BLM Considers Habitat Improvements near Eagle Point

ASHLAND, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management is developing a proposal to improve forest habitat on about 1,600 acres near Eagle Point. The area is overly dense with vegetation, causing increased competition between trees, limited habitat complexity, and increasing susceptibility to wildfire. The project would include limited timber harvest to speed the development of nesting habitat for the northern spotted owl and maintain healthy streams.

“By conducting this habitat improvement, we achieve our land management and forestry objectives, while providing timber to local mills, jobs to our neighbors, and revenue to western Oregon counties,” said Lauren Brown, BLM Ashland Field Manager.

The BLM opened a 30-day public comment period on Oct. 7, for input on potential issues, impacts, and alternatives to be addressed in an upcoming environmental assessment.

“People are extremely helpful in identifying the highest priority areas, potential conflicts, and other topics important to them for us to consider,” said Brown.

Additional information about the project, including how to comment, is available at the BLM NEPA Register. To be most useful during the scoping process, comments should be specific and clearly identify potential issues, resource conflicts, treatment locations, reasonable alternatives, or other information relevant to the proposed project. General expressions of support or opposition, repeated statements, or lengthy submissions that do not clearly identify specific issues or relevant information may not provide the BLM with information useful for scoping. Commenters should clearly identify the specific concern, location, resource, or information they would like the BLM to consider.

In western Oregon, the BLM manages timberlands under the Oregon and California Revested Lands Sustained Yield Management Act of 1937, which ensures sustainable forestry practices that support communities and livelihoods. Revenue from timber harvested on Oregon and California lands is shared between the U.S. Treasury and 18 western Oregon counties. This funding provides local communities with the means to construct new county buildings; develop fairgrounds and museums; support libraries, schools, and jails; and build flood-control dams and reservoirs. Each year, the BLM timber sales support approximately 2,000 local jobs and generate more than $1 billion for local economies.