On Friday, September 2, the Bureau of Land Management Burns District re-released a draft Environmental Assessment for livestock grazing in the Alvord allotment on the east side of Steens Mountain. The EA and supporting documentation are available for your review on BLM’s National Environmental Policy Act Register (ePlanning) at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2014716/510. Documents pertinent to this opportunity are identified with the word “Adjusted” at the beginning of the file name and will have the most recent release date.
The Alvord Allotment Management Plan EA analyzes various alternatives related to the renewal of one grazing permit associated with the Alvord Allotment, including reinstatement of ‘suspended use as active use’ animal unit months, and proposed construction and maintenance of range developments within the allotment.
This EA was first released for a 30-day public comment period in July 2021. A proposed decision was issued in February 2022, and then a final decision in March 2022. The final decision was appealed. In reviewing the appeal, the BLM determined that the appellant provided some substantive comments that the agency had not previously received. The BLM determined the EA did have some errors to be corrected and other considerations that should have been made prior to issuing a final decision.
The BLM asked the Office of Hearings and Appeals, Departmental Cases Hearings Division, to remand and vacate the final decision back to the BLM to allow the agency to make certain adjustments in response to the appeals. This request was granted on July 27, 2022. The adjusted EA, maps and other documents are now ready for another public review. A 15-day public comment period began September 2.
Please submit substantive comments postmarked by September 17, 2022, to:
Mail or delivery:
Alvord Allotment Management Plan EA
Attn: Don Rotell, BLM Burns District Office
28910 Highway 20 West, Hines, Oregon 97738
Email: BLM_OR_BU_ALVORD_AMP@blm.gov
ePlanning: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2014716/510
After considering your substantive comments, a new proposed decision outlining the action to be taken will be developed and issued. Watch the Alvord Allotment Management Plan project website on ePlanning for updates and more information (link posted above).
In managing livestock grazing on public rangelands, the BLM’s overall objective is to ensure the long-term health and productivity of these lands and to create multiple environmental benefits that result from healthy watersheds. Grazing, which was one of the earliest uses of public lands when the West was settled, continues to be an important use of those same lands today.
For further information about the Alvord Allotment Management Plan, contact Don Rotell, Andrews/Steens Resource Area Field Manager at (541) 573-4400.
Original source can be found here.
