Preservation of Scenery National Historic Trails. Rob Sweeten BLM Kevin Rauhe EPG

Transcription

1 Preservation of Scenery National Historic Trails Rob Sweeten BLM Kevin Rauhe EPG

2 EPG Background Landscape architects with expertise in visual resources Resource staff includes: archaeologists, biologists, paleontologists, hydrologists, botanists, GIS specialists, etc. Focus on large-scale utility NEPA projects Unique perspective on inventorying for linear features Developed a methodology with BLM and NPS to address National Historic Trails

3 Recent Project Examples with Trail Analysis Energy Gateway South Transmission Project EIS SunZia Southwest Transmission Project EIS

4 Trail Guidance National Trails System Act of National Trails System Memorandum of Understanding BLM trail manuals (i.e., 6250, 6280, 8353) BLM Resource Management Plans Trail Comprehensive Management Plans

5 NTSA 1968 Established a network of scenic, historic, and recreation trails to provide for outdoor recreation needs. National Historic Trails must: (1) follow as closely as possible to the actual route of historic use, (2) be of national significance, and have significant potential for public recreation and/or interpretation opportunities. High potential historic site: historic significance, presence of visible historic remnants, scenic quality, and relative freedom from intrusion. High potential route segments: high quality recreation experience with greater than average scenic values or affording an opportunity to vicariously share the experience of the original users of a historic route.

6 2006 National Trails System MOU Signed by the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Federal Highway Administration to encourage long-term interagency coordination.

7 BLM Trail Manuals BLM Manual 6250 National Scenic and Historic Trail Administration BLM Manual Management of National Scenic and Historic Trails and Trails Under Study or Recommended as Suitable for Congressional Designation. BLM Manual Trail Management Areas Secretarially Designated National Recreation, Water, and Connecting and Side Trails.

8 Trail Management Documents Comprehensive management plan Trails nature and purpose: defined by the character, characteristics, and congressional intent for the trail Primary use(s): authorized mode or modes of travel, and/or activities identified in the plan Federal protection components: high potential historic sites, high potential historic route segments, and auto tour routes Resource management plan (BLM, USFS, etc.) Additional local levels of protection including management goals and actions This direction should tier to the comprehensive management plan

9 Project-specific Approach Energy Gateway South Transmission Project EIS Old Spanish National Historic Trail San Rafael Swell Section in Cottonwood Wash

10 Trail Inventory Study Area Comprehensive management plan and applicable area resource management plans National Trail Right-of-way: based upon the overall trail alignment (comprehensive management plan) National Trail Management Corridor: land use decision for each local jurisdiction (resource management plan) Both are established to encompasses the designed National Trail s resources, qualities, values, associated setting, and primary uses. What if comprehensive management plan has not been prepared or resource management plans don't define management corridor? Work with trail coordinator(s), local field offices, and trail groups to establish this area to support NEPA analyses

11 Scenery Data BLM Visual Resource Inventory Trail-specific scenery delineations Delineated at a scale appropriate for a linear feature Relies upon those features mentioned in journals and where scenery is highly intact

12 Viewing Locations Review comprehensive management plan for: High potential route segments High potential historic sites Congressionally-designated alignment Scenic roads Scenic overlooks Recreation sites Special federal designations (e.g., wilderness, area of critical environmental concern [ACEC], etc.) What if comprehensive management plan has not been prepared?

13 Impact Assessment Area of Potential Impacts Area of potential impacts varies based upon the proposed project For the Energy Gateway South Transmission Project EIS, a 3- mile buffer was used as the area of potential impacts for analysis

14 Visual contrast is defined as the change introduced by project features when compared to the existing landscape. BLM VRM system utilizes form, line, color, and texture associated with the following three components: Landform/Water Vegetation Structures Impact Assessment Visual Contrast

15 Impact Assessment Modification of Scenery High impacts: high-quality scenery would be modified where the setting is a defining factor for the high potential route segments and/or high potential historic sites Moderate impacts: characteristics of interesting scenery would be modified as seen from high potential route segments and/or high potential historic sites Low impacts: minimal change to the character of common scenery as seen from high potential route segments and/or high potential historic sites Class C scenery - common Class B scenery - interesting

16 Impact Assessment Modification of Views High impacts: contrast produced by a project would demand attention and dominate views Moderate impacts: contrast produced by a project would attract attention of viewers Low impacts: contrast produced by a project would not be readily apparent Scenic Overlook Contributing Trail Segment Historic Property Congressional Alignment

17 Impact Assessment Consistency with Planning Comprehensive management plan Coordinate with National Trail Coordinator Consistency with: Trails nature and purpose Primary use(s) Federal protection components Resource management plan (BLM, USFS, etc.) Coordinate with each BLM Field Office, National Forest, etc. Consistency with: Trail-specific guidance Specific resources requirements (e.g., VRM Class)

18 Impact Assessment Visual Simulations Visual simulations support analysis and provide a graphic depiction of impacts Additionally, simulations present opportunities for mitigation

19 Lessons Learned Involve trail groups early in the process Meet together with the federal, state, and local agencies as well as trail groups to develop a comprehensive inventory Clearly define study area and area of potential impacts with agencies and stakeholders Involve a wide-variety of resource staff to form a complete picture for historic trails Simulations are a critical communication tool for visual impacts

20 Questions?