Salem, Ore. - The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Northwest Oregon District, Siuslaw Field Office is conducting a public scoping meeting on a late successional reserve forest management project for lands within the Siuslaw Watershed. The BLM will partner with the Siuslaw Watershed Council and Big Bear Camp for this event. The meeting will be held on Dec. 12, 2018 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Big Bear Retreat Center located at 89480 Nelson Mountain Road in Walton, Oregon.
This project supports implementation of the 2016 Western Oregon Resource Management Plans, which maintain strong protections for the northern spotted owl, listed fish species, and water resources. The plans also offer predictable and sustainable outcomes for local communities by increasing job opportunities, tourism and recreation, and timber harvest. When fully implemented, the BLM anticipates providing 278 million board feet per year in total timber harvest. Out of 2.5 million acres in the planning area, nearly three-quarters will be protected in reserves for fish, water, wildlife, and other resource values.
The open house style meeting will provide participants with an opportunity to learn about the project and provide comments. Potential management activities include thinning and various restoration treatments in late successional and riparian reserves to help restore late successional complex timber stands that benefit overall forest health.
More information specific to this project can be found on the BLM’s planning website.
Public comments will be accepted through Jan. 3, 2019. Official comments can be e-mailed to:
blm_or-no-publiccomments_nepa@blm.gov.
The BLM facilitates opportunities for development of energy infrastructure, active timber management, and commercial recreation on our public lands that create jobs that help local communities grow. For more information about the Northwest Oregon District visit www.blm.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
