Year: 2011
Inventory Unit Number/Name: West Benjamin Lake Area Units<5,000 Acres/OR-015-000
FORM 1
DOCUMENTATION OF BLM WILDERNESS INVENTORY FINDINGS ON RECORD
1. Is there existing BLM wilderness inventory information on all or part of this area?
No
X
(go to Form 2) Yes _______ (if more than one unit is within the area,
list the names/numbers of those units.)
a) Inventory Source: N/A
b) Inventory Unit Name(s)/Number(s): N/A
c) Map Name(s)/Number(s): N/A
d) BLM District(s)/Field Office(s): N/A
2. BLM Inventory Findings on Record
Existing inventory information regarding wilderness characteristics (if more than one
BLM inventory unit is associated with the area, list each unit/acreage and answer each
question individually for each inventory unit):
Unit #
Size
(historic acres)
N/A
N/A
Natural
Condition?
Y/N
Outstanding
Solitude?
Y/N
N/A
N/A
Outstanding
Primitive &
Unconfined
Recreation?
Y/N
N/A
Supplemental
Values?
Y/N
N/A
Summarize any known primary reasons for prior inventory findings listed in this table:
There is no documentation for these units from the previous inventory, presumably because
they did not meet the size requirement and were eliminated from further review.
1
FORM 2
DOCUMENTATION OF CURRENT WILDERNESS INVENTORY CONDITIONS
a. Unit Number/Name: West Benjamin Lake Area Units<5,000 Acres/OR-015-000
(1) Is the unit of sufficient size? Yes
No
X
Boundary Determination: In 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 the BLM conducted field inventory of
the area to update its road and wilderness inventories. This field work included photo
documentation of the boundary routes. Using BLM photos, field logs, and staff field
knowledge, a BLM inter-disciplinary (ID) team completed an analysis of the motorized routes
within the area in April 2011.
On the west, the units are bounded by the 500 KV BPA power line ROW. On the north, the
units are bounded by a combination of private land, and BLM 6171-00 (North Boundary Road).
On the south, the units are bounded by a combination of private land and Lake County 5-12B
(Frederick Butte Road). On the east, the unit is bounded by a combination of a utility corridor
ROW, Unnumbered Route #2, and Lake County 5-12B (Frederick Butte Road). See Map 2, road
analysis forms, photos, and photo logs in the wilderness inventory file for additional supporting
information regarding these boundary determinations.
As a result, there are a total of 9 inventory units within the West Benjamin Lake Area. Only one
of these inventory units met the minimum size criteria and has been evaluated separately, leaving
the remaining 8 units less than 5,000 acres. The average size of these 8 units is 1,742 acres.
They range in size from 0.28 acres to 4,445 acres and do not meet any exception to the size
requirement.
Additional background on the process that the BLM ID team followed during this evaluation is
contained in the document, Wilderness Inventory Maintenance Process for the Lakeview
Resource Area, BLM, contained in the wilderness inventory file.
DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT CONDITIONS:
The 8 unnumbered inventory units in the West Benjamin Lake Area are comprised of
approximately 13,939 acres of BLM administered land located approximately 14 miles north of
Christmas Lake. The terrain consists mostly of low rolling which are populated primarily by
juniper and small desert shrubs. Major human activities in the area include hunting, ranching,
and OHV recreation.
(2) Is the unit in a natural condition? Yes
No _____ N/A
X
The current natural condition of these units was not evaluated because the units failed to meet the
minimum size requirement.
2
(3) Does the unit (or the remainder of the unit if a portion has been excluded due to
unnaturalness and the remainder is of sufficient size) have outstanding opportunities for
solitude?
Yes
No
N/A___X_____
The current opportunities for solitude within these units were not evaluated because the units
failed to meet the minimum size requirement.
(4) Does the unit (or the remainder of the unit if a portion has been excluded due to
unnaturalness and the remainder is of sufficient size) have outstanding opportunities for
primitive and unconfined recreation?
Yes
No
N/A___X_____
The current opportunities for recreation within these units were not evaluated because the units
failed to meet the minimum size requirement.
(5) Does the unit have supplemental values? Yes
No
N/A___X_____
Supplemental value was not evaluated within these units because the units failed to meet the
wilderness criteria.
Summary of Findings and Conclusion
Unit Name and Number: West Benjamin Lake Area Units<5,000 Acres/OR-015-000
Summary Results of Analysis:
1. Does the area meet the size requirements?
___Yes _X__No
2. Does the area appear to be natural?
___Yes ____No __X_ N/A
3. Does the area offer outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and
unconfined type of recreation?
____Yes ____No __X_ N/A
4. Does the area have supplemental values?
___Yes ____No __X_ N/A
Conclusion (Check One):
_____ The area- or a portion of the area- has wilderness character:
(items 1, 2 and 3 must be checked “yes”).
___X__
The area does not have wilderness character: (any of items 1, 2 and 3 are
checked “no”).
3
~
I.D.TEAM:
'i{_ &WI-.....
Chris Bishop
Date:
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e
:
:
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Manageme~
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Edward Hennagin CCartographic Technician
Date:
' ~~
ZachAdarns
Cartographic Tecf+liician
hI
7
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7/~ l\
Date:
~
Theresa Rornasko ""'~
=.:.-. . : :. .:::::..___-'---~
------------Date:
Associate Field Mana~~Bota~
ny and Range
Breanna O'Connor
Park Ranger
Ul£11{! _
~6
Jayna Farrell
Range Management Specialist
L
0
...C,r 'e'ft'..Gtoca, Date:
~
Date:
-z/ 7/.::HJ II
Approved by:
Tom Rasmussen, Field Manager
Date
This form documents information that constitutes an inventory finding on wilderness characteristics. It does not
represent a formal/and use allocation or a final agency decision subject to administrative remedies under either
43 CFRparts 4 or 1610.5-2.
4
Year_2011______
Inventory Unit Number/Name: West Benjamin Lake/Unit OR-015-005
FORM 1
DOCUMENTATION OF BLM WILDERNESS INVENTORY FINDINGS ON RECORD
1. Is there existing BLM wilderness inventory information on all or part of this area?
No
(go to Form 2) Yes ___X____ (if more than one unit is within the area,
list the names/numbers of those units.)
a) Inventory Source: U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management.
Wilderness Proposed Initial Inventory, Oregon and Washington: Roadless Areas and
Islands Which Clearly Do Not Have Wilderness Characteristics. (April, 1979. Pg. 7)
b) Inventory Unit Name(s)/Number(s): OR-1-5
c) Map Name(s)/Number(s): N/A
d) BLM District(s)/Field Office(s): Lakeview District/Lakeview Resource Area
2. BLM Inventory Findings on Record
Existing inventory information regarding wilderness characteristics (if more than one
BLM inventory unit is associated with the area, list each unit/acreage and answer each
question individually for each inventory unit):
Unit#/
Name
OR-1-5
Size
(historic
acres)
9,000
Natural
Condition?
Y/N
Outstanding
Solitude?
Y/N
N
N
Outstanding
Primitive &
Unconfined
Recreation?
Y/N
N
Supplemental
Values?
Y/N
N/A
Summarize any known primary reasons for prior inventory findings listed in this table:
This unit was eliminated from further review in 1979. The previous inventory noted the
500KV BPA power line as a major impact that impaired the natural condition of the west
side of the unit. In addition, the low rolling terrain, lack of adequate vegetative screening,
and long narrow aspect of the unit precluded any outstanding opportunities for solitude or
unconfined recreation.
1
FORM 2
DOCUMENTATION OF CURRENT WILDERNESS INVENTORY CONDITIONS
Unit Number/Name: West Benjamin Lake/Unit OR-015-211
(1) Is the unit of sufficient size? Yes X
No
Boundary Determination: In 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 the BLM conducted field inventory of
the area to update its road and wilderness inventories. This field work included photo
documentation of the boundary routes. Using BLM photos, field logs, and staff field
knowledge, a BLM inter-disciplinary (ID) team completed an analysis of the motorized routes
within the area in April of 2010.
On the west, the unit is bounded by the 500 KV BPA power line corridor. On the north, the unit
is bounded by a combination of private land, and BLM 6171-00 (North Boundary Road). On
the south, the unit is bounded by private land. On the east, the unit is bounded by a combination
of BLM 6171-A0 (Saddle Butte Road), and Lake County 5-12B (Frederick Butte Road).
See Map 2, road analysis forms, photos, and photo logs in the wilderness inventory file for
additional supporting information regarding these boundary determinations.
Following the unit boundary determination, a BLM ID team conducted an inter-disciplinary
evaluation of the current wilderness characteristics within the unit boundary. The results are
contained in the following section. Additional background on the process that the BLM ID team
followed during this evaluation is contained in the document, Wilderness Inventory Maintenance
Process for the Lakeview Resource Area, BLM, contained in the wilderness inventory file.
DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT CONDITIONS:
Inventory unit OR-015-005 is comprised of approximately 10,618 acres of BLM administered
land and is located about 14 miles north of Christmas Lake. The terrain is mostly rolling with
small hills. Most of the unit is populated with sparse to moderate juniper, and sagebrush.
(2) Is the unit in a natural condition? Yes
No __X____
Primitive motorized routes exist within the unit totaling about 7 miles, with approximately 10
miles of pasture division fence that exists mostly within the core of the unit. Additionally, there
is 5 water developments located near the east and west boundaries. On the west is the 500KV
BPA power line corridor which forms approximately 10 miles of the western boundary and can
be seen from one half mile away in some places, and from greater distances in others.
The density of human disturbances within the unit’s interior relatively low (see Table 1 below).
The water developments, related ways, and pasture division fence are minor human disturbances
2
given the size of the unit and are considered to be generally unnoticeable to the average visitor.
However, the 500 KV BPA power lines to the west is a pervasive and omnipresent outside
impact which significantly detracts from the overall apparent naturalness of the unit as a whole.
Table 1: Disturbance Summaries
West Benjamin Lake Area
Acres
-BLM
-Other
Water Developments
-Waterhole
Pasture Fence (miles)
Primitive Motorized Routes (miles)
Trails (miles)
Unit OR-015-005
10,618
0
5
10
7
.25
For the reasons specified above and based on a review of all of the available information
including BLM photos, staff knowledge, and field review, the ID team concluded that due to the
major outside impact of the power lines, the unit is not in a natural condition primarily affected
by the forces of nature.
(3) Does the unit (or the remainder of the unit if a portion has been excluded due to
unnaturalness and the remainder is of sufficient size) have outstanding opportunities for
solitude?
Yes
No
N/A____X____
Opportunities for solitude were not evaluated because the unit failed to meet the naturalness
criteria.
(4) Does the unit (or the remainder of the unit if a portion has been excluded due to
unnaturalness and the remainder is of sufficient size) have outstanding opportunities for
primitive and unconfined recreation?
Yes
No
N/A__X______
Opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation were not evaluated because the unit failed
to meet the naturalness criteria.
(5) Does the unit have supplemental values? Yes
No ______ Unknown ___X____
Supplemental values were not evaluated because the unit failed to meet wilderness criteria.
3
Summary of Findings and Conclusion
Unit Name and Number: West Benjamin Lake/Unit OR-015-005
Summary Results of Analysis:
1. Does the area meet the size requirements?
_X__ Yes ___No
2. Does the area appear to be natural?
___Yes __X__No
3. Does the area offer outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and
unconfined type of recreation?
____Yes ____No __X__N/A
4. Does the area have supplemental values?
___Yes ____No __X__N/A
Conclusion (Check One):
_____ The area- or a portion of the area- has wilderness character:
(items 1, 2 and 3 must be checked “yes”).
___X__
The area does not have wilderness character: (any of items 1, 2 and 3 are
checked “no”).
4
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ID Team Members:
c:::
Edward Hennagin
Cartographic Technician
~~~
Date:
ZachAdams
Cartographic TecF5Jlian
.~~
Date:
Theresa Romasko
Associate Field Man~
ager Ji rBo~any and Range
Breanna O'Connor
Park Ranger
~~ {'.,c
~
'B!€a,AOO., Date:
qfr/70 \\
~~ P~ Date:
JaynaFarrell
Range Management Specialist
Approved by:
Tom Rasmussen, Field Manager
Date
This form documents information that constitutes an inventory finding on wilderness characteristics. It does not
represent a formal/and use allocation or a final agency decision subject to administrative remedies under either
43 CFRparts 4 or 1610.5-2.
5
Map 1 - Wilderness Character Evaluation Area
Deschutes County
Lake County
Fort Rock
Christmas Valley
Silver Lake
Lake County
Harney County
Summer Lake
Paisley
Legend
Cities
West Benjamin Lake Inventory Area
Resource Area Boundary
Major Utility Corridors
Lake County
Klamath County
Major Roads
Valley Falls
Plush
0 3.5 7
14 Miles
.
Lakeview
Adel
No warranty is made by the Bureau of Land Management as to the accuracy,
reliability, or completeness of these data for individual or aggregate use with
other data. Original data were compiled from various sources. This information
may not meet National Map Accuracy Standards. This product was developed
through digital means and may be updated without notification .
New Pine Creek
!
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Map 2 - Wilderness Characteristics in West Benjamin Lake Area
D
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U.S. Forest Service
D
!
(
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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!
OR-015-0000
State
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!
Cnty5-12B
D
Cnty 5-12B
D
D
D
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!
D
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0
1-0
614
!
OR-015-0000
Bureau of Land Management
0
1-0
614
!
Seeding Treatments
!
(
!
!
(
Mineral Pits
0
6141-0
!
Fences
D
Regional Utility Lines
6141-00
00 !
1
(
614114
00 6
!
Reclaiming Routes
! LVRA Distribution Lines
Pipelines
1-C0
617
Closed Routes
D
D
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!
Trails
D
!
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(
Motorized Routes
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Cat Lines
!
OR-015-0000
!
WATERHOLE
!
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!
Legend
guzzlers
!
512
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!
!
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OR-015-0000
OR-015-0000
OR-015-0000
OR-015-005
OR-015-0000
­
OR-015-0000
Legend
Wilderness Character Inventory Units
High Juniper Density
Medium Juniper Density
OR-015-0000
Low Juniper Density
Lakeview District Slope
Value
0-2
2.1 - 15
OR-015-0000
OR-015-0000
15.1 - 35
35.1 - 60
OR-015-0000
>60
OR-015-0000
0
0.4
0.8
Map 3 - Screening in West Benjamin Lake Area
1.6 Miles