Public meetings on tap for Blue Mountain Forest Plan revision

BLUE MOUNTAINS OREGON/WASHINGTON – The U.S. Forest Service is holding a series of public meetings to make people aware of the draft environmental impact statement and land management plan for the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests.

The meetings (with details in the graphic above) will be offered in person and online. A more detailed schedule is also available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/planning/public-engagement-and-participation.

According to a news release from the Umatilla National Forest, the meetings will include an introduction to the revision process, an overview of the proposed revisions to land management plans, key details about the proposed action and alternatives outlined in the environmental impact statement, and information on how to provide written comment during the 90-day public comment period.

Past Blue Mountain Forest Plans have been withdrawn at least twice due to various objections from the public. The revised plans will guide all future project decisions by forest supervisors and district rangers on the three forests. They will not directly authorize specific projects or actions, according to the planners.

There is a website for the plan. It provides up-to-date information, including an estimated timeline, tools for public participation, virtual links, and background information. That can be accessed at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/planning/public-engagement-and-participation.

The meetings on the list above all are from 5-8 p.m., with doors opening at 4:30 p.m.

Those who wish to sign up for the BMFP mailing list should email sm.fs.bluesforests@usda.gov or call 541-278-3716.

Above graphic from Umatilla National Forest

---

• 
• 
• 
• 

---

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

---

Elkhorn Media Group