Date: Friday, June 2, 2023  

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Pacific

Where: Prineville District Bakeoven Facilities in Maupin, Oregon

Maupin, Ore. –  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is hosting a grand opening for its new Bakeoven facilities in Maupin, OR. The facilities will serve as the BLM’s operations center for the Lower Deschutes Wild and Scenic River and include an office, workshop, and seasonal staff housing. The BLM Prineville District manages the river with the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation and the State of Oregon. The new facilities will support the ability of river managers to enhance visitor experiences while protecting the river’s remarkable values. The completion of this project was made possible through funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), a historic investment to reduce the backlog of maintenance projects on America’s public lands. With these new facilities, the BLM and its partners will be a better neighbor to the communities that rely on the river’s natural and economic resources.

RSVP: By COB Tuesday, May 30, 2023. RSVP to Morgan Rubanow, BLM Public Affairs Specialist: mrubanow@blm.gov or 503-545-9717. Address given upon RSVP. 

-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.
 

Hines, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management announced today the Steens Mountain Advisory Council (SMAC) has scheduled a June 2023 field tour and meeting. The public is welcome to participate in the field tour to the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area on Thursday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT. On Friday, June 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PT, the public can attend the public meeting in person at the Frenchglen School, 39235 Highway 205 Frenchglen, Oregon, or online through the Zoom for Government platform. Meeting details and the online attendance link are available at https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/oregon-washington/steens-mac.

On June 15, the SMAC will tour the greater Steens Mountain area. Locations may vary depending on road, weather, and access conditions, but could include the Riddle Brothers Ranch, Page Springs Weir, or fuels treatment project sites. The public is welcome to attend but must provide their own personal transportation and amenities like appropriate clothing and footwear, food, and water. High clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended.

The June 16 agenda includes information sharing from the Designated Federal Official and Andrews/Steens Field Manager, a brief recreation program update, discussion on the Bridge Creek Area Allotment Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement, and an opportunity for committee members to share information from their constituents or present research. Any other matters that may reasonably come before the SMAC may also be included.

“The Steens Mountain Advisory Council is a forum for the community to participate in the land management process,” said Jeff Rose, Burns District Manager and Designated Federal Official for the SMAC. “If you are interested in public land decisions for Steens Mountain, this is a great opportunity to listen and share with a collaborative group,” continued Rose.

A public comment period will be available on Friday, June 16 at 11 a.m. Unless otherwise approved by the Council chair, the public comment period will last no longer than 30 minutes, and each speaker may address the SMAC for a maximum of five minutes.

Sessions may end early if all business items are accomplished ahead of schedule or may be extended if discussions warrant more time.

For more information about the Steens Mountain Advisory Council, 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://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/oregon-washington/steens-mac.

-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.

Portland, Ore. – Fire restrictions go into effect on May 23 for all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout Oregon and Washington. The BLM encourages all visitors to be aware of active restrictions and closures as warmer, drier weather sets in around the Pacific Northwest. 

Starting May 23, the use of fireworks, exploding targets or metallic targets, steel component ammunition (core or jacket), tracer or incendiary devices, and sky lanterns will be prohibited. These fire restrictions will help reduce the risk of human-caused fires.

“Although we had a wet winter, we must still be careful with activities that can cause a spark to keep our first responders, local communities, and public lands safe from accidental wildfires,” said Anita Bilbao, BLM Oregon/Washington Associate State Director. “We are seeing more invasive grass due to the wet weather, which dries out quickly without rain. Everyone can help by following fire restrictions and practicing fire safety while out on your public lands.”

Those who violate the prohibition can be fined up to $1,000 and/or receive a prison term of up to one year. In addition, those found responsible for starting wildland fires on federal lands can be billed for the cost of fire suppression.

May is also ‘Wildfire Awareness Month’. Visit NIFC.GOV for wildfire prevention tips: https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/fire-prevention-education-mitigation/wildfire-prevention.

For more information on Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington seasonal fire restrictions and fire closures, please see www.blm.gov/orwafire. To learn more about fire careers with BLM Oregon-Washington, please see https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire/state-info/oregon-washington/careers. 

-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.

Prineville, Ore. — As the busy outdoor recreation season begins, Bureau of Land Management officials would like to remind the public that Teaters Road is open. Access over the entirety of Teaters Road is currently available in accordance with a federal court order from May 2022. 

On May 17, 2022, a federal court issued an order requiring the public and the government use of Teaters Road. This order remains in effect. Teaters Road provides a direct connection between Highway 380 north to the North Fork Crooked River area and the Ochoco National Forest, as well as the only public access to a 160-acre parcel of BLM-administered public lands surrounded by private property.

“The public lands accessed via Teaters Road provide numerous recreational and timber opportunities,” said Amanda Roberts, BLM Prineville District Manager. “We want to ensure people know they continue to have access to this road.”

People should be respectful to adjacent private property owners when using Teaters Road to access public lands. 

“Help us be good neighbors,” said Roberts. “Please drive slowly and safely, and be mindful of the presence of livestock.”

While the gates may be closed for short periods of time, they will remain unlocked. Visitors may travel through the gates to use the road in its entirety. Please leave the gate as you found it. Signs on the gates that incorrectly indicate the road is closed or that discourage use of the road will be removed to avoid confusion.

 -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.

Aaron Curtis, BLM Associate Deputy State Director, and Jeremy Ahola, State of Oregon HECC Youth Program and Strategic Analyst, talking with youth crew participants during a lunch break. BLM photo

Molalla, OR – On a cloudy morning in early May, Bureau of Land Management staff joined students from the Chemawa Indian School on a trail maintenance project as part of the Indian Youth Service Corps initiative. The meeting was about much more than the project at hand.

The BLM and the State of Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission are working together through the Western Oregon Tribal Youth Project Cooperative Agreement.

The goal? To hire Native youth to conduct conservation projects that are mutually beneficial to BLM and to Tribes. Together, the BLM and the State of Oregon have offered a total of $100,000 for youth projects in western Oregon.

AntFarm Youth Services coordinated the trail project and oversaw the youth crew. They brought together the BLM, students from the Chemawa Indian School, and a young adult leader from the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs. The IYSC is a partnership-based initiative that provides Native youth hands-on experience in land management, training in basic employment skills, and pay for their community-focused stewardship work.

Maya Fuller is the BLM State Lead for Youth, Education, and Volunteer Programs. She is available to speak with members of the media about BLM participation in the Indian Youth Service Corps initiative and the project at the Molalla River Trail System.

Throughout the spring, the youth crew worked after school and on weekends. They improved and maintained campgrounds; picnic sites; and hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails within the Molalla River Trail System.

Earning money was a key motivator, but there were other benefits.

“I feel grounded in nature,” said one participant.

“We all have each other’s backs,” said another.

Two Foxes Singing (Nunpa), AntFarm Executive Director, emphasized the importance of the work. “The openness, sharing and discovery that takes place working with youth on meaningful projects helps us all learn and heal together,” he said. “We’re helping to form new relationships between indigenous people and the federal government. We’re all caring for our lands, together."

The workday started out dry, but by lunchtime raindrops were coming down. Each participant put on their bright yellow raingear and got ready to continue working.

Their crew leader D.J. spoke highly of the crew. “They keep a positive attitude and are serious workers. We can get the job done in all kinds of weather.”

Aaron Curtis, BLM Assistant Deputy State Director, talked to the participants about safety. They were quick to point out the risks of working outdoors, but they also noted important safety measures. One student pointed to the broken branches in the trees overhead and explained that they wore hard hats and stopped work if the wind picked up. Their crew leader starts each day with a tailgate safety discussion, a group warm-up stretch, and a Land Acknowledgment. All participants are equipped with Personal Protective Equipment, training, and direct supervision. 

“I get a great sense of energy coming out of these visits with young people who are engaged through work-based learning,” said Jeremy Ahola, State of Oregon HECC. “I hope we all can take away that there is still more work to be done, and yet, we can be grateful for our efforts in sharing a brighter future.”

The youth crew participants were enthusiastic to continue the work. They plan to present at an upcoming school assembly to share about their project and encourage their peers to come work, learn, and be curious out in the forest along with them.

Through the IYSC initiative, Indigenous young people are building connections, learning practical skills, and gaining an interest in natural resource careers. The BLM is strengthening relationships with sovereign Tribal nations and taking better care of for our land together. 

-BLM-

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $96 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2017. These activities supported more than 468,000 jobs.

Portland, Ore. — Officials with the Bureau of Land Management will close the Sandy Ridge Recreation Area for the day of Thursday, May 4. Crews will use the time to remove hazard trees around the parking lot and trails.

“Public safety is our top priority,” said Dennis Teitzel, BLM Northwest Oregon District Manager. “And these dead and dying trees are at risk of dropping limbs or falling and creating a dangerous situation for our visitors.”

BLM staff evaluates hazardous trees at BLM-managed recreation sites in late spring after the winter storms are finished for the year. The late winter has delayed the BLM’s ability to meet the demand at all of its recreation sites. To allow adequate time to identify and remove the hazard trees, crews will close and lock the gates on Wednesday evening and open them again on Friday morning.

The popular mountain bike trail system is located 12 miles east of the town of Sandy. For more information about the Sandy Ridge Recreation Area, please visit: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/mountainbike/sandyridge

Please contact the BLM Northwest District Office at 503-375-5646 with any questions about the closure.  
 

-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.