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irtoftptfovf HD BL IRAIIY III38316l8186III ,mrvi& UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInterior cX BureauofLandManagement EasternStates LowerPotomacFieldStation September2004 Lower Potomac River Approved Coordinated Management Plan Decision Record Preparedincooperationwiththe StateofMaryland DepartmentofNatural Resources HD 243 « .M36 P68 2004b c.2 3 Introduction OnMay7,2004,theBureauofLandManagement(BLM)andMarylandDepartmentof NaturalResources(MDNR)releasedtheLowerPotomacRiverProposedCoordinated ManagementPlan(CMP). Thepublicwasgiventhirtydaystoreviewthedocumentand fileproteststotheBLMDirectoronproposalsaffectingBLMlandsandtotheMDNRfor proposalsandissuesrelatedtoStatemanagementandlands. NoprotestswerefiledwithBLMduringtheofficialprotestperiod. TheMDNRreceived onecommentletterrequestingclarificationandhasrespondedtoit. Thecommentswill alsobeaddressedinthisdocumenttoclarifytheproposals. BecauseBLMandMDNRhavedifferentplanninganddecisionmakingprocesses,this documentwillbeusedfordifferentpurposesbythetwoagencies. ForBLM,itisthe finaladministrativedecisionoftheagencyandwillguidefuturemanagementofitslands intheplanningarea. ForMDNR,thisdocumentisatemplatetofillinwithactivities, capitalimprovements,staffingandoperationaldirectiontoguidethemanagementofthe propertyforthenext15-20years. TheCMP/EAanalyzedfouralternativesandfocusedontheimpactsofdeveloping recreationalandotheractivitiesonStateandFederallandswithintheplanningarea. TheProposedCMPidentifiedAlternative4,withmodifications,asMDNR’sandBLM’s preferredalternative. Originally,Alternative4waspartofacommunity-basedeffort calledtheNanjemoyVisiontodevelopalocalconsensusonwhattheregionshouldbe likein2020. Theplanningteamextractedtheapplicableenvironmentalandresource managementelementsoftheNanjemoyVisiontocreateAlternative4. Inessence.Alternative4envisionedamoderatelevelofdevelopmenttotakeadvantage oftheregion’srichnaturalandculturalresourcebase. TheNanjemoyVisionwassilent ontwoproposals,whichwereincludedintheCMP:aboatrampatWilsonFarmand limitedtimbermanagementactivitiestopromotehealthyforestgrowth. Theseproposals wereadoptedfromAlternative3,analyzed,andincludedintheCMP. AlternativesConsidered TheCMP/EAconsideredfouralternatives: Alternative1or“NoAction”,requiredbythe NationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA)providesforthecontinuedcustodial managementofthepubliclands.Continuationofcurrentmanagementwouldnothave takenadvantageofthemanynaturalandculturalresourcesforwhichthepropertieswere acquiredbythegovernment. Inaddition,itwouldpossiblycreatenegativeenvironmental impactsbyleavingtheareavacantandunmanaged. Unauthorizedtrespasswouldlikely occurandtherecouldbelossofvaluableresourcesandforegoneopportunities. Alternative2emphasizesthearea’sculturalresourceheritageandproposescertainminor activitiestointerpretthem. UnderAlternative2,trailsandsmallinterpretativekiosksand 1 signsareallowed. Amongthefourproposedalternatives,thisonecontributesverylittle tothelocaleconomy. Giventhateconomicdevelopmentwasoneofthemajorgoalsof theplan,thisalternativewasnotconsideredoptimal. Alternative3proposesgreaterdevelopmentthanintheotheralternatives,especiallyon thesizeofthevisitors’center. Campgroundsareslightlylargerandotheramenities,such asaboatrampatWilsonFarm,areallowed. Implementationwouldbebasedon additionalrecreationplanning. Althoughthisoptionisessentiallythesameas Alternative4,thescaleofdevelopmentisconsideredtoolargeforthearea. Alternative4incorporatestheenvironmental,naturalresourceandculturalresource elementsoftheNanjemoyVisionprocessundertakenbyalocalcitizensgroupfrom2001 throughthepresent. Itproposesamoderatelevelofdevelopmentofthearea’s recreationalandculturalresources. Thisalternativeemphasizespreservingmuchofthe publiclandinanaturalstatetoprovideopenspaceandtomaintainthearea’srural character. Alternative4allowsconstructionofasmallinterpretative/culturalheritage visitorscenter,mostlikelyonStatelandatWilsonFarm. Smalltentcampgroundsare allowed. ResponsetoCommentsReceived TheNanjemoyVision,Inc.submittedquestionstotheStatepertainingtoclarifications aboutmountainbikeandequestrianuses;usespermittedatboatramparea,and clarificationofthefutureplanningprocessrelativetospecificactivitiesorfacilities,and clarificationofspecificstatementsandproposalsmadeintheCMP. Noneofthese clarificationsconstituteamaterialchangeintheplannordotheyrequireadditional impactassessment. Similarquestionshavebeengroupedandansweredtogether. Questions Incompatibilitydeterminationgeneratedbysiteanalysis: TheprimarygoaloftheCMP isto...“fosterconservationofopenspaceandprotectionofcrucialwildlifeandcultural resourcesandtoprovideforlowimpactrecreationalopportunities. Onlylandusesthat arefoundtobecompatiblewiththisgoalwillbeconsideredinthisplan”. Itseemssome landusesidentifiedintheCMP,suchas,30carparkingareas,30campsites,picnic shelterfor50people,waterservice,commercialsalesoftimber,andtrailusefor mountainbikes,andhorsesbedeterminedtobeincompatibleasaresultofasitespecific assessmentandreviewofenvironmentalstudies/reports? Sizerangeandnumberoffacilitiesproposed: AccordingtotheCMP,coulda determinationbemadeforprojectsthattherearezerocampsites,five-carparkinglots,no picnicshelter,nowaterservice,andnocommercialsalesoftimberpermittedoverthelife oftheplanascompatibleuses? TrailUse: TheCMPallowshorsesandmountainbikesonexistingtrails.Wouldhorses andmountainbikesbeallowedonanynewtrailsdeveloped? 2 pBrooajtecRtarmepviDewevceolnodpumcetendt:byAfttheerStthaetecoamnpdl/eortiBonLoMftaoddiidteinotniaflysaintde-msipteciigfaitcesptousdsiiebslaend impacts,couldtheoutcomebeoneofnopowerboatramporbelimitedtothe constructionofasinglepowerboatrampandonenon-motorizedboatlauncharea? Couldthedevelopmentofanon-motorizedboatlaunchontheBLMDouglasPointtract bedeterminedtobeanincompatibleuse? Ifthereisanon-motorizedboatlaunchatWilsonFarm,couldtheneedforanon- motorizedlaunchareaontheBLMDouglasPointlandbedeterminedtonolongerbe requiredduetotherelativeshortdistancebetweenWilsonFarmandDouglasPoint? Ifthereisanon-powerboatlaunchatWilsonFarm,wouldtheneedtoaddressthe recreationaluseforanon-powerlaunchontheMDNRDouglasPointlandbefulfilled duetotherelativeshortdistancebetweenWilsonFarmandDouglasPoint? Forestpractices: Ifthereisnotyetastate-wideformaldirectiveforcertificationof timberharvestsonstatelands,wewouldliketoobtainawrittencommitmentthatall futureplanningandprojectleveltimberactivitiesontheselandswillbecarriedoutunder theForestStewardshipCouncilcertificationprogramandthatthiscommitmentbemade apartofthisrecord. PhasingandMonitoring: DouglasPointisarelativelysmallareatoabsorbtheusesthat currentlyMIGHTbeallowedundertheCMP,andthepotentiallevelstheCMPallows, particularlyconsideringtheecologicalfragilenessoftheareawhichwilllimitwhere recreationalactivitiescanoccur. UseConflicts: Assitespecificstudiesandplansaredeveloped,whatareyourplansto examinethepotentialforandminimizethepotentialforrecreationaluserconflictswhich willinevitablyoccur,particularlyontrails? SincehuntingisaplanneduseforallpubliclandsexceptMarylandPoint,coulditbe determinedthattheWestsideoftheDouglasPointtractbeopentousesthatinclude hiking,wildlifeobservation,fishing,andbeachcombingandbutnotforhuntingtoavoid serioususerconflicts? Publiccoordination: SincetheNanjemoycommunityhasbeenrecognizedasapartnerin theplanningasaddressedintheDirectorofBLMKathleenClarke’sspeechonMay25, 2004,astheNanjemoyVision,Inc.,CharlesCountyGovernment,MDNR,andBLM receivedthe4C’sAward,howdoyouplantohelpthelocalcommunitycontinuetobe involvedinplanningasimplementationoftheCMPproceeds?Howcanthecommunity beupdatedregularly? Canacommunityrepresentativereceivemonthlyupdatesby email/mailofplanningandprojectexecutionprogressbythesitemanagerwithalistof dates,productsandpointswherepeoplecanweighinwithcontactandinformation numbers? General: Overall,clarificationsneedtobemadetoproposedallowableusesontheEast andWestsideoftheDouglasPointtract. Wehopethewestsidewillremainmore protectedduetoitssensitiveecologicalnature. ThemaponAppendix16-5needsadjustmenttoaccuratelyreflecttheproposedallowable usesforeachparcel. Responses MostofthedecisionstobeapprovedbytheDecisionRecordaresubjecttoadditional studyandanalysis. BureauofLandManagement(BLM)landuseplansaredesignedto provideverybasiclanduseallocations,suchaswhetherthelandisopenorclosedto mineralleasing,off-roadvehicleuseandlivestockgrazing. Plansmustalsoconsider likelyusesandtheirenvironmentalimpacts. Table1intheDecisionRecord(which incorporatestheactivitiesfromAlternative4inTable1fromtheCMP)willshowthe usesthatareallowableundertheCMP,butwillrequireadditionalstudytodetermine specificimpacts. TheseprinciplesapplytotheMDNRlandsaswell. Afteradditional study,adecisionwillbemadetoauthorizespecifictraillocations,usesandmitigation measures. Adesignphaseandconstructionphasewillfollowthisadditionalplanning. Theidentifiedallowableusesdonotallhavetobeimplemented,andimplementationcan occurinstagesinresponsetodemandandtheavailabilityoffunding. TheCMPserves asamenuofcompatibleusesbasedontheresourcesanddemandsforthesite. TheCMP identifiesrangesforthesizeoffacilities,suchasparkinglotsandthenumberof campsites. Thesizeandlocationofproposedactivityareasandfacilitieswillbe determinedbyamorethoroughanalysisoftheresourceinformationduringthenext planningphase(thedevelopmentofaLandUnitPlan/ActivityPlan),throughsubsequent resourcemanagementplansthatmayberequiredbytheLandUnitPlan/ActivityPlan (i.e.,aForestManagementPlan),andthroughtherigorsofthedesignphase. Aspartof theplanninganalysis,compatibilityofdifferentusesandactivitieswillbeevaluatedand effortswillbetakentominimizethepotentialforrecreationalconflicts. Inaddition, futureuseoftheareawillbemonitoredandifproblemsoccur,managementadjustments willbemadetoaddressandresolvetheproblems. IthasbeennotedthatsomeoftheproposalsoutlinedinTable1(Summaryofthe Alternatives)didnotalwayscorrespondwiththeAlternativesmapsinAppendix16. We acknowledgethatthetableandmapsareinconsistent. Fortherecord,theProposedCMP consistsoftheactivitiesinTable1withtheadditionsofthemotorizedboatrampat WilsonFarmandpossibleselectiveharvestingonStateland,whichmaybeconducted throughcommercialsales. AnytimbermanagementactivitieswillbeoutlinedinaForest ManagementPlanthattheStatewilldevelop. Ingeneral,theDepartment(MDNR)managesitsforestlandinamannerthatmaintains foresthealth,conservessoilandwaterresources,andprotectsbiologicaldiversityand sensitivehabitatswhileprovidingmultiplesocialandeconomicbenefits. Withthat premise,itistheintentionofMDNRtomanageitsforestsinamannerthatallowsforthe 4 harvestingoftimberoutsideofsensitiveresourceareas. Astheleveloftimber managementisdetermined,adecisionregardingcertificationwillbemade. Theproposaltocreateanon-motorizedboatput-inontheDouglasPointtractwould likelyrequiretheimprovementofanaccessroadbecauseMDRte.224isoveramile fromtheriveratthatpoint. Thisproposal,likeallothersintheCMP,issubjecttofurther analysisduringthenextplanningphase. Theplanwillinvestigateinmoredetailwhether theput-inandassociatedroad(whichcurrentlyexists,butwouldrequireimprovement)is appropriate. Theplanwillalsoconsiderenvironmentalimpactsofallproposalsandany alternativeswithintheoveralldirectionapprovedbytheCMP. Itmaybethata developednon-motorizedput-inisinappropriateforthatsite. ItistheintentofBLMandMDNRtocontinuetoinvolveNanjemoyVision,Inc.and otherpublicsintheplanningprocess. DecisionandRationale BasedontheinformationcontainedintheCMP/EA,thedecisionisherebymadebyboth BLMandMDNRtoapproveAlternative4,asmodified(preferredalternative). The modificationsaretheinclusionofapotentialmotorizedboatrampatWilsonFarm(State) andtheaddition(sincetheinitialdraftCMP)ofpotentialsilvaculturepracticesonthe stateproperties. ThisplanwaspreparedundertheregulationsimplementingFederalLandPolicyand ManagementAct(FLPMA)(43CFR1600). AnEAwaspreparedfortheCMPin compliancewithNEPA. ApprovalofthisCMPprovidesfortheuseoftheBLM administeredpubliclandsundertheconditionsdescribedandthelevelanalyzedinthe EA. SomeactionsconditionallyapprovedbythisDecisionRecord,willstillbesubjectto additionalsite-specificanalysis. ImplementationofthemodifiedAlternative4balancesopenspaceandrecreational activitiesontheNanjemoyPeninsulaandadequatelyprotectstheregion’scritical environmentalresources. Itencourageeconomicdevelopmentbasedonincreased recreationalandheritagetourism,whichisconsistentwiththeobjectivesoftheCMPand theplansofCharlesCountyandtheStateofMaryland. ApprovedBLMPlanningDecisions Table1belowcontainstheactivitiesapprovedbythisdecisionrecord. Someofthe actionsareimplementeduponapprovaloftheplan: • TheFederalportionsoftheDouglasPointandMarylandPointtractsare designatedasaSpecialRecreationManagementArea(SRMA). TheSRMAisan areawhereacommitmentofBLMstaffingandfundinghasbeenmadewithinthe 5 parametersofmultipleuses,toprovideopportunitiesforspecificrecreation opportunitiesandexperiencesonasustainedyieldbasis. • AllFederallandsareclosedtooff-roadmotorvehicles • AllFederallandisclosedtolivestockgrazing. • AllFederallandisclosedtomineralleasing. • NoFederallandisavailableforlandexchanges,RecreationandPublicPurposes Actsales,timbersalesandlandsales. • TheFederallandisdesignatedasanavoidanceareafornewrights-of-way. • TheFederallandhasnotbeendesignatedasanAreaofCriticalEnvironmental Concern. • TheFederallandsaredesignatedasRecreationOpportunitySpectrumcategory semi-primitivenon-motorized. • ActivitiestakingplaceonFederallandorbyFederalactionmustconformwith thePreventionofSignificantDeteriorationairqualityClass1designation. • TheFederalportionofDouglasPointisdesignatedasaVisualResource ManagementClassIIandMarylandPointasClassIII. • AfiremanagementplanwillbecompletedaftertheCMP. Thisplanwillanalyze themosteffectivemodesofprotectionandwilldetermineifprescribedfireor otherfuelstreatmentsarenecessaryfortheecosystemhealthandprotectionoflife andproperty. Untilthefiremanagementplaniscompleted,allwildlandfireswill besuppressedthroughagreementswithlocalcooperators. Changestothesedesignationswillrequireaplanamendmentorrevision. ThisDecisionRecordfulfillstheBLM’srequirementtoissueadecisionattheconclusion oflanduseplanning(43CFR1610.5). StateofMarylandDNRPlanningDecisions NosimilarrequirementexistsfortheStateatthisstageoflanduseplanning. Thefinal administrativedecisionforMDNRwilloccuratthecompletionofthenextplanning phase,whichwillresultinthedevelopmentofalandunitplan. TheMDNRconcurswith theselectionofAlternative4modifiedandwillutilizetheCMPasaguideinthe developmentofthelandunitplan. 6 ImplementationPlan Animplementationplansetsgeneralprioritiesforimplementingthedecisionsmadeby theCMP. Althoughsomespecifictasksandtimeframescannotbepreciselydetermined atthisstage,theimplementationplanallowsofficialstoplanstaffandbudgetary resources. TheimplementationplanfortheCMPisasfollows: BLMActions 1. EvaluateChilesHomesiteforpossiblenominationtotheNationalRegisterof HistoricPlacesandpreparenominationifappropriate. 2. SurveyFederalpropertyline,postsigns(e.g.,off-highwayvehicles&fossil collectionprohibition). 3. Developintegratedactivityplanforrecreationandculturalresources. 4. Developinterpretativematerials(maps,signs,kiosks,brochures). 5. Preparesiteandengineeringplans,ifnecessary. 6. Installsanitationfacilities. 7. Monitoringprotocoldevelopment. 8. Monitoringplan. 9. Developrecreationusesurveys. MDNRActions 1. SurveyandmarkStateboundaries. 2. GPSandmapexistingtrails. 3. Developaplanforresourcemanagementandpublicuse(LandUnitPlan). 4. LeaseWilsonFarmtracttoCharlesCounty. 5. DevelopForest/TimberManagementPlanandotherspecificresource managementplansthatmayberequired. 6. Submitcapitalbudgetrequestforproposedrecreationalimprovements. 7. Preparesitedesignsandengineeringplansforanyproposedrecreational development. 8. Developinterpretivematerials. 9. Monitoring. 7 Table1. ActivitiesApprovedbytheDecisionRecord ProgramArea DouglasPoint DouglasPoint MarylandPt. WilsonFarm PurseStatePark (Federal) (State) (Federal) (State) (State) Parking • Developtrailhead • Developedparking • Mediumparkinglot • Developparkingsites • Minorimprovements area/trailhead andsmallparkinglot sites(e.g.gravelor (gravelorpaved) (e.g.gravelorpaved toexistingparking construction ateachofthree pavedlots10-30cars • Assessneedfor 10-15carsea.)and siteandimprovetrail accesspoints(gated) ea.)andtrailhead trailheadconstruction trailhead andtrailheadto • Maintainandsign constructionparking inconnectionwith construction. reduceerosion. twoexistingtrails siteswouldbe usesdevelopedby situatedwithin implementationplan. propertytosupport otherfacilitiesor amenities. Signing • Moderatelevelof • Moderatelevelof • Minimallevelof • Moderatelevelof • Moderatelevelof regulatory,safety, regulatory,safety, regulatory,safety, regulatory,safety, regulatory,safety, directional,and directional,and directional,and directional,and directional,and interpretativesigns. interpretativesigns. interpretativesigns. interpretativesigns. interpretativesigns. Interpretivesites • Providemoderate • Interpretivetrails- • Providemoderate • Visitor-Heritage • Interpretivetrails- levelofsitesto signs;kiosks;self- levelofsitesto Centerandcontact signs;kiosks;self- interpretarea’s guidedtrails. interpretarea’s station(e.g.,5,000 guidedtrails culturalandother culturalandother sq.ft.); resources. resources • Interpretivetrails- • Nodevelopedpicnic • Developedpicnic signs;kiosks;self- areas. areasasneeded. guidedtrails DayUse • Nofacilities-informal • Picnictables/shelters, • Smallpicnicarea; • Picnictables/shelters, • Nofacilities-informal Facilities useforpicnicking 20-50peopleeach tables/grills 20-50peopleeach useforpicnicking etc. etc. Toilets • Installvaulttoiletsat • ClivusorVault;may • Provideadequate • Yes(Clivus,Vault • No oneofthethree requirewaterfor sanitationfacilities and/orrestrooms trailheadsorparking picnicgroupshelters (Vaulttoilets) withwater) lotcomplexes.