Acknowledgements . The Bureau of Land Management Klamath Falls Resource Area acted as a cooperator in the development of this report and environmental assessment; their assistance was critical in its development. Much of this document was taken directly from, or based on, the Bureau of Land Management's earlier studies of the Klamath River: the Final Eligibility and Suitability Report for the Upper Klamath Wild and Scenic River Study and the Draft Klamath Falls Area Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. This assessment also borrowed heavily from the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Salt Caves Hydroelectric Project prepared by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. These publications will be examined in considerable detail throughout the course of this text. The art in this report was donated by Paul Chattey, Terri Taylor and Marsha Tolon with the National Park Service's Cultural Resources Division. Each drawing represents one of the seven nationally significant categories of resources found along the upper Klamath River. The cover, for example, represents Native American traditional use of the Klamath River. i Table of Contents INTRODUCTION Purpose.. 1 Report Structure.. 2 Wild & Scenic Rivers Act - Criteria and Process. 2 Klamath River Segment Proposed For Designation. 3 Existing Assessments and Reports.. 3 Nationwide Rivers Inventory. 3 Congressional Wild and Scenic River Study. 3 Application for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission License.. 4 Bureau of Land Management Resource Management Plan.. 5 STATE DESIGNATION AND MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK State Scenic River Designation. 7 State and Local River Management Framework. 7 Klamath River Basin Compact. 7 Oregon Comprehensive Waterway Management Plan. 8 Oregon Scenic Waterways Act. 8 Conclusions. 8 EVALUATION OF ELIGIBILITY & CLASSIFICATION Eligibility Findings. 9 Free-Flowing Condition.. 9 Outstandingly Remarkable Values.. 9 Recreation Resources.. 10 Wildlife. 10 Fish.. 11 Prehistoric Resources.. 13 Historic Resources. 13 Scenic Resources. 13 Native American Traditional Use. 14 Other Exceptional Values. 14 Classification. 16 Water Resource Developments. 17 Shoreline Development. 17 Accessibility.. 17 Water Quality.. 17 Conclusions. 18 ii Table of Contents EVALUATION OF RESOURCE PROTECTION & MANAGEMENT Federal Laws and Regulations. 19 Statutes and Regulations Common to All Lands. 19 Statutes and Regulations Specific to Federal Lands. 19 State and Local Laws and Regulations. 20 Oregon Land Use Act.. 20 Oregon Scenic Waterways Act. 20 Oregon Forest Practices Act. 20 Interstate Compacts. 21 Resource Management Plan.. 21 BLM Allocations and Resource Classifications. 22 BLM Site-Specific Management Plan. 23 Old-Growth Forest Directives. 23 Riparian Reserve. 24 Administratively Withdrawn Area.. 24 District-Defined Reserve. 24 Other Resource Classifications. 24 Wild Rainbow Trout Stream. 24 Significant Resource Area. 25 Northwest Power Planning Council Protected Area. 25 Peregrine Falcon Management Unit.. 25 Agreements with Other Landowners. 25 Conclusions. 25 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Purpose and Need. 27 Description of the Area. 27 Physiography. 27 Socioeconomics. 28 Land Ownership.. 28 Existing Rights.. 28 Regional Transportation.. 29 Access. 29 Land Uses.. 30 Description of Resources. 34 Alternatives. 51 Alternative A: No Action. ..