Steens Mountain Advisory Council to Meet in June

Hines, Ore. – The Steens Mountain Advisory Council (SMAC) has scheduled a meeting for Thursday, June 13, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for a field tour in the Steens Mountain area, and Friday, June 14, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for a business session. Both the field tour meet-up and business session will be at the Bureau of Land Management’s Burns District Office, 28910 Highway 20 West in Hines, Oregon. A virtual participation option will also be available on Friday. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Topics of discussion include reports from the Designated Federal Official and the Andrews/Steens Field Manager, Inflation Reduction Act projects, specific language in parts of the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act and Burns Paiute Tribe culture and aboriginal homelands in the area.

A public comment period is available at 1:30 p.m., Friday, June 14. 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 Jeff Rose, BLM Burns District Manager and Designated Federal Official for the Steens Mountain Advisory Council. “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.