Bureau of Land Management Ore. & Wash.

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News Release

BLM Geothermal Leases In Oregon Sale Net More Than $430,000 -07/22/25

VALE, Ore. —The Bureau of Land Management leased two parcels in Malheur County totaling 5,235 public acres for $430,518. The sale generated an average of $82 per acre in total receipts, which was the most per acre revenue generated from a BLM geothermal lease sale in Oregon in recent history. 

 

For each parcel leased, 50 percent of the combined bid, rental receipts, and subsequent royalties will go to the State of Oregon, 25 percent will go to Malheur County, and the remaining 25 percent will go to the U.S. Treasury. 

 

Geothermal lease sales support domestic energy production and American energy independence, while contributing to the nation’s economic and military security. Consistent with Executive Order 14154, “Unleashing American Energy,” the BLM's geothermal lease sales help meet the energy needs of U.S. citizens and solidify the nation as a global energy leader long into the future and achieve American Energy Dominance. 

 

Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal geothermal resources. The BLM ensures geothermal development meets the requirements set forth by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and other applicable legal authorities. Planning documents for this sale are available at the BLM National NEPA Register. The BLM’s lease sales are held online through EnergyNet. 

 

Geothermal is an abundant resource, especially in the West, where the BLM has authority to manage geothermal resource leasing, exploration, and development on approximately 245 million surface acres of public lands and the 700 million acres where the United States owns the subsurface mineral estate. 

 

Please visit the BLM’s Geothermal Energy page for more information. 

 

-BLM- 

 

The BLM manages about 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. 

 

Prevention Efforts, Initial Attack Resources Prove Successful In Reducing Wildfire Threat -07/09/25

PORTLAND, Ore. —As Oregon continues to experience persistent hot and dry conditions typical of midsummer, both community prevention efforts and swift responses from wildland firefighters are playing a crucial role in keeping large fires at bay. This season, fewer large wildfires have been reported compared to previous years, a positive trend that fire officials attribute to increased public awareness and the dedication of Initial Attack resources.

This summer, the Bureau of Land Management, along with other agency’s wildfire prevention strategies, are delivering real results. Community vigilance has been instrumental in preventing human-caused wildfires. People recreating, traveling, and working outdoors have stepped up by adhering to fire safety practices, following burn bans, and observing campfire restrictions and equipment guidelines. This collective responsibility is making a real difference in minimizing risk across the state.

Equally significant has been the outstanding performance of Initial Attack resources and technology. These critical first responders—including district firefighters, smokejumpers, and aviation crews—have remained on high alert and have responded rapidly to emerging fire starts. Their ability to contain fires during the first few hours of ignition is making all the difference.  These firefighters are using fire detection cameras to alert them to new fires across Oregon and Washington, giving them every advantage they can to detect, respond and suppress the wildfires at the smallest size possible.

“Initial Attack firefighters have been putting out a ton of fires before they get big. A lightning storm last week was causing 60–70 fires a day, and Initial Attack caught them all,” said Richard Parrish, Assistant Fire Management Officer. However, fire season is far from over and the lightning that occurred over the past couple of days did result some large fires and the BLM continues to support our partners with these fires. With many weeks of hot, dry weather still ahead, fire officials urge the public not to let their guard down. Continued attentiveness and adherence to fire safety guidelines remain essential.

Everyone can help reduce fire risk by taking simple but effective precautions:

  • Stay updated on and comply with local fire restrictions.
  • Never leave campfires unattended and extinguish them completely.
  • Avoid driving or parking on dry vegetation, which can ignite fires.
  • Ensure that trailer chains are secured and do not drag on the roadway.
  • Operate outdoor equipment during the cooler parts of the day to reduce spark risk.

-BLM-

The BLM manages roughly 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 To Offer Up To 54 Million Board Feet Of Timber In Western Oregon -07/08/25

PORTLAND, Ore – The Bureau of Land Management will offer several timber sales in July, totalling about 54 million board feet to be harvested from nearly 1,900 public acres across Western Oregon. Timber produced by these sales will provide critical supplies for construction and other industries, and support jobs across local economies. 

 

"More than 20% of BLM-managed lands are forest and woodland ecosystems. The BLM ensures the health and resilience of these public forest lands as well as the availability of traditional forest products, such as timber,” said BLM OR/WA State Director Barry Bushue. “Timber sales help to improve, maintain, and restore forest health, water quality, and fish and wildlife habitat and to reduce wildfire risk." 

 

The Roseburg District will offer two sales near Oakland in Douglas County, the Mean Mustard timber sale (2.2 million board feet, 132 public acres); and the Sternbreaker timber sale 6.9 million board feet, 247 public acres). The BLM will accept written and oral bids at 10 a.m. on July 22, at the Roseburg District Office, 777 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg. 

 

The Northwest Oregon District in Salem will offer the Mary Ellen timber sale (12.7 million board feet, 284 public acres) near Molalla in Marion County. The BLM will accept written and oral bids at 9 a.m. on July 23, at the Northwest Oregon District Office, 1717 Fabry Rd SE, Salem. 

 

The Northwest Oregon District  in Springfield will offer two sales in Lane County, the Creat-Panther timber sale (6.3 million board feet, 219 public acres) near Veneta; and the Linebacker timber sale (six million board feet across, 191 public acres) near Marcola. The BLM will accept written and oral bids at 10 a.m. on July 24, at the Northwest Oregon District Office, 3106 Pierce Pkwy E, Springfield. 

 

The Medford District will offer the Big Dog timber sale (5.3 million board feet, 396 public acres) near Butte Falls in Jackson County. The BLM will accept written and oral bids at 9 a.m. on July 24, at the Medford District Office, 3040 Biddle Rd, Medford. 

 

The Coos Bay District will offer the Blue Elk timber sale (14.6 million board feet, 423 public acres) near Scottsburg in Coos County. The BLM will accept written and oral bids at 10 a.m. on July 25, at the Coos Bay District Office, 1300 Airport Ln, North Bend. 

 

In western Oregon, the BLM manages 2.4 million acres of some of the most productive forests in the world, and is committed to supplying a reliable, secure, and resilient domestic supply of timber. BLM forestry supports economic security, reduces risks from wildfire, conserves fish and wildlife habitat, and decreases costs of energy production. Local communities rely on jobs that come from BLM forests, and timber from public land feeds local industry. 

 

Each year, the BLM Oregon-Washington forestry program sales support approximately 2,000 local jobs and generate more than $1 billion for local economies. Revenue from timber sold on O&C lands is shared between the U.S. Treasury and 18 western Oregon counties. This funding provides local communities with the means to construct new county buildings; develop fairgrounds and museums; support libraries, schools, and jails; and build flood-control dams and reservoirs. 

 

-BLM- 

 

The BLM manages about 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 Oregon Timber Sales Bring In Over $5.7 Million -07/01/25

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management sold 19.2 million board feet of timber across 772 public acres for $5,726,255 between three timber sales in western Oregon. These sales will produce enough timber to build roughly 1,200 homes, feed local mills, and support jobs in Oregon communities. 

 

“America has significant timber resources, with many of those in Western Oregon,” said BLM Oregon/Washington State Director Barry Bushue. “We are focused on using forests for timber and jobs that improve life in local communities.” 

  

The Medford District sold 2.2 million board feet of timber across 110 public acres in the Salt Creek salvage sale to Swanson Group of Gendale for $101,504. The project will remove fire-damaged trees along publicly accessible BLM roads.  

  

The Northwest Oregon District sold 8.6 million board feet of timber across 345 public acres in the Farm Team timber sale to Feres Lumber Co., Inc., of Lyons for $2,097,545. The district also sold 8.4 million board feet of timber across 317 acres in the Brushback timber sale to Sierra Pacific Industries of Eugene for $3,527,206. 

 

In western Oregon, the BLM manages 2.4 million acres of some of the most productive forests in the world, and is committed to supplying a reliable, secure, and resilient domestic supply of timber. BLM forestry supports economic security, reduces risks from wildfire, conserves fish and wildlife habitat, and decreases costs of energy production. Local communities rely on jobs that come from BLM forests, and timber from public land feeds local industry.   

   

Each year, the BLM Oregon-Washington forestry program sales support approximately 2,000 local jobs and generate more than $1 billion for local economies. Revenue from timber sold on O&C lands is shared between the U.S. Treasury and 18 western Oregon counties. This funding provides local communities with the means to construct new county buildings; develop fairgrounds and museums; support libraries, schools, and jails; and build flood-control dams and reservoirs. 

 

-BLM- 

 

The BLM manages about 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.