New Search
3. In addition to the NLSC process, there are administrative designations created through the BLM <br /> Resource Management Planning (RMP) process that could set the WEW apart, these are as <br /> follows: <br /> a. Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) <br /> b. Research Natural Areas <br /> c. Outstanding Natural Areas <br /> d. Environmental Education Areas <br /> e. Natural Hazard Areas <br /> Find attached the document entitled "Special Areas" which discusses Oregon's Special <br /> Management Areas (SMAs) and their designations. <br /> Special Management Area designation would require an RMP amendment, and can be <br /> nominated internally or externally by a member(s) of the public. As there is a current discussion <br /> about creating an activity -level management plan for the West Eugene Wetlands, this might be <br /> an ideal time to analyze an SMA /ACEC designation' for the project area. The BLM Planning <br /> Handbook provides the guidance on SMA /ACEC designation through an RMP process. <br /> Nominations for ACECs must stand the test for relevance and importance before they are <br /> evaluated for ACEC designation. The following criteria are used to determine if such a <br /> nomination could be considered. <br /> Relevance <br /> An area meets the relevance criteria if it contains one or more of the following: <br /> • A significant historic, cultural, or scenic value (including but not limited to rare or sensitive <br /> archeological resources and religious or cultural resources important to Native Americans). <br /> • A fish and wildlife resource (including but not limited to habitat for endangered, sensitive, or <br /> threatened species, or habitat essential for maintaining species diversity). <br /> • A natural process or system (including but not limited to endangered, sensitive, or <br /> threatened plant species; rare, endemic, or relic plants or plant communities which are • <br /> terrestrial, aquatic, or riparian; or rare geological features). <br /> • Natural hazards (including but not limited to areas of avalanche, dangerous flooding, <br /> landslides, unstable soils, seismic activity, or dangerous cliffs). A hazard caused by human <br /> action may meet the relevance criteria if it is determined through the RMP process that it <br /> has become part of a natural process. <br /> 1A 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 req'mts appealable v protestable, no Fed Register Notices, etc). But ACEC is an RMP - <br /> level decision, so your mgt plan could include a simultaneous site - specific RMP -A that would add some <br /> req'mts, but not the complete suite of req'mts. Comment by: Jerry Magee, Wilderness & NLCS Program <br /> Lead, BLM Oregon - Washington State Office <br /> NLCS Conference Call May 26, 2009 Page 2 _— <br />