Or. Admin. Code § 350-082-0710

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 12, December 1, 2024

Section 350-082-0710 - Special Management Area Recreation Resources Review Criteria

(1) The following shall apply to all new recreation developments and land uses in the SMAs:

(a) New development and land uses shall not displace existing recreational use.

(b) Recreation resources shall be protected from adverse effects by evaluating new development and land uses as proposed in the site plan. An analysis of both onsite and offsite cumulative effects shall be required.

(c) New pedestrian or equestrian trails shall not have motorized uses, except for emergency services.

(d) Mitigation measures shall be provided to preclude adverse effects on the recreation resource.

(e) The Facility Design Guidelines are intended to apply to individual recreation facilities. Development or improvements within the same Recreation Intensity Class are considered as separate facilities if they are separated by at least 1/4 mile of undeveloped land (excluding trails, pathways, or access roads).

(f) New development and reconstruction of scenic routes shall include provisions for bicycle lanes.

(g) Proposals to change the Recreation Intensity Class of an area shall require a Management Plan amendment.

(2) Recreation Intensity Class Guidelines in the SMAs

(a) Recreation Intensity Class 1 (Very Low Intensity)

(A) Social Setting: Visitors in this designation have a high chance of finding solitude and opportunities to experience activities that rely on self-reliance, challenge and risk. Encounters with other visitors is low throughout the designation. Perceived crowdedness is low to non-existent away from roads recreation sites. Visitor encounters and perceived crowdedness is low to moderate at or near (within one mile) roads and recreation sites.

(B) Physical and Managerial Setting: Predominately natural or natural appearing landscapes with rustic improvements characterize this designation. Nodes of developed recreation facilities may be allowed. Developed recreation site regulations and controls (signing, regulations or other regimentation) are noticeable but harmonize with the natural characteristics of the landscape setting. Away from developed recreation sites there is minimal or subtle control of users.

(C) Trail development is simple and typically accommodate low use levels. Users are highly skilled with a high degree of orienteering skills.

(D) The maximum design capacity for parking areas shall be ten vehicles.

(E) The following uses may be permitted subject to compliance with 350-082-0720.

(i) Trails and trailheads.

(ii) Parking areas.

(iii) Dispersed campsites accessible only by a trail.

(iv) Viewpoints and overlooks.

(v) Picnic areas.

(vi) Signs.

(vii) Interpretive exhibits and displays.

(viii) Restrooms.

(ix) Accommodations for mass transportation facilities should be considered where compatible with the social and physical settings.

(b) Recreation Intensity Class 2 (Low Intensity)

(A) Social Setting: This designation is characterized by opportunities to experience relaxation, physical fitness and outdoor learning and where there is a moderate probability to experience solitude. Visitor encounters are low to moderate on trails and away from developed recreation sites and roads and usually moderate to high near (within one mile) recreation sites and roads.

(B) Physical and Managerial Setting: Predominately natural or natural appearing landscapes with rustic improvements characterize this designation. Nodes of highly developed recreation facilities may be allowed. Developed recreation site regulations and controls (signing, regulations or other regimentation) harmonize with the natural characteristics of the landscape setting. Away from developed recreation sites there is minimal or subtle control of users.

(C) Trails are moderately developed (native surface or gravel, trail bridges and other facilities are provided for user convenience). Trail use is typically low to moderate. Trails are suitable for a wide range of users and are challenging and involve intermediate to advance skills.

(D) The maximum design capacity for parking areas shall be 25 vehicles.

(E) The following uses may be permitted subject to compliance with 350-082-0720.

(i) All uses permitted in Recreation Intensity Class 1 are permitted in Recreation Intensity Class 2.

(ii) Campgrounds for twenty (20) units or less, tent sites only.

(iii) Boat anchorages designed for no more than ten boats at one time.

(iv) Swimming areas.

(v) Accommodations for mass transportation facilities should be considered where compatible with the social and physical settings.

(c) Recreation Intensity Class 3 (Moderate Intensity)

(A) Social Setting: A high degree of interaction with other visitors with opportunities to experience relaxation and activities that provide little challenge or risk in a natural appearing environment characterizes this designation. Visitor encounters are moderate to high on trails away from developed recreation sites and roads.

(B) Physical and Managerial Setting: Changes to the natural landscape may be evident but in harmony with natural characteristics of the landscape setting. Highly developed recreation facilities and trails are constructed for visitor convenience. On-site regulation and controls are noticeable but harmonize with the natural environment.

(C) Trails typically accommodate moderate to high use and are well developed (native, gravel or paved surfaces, trail facilities such as bridges are provided for convenience). Trails are easily traveled by a wide range of users who have intermediate skill level and minimal orienteering skills.

(D) Permitted uses are those in which people can participate in activities to realize experiences such as group socialization, nature appreciation, relaxation, cultural learning, and physical activity.

(E) The maximum design capacity for parking areas shall be 50 vehicles. The GMA vehicle capacity level of 75 vehicles shall be allowed if enhancement or mitigation measures for scenic, cultural, or natural resources are approved for at least ten percent of the site.

(F) Accommodation of facilities for mass transportation (bus parking, etc.) shall be required for all new Recreation Intensity Class 3 day-use recreation sites and improvements to existing Recreation Intensity Class 3 day-use recreation sites where the improvement would increase the use of the site, except for sites predominantly devoted to boat access. The number and size of the mass transportation facilities shall reflect the physical capacity of the site.

(G) The following uses may be permitted subject to compliance with 350-082-0720.

(i) All uses permitted in Recreation Intensity Classes 1 and 2 are permitted in Recreation Intensity Class 3.

(ii) Campgrounds with improvements that may include vehicle access, water, power, sewer, and sewage dump stations. Campgrounds shall not exceed a combination of 50 single or group campsites (tent or recreational vehicle) and a total design capacity of 250 people at one time.

(iii) Boat anchorages designed for not more than 15 boats.

(iv) Public visitor, interpretive, historic, and environmental education facilities.

(v) Full-service restrooms that may include showers.

(vi) Boat ramps.

(vii) Riding stables.

(d) Recreation Intensity Class 4 (High Intensity)

(A) Social Setting: This designation is characterized by highly developed facilities where there is little challenge or risk associated with being in the outdoors. There is a high degree of interaction with other visitors. Encounters are high in recreation sites, on roads and trails within in this designation.

(B) Physical and Managerial Setting: Landscapes with natural appearing backdrop are characterized by this designation. Highly developed recreation facilities and trails are constructed for visitor convenience and ease of movement. On-site regulation and controls are noticeable but harmonize with the natural characteristics of the landscape setting.

(C) Trails are highly developed (gravel or paved surfaces, trail facilities such as bridges are provided for convenience) and accommodate heavy to intensive use. Users are typically inexperienced with little or no orienteering skills. Trails are easily traveled by a wide range of users.

(D) Permitted uses are those in which people can participate in activities to realize experiences such as socialization, cultural and natural history appreciation, and physical activity.

(E) The maximum design capacity for parking areas shall be 200 vehicles. The GMA vehicle capacity level of 250 vehicles shall be allowed if enhancement or mitigation measures for scenic, cultural, or natural resources are approved for at least 20 percent of the site.

(F) Accommodation of facilities for mass transportation (bus parking, etc.) shall be required for all new Recreation Intensity Class 4 day-use recreation sites and improvements to existing Recreation Intensity Class 4 day-use recreation sites where the improvement would increase the use of the site, except for sites predominantly devoted to boat access. The number and size of the mass transportation facilities shall reflect the physical capacity of the site.

(G) The following uses may be permitted subject to compliance with 350-082-0720.

(i) All uses permitted in Recreation Intensity Classes 1, 2, and 3 are permitted in Recreation Intensity Class 4.

(ii) Campgrounds with improvements that may include vehicle access, water, power, sewer, and sewage dump stations. Campgrounds shall not exceed a combination of 100 single or group campsites (tent or recreational vehicle) and a total design capacity of 500 people at one time.

Or. Admin. Code § 350-082-0710

CRGC 1-2022, adopt filed 03/02/2022, effective 5/1/2022

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 196.150, RCW 43.97.015, 16 USC § 544f(l)

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 196.150, RCW 43.97.015, 16 USC § 544f(l)