Hines, Ore. – The Steens Mountain Advisory Council (SMAC) will meet Thursday, October 10, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, October 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Bureau of Land Management’s Burns District Office, 28910 Highway 20 West in Hines, Oregon. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend. A virtual participation option is available as well. 

Agenda items for the two-day meeting include information on or from the Designated Federal Official and the Andrews/Steens Field Manager, Inflation Reduction Act projects, and recreation visitor use statistics. The SMAC will discuss their inholder/edgeholder initiative and hear a presentation from a BLM Archaeologist and the Burns Paiute Tribe about their culture and aboriginal homelands in the area as well. The Bridge Creek Environmental Impact Statement, Natures Advocate, LLC, Inholder Access Environmental Assessment, fire and grazing for fuels management, and/or a recap of the 2024 wildfire season may also come up as time and interest determine. Any other matters that may reasonably come before the SMAC may be included at any time throughout the 2-day meeting.

Public comment periods are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, and 11:15 a.m. on Friday, October 11. Unless otherwise approved by the SMAC chair, the public comment period will last 30 minutes. Speakers may address the SMAC for up to 5 minutes. Full meeting details and the virtual attendance link are available at https://on.doi.gov/2PnZRcl.

The SMAC is a citizen-based advisory group that provides an opportunity for people from all backgrounds and interests to have a voice in the management of America’s public lands.

“This Advisory Council is a forum for people to participate in the land management process,” said Don Rotell, BLM Andrews / Steens Field Office Manager. “If you’re interested in public land decisions for Steens Mountain, this is a great opportunity to listen and share with a collaborative group.” 

The SMAC was established on August 14, 2001, pursuant to the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-399). The group provides recommendations to the BLM regarding new and unique approaches to management of the public lands within the bounds of the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area and cooperative programs. They also advise the BLM on potential maintenance and improvement of the ecological and economic integrity of the area.

For more information about the SMAC, please contact Tara Thissell at (541) 573-4519 or tthissell@blm.gov. Additional information about the Steens Mountain Advisory Council is available online at https://on.doi.gov/2PnZRcl

-BLM–

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.