BLM Invites Public Input For Southeast Oregon’s Bridge Creek Livestock Management Allotment
The Bureau of Land Management for Oregon and Washington (BLM) is seeking public input on the draft environmental impact statement for the Southeast Oregon Bridge Creek Area Allotment Management Plans, which propose several alternatives for livestock management and related actions.
A notice will be issued on Friday, starting a 45-day public comment period.
Bridge Creek Livestock Grazing Plan
The alternatives in the BLM Bridge Creek Area Allotment Management Plans draft analysis include 10-year grazing permits and the approval of four allotment management plans that set out seasonal grazing systems, grazing utilization thresholds, monitoring, and range developments, with several terms and conditions necessary for a grazing authorization.
Options that include fire danger and the response to changing conditions on the landscape are also under consideration.
The allotments, which have mainly been ungrazed since 2014, currently have no grazing preferences or grazing authorizations. There is a high level of interest in the 26,420-acre project area on Steens Mountain, near the town of Frenchglen, which includes four allotments:
Hammond, Hammond Fenced Federal Range, Hardie Summer, and Mud Creek allotments. Don Rotell, BLM Oregon/Washington’s Andrews/Steens Field Manager, said that the BLM welcomes public participation to reach a sound decision.
Bridge Creek Livestock Grazing Plan Public Participation
The Eplanning Bridge Crk EIS (Notice of Availability will be published in tomorrow’s Federal Register, starting a 45-day public participation period. To submit comments on the Bridge Creek Area Allotment Plans:
- Online (preferred): Select the “Participate Now” option at the BLM National NEPA Register
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: 28910 Hwy 20 W., Hines, Oregon, 97738.
Please use the reference “BCA AMP” when submitting comments, which must be submitted by February 24, 2025.
Once the final EIS has been issued, BLM will sign a record of the decision. Should the decision be livestock grazing as an action, a separate decision allocating forage and grazing permits will be issued dealing with conflicting applications at 43 CFR 4130.1-2.
Additional information is available at the BLM National NEPA Register or from the project lead at 541-573-4400.