond (approximately 600 

acres in about 8 parcels) were not identified as Key Observation Points. Based on discussions with State Parks 

officials, these parcels have no current development plans, and are not signed or identified as State Park parcels to 

the public. In general, these parcels receive custodial management and serve only as open space buffers along the 

highway corridor to maintain a more natural or rural appearance between Bend and Redmond. een Bend and Redmond. 

Water Bodies ater Bodies 

1. Deschutes River 

2. Crooked River 

3. Squaw Creek Squaw Creek 

4. Mayfield Pond 

5. Reynolds Pond 

6. Ochoco Reservoir 

7. Prineville Reservoir 

8. LiĴle Deschutes River 

Special Management Areas Special Management Areas 

1. Tumalo Canal umalo Canal ACEC 

2. Huntington Wagon Road agon Road ACEC 

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

Distance Zones Distance Zones 

Based on BLM Manual Handbook 8410-1, Visual Resource Inventory, distance zones are defined as follows: ned as follows: 

Foreground/Middleground = 0 to 5 miles = 0 to 5 miles 

Background = 6 to 15 miles 6 to 15 miles 

Seldom Seen = area bey = area beyond 15 miles or areas within F/M that cannot be seen ond 15 miles or areas within F/M that cannot be seen 

Distance zones and seen areas were generated from Key Observation Points. However, given the multitude of 

key observation points, there were few areas that fall outside the foreground view of at least some KOPs. ere few areas that fall outside the foreground view of at least some KOPs. 

Visual Resource Management (VRM) Classes isual Resource Management (VRM) Classes 

Class 1 – Natural ecological changes and very limited management activity are allowed. Any contrast created 

within the characteristic landscape must not aĴract aĴention. This classification is applied to wilderness areas, 

wild and scenic rivers (primarily those classified as scenic), and other similar situations. In the UDRMP area, two 

areas receive VRM Class 1 designations: e VRM Class 1 designations: 

Steelhead Falls WSA
1

Badlands WSA
1

Class 2 – Changes in any of the basic elements (form, line, color, texture) caused by a management activity should 

not be evident in the characteristic landscape. not be evident in the characteristic landscape. Contrasts are seen, but must not aĴract aĴention. ention. 

Class 3 – Contrasts to the basic elements caused by a management activity are evident, but should remain 

subordinate to the existing landscape. subordinate to the existing landscape. 

Class 4 – Any contrast aĴracts aĴention and is a dominant feature of the landscape in terms of scale, but it should 

repeat the form, line, color, and texture of the characteristic landscape. , and texture of the characteristic landscape. 

Class 5 – The classification is applied to areas where the natural character of the landscape has been disturbed 

to a point where rehabilitation is needed to bring it up to one of the four other classifications. The classification 

also applies to areas where there is potential to increase the landscape’s visual quality. It would, for example, 

be applied to areas where unacceptable cultural modification has lowered scenic quality; it is oĞen used as an 

interim classification until objectives of another class can be reached. es of another class can be reached. 

256