Rights-of-Way

Objectives

Continue to make BLM-administered lands available for needed rights-of-way where consistent with local comprehensive plans, Oregon statewide planning goals and rules, and the exclusion and avoidance areas identified in this RMP.

Ensure that all rights-of-way for hydroelectric development are consistent with the Northwest Power Planning Council guidance, which recommends prohibiting future hydroelectric development on certain rivers and streams with significant fisheries and wildlife values.

Land Use Allocations

Allocation of lands to existing rights-of-way will continue.

The occupied utility transportation routes identified in the Western Regional Corridor Study, 1992, containing electrical transmission facilities of 115 to 500 kV and pipelines ten inches in diameter or larger, will be designated as corridors under this plan. These corridors will be available for uses compatible with existing facilities.

Corridor widths vary depending on the number of parallel facilities, but are a minimum of 2,000 feet (1,000 feet either side of existing centerlines) unless constrained by exclusion and avoidance areas described below. Applicants will be encouraged to locate new facilities (including communication sites) adjacent to existing facilities to the extent technically and economically feasible.

Communication facilities will be allowed on existing communication sites. Existing communication sites will be fully developed with compatible uses prior to developing new sites. New communication sites will be considered available for development when the use is consistent with the objective of the alternative.

Douglas County is considering the construction of the Milltown Hill Reservoir. Some rights-of-way across BLM-administered lands would be required for access and water impoundment.

Prior to BLM approval of a right-of-way, the applicant must submit plans, maps, and other information related to the use of the proposal, for evaluation. Each right-of-way will be limited to the area necessary for operation and maintenance. Approvals will consider the protection of public safety, be consistent with the Resource Management Plan, and minimize damage to the environment.

All Research Natural Areas and Visual Resource Management Class I areas will be considered right-of-way exclusion areas where future rights-of-way may be granted only on a case-by-case basis or when mandated by law.

All existing and proposed recreation sites, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern other than Research Natural Areas, (rivers suitable for scenic status), and areas identified as having threatened or endangered, proposed, candidate (Category 1 or 2), state listed, or Bureau sensitive plant or animal species will be avoidance areas (where future rights-of-way may be granted only when no feasible alternative route or designated right-of-way corridor is available). Areas identified for Visual Resource Management Class II management will be avoided or appropriate mitigation measures taken. On August 10, 1988, the Northwest Power Planning Council amended its Northwest Conservation and Electric Power Plan to prohibit future hydroelectric development on rivers and streams with significant fisheries and wildlife resource values. In accordance with the plan, rights-of-way authorizing new hydroelectric development will not be approved on the streams designated in the plan. For lands acquired in the future, hydroelectric development will not be allowed on any rivers or streams designated as protected in the Northwest Conservation and Electric Power Plan. Lands within the Canton Creek drainage are avoidance areas for new hydroelectric development, power transmission or distribution lines.

Future rights-of-way may be granted in avoidance areas when no feasible alternative route or designated right-of-way corridor is available.

Management Actions/Direction

Riparian Reserves

Issue rights-of-way to avoid adverse effects that retard or prevent attainment of Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives. Where legally possible, adjust existing rights-of-way to eliminate adverse effects that retard or prevent the attainment of Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives. If adjustments are not effective and where legally possible, eliminate the activity. Priority for modifying existing rights-of-way will be based on the actual or potential impact and the ecological value of the riparian resources affected.

For proposed hydroelectric projects under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the Commission), provide timely, written comments regarding maintenance of instream flows and habitat conditions and maintenance/restoration of riparian resources and stream channel integrity. Request the Commission to locate proposed support facilities outside of Riparian Reserves. For existing support facilities inside Riparian Reserves that are essential to proper management, provide recommendations to the Commission that ensure Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives are met. Where these objectives cannot be met, provide recommendations to the Commission that such support facilities should be relocated. Existing support facilities that must be located in the Riparian Reserves should be located, operated, and maintained with an emphasis to eliminate adverse effects that retard or prevent attainment of Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives.

For other hydroelectric and surface water development proposals in Tier One Key Watersheds, require instream flows and habitat conditions that maintain or restore riparian resources, favorable channel conditions, and fish passage. Coordinate this process with the appropriate state agencies. For other hydroelectric and surface water development proposals in all other watersheds, give priority emphasis to instream flows and habitat conditions that maintain or restore riparian resources, favorable channel conditions, and fish passage. Coordinate this process with the appropriate state agencies.

Late-Successional Reserves

Retain and maintain existing developments, such as utility corridors and electronic sites, consistent with other management actions/direction for Late-Successional Reserves.

Neither construct nor authorize new facilities that may adversely affect Late-Successional Reserves.

Review on a case-by-case basis new development proposals. They may be approved when adverse effects can be minimized and mitigated.

Locate new developments to avoid degradation of habitat and adverse affects on identified late-successional species.

Remove hazard trees along utility right-of-way and in other developed areas.

Other Land Use Allocations

Encourage location of major new rights-of-way projects in existing utility/transportation routes and other previously designated corridors.

Encourage applicants to consult the Western Regional Corridor Study in planning route locations.

Consider new locations for rights-of-way projects on a case-by-case basis. Applications may be approved where the applicant can demonstrate that use of an existing route or corridor would not be technically or economically feasible; and the proposed project would otherwise be consistent with this Resource Management Plan and would minimize damage to the environment.

Allow expansion of communications facilities on existing communication sites.

Consider new communication sites on a case-by-case basis. Applications may be approved where the applicant can demonstrate that use of an existing, developed communication site would not be technically feasible; and the proposed facility would otherwise be consistent with this Resource Management Plan and would minimize damage to the environment.