Renewable Energy and Landscape Conservation Symposium
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Portland, Ore. -- The Renewable Energy & Eastern Oregon Landscape Conservation Partnership will be holding a day-long discussion about renewable energy opportunities and conservation issues. The Partnership, that includes participation from the BLM, State of Oregon, and Association of Oregon Counties, was established earlier this year to collaboratively address the needs and issues inherent to renewable energy development and habitat conservation across eastern Oregon.The Symposium is scheduled on Tuesday, November 9 at the Riverhouse Hotel in Bend, OR, and it will run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.The focus will be wind energy development and sagebrush habitat conservation. Local, state and Federal government representatives, renewable energy developers and conservation interest groups will be participating in the panel discussions. The symposium will explore the vision for both renewable energy and landscape scale conservation that may lead to identifying areas in eastern Oregon that have greater potential for new energy development as well as those areas where there would be significant challenges to development.State BLM Deputy Director Mike Haske says, “We're certain that this dialogue will help to facilitate collaborative approaches to address the concerns associated with the expanding interest in energy and electrical transmission development in Oregon."Mike McArthur, Executive Director of the Association of Oregon Counties adds, “It is critical to build on the opportunities presented by this partnership toward more collaboration among federal and state regulatory agencies and representatives of local communities. We need to move in a positive way to protect our landscapes and enhance Oregon's renewable energy opportunities."There is no charge to attend the symposium, but space is limited so registration is required. Please contact Mari Saint-Pierre at the National Policy Consensus Center (503) 725-8114 or msaint2 @ pdx.edu with questions or to register for the symposium. For information about the Renewable Energy & Eastern Oregon Landscape Conservation Partnership, visit the Oregon Solutions website: orsolutions.org/statewide/sagebrush.htm
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.