The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released an updated resource management plan (RMP) for Lake and Harney Counties in southern Oregon, addressing rangeland health issues and wilderness characteristics.
The RMP and final environmental impact statement, covering approximately 3.2 million acres, analyzed seven alternatives and incorporated about 1,300 comments.
The proposed alternative incorporated components from the other alternatives in the draft environmental impact statement. The preferred plan would designate approximately 373,132 acres to protect wilderness characteristics over managing other resources and multiple uses. BLM plans to balance wilderness characteristic management with other resources and multiple uses across roughly 738,665 acres. BLM would prioritize other resources and multiple uses over wilderness protection on approximately 495,332 acres.
Livestock grazing would continue under the current land use plan, with over 2.9 million acres remaining accessible. Based on prior evaluations, areas deemed incompatible with livestock grazing remain closed to grazing use. An appendix in the management plan shows that since 1998, land health assessments have determined 126,614 acres of BLM-managed lands have failed to meet standards due to livestock grazing. The BLM anticipates that more areas could face similar outcomes as future assessments are completed.
When land health assessments show that grazing practices significantly affect land health standards, BLM will adjust these practices to promote recovery. Possible changes include modifying grazing seasons or intensities, constructing range projects or temporarily excluding livestock. Long-term grazing cancellation, if necessary, would involve careful evaluation and permit adjustments to protect land health.
Solutions focus on adjusting grazing seasons and livestock distribution rather than reducing grazing levels overall. In cases of significant change, affected parties will have the opportunity to protest and appeal decisions. Other activities like juniper removal or weed treatments may be needed in some locations to achieve the desired conditions. These activities are part of a comprehensive effort combining grazing adjustments and active restoration, which will be essential for long-term success, the agency said.
Due to access, infrastructure and market constraints, few solar energy rights-of-way (ROWs) are anticipated, though one proposal in northern Lake County is in the early study stages. While several wind energy testing ROWs have been issued over the past 15 years, wind energy projects have yet to advance to development; however, there is currently one preliminary wind testing ROW proposal in northern Lake County.
The management plan said as regional populations and urban areas expand and new energy facilities are built in Oregon, demand for major transmission lines is expected to increase. Although one significant utility line project may be proposed in the long term, no formal proposal is currently under review by the BLM.
Off-highway vehicle use will be limited to approximately 70,000 acres, including the Christmas Valley Sand Dunes and other specific areas where such activity is already occurring. Vehicle use will be permitted on existing or designated routes across nearly 3 million acres within the planning area.
The release of the management plan initiates a 30-day protest period, ending on Dec. 9. To view the documents or file a protest electronically, visit tinyurl.com/3z32hyej. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
