Bureau of Land Management releases Environmental Assessment for Archie Creek Fire Area
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Roseburg, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Roseburg District released an Environmental Assessment (EA) for proposed fire recovery activities on BLM-administered lands within the Archie Creek Fire perimeter. The EA analyzes the potential environmental effects of salvage harvesting timber in fire-affected stands and removing hazard trees along roadways and near private and BLM-developed facilities.
The EA is available on BLM’s ePlanning website by searching for DOI-BLM-ORWA-R040-2021-0001-EA, or at the following link: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2003217/510
The BLM will host an open house at the Swiftwater Day Use Area on Thursday, May 6, 2021, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Staff will be available to provide information about the EA and answer questions on the analysis. A field visit for those interested in looking at a representative stand will depart from the Swiftwater Day Use Area shortly after 11:00 a.m. and return no later than 1:00 p.m.
A video discussing the proposed actions within the EA, with photos illustrating proposed treatment areas and stand conditions, will be available after May 6, 2021 at: https://www.blm.gov/office/roseburg-district-office
At this time, no decisions for implementing the activities analyzed in the EA have been made by the authorized official. An unsigned Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is located on the BLM’s ePlanning site in addition to the EA. The authorized official must approve the FONSI before signing any decision record(s) that authorize implementing the proposed actions.
The BLM is committed to supporting local communities and economies impacted by fire. In order to recover the economic value from the timber before the wood deteriorates, the BLM has specific management direction to conduct timely harvest of salvage timber on certain, designated BLM-administered lands. Additionally, the BLM has management direction to remove trees that are a hazard to people and/or infrastructure.
Comments may be submitted via email to: BLM_OR_RB_Archie_Creek_Fire_Salvage_EA@blm.gov. Please specify the project name in the subject line of the email. The BLM has extended the comment period for this EA and unsigned FONSI to 4:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time on Monday, May 10, 2021.
The BLM-administered lands within the Archie Creek Fire perimeter remain closed for public safety. The current closure notice is available at: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions
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.