Posts Tagged ‘blm’

Where in the Heck is New Princeton, Oregon?

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT OR-09-19
Contact: Michael Campbell (503) 808-6031

Portland, OR. – Folding a map may not be the easiest thing for some people, but finding the right map of Federal public lands in the Northwest – and finding New Princeton – has just become a whole lot easier for everyone! Hint: It’s in southeast Oregon.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has recently produced wall-size maps showcasing the vast array of both Oregon and Washington public lands. The Oregon and Washington maps are a significant update to versions that were created in 1994.

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Public BLM Meetings in Idaho

From the ARRA website:

BLM – Idaho Falls District Resource Advisory Council (RAC)
January 20, 2010, 8:00 am
Idaho Falls BLM Office, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls

The RAC will meet to discuss various issues, including an update on travel plan management and Recreation RAC items. Time for public comment will be allotted. Written comments may also be submitted at the meeting. For further information, please contact Joanna Wilson, RAC Coordinator, at 208-524-7550 or at joanna_wilson@blm.gov.
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Oregon’s Birch Creek Ranch and Road Closed for the Winter Months

News Release: OR-030-2010-002
For Immediate Release: November 23, 2009
News Contact: Mark Wilkening, (541) 473-6218

Vale, OR-The Bureau of Land Management, Vale District, gave notice today that the BLM will be implementing an emergency closure of the Birch Creek Ranch Road and the historic Birch Creek Ranch. The closure will be in effect from November 30 to February 15, as published in the Federal Register.

The closure is being implemented to protect natural and historic resources associated with the access road and the ranch during the winter months. ?BLM will not be plowing or maintaining the Birch Creek Road during these months and attempts by the public to use the road could be extremely hazardous? said Carolyn Freeborn, Jordan Field Manager.

The closure also prohibits access to the ranch from across the Owyhee River. Accessing the Birch Creek Road or ranch during this closure could result in law enforcement action.

For further information or if you have questions regarding this closure please contact Carolyn Freeborn, Jordan Field Manager at the Vale District at 541-473-6208 or visit the Vale District website at www.blm.gov/or/districts/vale.

BLM
The BLM manages more land ? 258 million acres ? than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western States, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM?s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.

http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/vale/newsroom/files/NROR-030-2010-002.pdf

Temporary Road Closures North of Burns (Oregon)

Hines, OR – Approximately two miles of road and trail will be closed in the Coal Pit Spring/Cave Gulch area northwest of Burns near Boulder Canyon beginning Tuesday, December 1, 2009. During the summer, unauthorized levels of surface disturbance occurred in this area, preventing some access to public lands and creating unsafe travel conditions in specific locations. The temporary closure will prevent further resource damage and allow for stabilization of the disturbed roads and trails.

Signs will be posted at main entry points in the temporary closure area. A re-open date for the closure area is undecided pending recovery status. All motorized vehicle use is restricted. Maps of the closure area are available at the Burns District Bureau of Land Management Office at 28910 Hwy 20 West in Hines. You can also go online to: www.blm.gov/or/districts/burns/plans/index

For more information on the temporary closure, contact Three Rivers Resource Area Field Manager Richard Roy at (541) 573-4400.

About the BLM:

The BLM manages more land – 256 million acres – than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM?s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.

http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/burns/files/CaveGulchTempClosure_1109.pdf

Winter Weather Closes Upper Section of Steens Mountain Loop Road (Oregon)

HINES, OR. – Changing weather patterns, recent snowfall and heavy drifting closed the upper section of the Steens Mountain Loop Road for the winter season. Effective November 13, the gates just below Jackman Park Campground and Big Indian Overlook were closed, preventing vehicular travel around the entire Loop Road until next spring.

Despite the closure, all Steens Mountain area campgrounds except Jackman Park remain open. Deep snow may prevent some travelers from reaching Fish Lake Campground at times. South Steens and Page Springs Campgrounds are still fully accessible, but have been winterized. Page Springs will be the only campground open throughout the winter season, with reduced fees of $4 per vehicle per night.

Remember – when recreating this time of year, your chance of finding someone in trouble or
having trouble yourself is an ever present danger. For your safety:

• check weather reports and find out about road and access conditions before starting your trip;
• stay on designated, maintained roads and avoid wet, muddy or snow-drifted areas;
• be prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions;
• always start your trip with a full tank of fuel;
• let someone at home know where you plan to go and when to expect your return;
• do not rely on phone service for emergency communication; and
• pack survival gear in your vehicle or on your person.

In the coming weeks, snow levels are expected to drop into the lower elevations, eventually resulting in closure of the remaining portions of the Loop Road for the winter. As snow accumulation increases, winter recreation opportunities including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and limited snowmobiling on Steens Mountain will be available by permit from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

For current road and access conditions on BLM-administered lands in Harney County, call the
Burns District BLM Office at (541) 573-4400.

About the BLM:

The BLM manages more land – 256 million acres – than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.

http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/burns/files/upperloopclosed111309.pdf

Proposed Supplementary Rules for Public Land in Oregon and Washington

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Oregon State Office is proposing supplementary rules for public lands within the States of Oregon and Washington. These supplementary rules revise existing supplementary rules and will apply to all BLM managed lands within the States of Oregon and Washington. These revisions are necessary in order to protect public land natural resources and provide for the public’s health and safety, provide needed guidance in the areas of special forest products and recreation, allow for the assessment of penalties that are commensurate with the magnitude of prohibited acts, and promote consistency between the BLM and other natural resource agencies.

Comments on the proposed supplementary rules must be received or postmarked by November 20, 2009, to be assured consideration. In developing final supplementary rules, the BLM is not obligated to consider comments
postmarked or received in person or by electronic mail after this date.

You may mail or hand deliver comments to:

Office of Law Enforcement, BLM, Oregon State Office, P.O. Box 2965, Portland, Oregon 97208.

You may also comment via the Internet
e-mail address: ORWA_Prop_Rule@blm.gov. Include “Attn: Law Enforcement” in your subject line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Roop, Office of Law Enforcement and Security
Oregon State Office
P.O. Box 2965
Portland, Oregon 97208
Telephone (503) 808?6410.

For more information, visit http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-22608.pdf

For Immediate Release: Juniper Dunes Toilets Vandalized

Contact: Cheyne Rossbach (509) 536-1200
October 22, 2009
Release No: OR130-FY2010-003

SPOKANE, WA – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is investigating recent vandalism to two temporary toilets within the Juniper Dunes Off-Road Vehicle Area, located at the junction of Peterson Rd. and Juniper Rd, 12 miles northeast of Pasco, in Franklin County, Washington.

After shelving initial plans to install permanent toilets, the BLM placed four temporary toilets at the Juniper dunes off-load/parking area on October 1, 2009.

On October 16, 2009, the contractor who provided the temporary restroom facilities notified the BLM that someone had shot at two of the units, and the bullet holes had caused extensive damage.

The BLM has requested the contractor remove all toilet units to avoid further costs associated with replacement.

At this time the BLM does not plan to return temporary toilets to the Juniper Dunes Off-Road vehicle Area.

It is a federal offense to damage federally contracted equipment or facilities. The BLM will be conducting an investigation of the incident. Anyone with information relating to this incident should contact BLM Law Enforcement at (509) 536-1224.

The BLM manages more land (256 million acres) than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.