The BLM would like to remind hunters and other public land users that fire conditions continue to be extreme and public use restrictions are still in effect for the entire Vale District. Campfires are prohibited except at designated recreation sites, smoking is prohibited in vegetated areas and cross-country vehicular travel is also prohibited. All vehicles are required to carry a shovel and at least one gallon of water or a fully charged 2.5 pound fire extinguisher. For a complete list of the public use restrictions, please visit the district website at http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/vale/index.php or visit our office at 100 Oregon Street, Vale, Oregon. Individuals who violate restrictions on public lands not only endanger themselves and others, but they may be subject to penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
The BLM Vale District is advising the public and rafting community that the river conditions and river flow on the Wild and Scenic portion of the Owyhee River is extremely hazardous. The river flow at the Rome Launch site is at 18,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) and is expected to increase based on weather forecasts; normal seasonal adjusted flows are usually 3,000 to 7,000 CFS.
The BLM Prineville District Office is currently seeking public comments on the Rudio Highlands Forest Management Project Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA analyzes a potential vegetative and hazardous fuels treatment project on isolated BLM-administered parcels of land 11.5-miles northeast of Dayville, Ore. The goal of the project is to improve the health of the forest and reduce the risk of wildfire.
The BLM Oregon/Washington State Office will be offering geothermal leasing for competitive sale. The offered Federal lands are all in the northeast corner of Lake County, Oregon. The competitive auction will begin at 8:00 a.m. December 19, 2008 at the BLM Utah State Office, 3 Gateway Building, 440 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, Utah.
The BLM Oregon State Office is seeking nominations for 64 positions on the Resource Advisory Committees in western Oregon. The Coos Bay, Eugene, Medford, Roseburg, and Salem District RAC member terms expire August 15, 2010. Forms are available online at http://www.blm.gov/or/rac/ctypayracinfo.php and nominations are due on or before June 1, 2010.
The BLM OR/WA State Director Jerome Perez announced today his selection of Ms. Abbie Jossie as the new District Manager of the BLM Roseburg District in southwestern Oregon. Ms. Jossie will begin March 12, 2013. She has been with the BLM for 25 years, and is currently the acting Deputy State Director for Resources for BLM Alaska. Abbie has a degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Nevada at Reno. She and her husband Don have two children. Sam is 22 and attends the University of Oregon, and Lizzie is 18 and a freshman at the University of Idaho.
The BLM is taking their Federal Wild Horse and Burro (WHB) Program in an unprecedented new direction, and seeks in-depth public comment on implementing Secretary Ken Salazar's Wild Horse and Burro Initiative. "It's a new day, and we need a fresh look at this program," BLM Director Bob Abbey said. "We want all those with an interest in wild horses and burros and their public lands to consider our initial ideas and offer their own." The BLM will consider the public's input as it prepares a long-term strategy for managing America's wild horses and burros. The WHB plan will be presented in a detailed report to Congress later this year.