Bitter Creek and Mountain Plover
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern
Plan Amendment and Environmental Assessment
Finding of No Significant Impact / Decision Record
A Plan Amendment and Environmental Assessment (EA) has been completed addressing
designation of two Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) in Valley County,
Montana, administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Malta Field Office, Glasgow
Field Station. The Final Plan Amendment / EA # MT-096-99-04 was completed in December
2000. This document was provided to all interested and affected parties; a copy is available for
review at the Glasgow Field Station and at www.mt.blm.gov/lands/ACEC.pdf.
DECISION:
Based on the information and analysis of the Plan AmendmentEA and comments from the
public, it is my decision to adopt Alternative B: designation of the two ACECs, with
management according to the prescriptions described below. (Please note that the Final Plan
Amendment/EA did not include management prescription for Bitter Creek, deferring that until
after Congress releases itfrom Wilderness Study Area (WSA) status. Due to concerns raised in
the protest resolution process, management prescriptions for Bitter Creek are now included.)
Bitter Creek
Bitter Creek will be designated an ACEC (59,600 public acres). The boundary will include the
three segments of the Bitter Creek WSA. Until Congress acts to either release Bitter Creek from
wilderness study or designate it wilderness, the area will continue to be managed under the
Interim Management Policy for WSAs (the IMP).
The threefold goal for management of the Bitter Creek ACEC is: (1)maintain the natural
grassland vegetation; (2) limit visual change to the undisturbed scenic landscape; and (3) ,
encourage understanding of, and appreciation for, the prairie grassland ecosystem.
If Congress adopts the BLM’s recommendation and releases Bitter Creek from WSA status, the
special management as an ACEC will comprise the following management prescriptions. These
management prescriptions are similar to, but not significantly different from, the restrictions in
the revised edition of the IMP existing in 1998, except where resource values warrant a different
type or level of restriction. A more detailed plan for management of the ACEC would be
initiated within 2 years following WSA release. This ACEC management plan would be
developed through a public process. If at that time decisions are proposed that would
significantly alter the resource allocations outlined in the management prescriptions below, a
plan amendment would likely be undertaken.
Bitter Creek Management Prescriptions
No oil and gas or mineral leasing will be allowed. There are no existing leases.
No new roads will be allowed.
Any surface disturbing activities will be reclaimed with native species and contoured to match the natural terrain.
No above ground rights-of-way will be allowed.
Off-highway travel will be limited yearlong to designated roads and trails, as shown in Figure 2 page 15 of the Final Plan Amendment / EA. Travel off these designated routes will be allowed for permitted uses, primarily livestock permittees for maintenance of fences and movement of livestock.
Motorized wheeled cross-country travel to a campsite will be permissible within 300 feet of roads or trails. Site selection must be completed by non-motorized means and accessed by the most direct route causing the least damage.
Cross-country wheeled vehicle travel would be permissible in emergency operations, including search and rescue and fire suppression. No blading or plowing of fire lines would be allowed.
Current management of livestock grazing will continue with any changes or revisions based on rangeland health standards and the goals of maintaining the natural, undisturbed grassland.
No mechanical rangeland treatments will be allowed. Prescribed fire may be used to maintain the grassland. Existing fences and reservoirs will be maintained. New reservoirs or fences will be considered only if they are necessary to meet rangeland health standards, are reclaimed with native species and designed to minimize visual change. To maintain the native grassland, noxious weed control will continue to focus on aerial chemical application and biological methods. Follow-up ground application could be done if needed. The use of insecticides will not be allowed.
The BLM will promote research by universities and other governmental agencies to further understanding of the grassland ecosystem and associated wildlife.
The BLM will provide interpretive information via the BLM website, pamphlets, signing, etc., to aid understanding and appreciation of the native plants, animals, geology and other features of the ACEC. The watchable wildlife tour route will be continued and maintained for 4x4 travel.
http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/mt/blm_programs/planning/jvp_rmp/bittercreek.Par.66473.File.dat/bittercreekDR.pdf