DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

PROPOSED

MALHEUR WILDERNESS AREA

HARNEY COUNTY, OREGON

PREPARED BY

.DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE WASHINGTON, D. C. SUMMARY

(X) Draft ( ) Final Environmental Statement

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife

1. TYPE OF ACTION: Legislative.

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION IMDICATTNG WHAT STATES AND COUNTIES PARTICULARLY AFFECTED: Proposal recommends that approximately 30,000 acres within the 180,851-acre Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Harney County, Oregon, be designated as wilderness within the National Wilderness Preservation System. ~~~

3. SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: No immediate or long-range environmental change would occur on the refuge as a result of the proposed action. Since designation as a wilderness is designed to protect and preserve natural environ- mentafqualities, no significant adverse environmental effects are anticipated. " ™

h. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED: (a) Continue under present management; (b) designate a wilderness area with boundaries other than those established in the proposal. ~ —— —— —— ___,

5. FEDERAL AGENCIES FROM WHICH COMMENTS HAVE BEEN REQUESTED:

Department of Commerce Department of Transportation Department of Defense Environmental Protection Agency Department of the Interior Bureau of Outdoor Recreation National Park Service U. S. Geological Survey Bureau of Reclamation Bureau of land Management Oregon State Clearinghouse Oregon State Game Commission

6. DATE DRAFT STATEMENT MADE AVAILABLE TO COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY TO THE PUBLIC SENT TO FEDERAL REGISTER: DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

.PROPOSED MALHEUR WILDERNESS AREA

I. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION

The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, U. S. Department of the

Interior, proposes that approximately 30,000 acres of the 180,851-acre

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge be designated as wilderness within

the National Wilderness Preservation System. The proposal encompasses

the Harney Lake area entirely within the Malheur Refuge in Harney County,

Oregon.

The Wilderness Act directed the Secretary of the Interior to review

every roadless area of 5,000 acres or more and every roadless island

within the National Wildlife Refuge System and report to the President

his recommendations as to the suitability or nonsuitability of each

such area for designation as wilderness. In fulfilling this respon-

sibility, a thorough and comprehensive study has been made of the

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190) requires

the preparation of an environmental statement on any proposal for

legislation and other major Federal actions significantly affecting

the quality of the human environment. Proposals relating to possible

wilderness classification of lands within the National Wildlife Refuge

System in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 196Ij (P.L. 88-577);

78 Stat. 890-896, are believed to qualify under this Act. This state-

ment is prepared to fulfill requirements of P.L. 91-190. < The Malheur Refuge is perhaps one of the best known units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It contains one of the largest fresh- water marshes in the Mation and provides the life needs for a wide variety of birds and mammals of eastern Oregon. The refuge is extremely important as a breeding area and migration stopover for waterfowl and

waterbirds. Habitat tyr>es ranging from fresh-water marshes to lava cliffs provide a great diversity in wildlands and their associated wild- life.

The first 80,000 acres of the refuge were set aside by Executive Order in 1908. Later Executive Orders, proclamations, departmental transfers, and land orders increased the refuge to its present 180,851 acres.

The proposed wilderness is limited to the Harney Lake area of the Malheur Refuge. Approximately 30,000 acres are proposed as wilderness, including the lake itself and a narrow margin of surrounding uplands.

Harney Lake lies at the bottom of Harney Basin and serves as a drainage sump; it has no outlet. The Lake is, at times, a vast shallow body of water and, at other times, a dry expanse of white alkali salts. The alkaline condition of the lake, extreme fluctuations in water level, and the uninviting appearance have kept the area from being either significantly used or changed by man. /The overall impact of wilderness designation of these lands considered the following factors: 1. Preservation of approximately 30,000 acres of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in a natural state. 2. The effect of existing and future public use of the area. 3. The impact of the proposal on existing and future economic, cultural and social values. lj. The effect of existing and planned development outside the proposal. 5. The effect on refuge programs and the attainment of refuge objectives.

The preservation in an unaltered state of the Harney Lake area, as represented within the proposal, would outweigh alternative uses that would reduce the area's natural wilderness and wildlife values.

Designation of a wilderness area is within and supplemental to the purpose for which a national wildlife refuge is established and ad- ministered.

If implemented, this proposal will result in Congressional classifi- cation of Federally-owned lands in an essentially unimpaired state for present and future use as wilderness. The Malheur National Wild- life Refuge and the Harney Lake area will continue to be managed by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife consistent with the our- poses for which the area was established so as to preserve its wilderness

character.

II. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge lies in the Harney Basin about li,000 feet above sea level in Harney County, southeastern Oregon.

This portion of Oregon is sparsely settled and lightly developed. Only about 7,000 people inhabit some 10,000 square miles of Harney

County with over half of these residing in the Cities of Burns and

Hines. Both population centers are located on U. S. Highway 20 about

30 miles north of the refuge headquarters. State Highway 205 is the

principal access route to the refuge.

The Harney Basin is a closed drainage with no outlet. The refuge's major lakes—Malheur and Harney—are the final resting place of waters originating in the surrounding mountains. Two major tributaries feed Malheur Lake, the Conner and Bljtzen River arising in the Steens Mountain area southeast of the refuge, and the Silvies River draining

the Blue Mountains to the North.

Malheur Lake is actually better classified as a fresh-water marsh. Water averages about 3 feet in depth, and large areas contain both submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation. Alkali salts are abundant in soils in and surrounding Malheur Lake and marsh waters show a correspondingly high pH. Although both Malheur and Harney Lakes lie at the bottom of Harney Basin,

Malheur Lake, lying almost 10 feet higher than Harney, overflows during

high water years. The overflow drains to Harney lake via Mud lake.

Harney lake, the lowest sump, has no outlet. Consequently, salts accumulate creating a very high pH (9.2) as well as high salinity.

In addition to overflow from Malheur lake, Harney lake is fed by small warm springs on the lake floor, by larger springs west of the lake, and by Silver Creek which drains lands to the northwest of the refuge.

The Farney Basin is the result of millions of years of volcanism, depression and sedimentation. Beginning in the Pliocene (5-10 million

years ago) and continuing until quite recently, volcanic action, erosion and subsidence created a thick mantle of soil in the basin. In the

Pleistocene, the basin was a vast inland lake, a contemporary of Lake

Bonneville. Gradually, this lake was reduced to a few small vestiges including Malheur and Karney Lakes.

Climatic variations have, and continue to cause extreme fluctuations

of water. Taring high water years, lake waters cover large areas Harney lake may reach 30,000 surface acres„ Turing drought years, water recedes and Harney Lake becomes almost completely dry, as it did during the period 1930-32. Data from a 1931 study of precipitation and tree growth in the Karney

Basin suggested that extreme fluctuation in water levels have charac-

terized Harney Lake for at least two centuries. The lake has never

remained sufficiently long at any level to cut a prominent beach, as

has Malheur lake. The following table summarizes maximum habitat acreages occurring on Harney Lake during the 15-year period 1957-1971

(the only period such data is available)?

HABITAT ACREAGES FOR HARNKY LAKF, 1957-1971

Acreages

Year Inland Marsh Water Total 1971 15,071 300 18,000 33,371 1970 23,071 300 10,000 33,371 1969 23,200 100 8,000 31,300 1968 31,000 100 200 31,300 1967 26,000 300 5,000 31,300 1966 11,000 300 20,000 31,300 1965 ?5,ooo 300 20,000 15,300 t 1961i I4ij,200 100 1,000 15,300 1963 Mj,700 0 600 1^5,300 1962 hi , 700 0 600 Ii5,300 1961 30,300 0 15,000 15,300 I960 17,300 0 28,000 15,300 1959 15,300 0 30,000 15,300 1958 15,300 0 30,000 1)5,300

1957 11,000 0 30,000 11,000 Since Harney Lake bed has a very gradual gradient, small differences

in water depth mean a great difference in surface area. When water

surface is at elevation 14,081 feet, the lake covers nearly 13,500 acres; when it reaches h,082 feet, nearly ?0,000 acres are covered.

Climate of the region is rather typical of the cooler portions of the

intermountain west—low rainfall, low humidity, cool winters, mild summers and a short growing season. Precipitation averages about 9

inches with most falling as snow or winter rains. Summer precipitation is slight. Temperatures range from about -26° to 100° F.

Birds are the most outstanding wildlife to be found on the Malheur

Refuge. The refuge marshes are one of the Vest's most outstanding waterbird areas. Touring years when nesting and brood-rearing conditions are favorable, Malheur Lake may produce 15,000 ducks, 1,000 Canada geese,

and multitudes of other water and marsh birds. Mallards, gadwalls,

cinnamon teal, redhead and ruddy ducks are the most prominent nesters.

They are joined by trumpeter swans—re-established on the refuge, sand-

hill cranes, egrets, herons, cormorants and a great variety of small

birds.

About 75 percent of the waterfowl use occurs during spring and fall migration. Numbers vary considerably from year-to-year, depending on the amount of wetland habitat available. For example, in the past 10 years, waterfowl use-days have averaged about 25,000,000 but have varied from Ij,000,000 to over 60,000,000. Whistling swans, snow geese, widgeons, pintails and shovelers are among the more prominent migrants.

About 27,000 acres of the proposed 30,000-acre wilderness is occupied by the Harney lake bed. The remaining area consists of greasewood-covered uplands interspersed with small sand dunes on the north and east and patches of salt grass on the south and west edges. Scattered clumps of alkali bulrush grow about the few springs on the lake bed and around the spring inlets at the west end of the lake, but otherwise, the bed itself is devoid of vegetation. Surrounding Harney lake at greater distances are vast areas of lava rock outcrops and sand with a covering of greasewood, big sagebrush and rabbit brush.

Because Harney lake is limited in variety of habitat, its bird life is not as abundant or as rich in number of species as on the rest of the refuge. However, the expanse of open water, abundance of invertebrate life, and the presence of sand islands during high water provide habi- tat scarce or absent on other parts of the refuge. Some species, such as Caspian terns and snowy plovers, are often abundant here while scarce on nearby areas.

The main waterfowl use of Harney lake is during migration periods when thousands of ducks and geese use it as a resting area. Snow geese, shovelers and green-winged teal are the most common species. The following table summarizes waterfowl use of Harney Lake during the 1957-71 period. WATF.RFOWL USE DAYS ON HARNEY LAKE, 1957-71

Use Days

Year Ducks Geese Swans Coots

1971 617,300 Ii69,hOO 790 28,800

1970 601,500 660,500 0 2ij,200 1969 739,600 806,000 Hi, 000 1,000 1968 1,058,800 172,100 100 0 1967 921,000 120,200 20,390 0 1966 1,500,000 380,000 12 ,000 0 1965fl) 200,000 80,000 15,000 1,000 1961 165,000 99,725 520 22,300 1963 1L6,055 15,715 0 11,200

1962 1311,100 72,100 liiO 5,670 1961 2,8ij8,300 168,000 380 9h,350 I960 3,930,913 116,578 3,255 508,900 1959 ii,ij96,000 163,000 1,700 2,391,000 1958(2) lii,55h,o65 178,121 2,16k 1,671,000

1957 283,000 136,000 300 3,000

(1) 100 ducks produced - 20 geese produced

(2) ij21 ducks produced - 9 geese produced

(3) 75 ducks produced - 10 geese produced When invertebrates are particularly abundant during fall migration, ducks feed extensively on the lake. At times up to a quarter of a million birds may occupy the lake.

Although waterfowl production on Harney Lake is negligible, several species of marsh and shorebirds periodically breed and nest there, as the foregoing table indicates. White pelicans, Caspian tern, ring- billed gulls and California gulls often nest on islands and sandspits created during high water years. Colonies of western and eared grebes are usually present and avocets, snowy plovers and killdeer are frequent nesters along the shorelines.

Mammals occurring on the refuge include muskrat, beaver, raccoon, deer, coyote, bobcat, badger and a variety of smaller forms.

Coyotes, black-tailed jackrabbits and desert woodrats live on the edges of Harney Lake. Bobcats, raccoon, badgers, and other mammals are also occasionally present. When water levels drop and the islands become peninsulas, pelican and tern nesting colonies may undergo intense predation, particularly from coyotes. Predation on other nests along the shoreline is probably much less severe.

Most of Harney lake is apparently too alkaline to support a permanent fish population. However, Tui chub are abundant near some of the spring outlets and around the mouths of Silver and Warm Springs Creeks.

icy A compilation of available geologic information on the Harney and

Malheur lake areas was made by the Geological Survey and published as a summary report (Geological Survey Bulletin 1260-L, M). A summary of that report reads as follows: The Harney lake and Malheur Lake candidate areas are in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, north-central Harney County, Oregon. The two areas occupy the shallow center of the Harney Basin, a broad structural and physiographic depression filled by several varieties of silicic to mafic volcanic rocks, sedimentary rocks, and unconsolidated surficial deposits. Although some of the rocks in the Harney Basin are of Miocene age, all the rock in the two candidate areas are of Pliocene or younger age. Northwest-trending normal faults form prominent scarps in and near the two areas. No minerals have been produced from either of the two areas, and no mineral commodities that are exposed in the two areas can be mined economically at present (1966). However, many of the Pliocene tuffs and tuffaceous sedimentary rocks that crop out in nearby bluffs are altered to zeolites and to potassium feldspar. Some of the zeolitized rocks now consist of 90 percent clinoptilolite, and the feldspathized rocks contain as much as 60 percent feldspar. The altered beds dip into the candidate areas, and large volumes of zeolitized1 and feldspathized rocks may be present at depth beneath the surficial sediments that blanket most of the two areas. Determination of the sub- surface distribution of these minerals would require drilling or other underground exploration. Moreover, zeolites and bedded potassium feldspar are only now (1966) entering the industrial mineral market, and their future value is therefore uncertain. The complexly faulted volcanic region that includes the two candidate areas is highly unfavorable for the accumulation of petroleum- commercial deposits of coal or peat, sulfur, and oil shale also are not likely to be present. Thin surficial saltpans containing halite and trona cover Harney Lake playa during periods of low lake level, but they are too limited in extent to be of commercial interest.

11 Subsurface commercial saline deposits are not likely to exist. Several hot springs occur in and near Harney Take, but they are much cooler than hot sorings developed else- where for geothermal power; however, physical exploration at death would be necessary to evaluate fully their geo- thermal power potential. The Geological Survey concluded that: "The present evaluation indicates there are no potentially valuable deposits of either leasable or locatable minerals exposed at the surface in the Harney lake and Malheur lake candidate areas. Deposits of diagenetic clinoptilolite and potassium feldspar are probably present beneath the transient lakes and surficial veneer of young sediments, but the mineral economics of naturally occurring zeolites and bedded deposits of diagenetic feldspar need further clarification before values can be established for these commodities. Evaluation of the distribution, quality •and quantity of these potentially valuable minerals would require subsurface exploration. There is no evidence indicating the presence of other minerals in economic quantities in the candidate areas. The geothermal power potential probably is small."

Public use on the Malheur Refuge has been increasing steadily for a

number of years. In 19^3 an estimated 1,900 visitors took advantage of recreational opportunities. By the early 1960's, this had increased to about 12,000. In 1972, refuge visitation climbed to over 37,000. Improved access, an accelerated visitor program, a steadily increasing population and a growing awareness of the refuge's wildlife resources are largely responsible for the increase.

About 2,000 hunters use the area each year, but the main impetus of the rising public use is the refuge's reputation as an area to

observe wildlife. Wildlife observation and related non-consumptive wildlife oriented uses account for well over 95 percent of all visitation.

12 Public use on Harney Lake is light. Because other areas of the refuge are more accessible and have greater variety and abundance of birds, only a few of the more ardent bird watchers visit the lake. However, the ecological uniqueness of the area is attracting a growing number of scientists and educators. Hunting is prohibited. In the past, when parts of the lake bed were dry, some visitors used motor vehicles on it. This type of use is now prohibited.

In 1970 some 7,200 persons resided in Harney County. Almost half resided in the Burns-Hines area. The County's population is growing rather slowly—the population gained only 1,000 persons between 1950 and 1970. Growth is expected to continue at a modest rate«

The principal industries are lumbering and agriculture (primarily live- stock production). Recreation is increasing in importance—as it is in many areas in the West—and will undoubtedly continue to gain prominence in the area's economy.

Since livestock grazing is the primary base of the county's economy, any factors affecting this industry are naturally of great local concern. The Kalheur Refuge figures prominently in this industry by providing about 10 percent of the grazing in Harney County. Any significant effect on the grazing on the refuge, therefore, has its corresponding effect on the coxmty's economy.

13 In recent years between 100,000 and 130,000 A.U.M's of grazing have been available at V2.00 per A.U.M. This has yielded some f200,000 to $260,000 in cash revenue in addition to the benefits to the livestock producer.

In addition to direct grazing use, hay is harvested in a number of areas. Part of the hay is utilized on an A.U.M. basis, but some is sold by tonnage. In recent years the latter segment has consisted of 60 to about 260 tons.

No haying occurs within the proposed wilderness area on Harney Lake. Also, the area of potential value for grazing is negligible. Sparse

Indian rice grass, cheat grass and annual forbs interspersed with greasewood are grazed lightly on the south side and small areas of saltgrass on the west side are also utilized.

Management at Malheur Refuge is directed to preserving and improving existing habitat and creating or restoring other potential habitat. The ultimate objective is realization of the full wildlife and wild- lands potential of the refuge. Since waterfowl and marsh birds are the forte of the refuge, management emphasizes these resources and their well-being.

One of the most important aspects of management is the distribution of varying and sometimes deficient quantities of waters to achieve refuge objectives. Waters of the Silvies River are subjected to diversion and irrigation use for private meadow and croplands north of the refuge. As a re-

sult, Silvies River waters which reach the river terminus at Malheur Lake consist mainly of irrigation return flows and that part of heavy

runoff flow which is not diverted for irrigation use. These terminal

flows are not available for refuge use until they reach Malheur Lake. On the other hand, waters of the Blitzen River and its tributaries

are distributed and used on refuge lands throughout a 30-mile length of the valley in accordance with water rights acquired with the lands. It is in the Rlitzen River Valley that most opportunity for improve- ment of waterfowl habitat exists. The Blitzen also empties into Malheur Lake.

Irrigation of meadow and croplands is accomplished on refuge lands mainly during the spring runoff period. The flood type of irrigation practiced results in ideal habitat conditions for nesting waterfowl along the entire length of the Blitzen Valley in spring and early summer. The major requirement to improve the situation is to provide late summer water habitat for use of the many duck broods which are produced. Development of a well-spaced system of brood ponds will retain essential water areas for young ducklings as the surrounding meadows dry up in late summer. Renovation of existing water distri- bution facilities is also planned. Malheur Lake is the heart of the refuge waterfowl habitat and comprises the principal area of waterfowl use in the Basin. It is a vast shallow

marsh interspersed with open-water areas separated by stands of emergent vegetation and surrounded by extensive meadows. The average depth is less than three feet during most years but varies from zero

to six feet. A slight reduction in water levels results in a large decrease in surface area. Alkalinity varies considerably between high and low water years and seasons. A flushing action is of great importance in maintaining a favorable water chemistry in the lake for

the development of desirable aquatic plants and invertebrates. Malheur Lake, as it stands today, is the only complete major western marsh

eco-system left out of the many great marshes which were at one time

present in the west. A major objective of management is to preserve the marsh's great biological production and its natural values. This

management will continue at least until a prepared long-term study of water needs and dynamics in the Harney Basin is completed.

Management of the refuge's 20,000 acres of meadowlands is designed to benefit waterfowl primarily, with substantial benefits to the grazing economy also resulting. Vegetative residual cover present on mowed meadows provides attractive nesting cover in spring and receives es- pecially heavy use for that purpose in the Blitzen Valley. Mowing for hay is permitted after ducks have hatched and gone to water. After- growth on these meadowlands provides valuable browse for geese in spring and fall, and also is used by deer and antelope.

16 From 1,000 to 1,500 acres have been farmed in recent years to produce supplemental feed for waterfowl. Such farming also benefits greater sandhill cranes, big game and upland game birds. Principal crops are barley, rye, oats, and alfalfa. Farming is conducted primarily by local permittees on a share basis. Irrigation is required for success- ful crop production. After being farmed, reflooding of such tracts, in alternate years, results in highly productive waterfowl marsh habitat. Flooding of some grain fields in fall and spring increases availability of grain foods to waterfowl.

A variety of developments exist in connection with management and public use of the refuge. These include roads, fences, buildings, dikes, canals, water regulating facilities, croplands, wells and public use sites. Additional development is planned in a number of locations. Both existing and planned development is most intensive in the Blitzen River area,,

In contrast, the proposed wilderness on the Harney Lake area is completely undeveloped. Management of the Harney Lake area is largely passive allow- ing natural processes to dictate habitat conditions. No activities are presently conducted that conflict with wilderness and none are planned in the future. A self-guiding interpretive foot trail planned in the dunes on the east side of the lake will be within the proposed wilderness, but will not significantly effect wilderness values.

17 III. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED ACTION There would be no immediate or long-range change in the environment as a result of implementation of this proposal. The objectives of the Harney Lake area of Malheur Refuge can be accomplished by preserving its natural features and by providing adequate protection for its wildlife and wildlands resources. No development of this area is needed to achieve the refuge objectives. Present management of the lake proposed as wilderness is already stressing those values that wilderness designation would preserve. No present uses permitted on the proposed area would be terminated.

Commercial exploitation of the lake could not take place under Wilder- ness; however, the lake's nature also severely limits any potential for such development. Very little development potential for wildlife exists on the area and no future development is planned. Present management is principally passive in nature and no change would be necessary or desirable.

Public uses of the lake that are presently permitted will also be permitted under wilderness. Currently, no motorized boats or vehicles are allowed within the area proposed as wilderness. Their use will also be prohibited under wilderness designation.

Wilderness designation would provide legislative assurance that the natural process will be be abrogated by man, and that the area's wild- life, education, research and wilderness values will be preserved for

18 public benefit in perpetuity—or until such time as Congress decides that the land can best serve the Nation's needs in another manner. Wilderness classification reserves the option and latitude for such future decisions.

IV. MITIGATING MEASURES IN PROPOSED ACTION There will be little change in management as a result of the pro- posed action. The advent of wilderness would not result in any loss by the public of any privileges currently enjoyed. Therefore, no mitigation measures are appropriate or planned,

V. UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS Because preservation of natural environmental qualities is basic to fulfillment of refuge objectives, no significant adverse effects on the environment are anticipated from wilderness designation as proposed.

Some adverse impacts are possible on mineral resources exploitable for economic or social gain, if such resources exist in commercial deposits, A report of the Geological Survey indicates the probably presence of diagenetic clinoptilolite and potassium feldspar beneath the lake but noted that sub-surface exploration would be necessary to adequately evaluate their potential. Also, economics of their exploitation is uncertain. Geotherrnal power potential is considered small. Development of any of these possible potentials would not be possible under wilderness. VI. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOCAL SHORT-TERM USE OF MAN'S ENVIRONMENT AND THE MA INTO- ! AN CF AMP ENHANCEMENT OF LONG-Tf'.'.RM PRODUCTIVITY

Designation of Harney Lake as wilderness would aid in preserving

its value to both man and wildlife. Preservation of this habitat

is both the short-term and long-term objectives of the refuge.

VII. IRREVERSIBLE ANT) IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES WHICH WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE PROPOSED ACTION SHOULD IT BE IMPLEMENTED

There are no irreversible and irretrievable commitments of

resources which would be involved in the proposed action should it be

implemented. Wilderness designation will be within and supplemental

to the purposes for which the refuge was established and is administered,

Management of the proposed area will continue in a manner that will in- sure protection of wildlife and the environment.

Designation of the area as wilderness is accomplished by Congressional Act. Should a vital national interest develop, demanding use or

utilization of the area which could not be accomplished under wilder-

ness designation, Congress could rescind the action which committed

the area to wilderness status, thereby releasing the resource being

held in reserve.

VIII. ALTERNATIVE TO THE PROPOSED ACTION

The decision concerning the relative suitability of Harney lake for

designation as wilderness was based on careful consideration of wilder-

ness criteria, as established in the Wilderness Act; objectives of the

20 National Wildlife Refuge System and, more specifically, of the falheur

National Wildlife Refuge- and management requirements to fulfill those objectives. Any alternatives to the present proposal should carefully

evaluate these factors„

Alternative (a)—Continue under existing management

Leaving the area in its present status would have no immediate impact on the lake that would not occur with wilderness designation. The potential for environmental degredation by unwise exploitation is not great but does pose a somewhat greater threat without wilderness than with it.

While the objective setting procedure for the National Wildlife Refuge

System which determines priorities for individual refuges throughout the nation-wide network does not now indicate the need for management and development beyond that which has been described, it is a future possibility that would have to be foregone or perhaps greatly modified under the constraints of wilderness. It would appear that the likeli- hood of this occurring on Harney Lake would be highly remote.

The lake is presently de facto wilderness and formal designation would enhance existing refuge objectives and not compromise management options in the foreseeable future.

Alternative (b)—Change in wilderness proposal boundaries Reducing the size of the proposal is not considered a viable alternative

21 since any reduction would not result in a significant reduction in

potentially adverse impacts. Inclusion of the complete Harney Lake

playa formation would help preserve its geological and ecological

integrity.

Increasing the size of the proposed wilderness has been considered.

The most likely candidate for expansion is inclusion of Malheur Lake

as a proposed wilderness unit. Malheur Lake was part of a wilderness

proposal submitted along with Harney lake to Congress in 1969 „ The

proposal was rejected at that time for restudy. The subsequent re-

evaluation led to the present proposal.

Interest in water development on the Silvies River has persisted for

many years. Such development would produce benefits, especially in the areas of flood control and irrigation. However, such develop- ment could also have a major adverse impact upon wildlife values of the Malheur Lake marsh and the Harney Basin generally.

A multi-agency, multi-disciplinary study of the ecological, cultural and economic relationships of land, water and wildlife has been pro- posed for the Malheur-Hamey lake Basin. The study, proposed as a long-term investigation (perhaps 10 years or more), has not as yet been authorized,

Until the future water supply to Malheur Lake can be predicted with reasonable certainty, future development of the marsh must remain a management option if the refuge's primary objectives are to be achieved. Pending this determination, Malheur lake will continue to be managed to retain its undeveloped qualities—the option of wilder- ness to be a future consideration.

IX. CONSULTATION ANT) COORDINATION WITH OTHERS

A. Consultation and Coordination in the Proposal Development and in the Draft Knvironmental Impact Statement

Development of the wilderness proposal has undergone review by State officials, concerned Federal agencies and individuals and organizations over a period of several years. A wilderness proposal of two units, Harney Lake and Malheur Lake was presented at a public hearing in Burns, Oregon in 1967. Local opposition to that proposal was strong, but most arguments presented appeared to be the result of general

misunderstanding of what wilderness designation entails, The proposed wilderness on Harney Lake was generally supported, but opinions on

Malheur Lake were divided. Most opposition centered around Malheur

Lake, particularly on the inclusion of Cole Island Dike and the lake's borders where native hay is occasionally harvested.

A modified proposal excluding Cole Island Dike and the hayed lands was presented to Congress. Congressional hearings in 1969 led to the proposal's rejection until further studies were made.

B. Consultation and Review of the Draft FYivironmental Impact Statement

For Official Comment: Department of Defense Department of Commerce Environmental Protection Agency Department of Transportation Department of Interior Bureau of Outdoor Recreation National Park Service U.S. Geological Survey Bureau of Reclamation Rureau of Land Management Oregon State Clearinghouse Oregon State Game Commission

2h