Forests
The BLM forest lands in Oregon and Washington are administered under two management programs. One is for the Oregon & California (O&C) lands in western Oregon. The other is for public domain lands which are mostly in eastern Oregon and Washington. The BLM manages 2.4 million acres of forests and woodlands in western Oregon, including 2.2 million acres of commercial forest and 200,000 acres of woodlands.
Interagency Memorandum of Understanding
In September 2010, the Department of the Interior has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with fellow Departments of Agriculture and Commerce outlining a series of actions focused in three areas: actions necessary to reach a common understanding of a vision for Federal forests and the conservation principles under the Northwest Forest Plan, including the current conflict over the role of the BLM Oregon and California Railroad and Coos Bay Wagon Road Grant Lands Act (O&C) lands; actions to revise the BLM's Resource Management Plans; and interim direction on BLM timber sales.
Forestry Pilot Projects (Medford and Roseburg)
The Secretarial Pilot Projects are intended to fulfill the Secretary of the Interior's direction to apply the principles of ecological restoration, as developed by Drs. Norm Johnson and Jerry Franklin, on BLM lands within the Roseburg and Medford Districts. The pilots are intended to help inform public dialogue on development of future management policy for BLM-managed forest in western Oregon.
Following up on the December 8, 2010 meeting in Washington, D.C. the BLM committed to immediately develop action plans for both the Roseburg Pilot Project and the Middle Applegate Watershed Pilot Project. These action plans will outline the project-specific activities that are anticipated for this 2011.
Timber Sales
The Northwest Forest Plan responds to multiple needs, the two primary ones being the need for late successional, old growth habitat and the need for forest products. Late successional, old growth habitat is needed to promote a healthy forest ecosystem that will support populations of native species. A predictable, sustainable supply of timber and other forest products will help maintain the stability of local and regional economies, and contribute valuable resources to the national economy.
Forestry Programs and Initiatives
These forests are managed under a number of different programs and initiatives including the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, the O&C Lands Act of 1937, the Healthy Forests Initiative and many others. Additional information can be found on the Forestry Programs and Initiatives page.
Western Oregon
Some of the most productive forests in the world are managed by the BLM in western Oregon. The objectives of the O&C program are to manage for a sustained yield of forest products and qualities needed to contribute to the economic stability of local communities, and continuing forest values and health. The 1994 Northwest Forest Plan and the six 1995 Western Oregon Resource Management Plans provide management guidance for management of federal forest lands in western Oregon. See the O&C Counties Historical Information page for additional information.
Eastern Oregon and Washington
Intermixed with grasslands and shrubsteppe in eastern Oregon and Washington are ponderosa pine, juniper, and white fir forests. On public domain lands, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 requires public lands and resources to be managed under the principles of multiple use and sustained yield, without impairment of the productivity of the land and the quality of the environment, and with recognition of the nation's need for timber from the public lands.
Want to learn more about Oregon's forestry pilot projects?
Oregon State Office
Bureau of Land Management
333 S.W. 1st. Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
503-808-6002