Resource Management Plan ce Management Plan 

Introduction
1

This Resource Management Plan provides management direction for over 400,000 

acres of BLM administered lands within the Upper Deschutes portion of the Deschutes 

Resource Area. Prior to this plan, management direction was provided by the Brothers/ 

La Pine Resource Management Plan (“B/LP RMP”, USDI-BLM 1989). A significant 

amount of the direction provided in this RMP is not new, but includes continued 

management direction from unrevised portions of the B/LP RMP, as well as legal 

mandates and policy. Management direction from the B/LP RMP has been merged with 

new management to provide as integrated management direction as possible. Continued 

management direction for the planning area was described separately in the Proposed 

Resource Management Plan (USDI-BLM, 2005, pp. 125-158). Legal mandates and policy 

are summarized in are summarized in Appendix Appendix A. 

Mid-level plans or strategies such as the Central Oregon Fire Management Plan (USDAFS, 2003), the Horse Ridge RNA Management Plan (USDI-BLM, 1996), and the Middle 

Deschutes and Lower Crooked River Wild and Scenic River Plans (USDI, USDA & 

Oregon State Parks & Recreation Dept., 1992), are incorporated by reference. These plans 

generally provide more specific site management guidance than a RMP. 

Projects implementing this plan will generally require site-specific analyses, usually an 

environmental assessment. environmental assessment. 

This RMP describes the overall vision and goals for managing the planning area, and 

provides area-specific land use allocations and allowable uses as well as management 

objectives and guidelines for the conditions under which future uses might be 

authorized. These elements are presented in the RMP in the following sections: in the following sections: in the following sections: 

Goals and Vision 

• Goals - broad, overarching purposes the BLM is mandated to achieve on public lands. 

These generally describe the legal basis and management direction provided to the 

agency by the laws, BLM policy and program direction. agency by the laws, BLM policy and program direction. 

• Vision - how lands within the resource management plan area would look or function 

into the future. These visions were developed with community members during the 

plan preparation process. plan preparation process. 

Management Direction Management Direction 

• Objectives - resource or area specific outcomes against which future actions must 

be measured for consistency with overall plan purposes. All management direction 

included here applies across the planning area unless supplemented by area-specific 

management direction. management direction. 

• Allocations/Allowable Uses - specific management direction for how certain resources 

will be emphasized, uses that may or will be prohibited, or conditions under which 

certain uses may be permiĴed. 

• Guidelines - sideboards set in relation to how management objectives can be 

accomplished, or expected methods of achieving objectives. OĞen guidelines can be 

described as “mitigation” or “conservation measures” established to protect specific 

resources while retaining sight of the ultimate objective of the action. Guidelines are 

a toolbox from which one or more elements may be selected as needed to meet the 

overall management objective. All guidelines will be considered during site-specific 

use authorizations, and will be applied as needed, or may be supplemented or 

modified with other management techniques if they are demonstrated to beĴer meet 

management objectives for the area. Guidelines also oĞen indicate that emphasis 

will be given to development of certain facilities or certain actions. This guidance 

is provided to help direct future considerations and is not intended to represent a 

decision in principal about future actions. decision in principal about future actions. 

21 
 

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

• Rationale - the reasoning behind the development of specific objectives, allowable 

uses, or guidelines. uses, or guidelines. 

Management direction is also provided by the RMP maps published (or support maps 

available as pdf files on CD or on the Prineville District webpage: hĴp://www.or.blm. 

gov/Prineville/Deschutes_RMP/Home.htm). The maps display the Allocations/Allowable 

Uses presented in the RMP. The boundaries of the geographical areas displayed are 

based on natural features such as rivers and streams, roads, property lines between BLM 

administered lands and lands managed by other government entities and private land 

owners, and section lines. These boundaries may be modified without plan amendment, 

provided such adjustments do not integrally change the purpose of the land allocation. provided such adjustments do not integrally change the purpose of the land allocation. 

A description of implementation and monitoring follows the section on management 

direction. direction. 

Goals and Vision 

Ecosystem Health and Diversity
1

Goal
1

Maintain, restore and support healthy upland, riparian, and aquatic ecosystems while 

sustaining economic values associated with public lands. Management actions will 

emphasize ecosystem sustainability and health throughout the planning area, while 

managing for expected increases in human population and use levels. 

Recognize the role of fire in the ecosystem and use prescribed fire to maintain the 

disturbance cycle where practicable outside the wildland-urban interface (WUI). Provide 

guidance for fire suppression and fuels treatments based on resource values at risk such 

as homes, facilities, and important habitats. WUI areas, in particular, will be prioritized 

and scheduled for fuels treatments early in the implementation phase. and scheduled for fuels treatments early in the implementation phase. 

Vision 

Vegetation - The planning area contains large, un-fragmented blocks of healthy shrubsteppe plant communities, intermixed with old-growth juniper woodlands and large 

and small openings containing grasslands, meadow, and savanna. Shrub-steppe and 

savanna communities have a vigorous and diverse composition of native shrubs, grasses, 

and forbs spatially arranged in a mosaic of seral stages in large and small patch sizes 

appropriate to conditions of climate, landform and soils. Ponderosa and lodgepole 

pine forests are present in a diverse mix of seral stage, structure, stand size, and species 

composition. Ponderosa pine is dominant on suitable sites. The proportion of old forests 

and old woodlands is maintained at current levels with options for expansion in the 

future. Special status plant species are maintained or increased in their distribution and 

abundance. Noxious weeds and other invasive or non-native species are decreased in 

their distribution and abundance. Forest, woodland, savanna, treeless shrub-steppe, 

meadow, and riparian communities are healthy and properly functioning ecosystems 

sufficient to support quality wildlife habitat, hydrologic processes, and social and 

economic needs. economic needs. 

Riparian and Aquatic - In riparian areas, floodplains and wetlands, abundant and 

diverse vegetation controls erosion, stabilizes stream banks, heals incised channels, 

provides regulation of air and water temperature, filters sediment, aids in floodplain 

22 
 

 

Resource Management Plan ce Management Plan 

development, dissipates energy, and mitigates floodwater impacts. As a result, these 

areas are resilient and provide water storage, groundwater recharge, water quality, and 

fish and wildlife habitat. sh and wildlife habitat. 

The biologically diverse habitats ensure the presence of organisms and processes 

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

distribution of these communities maintains habitat continuity that is necessary to 

re-colonize populations aĞer 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. and other protected sites. 

Watershed/Hydrologic Function and Water Quality - As in riparian areas, upland soil 

and plant conditions provide for soil infiltration and permeability rates, soil moisture 

storage, and the release of water that are appropriate to soil, climate, and landform. 

Precipitation infiltrates into the soil and does not run off, limiting the amount of surface 

erosion and subsequent sedimentation, and improves water quality and quantity. Surface 

water and groundwater quality, influenced by agency actions, meets state water quality 

standards. Water quality is maintained equal to or above legal water quality standards, 

consistent with beneficial uses of water. Water quality supports stable and productive 

riparian and aquatic ecosystems. riparian and aquatic ecosystems. 

Wildlife - Ecosystem processes are functioning properly, benefiĴing a variety of wildlife 

species by increasing the quality, quantity, and variety of habitat. Habitats support 

healthy, productive and diverse populations and communities of native plants and 

animals, including special status species and species of local importance, appropriate 

to soil, climate and landform. Habitats occur in large contiguous blocks, are adequately 

arranged spatially, and contain a natural diversity of animal and plant communities. 

Animal populations are present and move freely across the landscape. The amount and 

diversity of wildlife habitats are maintained or improved through time. Native plant 

communities exist in blocks of various sizes distributed in paĴerns across the landscape 

appropriate to site potential. Maintenance and restoration of healthy ecosystems 

throughout key areas and management of specific habitat components such as vegetation 

cover, forage, and roads, contribute to maintaining habitat conditions within the site 

potential of the area. potential of the area. 

Fire/Fuels Management - Fuels in the planning area are managed to provide for 

protection of Communities at Risk (see glossary) from the undesired effects of wildland 

fire, while assisting in the aĴainment of other management goals. Safety of the public 

and fire fighters is the first priority in planning fuels management activities, while 

recognizing the role of wildland fire as an essential ecological process and natural change 

event. 

Air Quality - Air quality is generally good. Public health is protected by holding the 

amount of smoke entering populated areas to a minimum. The National Ambient Air 

Quality Standards (NAAQS) are being met, with no significant deterioration of air 

quality. There are no human-caused visibility impacts to Class I areas. . There are no human-caused visibility impacts to Class I areas. 

Special Management Areas (SMAs) - The resources that led to the designation of special 

management areas such as caves, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs), 

and Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) are protected. Guidelines for the amount and 

type of public uses in SMAs are established. Opportunities and partnerships for public 

education, enjoyment and interpretation for these resources are fostered. education, enjoyment and interpretation for these resources are fostered. 

• Areas of Critical Environmental Concern - The special resources for which ACECs were 

designated are protected. Guidelines for the amount and type of public uses are 

23 
established. In addition, opportunities for public education and interpretation are 

 

 

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

fostered, along with partnerships to help protect and interpret these resources. fostered, along with partnerships to help protect and interpret these resources. 

• Wilderness Study Areas - Wilderness Study Areas are managed to maintain wilderness 

suitability, consistent with the “Interim Management Policy for Lands under 

Wilderness Review” (USDI-BLM, 1995). ilderness Review” (USDI-BLM, 1995). 

• Research Natural Areas - Research Natural Areas are protected from human influences. 

Natural ecological and physical processes are allowed to occur. These representative 

natural plant communities are generally reserved for education and scientific study 

but are also available for some types of low-impact non-motorized recreation. ailable for some types of low-impact non-motorized recreation. 

• Caves - Significant caves or caves nominated for significance under the Federal Caves 

Resource protection Act (FCRPA) remain in a natural condition, with cave resources 

monitored and managed. Graffiti and liĴer are absent and caves appear natural and 

provide a sense of discovery for visitors. Recreational and interpretive opportunities 

are created, consistent with the management of cave resources. e resources. 

Land Uses Land Uses 

Goal 

Manage the land in a manner that recognizes the nation’s need for domestic sources of 

minerals, food, timber, and fiber from the public lands, while protecting the quality of 

scientific, scenic, historical, environmental, and archeological values. Preserve and protect 

public lands are in their natural condition, and assure they provide, where appropriate, 

food and habitat for fish, wildlife and domestic animals, and land for outdoor recreation 

and other uses. and other uses. 

Promote healthy sustainable rangeland ecosystems; accelerate restoration and 

improvement of public rangelands to properly functioning conditions; promote the 

orderly use, improvement and development of the public lands; establish efficient 

and effective administration of grazing of public rangelands; and provide for the 

sustainability of the western livestock industry and communities that are dependent 

upon productive, healthy public rangelands (43 CFR 4100). Accomplish these goals 

consistent with multiple use, sustained yield, environmental values, economic and 

other objectives. Provide the military with a reliable long-term land base for training 

operations. operations. 

Vision 

Land uses, including but not limited to livestock grazing, mineral and commercial forest 

uses, occur in a paĴern across the planning area, where economically feasible, socially 

compatible, and environmentally responsible, that support community and national 

demands and contribute to the local economy and quality of life. demands and contribute to the local economy and quality of life. 

The National Guard and Oregon Military Department (OMD) continue a long-term 

partnership with the BLM. The partnership demonstrates land stewardship that 

integrates resource objectives and goals of public lands with military training objectives. 

Visual Resources isual Resources 

Goal 

Identify and protect visual values on public lands, assuring the integration of 

environmental design arts in planning and decision-making. environmental design arts in planning and decision-making. 

24 
Resource Management Plan ce Management Plan 

Vision 

The scenic qualities of the planning area are maintained and improved over time. Visual 

Resource Management (VRM) classifications identify the scenic importance of landscape 

characteristics and guide the design and development of future projects. Vegetation 

management emphasizes long-term over short-term visual objectives and seeks to create 

more naturally appearing landscapes over time. er time. 

Recreation Recreation 

Goal 

Provide a broad spectrum of outdoor recreation opportunities to meet the needs and 

demands of public land visitors. More intensive visitor management, resource protection, 

and facility investments are provided where the public has demonstrated a desire to use 

public lands for outdoor recreation, and outdoor recreation is a high priority. 

Vision 

The planning area provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities for a growing 

demand. Local and out-of-area visitors enjoy activities on public lands that are close 

to urban and residential areas, such as hiking, running, mountain biking, and offhighway vehicle use. Commercial recreation opportunities provide a public service 

while protecting resource values and minimizing conflicts with other recreationists and 

adjacent landowners. adjacent landowners. 

Local communities are integrally involved in developing and implementing management 

strategies for individual geographic areas within the planning area. Increases or 

improvements in facilities such as picnic areas, group use sites, interpretive sites or trails 

are developed through an integrated effort with other recreational providers and local 

communities. The number and types of facilities change over time to reflect demographic 

changes and the changing popularity of different types of recreation. erent types of recreation. 

Public lands in the planning area are distinct from private lands and have a unique 

identity that fosters desired recreation opportunities for that area. Information on 

recreation opportunities, travel management, interpretation, and management goals and 

policies is readily available to visitors. ailable to visitors. 

Areas within highly developed surroundings are managed for an emphasis on safety 

and compatibility with surrounding land uses. Designated access points and roads/trails 

are designed to minimize conflicts with neighbors as much as possible. Designated 

recreation trails, facilities, restored and maintained recreation sites and access points, and 

intensive recreation management help to meet increased demand. Public lands provide 

opportunities for regional trails that link communities. Local roads and trails provide a 

pleasing experience for users within a specific area that matches the recreation emphasis 

for that area. for that area. 

Transportation and Utility Rights-of-way ransportation and Utility Rights-of-way 

Goal 

Provide transportation and utilities facilities that protect public safety, protect the 

environment, conserve and protect resources, and enhance the productivity and use of 

public lands. Identify facilities as part of an approved transportation plan to allow for 

25 
 

 

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

allocation of construction and maintenance funds; and minimize damage to scenic and 

esthetic values, fish and wildlife habitat and otherwise protect the environment. sh and wildlife habitat and otherwise protect the environment. 

Collaborate with local communities to plan reasonable, safe access to or across public 

land in a manner that serves to protect and conserve sensitive resources and the 

environment. environment. 

Vision 

Residents and visitors travel freely and safely across local, regional, and national 

transportation corridors. Local, regional, and national needs for utility transmission are 

met. At the same time transportation and utility corridors are located in a manner that 

allows large portions of the planning area to appear natural and provide opportunities 

for outdoor recreation as well as habitat that supports plants and animals that have 

historically occupied the landscape. historically occupied the landscape. 

Land Ownership
1

Goal 

Retain public lands in federal ownership, unless disposal or acquisition of a particular 

parcel would beĴer serve the national interest and the needs of state and local people, 

including needs for lands for the economy, community expansion, recreation areas, food, 

fiber, minerals, and fish and wildlife. Changes in public land ownership are considered 

where consistent with public land management policy and where these changes would 

result in improved management efficiency. Withdrawals are used to dedicate public lands 

to specific uses by protecting specific resource values over the development of lesser 

values. 

Vision 

Large blocks of BLM administered land provide contiguous native ecosystems that 

support healthy plant and animal populations, contain special natural features, provide 

natural resources that meet community, regional, or national needs, and provide 

opportunities for a range of recreational activities. Lands identified as suitable for 

acquisition would serve to link or fill in spaces between larger blocks of BLM lands or 

to meet resource management objectives. Public lands are located in a paĴern that can 

be efficiently and effectively managed. Public lands are available for federal and state 

projects, community growth, and projects for non-profit groups. t groups. 

Public Health and Safety
1

Goal
1

Provide the public with recreation areas and facilities that are free from recognized 

hazards insofar as practical, and meet the requirements of BLM Manual H-2111 – 1: 

Safety and Health Management. Safety and Health Management. 

Vision 

BLM administered lands are available for activities that do not compromise the 

health or safety of land users or adjacent landowners, or diminish natural resource 

protection. Public lands are managed to discourage illegal activities such as dumping 

26 
Resource Management Plan ce Management Plan 

and vandalism. Firearm-related property damage and garbage related to shooting is 

experienced infrequently. Natural and cultural resources are not damaged by firearm 

discharge or illegal activities. Firearm discharge and other recreational uses are managed 

concurrently to improve recreational opportunities and reduce user conflict. 

Archaeology
1

Goal
1

Locate, protect, preserve, enhance, and interpret cultural resources in accordance with 

existing legal authorities. existing legal authorities. 

Vision 

Cultural resources and “At-Risk,” significant archaeological resources are managed in 

a pro-active manner for their various use categories (as defined in BLM Manual 8100). 

Information about the archaeology of the planning area is current. Residents of, and 

visitors to, the area have an opportunity to learn about the local prehistory and history 

of the region. Interpretation, education, inventories, monitoring, and law enforcement 

enhances protection and preservation of “At-Risk”, significant archaeological resources. cant archaeological resources. 

Management Direction Management Direction 

The management direction contained in this section includes new direction from the 

Upper Deschutes planning process, as well as existing direction from regulations, 

manuals and handbooks, and unrevised portions of the Brothers/La Pine RMP. 

Ecosystem Health and Diversity
1

Vegetation
1

Ecosystem Maintenance and Restoration Ecosystem Maintenance and Restoration 

Objective V – 1 applies to all plant communities. Objectives V – 1a through V – 1g apply 

only to the plant community specified. 

All Plant Communities All Plant Communities 

Objective V - 1: Maintain and restore healthy, diverse and productive native plant 

communities appropriate to local site conditions. Manage vegetation structure, density, 

species composition, patch size, paĴern, and distribution to reduce the occurrence 

of uncharacteristically large and severe disturbances. Maintain or mimic natural 

disturbance regimes so that plant communities are resilient following periodic 

outbreaks of insects, disease and wildland fire. Identify opportunities to actively repaĴern vegetation on the landscape to conditions more consistent with landform, 

climate, biological, and physical components of the ecosystem, and considering social 

expectations and changes to the landscape driven by human influences. uences. 

Rationale: Rationale: 

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of October 21, 1976 (“FLPMA”, 43 USC 

1701) declares that the public land be managed in a manner that would: a) protect the 

quality of scientific, scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, air and atmospheric, 

27