BLM Updates Management Plan For South-central Oregon -01/16/25

LAKEVIEW, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management today announced the release of the record of decision and approved resource management plan for the Lakeview planning area, which covers 3.2 million acres of public lands in Lake and Harney counties. The amendment updates the 2003 plan, providing management direction for livestock grazing and off-highway vehicle use to protect important landscapes while providing continued public access. It also preserves natural landscapes and protects 415,000 acres of lands with wilderness characteristics.

“These expansive, natural landscapes are special places that provide outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive, unconfined recreation,” said Lakeview District Manager Todd Forbes. “This update will help shape BLM’s management of these lands and resources for the next two decades.”

Tribal governments, local and state agencies, the Southeast Oregon Resource Advisory Council, and members of the public provided valuable input and feedback during the planning process. The BLM considered approximately 1,300 comments while developing the plan amendment. The BLM’s updated analysis responds to requirements of a 2010 settlement agreement on the Bureau’s management of lands with wilderness characteristics, off-highway vehicle use, and grazing management.

To preserve unique and special landscapes, cross-country off-highway vehicle use will be limited to about 70,000 acres within the Christmas Valley Sand Dunes and other areas scattered across the planning area where cross country use is already occurring. Vehicular use will be allowed on existing or designated routes across 3.1 million acres in the planning area.

The amendment also provides additional guidance on the implementation of Standards for Rangeland Health and processing of voluntarily relinquished livestock grazing permits.

The resource management plan and associated final environmental impact statement is available at the BLM National NEPA Register.

BLM Takes Steps To Advance Northern Spotted Owl Recovery: Bureau Will Implement FWS Strategy To Protect Spotted Owl Populations (Photo) -01/08/25

Portland, Ore. — In order to further protect imperilled northern spotted owls in Oregon, the Bureau of Land Management today issued a final decision to implement a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service strategy to responsibly manage barred owl populations on BLM-managed lands. The strategy is the first comprehensive proposal to address the significant threat posed by inter-species competition.

Northern spotted owl populations are rapidly declining, and the species is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Its two biggest threats are competition from invasive barred owls, as well as fire and drought-related habitat loss. The BLM already limits habitat loss through its 2016 Resource Management Plans for Western Oregon.

Although barred owls are native to eastern North America, they moved west due to human activity. Their population now surpasses northern spotted owls across most of Washington, Oregon, and California. Barred owls are bigger and more aggressive and frequently outcompete native spotted owls for nesting spots and prey.

“Northern spotted owls are at a tipping point, and both barred owls and habitat have to be managed to save them,” said Barry Bushue, BLM Oregon/Washington state director. “If we act now, future generations will still be able to see and hear northern spotted owls in our Pacific Northwest forests.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s barred owl management plan resulted from significant public involvement and thorough environmental analysis. More information is available on the agency’s barred owl management website, including the final Environmental Impact Statement and strategy, record of decision, and frequently asked questions. BLM’s decision to implement the barred owl control plan is available online at [will insert web address before signing: DOI-BLM-ORWA-0000-2025-0001-EIS] and is posted in the Federal Register.

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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

BLM Seeks Input On Proposed Bridge Creek Area Allotment Plans (Photo) -01/08/25

Hines, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management is taking public comments on the draft environmental impact statement for the Bridge Creek Area Allotment Management Plans in Southeast Oregon. The analysis proposes several alternatives for livestock management and related actions in the 26,420-acre project area on Steens Mountain, near the town of Frenchglen.

“There is a high level of interest in this project, and BLM welcomes public participation to reach a sound decision,” said Don Rotell, BLM Oregon/Washington’s Andrews/Steens Field Manager.

The project includes four allotments: Hammond, Mud Creek, Hardie Summer, and Hammond Fenced Federal Range allotments.

The alternatives in the draft analysis consider issuing 10-year grazing permits and the approval of four allotment management plans that outline seasonal grazing systems, grazing utilization thresholds, monitoring, and range developments, among other terms and conditions that could be required under a grazing authorization. The draft also considers options to address community concerns regarding fire danger and that respond to changing conditions on the landscape.

There is no grazing preference nor any grazing authorizations associated with the four allotments in the project area, all of which have been largely ungrazed since 2014. Following issuance of the final EIS, BLM would sign a record of decision. If the decision selects livestock grazing as an action, BLM would issue a separate decision allocating forage and grazing permits as required by the grazing regulations, including those applying to conflicting applications at 43 CFR 4130.1-2.

A Notice of Availability, [RP1] Eplanning Bridge Crk EIS, will publish in Friday’s Federal Register to begin a 45-day public comment period. Additional information is available at the BLM National NEPA Register. Please submit public comments no later than Feb. 24, 2025, through the “Participate Now” option at the BLM National NEPA Register (preferred), by email to BLM_OR_BU_BCA_AMP@blm.gov, or mail to 28910 Hwy 20 W., Hines, Oregon, 97738. Please reference “BCA AMP” when submitting comments..

For more information, please contact the project lead at 541-573-4400.

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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the 

nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

BLM Approves Updated Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Plan -01/07/25