U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management Draft Burns District Office 74 South Alvord Burns, Oreaon 97720 John Day Resource Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement G, United States Department of the Interior BURNS DISTRIVT OFFICE June 14, 1984 ‘il S. Alvord Street Burns. Oregon 97Xl Dear Reader: This draft Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (RMP/EIS) for the John Day Planning Area is presented for your review and comment. It will be the first RMP in Oregon and has been prepared in conformance with planning procedures established under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. This document outlines four major alternatives for the management of BLM’s public land in the John Day Planning Area. These alternatives are designed primarily to address land management issues that were-identified during the early stages of the planning process. We would appreciate your comments on the adequacy of this RMP/EIS by September 13, 1984, for consideration in preparing the final John Day RIIP/EIS. Questions or comments should be directed to Larry Morgan, Project Leader, Bureau of Land Management, Burns District Office, 74 South Alvord, Burns, Oregon 97720. Comments received after the close of the comment period may be considered in the decision process, even though they may be too late to be-specifically addressed in the final environmental impact statement. Two informal public meetings will be held during the go-day public comment period for individual wishing to ask questions or to present comments. The meetings will be held at the following locations: July 25, 1984 Harney county Courthouse 7:oo to 9:oo P.N. 450 N. Buena Vista Burns, Oregon July 26, 1984 Grant County Courthouse 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. Canyon City, Oregon BLM personnel will be on hand at both meetings to answer questions regarding the draft analysis and plan. This draft document may be incorporated into the finai EIS by reference. If SOI the final RMP/EIS will consist of public comments, responses and any needed changes of the draft. Therefore, please retain this draft copy for use with the final RMP/EIS. The final RMP/EIS will identify the changes, if any, in the Preferred Alternative (Proposed Action). It should be considered a proposed decision at that time. It will be subject to a special review opportunity by the Governor of Oregon and protest by parties who may be adversely affected. Through your participation in this planning process, we believe we can move together toward a common goal of improved public land management in the John Day Planning Area. Joshua L. Warburton District Manager U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management x-T\“1~ \ JOHN DAY ~ RESOURCE iMANAGEMENT “,- ,,PwN . Drancsrnrl R\I IV John Day Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement Draft (X) Final ( ) RMP/EIS Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management 1. Type of Action: Administrative (X) Legislative ( ) 2. Abstract: This Draft Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement discusses resource management on 182,120 acres of public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management in the Burns District. The Preferred Plan proposes to implement harvesting of timber on 32,242 acres with a sustained yield of 2.17 MMbf; grazing management would continue on 180,096 acres (157 allotments) of public land with an expected long-term, slight increase in grazing use; wild horse numbers would be maintained at present levels, wildlife and fish habitat would be maintained or improved, and at least 5,240 acres of public land would be offered for sale. 3. Four alternatives are analyzed: A. Preferred B. Emphasis on Production of Commodities C. Emphasis on Enhancement of Natural Resources D. No Action (continuation of the existing land management program) 4. The comment period will be 90 days, ending September 13, 1984. I 5. For further information contact: Larry Morgan, RMP/EIS Team Leader Bureau of Land Management, Burns District Office 74 South Alvord Burns, Oregon 97720 Telephone (503) 573-5241 V implementation of water developments would occur to improve fish and wildlife habitat, primarily Summary big game habitat. lnstream structures would be developed along 55 miles of stream supporting anadromous fisheries. A fish ladder would be Four multiple use alternatives for the management constructed to open up 85 miles of streams to of public lands in the John Day Planning Area anadromous fish. have been developed and analyzed in accordance with the Bureau’s planning regulations issued under authority of the Federal Land Policy and There would be 5,240 acres identified for disposal Management Act of 1976. The alternatives respond with an additional 16,000 acres identified for to three major issues: Forest Management, Forage further study. Exchanges and transfers to other Use and Land Ownership Adjustment, identified federal agencies would take place when natural through the planning process. The purpose of the resource values would benefit. proposed alternatives is to present and evaluate options for managing, protecting and enhancing public resources. B. Emphasize Production of Commodities Each alternative is a master plan that would Alternative provide a framework within which future, more This alternative would emphasize providing site-specific decisions would be made, such as economic benefits to the local economy. Multiple defining the intensity of management of various use management would emphasize the production resources, developing activity plans (e.g., grazing of goods and services on public lands within the allotment management plans and transportation John Day RMP area to meet local and possibly plans) or issuing rights-of-way, leases or permits. regional demands. The four alternatives considered are: On grazing permits within I category allotments there would be a slight increase in authorized A. Preferred Alternative grazing use. Livestock grazing would be allowed The Preferred Alternative would emphasize the throughout the planning area but grazing use management, production, and use of renewable within I category allotments would be managed resources on the majority of the public lands in the according to activity plans. John Day RMP area. Management would be directed toward providing a flow of renewable resources from the public lands on a sustained There would be 31,609 acres of commercial yield basis. This alternative represents the forestland on which the sustainable timber harvest Bureau’s favored management approach. level is based. The sustainable harvest level would be 2.21 MMbf annually or 22.1 MMbf for the decade. The sale of minor forest products would Grazing permits would be authorized at the 1982 be optimized. total preference level of 25,323 AUMs. There would be 14 management systems developed, maintained or revised for I category allotments which Forage use for wildlife would continue at current comprise 47 percent of the grazing lands and 51 levels except for bighorn sheep. Wild horse use on percent of the total preference AUMs. public land would be reduced or excluded focusing horse use in normal years on National Forest lands. A wild horse winter use area would There would be 30,962 acres of commercial be established for use in hard winters. There forestland on which the sustained harvest level is would be cons\ruction and development of fresh based. The sustainable harvest level would be water impoundments to provide cold and warm approximately 2.17 MMbf annually or 21.7 MMbf water fisheries. for a ten year period. Minor forest products would be sold where consistent with other resource values. There would be 21,014 acres identified for disposal with an additional 16,000 acres identified for further study. Exchange and transfers to other Forage availability for wildlife and wild horses federal agencies would take place when natural would continue at current levels except for bighorn resource values would benefit. sheep. The wild horse Herd Management Area (HMA) would be reduced in size, but the planned herd size would remain at 100 animals. Livestock C. Emphasize Enhancement of Natural grazing adjacent to 28.5 stream miles in I category Resources Alternatives allotments would be coordinated to enhance fish This alternative would emphasize protection, habitats. Vegetation manipulation and maintenance and enhancement of the natural VI environment within the planning area. The in implementation of activity plans. Riparian enjoyment and use of the natural environment for restrictions would be based upon previously present and future generations, both locally and proposed or existing pastures and existing nationally, would be emphasized. exclosures. On grazing permits within I category allotments There would be 31,433 acres of commercial there would be a 25 percent decrease in livestock forestlands on which the sustainable harvest level use over the short term. An additional decrease in is based. The annual sustainable harvest level livestock use would occur over time as wild horse would be 2.20 MMbf or 22.0 MMbf for the decade. use increases. Range developments would be Woodland products would be utilized based upon implemented where appropriate to meet other demand. resource needs. Livestock grazing would be restricted or excluded from 76 miles of streamside riparian zone through management or fencing of Forage availability to wildlife and wild horses affected allotments. would continue at current levels. Constraints on timber harvesting to protect big game habitat would be based on existing constraints and set- There would be 18,867 acres of commercial asides. Wildlife developments would be forestland on which the sustainable timber harvest implemented for big game and fish habitat. level is based. The sustainable harvest level would be 1.32 MMbf annually or 13.2 MMbf for the decade. Multiple use constraints and set-asides There would be 36,779 acres identified for disposal would be expanded. Old growth values would be and no acres have been identified for further preserved.