Foster Flat-Black Rim Sagebrush Area – State Wildlife Action Plan

Photo is needed for this COA. — Submit photos to: OCS.Revision@ODFW.Oregon.gov

Geographic boundaries of the COAs were updated for the 2026 State Wildlife Action Plan and the associated COA profiles are intended to provide additional information. Content of each COA profile is being refined and will be updated to reflect current conditions when feasible. Please help us by submitting information on Local Conservation Actions, Plans, or Potential Partners to: OCS.revision@odfw.oregon.gov.

Located in the Foster Flat area, south of Harney Lake and west of US Highway 205, this COA encompasses large areas of sagebrush steppe shrublands and playa lakes. In 2012, eastern portions of this COA were burned.

Recommended Conservation Actions

Manage grazing to promote healthy wetland, riparian, and upland habitats
Promote early detection of and removal of invasive plant species
Restore and Maintain continuous sagebrush habitat

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

Potential Partners

Special Features

General

Columbia spotted frog breeding sites
Provides connectivity between Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and Steens Mountain
Sage Grouse Core Habitat Areas

Previously Associated With

2006 COA ID NBR-05 (Hart Mountain area)

Protected Areas

Foster Flat
Orejana Canyon Wilderness Study Area

Specialized Local Habitats

Playa Lakes
Canyon Shrublands

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.

Key Habitats

Natural Lakes

Natural lakes are relatively large bodies of freshwater surrounded by land that were formed through geological processes, such as glacial scouring, tectonic movements, volcanic activity and river meander cutoffs. In Oregon, natural lakes are defined as standing water bodies larger than 20 acres, including some seasonal lakes. Depth is not a reference for characterization of …

Flowing Water and Riparian Habitats

Flowing Water and Riparian Habitats include all naturally occurring flowing freshwater streams and rivers throughout Oregon as well as the adjacent riparian habitat.