Recreation

Objectives

Ensure the continued availability of Public Land for a diversity of resources dependent outdoor recreation while maintaining the commitment to manage Public Land consistent with the applicable laws, regulations, and principles of ecosystem management.

Provide a wide range of developed and dispersed recreation opportunities that contribute to meeting projected recreation demand within the planning area.

Manage recreation use on BLM-administered land to protect natural resources, provide visitor safety, and minimize conflicts among various uses.

Provide a variety of public recreation opportunities and experiences through visitor awareness information, interpretation, and protection, with emphasis on-the-ground presence.

Expand and strengthen cooperative partnerships with Federal, State, and local agencies and the private sector to enhance the outdoor recreation opportunities offered on and adjacent to the Public Land.

Enhance recreation opportunities provided by existing and proposed watchable wildlife areas and national back country byways.

Provide motorized and nonmotorized recreation opportunities and create additional opportunities where consistent with other management objectives.

Manage special and extensive recreation management areas in a manner consistent with the policy, goals, and objectives identified in BLM's Recreation 2000 Implementation Plan and Oregon-Washington Public Lands Recreation initiative.

Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with national, state, and local tourism entities and assist them in promoting local tourism.

Land Use Allocations

Recreation Sites
		Existing - 12.
		Proposed - 17.

Recreation Trails
		Existing - 7.
		Proposed - 13.

Special Recreation Management Areas
		Existing - one; containing 1,620 acres.
		Proposed - two; containing 3,950 acres.

Extensive Recreation Management Areas
		Existing - three; containing 420,018 acres.
		Proposed - zero acres.

Off Highway Vehicle Use Areas
		Open - zero acres.
		Limited - 423,422 acres.
		Closed - 2,166 acres.

Back Country Byways
		Existing - two; encompassing 34 miles.
		Proposed - three; encompassing 70 miles.

See Map 3 for locations and Tables 2 and 3 for additional details.

Management Actions/Direction

Riparian Reserves

New recreational facilities within Riparian Reserves, including trails and dispersed sites, should be designed to not prevent meeting Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives. Construction of these facilities should not prevent future attainment of these objectives. For existing recreation facilities within Riparian Reserves, evaluate and mitigate impacts to ensure that these do not prevent, and to the extent practicable contribute to, attainment of Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives.

Adjust dispersed and developed recreation practices that retard or prevent attainment of Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives. Where adjustment measures such as education, use limitations, traffic control devices, increased maintenance, relocation of facilities, and/or specific site closures are not effective, eliminate the practice or occupancy.

Fell trees in Riparian Reserves when they pose a safety risk. Keep felled trees on site when needed to met coarse woody debris objectives.

Late-Successional Reserves

Retain and maintain existing recreation development in Late-Successional Reserves. Dispersed recreational uses, including hunting and fishing, generally are consistent with the objectives of Late-Successional Reserves. Use adjustment measures such as education, use limitations, traffic control devices, or increased maintenance when dispersed and developed recreation practices retard or prevent attainment of Late-Successional Reserve objectives.

Review new recreation development proposals on a case-by-case basis. Approve new recreation projects when adverse affects can be minimized and mitigated. Locate new recreation developments to avoid degradation of habitat and adverse affects on identified late-successional species. Permit no new recreation developments that may adversely affect Late-Successional Reserves.

Removal of snags and logs in Riparian Areas may be necessary to reduce hazards to humans along roads and trails, and in or adjacent to recreation sites. Where materials must be removed, a salvage sale is appropriate.

All Land Use Allocations

In addition to the guidelines for late-successional and riparian reserves, manage recreation resources in accordance with the following guidelines:

Recreation Sites and Trails

Continue to operate and maintain 12 existing recreation sites and six existing trails. (See Table 2) Maintain potential for recreation development in 16 sites and 12 trail locations listed in Table 2 and any future sites or trails consistent with management allocations and practices. Develop potential sites and trails as funding becomes available.

Designate developed recreation sites as fire suppression areas (intensive) and fire fuels management areas. These designations will reduce fire hazards and protect investments. Restrictions on fire suppression equipment and activities at all developed recreation sites will be in accordance with Special Fire Management Measures C-5-6 of the BLM/Oregon Department of Forestry Fire Protection Contract.

Manage timber within developed recreation sites for purposes of 1) removing hazard trees, 2) providing space for additional facilities and activity areas, and 3) providing desired regeneration of the forest canopy.

Consistent with management of existing roads and developed recreation sites in riparian areas, fell trees when necessary to maintain open flyways to ponds (dispersed recreation sites) where helicopters dip water for fire suppression. Restrict the sale of timber in any existing or potential recreation site to the salvage of trees cut for any of the above stated purposes.

Pursue mineral withdrawals or expansions for existing developed recreation sites and for proposed recreation sites when development is approved.

Propose for withdrawal from locatable mineral entry the following existing or potential recreation sites:

*Site*		*Acres*

Cow Creek Bluffs Trail		10.00
Cow Creek Recreational Gold Panning Area		93.76
Eagleview Recreation Site		42.40
Iron Mountain Gold Panning Area		40.00
Island Creek Recreation Site		162.22
Miner-Wolf Watchable Wildlife Site		10.00
North Umpqua Trail Primitive Campsite		43.17
Olalla-Thompson Creek		10.00
Osprey Boat Ramp		10.00
Pickett Bridge Recreation Site		15.00
Susan Creek Recreation Site		200.82

A total of 637.37 acres will be proposed for withdrawal from public land laws and the mining laws.

Acquisition of private lands or access easement to cross nonfederal lands will be needed before trail systems are built to Cow Creek Bluffs, Alexander Butte, Upper Susan Creek Falls, Salt Creek, Deadman Mountain, or around Ben Irving Reservoir.

Improve and develop camping, hiking, and other dispersed recreational opportunities within the Cow Creek Special Recreation Management Area in the vicinity of Cow Creek Bluffs through land acquisition of approximately 840 acres, Sections 33 and 34, T. 30 S., R. 07 W., W.M., and in Sections 4 and 5, T. 31 S., R. 07 W., W.M. Pursue acquisition of approximately 540 acres for hiking opportunities on the Salt Creek Trail, Section 18, T. 30 S., R. 06 W., W.M., and Sections 25, 26 and 35, T. 30 S., R. 07 W., W.M.

Pursue land acquisition to develop the Hardscrabble and Island Creek potential recreation sites. Land acquisitions will involve acquiring approximately 40 acres in two different ownerships located in Section 12, T. 22 S., R. 6 W., W.M., for the Hardscrabble site, and approximately 60 acres in Section 1, T. 31 S., R. 7 W., W.M. and Section 36, T. 30 S., R. 7 W., W.M. for the Island Creek Recreation Site.

Consider additional land acquisitions for recreation purposes which meet management objectives and recreation program goals in Extensive or Special Recreation Management Areas.

Special Recreation Management Areas

Manage three Special Recreation Management Areas for intensive recreation management. Develop and maintain a Recreation Area Management Plan for each Special Recreation Management Area. Update and revise the Management Plan for the North Umpqua Special Recreation Management Area and Area of Critical Environmental Concern, to be consistent with the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River Management Plan and Standards and Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest Related Species within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl.

See Table 3 for a description of the three Special Recreation Management Areas.

Manage Special Recreation Management Areas under the following objectives:

Identify, plan, and implement high priorities for recreational and interpretive opportunities for the public, emphasizing camping, picnicking, hiking, nature study, interpretation, watchable wildlife, driving for pleasure, horseback riding, mountain biking, white water sports, fishing, swimming, recreational gold panning, and other compatible activities.
Identify the need for, and secure funding to develop priority areas. Utilize outside funding programs and initiatives including volunteer labor.
Develop partnerships with public agencies, private landowners, and recreation user groups or individuals to promote recreation opportunities.

Extensive Recreation Management Areas

Designate all lands not classified as a Special Recreation Management Areas as Extensive Recreation Management Areas, one per respective Resource Area. Recreation management is one of several management objectives where limited commitment of resources provides extensive and unstructured types of recreation activities. Extensive Recreation Management Areas may contain recreation sites.

Maintain recreation site information and visitor use data based on Special and Extensive Recreation Management Areas in each Resource Area. Calculate visitor statistics and other information in the annual Recreation Management Information System report.

Back Country Byways

Continue to manage the North Umpqua River National Scenic Byway (8.4 miles) and the Cow Creek Back Country Byway (26 miles in the Roseburg District and 17.5 miles in the Medford District).

Dedicate the following as Back Country Byways: Tyee-Loon Lake Road (25 miles in Roseburg District), Coos Bay Wagon Road (18 miles in Roseburg District), and Smith River Road (27 miles in Roseburg District). Additional mileage will be designated on all three proposed Back Country Byways on lands managed by the Coos Bay District BLM.

Coordinate dedication and management of Back Country Byways with adjoining BLM Districts, local county governments, the Chamber of Commerce and regional visitor bureau. Incorporate public participation where issues are sensitive on any route listed with potential for a back country byway.

Manage Back Country Byways according to policy and objectives contained in BLM Manual 8357.

Off Highway Vehicle Designations

Designate all public lands within the District as "limited" or "closed" to Off Highway Vehicle (motorized) use. No lands will be designated in the open category. Off Highway Vehicle designations apply only to BLM-administered lands, including:

Limited to OHV use		423,422 acres
Closed to OHV use		2,166 acres
Total acres		425,588 acres

Descriptions of Limited and Closed Off Highway Vehicle Areas

A.	Limited Areas to Motorized Use - Limited use will occur on 423,422 acres of public land, including:
	1.	Limited to Existing Roads and Trails - 415,446 acres.
	Motorized use will be "limited to existing roads and trails" to meet objectives of resource protection, safety of users and minimization of conflicts among various uses of the public lands, in accordance with criteria listed in 43 CFR 8342.1 (a-d). New proposed motorized routes will be established through the NEPA process. As part of the area limited to existing roads and trails, 11,681 acres of the Hubbard Creek area will be managed as an Off Highway Vehicle recreation use area under the limited category. In this area, registered vehicles such as All Terrain Vehicles and motorcycles will be allowed to travel on BLM maintained (graveled) roads as well as other natural surfaced roads and trails on public lands. Cooperation and partnerships will be sought with adjoining private landowners, other government agencies (State) and organized clubs for program development.
	2.	Limited to Official Use - 7,976 acres
		a.	Motorized use will be "limited to official use" on 1,395 acres of BLM roads totaling 230 miles of roads (517 spur roads within a 50 foot wide corridor). Official motorized use may occur as determined by the Authorized Officer on any of these spur roads. Of these 517 roads, 234 will be limited to official use year-round and 283 will be limited to official use seasonally in the South Douglas Resource Area as follows: Ten roads will be closed seasonally to public use between December 1 and August 15. The ten roads comprise a total of 87 acres and a combined length of 14 miles. The purpose of the limitation is to meet wildlife management program objectives. The roads are open to motorized use between August 16 and November 30 each year. Between October 15 and May 15, 273 roads will be closed seasonally to public use . The 273 spur roads comprise a total of 620 acres and a combined length of 102 miles. The purpose of the limitation is to meet water quality and soil protection objectives. The roads are open to motorized use between May 16 and October 14 each year. Roads listed above vary in length, however, average less than one mile long. A list of BLM roads in this category is maintained in the District Office. The roads will be managed according to the District Off Highway Vehicle Implementation Plan. This plan will determine which roads will be rehabilitated, which will be gated, signed, or restricted by other means, and when actions will be implemented. In addition, the District Transportation Management Objectives Plan will identify how roads will be managed in the future. Limitations on motorized use will help meet objectives of the wildlife program, including upgrading hunting opportunities. Limitations may also reclaim spur roads not needed over a ten year or longer period.
		b.	Motorized use will be limited to official use year-round on 6,581 acres of public land within the North Bank Habitat Management Area. Motorized use will be closed to the general public and official use will be allowed as determined by the Authorized Officer. In both cases above, the limitation is on the "type of user", closing motorized use to the general public, but allowing authorized access for official or administrative use. Nonmaintained dirt roads will be inventoried and may be closed to motorized use at a future date. Where problems occur in any limited area, roads trails or areas may be closed on an emergency basis through procedures identified in 43 CFR 8341 and 8364.
B.	Closed Areas to Motorized Use - Three closures will occur on 2,166 acres:
	1.	Areas of Critical Environmental Concern/Research Natural Areas - 1,419 acres, including: Bear Gulch - 330 acres T. 31 S., R. 4 W., Sec. 7; T. 31 S, R. 5 W., Sec. 1 & 12. Beatty Creek - 173 acres T. 30 S., R. 6 W., Sec. 31; T. 30 S., R 7 W., Sec. 25. North Myrtle Creek - 472 acres. T. 28 S., R. 4 W., Sec. 33. Red Ponds - 134 acres (does not include two spur roads into unit, approx .1 mile long) T. 27 S., R. 3 W., Sec. 35. Tater Hill - 280 acres T. 29 S., R. 2 W., Sec. 6, 7; T. 29 S., R. 3 W., Sec. 1; T. 28 S, R. 3 W., Sec. 36. Myrtle Island - 30 acres T. 24 S., R. 7 W. Secs. 20, 21.
	2.	Trails closed to Off Highway Vehicle use - 92 acres All BLM trail systems intended for nonmotorized activities such as hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding will be closed to motorized use, including: North Umpqua Trail Wolf Creek Falls Trail Susan Creek Falls Trail Susan Creek Complex Trails Deadline Falls Watchable Wildlife Trail Miner-Wolf Creek Watchable Wildlife Trail Additional hiking trails, progeny test sites, or Areas of Critical Environmental Concern developed in the future will also be closed to Off Highway Vehicle use.
	3.	Progeny Test Sites - 655 Acres Fifty-three sites are closed to motorized use. These genetic evaluation areas are a test ground for the progeny of selected Douglas-Fir trees. Most of the District's progeny test sites are fenced and have no motorized access into or through the site. The site list is available at District Office.

General Off Highway Vehicle

An implementation plan for Off Highway vehicle management will be completed as outlined in BLM Manual 8342.

General Recreation Management

Implement initiatives, goals and objectives in BLM's Recreation 2000 Strategic Plan to the capabilities of the District.

Maintain District recreation sites to a standard that protects the resource, the public, and the public investment, and fosters pride of public ownership.

Place increased emphasis on interpretive and informational signs, maps and brochures.

Support state and local recreation management strategies to encourage tourism and provide quality visitor services.

Plan new developments to meet standards set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as appropriate and feasibly possible.