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• <br /> NLCS designation would be compatible with the US Fish and Wildlife Refuge System. During the drafting <br /> of NLCS legislation coordination with USF &W Service is standard practice. <br /> Special Management Area Designation <br /> In addition to the NLCS process, there are administrative designations created through the BLM Resource <br /> Management Planning (RMP) process that could set the WEW apart, these are as follows: <br /> • Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) <br /> • Research Natural Areas <br /> • Outstanding Natural Areas <br /> • Environmental Education Areas <br /> • Natural Hazard Areas <br /> Special Management Area (SMA) designation would require an RMP amendment, and can be nominated <br /> internally or externally by a member(s) of the public. As there is a current discussion about creating an <br /> activity -level management plan for the West Eugene Wetlands, this might be an ideal time to analyze an <br /> SMA/ACEC designation' for the project area. Nominations for SMA/ACECs must meet relevance and <br /> importance before designation. The WEW's significant features, in particular a substantial portion of the <br /> last remaining 1% of the rare Willamette wet prairie endangered habitat type and four federally listed <br /> species, would support qualification for Special Management Area designation. <br /> Pros <br /> • Special Designation could increase profile and open up funding options and help with budget <br /> shortfalls. <br /> Cons <br /> • Funding is not necessarily "new" money. <br /> • ACECs and SMAs do not have a funding code. <br /> • Some designations would have strings attached that should be carefully evaluated. <br /> • Investment of time & resources to seek designations. <br /> • Most designations would be a partial help, but not a comprehensive solution to underlying <br /> challenges. <br /> Option E: Transfer BLM Administered WEW Land Management to Non - Federal Partners <br /> Transfer management of federal- administered WEW properties to non - federal partners such as the City of <br /> Eugene and /or The Nature Conservancy. Both of these non - federal partners expressed an interest; however <br /> both indicated their inability to take on this responsibility without corresponding resources and capacity to <br /> adequately implement such an option. This option could only be implemented if sufficient funds were <br /> made available to the non - federal partner(s) taking on these responsibilities. <br /> 1 A mgt plan for the WEW area would be an activity -level plan that does not fall under RMP regs (i.e., not <br /> subject to RMP requirements appealable v protestable, no Fed Register Notices, etc). But ACEC is an <br /> RMP -level decision, so your mgt plan could include a simultaneous site - specific RMP -A that would add <br /> some requirements, but not the complete suite of requirements. Comment by: Jerry Magee, Wilderness & <br /> NLCS Program Lead, BLM Oregon - Washington State Office <br /> WEW Background and Options _ _ Page 10 — – — <br />