Road Maintenance Scheduled for Steens CMPA
Hines, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is committed to keeping public lands in Harney County accessible and safe. Over the coming months—as staffing, weather, and ground conditions permit—the BLM will conduct road maintenance throughout the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA).
Under a stipulated settlement injunction (Rose v. ONDA, 2019) the BLM is required to provide the public with 30 days’ notice prior to starting any maintenance of routes that are not regularly maintained within the CMPA.
According to the stipulation, regarding travel management in the CMPA, “As long as the current Resource Management Plan for the Andrew/Steens Resource Area is in effect, BLM will provide at least 30 days' notice to the public of the BLM's intent to perform maintenance on Level 2 roads within the CMPA. BLM reserves the right to conduct emergency road maintenance without prior notice." This notice fulfills the BLM’s obligation for the upcoming roadwork described below.
In addition to the regularly maintained Steens Mountain Loop Road – which typically receives service two to three times annually – approximately 25 miles of roads in the Smyth-Kiger allotment area (southeast of Diamond, Oregon) are scheduled for maintenance.
Roads slated for work include the Kiger Mustang Viewing Road, Diamond Grade Spur, and Kiger Spur Road. These roads will receive general grading, spot repairs, and upkeep, especially in areas affected by spring runoff. Rock may be added in sections requiring deeper structural work.
This maintenance effort supports multiple-use land management and helps preserve valuable resources within the Steens CMPA. The BLM’s network of roads, bridges, and trails is essential to western infrastructure, enabling access for recreation, commercial activities, conservation efforts, wildfire response, and wild horse and burro management.
Have you encountered roads that are damaged or in poor condition, making it difficult to access public lands? Let us know! Stop by our office or call us at (541) 573-4400 to report problem areas. Your feedback helps us prioritize maintenance and keep our public lands safe and accessible.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.