Klamath Falls Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan

Klamath Falls Record of Decision

Klamath Falls District Resource Management Plan Table of Contents:

- Tables

- Maps

- Appendices

Fish Habitat

Objectives

See Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives.

Maintain or enhance the fisheries potential of streams and other waters consistent with BLM's Fish and Wildlife 2000 Plan, the Bring Back the Natives initiative, and other nationwide initiatives.

Promote the rehabilitation and protection of fish stocks at risk and their habitat.

Land Use Allocations

There are no specific land use allocations for the fisheries resource. However, Riparian Reserves, Key Watershed provisions, and best management practices (see Appendix D) will assist in meeting fish habitat management objectives. Silvicultural prescriptions, and range management objectives also will help provide good fish management.

Propose fish habitat enhancement projects for Rainbow and Redband Trout which include:

• A continual supply of large woody debris would be recruited into the stream and into adjacent uplands.
  
• Suitable boulders, cull logs, and rootwads would be stockpiled in designated areas during normal work operations for future habitat improvement projects.
  
• A cooperative resource management plan would be developed for tributaries of the Jenny Creek watershed and others in conjunction with other agencies and private land owners.
  
• The BLM would cooperate with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife approved volunteer groups to stock suitable streams with approved brood stock and/or juveniles that are below carrying capacity or above barriers.

Management Actions/Direction

All Land Use Allocations

Apply the management actions/direction in the Special Status and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Special Attention Species section.

Use the watershed analysis process to address at-risk fish species and stocks and their habitat for individual watersheds. Where appropriate, fish habitat enhancement opportunities will be identified through this process or through coordinated resource management plans.

Coordinate with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife during planning and implementation of fish habitat enhancement projects. Priority will be given to watersheds supporting at-risk fish species and stocks and those requiring extensive restoration.

As identified through watershed analysis, rehabilitate streams and other waters to enhance natural populations of resident fish. Possible rehabilitation measures will include, but not be limited to, fish passage improvements, instream structures using boulders and log placement to create spawning and rearing habitat, placement of fine and coarse materials for overwintering habitat, and establishment or release of riparian-wetland trees.

Enhance warm water fisheries in reservoirs or ponds where fish populations provide forage for eagles or osprey or where recreational needs can be fulfilled.

Riparian Reserves

Design and implement fish habitat restoration and enhancement activities in a manner that contributes to attainment of Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives.

Design, construct, and operate fish interpretive and other userenhancement facilities in a manner that does not retard or prevent attainment of Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives. For existing fish interpretative and other userenhancement facilities inside Riparian Reserves, ensure that Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives are met. Where Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives cannot be met, relocate or close such facilities.

Cooperate with federal, tribal, and state fish management agencies to identify and eliminate impacts associated with habitat manipulation, fish stocking, harvest, and poaching that threaten the continued existence and distribution of native fish stocks inhabiting federal lands.

Cooperate with federal, tribal, and state wildlife management agencies to identify and eliminate wild ungulate impacts that are inconsistent with attainment of Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives.

Identify instream flows needed to maintain riparian resources, channel conditions, and fish passage.

Late-Successional/District Designated Reserves

Design projects to improve conditions for fish if they provide late-successional habitat benefits or if their effect on late-successional associated species is negligible.