BLM Offers Open House for Draft Plan for Western Oregon, May 28

The Coos Bay District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is offering an opportunity for the public to learn about the Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for western Oregon forests. An open house will be held at the Mill Casino Hotel in the Salmon Room from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 28. The Mill Casino Hotel is located at 3201 Tremont Street, North Bend, Oregon, 97459. BLM staff will be on hand to provide information about the draft plan and answer questions. This is one of a series of open houses and workshops taking place in western Oregon to encourage public participating in the planning process. Members of the public have until July 23, 2015 to provide written comments on the Draft RMP/EIS through the internet, email or postal mail. The Draft RMP/EIS for western Oregon addresses a range alternatives for the purposes of producing a sustained yield of timber, contributing to the recovery of threatened and endangered species, providing clean water, restoring fire adapted ecosystems, providing for recreation opportunities, and coordinating the management of lands surrounding the Coquille Forest with the Coquille Tribe. The Draft RMP/EIS explains why the BLM is proposing a plan revision, presents a full spectrum of management alternatives, and analyzes the environmental effects of the alternatives. Based on this analysis and comments that the agency receives on the Draft RMP/EIS, the BLM will prepare a Proposed RMP/Final EIS with the assistance of cooperating agencies. “Some of the most productive forests in the world are managed by the BLM in western Oregon,” said BLM Oregon/Washington State Director Jerry Perez. “These forests provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities and clean water. I encourage everyone to take a look at these documents, attend a public meeting, or explore the many online resources.” To view the Draft RMP/EIS, submit comments, and see where other open houses and workshops are planned across western Oregon, please visit our website at: http://www.blm.gov/or/plans/rmpswesternoregon/