Forests
The BLM forest lands in Oregon and Washington are administered under two management programs. One is for the Oregon & California (O&C) lands in western Oregon. The other is for public domain lands which are mostly in eastern Oregon and Washington. The BLM manages 2.4 million acres of forests and woodlands in western Oregon, including 2.2 million acres of commercial forest and 200,000 acres of woodlands.
RMPs for Western Oregon
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is beginning the process of revising RMPs for 2.5 million acres of forested lands across six BLM Districts in western Oregon. The BLM is seeking public input on the issues and alternatives the new RMPs should address. This public scoping period begins March 9, 2012 and will end June 11, 2012. For additional information please visit the RMPs for Western Oregon planning page.
RMP Evaluation Report for Western Oregon Districts
The Resource Management Plan Evaluation Report (PDF) for Western Oregon Districts covers the Salem, Eugene, Roseburg, Coos Bay and Medford districts as well as the Klamath Falls Resource Area in the Lakeview District. The six western Oregon BLM units manage these 2.5 million acres under the 1995 Western Oregon Resource Management Plans, and were last evaluated in 2004. The 2012 plan evaluation found a need for changes in the timber and wildlife programs and minor changes to other BLM-administered programs. The evaluation report indicates a plan revision is appropriate for BLM's western Oregon plans to comprehensively review the mix of resource uses and protections and adjust RMP objectives and associated land use allocations and management direction.
Interagency Memorandum of Understanding
In September 2010, the Department of the Interior has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with fellow Departments of Agriculture and Commerce outlining a series of actions focused in three areas: actions necessary to reach a common understanding of a vision for Federal forests and the conservation principles under the Northwest Forest Plan, including the current conflict over the role of the BLM Oregon and California Railroad and Coos Bay Wagon Road Grant Lands Act (O&C) lands; actions to revise the BLM's Resource Management Plans; and interim direction on BLM timber sales.
Forestry Pilot Projects: Medford, Roseburg, Coos Bay
The Secretarial Pilot Projects are intended to fulfill the Secretary of the Interior's direction to apply the principles of ecological restoration, as developed by Drs. Norm Johnson and Jerry Franklin, on BLM lands within the Roseburg, Coos Bay, and Medford Districts. The pilots are intended to help inform public dialogue on development of future management policy for BLM-managed forest in western Oregon.
Following up on the December 8, 2010 meeting in Washington, D.C. the BLM committed to immediately develop action plans for both the Roseburg Pilot Project and the Middle Applegate Watershed Pilot Project. Throughout 2011, the BLM, along with Drs. Norm Johnson and Jerry Franklin, held a series of public meetings, workshops, and field trips to discuss the pilot projects and learn more about the principles of ecological forestry. In February 2012, the BLM released a report regarding the Drs. Johnson and Franklin's observations about the Forestry Pilot Projects.
- Middle Applegate Watershed Pilot (Medford)
- Roseburg Pilot
- Coos Bay Pilot
- Pilot Project Report (February 2012) (PDF)
Timber Sales
The Northwest Forest Plan responds to multiple needs, the two primary ones being the need for late successional, old growth habitat and the need for forest products. Late successional, old growth habitat is needed to promote a healthy forest ecosystem that will support populations of native species. A predictable, sustainable supply of timber and other forest products will help maintain the stability of local and regional economies, and contribute valuable resources to the national economy.
Forestry Programs and Initiatives
These forests are managed under a number of different programs and initiatives including the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, the O&C Lands Act of 1937, the Healthy Forests Initiative and many others. Additional information can be found on the Forestry Programs and Initiatives page.
Western Oregon
Some of the most productive forests in the world are managed by the BLM in western Oregon. The objectives of the O&C program are to manage for a sustained yield of forest products and qualities needed to contribute to the economic stability of local communities, and continuing forest values and health. The 1994 Northwest Forest Plan and the six 1995 Western Oregon Resource Management Plans provide management guidance for management of federal forest lands in western Oregon. See the O&C Counties Historical Information page for additional information.
Eastern Oregon and Washington
Intermixed with grasslands and shrubsteppe in eastern Oregon and Washington are ponderosa pine, juniper, and white fir forests. On public domain lands, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 requires public lands and resources to be managed under the principles of multiple use and sustained yield, without impairment of the productivity of the land and the quality of the environment, and with recognition of the nation's need for timber from the public lands.
Want to learn more about RMPs for Western Oregon?