Interactive workshops seek 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. Recreation and visitor services will play a role throughout this planning effort. To answer several planning questions related to recreation area management and Wild and Scenic Rivers, the BLM with partners: Travel Oregon, Outdoor Alliance and other local community partners, are hosting four public participatory design charrettes. The charrettes are interactive workshops that will solicit input related to recreation values, setting character and experiences important to the public in a collaborative and participatory manner. Workshops will run from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with technical assistance provided by professionally trained landscape architects and the National Park Service, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program. The schedule is as follows: Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the BLM District Office, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, Ore. Wednesday, Jan. 30 at the Umpqua Business Center, 522 SE Washington Ave, Roseburg, Ore. Thursday, Jan. 31 at the Public Library, 225 North 5th St., Springfield, Ore. Tuesday, Feb. 5 at the Mazamas Mountaineering Center, Portland, Ore. In addition to the workshops, the public may use two web-based interactive sites to assist the BLM answer several recreation related planning questions. These surveys will be active until Feb. 18 and can be found at: blm.gov/or/plans/rmpswesternoregon/reccomments.php and blm.gov/or/plans/rmpswesternoregon/rivercomments.php The BLM and its partners encourage you to get involved and help plan for the future as we look at defining the role recreation plays on BLM lands throughout western Oregon. “Travel Oregon is very supportive of the BLM's efforts in outreach to regional recreation users. Part of what makes Oregon a fantastic destination is our extensive outdoor recreation opportunities," said Scott West, Chief Strategy Officer for Travel Oregon. “The BLM's resolve to help strengthen these recreational assets will undoubtedly boost the quality of life for Oregon residents and improve the destination qualities for incoming tourists. “Outdoor Alliance applauds BLM's efforts to connect with the recreating public in such a systematic and meaningful way," said Adam Cramer, Outdoor Alliance's Policy Architect. “BLM's approach will generate quality input from all local and regional recreational communities; this will help get us to a thoughtful BLM plan for Western Oregon's very bright outdoor recreation future." 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. For more information 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.