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 Timber Production Capability Classifications will assist in meeting fish habitat management objectives.

Management Actions/Direction

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 user enhancement facilities in a manner that does not retard or prevent attainment of Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives. For existing fish interpretative and other user enhancement 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.

Late-Successional Reserves

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

All Land Use Allocations

Apply the management actions/direction in the Special Status and SEIS 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.

Coordinate with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Wild Fish Policy 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 anadromous and 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 over-wintering habitat, and riparian rehabilitation to establish or release existing coniferous trees.

Use existing and new water impoundments to provide recreational fishing opportunities where sufficient water quality and quantity exist and where consistent with aquatic conservation strategy and other management action/direction.

See the Special Status and SEIS Special Attention Species section and Best Management Practices (Appendix D) for additional fish habitat management actions/direction and conservation practices.