Bureau of Land Management seeks public input on Bear Grub Vegetation Management Project
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Medford, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on a plan to promote more resilient forests near Ruch, Jacksonville, Talent, and Medford. This area is one of the most at-risk locations for wildfire in Oregon. The Bear Grub Vegetation Management project is designed to develop large, fire tolerant trees and reduce the severity of wildfires.
The plan includes nearly 5,000 acres of fuels reduction work, including prescribed fire and removing small diameter trees. These actions would complement the Rogue Forest Partner's West Bear All-Lands Restoration project. The plan also includes less than 1,500 acres of commercial thinning.
The BLM issued a decision in 2020 that was protested. The Medford District addressed the protest by rescinding the 2020 Decision Record and Environmental Assessment (EA) to address concerns of the public and is now issuing a revised EA. The administrative protests delayed implementation of planned fuels reduction work. Douglas fir mortality in the area has also compromised the integrity of some of the merchantable timber.
“This area is facing unprecedented Douglas fir mortality,” said Lauren Brown, BLM Ashland Field Manager. "Commercial timber harvest is an important tool to address forest health in southwest Oregon.”
“This work is critical for restoring forest health near some of our most at-risk communities," Brown continued. "Additional delays could result in additional fuels buildup and catastrophic fire behavior.”
BLM will release their revised EA on June 8. The document will provide a description of the proposed action, the scope of the project area, background information, and how the effects of implementing the project fall within the 2016 Resource Management Plan for Southwest Oregon.
All written comments can be submitted at the ePlanning website. They must be received by June 23, 2023. A decision on the project will not be made until after public comments have been considered.
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.