Interagency Memorandum of Understanding
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.
The Agencies have also committed to several of the recommendations that facilitate future management decisions including reviewing existing scientific information; improving the Endangered Species Act consultation approach; revising the Recovery Plan for the northern spotted owl; and working to support the timber industry and local communities.
"We must look at a future that provides for both sustainable forests and communities through a common vision, and these recommendations will help us do just that," said BLM Director Bob Abbey. "Sustainable forest management provides certainty to local economies that will in turn provide for sustainable communities. We can break the cycle of agency decision followed by litigation, through collaborative solutions built together with Oregon leaders and the public."