DOCSLIB.ORG

Borax Lake Chub Habitat Protection Fence Environmental Assessment

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Borax Lake Chub Habitat Protection Fence Environmental Assessment UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management Burns District Office Andrews/Steens Resource Area Finding of No Significant Impact January 13, 2010 Environmental Assessment OR-08-026-096 INTRODUCTION Andrews/Steens Resource Area, Burns District Bureau of Land Management (BLM), has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze potential effects of constructing facilities to modify public access and enhance public understanding of the Borax Lake Area. The Proposed Action is the result of a collaborative effort between BLM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (landowner), based on the needs and objectives outlined as criteria for the delisting of the chub in the USFWS Borax Lake Chub Recovery Plan (1987), BLM's Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) Plan for Borax Lake, and ongoing monitoring conducted by various agencies. The project area is located in Andrews Management Unit (AMU) in the southern portion of Harney County, Oregon, near the town of Fields, approximately 115 miles south of Burns, Oregon (T. 37 S., R. 33 E., Sections 11 and 14). The specific project area is the section of Borax Lake Road within the Borax Lake Chub Critical Habitat Area. SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED ACTION The Proposed Action is the construction of approximately 3,500 feet of post and cable type fence following the east side of Borax Lake Road and removal of 3.9 miles of fence within the Borax Lake ACEC. The new fence would use new steel cable and would utilize rock cribs and posts recovered from the fence removal project. Borax Marsh Road would be closed to unpermitted vehicle traffic from the intersection of Borax Lake Road and Borax Marsh Road to the northern boundary of the critical habitat. The road would remain available for landowner access, administrative, scientific, and special needs purposes. Pedestrian access points and a locking vehicle gate would be installed at the intersection. The proposed fence would not replace the existing fence that follows southwest corner of the ACEC boundary, rather the fence would augment the protections offered to chub habitat that the ACEC and critical habitat designations provide. Borax Lake Road near the intersection with Borax Marsh Road would be improved as necessary to provide parking for visitors. Widening would not exceed 12 feet in width beyond the existing roadway. Parking spaces would not be marked. Interpretive signs including a map would be installed in appropriate locations (to be determined by BLM, USFWS, ODFW, and TNC) near the fenceline describing the cultural, ecological, and geological features of the area. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT Consideration of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) criteria for significance (40 CFR 1508.27), both with regard to context and intensity of impacts, is described below: Context The Proposed Action would have local impacts on affected interests, lands, and resources similar to and within the scope of those described and considered in the AMU/Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area Proposed Resource Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement (AMU/CMPA PRMP/FEIS). There would be no substantial broad societal or regional impacts not previously considered in the PRMP/FEIS. Intensity The CEQ's ten considerations for evaluating intensity (severity of effect): 1. Impacts that may be both beneficial and adverse. The EA considered potential beneficial and adverse effects. None of the effects are beyond the range of effects analyzed in the AMU/CMPA PRMP/FEIS. ACECs The Proposed Action would enhance protections already provided for under the ACEC designation by further restricting disturbance within the ACEC boundary. Vehicles and Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) are known to depart established trails within the ACEC. Installation of a fence that would limit vehicle use off traditional routes is expected to reduce the amount of disturbance caused by vehicle incursion into previously undisturbed areas. Noxious Weeds and Invasive Nonnative Plant Species By reducing the number of vehicles that access the shoreline of Borax Lake, the potential for weed invasion into the ACEC is expected to decrease. Enhancement and accelerated growth of riparian vegetation would increase competition for plant resources, and is likely to reduce extent and vigor of invasive weed infestation within the critical habitat. This may reduce the need for herbicide treatments as vigor and extent of the riparian plant community increases. 2 ' Migratory Birds Some disturbance to resident birds could occur in the immediate vicinity of fence- building operations in the 1 to 2-week time period during which construction would be authorized. Nesting and rearing activity is not expected during construction. After initial disturbance of fence-building, the fence would provide additional singing and resting perches for migratory songbirds. Migratory birds would benefit from the Proposed Action through the reduced disturbance and increased herbaceous and shrub cover for migratory birds resulting from the exclusion of vehicles from the area. Access into the area would be for administrative purposes and by permit. While the reduction in vehicle traffic is expected to reduce disturbance, the increase in foot traffic could increase disturbance in areas not previously or frequently disturbed. The risk of nest trampling would increase due to higher numbers of pedestrian traffic as visitors wishing to visit the lake would need to walk rather than drive to the lake shore. Threatened and Endangered Species or Habitat Threatened and Endangered Species present in the project are Borax Lake chub. The installation of a fence prohibiting vehicle access to the lakeshore and installation of signs are key elements for the delisting of the Borax Lake chub from the Federal Endangered Species List as outlined in the USFWS's Recovery Plan for the Borax Lake Chub (1987). Both of these actions have been analyzed and are included in the Proposed Action. Fence construction (Proposed Action) will not occur near Borax Lake. Where the construction would occur during the late summer chub are not expected to be present in Lower Borax Reservoir. Wetlands, Riparian Zones, Water Quality, and Fisheries In general, there are no specific riparian or fisheries concerns within the critical habitat, rather vehicle presence increases the risk of degradation and is the reason behind the preparation of this EA. In addition, the action proposed would limit the number of vehicles near the shoreline of Borax Lake reducing soil compaction and enhancing stabilizing vegetative cover thus meeting one of the objectives outlined in the Borax Lake Chub Recovery Plan. 3 ' Recreation and Visual Resources The proposed fence would introduce a human-made linear feature into the landscape and would be clearly visible from Borax Lake Road. However, the fence would not dominate the view as seen from the road by the casual observer due to materials used and the design height. Among the objectives of the Visual Resource Management (VRM) Class II category is to retain the existing character of the landscape. As a result of the Proposed Action, there will be fewer posts located in an area where a fence is more commonplace (on a roadside) and an existing fence would no longer be present; therefore, there would be a net improvement in the visual resource and VRM Class II objectives would continue to be met. Transportation/Roads Under the Proposed Action, Borax Marsh Road, the access road leading to Borax Lake from Borax Lake Road, would be closed to regular (unpermitted) traffic. As a result, visitors will be required to walk the remaining 0.4-mile from Borax Lake Road to the lake. While the reduced traffic would reduce vehicle impacts to the area including the narrowing of roads due to reduced use, an increase in pedestrian traffic could result in more trails being created to shorten distances between points of interest. 2. The degree to which the Proposed Action affects public health or safety. The Proposed Action involves the construction of a fence. Whereas this area is known to be used for OHV use, there exists the possibility that OHV operators could be involved in an accident with the fence. Considering the relatively small area associated with the project and the number of existing obstacles and indicators (fences and gates) present, incidents involving OHVs and the fence are not expected. 3. Unique characteristics of the geographic area such as proximity to historic or cultural resources, park lands, prime farmlands, wetlands, wild and scenic rivers, or ecologically critical areas. The area is within an ACEC designated to protect Borax Lake chub and 640 acres have been designated as critical habitat for the chub. The Proposed Action would provide protections for Borax Lake chub and its habitat as well as topographic features by limiting vehicle access. 4. The degree to which effects on the quality of the human environment are likely to be highly controversial. Controversy in this context means disagreement about the nature of the effects, not expressions of opposition to the Proposed Action or preference among the alternatives. No unique or appreciable scientific controversy has been identified regarding the effects of the Proposed Action or No Action Alternative. 4 ' 5. Degree to which possible effects on the human environment are highly uncertain or involve unique or unknown risks. The analysis has not shown there would be any unique or unknown risks to the human environment nor were any identified in the AMU/CMPA PRMP/FEIS to which this proposal is tiered. 6. Degree to which the action may establish a precedent for future actions with significant impacts or represents a decision in principle about a future consideration. This project neither establishes a precedent nor represents a decision in principle about future actions. 7. W hether the action is related to other actions with individually insignificant but cumulatively significant impacts.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Native Trouts of the Genus Salmo of Western North America
    CItiEt'SW XHPYTD: RSOTLAITYWUAS 4 Monograph of ha, TEMPI, AZ The Native Trouts of the Genus Salmo Of Western North America Robert J. Behnke "9! August 1979 z 141, ' 4,W \ " • ,1■\t 1,es. • . • • This_report was funded by USDA, Forest Service Fish and Wildlife Service , Bureau of Land Management FORE WARD This monograph was prepared by Dr. Robert J. Behnke under contract funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service. Region 2 of the Forest Service was assigned the lead in coordinating this effort for the Forest Service. Each agency assumed the responsibility for reproducing and distributing the monograph according to their needs. Appreciation is extended to the Bureau of Land Management, Denver Service Center, for assistance in publication. Mr. Richard Moore, Region 2, served as Forest Service Coordinator. Inquiries about this publication should be directed to the Regional Forester, 11177 West 8th Avenue, P.O. Box 25127, Lakewood, Colorado 80225. Rocky Mountain Region September, 1980 Inquiries about this publication should be directed to the Regional Forester, 11177 West 8th Avenue, P.O. Box 25127, Lakewood, Colorado 80225. it TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Preface ..................................................................................................................................................................... Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Quicksilver Deposits in the Steens and Pueblo Mountains Southern Oregon
    UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Harold L. Ickes, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY W. C. Mendenhall, Director Bulletin 931-J QUICKSILVER DEPOSITS IN THE STEENS AND PUEBLO MOUNTAINS SOUTHERN OREGON BY CLYDE P. ROSS Strategic Minerals Investigations, 1941 (Pages 227-258) UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : 1942 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. ------- Price 40 cents CONTENTS Page Abstract.................................................. 227 Introduction.............................................. 227 Location.............................................. 227 Scope of the report................................... 229 Acknowledgments....................................... 229 Topography................................................ 230 Geology................................................... 232 Pre-Tertiary rocks.................................... 232 Age............................................... 232 Tertiary volcanic rocks............................... 232 Age............................................... 235 Older alluvium........................................ 236 Quaternary alluvium................................... 237 Structure............................................. 237 Quicksilver deposits...................................... 240 Mineralogy............................................. 240 The lodes............................................. 244 Origin................................................ 246 Outlook..............................................
    [Show full text]
  • Quicksilver Deposits of Steens Mountain and Pueblo Mountains Southeast Oregon
    Quicksilver Deposits of Steens Mountain and Pueblo Mountains Southeast Oregon GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 995-B A CONTRIBUTION TO ECONOMIC GEOLOGY QUICKSILVER DEPOSITS OF STEENS MOUNTAIN AND PUEBLO MOUNTAINS, SOUTHEAST OREGON By HOWEL WILLIAMS and ROBERT R. The object of this survey was to examine the quicksilver deposits with the hope of locating large tonnages of low-grade ore. The deposits occur in the south-central part of Harney County and are more than 100 miles from either Burns, Oreg., or Winuemucca, Nev., the nearest towns. The region is sparsely settled by stockmen; Fields, Denio, and Andrews are the only settlements. The range consisting of Steens Mountain and Pueblo Mountains is a dissected fault block, 90 miles long in a north-south direction and as much as 25 miles wide, tilted gently to the west. Pre-Tertiary rnetarnorphic and plutonic rocks occur at the southern end, but most of the block consists of Pliocene volcanic rocks. The major boundary faults on the east side of the range are concealed by alluvium. Minor northwestward-trending faults branch from them, their throws diminish­ ing toward the crest of the range; other minor fractures occur near, and parallel to, the mountain front. The quicksilver lodes were formed in and along these subsidiary fractures. The lodes occur in a more or less continuous belt just west of the eastern front of the range. They are steeply dipping and arranged in subparallel clusters, commonly standing out as resistant siliceous ribs against the softer kaolinized rocks that flank them. The lodes were formed in two hydrothermal stages, the first producing the reeflike masses of chalcedony and quartz with their halos of limonitic and calcitic clays and the second introducing silica and barite along with sulfides of iron, copper, and mercury.
    [Show full text]
  • Geology of the South-Central Pueblo Mountains, Oregon-Nevada
    AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF WINTHROP ALLEN ROWE for the MASTER OF SCIENCE (Name) (Degree) in GEOLOGY presented on lurd IL 1q4() Major) (Sate) Title: GEOLOGY OF THE SOUTH-CENTRAL PUEBLO MOUNTAINS, OREGON-NEVADA Abstract approved: Redacted for Privacy Dr. Harold E. En lows The thesis area consists of 33 square miles in the south-central Pueblo Mountains of Humboldt County, Nevada and Harney County, Oregon.The Pueblo Mountains are tilted fault block mountains found in the extreme northwestern part of the Basin and Range province and were produced during Early Tertiary Basin and Range orogeny. Northwest and northeast trending faults of Late Tertiary time have since cut the entire stratigraphic sequence. The oldest rocks exposed are metamorphosed Permian to Triassic eugeosynclinal sedimentary rocks.The metamorphic sequence is intruded by several granitic plutons of Late Jurassic to Middle Cretaceous age. A thick sequence of Miocene basalt flows unconformably overlies the pre- Tertiary rocks. A slight angular unconformity separates the basalt sequence from overlying Miocene tuffaceous sedimentary rocks, sillar flows, and welded tuffs. Unconsolidated deposits of Quaternary alluvium include alluvial fan and lacustrine sediments. Mineralization within the area includes several gold prospects, a mercury prospect, and a possible copper deposit.The copper prospect consists of a large gossan (6, 000 feet by 3, 000 feet). Mineralization and alteration from a Cretaceous porphyritic quartz monzonite intrusion has produced potassic and quartz sericite
    [Show full text]
  • Frequently Asked Questions Proposed Rule to Remove Borax Lake Chub from the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Species
    Frequently Asked Questions Proposed Rule to Remove Borax Lake Chub from the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Species What action is being taken by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? The Service is proposing to remove Borax Lake chub (Siphateles boraxobius) from the list of threatened and endangered species (delist) under the Endangered Species Act. What type of fish are these? The Borax Lake chub is a small minnow in the Family Cyprinidae, found only in Borax Lake of Harney County, Oregon. It is an opportunistic omnivore, eating both plants and animals. The diets of juveniles and adults are similar and include aquatic and terrestrial insects, algae, mollusks and mollusk eggs, aquatic worms, fish scales, spiders, and seeds. Males, and some females, reach reproductive maturity within one year. Spawning primarily occurs in the spring but can occur year-around. The reproductive behavior and length of incubation is unknown. Where is this fish found? The only place in the world where Borax Lake chub lives is Borax Lake. Borax Lake lies in the Alvord Basin, part of the larger Great Basin, which was dominated by a much larger Alvord Lake approximately 10,000 years ago. As Alvord Lake receded, native fishes became restricted to remaining springs, lakes, and creeks. Individuals from Alvord Lake’s ancestral chub became isolated in the geothermal springs of Borax Lake and over time the isolation and unique environmental conditions resulted in adaptations that differentiated the fish into the species now recognized as Borax Lake chub. Borax Lake is a 10.2 acre geothermally heated alkaline spring-fed lake in southeastern Oregon.
    [Show full text]
  • Geothermal Investigation of the Alvord Valley, Southeast Oregon
    University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 1976 Geothermal investigation of the Alvord Valley, southeast Oregon John Gladden Cleary The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Cleary, John Gladden, "Geothermal investigation of the Alvord Valley, southeast Oregon" (1976). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 2442. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/2442 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. GEOTHERMAL INVESTIGATION OF THE ALVORD VALLEY, SOUTHEAST OREGON By John G. Cleary B.A., Dartmouth College, 1974 Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA 1976 Approved by; Chairman, Board of Examiners DeaoT Gradua-^^hool /Jy /f 7^ UMI Number: EP34784 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI UMI EP34784 Published by ProQuest LLC (2012). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC.
    [Show full text]
  • Steens Mountain Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Plan
    BLM Burns District Office Steens Mountain Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Plan Appendix P - Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and ProtectionWSRP Area Resource Management Plan August 2005 Public Lands USA: Use, Share, Appreciate As the Nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interest of all our people. The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in Island Territories under U.S. administration. Photo courtesy of John Craig. TABLE OF CONTENTS Steens Mountain Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS Acronym List . v Introduction . .1 Plan Organization . .1 Background . .1 Plan Purpose . .1 Relationship to BLM Planning . .2 Public Involvement . .2 Steens Mountain Advisory Council . .2 Area Overview . .2 General Location and Boundaries . .2 Access . .3 Land Ownership . .3 History of Use for Steens Mountain Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers . .4 Steens Mountain Wilderness Overview . .4 Unique Wilderness Attributes . .4 Wilderness Management Areas . .5 Wild and Scenic Rivers Overview . .6 Public Lands in Wild and Scenic River Corridors outside Steens Mountain Wilderness . .7 Outstandingly Remarkable Values . .8 Management Goals and Objectives . .10 Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act .
    [Show full text]
  • Alvord Lake Toerswnq Ihitk-Ul,.N Itj:Lnir
    RtflOP' nt T37S Rt3F T37SR36E T37S R3275E 137S R34E TITStSE BloW Pour Willow Creek Babes Canyor Relds BIM Adrnirtistrative SiteFjel NeSs Airstrip / 41 171 2000906 Alvord Lake tOerswnq ihiTk-ul,.n itj:Lnir. Inokoul hluutte\ McDade Ranch 1712000902 I cvwr Twin Hot Spn Os Wilhlants Canyon , ,AEyy.4N seiralNo WARM APRI '738SR37E rIBS R3BE R38E Lower Roux Place err hlomo * / Oaterkirk Rartch - S., Rabbit HOe Mine 7,g.hit 0 Ptace '0 Arstnp 0 0 Ainord Vafley Lavy1ronrb P -o Rriaia .....c I herbbrrr RarrCh C _: 9S R34E Trout Creek CAhn '5- T39S R36E N Oleacireen Place T395 R37F Cruallu Canyon -1 Oleachea Pass T39S R38E \ Stergett Cabot Trout Creek Ranch ty Silvey Adrian Place' Wee Pole Canyon C SPRiNG, WHITEHORSE RANCH LN Pueblo Valley 4040 S Center Ridg Will, reek Pt cLean Cabin orgejadowo Gob 0810 WEIi Reynolds Ranch Owens Randr / I p labor Mocntai /1 °ueblo Mountain A'ir.STWLL Neil Pei S 'i-nWt Mahogany Ri.ge ,haaesot, uSGi, Pee: enn;s *i;i train ' 6868 4 n*a.asay Holloway T4OS R34E T4OS R35E I 1405 6E T405 R37E 'I 14'R38E / i.l:irintoi "Van Hone Basin' Colony Ranch 0 U Lithe Windy Pass z SChrERRYSPR1N. 0 I 1* RO4 - - 'r Denio Basin A' tuitdIhSPIhlNn% ()Conne eme Cottonwood Creek ie;. r' Gller Cabin T4IS R37E L,aticw P ',ik 1712000901 Grassy Basin BLAiRO tih'dlM P4 IS R34E Ago 141S R36E Lung Canyon Ii Middle Canyon Oecio Cemetery East B. ring Corral Canyon ento Nevada portion of this HUC was not assessed for this project MAP # 9 - Alvord Lake Sub-basin - 5th Field HUC 1712000901 Cottonwood Creek 1 inch equals 2.25 miles High and Low Elevations BLM Land Perennial Lake Paved Roads 5th Field Watersheds BLM Wilderness - Intermittent Lake County Roads S Alvord Lake Sub-Basin BLM Wilderness Study Area Dry Lake Arterial Roads HARNEY COUNTY GIS Prnpaeod by: Bryca Mcrnz Dare: Momlu 2006 State Land Marsh "_.
    [Show full text]
  • Ore Bin / Oregon Geology Magazine / Journal
    Vol. 22, No. 10 THE ORE.-BIN 97 October 1960 Portland, Oregon STATE OF OREGON DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES Head Office: 1069 State Office Bldg., Portland 1, Oregon Telephone: CApitol 6-2161, Ext. 488 Field Offices 2033 First Street 239S. E. "H" Street Baker Grants Pass * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BORON IN ALVORD VALLEY, HARNEY COUNTY, OREGON By F. W. Libbey * Introduction . The advent of the Space Age brought high-energy fuels into sharp focus. Boron compounds have offer­ ed promise as on important component of these fuels and have received much publ icity in this connection. Thus attention has been directed to possible new sources of boron even though no shortage of domestic sup­ pi i es can be foreseen at present. Around the turn of the present century borax was harvested commercially from crusts formed on the sur­ face of Alvord Volley, south of Alvord Lake, in southern Harney County, southeastern Oregon, just east of the famous Steens-Pueblo Mountains. In 1957-58 a minor boom developed in applications for prospecting permits on federal land in the gen­ eral vicinity of Alvord Lake basin. The present paper describes the conditions of boron occurrence in the basin and attempts to bring developments in the area up to date. In July, 1947, the author was in the basin locality and sampled the water of Hot Lake at one outlet; the assay returned 80 p. p. m. of B203. During the last week of August and the first week of September, 1960, the area was revisited and thermal springs sampled as described in the following text.
    [Show full text]
  • Quaternary Chronology and Stratigraphy of Mickey Springs, Oregon
    Portland State University PDXScholar Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses Summer 12-15-2015 Quaternary Chronology and Stratigraphy of Mickey Springs, Oregon Leslie Allen Mowbray Portland State University Follow this and additional works at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds Part of the Geology Commons, and the Geomorphology Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Mowbray, Leslie Allen, "Quaternary Chronology and Stratigraphy of Mickey Springs, Oregon" (2015). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 2637. https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.2633 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. Please contact us if we can make this document more accessible: [email protected]. Quaternary Chronology and Stratigraphy of Mickey Springs, Oregon by Leslie Allen Mowbray A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geology Thesis Committee: Michael L. Cummings, Chair Curt D. Peterson Adam M. Booth Portland State University 2015 Abstract Mickey Springs in the Alvord Desert, southeast Oregon, is analogous to other Basin and Range hydrothermal systems where the requisite conditions of heat source and permeable pathways are met through crustal thinning due to normal faulting. This study examines the morphology and lifespan of near-surface spring features through use of ground penetrating radar, thermoluminescence (TL) dating, and elevation modeling. Duration of hydrothermal activity at Mickey Springs has not previously been determined, and age determinations of sinter at the site are conflicting. The reason for and timing of this change in silica saturation in the hydrothermal fluid has not been resolved.
    [Show full text]
  • Harney County Comprehensive Plan 2009 Appendix
    HARNEY COUNTY PLANNI NG DEPARTMENT Harney County Comprehensive Plan 2009 Appendix: Background and Planning Process History of Harney County Formally known as the: Harney County Comprehensive Plan 2002 Harney County Planning Department 450 N. Buena Vista • Burns OR 97720 Phone 541-573-6655 • Fax 541-573-8387 HARNEY COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT Carol J. Smith, Planning Director MORGAN, RYAN & ASSOCIATES 280 Court Street NE Salem, Oregon PROJECT STAFF John N. Morgan, President John R. Ryan, Vice President Thomas A. Shaw Leslie K. Elkins Jane Myers Martha Onasch V. Candace Benner Those persons who contributed to the formulation of this plan deserve the County's thanks and gratitude for participating in the development of the "Harney County Comprehensive Plan" and the implementing ordinances. The Goals and Polices in this Plan will help guide the growth and preservation of Harney County in the years to come. Originally Adopted Subsequently Adopted by Harney County by Harney County June 26, 1980 October 10, 1984 Acknowledged by LCDC Acknowledged by LCDC July 25, 1985, April 17, 1984 (LCDC Compliance (LCDC Compliance Acknowledgement Order 85-ACK-162) Acknowledgement Order 84-ACK-65) ii Table of Contents 2.7 WILDLIFE PROTECTION PLAN .................. 89 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..............................V 2.7.1 Habitat and Resource Overview .... 89 2.7.2 Big Game ....................................... 89 LIST OF TABLES.........................................VII 2.7.3 Upland Game Birds ....................... 94 2.7.4 Furbearers ..................................... 95 LIST OF MAPS ............................................VIII 2.7.5 Nongame Wildlife ........................... 96 2.7.6 Waterfowl, Marshbirds, Shorebirds 96 1 INTRODUCTION ......................................... 9 Wildlife Preservation Policies ................ 100 1.1 INTRODUCTION ......................................... 9 2.8 HISTORICAL AND SCENIC RESOURCES .
    [Show full text]
  • Alvord Lake Subbasin Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) & Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP)
    Alvord Lake Subbasin Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) & Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) Prepared by: December 2003 ALVORD LAKE SUBBASIN TMDL DECEMBER 2003 . Primary authors are: Bruce Hammon, Bonnie Lamb, Dick Nichols, Brian Kasper, Matt Boyd December 2003 For more information contact: Greg Aldrich, Manager of Watershed Management Section Department of Environmental Quality 811 Southwest 6th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97204 [email protected] Dick Nichols, Manager of Eastern Region Department of Environmental Quality 2146 Northeast 4th Street Bend, Oregon 97701 [email protected] OREGON DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ALVORD LAKE SUBBASIN TMDL DECEMBER 2003 ALVORD LAKE SUBBASIN TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD (TMDL) TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................... I WATER QUALITY SUMMARY................................................................................................................... I TMDL SUMMARIES ................................................................................................................................... I Alvord Lake Subbasin Stream Temperature TMDL (Chapter II) ............................................................ i Willow Creek (Trout Creek Mountains) Temperature TMDL (Chapter III)............................................. ii Willow Creek (Trout Creek Mountains) Dissolved Oxygen TMDL (Chapter IV).................................... ii WATER QUALITY
    [Show full text]