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Geology and Minerals for Ochoco Summit

Geology and Minerals for Ochoco Summit

Ochoco Summit OHV EIS Lookout /Paulina Districts, Ochoco NF December 28, 2010

Geology and Minerals______EXISTING CONDITION – Physical Environment

The Ochoco Summit OHV Analysis area (301,582 acres) (Table 1) is contained within 9 watersheds. The analysis area is located in the heart of the Ochoco , stretching from Hwy 26 on Marks Creek on Lookout Mountain District to east of Little Summit Prairie on Paulina District, Ochoco National Forest. All the percentages listed in the report are based on the acres of federal and private contained in the project boundary.

The shaping of the in the watershed are a reflection of the past and geologic history of the area. The analysis area is underlain mainly by a mixture of rhyolite, basalt, andesite and sedimentary rocks. The climate 60 million years ago to the present has evolved from a warm moist tropical regime to the temperate four distinct seasons of today. The tectonic movement, uplift of the Blue Mountain anticline and processes combined to create the moderately dissected and hummocky terrain which is the predominant . played a major role in the shaping of the watersheds creating large areas of hummocky terrain, seeps, ponds and springs. Present day processes are primarily sheet and rill with minor mass wasting in the form of small landslides, rock topple and slope creep. The watersheds are a groundwater recharge collection area for regional and local aquifers. Mt. Mazama erupted approximately 7,000 years ago, depositing a 1.5 feet thick blanket of volcanic ash across the Ochoco Mountains. This volcanic ash has mixed with the evolving . Annual precipitation ranges from 15 to 31 inches per year.

The planning area encompasses the Large Meadow Complex, North Slope Ochoco, Scab Stringer and South Slope Ochoco Level 5 Ecoregions (Appendix A) which have a broad range of characteristics.

Common to All Alternatives

Lithology The Ochoco Summit OHV analysis area lies within portions of 9 separate fifth-field watersheds (Table 1). For the purposes of this project, the lithologies with similar erosion characteristics have been lumped together. The Quaternary alluvium (Qal), terrain (Qls) and fanglomerate (Qf) are moderately to highly erosive, composed of unconsolidated materials, underlies 7% of the planning area. The Quaternary basalt (Qb) and Quaternary/Tertiary basalt (QTb) are more resistant lava flows (<0.01%). The Clarno Formation (Tca), Tertiary sedimentary (Ts) and the John Day Formation (Tsfj) are moderately erosive, being composed of volcanic , pyroclastic tuff and mudflows, comprises 21% of the planning area. The Tertiary Picture Gorge Basalt ( Tcp), Tertiary volvanic intrusive (Tvi), Tertiary (Tat), Tertiary rhyolite (Tr) and Tertiary (Tct) are primarily resistant to erosion, composed of rhyolite, andesite and basalt flows, comprises 72% of the planning area. The Mesozoic Cretacious Sedimentary units (Ks) are moderately erosive (<0.05%).

Table 1 Lithology (acres) across the project planning area by watershed

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Watershed Quaternary Tertiary Tertiary Mesozoic Total Quaternary (5th Order) Resistant Moderately Resistant Moderately Acres Highly (Qt, QTb) Erosive (Tcp, Erosive (Ks) Erosive acres (Tca, Tsfj, Tat, Tr, acres (Qal, Qf, Ts) acres Tct, Tvi) Qls) acres acres Bridge 5750 0 5664 4027 154 15595 Creek Deep 270 0 0 54292 0 54562 Creek Lower 92 17 696 22805 0 23610 Beaver Creek Lower 0 3 0 21455 0 21457 North Fork Crooked River Mountain 7599 0 6279 5366 0 19244 Creek Paulina 0 0 0 16095 0 16095 Creek Rock Creek 1335 0 0 12845 0 14180 Upper 3325 0 9222 76239 0 88786 North Fork Crooked River Upper 2200 0 42507 3126 0 47833 Ochoco Creek TOTAL 20,571 20 64,368 216,250 154 301,362 (7%) (0.01%) (21%) (72%) (0.05%)

Landslide Terrain Although the lithology shows landslide terrain, the scale of mapping doesn’t always pick up the rest of the dormant or active landslide terrain. Between field investigations and airphoto interpretation, additional acres have been identified for the planning area (Table 2).

Table 2 Landslide Terrain by subwatershed (acres) Watershed (5th Active Landslide Dormant Landslide Watershed (5th Percentage (active) Order) (Acres) Terrain (Acres) Order) Total Acres Dormant Bridge Creek 8 9361 15595 (0.05%) 60% Deep Creek 0 642 54562 1.2% Lower Beaver 0 158 23610 0.7% Creek

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Lower North Fork 0 0 21457 0% Crooked River Mountain Creek 0 8674 19244 45% Paulina Creek 0 23 16095 0.1% Rock Creek 0 1584 14180 11.2% Upper North Fork 0 7446 88786 8.4% Crooked River Upper Ochoco 4 11441 47833 (0.01%) 24% Creek TOTAL 12 39329 301,362 (0.004%) 13%

Alternative 1 (No Action)

Implementation of Alternative 1 would result in no changes from the current conditions in the Analysis Area. The mileage of open and closed , and the resultant densities, would remain as they are. Maintenance Level 2 roads would be open for mixed use by both highway-legal and non-highway- legal vehicles, but there would be no roads incorporated as portions of any designated trail system. Non-highway-legal vehicles would be prohibited on all roads maintained for passenger car use (Maintenance Level 3, 4, and 5), plus the Maintenance Level 2 roads added to the list for safety reasons. Use of Maintenance Level 1 roads and user-created roads and trails would be subject to decisions resulting from implementation of the 2005 Travel Management Rule on the Ochoco National Forest.

Effects Common To All Action Alternatives

To varying degrees, each of the three Action Alternatives incorporates the use of National Forest System Roads to provide designated connectivity throughout the Analysis Area within and between portions of the designated trail system. Subsequent to the establishment of the 2005 Travel Management Rule, the Regional Forester of the Pacific Northwest Region issued direction that an Engineering Analysis would be required for any National Forest System Road designated for mixed use (allowing use by both highway- legal and non-highway-legal vehicles). As part of implementation of the Travel Management Rule on the Ochoco National Forest, mixed use analysis has been performed to establish the suitability of allowing mixed use on roads; in the context of their current setting in terms of alignment, width, typical user speed, and presence or absence of traffic control devices.

Trail and Intersections For all alternatives, the intersection of the routes and was accomplished with a GIS exercise. The identification of the type of stream crossing was based on the stream class. Bridges were identified for all the Class 2 streams and some of the Class 3. Culverts were identified for a good portion of the Class 3 streams. A combination of culverts and fords were proposed for the Class 4 streams. In a few locations, boardwalks were proposed where wet meadows underlie the proposed routes. There were also several areas where the GIS stream alignment and the proposed trail routes intersected an unusually high number of times. Ground checking will most likely show only 1 or 2 intersections. Based on the rough alignment of the proposed routes, the accuracy of the GIS stream routes and the need to verify stream class, the confidence factor for the intersections is 80%. During actual design, the type of stream crossing, location and trail route may alter.

Seasonal Closure 3

The Ragar Green Dot closure, established by the ODFW, identifies a network of open and closed roads during the fall deer rifle-hunting season in the eastern portion of the analysis on the east end of the Ochoco Mountains, from Sept. 30 to November 29. In each of the action alternatives, the routes entering into the Ragar Green Dot closure area will have a seasonal closure from Sept. 30 to November 29. For the most years, the wet season will generally start in November, so the actual closure may extend from Sept. 30 through snow melt in the spring for the eastern half of the trails.

The western half of the routes will seasonally close when the snow pack covers the system. This generally starts in mid-November or December and continues through April, with the systems drying out in May. This will protect the trails from excessive erosion.

Invasive Species Although the actual acres at risk for introduction of new populations and expansion of existing populations are a small percentage of the overall forest acres, an introduction of invasive plants could mean the closure of the source as an aggregate source for the forest, requiring an increase in expenditure for projects to bring in weed free aggregate material from other sources (increased haul costs). The forest is directed to ensure adequate aggregate needs for internal use. One way to accomplish this is to ensure weed free sources. The Ochoco NF has already experienced increased aggregate haul costs for recreation projects due to a material source closure based on a medusahead infestation.

For any of the alternatives, the success will be measured in the ability of the districts to monitor and treat new and existing populations, keeping the spread of invasive species minimized, which in turn will help reduce costs to projects because the mineral material will be available locally, with a short haul.

Alternative 2 (Proposed Action)

Under Alternative 2, a combination of Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 routes totals to 170 miles of new trail (Table 3) that cross different lithologies with varing resistance to erosion. Segments of the proposed new routes also cross dormant landslide terrain (Table 4). The distribution of the designated OHV trails for this alternative begins on Hwy 26, passing from Hwy 26 to Walton Lake, across the top of Big Summit Prairie to 6 Corners on Paulina District. This alternative crosses a number of Class I, II, III and IV stream systems. As part of the protection for the streams, a combination of bridges, culverts, boardwalks and hardened fords have been proposed. The routes are a combination of existing roads in Maintenance Level 1 (Closed) status and new routes. Where new routes cross dormant landslide terrain, the concern is for the protection of any seeps or springs the route might cross. Initiating large scale slope stability isn’t a concern with these routes, however, there is the potential to see smaller sloughs created by routes on steeper slopes or coming into . The Mazama Ash component of the soils (reference Soils report) provides an erosive potential for the systems, especially when on a .

Table 3 Alternative 2 Lithology (acres) for each trail type

Type Qls (acres) Tca (acres) Tcp (acres) Tsfj (acres) Grand Total (acres) Class I/New Route 1.41 2.58 14.53 0.22 18.75 Class II/New Route 0.09 0 11.81 0.05 11.95 Class III /New Route 0.37 0 12.05 0 12.41

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Closed/Decommissioned 0 4.58 74.80 0 79.39 Open Roads 2.41 0.08 62.90 2.18 67.57 Grand Total (acres) 4.28 7.25 176.09 2.46 190.07

Table 4 All Alternatives: Dormant and Active Landslide (acres) for each trail type

Type Active ALT. 3 ALT. 4 Dormant ALT. ALT. Grand Landslide Landslide 3 4 Total Terrain Terrain (acres) (Acres) PA (acres) PA Class I/New Route 0 0 0 1.29 2.34 3.39 18.75 Class II/New Route 0 0 0 1.93 0 0.5 11.95 Class III /New Route 0 0 0 0.36 0.23 0.14 12.41 Closed/Decommissioned 0 0 0.05 3.00 3.68 6.44 79.39 Open Roads 0 0 0 1.95 0.67 1.97 67.57 Grand Total (acres) 0 0 0.05 9.57 6.88 12.44 190.07

In Alternative 2, there will be an estimated need for 16 bridges, 88 culverts, 6 boardwalks and 33 fords for a total of 142 structures (Table 5). Two culverts and 5 fords are located on landslide terrain which would require looking closely at the proposed crossings for long term stability.

Table 5. Alternative 2 (Proposed Actions) Crossing Type for Stream Class and Vehicle Class

Stream Vehicle Vehicle Vehicle Total Class/Crossing Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Type 1/Bridges 4 1 5 1/Culverts 1 1 2 2/Bridges 7 2 9 2 /Culverts 4 2 2 8 2/Boardwalk 2 1 3 3/Ford 3 /Bridge 1 1 3 /Culvert 2 1 3 4/Bridge 1 1 4 /Culvert 18 22 12 52 4 /Ford 9 8 5 22 4 /Boardwalk 1 1

9/ Culvert 3 19 1 23 9/Boardwalk 2 2 9/Ford 6 4 10 Totals/vehicle 61 56 25 142 class

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Alternative 2 proposes construction of 3 play areas, 6 trail heads, 1 parking area and a total of 10 staging areas split between the three vehicle classes: 6 Staging areas for the Class I (ATV), 2 Staging areas for the Class II (Jeeps) and 2 Staging areas for the Class III (motorcycles). The OHV areas are spread across the proposed trail route. The majority of the trail heads, play areas and staging areas are on Picture Gorge Basalt, which in general is relative resistant to erosion. The play area, staging area and the parking area at Ahalt are on dormant landslide terrain. One trail head is underlain by the John Day Formation. The concern is that 4 of the 10 staging areas are located in active mineral material sources (Six Corners, Aspen Walton Lake and Scott’s), 3 mineral material sources (Thornton, Scott’s Camp and Ahalt) are ready for reclamation (which becoming staging areas, play areas or trail heads is a reasonable next use). Thornton Material Source is also known as Cottonwood Pit.

Alternative 3

Implementation of Alternative 3 would result in 101 miles of trail being developed from a combination of new route and existing roads currently in Maintenance Level 1 (closed road status) (Table 6).

Table 6 Alternative 3 Lithology (acres) for Class 1 and Class 3 routes.

Type Qls(acres) Tca(acres) Tcp(acres) Grand Total(acres) Class I/New Route 1.94 5.45 5.85 13.24 Class III /New Route 0 0 13.73 13.73 Closed/Decommissioned 0 13.69 39.92 53.61 Open Road 1.28 1.16 17.66 20.10 Grand Total 3.22 20.3 77.16 100.68

Total 54.61 0 62.46 100.91

In Alternative 3, there will be an estimated need for 14 bridges, 27 culverts, 4 boardwalks and 17 fords for a total of 62 structures (Table 7). Of these crossings, 1 ford on a new route and 1 bridge/culvert (Class 3 Crystal Creek) are on dormant landslide terrain (Table 4).

Table 7. Alternative 3 Crossing Type for Stream Class and Vehicle Class

Stream Vehicle Vehicle Vehicle Total Class/Crossing Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Type 1/Bridges 4 4 1/Culverts 2/Bridges 4 3 7 2 /Culverts 2 2 4 2/Boardwalk 1 1 3/Ford 1 1

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3 /Bridge 1 1 3 /Culvert 3 3 4/Bridge 1 1 4 /Culvert 5 13 18 4 /Ford 5 9 14 4 /Boardwalk 1 1 9/Bridge 1 1 9/ Culvert 1 1 2 9/Boardwalk 2 2 9/Ford 1 1 2 Totals /vehicle 26 0 36 62 class

Alternative 3 proposes construction of 4 staging areas: 2 Staging areas for the Class I (ATV), 2 Staging areas for the Class III (motorcycles). The OHV areas are spread across the proposed trail route. Two of the 4 staging areas are located in active mineral material sources: Six Corners and Walton Lake. One staging area is located in a closed material source: Thornton (Cottonwood Pit). The fourth area is the Bandit Springs snow park.

The majority of the trailheads, play areas and staging areas are on Picture Gorge Basalt, which in general is relative resistant to erosion. The play area, staging area and the parking area at Bandit Springs Snow Park is underlain by the John Day Formation.

Implementation of Alternative 3 would result in the designation of the least amount of trail, composed of closed roads and new routes. The distribution of the designated OHV trails for this alternative splits into a west side, from Hwy 26 to Walton Lake, and an east side, from east of Big Summit Prairie to 6 Corners on Paulina District. Alternative 3 would make the least use of mixed use roads as a key component of the overall system. This would create the least risk for mixed use conflicts and the least need (due to mileage alone) for effective traffic control. There would still be a resulting focus of both highway-legal and non-highway-legal traffic onto other permitted mixed use roads.

Alternative 4 Implementation of Alternative 4 would result in 212 miles of trail being developed from a combination of new route and existing roads currently in Maintenance Level 1 (closed road status) (Table 8). The distribution of the designated OHV trails for this alternative begins on Hwy 26, passing from Hwy 26 to Walton Lake, across the top of Big Summit Prairie to 6 Corners on Paulina District, with additional loop trails for Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 vehicles.

Table 8 Alternative 4 Lithology (acres) for Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 routes Type Qls (acres) Tca(acres) Tcp(acres) Tsfj(acres) Total(acres) Class I/New Route 2.55 6.94 20.76 0.58 30.82 Class II/New Route 0 0 10.86 0 10.86 Class III/New Route 10.71 0 10.71 Closed/Decommissioned 0 24.87 83.05 0.50 108.42 Roads Open Roads 1.87 2.84 69.74 2.71 77.16

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Grand total 4.42 34.65 195.13 3.78 237.97

In Alternative 4, there will be an estimated need for 17 bridges, 111 culverts, 4 boardwalks and 38 fords for a total of 170 structures (Table 9). Of these, 3 fords on new routes (one on Crystal Creek) and 1 existing culvert are on dormant landslide terrain (Table 4).

Table 9. Alternative 4 Crossing Type for Stream Class and Vehicle Class

Stream Vehicle Vehicle Vehicle Total Class/Crossing Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Type 1/Bridges 4 1 5 1/Culverts 1 1 2 2/Bridges 8 1 9 2 /Culverts 6 2 2 10 2/Boardwalk 1 1 3/Ford 3 /Bridge 1 1 3 /Culvert 9 1 10 4/Bridge 1 1 4 /Culvert 36 17 14 67 4 /Ford 17 4 2 23 4 /Boardwalk 1 1 9/Bridge 1 1 9/ Culvert 7 15 22 9/Boardwalk 2 2 9/Ford 13 2 15 Total by vehicle 107 41 22 170 class

Alternative 4 proposes construction of 1 play area and a total of 10 staging areas split between the three vehicle classes: 6 Staging areas for the Class I (ATV), 2 Staging areas for the Class II (Jeeps) and 2 Staging areas for the Class III (motorcycles). The OHV areas are spread across the proposed trail route.

For Alternative 4, the majority of the trailheads, play areas and staging areas are on Picture Gorge Basalt, which in general is relative resistant to erosion. The play area, staging area and the parking area at Ahalt are on dormant landslide terrain. One trail head is underlain by the John Day Formation. The concern is that 3 of the 10 staging areas are located in active mineral material sources (Six Corners, Walton Lake and Scott’s), 2 mineral material sources (Thornton and Ahalt) are ready for reclamation (which becoming staging areas, play areas or trail heads is a reasonable next use). Thornton Material Source is also known as Cottonwood Pit.

Comparing the three action alternatives, Alternative 3, after construction of the trail, with road closures, will have less impact than Alternative 2 and Alternative 4 (Table 10). Alternative 3 also has the least number of bridge, culvert, boardwalk and fords on the proposed trail system, than the other two

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alternatives. Alternative 3 also has the least number of active mineral material sources being used for staging areas, which leads to less potential for invasive plant problems.

Table 10 Comparison of the Action Alternatives

Comparison Item Alternative 2 (PA) Alternative 3 Alternative 4 Staging Areas and Trail 4 2 3 Heads located in Active Material Sources Staging Areas and Trail 3 1 1 Heads located in Closed Material Sources Creek/ 142 62 170 Crossings New Route (miles) 69.12 50.32 84.48 Total Route (new route 170.07 100.91 212.22 and existing/closed roads for all Classes) (Miles) Acres on Dormant 9.57 (0) 6.88 (0) 12.44 (0.05) (Active) landslide terrain

Cumulative Effects Ochoco Creek Roads Analysis, Deep Creek Roads Analysis and Marks Creek Roads Analysis proposed altering a number of miles of Maintenance Level 2 roads to Operational Maintenance Level 1 (close) roads. Also within the planning boundary, the Howard/Johnson/Elliott Roads Analysis identified additional miles of road for closure and for decommissioning. This will serve to reduce overall sediment erosion potential, when the trail systems are developed for the selected alternative.

This report reflects the current geologic information in the database with limited field visits. The final routes developed, following the alternative selection, may vary slightly from the location identified on the alternative . The specific stream crossings may move slightly, depending on reasonable design location.

/s/ Carrie Gordon, Forest Geologist

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Map Map 1 Lithology, Dormant Landslide Terrain, Faults and Material Sources for Ochoco Summit OHV EIS

REFERENCES Brown, Ervin C. and T. P. Thayer, 1966, "Geologic Map of the Canyon City Quadrangle Northeastern Oregon", Oregon Department of and Mineral Industries, USGS, Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Map I-447

Geehan, Patrick H., 1984, letter from BLM deputy state director for Mineral Resources, included in the Ochoco Lumber Land Exchange Mineral Potential Report March 14, 1994.

Gonthier, Joseph B., 1985, "A Description of Aquifer Units in Eastern Oregon," U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 84-4095, 39 pages.

Gordon, Caroline, September 27, 2004, “HEJ Watershed Analysis Geology report”, 24 pg.

Oregon Department of Geology and Minerals Industry, 1982, "Geothermal Resources of Oregon", 1:500,000.

Orr, Elizabeth L., William N. Orr and Ewart M. Baldwin, 1992, "Geology of Oregon", Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 254 pg.

Paulson, Dale J., 1977, "Ochoco National Forest Resource Inventory, Pacific Northwest Region", U. S. Forest Service, Ochoco National Forest.

Robinson, Paul T., 1975, "Reconnaissance Geologic Map of the John Day Formation in the Southwestern part of the Blue Mountains and Adjacent Areas, North-Central Oregon" USGS, Misc. Geologic InvestigationsMap I-872.

Schmidt, Thomas, 1996, "Water Conservation Plan for Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grasslands," U.S. Forest Service, Ochoco National Forest, 8 pg.

Swanson, Donald A., 1969, "Reconnaissance Geologic Map of the East Half of the Bend Quadrangle, Crook, Wheeler, Jefferson, Wasco and Deschutes Counties, Oregon", USGS, Map I- 568.

Swinney, C. M., A. C. Waters and C. P. Miller, 1968, "Reconnaissance Geologic Map of the Lookout Mountain Quadrangle, Crook and Wheeler Counties, Oregon", USGS, Misc. Geologic Investigations Map I-543.

Taylor, George, 1997, OSU Extension talk, Prineville, Oregon, January 16, 1997

Tout, Deborah, 1989, "Mineral Potential Report for the Ochoco National Forest", U.S. Forest Service, unpublished, 13 pg.

USDA Forest Service. 1989a. Land and Resource Management Plan. Part 1. Ochoco National Forest. Reprinted 1991. Prineville, OR.

USDA Forest Service. 1989b. Managing Competing and Unwanted Vegetation Final Environmental Impact Statement. Pacific Northwest Region. Portland, OR.

USDA Forest Service. 1995a. Decision Notice for the Revised Continuation of Interim Management Direction Establishing Riparian, Ecosystem, and Wildlife Standards for Timber Sales. Region 6: Colville, Deschutes, Fremont, Malheur, Ochoco, Okanogan, Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman and Winema National Forests in Oregon and Washington. June 5, 1995. Portland, OR.

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USDA Forest Service. 1998b. Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact, Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland Plan Amendment No. 16. Environmental Assessment for the Integrated Noxious Weed Management Program. July 20, 1998. Prineville, OR.

USDA Forest Service. 1995c. Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact. Inland Native Fish Strategy Environmental Assessment. Intermountain, Northern, and Pacific Northwest Regions. July 28, 1995. Coeur d’Alene, ID.

USDA Forest Service, 1996. Water Conservation Plan for the Ochoco National Forest, May 1, 1996. Prineville, OR.

Walker, George W., editor, 1990, "Geology of the Blue Mountains Region of Oregon, Idaho and Washington: Cenozoic Geology of the Blue Mountains Region", USGS, Professional Paper 1437, 135 pg.

Walker, George W. and Norman S. MacLeod, 1991 "Geologic Map of Oregon", Department of Oregon Geology and Minerals Industry, 1:500,000.

Walker, George W., Norman V. Peterson and Robert C. Greene, 1967, “Reconnaissance Geologic Map of the East Half of the Crescent Quadrangle, Lake, Deschutes and Crook Counties, Oregon”, USGS, Misc. Geologic Investigations Map I-493.

Water Resources, Appendix V, Columbia-North Pacific Region Comprehensive Framework Study, Volume 2 (Subregions 7-12), April 1970, prepared by Columbia-North Pacific Technical Staff, Pacific Northwest River Basins Commission, Vancouver, Washington.

Waters, A. C. and R. H. Vaughn, 1968, "Reconnaissance Geologic Map of the Ochoco Reservoir Quadrangle, Crook County, Oregon," USGS, Misc. Geologic Investigations Map I-541.

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Appendix A

Level V Ecoregion Map Descriptions March 15, 1999

1. This type of classification is an interim step between Level IV Ecoregions (Major Landforms) at the roughly 1/116,000 scale and the Level VII Ecoregion mapping (Order 2, 3 Ecological Unit Mapping currently in progress on the Ochoco National Forest) at the 1/24,000 scale. The Order 4 SRI ecological units at 1 inch to the mile is at the Level VI ecoregion scale.

2. The Level V Ecoregion Map (currently in draft form in GIS) of Major Landforms is currently being adjusted using 1/41,000 scale (1.5 inches/mile) orthophotos, plant association maps, SRI Order IV maps, more refined geological mapping and slope maps. Currently part of the map refining includes identification of large inclusions of scab stringer terrains on the North Slope Ochoco Major Landform which can be split out at the 1/116,000 scale.

Descriptions of Major Landtypes at the 1/116,000 scale (Level V Ecoregions):

Major Landtype Criteria Description North Slope Ochoco Soils, Slope, Deep ash soils, high percentage of steep gradients, high productivity due to greater effective moisture Juniper Shrub Steppe Precip, Poten. Natural Major Land Resource Area B10 and B8 Comm. (PNC) on largely basalt and rhyolite on Crooked River National Grassland South Slope Ochoco Aspect, PNC, Landform Less effective moisture, less ash depth overall, dissected montane terrain

South Fork John Day Sedimentary Geology, Soils, Aspect Area underlain by Mesozoic sediments, prone to , lots of dissection, more prone to erosion North Slope Snow Mountain Aspect, Geology North aspect area of dry grand fir potential underlain with Mesozoic sediments, basalts and rhyolites , high production due to greater ash depth Juniper Woodland Tuffs Landform, PNC, Geology, Juniper PNC Cover and density, some Precip Juoc-Pipo, Pipo-Juoc, shallow soils, low precip., low understory productivity on dissected rhyolitic Scab Stringer Landform, Geology, Aspect Areas of mixed scablands and timbered stringers on largely Picture Gorge Basalts, resistant to weathering, residual soils on scabs, ash soils in drainways Definition of = >30% scabs per 80 acres- based on SRI and PNC. Additional acreage of high scablands identified through this effort

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south of Spanish Peak which will be added to scab stringer major landtype Large Meadow Complex Concave Landform, Soils, Occur on Quaternary alluvium or John Examples= Big Summit Prairie, Little Moisture, , PNC Day formation, deep alluvial soils, Summit Prairie, Williams Prairie, comprise small inclusions in other Grey Prairie, Antler Prairie subsections. Large complexes show up on 1/116,000 scale Maury Mountains N Slope Aspect, Ash soils , Slope , North slope aspects with deeper ash Effective moisture soils and higher production than south aspects. Similar to dryer portions of North Slope Ochoco Maury Mountains S Slope Aspect , Soils, Effective Drier south slopes with shallower ash moisture capping than norths, more residual soils. Similar to S Slope Ochoco

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Design Elements Common To All Action Alternatives, specific to Minerals and Geology

Invasive Plants (specific to mineral material source protection)

Avoid or minimize disturbance within or adjacent to existing noxious weed infestations or develop a control plan to prevent their expansion in mineral material sources. Conduct pre- and post-project surveys to document existing infestations and to evaluate the effects of the project on noxious weeds in mineral material sources.

Minerals Access for mining activities would be coordinated with mining claimants/geothermal operations as needed. Mining Reference – 36 CFR 228A and 228C, Ochoco NF 1989 Forest Plan S&G Pg. 4-171.

Seeps and Springs in dormant landslide terrain Seeps and springs would be managed using Class III and IV RHCAs as specified in INFISH and PACFISH. This includes springs and seeps within dormant landslide terrain. Ochoco NF S&G Mass Wasting Pg 4-196-197.

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