Land Use Plan Information
The BLM identified seven topics of interest for which additional information was created for and provided to the public throughout the planning process: Community, Recreation, Water, Sustainable Forestry, Habitat and Wildlife, ESA Consultation, and Lands with Wilderness Characteristics Inventories.
The Community Story Map (click image to the right) shares some highlights about the communities in the planning area. You'll hear from Ron Dunton, Acting OR/WA State Director, explore land ownership and population changes, and learn about how the BLM is creating jobs in western Oregon.
Recreation
The Recreation Story Map (click image to the right) shares videos of recreation opportunities and collaboration, as well as the locations of new Recreation Management Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and Lands with Wilderness Characteristics.
Western Oregon Recreation Scarcity Analysis
ECONorthwest conducted a recreation scarcity report to better inform the BLM about the outdoor recreation opportunities in western Oregon for the plan revisions, and to assess the demands and scarcity for activity specific recreation within the RMPs for Western Oregon planning area. The report highlights the areas and types of recreation experiencing the greatest scarcity.
Water
The Water Story Map (click image to the right) shows where riparian reserves are located, the classes of protections for watersheds, and how the BLM collaborated with other agencies to put together a strategy to protect clean water for generation to come.
Sustainable Forestry
Lands with Wilderness Characteristics Inventories
The BLM in western Oregon plays an important role in the economic health of local communities. People rely on BLM lands for recreation and tourism, timber harvest, clean water, the protection of threatened and endangered wildlife, and carbon storage. In turn, the BLM relies on local communities to get engaged, share opinions, and participate in the planning processes that are vitally important to land management.
The Community Story Map (click image to the right) shares some highlights about the communities in the planning area. You'll hear from Ron Dunton, Acting OR/WA State Director, explore land ownership and population changes, and learn about how the BLM is creating jobs in western Oregon.The BLM prepared the handouts for Socioeconomics, Tribal interests, and the Northwest Forest Plan for the public during the Draft RMP/EIS's public comment period.
Recreation
Oregonians are passionate about recreation opportunities on public lands. People love hiking, biking, rafting, motorcycling, riding horses, or simply enjoying the solitude of wilderness areas. The BLM had 5.4 million visitors in the planning area in 2013, all of whom were engaged in diverse recreation activities.
The BLM will be increasing recreation opportunities in the 2016 Resource Management Plans for Western Oregon. These new opportunities, as well as the goals for existing recreation opportunities, are outlined in the Recreation Management Area Frameworks, which are available upon request from local BLM District Offices.
The Recreation Story Map (click image to the right) shares videos of recreation opportunities and collaboration, as well as the locations of new Recreation Management Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and Lands with Wilderness Characteristics.The BLM prepared the handouts for Recreation, Travel Management, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and Lands with Wilderness Characteristics for the public during the Draft RMP/EIS's public comment period.
The BLM partnered with ECONorthwest to develop district-specific recreation profiles that summarize the general findings, economic effects, and potential trail miles that would result from the implementation of the BLM's approved Resource Management Plans for western Oregon. These profiles build on the previous spatial analysis that ECONorthwest completed where the scarcity and abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities for the twelve most populated communities in western Oregon was examined. For more detailed information about the specific recreation opportunities available or proposed for development in your area, please access the interactive map for the Resource Management Plans.
Recreation Public Engagement
During the winter of 2013, the BLM initiated a multi-phase outreach strategy to engage the public specifically on recreation management issues. The BLM looked to gain a better understanding of the social values associated with recreational users across western Oregon. This strategy included an interactive web based survey and a series of regional workshops across four western Oregon locations, that involved the participation of the National Park Service-Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program, the Association of O&C Counties, the Outdoor Alliance, Travel Oregon, the Umpqua Confederated Tribe, and the Mazamas.
During the winter of 2013, the BLM initiated a multi-phase outreach strategy to engage the public specifically on recreation management issues. The BLM looked to gain a better understanding of the social values associated with recreational users across western Oregon. This strategy included an interactive web based survey and a series of regional workshops across four western Oregon locations, that involved the participation of the National Park Service-Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program, the Association of O&C Counties, the Outdoor Alliance, Travel Oregon, the Umpqua Confederated Tribe, and the Mazamas.
The BLM used the information that was generated at regional workshops to better manage recreation and river related resources, to assist with the evaluation of existing and potential recreation management areas, and to perform suitability determinations on eligible river segments. The BLM produced a Key Findings Report that served as the initial next step in reflecting back to the public what the BLM learned from the first phase of recreation specific outreach.
Wild and Scenic River Suitability Reports
Section 5(d)(1) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Public Law 90-542; 16 US Code 1271-1287) directs Federal agencies to consider potential Wild and Scenic Rivers in their land use planning process. To fulfill this requirement, whenever the BLM undertakes a land use planning effort, it may choose to analyze river and stream segments that might be eligible or suitable for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (NWSRS). This WSR suitability study was conducted as part of the RMPs for Western Oregon plan revision because the BLM made the decision to perform suitability determinations as part of the process. The purpose of the suitability phase of the study process is to determine whether eligible rivers would be appropriate additions to the NWSRS by considering tradeoffs between corridor development and river protection. This study process assesses the suitability of these river segments that have been previously identified as eligible components of the NWSRS. The project area for this suitability study included all river segments within the BLM's western Oregon District boundaries that were determined to meet the eligibility criteria for Wild and Scenic Rivers at the time the plan revision process had begun.
The Northwest Wild and Scenic River Suitability Report covers eligible rivers within the Salem, Eugene and Coos Bay Districts. The Southwest Wild and Scenic River Suitability Report covers eligible rivers in the Roseburg and Medford Districts.
Wild and Scenic River Suitability Reports
Section 5(d)(1) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Public Law 90-542; 16 US Code 1271-1287) directs Federal agencies to consider potential Wild and Scenic Rivers in their land use planning process. To fulfill this requirement, whenever the BLM undertakes a land use planning effort, it may choose to analyze river and stream segments that might be eligible or suitable for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (NWSRS). This WSR suitability study was conducted as part of the RMPs for Western Oregon plan revision because the BLM made the decision to perform suitability determinations as part of the process. The purpose of the suitability phase of the study process is to determine whether eligible rivers would be appropriate additions to the NWSRS by considering tradeoffs between corridor development and river protection. This study process assesses the suitability of these river segments that have been previously identified as eligible components of the NWSRS. The project area for this suitability study included all river segments within the BLM's western Oregon District boundaries that were determined to meet the eligibility criteria for Wild and Scenic Rivers at the time the plan revision process had begun.
The Northwest Wild and Scenic River Suitability Report covers eligible rivers within the Salem, Eugene and Coos Bay Districts. The Southwest Wild and Scenic River Suitability Report covers eligible rivers in the Roseburg and Medford Districts.
Western Oregon Recreation Scarcity Analysis
ECONorthwest conducted a recreation scarcity report to better inform the BLM about the outdoor recreation opportunities in western Oregon for the plan revisions, and to assess the demands and scarcity for activity specific recreation within the RMPs for Western Oregon planning area. The report highlights the areas and types of recreation experiencing the greatest scarcity.
Water
Clean water is essential to the health and well-being of Oregon communities. Developed in collaboration with the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Riparian Strategy for the RMPs for Western Oregon focuses our protections so that they provide benefits to ESA-listed fish and water that are as good or better than the Northwest Forest Plan, and ensures that local communities can rely on a predictable and sustainable water supply.
The Water Story Map (click image to the right) shows where riparian reserves are located, the classes of protections for watersheds, and how the BLM collaborated with other agencies to put together a strategy to protect clean water for generation to come.The BLM prepared a handout for Riparian management for the public during the Draft RMP/EIS's public comment period.
Sustainable Forestry
A sustainable forestry program is critical to the economies of communities in western Oregon. People rely on the jobs and timber that come from BLM forests, and the BLM has committed to providing predictable and sustainable timber harvest opportunities.
Under the new Resource Management Plans, the BLM will offer more timber for sale than has occurred in recent years, which will help support local communities and meet the purposes of the O&C Act. In the Sustainable Forestry Story Map (click image to the right), you can learn about where the Harvest Land Base is located, how much timber the BLM will be producing on an annual basis, learn about ecological forestry and fire resiliency, and get an insider's glimpse of a timber harvest.
The BLM prepared the handouts for Fire, Forest Management, and Minerals for the public during the Draft RMP/EIS's public comment period.
Under the new Resource Management Plans, the BLM will offer more timber for sale than has occurred in recent years, which will help support local communities and meet the purposes of the O&C Act. In the Sustainable Forestry Story Map (click image to the right), you can learn about where the Harvest Land Base is located, how much timber the BLM will be producing on an annual basis, learn about ecological forestry and fire resiliency, and get an insider's glimpse of a timber harvest.The BLM prepared the handouts for Fire, Forest Management, and Minerals for the public during the Draft RMP/EIS's public comment period.
Protecting threatened and endangered species was one of the highest priorities of the planning effort. The BLM worked closely with the Fish and Wildlife Service to develop strategies to protect wildlife, including the northern spotted owl. As a result, the BLM's habitat management strategy will reduce the risk to the northern spotted owl in the next 50 years in the western Cascades and Klamath Basin.
In the Habitat and Wildlife Story Map (click image to the right), you can see how the BLM is protecting large blocks of older forests to provide habitat to threatened and endangered species, the locations of different kinds of wildlife on the landscape, and the importance of managing for climate change.
In the Habitat and Wildlife Story Map (click image to the right), you can see how the BLM is protecting large blocks of older forests to provide habitat to threatened and endangered species, the locations of different kinds of wildlife on the landscape, and the importance of managing for climate change.The BLM prepared the handouts for Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Climate Change and Carbon, the Northern Spotted Owl, and Wildlife for the public during the Draft RMP/EIS's public comment period.
ESA Consultation
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires in Section 7 that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service when conducting land use planning to ensure the Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) does not jeopardize the recovery of threatened and endangered species or adversely modify their critical habitats. The Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, collectively referred to as "the Services," participated in early coordination with the BLM to increase cooperation and avoid a potential jeopardy or adverse modification determination.
To accomplish this work, officially known as a "consultation," the BLM and the Services worked closely during the planning process, during the preparation of Draft RMP/EIS and Proposed RMP/Final EIS, and during the preparation of Biological Assessments. This consultation process occurred in parallel with the evaluation of RMP alternatives and the Proposed RMP.
The information in the Terrestrial Biological Assessment and Aquatic Biological Assessment was used by the Services to determine effects of the Proposed RMP on threatened and endangered species and their critical habitats.
The Services completed their analyses in July 2016 and documented their results in Biological Opinions for aquatic and terrestrial species and critical habitat under their respective jurisdictions. The BLM received "no jeopardy" opinions from both the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service during the ESA consultation process, which means that fish, water, and wildlife are adequately protected under this plan.
For a copy of the Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion, please contact Elizabeth Materna at [email protected], or 503-231-6912.
For a copy of the National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinion, please go to the NOAA Public Consultation Tracking System. Please select "West Coast Region" and "2016" to find the RMPs for Western Oregon Biological Opinion.
The RMP was developed in collaboration with the Services to ensure that the BLM was meeting its legal requirements for threatened and endangered species. The first of these meetings occurred in September 2012. The organizational structure for the consultation was finalized in an ESA Consultation Agreement, which outlines the agreements made between the BLM, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service and signed June 18, 2013. The U.S. Forest Service and the Environmental Protection Agency also participated in the meetings to provide insight, and to integrate the work of this consultation effort with those aspects of the RMPs revision process that directly involves them.
The has made available all the comments received from our federal consulting agencies on the Draft RMP/EIS, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service (1 and 2).
To accomplish this work, officially known as a "consultation," the BLM and the Services worked closely during the planning process, during the preparation of Draft RMP/EIS and Proposed RMP/Final EIS, and during the preparation of Biological Assessments. This consultation process occurred in parallel with the evaluation of RMP alternatives and the Proposed RMP.
The information in the Terrestrial Biological Assessment and Aquatic Biological Assessment was used by the Services to determine effects of the Proposed RMP on threatened and endangered species and their critical habitats.
The Services completed their analyses in July 2016 and documented their results in Biological Opinions for aquatic and terrestrial species and critical habitat under their respective jurisdictions. The BLM received "no jeopardy" opinions from both the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service during the ESA consultation process, which means that fish, water, and wildlife are adequately protected under this plan.
For a copy of the Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion, please contact Elizabeth Materna at [email protected], or 503-231-6912. For a copy of the National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinion, please go to the NOAA Public Consultation Tracking System. Please select "West Coast Region" and "2016" to find the RMPs for Western Oregon Biological Opinion.The RMP was developed in collaboration with the Services to ensure that the BLM was meeting its legal requirements for threatened and endangered species. The first of these meetings occurred in September 2012. The organizational structure for the consultation was finalized in an ESA Consultation Agreement, which outlines the agreements made between the BLM, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service and signed June 18, 2013. The U.S. Forest Service and the Environmental Protection Agency also participated in the meetings to provide insight, and to integrate the work of this consultation effort with those aspects of the RMPs revision process that directly involves them.
The has made available all the comments received from our federal consulting agencies on the Draft RMP/EIS, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service (1 and 2).
Lands with Wilderness Characteristics Inventories
The BLM is required to maintain inventories of Lands with Wilderness Characteristics. An inventory of wilderness resources on BLM-administered public lands is an important part of our management. The wilderness characteristics inventory is required to be brought up to date whenever the BLM is undertaking a land use planning effort or revision of land use plans. The BLM completed Lands with Wilderness Characteristics Inventories for the RMPS for Western Oregon planning area in 2013. No areas were found to meet the minimum criteria for having wilderness characteristics in the Eugene District, Klamath Falls Field Office of the Lakeview District, or Roseburg District. The Coos Bay, Medford, and Salem Districts all found areas that possess wilderness characteristics.
The BLM conducts the inventory process using the criteria from Section 2(c) of the Wilderness Act to determine the presence of wilderness characteristics, such as:
The BLM conducts the inventory process using the criteria from Section 2(c) of the Wilderness Act to determine the presence of wilderness characteristics, such as:
- Size: the roadless area has at least 5,000 acres of contiguous public lands (or is of sufficient size to make practicable the preservation and use in an unimpaired condition);
- Naturalness: the area generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with any human imprints being substantially unnoticeable;
- Outstanding opportunities: the area provides outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation;
- Supplemental values: the area may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic or historical value.
You can learn more information on the BLM's policy and guidance for conducting wilderness characteristics inventories by accessing the Conducting Wilderness Characteristics Inventory manual.
- Naturalness: the area generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with any human imprints being substantially unnoticeable;
- Outstanding opportunities: the area provides outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation;
- Supplemental values: the area may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic or historical value.
You can learn more information on the BLM's policy and guidance for conducting wilderness characteristics inventories by accessing the Conducting Wilderness Characteristics Inventory manual.