Vale BLM seeks input on Louse Canyon Geographic Management Area
By Logan Bagett on Tuesday, November 26th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
VALE — (Release from the Bureau of Land Management)
The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for rangeland health management in the Louse Canyon Geographic Management Area (LCGMA).
A Notice of Availability will be published in the Federal Register on Friday, Nov. 29, opening a 45-day public comment period ending Jan. 13, 2025.
“Public input is key to ensuring we have considered all reasonable alternatives and potential impacts,” said Vale BLM Malheur Field Manager Jonah Blustain. “It’s also an opportunity to provide additional information the BLM may not have addressed.”
This draft EIS analyzes alternative livestock management and restoration actions that would promote the landscape health and meet agency standards for rangeland health while providing continued opportunities for public land grazing.
Public comments will help prepare the final environmental analysis and proposed rangeland management plan. Comments that identify an issue with the document and offer factual and unbiased information to be considered will be addressed.
The LCGMA encompasses the southeastern corner of Oregon and a small area in northeastern Nevada. The area is comprised of five grazing allotments (536,434 acres) in Malheur County, Ore., and two grazing allotments (11,262 acres) in Humboldt County, Nev.
Public briefings will be offered from 2-4 p.m. PT Friday, Dec. 6, at McDermitt Community Center, 175 S. US Highway 95, McDermitt, Nev.; and 6-8 p.m. MT Monday, Dec. 9, at Malheur County OSU Extension Office, 710 SW 5th St., Ontario, Ore. Interested individuals can also choose attend the Dec. 9 meeting virtually at https://bit.ly/LouseCanyonZoom.
The Louse Canyon GMA Draft EIS and accompanying background documents are available on the LCGMA website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/1501965/510. Comments may be submitted through the website, by email to BLM_OR_VL_Louse_Canyon_GMA@blm.gov, or by mail to Vale BLM, Attn. Louse Canyon GMA, 100 Oregon St., Vale, OR 97918.
