Western Oregon Plan Revisions

BLM Western Oregon Plan Decisions Released

The BLM has issued the six Records of Decision (ROD) for the Resource Management Plans (RMP) that were developed under the Western Oregon Plan Revisions. With this action, the BLM has completed its revision of the land use plans that will guide the management of 2.6 million acres in western Oregon in the BLM's Salem, Eugene, Roseburg, Medford, and Coos Bay Districts, and the Klamath Falls Resource Area of the Lakeview District. The RMPs also comply with all applicable Federal laws including the O&C Lands Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.

The RODs formally adopt the Proposed Resource Management Plan (PRMP) that was put forward in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which was released in October 2008. Overall, when fully implemented, the six land use plans are expected to increase the timber harvest from current levels, increase receiprs to the O&C Counties, meet the conservation needs of the northern spotted owl, increase habitat for marbled murrelet, maintain water quality, and improve habitat for Federally-listed fish.

• Final District Records of Decision/Resource Management Plans
• Final Western Oregon Plan Decisions Newsrelease (PDF)

Pursuant to BLM regulations, the Final EIS was reviewed by the Governor of Oregon to determine if it was consistent with State plans, and the policies and programs that follow from those plans. Below is a copy of the Governor's review, the BLM's response, and the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management response to the Oregon Governor.

• BLM Letter to Oregon Governor (PDF)
• Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Letter to the Oregon Governor (PDF)
• Oregon Governor Letter to the BLM (PDF)

The EPA also reviewed the BLM's final EIS for the Western Oregon Plan Revisions in accordance with their responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Air Act. Below is a copy of their review and the BLM's response.

• EPA Letter to the BLM (PDF)
• BLM Letter to the EPA (PDF)

Western Oregon Plan Revision Protest Period

The BLM provided a protest period that ended on December 8, 2008. In all, the BLM received 265 formal protests. The six RODs were signed after all the protests were analyzed and resolved. The BLM made minor changes as a result of the protest process.

Additional information regarding the protest period and related regulations is available on the protest period page.

• Final Protest Period Report (PDF)

In a separate but related issue, the BLM proposed that the Sustained Yield Units (SYUs), used to calculate and track the Allowable Sale Quantity, would now coincide with the district boundaries. Two protests were received. The new plans adopt those SYU boundaries. The letters resolving those protests can be viewed below:

• Sustained Yield Protest Response (Vaile) (PDF)
• Sustained Yield Protest Response (Kerr) (PDF)

Relative Sizes Of The Land Use Allocations In The Western Oregon Plan Revisions

Land Use Allocations