BLM seeks public input on recreation area, river use
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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is currently involved in Resource Management Planning (RMP) on more than 2.5 million acres in western Oregon. The revisions to the existing RMPs will determine how these BLM-administered lands will be managed to further the recovery of threatened and endangered species, to provide for clean water, to restore fire-adapted ecosystems and to produce a sustained yield of timber products. Recreation and visitor services will also play a role throughout this planning effort so the BLM is asking the public to answer several planning questions related to recreation area management and Wild and Scenic Rivers. Comments must be submitted by Feb. 18, 2013. There were 5.4 million recreation visits on western Oregon BLM lands in 2011. These numbers combined with recreation-specific issues identified in scoping efforts has led to the need for additional recreation outreach. The public continues to demand a diverse range of recreational opportunities in a variety of natural resource settings. Feedback from the public would help the BLM evaluate current recreational experiences and public demand for recreation."I'm proud to know that lands under BLM stewardship provide meaningful contributions to the quality of life for communities and residents across western Oregon," said BLM Oregon/Washington State Director Jerome E. Perez. “These lands are both the frontier and our backyard -- where you can play, escape, and reconnect with the outdoors."Web based interactive sites have been created to engage the recreation community and to assist the BLM answer several planning related questions that were raised during the public scoping period. These surveys will be active for a 70 day period (Dec. 10 through Feb. 18), and can be accessed at: blm.gov/or/plans/rmpswesternoregon/reccomments.php and blm.gov/or/plans/rmpswesternoregon/rivercomments.phpIn addition to web based outreach tools, the BLM will be holding District specific open houses across Western Oregon to engage the public and receive input specific to the recreation components being analyzed as part of this planning effort. The dates and locations for these open houses are currently being identified and will be posted at the following link: blm.gov/or/plans/rmpswesternoregon/index.phpThe BLM encourages you to get involved and help plan for the future as we look at defining the role that recreation plays on BLM lands throughout western Oregon. For more information please contact Zach Jarrett, recreation representative for the Resource Management Planning team, at zjarrett@blm.gov or (503) 931-6184.
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.