Bureau of Land Management Ore. & Wash.
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News Releases
BLM seeks input on proposed Grassy Mountain Gold Mine Project in Oregon - 03/15/24

VALE, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on the proposed Grassy Mountain Gold Mine Project near Vale in Malheur County to inform the scope of analysis for the environmental impact statement. The most helpful comments include potential local concerns and opportunities, identification of potential alternatives and issues to be analyzed, and possible measures to minimize or avoid adverse environmental impacts relevant to the proposed action.

Calico Resources USA Corp. proposes to develop an underground mine with a dedicated chemical processing mill and associated storage. If approved, the project would cover about 470 acres of public lands and about 19 acres of private lands. The development and production at the mine would take place over a 10-year period and be followed by four years of reclamation. 

The BLM is hosting public meetings to discuss the project in Jordan Valley and Ontario, Oregon. BLM will announce the public meeting dates and on the BLM National NEPA Register, including a virtual option for the Ontario meeting. Please contact Larisa Bogardus at 541-219-6863 for the meeting link to attend virtually. 

A notice will publish in the Federal Register on Monday, March 17, and begin a 30-day scoping period scheduled to close April 17, 2024. The public can submit comments through the BLM National NEPA Register (preferred), emailed to blm_or_vl_grassymtn@blm.gov or delivered to: Attn: Grassy Mountain Gold Mine Project c/o Malheur Field Office, 100 Oregon St., Vale, OR 97918.

-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.

BLM proposes stronger greater sage-grouse conservation plans - 03/14/24

Analysis uses best available science and lessons learned to benefit species and western communities

 

WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is announcing a draft plan to strengthen greater sage-grouse conservation and management on public lands, informed by the best-available science and input from local, state, federal, and Tribal partners. The draft plan is built on decades of partnership, research, and on-the-ground knowledge and experience in maintaining, protecting and restoring healthy sagebrush habitats. 

Greater sage-grouse rely on sagebrush lands for all aspects of their life cycle to meet seasonal needs for food, cover and reproduction. A local population may need up to 40 square miles of intact landscape to stay healthy. Populations once in the millions now number fewer than 800,000, largely due to habitat loss exacerbated by climate change, such as drought, increasing wildfires, and invasive species. Protecting and restoring sagebrush on BLM-managed public lands across the West is critical not just for greater sage-grouse, but also for the health of western communities and other iconic Western species that rely on healthy sagebrush, including mule deer, pronghorn, and the pygmy rabbit. Additionally, these collaboratively developed landscape-level plans will ensure that other multiple uses of BLM sagebrush lands – including clean energy projects – move forward in a manner that limits impacts to sensitive resources and can also help combat climate change—a main driver of greater sage-grouse habitat loss. 

“The majesty of the West and its way of life are at stake. Sagebrush lands are places where people work and play, and they are the headwaters for the West’s major rivers,” said BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning. “Joint efforts to conserve the greater sage-grouse and its habitat led to the largest collaborative conservation effort in our history, and we are building on that work, together with our partners, to ensure the health of these lands and local economies into the future.” 

The BLM manages the largest single share of sage-grouse habitat in the United States—nearly 67 million acres of 145 million total acres. The draft plan offers a range of alternatives for sustainable management of these lands. Balancing a consistent management approach across the range while addressing conditions and policies unique to individual states, BLM will be able to work more effectively with state and local managers to protect and improve sagebrush habitats on public lands.  

Alternatives in the proposal build on the most successful components of the plans that the BLM adopted in 2015 and updated in 2019. The draft plan incorporates new sage-grouse conservation science and lessons learned, accommodating changing resources conditions while increasing implementation flexibility. The agency considered nearly 1,900 comments gathered during an initial public scoping period and information shared by state, local, federal, and Tribal partners in more than 100 meetings.  

The BLM will hold 13 public meetings to answer questions and take further comments on the draft alternatives and analysis. Information on public meetings will be posted in the events column on the main page of the BLM website

In addition to actions guided by the greater sage-grouse management plans, the BLM is actively restoring and conserving sagebrush habitat across the West through the Biden Administration’s Investing in America agenda. Annually, the BLM invests approximately $35 million of its congressional appropriation in sagebrush ecosystem projects, supplemented by $123 million from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and complemented by investments by state and local governments, Tribes, stakeholder groups, and private landowners.   

The draft environmental impact statement and plan amendments will open for public comment on March 15, 2024. The comment period will end on June 13, 2024. More information on how to comment on this draft will be posted at https://www.blm.gov/sagegrouse. A final environmental impact statement is expected this fall, followed by Records of Decision in each state.  

-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.

 

Bureau of Land Management employees transfer the pictured water tender to the Wheeler County Rangeland Fire Protection Association in 2022.
Bureau of Land Management employees transfer the pictured water tender to the Wheeler County Rangeland Fire Protection Association in 2022.
Bureau of Land Management offers partners wildland fire equipment (Photo) - 02/29/24

Portland, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management’s Rural Fire Readiness program is dedicated to enhancing the firefighting capabilities of wildland firefighting partners. Through the program, the BLM can provide training and equipment, including supplies and communication devices.


BLM fire managers are announcing the opening of a 30-day application period for wildland fire equipment under the RFR program in Oregon and Washington. 


The RFR program provides a streamlined process for local cooperators to request and receive excess BLM firefighting equipment to better protect communities, natural resources, and critical infrastructure.


“We value our important partnerships with rural fire protection districts and rangeland fire protection associations,” said Jeff Fedrizzi, BLM Oregon-Washington State Fire Management Officer. “This program helps us all work better together in our collective interest of public safety.”


The equipment the BLM transfers to local firefighting partners, including supplies and radios, is ready to use. Wildland fire engines are transferred with items like hoses, fittings, tools, and radios to ensure immediate use by cooperators.


The BLM is accepting applications for 2024 from rural fire protection districts and rangeland fire protection associations for available vehicles, fire engines, equipment, and supplies. Cooperators who submitted a request in 2023 and would still like to be prioritized for that request do not need to submit a new request. Please reach out to the cooperating BLM districts to discuss rolling this request into the 2024 cycle. As equipment is prioritized and available, the BLM will work to transfer excess items to qualifying cooperators. 


To participate in the BLM’s RFR program, cooperators should work with their local BLM districts prior to applying. To find district contacts and submit an application, visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/rfr-apply


Cooperators must meet all the requirements to be considered for BLM RFR equipment transfers, including:
• Have an existing cooperative fire response agreement with the BLM;
• Serve a rural community or area;
• Have wildland fire protection responsibilities;
• Be in the vicinity of, or within, the wildland urban interface, or an established rangeland fire protection association;
• Be near BLM-administered lands and respond to wildland fires in support of BLM when available and as needed; and
• Provide a benefit to the BLM.

To apply, go to the BLM’s Rural Fire Readiness application page: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/rfr-apply. Online and hard copy applications are due on March 29. 


For more information contact fire management staff at the nearest BLM district office: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/rfr.


For additional information or questions, contact Larae Guillory, BLM OR/WA Fire Operations Specialist at 458-218-1598.


-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. 

Landslide on Little Elk Mountain Road, Bureau of Land Management notifies public - 02/28/24

Eugene, Ore. — Bureau of Land Management officials are notifying the public of a landslide affecting a portion of Little Elk Mountain Road. The landslide is encroaching on the road, also known as BLM Road 16-8-36, around mile marker 1.4. The public can expect to see warning signs and flagging posted in the area.

The BLM may explore options for seasonal road closures in the affected area for the purposes of protecting public safety, protecting the fragile slopes from further soil erosion, and reducing trash dumping that has occurred over the edge of the slide. If closures are deemed necessary, the closure would undergo appropriate environmental analysis and public notification.  

A series of cool, wet winters have exacerbated pre-existing instability on the hillside along Lamb Creek. Last spring, BLM officials urged caution in the area. Now the slide has moved even closer to the road, potentially compromising its structure. Because the slide is located near a tight turn in the road where sight distance is limited, the steep drop-off and loss of the road shoulder pose a high safety risk.  

“Public safety is our top priority,” said Dennis Teitzel, the BLM’s Northwest Oregon District Manager. “Without a stable shoulder, the road is increasingly dangerous for drivers.”

In addition to compromising the road, the slide has dumped large amounts of dirt and mud into Lamb Creek. Residents and passers-by will notice that the water running from Lamb Creek into Lake Creek is has been turned brown by the sediment for over a mile downstream.  

Landslides are common throughout the Coast Range due to the underlying geology. Sandstone weathers easily, and layers within the stone can fracture, leading to slides. In fact, Triangle Lake was created when a landslide created a natural dam across Lake Creek.

This particular hillside has been unstable since at least 2006. Little Elk Mountain Road had to be relocated after a minor landslide in 2021. BLM often hears members of the public express concern that landslides are triggered by forest management. However, this landslide is suspected to be a natural process triggered by consecutive years of heavy late-winter rainfall. The area surrounding the slide was last harvested in the early 1980s. Aside from road maintenance and stabilization actions taken in response to signs of hillslope instability, BLM forest management in the area has been minimal.  

Once the weather dries out, the soil is expected to stabilize for the season, but movement may be triggered over the coming years during prolonged wet conditions.

 

-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. 

Bureau of Land Management updates management strategy for Southeastern Oregon public lands - 02/23/24

VALE, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management released a Record of Decision for the Southeastern Oregon Resource Management Plan Amendment, which updates specific aspects of management for 4.6 million acres of public lands in Oregon’s Malheur, Grant, Harney, and Baker counties.

The decision preserves natural landscapes, updates off-highway vehicle use, and implements modest changes to grazing management while protecting wilderness characteristics across 417,190 acres of BLM-managed public land.

“These expansive natural landscapes are special places that provide outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive, unconfined recreation,” said Vale District Manager Shane DeForest. “We appreciate the public’s engagement as BLM updated strategies to protect the health of these lands while ensuring they continue to meet the needs of Oregon communities.”

The plan amendment was undertaken in response to adverse court rulings and a resulting settlement agreement, in which the BLM committed to evaluate specific issues. Throughout the process, Tribal governments, wildlife agencies, the Southeast Oregon Resource Advisory Council, and members of the public provided valuable input and feedback. BLM officials considered more than 4,000 comments in developing the amendment.

To preserve the unique nature of certain landscapes, the amendment will limit areas where cross-country off-highway vehicle use is permitted. Such use will be limited to about 40,000 acres near Keeney Pass and Bully Creek Reservoir, which are both near the community of Vale. Nearly 16,000 acres will remain closed to vehicles. Across the rest of the 4.5 million acres in the planning area, vehicular use will be limited to existing roads.

The amendment also provides additional guidance on the implementation of Standards for Rangeland Health and processing of voluntarily surrendered livestock grazing permits.

The plan amendment and Record of Decision are posted at the BLM National NEPA Register.

 

-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.