Visual Resources

Objectives

Manage all BLM administered land to meet the following visual quality objectives:

VRM Class I areas - Preserve the existing character of landscapes.

VRM Class II areas - Retain the existing character of landscapes.

VRM Class III areas - Partially retain the existing character of landscapes.

VRM Class IV areas - Allow major modifications of existing character of landscapes.

Emphasize management of scenic resources in selected high-use areas to retain or preserve scenic quality.

Land Use Allocations

VRM Class		Acres
I		0¹
II		4,471²
III		33,130²
IV		rest of District
¹ refer to summary of major changes of Chapter 2, PRMP/FEIS ² GIS VRM acres

See Map 2-12 in the PRMP/FEIS for the location of visual resource management classes. The following lists areas that are included in each VRM Class on the Eugene District:

VRM Class I:
	none
VRM Class II:
	Existing recreation sites: Clay Creek, Sharps Creek, and Whittaker Creek
	All proposed recreation sites within their viewsheds. Refer to the proposed recreation sites listed in Table 10.
	Existing Shotgun Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA)
	The McKenzie River SRMA
	The McKenzie River, Segment A corridor to W&SR
VRM Class III:
	SRMAs: Row River, Upper Lake Creek, Lower Lake Creek, Siuslaw River, and Gilkey Creek
	Any BLM administered lands within a quarter of a mile of Rural Interface Areas (1-20 acre lots)
	BLM administered land allocated to meet Rural Interface Area (RIA) objectives, unless lands within RIAs are already allocated to some other higher level of protection (e.g., Wild & Scenic Rivers, SRMAs, etc.).
VRM Class IV:
	The remaining BLM lands

Management Actions/Direction

Address Visual Resource Management issues when conducting watershed analysis.

Use the visual resource contrast rating system during activity and/or project level planning to determine what and how proposed activities would meet VRM objectives. Use mitigation measures to reduce visual contrasts.

Manage VRM Class II lands for low levels of change to the characteristic landscape. Management activities may be seen but should not attract the attention of the casual observer. Changes should repeat the basic elements of form, line, color, texture, and scale found in the predominant natural features of the characteristic landscape.

Manage VRM Class III lands for moderate levels of change to the characteristic landscape. Management activities may attract attention but should not dominate the view of the casual observer. Changes should repeat the basic elements of form, line color, texture, and scale found in the predominant natural features of the characteristic landscape. Refer to the Rural Interface section for management constraints.

Manage VRM Class IV lands for moderate levels of change to the characteristic landscape. Management activities may dominate the view and be the major focus of viewer attention. However, every attempt should be made to minimize the effect of these activities through careful location, minimal disturbance, and repeating the basic elements of form, line, color, and texture. No specific timber management constraints would apply to lands managed for VRM Class IV objectives. However, mitigation of visual effects would be incorporated where consistent with efficient timber harvest or other management activities.