BLM plans to protect Douglas County recreation areas from mining
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
ROSEBURG, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management invites public comment on a proposed 20-year withdrawal to protect up to 163.62 acres across Olalla-Thompson Creek Day Use Area and Island Creek and Iron Mountain recreation areas south of Camas Valley and west of Riddle in Douglas County. The proposed withdrawal includes 21.2 acres of public lands with non-Federal mineral interest and 38.5 acres of non-Federal lands if acquired by the United States.
The proposed withdrawal would prevent potential impacts from new mining (but not from oil, gas, and geothermal development) subject to valid existing rights, and protect current and future site improvements for recreational opportunities including picnicking, hiking, swimming, wildlife watching, recreational gold panning and disbursed recreation.
A Notice of Proposed Withdrawal published today in the Federal Register which temporarily protects the lands for up to two years from location or entry under the United States mining laws and initiates a 90-day public comment period.
The full Federal Register Notice is available at: Notice of Proposed Withdrawal and Opportunity for Public Meeting; Oregon.
The Federal Register Notice is also available in PDF format at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-07-25/pdf/2023-15684.pdf.
The document can also be referenced by number: 2023-15684.
The public may submit comments and requests for a public meeting on the proposed withdrawal until October 23, 2023. Comments may be emailed to lpoff@blm.gov or sent by mail to:
Bureau of Land Management
Attn: Luke Poff
BLM Oregon/Washington State Office 936.1
P.O. Box 2965
Portland, OR 97208
For more information on the proposal please contact Luke Poff at lpoff@blm.gov or 503-808–6001.
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.