The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) finalized a management plan for approximately 3.2 million surface acres of public land in Oregon, primarily in Lake and Harney counties. Administered by the Lakeview Field Office, the plan prioritizes protecting wilderness characteristics across significant portions of the area while balancing other resource uses.
The resource management plan (RMP) updates the 2003 Lakeview RMP, incorporating changes from the 2015 and 2019 Oregon Greater Sage-Grouse-approved RMP amendments and records of decision. The amendment addresses managing wilderness characteristics, off-highway vehicles and specific grazing processes, including the Standards for Rangeland Health and voluntary grazing permit relinquishment.
BLM analyzed a range of approaches, including a no-action alternative and five action alternatives, in the draft RMP/draft environmental impact statement (EIS). According to BLM, feedback from the public, local Tribes and other stakeholders led to the creation of Alternative F, which combined elements of the action alternatives to refine resource management strategies.
The preferred approach will safeguard wilderness features on about 415,679 acres (13% of the planning area), the agency said. This will include managing eight entire units and parts of seven others as Category C units, emphasizing wilderness preservation over multiple uses. Another 738,665 acres will balance wilderness characteristics with other resources, while 495,332 acres will prioritize multiple uses over wilderness protection.
Livestock grazing generally follows existing management guidelines outlined in previous land use plans. Grazing will continue where compatible, with adjustments made as needed based on rangeland health assessments. BLM emphasized its commitment to ensuring sustainable grazing practices and addressing rangeland health issues even when grazing is not the primary cause of degradation.
BLM stated these actions may include adjustments to grazing management to ensure progress toward rangeland health goals. Additionally, the BLM will not permit animal unit month increases without an updated land health assessment to prevent adverse impacts on other resources.
Voluntary relinquishment of grazing permits will follow current BLM policy, with site-specific evaluations to determine the compatibility of grazing with other resource considerations. If compatible, BLM said the area may remain available for grazing, potentially as a reserve common allotment or under a new permit. The agency said this approach balances resource needs and reinforces the BLM’s commitment to multiple-use management.
Under the management plan, off-highway vehicle (OHV) use would be limited, reducing the area open to cross-country travel to 397,671 acres. Public support for limiting OHV use came from diverse stakeholders, including the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and livestock permittees. While most areas are now designated as OHV-limited, recreation sites like the Christmas Valley Sand Dunes remain open due to historical use and minimal resource conflicts. Additionally, 476 acres were newly designated as closed to protect the Foskett speckled dace habitat and ensure safety around Alkali Lake’s chemical waste site, bringing the total closed OHV acreage to 11,285. BLM said this balanced approach preserves recreation opportunities while addressing ecological and safety concerns.
The plan takes effect immediately. A copy of the amendment can be viewed at tinyurl.com/3z32hyej. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
