Oregon Natural Desert Ass'n v. McDaniel et al
Filing
329
OPINION & ORDER: ONDA's Motion for Summary Judgment 295 is Denied. Harney County's Motion for Summary Judgment 293 and Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment 309 are Denied. The Government's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgme nt as to Harney County's Motion 300 is Granted. The Government's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment as to ONDA's Motion 304 is Granted. The Government's Motion to Strike 301 and ONDA's Motion to Strike Notice 324 are Denied as moot. Signed on 2/13/18 by Magistrate Judge Paul Papak. (gm)
THE UNITED STATES DISTRlCT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON
OREGONNATURALDESERT ASS'N,
No. 3:09-cv-369-PK
Plaintiff,
v.
OPINION AND ORDER
BRENDAN CAIN, Bums District Manager,
BLM, et al.,
Defendants,
and
HARNEY COUNTY,
Defendant-IntervenorCross-Claimant.
PAPAK,J.
Plaintiff Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) seeks judicial review of two
final agency decisions concerning the designation of routes available for motorized travel in
the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA): the decision of
the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA), on remand from this court, to affirm the Bureau
of Land Management (BLM)'s adoption of the Steens Mountain Travel Management Plan
(TMP); and BLM's subsequent decision to issue the Steens Mountain Comprehensive
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OPINION AND ORDER
Recreation Plan. ONDA claims that these two decisions violate the Steens Mountain
Cooperative Management and Protection Act of2000 (the Steens Act), 16 U.S.C. §§ 460nnn 460nnn-122; the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 U.S.C. §§
1701-87; the Wilderness Act of 1964, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1131-36; and the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321-61. Third Am. & Suppl. Comp!., ECF No. 244.
Defendants are BLM; Brendan Cain, Burns District Manager, BLM; Rhonda Karges,
Manager, Andrews Resource Area, BLM (I refer to these defendants collectively as BLM);
and the IBLA. Harney County has intervened as a defendant, and asserts cross-claims against
BLM under NEPA and the Steens Act.
In 2007, BLM issued the Travel Management Plan (TMP) decision at issue here. In
2008, ONDA appealed the TMP to the IBLA. In 2009, the IBLA affirmed the TMP decision
almost in its entirety, reversing only the TMP's allowance of motorized traffic on Obscure
Routes.
ONDA then filed this action seekingjudicial review of the IBLA's decision. In 2011,
on cross-motions for summary judgment, I remanded the case to the IBLA for further
proceedings on seven of the nine issues raised by ONDA. Oregon Natural Desert Ass 'n v.
1\1cDaniel, No. 09-cv-369-PK, 2011 WL 1654265, at* 10 (D. Or. April 28, 2011), ECF No.
103 (0 & 0). I concluded that the IBLA's opinion was arbitrary and capricious because it had
failed to address the seven issues "sufficiently to create a record for judicial review." Id.
(footnote omitted). The most troubling issue for me was "the IBLA's complete failure to
review the TMP's individual route determinations, the methodology BLM employed in
conducting its route inventory, or the evidence presented by ONDA that BLM's route
designations ignored the actual conditions on the ground." Id. I did not rule on the merits of
ONDA's claims on the seven issues, leaving that for the IBLA to resolve on remand. 1
On remand, after receiving additional evidence and briefing, the IBLA affirmed the
I The 0 & 0 vacated the IBLA's decision, but on a motion for reconsideration, I ruled that vacating the
decision was not necessaiy. Oregon Natural Desert Ass 'n v. McDaniel, No. 09-cv-369-PK, 2011 WL
3841550 (D. Or. July 8, 2011), ECF No. 118.
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OPINION AND ORDER
TMP in its entirety. Oregon Natural Desert Ass'n (On Judicial Remand), IBLA No.
2008-59-1, 185 IBLA 59, 2014 WL 7150267, ECF No. 203 (IBLA Sept. 30, 2014) (IBLA
Op.). In affirming the TMP, the IBLA sua sponte vacated its prior reversal ofBLM's
designation of Obscure Routes as open to motorized travel.
In 2015, BLM issued the Comprehensive Recreation Plan (CRP). In preparing the
CRP, BLM reexamined the Obscure Routes and decided to close many of the Obscure Routes
to motorized travel.
ONDA now seeks judicial review of the 2014 IBLA decision and the 2015 CRP. For
the following reasons, I conclude that the 2014 IBLA decision and BLM' s 2015 CRP decision
are supported by substantial evidence in the record, are not contrary to law, and are not
arbitrmy or capricious. I therefore deny ONDA's Motion for Summmy Judgment and grant
BLM's Cross-Motion for Summmy Judgment. I deny Harney County's Motion for Summary
Judgment. I deny the parties' motions to strike.
LEGAL STANDARDS
I. Legal Standard for Judicial Review of Final Agency Decisions
When reviewing a final agency decision under the Administrative Procedure Act
(APA), the court determines whether the agency's decision was "arbitrmy, capricious, an
abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law." 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(A). Before
overturning an agency decision under the APA's deferential standard of review,
the court must consider whether the decision was based on a consideration of the
relevant factors and whether there has been a clear error of judgment. Although
this inquhy into the facts is to be searching and careful, the ultimate standard of
review is a narrow one. The court is not empowered to substitute its judgment for
that of the agency.
Citizens to Preserve Overton Park v. Volpe, 401U.S.402, 416 (1971) (citations omitted),
abrogated in part on other grounds by Califtmo v. Sanders, 430 U.S. 99, 105 (1977). The
court presumes that the agency acted properly and affirms when "'a reasonable basis exists for
its decision."' Nw. Ecosystem Alliance v. US. Fish & Wildlife Serv., 475 F.3d 1136, 1140 (9th
Cir. 2007) (quoting Independent Acceptance Co. v. California, 204 F.3d 1247, 1251 (9th Cir.
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OPINION AND ORDER
2000) (citations omitted)). The plaintiff bears the burden of showing that an agency decision
or action was arbitrmy and capricious. Kleppe v. Sierra Club, 427 U.S. 390, 412 (1976).
The parties have filed cross-motions for summary judgment under Federal Rule of Civil .
Procedure 56. See City & Cty. ofSan Francisco v. United States, 130 F.3d 873, 877 (9th Cir.
1997) (summmy judgment is '"an appropriate mechanism for deciding the legal question of
whether the agency could reasonably have found the facts as it did"') (quoting Occidental
Eng'g Co. v. INS, 753 F.2d 766, 770 (9th Cir. 1985)). But when a comi reviews an agency
decision, the AP A's legal standards, not those of Rule 56, govern. In this context, "summary
judgment" is "simply a convenient label to trigger" judicial review. Klamath Siskiyou
Wild/ands Ctr. v. Gerritsma, 962 F. Supp. 2d 1230, 1233 (D. Or. 2013), aff'd, 638 F. App'x
648 (9th Cir. 2016).
II. Standard of Review for IBLA Decisions
"Co mis apply the same standard of review of IBLA decisions as for review of agency
decisions generally." 0 & 0 at *9. This comi may reverse the IBLA's decision only if the
decision is arbitrary, capricious, not supp01ied by substantial evidence, an abuse of discretion,
or contra1y to law. Akootchook v. United States, 271 F.3d 1160, 1164 (9th Cir. 2001). "This
standard is narrow and a reviewing comi may not substitute its judgment for that of the
agency." Geo-Energy Partners-1983 Ltd. v. Salazar, 613 F.3d 946, 955 (9th Cir. 2010). The
reviewing court carefully searches the full record '"to determine whether it contains such
relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to supp01i a conclusion and
whether it demonstrates that the decision was based on a consideration of relevant factors.'"
Akootchook, 271 F.3d at 1164 (quoting Hjelvik v. Babbitt, 198 F.3d 1072, 1074 (9th Cir.
1999)).
BACKGROUND
The Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA) "is a
high dese1i area ranging from aspen and juniper woodlands to sagebrnsh shrublands and
grasslands, punctuated by perennial and intermittent streams, springs, and riparian areas."
IBLA Op. at 65 (footnote omitted). The CMPA, which BLM manages, comprises more than
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OPINION AND ORDER
420,000 acres of public land, as well as almost 67,000 acres of private land. Id Steens
Mountain, a 9,773-foot high mountain, is "the centerpiece of the CMPA" Id
"The fundamental purpose of the Steens Act is 'to conserve, protect, and manage the
long-term ecological integrity of Steens Mountain for future and present generations."' Id at
64 (quoting 16 U.S.C. §§ 460mm(5)). The Steens Act restricts motorized and mechanized
travel on federal lands in the CMPA, "generally prohibiting off-road vehicle use and restricting
vehicle use to designated existing roads and trails (with limited exceptions) and precluding the
construction of new roads or trails (with limited exceptions)." Id at 65 (citing 16 U.S.C. §§
460mm-22). The Steens Act requires that BLM create "a comprehensive plan for the
long-range protection and management of the Federal lands included in the [CMP A]," 16
U.S.C. § 460mm-21 (b), including, "as an integral paii, a comprehensive transportation plan for
the Federal lands included in the [CMP A], which shall address the maintenance, improvement,
and closure ofroads and trails as well as travel access," 16 U.S.C. § 460nnn-22(a). The Steens
Act also closed about 100 miles ofroutes.
In 2005, BLM adopted the Steens Mountain CMPA Resource Management Plan
(RMP). In developing the RMP, BLM prepared an Environmental Impact Statement, taking
public comments. See AR 11052-12237. The RMP included an abbreviated Transpo1iation
Plan (TP), "which provided guidance regarding the maintenallce, improvement, use, and
accessibility of roads and trails in the CMPA The TP also provided for a site-specific on-theground route invent01y, which would update and map all existing routes in the CMPA." IBLA
Op. at 66. BLM began preparing a comprehensive Travel Management Plan, seeking to
determine '"how best to manage travel in the CMP A while protecting resources including
wilderness characteristics, providing for 'reasonable' access to private lands, providing for
sustainable livestock grazing, providing recreation opp01iunities, and otherwise meeting RMP
land management objectives."' Id (quoting Environmental Assessment at 3, AR 9955)
(footnote omitted).
In 2007, this comi addressed ONDA's challenge to the Steens Mountain RMP. Oregon
Natural Desert Ass'n v. Shuford, No. 06-cv-242-AA, 2007 WL 1695162 (D. Or. June 8, 2007)
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OPINION AND ORDER
(Shtrford), ajf'd sub nom. Oregon Natural Desert Ass 'n v. McDaniel, 405 F. App'x 197 (9th
Cir. 2010). In Sh1rford, this court denied ONDA's motion for summmy judgment except as to
ONDA's challenge to the TP. This court held that the TP
violated the Steens Act for several reasons. First, the plan did not include a
"comprehensive management system for travel over roads, ways, and trails."
[Shuford, at *18.] Second, the plan explicitly provided for an additional
environmental assessment and travel management plan, including further field
inventories and need dete1minations, in order to complete the comprehensive
transportation plan mandated by the Steens Act. Finally, the plan as it existed
did not "describe or include a plan for managing different types of travel over
specific areas, roads, routes or trails." [Shtrford, at *19.] Thus, the plan failed
to address travel on hiking trails, an unambiguous requirement of the statute.
0 & 0 at *6 (citations omitted). After Sh1rford remanded the TP to BLM, this court denied
ONDA's request to vacate the TP, finding "no hmm to the public interest." Oregon Natural
Desert Ass'n v. Shtrford, No. 06-cv-242-AA, ECF No. 243, slip op. at 8 (D. Or. July 8, 2008)
(noting that the Steens Act "contains little guidance" on "the substance that must be contained
in a transportation plan"). Shortly after this court decided Shtrford, BLM rescinded the RMP
so that it could issue a new RMP incorporating this court's guidance.
Meanwhile, in April 2007, BLM issued an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the
TMP. In the EA, BLM considered four alternatives, "maximize use," "minimal change,"
reduced use," and "proposed action." BLM based the "minimal change" alternative primarily
on ONDA's advice and comments.
In November 2007, BLM issued the TMP decision, which designated 555 miles of
routes as Base Routes, defined as routes "cmTently open to motor vehicle travel." 0 & 0 at *4.
The 555 miles of Base Routes included 36 miles of Obscure Routes, defined as routes "hard to
locate on-the-ground." Id.
ONDA appealed the TMP decision to the IBLA. In 2009, the IBLA affomed the TMP
except as to the TMP's allowance of motorized travel on Obscure Routes. ONDA appealed the
IBLA's 2009 decision to this court, leading to the 0 & 0 issued in 2011 and the subsequent
remand. In 2014, the IBLA issued its decision affirming the TMP in its entirety. In 2015,
BLM issued its CRP decision.
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OPINION AND ORDER
DISCUSSION
ONDA contends that the 2014 IBLA decision affirming the TMP and the BLM's 2015
CRP decision violate the Steens Act, FLPMA, the Wilderness Act, and NEPA. ONDA's
claims focus primarily on whether BLM properly designated routes in the Steens Mountain
Comprehensive Management and Protection Area that should be open to motorized travel. As
explained below, I affirm the IBLA decision, which resolved the remanded issues in a
comprehensive opinion that reviewed the voluminous evidence and thoroughly analyzed the
complex legal issues.
I. ONDA's Steens Act Claims
In the 0 & 0, I remanded two issues concerning the BLM's alleged violations of the
Steens Act: whether BLM violated the Steens Act's prohibition of off-road motorized travel,
16 U.S.C. § 460nnn-22(b), by designating routes that did not exist as open to motorized travel;
and whether BLM violated the Steens Act's prohibition on constructing new motorized roads
or trails, 16 U.S.C. § 460nnn-22(d), by approving maintenance of routes that did not exist to
allow motorized travel. ONDA now contends that the IBLA acted arbitrarily and capriciously
in ruling for BLM on these issues. ONDA also contends that BLM's CRP decision violates the
Steens Act.
ONDA argues that IBLA's interpretation of the Steens Act does not deserve Chevron 2
deference but only the lower level of deference described in United States v. 1'.£ead Corp., 533
U.S. 218, 228 (2001). See Pl.'s Reply-Resp. 26-27 & n.6. ONDA distinguishes my prior
ruling that Chevron deference applies to the IBLA's statutory interpretation of the Steens Act,
0 & 0 at *12, arguing that the IBLA's sua sponte decision to reinstate the Obscure Routes
does not deserve such deference. Adhering to my prior ruling, I agree with BLM that Chevron
deference applies to IBLA's statutory interpretations of the Steens Act. In any event, my
rulings would be the same under the less deferential lvfead standard.
2 Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Nat. Res. Defense Council, 467 U.S. 837 (1984).
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OPINION AND ORDER
A. BLM's Methods for Inventorying Routes
The parties dispute whether the IBLA correctly affirmed the TMP's invento1y ofroutes
designated for motorized travel. I find that the IBLA comprehensively addressed the
"overriding factual issue" of"the accuracy and completeness ofBLM's route inventory."
IBLA Op. at 76. The IBLA concluded, "Based on our careful review of the administrative
record presented to the Court and as supplemented on judicial remand, we are persuaded that
BLM's November 2007 [Decision Record] was based on a complete and accurate invento1y of
the 555 miles of routes designated as open to motorized vehicle use in the CMPA." Id. at 77.
1. ONDA's Objections to the Route Inventory
ONDA claims that the IBLA's affirmance ofBLM's methods for inventorying routes
was m·bitrary and capricious. 3 ONDA contends that BLM conducted incomplete surveys, using
ground-based surveys for only about 100 miles of the 555 miles designated as open to
motorized travel. ONDA also contends that BLM's Route Analysis Fonns (RAFs) and postdecision declarations submitted during remand proceedings were incomplete because the RAFs
covered only about 45 miles of the 121 miles of routes that ONDA had identified as being of
concern, and did not address any Obscure Routes. ONDA also contends that the RAFs did not
address whether the routes existed on the ground, and included almost no ground-based
photographs. ONDA contends that BLM failed to address the thousands of photographs
ONDA provided during the EA NEPA process.
As to the Obscure Routes issue, ONDA contends that the IBLA's sua sponte decision
to reverse its prior decision and to reinstate Obscure Routes as open to motorized travel was
arbitra1y and capricious because no new evidence in the record suppmied that decision.
ONDA also contends that the IBLA's reinstatement of the Obscure Routes violated the Steens
Act's prohibition against driving cross-countty and against establishing new roads in the
CMP A. ONDA also attacks the IBLA Opinion's ruling that a route may exist as a matter of
record, even if the route cannot be found on the ground.
3 In its reply brief, ONDA cites NEPA as the basis for its objection to the route inventory. Pl.'s Reply
13. I will address ONDA's objection as a claim under the Steens Act and NEPA.
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OPINION AND ORDER
2. BLM's Route Inventory Was Reasonable
After considering ONDA's objections to the IBLA's affomance ofBLM's route
inventmy, I conclude that the IBLA's decision was not arbitra1y or capricious. The IBLA
reasonably concluded that BLM was not required to survey all possible routes on the ground,
but instead could rely on "other reliable evidence that can be used to determine the existence of
a route, whether that evidence consists of aerial photographs taken of the land in question at or
near the critical date, first-hand accounts by members of the public who visited the land in
question at or around the critical time, or other appropriate evidence." IBLA Op. at 86-87
(footnote omitted).
The IBLA "considered ONDA's ground-level geo-referenced photographs and aerial
photographs of various routes," but noted that "this evidence suffers from the fact that
ONDA's documentation does not concern all the challenged routes, and even where it does
concern such routes, the data is limited in nature." Id. at 87-88. The IBLA stated that ONDA
had provided "only a few ground-level photographs for each of the challenged routes, and each
of the photographs shows only a relatively short stretch of that route, i.e., the segment where
the route is obscure to some degree." Id. at 88. The IBLA found that "most of these
photographs disclose the existence ofroutes, although they have become partially obscured by
vegetative growth and weathering." Id.
ONDA argues BLM's own wilderness handbooks require on-the-ground surveys to
establish the existence of a route. I agree with BLM that even ifthe handbooks cited by
ONDA required the exhaustive procedures ONDA advocates, the handbooks are not binding
on BLM. See, e.g., Moore v. Apfel, 216 F.3d 864, 868-69 (9th Cir. 2000) (provision in agency
litigation manual was not binding on agency because it "creates no substantive rights" and
instead "provides [agency] staff with internal procedures").
The IBLA Opinion states that although BLM "did not survey all of the routes
designated as open to motorized travel on the ground," "BLM' s methodology for determining
routes to be designated was appropriate to the task, and yielded complete and accurate results
regarding existing routes from which it could be dete1mined whether they were, in appropriate
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OPINION AND ORDER
instances, in existence on October 30, 2000, in the case of the CMPA, or October 21, 1976, in
the case of the [Wilderness Study Areas]." IBLA Op. at 90. 4 ONDA has not shown that the
Steens Act or NEPA requires that BLM conduct an arduous, time-consuming, and expensive
route-by-route analysis if other methods are sufficient to conduct the inventory.
The IBLA Opinion stated that because almost all of the public lands in the CMPA are
covered by about 40 grazing allotments, "most of the allegedly nonexistent or obscure routes
reportedly provide access to the grazing permittees, for the purposes of monitoring and
maintaining fences, reservoirs, and other rangeland improvements, and to BLM, for the
purposes ofrangeland monitoring, maintaining grazing improvements, and grazing
management." IBLA Op. at 91 (footnote omitted). In responding to ONDA's argument that
routes may be visible in aerial photographs but difficult or impossible to follow on the ground,
the IBLA ruled that the issue was not "whether the routes at issue may be easily followed, only
whether they exist. If they can be discerned from the air, we conclude that they exist." IBLA
Op. at 87 n.31. The IBLA reasoned that the Steens Act gives BLM discretion to designate
existing routes, and that the statute "does not define what is meant by an existing route. It does
not exclude routes that have become overgrown or otherwise naturally reclaimed, but whose
line may be traced on the ground, or exclude routes that have been infrequently used in the
past." IBLA Op. at 87 (footnote omitted). The IBLA's interpretation of the Steens Act as
applied to the existence of a route is reasonable and entitled to deference.
The IBLA also ruled that the Steens Act does not exclude "routes that exist only as a
matter ofrecord." Id The IBLA stated th.at the Steens Act "prohibit[s] any 'off road'
motorized travel or the creation of any 'new road or trail for motorized or mechanized
vehicles,' except in limited circumstances. A new route is clearly one that never existed, but
has now been brought into existence, by construction or use." Id. (quoting 16 U.S.C. §
460nnn-22(b) and (d) (emphasis added)). "Routes that exist only as a matter of record" include
routes that appear on old maps, are noted in reports by local ranchers or other land owners, or
4 October 20, 2000 is the effective date of the Steens Act. October 21, 1976 is the effective date of
FLPMA.
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are visible in aerial photographs, but are no longer apparent on the ground for the entire length
of the route. The IBLA Opinion explained its reasoning:
So long as a route existed as a matter of record, the fact that it has become
overgrown or otherwise has been reclaimed by natural processes, which affects
the degree to which it might be restored to full use by blading or other means,
does not render it a new route or its use a "de facto construction of new road."
Nor does BLM's authorization of blading or other maintenance of a route that
existed as the time of enactment of the Steens Act, either on the ground
(although obscure) or as a matter ofrecord (although apparently nonexistent),
even where it dramatically improves the ability to follow the route on the
landscape, constitute impennissible new construction. The use of any such
route is not properly characterized as "off-road" within the meaning of the Act.
IBLA Op. at 102 (citation omitted). I conclude that the IBLA's interpretation of the Steens
Act's application to routes that exist only as a matter of record is entitled to deference.
The IBLA's opinion also resolved the ambiguity in the Steens Act's prohibition of offroad motorized travel, which I noted in the 0 & 0 remanding this action:
The Steens Act, however, contains a strange textual ambiguity. While [16
U.S.C.] § 460nnn-22(b)(l)(A) prohibits motorized "off road" travel,§
460nnn-22(b)(l)(B) permits motorized travel on "roads and trails" designated
by the transportation plan. Thus, in the same breath, the Steens Act bans
motorized vehicles on anything but "roads," yet permits motorized vehicles on
"trails." This inherent contradiction undercuts the IBLA's reasoning based on
the definitions of Obscure Routes, and ONDA's proposed extension of that
reasoning to Historical Routes. Even if a route characterized as a Historical
Route is hard to locate on the ground and thus cannot be a "road," it could
potentially be a "trail" which BLM can designate for motorized travel under §
460nnn-22(b)(1 )(B). It is not my role to harmonize these apparently
contradictory provisions of the Ste ens Act or to conduct a judicial review of the
IBLA's determination that opening Obscure Routes violated the Steens Act.
O&Oat*l4.
On remand, the IBLA concluded that "since the statute clearly meant to allow BLM to
designate roads and trails as open to motorized travel, the prohibition against motorized offroad travel logically can only mean that motorized travel that does not occur on either a road
or a trail is prohibited." IBLA Op. at 98 (footnote omitted). Based on this conclusion, the
IBLA ruled that "to the extent Obscure Routes constitute trails, their designation as open to
motorized travel does not violate the statutory prohibition of motorized off-road travel." Id at
99. After resolving the statutoty ambiguity, the IBLA concluded that it had erred in its
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previous opinion when it ruled that BLM had improperly designated Obscure Routes as open to
motorized travel. Id. I find that the IBLA's decision on this issue is a reasonable interpretation
of the Steens Act.
ONDA contends that regardless of whether BLM classifies a route as a "road" or
"trail," ONDA's photographs show that driving or mechanical maintenance on Obscure Routes
"will involve cross-country travel that cmshes vegetation and establishes new roads." Pl.'s
Reply-Response 28. BLM responds that most of the Obscure Routes ONDA challenges are
classified as "ways" in the Wilderness Study Area, where mechanical maintenance is
prohibited. BLM also notes that many routes in the CMPA are primitive and maintained "by
use more than equipment," so safety and use dictate the maintenance provided, and correcting
drainage issues is the focus of primitive route maintenance. Defs.' Reply 5. The IBLA noted
that although BLM is prohibited from authorizing the construction of new trails for motorized
or mechanized use "where a route never existed," BLM "may authorize the use of trails for
motorized or mechanized use where an exiting road has been naturally reclaimed to the point
that it becomes an existing trail." IBLA Op. at 100-01.
ONDA also argues that the IBLA Opinion improperly affirmed BLM's authorization of
motorized travel on about 9 miles of ATV routes. ONDA contends that these ATV routes
"will have to be mechanically reconstructed ... [because] [o]therwise even motorists on an
ATV ... will have to drive around large rocks and eroded gullies--i. e., drive cross-country ...
." Pl.'s Reply-Response 28. The IBLA determined, however, that ATV routes "are not routes
that 'have been destroyed by landslides and natural erosion events,"' but rather are "routes that
have been affected by landslides and natural erosion events to the point that they are no longer
safe for full-sized vehicles." IBLA Op. at 102 (quoting ONDA's brief) (emphasis added by the
IBLA). BLM states that ONDA's own photographs show the ATV routes on the ground, and
argues that these existing ATV routes may be maintained to ensure safety and avoid undue
harm. I find that BLM's designation of ATV routes as open to motorized travel is reasonable
and does not violate the Steens Act.
I conclude that the IBLA Opinion affirming BLM's inventory of routes is supported by
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substantial evidence and is not arbitrmy or capricious. I therefore affirm the IBLA's ruling that
the TMP did not violate the Steens Act. I also conclude that the CRP does not violate the
Steens Act.
II. ONDA's FLPMA Claim
In the 0 & 0, I remanded the issue whether BLM has violated FLPMA's nonimpairment mandate for Wilderness Study Areas, 43 U.S.C. § 1782(c), by designating as open
to motorized travel Historical Routes or other routes that either did not exist or came into
existence after FLPMA's 1976 effective date. I stated in the 0 & 0, "FLPMA requires BLM
to manage the [Wilderness Study Areas] 'in a manner so as not to impair the suitability of such
areas for preservation as wilderness, subject, however, to the continuation of existing mining
and grazing uses and mineral leasing in the manner and degree in which the same was being
conducted on October 21, 1976."' 0 & 0 at *15 (quoting 43 U.S.C. § 1782(c)).
I noted in the 0 & 0, "While ONDA repeatedly objected to an extension of public
motorized access, it conceded that continued motorized use by grazing permittees was proper;
even ifthat use was not documented in BLM's late-1970's Wilderness EIS." 0 & 0 at *16.
Fmihermore, I stated that "[i]f indeed the TMP only allows grazing permittees to continue their
pre-FLPMA access over what are now te1med Historical Routes, I cannot see how those
Historical Routes violate the FLPMA, especially since ONDA repeatedly conceded that
'recollected' historic use by permittees would not run afoul of the FLPMA." Id. at* 16.
However, I noted that ONDA could argue on remand that the TMP either establishes Historical
Routes that were not used by grazing permittees before the enactment ofFLPMA, or
improperly permits the general public to travel on Historical Routes previously used only by
grazing permittees.
On remand, the IBLA dete1mined that the TMP allows only grazing permittees to use
Historical Routes in Wildlife Study Areas. ONDA argues that if a route has become
"overgrown--in effect, 'closed' by nature-- then BLM cannot now designate it as open in the
Steens Mountain travel plan." Pl.'s Mot. 39. BLM responds that accepting ONDA's position
would in effect punish pe1mittees who do not use an Historical Route frequently enough to
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keep it visible on the ground. I agree with BLM that closing overgrown Historical Routes
would not be consistent with FLPMA.
ONDA also argues that BLM has not properly documented Historical Routes in
Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs). ONDA contends that BLM relied on inadequate evidence of
grazing routes, such as the recollection of Dick Jenkins, a rancher, and reports submitted by
Harney County. ONDA contends that BLM's Wilderness EIS does not disclose several
"pioneered routes" that BLM now contends were in existence when FLPMA was enacted in
1976. However, as discussed above, I agree with the IBLA that BLM's invent01y methods
were reasonable.
As to the 2015 Comprehensive Recreation Plan (CRP), ONDA argues that the CRP
violates FLPMA's non-impairment provision because BLM did not close all of the Obscure
Routes potentially reopened by IBLA's 2014 ruling. ONDA argues that these Obscure Routes
have been "naturally reclaimed" and no longer exist on the ground.
BLM responds that these routes are not open to the public, and will be used only by
grazing pe1mittees, landowners, and BLM and its contractors, and will be maintained only by
the passage of vehicles, absent a site-specific NEPA analysis for safety or resource concerns.
BLM argues that it is required to provide access for grandfathered grazing, and the Steens Act
requires it to provide reasonable access to non-federal lands. I conclude that BLM may
designate these routes as open for motorized travel so long as they are used only by grazing
permittees and other authorized users.
ONDA also argues that the 2007 Travel Management Plan (TMP) violates a FLPMA
regulation, 43 C.F.R. § 8342.l(a)-(c), on minimizing impacts to soil, vegetation, wildlife, air,
water, and cultural resources. Pl.'s Mot. 41-42. ONDA contends that the Environmental
Assessments for the TMP and the CRP "contain no route-specific discussion in any of their
sections addressing these resources." Pl. 's Mot. 42. Because this claim was not included in 0
& O's list of seven issues to be resolved on remand, BLM argues that ONDA is in effect
asking this court to remand a new FLPMA issue to be addressed by the IBLA for the first time,
flouting finality and the efficient use of judicial resources. BLM also argues that ONDA's
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FLPMA minimization argument fails because the Steens Mountain Resource Management
Plan (RMP) previously established off-road vehicle designations, and ONDA litigated and lost
a minimization challenge against the RMP designations. Shtrford, 2007 WL 1695162, at *14. I
conclude that even if ONDA may bring a claim that was not included in the issues for remand,
ONDA has not shown that it is entitled to prevail on the merits of its FLPMA minimization
claim.
III. ONDA's Wilderness Act Claim
In the 0 & 0, I remanded the issue whether BLM violated the Wilderness Act's nonimpaitment mandate for wilderness areas by designating as open to motorized travel Historical
Routes or other routes that either did not exist or came into existence after the Steens Act's
2000 effective date. See 16 U.S.C. § l 133(b). As noted above, on remand, the IBLA ruled that
Historical Routes could be used only in limited circumstances by "grandfathered" grazing
permittees.
The IBLA had a rational basis for its ruling that the five Historical Routes' specified by
ONDA could be used only for limited grazing pmposes. By interviewing pe1mittees, BLM
could reasonably dete1mine the need for, and the existence of, Historical Routes used for
salting and reservoir checking. I find no error in the IBLA's determination that the Historical
Routes at issue "existed when the [Wilderness Area] was created on October 30, 2000, and on
October 21, 1976." IBLA Op. at 115. I conclude that because these Historical Routes exist,
and are used only for limited purposes, ONDA has not shown that BLM has violated the
Wilderness Act's non-impairment mandate.
IV. ONDA's NEPA Claims
ONDA claims that BLM violated NEPA by inadequately assessing the environmental
baseline and by failing to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). NEPA is a
5 Jn the 0 & 0, I noted that "ONDA and BLM's current briefing on ONDA's Wilderness Act claim
primarily concerns ... whether five specific routes (either Historical Routes or Grazing Permit Routes)
designated by the TMP violate the Wilderness Act." 0 & 0 at *17. Because the IBLA on remand
addressed only these five specific routes, on review of the IBLA's decision it would not be appropriate
for this comt to resolve the merits of any other such routes ONDA challenges now. See 0 & 0 at *21.
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procedural statute that does not mandate particular results, but rather sets a review process to
"ensure that federal agencies take a hard look at the environmental consequences of the
proposed action." Sierra Club v. Bosworth, 510 F.3d 1016, 1026 (9th Cir. 2007).
A. Inaccurate Baseline Information
ONDA contends that BLM failed to evaluate and disclose an accurate environmental
baseline. "The establishment of a 'baseline is not an independent legal requirement, but rather,
a practical requirement in environmental analysis often employed to identify the environmental
consequences of a proposed agency action."' Oregon Natural Desert Ass 'n v. Jewell, 840 F.3d
562, 568 (9th Cir. 2016) (quoting American Rivers v. FERC, 201F.3d1186, 1195 n.15 (9th
Cir. 1999)).
ONDA contends that BLM provided inaccurate information about the existence of
routes to the public and the IBLA, leading the IBLA "to believe that the [Travel Management
Plan and the Comprehensive Recreation Plan were6] merely formalizing 'an existing network'
of roads that were already there, not approving motorized use and mechanical maintenance that
would ... result in new disturbance tantamount to cross-countty driving and creation of new
roads." Pl. 's Reply-Response 17. The IBLA on remand rejected ONDA's NEPA baseline
argument. The IBLA concluded that the EA formulated and fully considered "Alternative C,"
which used ONDA's route invento1y and TMP recommendations. I agree with the IBLA that
"in summarizing the material offered in support of and in opposition to the designation of 555
miles of routes as open to motorized travel, the EA adequately established the environmental
baseline for purposes ofBLM's consideration of the likely impacts of the proposed TMP
decision." IBLA Op. at 121.
As to the CRP, BLM argues that the CRP adequately explained each Obscure Route
that it considered for closure but decided to open. I conclude that BLM acted reasonably in
designating a limited number of Obscure Routes as open to motorized travel. I note that
Hamey County's motion challenges BLM's decision to close some of the Obscure Routes,
6 I agree with BLM that ONDA's reference to "the TMP-CRP" inaccurately conflates two independent
final agency decisions.
Page -16- OPINION AND ORDER
discussed below.
B. Failure to Prepare an EIS
ONDA contends that BLM improperly failed to create an EIS that would address routes
that ONDA asserts "have been naturally reclaimed into the landscape and therefore no longer
exist, and routes that are causing resource damage, such as crossing streams or creating erosion
problems." Pl.'s Reply-Response 18. NEPA requires agencies considering "major Federal
actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment" to prepare an EIS. 42
U.S.C. § 4332(2)(C). To determine whether an EIS is required, an agency may first prepare a
less extensive EA, as occurred here. 40 C.F.R. § 1501.4(b). If the EA finds that the proposed
action will significantly affect the environment, the agency then must prepare an EIS. W.
Watersheds Project v. Abbey, 719 F.3d 1035, 1050 (9th Cir. 2013). If the proposed action is
found to have no significant effect, the agency may issue a FONSI "accompanied by a
convincing statement of reasons to explain why a project's impacts are insignificant." Sierra
Club, 510 F.3d at 1018 (quotation marks and citation omitted).
To determine whether the potential environmental effects of an agency action are
significant, agencies must evaluate "both context and intensity." 40 C.F.R. § 1508.27. In
assessing intensity or "severity of impact," agencies look to the applicable regulatory factors.
40 C.F.R. § 1508.27(b). A court may find a substantial effect based on just one of the
"intensity" factors. Ocean Advocates v. US. Army Corps ofEng'rs, 402 F.3d 846, 865 (9th
Cir. 2004). Courts in this district have held that even if no single factor justifies an EIS, an
agency may still be required to prepare an EIS when the factors are considered cumulatively.
See, e.g., Cascadia Wild/ands v. US. Forest Serv., 937 F. Supp. 2d 1271, 1283-84 (D. Or.
2013).
Here, ONDA contends that NEPA requires BLM to prepare an EIS based on the
following three factors:
(3) Unique characteristics of the geographic area, such as proximity to historic
or cultural resources, park lands, prime fmmlands, wetlands, wild and scenic
rivers, or ecologically critical areas.
(4) The degree to which the effects on the quality of the human environment are
Page -17- OPINION AND ORDER
likely to be highly controversial.
(5) The degree to which the possible effects on the human environment are
highly unce1iain or involve unique or unknown risks.
40 C.F.R. § 1508.27(b)(3), (4), and (5).
As to unique characteristics, ONDA contends that opening more than 500 miles of
routes to motorized travel may have a significant impact. ONDA cites the potential of
motorized travel on the designated routes to fragment sage-grouse habitat, and to cause the
spread of noxious weeds.
BLM responds that the EA's analysis of effects on wildlife, including the sage-grouse,
was "tiered" to the 2007 EIS prepared with the Steens RMP, which discussed the potential
fragmentation issue. The IBLA noted, "BLM concluded, in its EA and DR, that designating the
555 miles of routes as open to motorized travel was not likely to significantly fragment wildlife
habitat or otherwise adversely affect wildlife or wildlife habitat." IBLA Op. at 126. The IBLA
also noted, "While the motorized use of individual roads and trails will undoubtedly affect
sage-grouse, we are not persuaded, given the distribution of roads throughout the 496, 136-acre
CMP A, which generally provides year-long habitat, and the exclusion of motorized travel
during most of the critical breeding season, that the TMP decision may cumulatively impact
sage-grouse in a significant manner." IBLA Op. at 127. Conversely, the IBLA stated, "IfBLM
were to close existing routes to motorized travel, this action would concentrate motor vehicle
use on a smaller number of routes, potentially increasing impacts to sage-grouse and other
aspects of the human environment." Id As I ruled when addressing a similar issue in Oregon
Natural Desert Ass 'n v. Cain, 17 F. Supp. 3d 1037, I 056 (D. Or. 2014), BLM may reasonably
rely on a study indicating that "[fJragmentation by rarely-traveled dirt roads has not been found
to be a negative influence on lek7 persistence, nor has presence of secondaiy roads." (Citation
and quotation marks omitted.)
As to noxious weeds, BLM notes that the Steens EIS has already addressed this issue for
7 "Lek" is an area where sage-grouse gather for courtship display.
Page -18- OPINION AND ORDER
the majority of routes in the RMP, finding that while the motorized travel would introduce and
spread weeds, management policies would limit the overall spread. In Cain, I concluded that
BLM had reasonably found that "its [road] maintenance activities would not contribute to the
spread of noxious weeds." 17 F. Supp. 3d at 1054-55. The IBLA noted that ONDA has shown
"only a difference of professional opinion regarding likely impacts, which is not sufficient to
establish a NEPA violation." IBLA Op. at 129. I agree that when specialists' views conflict,
the agency "must have discretion to rely on the reasonable opinions of its own qualified expert
even if, as an original matter, a court might find contrary views more persuasive." Marsh v.
Oregon Nat. Res. Council, 490 U.S. 360, 378 (1989); see also Cain, 17 F. Supp. 3d at 1056
(BLM could properly prefer the opinion of its weed expe1t over that of ONDA's expert).
As to the controversial effects factor, ONDA argues that "nothing could be more 'highly
controversial' than BLM's assumption of 556 miles of 'existing' roads, when contrasted with
the ONDA inventories and the comments of20,000 citizens who urged BLM to consider that
information and to reduce motorized use on Ste ens Mountain." Pl.' s Reply-Response 24
(emphasis deleted). In this context, however, "controversial" "refers to disputes over the size or
effect of the action itself, not whether or how passionately people oppose it." Wild Wilderness
v. Allen, 871 F.3d 719, 728 (9th Cir. 2017). BLM notes that "'many commenters asked the
BLM to preserve the remaining vehicular routes."' Defs.' Reply 33 (quoting AR 798). I agree
with BLM that the controversy over motorized travel does not rise to a level that would require
BLM to prepare an EIS.
As to the uncertainty factor, ONDA argues that the possible effects ofBLM's travel plan
are highly unce1tain because BLM' s invent01y and methods are so unreliable. Because I have
found that BLM did not act umeasonably in creating the route invent01y, I disagree that the
effects of the TMP and CRP are so uncertain as to require an EIS. See In Defense ofAnimals v.
US. Dep 't ofInterior, 751 F.3d 1054, 1070 (9th Cir. 2014) (agency need not prepare EIS unless
effects of project are "highly uncertain" (internal quotation and citation omitted)). Rather than
authorizing a new activity with an unce1tain effect, the TMP instead authorized a continuation
of the use of already existing routes. See IBLA Op. at 131 (in the EA, BLM "expressly
Page -19- OPINION AND ORDER
determined that the likely impacts of designating the routes as open to continued motorized
travel was not likely to impact any aspect of the human environment in a highly uncertain
manner, because they had been in existence for quite some time"). I conclude that the IBLA
reasonably determined that BLM was not required to prepare an EIS for the TMP based on
significant impact, controversy, or uncertainty. For the same reasons, I conclude that BLM did
not violate NEPA in deciding not to prepare an EIS for the CRP decision.
V. BLM's and Harney County's Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment
BLM and Harney County have filed cross-motions for summary judgment on Harney
County's cross-claims against BLM under the Steens Act and NEPA. Harney County claims
that BLM violated its duty under the Steens Act to consult with the advis01y council and the
public when deciding whether "to permanently close an existing road in the [Cooperative
Management and Protection Area (CMPA)] or to restrict the access of motorized or mechanized
vehicles on certain roads." 16 U.S.C. § 460nnn-22(c); see 16 U.S.C. § 460nnn-51 (defining role
of advis01y council). Harney County objects to BLM's procedures leading up to the CRP
decision to close some Obscure Routes.
BLM contends that it adequately consulted with Harney County about the closures, and
Harney County lacks standing to raise this objection. Based on the record, I agree with BLM
that it complied with the Steens Act and NEPA in the procedure it used to issue the CRP.
Harney County has not shown it was unable to adequately consult on BLM' s decision to close
some of the Obscure Routes. I need not address standing.
VI. Motions to Strike
A. BLM's Motion to Strike
I deny BLM's motion to strike the Seventh Declaration of Chris Miller. Miller's
declaration, with attached tables and photographs, gives ONDA's views on the routes it
contends should be closed to motorized travel.
B. ONDA's Motion to Strike
I deny ONDA's motion to strike the Declaration of Stacy Fenton and the attached map.
Fenton states the map shows that Miller's declaration indicates more than 30 miles of routes "of
Page -20- OPINION AND ORDER
concern" that were never previously cited by ONDA as problems.
CONCLUSION
ONDA's Motion for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 295, is DENIED. Hamey County's
Motion for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 293, and Cross-Motion for Summaty Judgment, ECF
No. 309, are DENIED. The Government's Cross Motion for Summary Judgment as to Harney
County's Motion, ECF No. 300, is GRANTED. The Government's Cross-Motion for Summmy
Judgment as to ONDA's Motion, ECF No. 304, is GRANTED. The Government's Motion to
Strike, ECF No. 301, and ONDA's Motion to Strike Notice, ECF No. 324, are DENIED as
moot.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated this 13th day ofFebrumy 201s:-~-~-
bnorable Paul Papak
United States Magistrate Judge
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