BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
For Release: February 18, 2016
Contact: Trish Hogervorst, Salem District PAO
503-375-5657
Stefanie Larew, NEPA Coord. 503-375-5601
BLM Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Meteorological Tower
Salem, Ore.—The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Marys Peak Field Office has accepted
an application from Oregon State University (OSU) to construct a meteorological tower. The
BLM is seeking comments for a 30 day public scoping period that will end March 21, 2016. The
proposed meteorological tower would be located southwest of Alsea Falls Recreation Area (T.14
S., R. 7 W., Sec. 36, NE¼NW¼, W.M.).
The public is being asked to identify relevant issues on the OSU proposal to construct, operate,
and maintain a meteorological tower on approximately 0.03 acres of public land. The BLM has
identified the following preliminary issues: threatened and endangered species, (particularly
avian species), visual resource impacts and recreation impacts.
The tower would allow OSU to measure ecosystem carbon dioxide and water vapor exchange
within the atmosphere to understand the effect of drought and high spring temperatures on
ecosystem processes. OSU is proposing to construct a 200 foot to 220 foot guyed tower with
three guyed wires, and associated equipment shed with a fenced perimeter. Other project
components would include a solar array, buried power collection cables, and a foot path from
BLM road 14-7-25.1 to the site. If this project is approved, construction is proposed for a twomonth duration in late spring/early summer 2016.
An electronic copy of the proposed action can be found at the BLM ePlanning website
at https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office. Copies can also be reviewed at the BLM Salem
District Office, 1717 Fabry Road SE, Salem, Oregon, and are available upon request.
Please reference the Proposed Meteorological Tower when submitting comments. Send email
comments to: [email protected]
Mail written comments to:
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Salem District Office
Attn: Janet Myers, Project Lead
1717 Fabry Road SE, Salem, Oregon 97306
For more information about the BLM: http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/salem/index.php
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National
System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres
of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use
and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2014,
the BLM generated $5.2 billion in receipts from public lands.