RECORD OF PLAN CONFORMANCE AND CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION (CX) DETERMINATION CX Log#: DOI-BLM-v050-2015-030 CX CE Exemption category: DM 516.9 G(2) Installation of routine signs, markers, culverts, ditches, waterbars, gates, or cattleguards on/ or adjacent to roads and trails identified in any land use or transportation plan, or eligible for incorporation in such plan. BLM Office: Vale District Bureau of Land Management, Baker Resource Area, 3100 H Street, Baker, Oregon 97814 Phone#: 541-523-1256 BACKGROUND Project Name: Five Mile Road cattleguard installations. Location of Proposed Action: 2 Locations on the Five Mile Road in Baker County DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION: Two cattleguards would be installed along the Five Mile county road to improve cattle management and travel along a road that is frequently used for resource administration and public access. One existing wire gate would be replaced with a recycled cattleguard within the and Baker County Miscellaneous Geographic Unit. Replacing the gate with a cattleguard would reduce unauthorized use by cattle due to the gate being left open. In addition, reducing the number of gates along main roads would improve travel by public land users and reduce response time to wildfires. Another new cattleguard would be installed near the Chamberlain Spring exclosure and corral. This new cattle guard location is also within the Baker County Miscellaneous Geographic Unit. Installing the Chamberlain Spring cattleguard would enhance cattle management of the Love Creek Allotment. All ground disturbing actions associated with this project would be within the existing right-of­ way and previously disturbed areas. Some short sections of fence would need to be rebuilt to connect the existing fence to the cattleguard. Fence construction will be completed to BLM wildlife standards with a wire spacing of 18, 6, 6, and 12 inches. Fence work will be accomplished using hand tools. Installation equipment would be washed prior to entering BLM lands for controlling the spread of noxious weeds. A reasonable attempt will be made to remove mud and plant debris before moving from one cattleguard location to the next. Installation of cattleguards would not occur in critical winter wildlife habitat during the winter time (11/1 to 3/1). Cultural resource surveys would only occur if deemed necessary pending a file search for each cattleguard. If cultural resources are discovered within the proposed locations, the cattleguard location will be moved if possible or it will not be installed. No new cattleguards are proposed within this project within lands designated as Wilderness Study Areas (WSA's), Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSR), or within Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). Any cattlegaurds proposed within areas seen as having wilderness characteristics, will not detract from the characteristic of naturalness. These cattleguards will be installed by the Baker County Road Department on BLM within the the road right of way which is administered by the Baker County Road Department. The recycled cattleguards, new concrete bases, and new cattleguard wings will be supplied by the Page 2 of6
BLM. Page 3of6
Location
NAME
Five Mile BRA
CG
Chamberlain
Spring CG
T9SR43ESection4 SE1/4NW1/4
T9SR43ESection2 SW1/4SW114
PLAN CONFORMANCE
The proposed action has been reviewed and found to be in conformance with the multiple use
recommendations and alternatives ofthe Baker Resource Management Plan (July 1989). These
recommendations and alternatives are cited on pages (14 &15).
DOCUMENTATION OF CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS: EXTRAORDINARY
CIRCUMSTANCES
This categorical exclusion is appropriate in this situation because there are no extraordinary
circumstances potentially having effects that may significantly affect the environment. The proposed
action has been reviewed and none of the circumstances described in 516 DM 2, Appendix 2, and listed
below apply.
Yes
No
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Extraordinary Circumstances
Reviewer (Specialist and/or
FM Initials in each box)
I. Have significant impacts on public health or
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safety.
2. Have significant impacts on such natural resources and unique geographic characteristics as historic or cultural resources; park, recreation or refuge lands; wilderness areas; wild or scenic rivers; national I
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natural landmarks; sole or principal drinking water
aquifers; prime farmlands; wetlands (Executive
Order 11990); floodplains (Executive Order 11988); national monuments; migratory birds; and other ecologically significant or critical areas.
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3. Have highly controversial environmental effects or
involve unresolved conflicts concerning alternative
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t/ uses of available resources [NEPA Section
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4. Have highly uncertain and potentially significant
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environmental effects or involve unique or unknown
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environmental risks.
5. Establish a precedent for future action or represent {1:)
a decision in principle about future actions with
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potentially significant environmental effects.
6. Have a direct relationship to other actions with
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individually insignificant but cumulatively
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significant environmental effects.
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7. Have significant impacts on properties listed, or
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Yes
No
Extraordinary Circumstances
Reviewer {Specialist and/or
FM initiais in each oox)
Date
Historic Places as determined by either the bureau or
off1ce.
8. Have significant impacts on species listed, or proposed to be iisted, oo the List of End?tngered or · Threatened Species, or have significant impacts on designated Critical Habitat for these species.
9. Violate a Federal taw, or a State, local, or Tribal
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Jaw or requirement imposed for the protection of the
environment.
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W. Have a rlispropomrmatety high and adverse
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effect on low income or minority }10pulations {Executive Order 12898). .11. Limit access to and ceremonial use of Indian ,sacred sites on Federal lands by Indian religious ·practitioners or significantly adversely affect the
physical integrity of such sacred sites (Executive Order 13007). 12. Contribute to the introduction, continued
.existence, or spread ofnoxious weeds or non-native l;)nvasive species known to occur in the area or / .actions that may promote the introduction, growth, or
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exvansion of the range ofsuch svecies (Federa}
·.Noxious Weed Control Act and Executive Order
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DOCUMENTATION OF RECOMMENDED MITIGATION
For any item{s) above checked "Yes''. proposed mjtjgatjng measures for those hems are ljsted below. If
the extraordinary circumstances cannot be mitigated, the criteria required for a CE are not met and BLM
must prepare an EA or EIS.
Item
No.
Can Be
Mitigated
Cannot Be
Mitigated
Mitigation Measures
Reviewer
Date
:
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND DETERMINATION
The proposed action is categoricaHy excluded from furtheT documentation under the National
Environmental Policy Act (NBPA) in accordance w}tb the Departmental Manual Categorical B~dus}ons
list, sections qf which are cited and quoted above. The proposed action has also been reviewed in
rdation to the. above listed 12 Extraordinary Circumstances in accordance with the Departmental
Manual, and none of these circumstances apply.
Decision Record
Based on the enclosed Categorical Exclusion Documentation, DOI-BLM-v050-2015-030-CX , I have
determined that the proposed action to install 2 cattleguards involves no significant impacts to the
human environment and requires no further environmental analysis. lt is my decision to authorize this
Page 5 of6
action as proposed. For additional information concerning this project, contact Project Lead Mitch
Thomas Vale District, Baker Resource Area, 3100 H Street, Baker City, Oregon 97814. Phone (541)
523-1256.
Prepared By:
Title
eviewed By:
Title
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