A Visitor Information Summary for the McDonald's Ferry area is available by clicking on the "Documents" link in the left margin.

September 5, 2023

BLM has completed the acquisition of the McDonald's Ferry Property. 

Public Access is available through McDonald's Ferry Lane in Wasco, OR.

The Press Release regarding completion of the acquisition is available by clicking on the "Documents" link in the left margin.

ARE NEWLY ACQUIRED LANDS OPEN TO PUBLIC ACCESS AND HUNTING?

Yes, since the area is now public land, hunting is permitted; subject to ODFW hunting regulations.  Regarding motorized use, McDonald’s Ferry Lane is open to the John Day River.    The other roads are available for non-motorized use only until such time as BLM can develop a travel management plan.  BLM lands are also open to cross-country travel on foot or horseback, but no off-road motorized use.

CAN I CAMP ON THE ACQUIRED LANDS?

Yes, camping is allowed on BLM lands in the McDonald's Ferry area.  

April 18, 2023  

The BLM has approved the Proposed Action to acquire approximately 4,020 acres of private land, as described in the McDonald’s Ferry Property Acquisition Determination of NEPA Adequacy (DOI-BLM-ORWA-P040-2023-0004-DNA).  The BLM will also acquire an approximately 3,000 square feet shop building (wood and sheet metal construction) for equipment storage and administrative office space.  Water right certificates appurtenant to the property will be transferred to the BLM.

Upon acquisition, the public will have access to newly acquired lands for various dispersed recreation activities such as hiking, camping and river access.  Boaters will be able to access the river on the west side of the McDonald’s Crossing and boater access on the east side of the river will not be affected.  Following acquisition, BLM will undertake a separate recreation and travel management planning process, to determine a comprehensive travel and transportation network and needed recreation improvements.

Necessary realty transactions need to be completed before title will transfer to the BLM.  The public will be notified when this is done, and public access is available.  Until that time, the BLM requests that the public respects private property rights.

Click the "Documents" link in the left margin to review the DNA and Decision Record for this project.

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March 3, 2023

In the fall of 2022, the BLM prepared the Lower John Day Basin Land Acquisition Programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) (DOI-BLM-ORWA-P040-2022-0009-EA) analyzing the potential effects of land acquisition in the overall lower John Day Basin.  The BLM has prepared the attached draft Determination of NEPA Adequacy (DNA) worksheet to document how the existing Programmatic EA adequately considered the environmental effects of the McDonald’s Ferry acquisition.  The BLM is requesting your comments and concerns about the proposed action and DNA analysis, per direction in the programmatic EA to provide additional public involvement prior to approval of specific land acquisitions.  

For more information about the Programmatic EA, access its ePlanning page at the link below.

Lower John Day Basin Land Acquisition Programmatic Environmental Assessment (DOI-BLM-ORWA-P040-2022-0009-EA):  https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2018194/510

If you have comments on the DNA that you would like the BLM to consider, they must be received in writing or via e-mail at the Prineville District office by close of business on April 5, 2023.  Please include “McDonald’s Ferry Acquisition” on the envelope or in the subject line:

·       Email: [email protected]

·       Hand delivery or U.S. Mail to:  Prineville BLM; McDonald's Ferry Acquisition;  3050 NE Third Street; Prineville, OR  97754

·       Comments can also be submitted directly to this website by clicking on the "Participate Now" button in the left margin.