HINES, Ore. - The Bureau of Land Management announced today the Steens Mountain Advisory Council Public Lands Access Subcommittee has scheduled a winter videoconference. The public is welcome to attend online, Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit the Steens Mountain Advisory Council website at https://on.doi.gov/3jWrWSn for guidance on how to access the videoconference.
The Public Lands Access Subcommittee was established to gather information, conduct research, and analyze relevant issues and facts on selected topics for consideration by the SMAC. The Subcommittee’s primary goal is to provide information to the SMAC that allows it to better respond to time-sensitive issues, such as providing responses to an environmental document within the public comment period. No decisions are made at the Subcommittee level.
The December 16 agenda includes an update from the Designated Federal Official; discussion on the SMAC’s definition of "reasonable access"; an update on the Nature’s Advocate Inholder Access Environmental Assessment (EA); a discussion on the Pike Creek Parking Area EA; information sharing about Travel Management Planning for the Steens Mountain area; and, an opportunity for Subcommittee members to share information from their constituents and present research. Any other matters that may reasonably come before the Subcommittee may also be included.
“The SMAC 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."
A public comment period is available at 2:30 p.m. Unless otherwise approved by the Subcommittee chair, the public comment period will last no longer than 30 minutes, and each speaker may address the subcommittee for a maximum of 5 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.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
