Upon request, Section II of the Lower White Salmon River Wild & Scenic Management Plan has been retyped and is printed below for easy access, and well worth reading:
SECTION II
MANAGEMENT DIRECTION
INTRODUCTION
This chapter provides overall direction for the management of the White Salmon National Wild and Scenic River. This direction is in the form of goals, desired conditions, and standards and guidelines. It is organized into two major sections — management direction which generally applies to the whole area within the boundary, and management direction which applies to specific geographic areas (management areas).
OVERALL GOALS
The overall goal of management of the river area is to meet the intent of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act for a scenic river by maintaining the current character of the river area and providing long-term protection and enhancement of its outstandingly remarkable values.
In addition, early in the planning process, four additional broad goals or themes were developed as a result of public involvement. They include:
1. Maintain and enhance the economic viability of existing resources uses and respect private property and tribal rights.
2. Conserve and enhance instream biological and physical resources such as fish and their habits, water quantity, and water quality.
3. Provide for appropriate recreational use and appropriate public access.
4. Conserve and enhance land-based biological and physical resources such as plants, animals, canyon ecology and diversity of species, historical and archaeological resources, and scenic quality.
The management direction in the following section flows directly from these overall goals and themes and is a result of the search for a solution which provides the best synthesis of them all.
MANAGEMENT DIRECTION WHICH APPLIES TO THE WHOLE AREA
This section provides the management direction for resources or portions of resources which are not limited to a single management area. Instead, the management direction in this section is applicable in several management areas or throughout the whole area within the boundary. In the case of cultural resources, virtually all the management direction applies throughout the whole area. For many of the other resources, part of the management direction applies to the whole area, and is included in this section, while other parts are specific to certain management areas and is included there. In some cases, none of the management direction applies to the area as a whole — it only applies in specific management areas. For those resources, none of the management direction is included in this section.
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Level of Protection
1. Maintain or enhance levels of biological diversity which presently exist within the boundary.
2. Maintain or enhance habitats of plant and animal species on the Region 6 Sensitive Species List which are known or suspected to exist within the boundaries of the wild and scenic river.
Inventories
1. Before any new ground-disturbing activity (development, forest practice, agricultural practice, etc.) is initiated within the boundaries on lands on which any species on the Region 6 Sensitive Species List is likely to be present, assure that an on-the-ground inventory of the proposed development area which would have discovered any such species has been performed.
2. Undertake studies within the White Salmon River Valley and other appropriate valleys in the region to determine whether biological diversity is an outstandingly remarkable (OR) value of the wild and scenic river area of the White Salmon River Valley, and, if it is, what specific aspects of biological diversity can be effectively protected and enhanced through wild and scenic river management.
Species Introduction
1. Prevent introduction of non-native plant or animal species that could adversely affect existing native plants and animals. Exceptions are agricultural crops and species introduced under an approved integrated pest management plan.
CULTURAL RESOURCES
Goals
Identify all cultural resources of significance within the wild and scenic river area and assure that each is protected to the level required by law. Provide interpretation of appropriate sites in a way which does not jeopardize their protection. Facilitate acquaintance, by appropriate agencies or parties, of sites which would otherwise be threatened.
Standards and Guidelines
Inventory
1. As soon as possible, compile a comprehensive and systematic oral history and archival inventory (search of literature and unpublished records) of all sites, including traditional and spiritual uses, within the White Salmon River drainage.
2. Perform on-the-ground surveys on all public lands within the boundary.
3. On private lands within the boundary, perform on-the-ground surveys (at Forest Service expense) on areas with moderate to high probability of containing cultural resources in response to project proposals, if provided for in Klickitat County and state review process.
Evaluation
1. Using existing program eligibility criteria and guidelines, evaluate cultural sites identified in the inventories (historic, prehistoric, spiritual, and other areas of traditional uses) for significance.
2. Sites determined to be significant are outstandingly remarkable values.
Protection/Acquisition
1. For each site which is significant, develop a plan that assures its protection.
2. Monitor significant sites.
3. Prioritize and acquire (or facilitate acquisition of) threatened significant cultural sites (by Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Yakama Indian Nation, State of Washington, Klickitat County, private conservation organizations, etc.)
Interpretation/Enhancement
1. Develop an overall interpretive plan that addresses both on- and off-site interpretation for all types of cultural sites represented within and adjacent to the river boundaries.
2. Includes an off-site interpretive facility for public information and education in Husum.
3. Facilitate traditional use of longhouse site.
RECREATION
Interpretation/Information
1. Continue to provide river map/guide at the BZ Corner put-in, Husum Falls, and the take-out at Northwestern Lake. Add information which would:
(a) address private land ownership (stressing no trespassing and low impact to private lands from littering, noise, etc.);
(b) encourage low-impact recreation and protection of resource values;
(c) address boating skill levels, safety concerns, portaging Husum Falls, procedures at the take-out, and respect for other user groups; and
(d) provide information about other recreation opportunities and encourage additional recreation use to take place outside the boundary.
2. Assign a knowledgeable person to be present along the river at busy times to provide safety information, answer questions, etc.
3. Provide interpretation/education opportunities and trails at points of interest, such as the falls above the launch site, Spring Creek, the conifer/oak stands along Oak Ridge Rd., the launch site, the take-out, and possibly a facility in the Husum area.
4. Develop an off-river environmental education program and interpretative trail in conjunction with the white oak management and old-growth area on the eastside of the river above Husum.
5. Provide for interpretation of historic structures along the river, for example,, the old water turbine.
Dispersed Areas
1. Monitor interactions and conflicts between various types of recreationists (whitewater users, anglers, hikers, vehicle users, horseback riders, etc.), and between recreationists and private landowners.
2. Monitor lands for resource damage caused by recreationists.
3. If conflicts or resource damage become significant, institute measures to control conflicts and damage, including use rests, gates, etc., if necessary (because it is an outstandingly remarkable value, whitewater boating is the priority use if conflicts arise with other recreationalists).
4. Cooperate with landowners to discourage recreationists from trespassing, littering, and committing acts of vandalism, or other activities which conflict with private landowners’ rights.
Trails
1. Cooperate with Washington Department of Transportation to develop a bicycle path along Highway 141 between Husum and BZ Corner.
Developed Sites
1. Assure that sanitation, picnic facilities, river viewpoints, and parking are available to the public, in appropriate amounts, at the put-ins and take-outs at BZ Corner, Husum and Northwestern Lake.
2. Provide two picnic sites, one above and one below Husum (probably at RM 9.6, the old Hendrix [Hearn] Homestead and RM 6.5, Spring Creek), which are accessible to the public from the river. Allow road access to these sites only for maintenance.
3. All improvements are to be “rustic” and not visually intrusive.
4. Do not provide a developed campground within the boundary.
CHARACTER OF THE RIVER
1. Assure that all new activities or development within the boundary area not evident as seen from the river (the visual quality objective [VQO] is retention). (See Management Area 5 for an exception to this VQO in Husum.)
2. Exceptions to the VQOs are where recreation facilities called for in this plan cannot be built and still meet the VQO, in which case the facility must be designed to harmonize with the environment to the extent practicable.
3. Encourage landowners to reduce visibility of existing structures, as seen from the river, with vegetative screening, color change, change in materials, etc., and provide technical assistance as appropriate.
4. Contact the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and the Federal Aviation Administration to attempt to reduce any adverse effects of the low altitude Military Training Route located in the White Salmon River corridor.
ROADS AND BRIDGES
1. New roads within the boundary must not be visible from the river.
2. Construct and treat roads so there is no erosion which enters the river.
3. Revegetate cut and fill slopes immediately.
4. Allow existing roads and bridges to be maintained or replaced in the same general location.
AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
1. Work with the state and county to insure that pesticides and herbicides are used in accordance with state and federal regulations.
2. Encourage the use of integrated pest management where that can be used successfully to reduce dependence on pesticides and herbicides.
3. Through technical assistance, incentives, and other available means, work with landowners if needed for protection of natural resources, particularly where existing uses are causing adverse effects.
4. Through technical assistance, incentives, and other available means, work with and support the county and private landowners (if requested) to maintain the rural character of the area, to manage woodlands, and to meet the intent of the Klickitat County Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance in the Rural Center and the Resources Lands zones.
5. On federal land, assure that all proposals that involve vegetative manipulation of tree cover for any purposes comply with the seven requirements found in 36 CFR 219.27(b)
6. Do not use clearcutting or even-aged management on federal land.
OTHER USES
1. Prevent development which would have a serious adverse effect on wild and scenic river values, especially water quality.
2. Allow other uses outside the buffer which promote conservation of farm and forest operations, maintenance or recreation of biological diversity, and protection and enhancement of other wild and scenic river values (such as fish and wildlife habitat improvements, watershed protection areas, hunting preserves, etc.).
3. Prevent uses which do not promote such values (such as airports, condominiums, RV parks, airstrips, transfer stations, feed lots, hazardous waste generating facilities, gravel operations, etc.)
4. Encourage new utility developments to locate outside the boundaries if practicable. If that is not feasible, locate and design new utility installations to have the least adverse effect on wild and scenic river values as possible.
MANAGEMENT DIRECTION FOR GEOGRAPHIC MANAGEMENT AREAS
This section provides management direction for specific geographic areas. The area within the boundaries is subdivided into five management areas because the management direction is different for each area. The five management areas are:
1. The White Salmon River channel.
2. The buffer.
3. Federal lands outside the buffer.
4. Private lands outside the buffer and outside the rural centers
5. Private lands outside the buffer but within the rural centers.
It is essential to remember that full management direction for each management area includes the direction which applies to the whole area as well as that contained in the sections that follow.
MANAGEMENT AREA 1
WHITE SALMON RIVER CHANNEL
Location
This management area includes the surface of the White Salmon River, the water within the channel, and the river channel itself, generally up to the ordinary highwater mark.
Desired Condition
Water quality, throughout the year, would be the same as it was when the river was designated, which is adequate for whitewater boating, fish habitat, and the hydrologic processes of the gorge. The river would be in a free-flowing condition as defined in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Shoreline facilities such as pump houses, spring boxes, etc., would be relatively inconspicuous to boaters on the river, and there would be an absence of litter, both in the river and on the banks. Historic river-related structures existing in the summer of 1991 would be still in place. Water quality would be at least as high as the summer of 1991. Fish habitat would be in good condition and populations of fish strong and healthy. There would be an increase in large woody debris over what existed in the summer of 1991, but not in locations where it compromises the safety of boaters.
With the exceptions of a few days on which there are special events such as Husum Days, whitewater boating would occur in such a manner that the participants perceive no more than low to moderate levels of crowding. Measures used to assure these perceptions would be unobtrusive and rely primarily on voluntary cooperation of users. Every person desiring to float the river, whether with a commercial guide or as a private boater, would have an equal opportunity to do so. Boaters would not have to compete for a permit to run the river. There would be enough commercial guides to serve those desiring to float the river with a guide, but not so many that a viable business opportunity would not be available for individual guide companies. Whitewater boating would take place in a manner that is as safe as possible, given the inherent risks of the activity, and with a minimum of overt regulation. When accidents do occur, search and rescue operations would be swift and efficient. Boaters should respect the rights of private landowners and would not trespass or unnecessarily disturb them.
Standards and Guidelines
Instream Flows
1. Work towards establishing instream flows at existing levels, preferably using State of Washington processes.
2. Install a gauge for measuring water levels at Husum.
3. Assure that daily water-level information can be obtained on a call-in basis.
Stream Character
1. Deny consent to the issuance of any Federal license, permit, or other authorization for a federally assisted water resources project that would have a direct and adverse effect on the values for which the river was designated.
2. To the extent consistent with maintenance of a free-flowing river, utilize the existing Washington Department of Wildlife hydraulics permitting process for any work below the ordinary high-water line that will use, divert, obstruct, or change the natural flow or bed of the river.
3. With the consent of the owners, reduce intrusion of existing structures if desirable and practicable.
4. Allow new structures or modifications that do not adversely affect river values.
5. Allow limited removal of woody debris for river runner safety and protection of streambanks after an analysis concludes that wild and scenic river values would be protected.
6. Sponsor an annual river clean-up aimed at litter and debris that is in, may move into, or is visible from the river.
7. Coordinate with Klickitat County to insure that litter regulations are adequate and enforced.
8. Do not allow removal of historic river-related structures. Keep for interpretive purposes.
Water Quality
1. Monitor water quality through a cooperative monitoring program developed with the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) and Underwood Conservation District.
2. If existing water quality meets or exceeds State water quality standards, assist DOE in enforcement of the existing State non-degradation policy.
3. If existing water quality does not meet State water quality standards, cooperate with DOE and the Underwood Conservation District to improve water quality through a technical assistance program.
4. Coordinate Washington State, Klickitat County, Southwest Washington Health District, Underwood Conservation District, Soil Conservation Service, Forest Service, and landowners in assuring adequate septic system design, setbacks, and maintenance, and in improving practices if they are currently degrading water quality and quantity.
Fisheries
1. Cooperate with the Washington Department of Wildlife in fish participation projects and fish population monitoring.
2. Recommend to the Washington Department of Wildlife to adopt strong harvest regulations to protect resident fish populations, including such things as catch and release, barbless hooks, no bait, restricted seasons, etc.
3. Assure that there is no degradation of fish habitat.
4. Provide input during the sub-basin planning process and Condit Dam relicensing process to assure that wild and scenic river values are protected in decisions affecting anadromous fish reintroduction.
5. Amend or revise this Management Plan, with task force involvement, if it is decided to reintroduce anadromous fish above Condit Dam.
Whitewater Boating
Experience Opportunities.
1. Provide a “roaded natural” social experience (low to moderate perceptions of crowding).
2. Exempt “Husum Days” from crowding requirements, as well as other specific events permitted in the future on a case-by-case basis to be determined by the Forest Service.
3. Assure that events are run so that commercial outfitters/guides are able to operate on event days.
4. Limit motorized watercraft to Northwestern Lake.
User Capacities
1. Use a Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) process, which includes a balanced group consisting of members of the commercial and private boating communities and others interested in the use of the river, to establish indicators and standards for acceptable social and physical conditions.
2. Monitor social and physical conditions as part of the LAC process and focus, as a minimum, on the following indicators:
(a) The number of watercraft waiting to portage Husum Falls.
(b) Forced waiting time at Husum Falls.
(c) Waiting time at the take-out.
(d) Percent of time other parties are seen along the river.
(e) Perceptions of crowding along the river, at Husum Falls, and the take-out.
(f) Reported accidents, “near misses,” and safety complaints.
(g) Conflicts with other users of the river corridor (landowners and land-based recreationists).
(h) Deterioration of sites where boats are landing (human waste, exposed soil, damaged vegetation, litter, etc.)
3. In addition, monitor the following to determine the relationship, if any, between them and the indicators:
(a) Party size of each launch.
(b) Number of watercraft by type (commercial, private, raft, kayak, etc.) for each party.
(c) Elapsed time for each launch, and the interval between launches.
(d) Forced waiting time at the launch site.
4. Determine perceptions of river crowding, and user preferences for various management actions which could be used to alleviate problems and concerns, through current user surveys and questionnaires.
5. Annually review the monitoring and survey results with the Task Force.
6. At least annually, schedule a meeting with representatives of the various groups using the river.
7. Maintain social and physical conditions within the desired standards through information, education, voluntary actions, self-registration, or other relatively unobtrusive management actions.
8. If the above methods fail to keep the standards from being exceeded, limit use to a level at which the standards are not exceeded using a method which meets the following criteria:
(a) Each person who wants to boat the river, whether with a commercial outfitter/guide or as a private boater, will have an equal opportunity to boat the river.
(b) Use will be distributed, during time periods when social standards are expected to be exceeded, by scheduling launches at predetermined intervals and limiting the number of watercraft and people per launch, rather than establishing a permit system.
(c) A portion of the total use will be available for “walk-ins” (people who decide to boat the river within 48 hours of the time they make the trip), whether they are private boaters or people who want to boat the river with a commercial outfitter/guide. The portion available for this group will be proportionate to the size of this group compared with all the people who desire to boat the river (approximately 1/4 to 1/3 in 1990). (For example: a number of launch slots could be reserved for private “walk-ins” and commercial “walk-ins,” the number of each being proportionate to demand. Distribution of the commercial “walk-in” use among the commercial outfitters/guides could be based on use ratios occurring during the preceding 3-year period.)
Permits
1. Do not establish a permit system unless no-permit methods for managing use which meet the above criteria are unsuccessful in practice, and it is concluded that a permit system is the only way to maintain acceptable conditions.
2. If a permit system does become necessary, use the first criterion, above, as a goal, and establish some form of a “freedom of choice” permit system.
3. Issue commercial special use permits to a total of 10 commercial outfitters/guides based primarily on historical use, performance, geographic distribution. (In order to provide services to a larger number of potential boaters, it is desirable to have guiding companies located in the following areas – local White Salmon River area, Seattle area, Portland/Vancouver area, and Eugene/Springfield area).
4. If, when this plan is approved, there are more than 10 commercial outfitters/guides under permit, do not issue any more permits, and reduce the number of permittees to 10 through attrition.
Safety
1. Develop a safety plan with county, state, and federal participation.
2. Negotiate agreements with landowners for access to the river at key locations for search and rescue operations.
3. Provide a sign warning boaters that they are approaching Husum Falls.
4. Improve the portage trail to create a safe trail surface using natural materials.
5. Use the commercial special-use permit system to ensure that commercial operators are qualified, insured, have the necessary safety equipment, and have been adequately trained in first aid and river rescue.
6. Implement a mandatory self-registration system for private boaters to ensure that they are exposed to safety information and the need for proper safety equipment.
7. Develop a protocol between the county, state, and Forest Service that addresses intoxication and use of life jackets on the river, discharging firearms across the river, and local availability of rescue expertise and equipment.
River Access
1. Do not increase existing capacity.
2. Limit commercial cable launch sites at BZ Corner to a maximum of two, only one of which provides public access.
3. Assure that facilities providing public access are safe, reasonably priced, and provide good public service, preferably through cooperation with the owner/operator of the launch.
4. Do not allow additional private launch facilities.
5. Cooperate with Pacific Power to assure that an adequate public take-out is located at the head of Northwestern Lake.
6. At Husum Falls, do not provide improvements unless needed for safety or to prevent resource damage at the take-out above the falls, the portage, and the put-in below the falls.
7. Provide a put-in near Rattlesnake Creek.
8. Improvements are to be “rustic,” not visually intrusive, and should not increase boating capacity nor encourage more use.
9. Accessibility for persons with disabilities will be at challenge level 3 (“most difficult” – totally unmodified for people with disabilities), except at the put-in near Rattlesnake Creek and the take-out at Northwestern Lake, it will be at challenge level 2 (“more difficult” – usable by the more athletic person with a disability without assistance, but generally, a person with limited mobility would probably need assistance).
MANAGEMENT AREA 2
THE BUFFER
Location
The buffer consists of two strips of land located adjacent to the ordinary highwater mark (OHWM) of the White Salmon River. Outside the rural centers the strips are 200′ wide on each side of the river. In BZ Corner, the strips extend from the OHWM to a point 20′ beyond the rim of the gorge, but not exceeding 200′ wide on each side of the river. In Husum, the strips are 100′ wide on each side of the river. All distances are measured horizontally from the OHWM.
Desired Condition
Except where there are developments (such as residences, trailer pads, picnic sites, etc.) or agricultural fields which existed during the summer of 1991, the vegetation in the buffer is generally undisturbed and consists of species which occur naturally in the area. The vegetation is either in a late successional stage or is becoming so. The vegetation is dense enough that it serves as a visual screen so developments outside the buffer are not evidence from the river. Outside the rural center, the buffer is commonly being used by wildlife as a travel corridor.
There are no new residential or commercial developments, new agricultural fields, or other new development activities except for a few new recreation facilities which are approved in this plan. Developments and agricultural fields which existed in the summer of 1991 are still present (unless the owners had decided to eliminate them), but residences which had serious adverse effects on the river, have had the adverse effects reduced or eliminated, or are gone. There is a lack of litter, no areas where vegetation is being damaged or soil being exposed as a result of excessive recreation use, and little or no evidence of trespass or vandalism.
Standards and Guidelines
Biological Diversity
Level of Protection
1. Develop specific plans for management of biological resources within the buffer.
2. Maintain or enhance habitats of management indicator species for mature and overmature successional stages (pileated woodpecker).
3. Protect the following specifically identified special plant communities within the buffer: old-growth communities, replacement old-growth stands, canyon ecosystems, riparian habitat, and wetlands.
4. Until the determination of whether biological diversity is an outstandingly remarkable (OR) value has been made, manage the buffer as if biological diversity is an OR value.
Inventories
1. Within the buffer, perform biological inventories as soon as possible to assist in developing specific management direction for each biological community, and to discover any new plant or animal communities of special concern.
Recreation
1. Maintain a physical setting adjacent to the river which is managed as “semi-primitive” (moderate to high perceptions of naturalness and isolation).
2. Assist in the development of a short trail from the launch site in BZ Corner to the falls upstream.
Character and Scenery
1. Manage the buffer as an area of generally undisturbed natural vegetation on each side of the river.
2. Allow no new residential or commercial developments (including septic system drainfields and signs) or other new development activities except for safety and recreation facilities approved in this plan.
3. Do not manipulate vegetation in the buffer unless needed to manage crops in existing agricultural fields or orchards, for safety, to protect property, to reduce serious fire hazards, to provide minimal filtered views to the river from residences, to create biological diversity, to construct approved recreation facilities, to control noxious weeds or the buildup of harmful insects or diseases (consistent with maintaining biological diversity), or to otherwise maintain or enhance desired national scenic river characteristics.
4. Do not affect existing uses, such as agricultural fields, orchards, residences, picnic sites, trailer sites, etc., unless they are causing adverse effects on river values and landowners’ consent to modifying these uses.
5. Purchase existing residences within the buffer, at landowner’s request, based on availability of funds and priority.
Roads and Bridges
1. Allow no new roads in the buffer.
2. Allow no new bridges over the White Salmon River.
3. Coordinate with the State of Washington and Klickitat County to reduce highway hazards at Husum.
Grazing
1. Prevent grazing on federal lands unless needed as a tool for managing regeneration and vegetative competition in white oak stands, or for other specific uses which maintain or enhance biological diversity.
2. Build and maintain fences at federal expense where necessary to control livestock.
3. Consider and mitigate long-standing livestock watering needs on lands which may be cut off from the river by lands which become federally owned.
Agricultural (Including Orchards)
1. Prevent new agricultural clearings within the buffer.
2. Allow existing agricultural uses to continue unless they adversely affect water quality.
Forestry
1. Do not harvest timber in the buffer unless needed for safety, to protect property, to reduce serious fire hazards, to provide minimal filtered views to the river from residences, to create biological diversity, or to otherwise maintain or enhance desired wild and scenic river characteristics.
2. Allow area to revert to a generally natural condition.
MANAGEMENT AREA 3
FEDERAL LANDS OUTSIDE THE BUFFER
Location
This management area includes all lands which have been acquired in fee by the federal government, which are within the boundary but outside the buffer. Lands within this management area are not necessarily contiguous and may be located in various parts of the area. New lands which are acquired in fee in the future will become part of this management area as soon as they are owned by the federal government. It is assumed that all lands owned by SDS Lumber Company in the summer of 1991 that are within the Wild and Scenic River Boundary will become federal lands through an exchange. This management area will probably also include some other lands which are acquired from other willing sellers. Most of these lands are more than 200 feet from the river.
Desired Condition
Healthy stands of Oregon white oak are present in abundance. Some stands are pure oak, but most are mixed with ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. Some manipulation of conifer trees (including such things as small harvest units and girdling) occurs when needed to protect or enhance the Oregon white oak stands. To the extent compatible with maintaining stands of Oregon white oak, mature and overmature stands sufficiently large for the maintenance of the pileated woodpecker are present. Wetlands and riparian areas are functioning effectively. All lands within this management area have received biological inventories, and unusual plant and animal communities which contribute to any special biological diversity of the area have been identified and protected.
A few short, interpretive trails are located in the area, but not near the river. Use of the trails is primarily by hikers. There is little resource damage occurring, or conflict between different groups of recreationists because little recreation use takes place other than on the trails. Few roads are still in existence, and there are few or no cattle grazing in the area.
Standards and Guidelines
Biological Diversity
Level of Protection
1. Develop specific plans for management of biological resources on federal lands.
2. Maintain or enhance habitats of management indicator species for mature and overmature successional stages (pileated woodpecker).
3. Protect the following specifically identified plant communities: old-growth communities, replacement old-growth stands, canyon ecosystems, riparian habitat, and wetlands.
4. Until the determination of whether biological diversity is an outstandingly remarkable (OR) value has been made, manage all federal lands within the boundary as if biological diversity is an OR value.
5. Use vegetation management (including timber harvest) where needed to perpetuate specifically identified white oak communities, assuring the presence of mature and old-growth stands so as to provide for diversity of age classes and tree species mixes within the White Salmon River Valley.
Inventories
1. Perform biological inventories as soon as possible after land acquisition, to assist in developing specific management direction for each biological community, and to discover any new plant or animal communities of special concern.
Cultural Resources
1. Facilitate re-establishment of the longhouse site for traditional use.
Recreation
Dispersed areas.
1. Provide “roaded natural” recreation opportunities.
2. Do not encourage recreation use off the developed trails.
3. Obliterate roads on federal lands which are not needed for administrative purposes or trails – gate if necessary.
4. Monitor lands for resource damage caused by recreationists.
Trails
1. Construct short loop trails, primarily for natural resource interpretation, to the “40” and Spring Creek (if Spring Creek becomes federally owned). Design these trails so they are loops which are located away from the river and do not provide access to it.
2. Close trails to commercial use.
3. Do nothing to encourage use on the old road which parallels the river near the Hendrix Homestead, such as providing parking, publicizing, or locating it on maps.
Character and Scenery
1. Assure that all new activities carried out on federal lands meet the visual quality objective [VQO] of retention as seen from Highway 141, Oak Ridge Road, and trails.
2. Exceptions to the VQOs are where recreation facilities called for in this plan cannot be built and still meet the VQO, in which case the facility must be designed to harmonize with the environment to the extent practicable.
Grazing
1. Prevent grazing in this management area unless needed as a tool for managing regeneration and vegetative competition in white oak stands, or for other specific uses which maintain or enhance biological diversity.
2. Build and maintain fences at federal expense where necessary to control livestock.
3. Consider and mitigate longstanding livestock watering needs on lands which may be cut off from the river by lands which become federally owned.
Forestry
1. Do not harvest timber unless active forest management is needed to maintain biological diversity, particularly if needed to perpetuate Oregon white oak communities.
2. Assure diversity of age classes and tree species mixes, considering lands outside as well as inside the boundary.
MANAGEMENT AREA 4
PRIVATE LANDS OUTSIDE THE BUFFER AND OUTSIDE THE RURAL CENTERS
Location
This management area includes all private lands within the boundary which are outside the buffer and outside the rural areas of Husum and BZ Corner (as designated by the Klickitat County Comprehensive Plan). Lands in this management area are not necessarily contiguous and may be located in various parts of the area.
Desired Condition
The landscape is a mixture of agricultural fields, orchards, small woodlots, and farm and rural residences, with the fields and woodlots predominating. Active production of hay and other agricultural products continues to take place. Small stands of timber are occasionally harvested in accordance with state timber practices requirements. The number of residences within the boundary has increased somewhat over what it was in the summer of 1991, but they are located in clusters on land which is least suitable for agricultural production and forest management. Residences, agricultural fields, roads, timber harvest units, and other development activities which are new since the summer of 1991 are located in places where they are not visible from the river. There may be a few new uses which promote, or are compatible with, conservation of farm and forest operations, but other types of use are absent.
Standards and Guidelines
Forestry
1. Modify timber harvest practices in habitats of known populations of species on the Region 6 Sensitive Species List as necessary to prevent adverse effects to that population.
2. Use current state and county regulations to guide forest practices, except design forestry practices so they are not evident from the river.
Residential and Commercial Development
1. Allow some new single-family residential development, but no new commercial uses other than operating farms, orchards, home occupations and cottage industries (which includes intensification or enhancement of farm and forestry uses).
2. Allow 1 new dwelling unit to be constructed on each platted lot which is less than 20 acres and currently contains no dwelling unit.
3. Allow no new residences to be developed on lots less than 20 acres which currently contain 1 or more dwelling units.
4. On continuous ownership parcels larger than 20 acres, allow dwelling units to be constructed so that overall density does not exceed an average of 1 residence per 20 acres.
5. On each parcel over 2 acres, where a new dwelling unit is going to be built, assure that 95% of the land remains undeveloped and is maintained for agricultural or forest stands. Concentrate new residences on the 5% of the land (or 1 acre, whichever is larger) which is least suitable for forestry or agriculture. Density within the 5% is 1 residence per acre with a minimum frontage of 200′ on the buffer.
6. Allow temporary exceptions to the above density restrictions only for:
(a) Hardship cases – for example, if an ill parent needs care, a trailer could be moved onto the property during the period when care is being given.
(b) Construction of a replacement house – an existing house or trailer may be lived in while a new house is being constructed on the property, but not to exceed the time that the new house is completed or three years from the time construction of the new house begins, whichever is shorter.
MANAGEMENT ARE 5
PRIVATE LANDS OUTSIDE THE BUFFERS BUT INSIDE THE RURAL CENTERS
Location
This management area includes all private lands which are within the boundary, which are outside the buffer but inside the rural centers of Husum and BZ Corner as designated by the Klickitat County Comprehensive Plan.
Desired Condition
These areas are small, spacious, attractive rural communities of residences, small businesses and commercial services which fit into and serve the surrounding farm and forest patterns with no land use or traffic conflicts. There is an absence of large industrial or commercial facilities which are incongruous to the area or adversely affect river values, particularly water quality. The rural communities are served by adequate community water and sewer systems. Buildings and other developments which can be seen from the river are not visually dominant, and portions of the area adjacent to the buffer are community parks.
Standards and Guidelines
1. In Husum, insure that new activities of developments within the boundary but outside the buffer are not visually dominant as seen from the river. The visual quality objective, as seen from the river, is partial retention.
2. For BZ Corner, see Management Direction That Applies to the Whole Area.
Forestry
1. Same as Management Area 4.
Residential and Commercial Development
1. If there is no community sewer system, limit density to 2 units/acre with 100′ minimum lot width – new development, including septic drain fields, must be set back 200′ from OHWM.
2. If there is a community sewer system, limit density to 4 units/acre with a setback from the OHWM of 100′ or outside the buffer, whichever is greater.
3. In Husum, acquire lands or interest in lands to avoid overdevelopment of the area between the river and Highway 141, and of the area along the west side of the river beginning about 500′ downstream from the old bridge.
4. Provide technical assistance, and incentives to help communities develop sewer and water system as well as community parks to serve river-oriented recreationists.
