New River ACEC Management Plan Update
Public Involvement Plan
June 2015
Introduction
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is updating the New River ACEC
Management Plan (New River MP or management plan). Engaging the public early
and often in the decision-making process is essential for developing an effective
management plan and is also required by Federal law. This public involvement plan
outlines the BLM’s process for providing the public and interested parties with
reasonable opportunities to be involved in the planning process for the New River
MP and for ensuring the BLM’s decision-making process is transparent.
Planning History
In 1983, the BLM designated approximately 500 acres of Federal land along New
River as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The ACEC designation
classifies New River as an area where special management is required to protect
unique environmental and cultural resources from degradation.
The BLM developed the first management plan for New River in in 1987, followed
by a land acquisition plan in 1989. By 1997, the BLM acquired approximately 640
additional acres, bringing the total to the 1,140 acres managed today.
In 1989, the New River ACEC was assigned as a Special Recreation Management
Area (SRMA). The additional designation acknowledged the BLM’s commitment to
provide specific recreation activities and experience opportunities at New River in a
manner that is compatible with protecting the natural and cultural resources
located there.
The BLM completed a comprehensive management plan for the New River ACEC in
1995. The plan’s foremost theme was to protect the resources of the ACEC for the
enjoyment of present and future generations while continuing to provide recreation
activites and experience opportunities. The BLM updated the management plan in
2004 to include new resource information and clarify management direction.
Purpose of New River MP Update
In the 10 years since the 2004 management plan was released, the New River ACEC
has experienced changes in: vegetation patterns, invasive species, federally
protected species, and recreation use trends. The BLM has identified a need for
updating the New River MP in order to respond to these changes with appropriate
management actions. Furthermore, this update process corresponds with the BLM’s
desire to use an adaptive management approach, which recognizes the need to
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adjust to new information and to manage resources under circumstances that
contain varying degrees of uncertainty.
Planning Process
The New River MP update will be carried out in four primary phases:
I.
II.
Plan Evaluation
BLM resource specialists will examine existing conditions, inventory existing
data, characterize management issues, and identify management
opportunities and constraints.
Visioning
Visioning includes the BLM and the public defining the issues and needs at
New River in an effort to build an outcomes-based vision, in terms of goals
and objectives, which an updated management plan would strive to
implement over approximately 10 years.
III.
Development of Management Actions
The BLM, together with the public, will pinpoint and discuss specific
management actions in the context of implementing goals and objectives
identified during visioning.
IV.
Management Plan Development and Environmental Analysis
Management actions proposed to achieve the goals and objectives defined in
earlier phases of planning would be refined and their effects analyzed in an
environmental assessment.
These planning phases are expected to be completed through a series of activities
that are outlined and described under Schedule and Summary of Major Public
Involvement Opportunities on page 5.
How Plan Decisions will be Made
To develop an effective management plan, the BLM will listen to many voices.
Recreation users, neighboring landowners, conservation groups, elected officials,
other government agencies, Tribal representatives, and any interested persons or
groups are all encouraged to provide input.
The BLM will consider the public input it receives at major steps in the planning
process as the plan is developed. Decisions on which management guidance is
incorporated into the plan will be made based on the type of land designation, its
opportunities and constraints, and the professional expertise of BLM staff.
The BLM will hear and consider a broad range of interests while updating the New
River MP; however, the final decision-making responsibility, and the authority on
the management plan, rests with the BLM.
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Public Participation
The overall intent of the public involvement process is to give the public ample
opportunities for early and continuing participation in the New River MP update
process and BLM decisions. Specific goals and objectives are outlined below.
PIP Goals & Objectives
1. Facilitate active, collaborative participation by stakeholders.
a. Use participation to keep key groups informed.
b. Keep lines of communication open.
2. Collect public input to make a better plan.
a. Give the public enough information to provide informed, meaningful
input on the plan.
b. Talk through public ideas and input.
c. Consider public input when making decisions.
3. Help the public understand the proposed management actions and the
process of decision-making.
a. Keep stakeholders engaged throughout the entire process.
b. Let stakeholders know why their participation is important.
c. Communicate the next steps.
The intended outcome of the public involvement plan is a public that is satisfied
with the level of participation it was offered and that assisted with an updated
management plan that meets the overall purpose and need. The BLM wants the
public to feel positive about its contribution, and have a feeling of local ownership
at New River that will continue through subsequent phases of plan implementation.
Identification of Stakeholders and Participants
The current project contact list includes adjacent property owners, local, State and
Federal governments, and known interested parties. Some known stakeholders and
suspected interested parties are listed below.
Stakeholders
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Adjacent property owners
Coos and Curry Counties
Coquille Indian Tribe
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD)
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE)
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
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Additional Stakeholders and Participants
The project contact list is still being developed using the BLM’s knowledge of New
River. Specific organizations will be added to the list as they are identified during
planning. Anticipated groups with an interest in the management of the New River
ACEC include:
 Local residents
 Park users
 Business/property owners and tenants
 Schools and school districts
 Historical societies
 Community groups
 Pedestrian advocacy groups
 Conservation groups
 Hunting and angling organizations
Outreach/Involvement Techniques
The following describes public outreach techniques and activities the BLM expects
to use throughout the planning process to keep the public involved:
 Public events
 The BLM Coos Bay District website [www.blm.gov/or/districts/coosbay]
 Local newspaper
 Local radio
 Newsletters
 Electronic/physical mail notices
Notices and newsletters will be sent to contacts listed on the project distribution
list to inform interested parties about upcoming events or produced documents.
Electronic copies of materials will be posted to the website. Individuals wanting
hard copies must make a request in writing using the contact information below.
The BLM is developing a contact list specifically for the management plan update. If
you would like to be included, please send your email or physical address
electronically to [email protected], Attn: Racheal Jones, or by mail at Bureau
of Land Management, Myrtlewood Field Office, 1300 Airport Lane, North Bend, OR
97459, Attn: Racheal Jones.
For More Information Contact:
Kip Wright, Project Lead and District ACEC Coordinator, 541-756-0100: for
information on current management, history, and general questions.
Racheal Jones, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, 541-756-0100: for
information on the planning process, public involvement opportunities, and
document related questions.
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Tentative Schedule & Summary of Major Public Involvement
Opportunities
A preliminary planning timeline is presented below. It includes descriptions of
project milestones and major opportunities for public involvement.
Planning Sequence and Timeline – Subject to Change
2014
•
Project Initiation - BLM project team formed.
•
Internal Plan Evaluation/Issues Scoping – Internal, interdisciplinary process to
evaluate management actions, define issues, and determine data needs.
•
Public Involvement Plan – Affirms the BLM’s interest in and the importance of
public input, identifies stakeholders, and describes strategies to provide and receive
planning information.
•
Guided Public Hike – Informational hike around New River to discuss the unique
natural areas, cultural history, and current management.
•
Public Meeting/Workshop on Vision Development – Discuss and explore issues
and needs at New River. Input would be used to build a vision for New River (in terms
of goals and objectives), which a revised management plan would strive to implement
over approximately 10 years.
•
New River Vision Document – Summary and discussion of collected input from the
public in terms of existing use and management and opportunities for improved or
new management actions.
•
Public Scoping – Formal solicitation of input from the public on the type of
management actions that would best implement the vision for New River.
•
Public Workshop on Management Actions – Public meeting held during the formal
scoping period to explain and discuss proposed management actions; input received
would inform the BLM on specific management actions analyzed in the
environmental assessment (EA).
•
Release Draft New River Management Plan and EA - Draft New River Management
Plan and EA will include an analysis of effects of both continuing the current
management and implementing revised management and would be available for a 30day public review.
•
Guided Public Hike – Informational hike around New River to discuss the unique
natural areas, cultural history, and existing or proposed management actions.
•
Public Open House – Public meeting held during the 30-day review period to explain
and discuss the Draft New River Management Plan and proposed management
actions.
•
Final Management Plan – Release of final management plan after a 30-day public
review and consideration of public comments.
•
Implementation of revised New River Management Plan – Implementation of the
final management plan after the BLM makes a decision to implement the plan and a
30-day appeal period is complete.
2017
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