Special Areas

Objectives

Retain existing research natural areas and existing areas of critical environmental concern that meet the test of continuing need for designation. Retain other special areas. Provide new special areas where needed to maintain or protect important values.

Maintain, protect, or restore relevant and important value(s) of areas of critical environmental concern.

Preserve, protect, or restore native species composition and ecological processes of biological communities (including Oregon Natural Heritage Plan terrestrial and aquatic cells) in research natural areas. These areas will be available for short- or long-term scientific study, research and education and will serve as a baseline against which human impacts on natural systems can be measured.

Provide for recreation uses and environmental education in outstanding natural areas. Manage uses to prevent loss of outstanding values.

Provide and maintain education opportunities in environmental education areas. Control uses to minimize disturbance of educational values.

Land Use Allocations

Special Area Category		Number	Approx. Acres
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern¹		13	4,000
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern/ Research Natural Areas		8	3,500
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern/ Outstanding Natural Areas		6	1,100
Environmental Education Areas		1	200
Other (Willamette River parcels and A.J. Dwyer Scenic Area)		2	80
¹	This category includes only areas with an area of critical environmental concern designation. Double designated areas, such as areas of critical environmental concern/research natural areas, are not included.

See map 5 for locations and table 2 for site-specific acres.

Management Actions/Direction

Except for the Big Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern, manage previously designated special areas in accordance with approved management plans. (Big Canyon will be managed as a Late-Successional Reserve.) If management plans have not been prepared for previously designated areas, manage in accordance with the guidelines in table 2.

Develop site-specific management plans for new special areas as needed. Protect resource values in new areas pending completion of management plans. See table 2 for management guidelines. Management plans will address other possible actions such as land acquisition, use of prescribed fire, and interpretation.