Class I: This class provides primarily for natural ecological changes only. It is applied to primitive areas, some natural areas, and other similar situations where management activities are to be restricted. Class II: Changes in any of the basic elements (form, line, color or texture) caused by a management activity should not be evident in the characteristic landscape. Class III: Changes in the basic elements (form, line, color, texture) caused by a management activity may be evident in the characteristic landscape. However, the changes should remain subordinate to the visual strength of the existing character. Class IV: Changes may subordinate the original composition and character but must reflect what could be a natural occurrence within the characteristic landscape. 2.12 WILDERNESS VALUES Under the terms of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), roadless areas of 5,000 acres or that have wilderness characteristics are to be reviewed within 15 years for possible wilderness designation. 1976 Act, however, also states that in the event of inconsistency between it and the O&C Act insofar as they both may relate to management of timber resources, the O&C Act prevails. Accordingly, the wilderness review provisions do not apply to O&C lands which are suitable for sustained yield management as commercial timber lands. The wilderness review for the JKS YUS has begun. In April 1979, the Oregon State Director announced his proposed decision on the initial phase of the wilderness inventory. The 6, 100-acre Soda Mountain area has been recommended for a more intensive inventory to determine whether it has wilderness characteristics. If it does, it will be designated as a wilderness study area. Some tracts within the JKS YUS were examined but were not recommended for more intensive inventory. A final decision on the initial inventory will be made at the close of the public comment period in July 1979. The proposed initial inventory and accompanying maps of roadless areas and islands in Oregon and Washington are available in the Oregon State Office and BLM district offices. 2.13 NOISE Ambient noise is the all-encompassing noise within a given environment representing a composite of sounds from all sources. Although no noise level surveys have been conducted within the SYUS, other data from similar areas indicate that maximum ambient levels average 35-40 decibels measured on the A scale (dBA). This range is in the faint to moderate level of human hearing (AMF 1971). At the bank of small stream, noise level is approximately 45 dBA. TIMBER MANAGEMENT Most of the public land within the SYUS is used for timber production, and noise generated within the forest reflects these sounds. Sources of noise generation associated with timber harvest include dozers, skidders, chain saws, yarders, loaders, heavy and light trucks, and human voices. 2.14 TIMBER MANAGEMENT The current timber management plan implemented in fiscal year 1972 (July 1, 1971) is based on the principle of sustained yield management and environmental quality standards. Timber management procedures of the 1972 plan include harvest either by clear cut or three-stage shelterwood. Road construction is also a part of the timber management land program. Annual timber sale plans of the Medford District contain site specific information on individual proposed timber sales. Information listed in an annual plan includes the location of the proposed sale, approximate volume to be harvested, cutting practices to be followed, method of logging, road construction and access requirements, special contractual provisions and other relevant data. The allowable cut plan recognizes a necessity for prompt regeneration of areas receiving final harvest cut. Annual programs for artificial regeneration, stand improvement, and site conversion are among the silvicultural practices employed to achieve full productivity from commercial forest lands. Table 2-15 summarizes data on timber sales and shows the acreage which has been treated during the present allowable cut plan period. The timber management program in the Jackson and Klamath SYUS can be severely altered by disruptive factors such as significant increases of insect populations or or disease, large wildfires, or major windstorms. When these catastrophic events occur, changes in the timber harvest plan may result. These changes could take on the form of 1) selection of different methods of harvesting timber, 2) accelerating the annual over a period of time, 3) altering locations of timber harvest and/or marketing areas, or 4) creating the necessity for unusual rehabilitation programs in the area. Unauthorized cutting and/or removal of forest products, i.e., timber, Christmas trees, cedar shake bolts or posts, and and firewood, occurs sporadically throughout the JKS YUS. As the value of these products (especially highquality cedar) increases, the incidence of willful trespass also increases. Replant and Interplant (existing non-stocked or understocked clearcuts) Source: USDI, BLM, Medford District 1978. AGRICULTURE AND GRAZING 2.15 AGRICULTURE AND GRAZING 2.15.1 Agriculture In 1969, approximately 28.6 percent of the land in Jackson County was used as agricultural land (Ruttle 1973). Of this, 46,688 acres or 9 percent of Jackson County was irrigated land. the floodplains High value irrigated crop land within the SYUs occurs on the of the Rogue River and its tributaries from the Sams Valley area downstream to Gold Ray Dam, and on the flood plains and low foothills along Bear Creek downstream from Ashland to its confluence with the Rogue River. Additional cropland in lesser amounts occurs in the Applegate drainage and up Butte and Little Butte Creeks. Much of this agricultural area is undergoing subdivision and settlement. Over 600 acres of BLM lands in the Jackson SYU have been zoned for agricultural and residential uses. Certain lands have been defined by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) as being of prime agricultural value. Approximately 8,000 acres of BLM lands are included in this definition only if irrigated. Irrigation water is not presently available to these lands, nor is likely to be since significant water sources are fully appropriated. 2.15.2 Grazing Livestock grazing on all public land in the Medford District is by lease, as authorized under Section 15 of the Taylor Grazing Act (August 28, 1937) and Section 4 of the O&C Act (June 28, 1934). The latter Act permits grazing only if it does not interfere with timber production or other purposes specified in Section 1 of the O&C Act. In the SYUS there are 119 leases covering 402,000 acres of public lands. With the exception of one allotment which is leased for sheep, all the leases are for cattle. In addition, there are approximately 150,000 acres of private land under exchange of use agreement with the BLM for grazing purposes. Under this agreement BLM has the management and control of the private lands for grazing purposes. Fences, therefore, are not required to separate private and public grazing lands. The unit by which livestock forage on Federal lands is quantified for production and use is the animal unit month (AUM). An AUM is defined as the amount of forage (of any combination of vegetative species) necessary for the subsistence, in a healthy state, of one cow (more than 6 months old) for a period of one month. An animal unit is one mature cow (and calf under 6 months), five sheep or equivalent numbers of other herbivorous species. Presently, 22, 361 AUMS are leased on public lands in the JKS YUS. In general, the private lands upon which the grazing preference for these leases is based would not support year-round livestock operations; the operators are dependent on the Federal range for a portion of their forage needs. For the most part, the private lands are located at the lower elevations and are used for production of hay |