Klamath Falls Record of Decision: Visual Resources

Visual Resources

Objectives

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

Visual Resource Management Class I areas: preserve the existing character of landscapes.
Visual Resource Management Class II areas: retain the existing character of landscapes.
Visual Resource Management Class III areas: partially retain the existing character of landscapes.
Visual Resource Management 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

See Map 5 for the location of visual resource management classes and Table 4 for a summary of acres by class.

Some of the specific areas by Visual Resource Management class are as follows:

Visual Resource Management Class I: None (Since there are no congressionally-designated wilderness areas, rivers designated wild under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, or other such areas, no lands in the Klamath Falls Resource Area will be managed for Visual Resource Management class I).
Visual Resource Management Class II: All BLM lands within ¹¦₄ mile of Topsy, Surveyor, and Gerber developed recreation sites, the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, and Spencer Creek. Also, the Klamath River Complex special recreation management area, Miller Creek Canyon, the upper Klamath Lake viewshed, state scenic waterways and rivers designated Scenic under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act will be managed as Visual Resource Management Class II.
Visual Resource Management Class III: No less than Visual Resource Management Class III management will be provided within ¹¦₄ mile of rural interface areas, state Highways 66 and 140, and U.S. Highway 97.
Visual Resource Management Class IV: The Matrix (General Forest Management Area) in the northwest part of the resource area, the Pokegama area south of Highway 66, and the central portion of the Gerber Block will be managed as Visual Resource Management Class IV.

Management Actions/Direction

Address visual resource management issues when conducting watershed analysis.

Use the visual resource contrast rating system during project level planning to determine whether or not proposed activities will meet Visual Resource Management objectives. Use mitigation measures to reduce visual contrasts.

Provide for natural ecological changes in Visual Resource Management Class I areas. Some very limited management activities may occur in these areas. The level of change to the characteristic landscape should be very low and must not attract attention. Changes should repeat the basic elements of form, line, color, texture, and scale found in the predominant natural features of the characteristic landscape.

Manage Visual Resource Management 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 Visual Resource Management 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.

Manage Visual Resource Management 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.