Basque Hills Area Plains – Oregon Conservation Strategy

Barely crossing into Lake County on its western edge, This COA is predominantly located in southwestern Harney County and connects to the Sage Hen Creek COA (201) and the Hart Mountain Area COA (200) on its western and southeastern borders. It encompasses an area from Mahogany Mountain in the north to the southern edge of Catlow Rim, Lone Mountain, and Oregon End Reservoir in the east, and then south along the foothills of the Pueblo Mountains to the Oregon/Nevada border.

COA ID: 202

Recommended Conservation Actions

Initiate or continue wet meadow conservation and restoration efforts
Manage livestock grazing to promote health sagebrush and wetland habitats
Promote early detection and removal of invasive plants with an emphasis on unique high quality grasslands
Restore and/or maintain Aspen woodlands
Restore and/or maintain complex continuous sage habitat

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

Potential Partners

Special Features

General

Area contains extensive high quality sagebrush habitats
Sage Grouse Low Density and Core Habitat Areas

Previously Associated With

2006 COA ID NBR-06 (Basque Hills area plains)

Protected Areas

Basque Hills Wilderness Study Area
Hawk Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Hawksie-Walksie Research Natural Area
Long Draw
Rincon Wilderness Study Area
Spaulding Wilderness Study Area

Ecoregions

Northern Basin and Range

The Northern Basin and Range ecoregion covers the very large southeastern portion of the state, from Burns south to the Nevada border and from the Christmas Valley east to Idaho. It is largely a high elevation desert-like area dominated by sagebrush communities and habitats.