Road Maintenance Scheduled for Steens CMPA
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Hines, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management strives to provide quality access to public lands in Harney County. Over the next few months, or as staff time and weather and ground conditions allow, the BLM will maintain roads within the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area.
Under a stipulated settlement injunction (Rose v. ONDA, 2019) the BLM is required to provide the public with 30 days’ notice prior to starting any maintenance of routes that are not regularly maintained within the CMPA.
According to the stipulation, regarding travel management in the CMPA, “As long as the current Resource Management Plan for the Andrew/Steens Resource Area is in effect, BLM will provide at least 30 days' notice to the public of the BLM's intent to perform maintenance on Level 2 roads within the CMPA. BLM reserves the right to conduct emergency road maintenance without prior notice." This notice fulfills the agency’s obligation for the work and roads mentioned below.
Aside from the Steens Mountain Loop Road, which receives regular maintenance two to three times per year, approximately 20 miles of work are on the schedule for the Smyth-Kiger allotment area just southeast of Diamond, Oregon.
The Kiger Mustang Viewing Road, Smyth Creek Road, and Kiger Spur Road will receive general grading, upkeep and spot maintenance as needed due to spring runoff damage. Some rock may be added for deep repairs.
This work is necessary to support multiple-use resource management and protection of resource values in the Steens CMPA.
BLM’s network of roads, bridges, and trails is an integral part of the western American infrastructure, providing access for recreation, commercial activities, and administrative operations, including wildfire management, wild horse and burro gathers, and conservation efforts. A well-maintained, well-connected transportation system is essential to making these activities possible.
Do you know of roads with significant damage from weather or wear, or roads that are simply in such bad shape your access to public lands is limited? Let us know! Stop by our office or call 541-573-4400.
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.