There is a public Meeting to be held March 16, 2004 details below....

Upper Deschutes Resource Management Plan Update
                             February, 2004
                                                         File code: 1690.6
           Draft Resource Management Plan Comment Period Ends,
              Work on Proposed Plan and Final EIS Underway



Over 1300 Comments Received

The comment period for the Draft Upper Deschutes Resource Management Plan
and Environmental Impact Statement closed on January 15, 2004. The BLM
received over 1300 comment letters from cooperating tribes and governments,
private organizations, and individuals.  While the comments are still being
analyzed, key concerns involve the protection of the Badlands, providing
motorized recreation opportunities, providing areas for exclusively non
motorized activities, protection of wildlife, disposal or acquisition of
BLM lands, and how BLM lands adjacent to private property should be
managed.

Reviewing Comment Letters

The general public can review the comment letters from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
at the Prineville District BLM office.  The comment letters will also be
available on our website around mid-March.


People Passionate about Public Lands

Regardless of the point of view of those responding, people are passionate
about public lands in Central Oregon.  We are delighted with the interest
expressed.  We understand the responsibility we have to all for making
decisions regarding public land management.


Planning Process

The BLM Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) has been working much like those who
have commented on the Draft.  Team members have been carefully reviewing
the document for errors and ambiguities that need to be addressed before
the “Final� can be published. In addition the IDT must review all of the
public comments to determine: a) which provide reasons for proposed
changes, and b) which proposed changes should be incorporated into the
Proposed Upper Deschutes Resource Management Plan and Final EIS.  These
comments and the BLM response to them will be summarized in an appendix in
the Final EIS. After the comments are analyzed the BLM must decide how to
respond to the comments.  All issues raised in the comments received will
be reported in the Upper Deschutes Proposed Management Plan and
Environmental Impact Statement. The BLM has 3 options for responding to
comments.

The Team will enlist the aid of the established Upper Deschutes Resource
Management Plan Issue Team to resolve the difficult issues.  This team
consists of the BLM, representatives of tribal, local, state, and federal
governments, and private stakeholders.  The Issue Team is chartered by the
Deschutes Provincial Advisory Committee.  After resolving the issues the
BLM IDT will be responsible for completing the Upper Deschutes Proposed
Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement by Fall of 2004.


Issue Team Meeting March 16, 2004

The Upper Deschutes Resource Management Plan Issue Team will meet on March
16 between 1 and 4 PM at the Eagle Crest Conference Center near Redmond,
Oregon (call or visit our website for directions). This meeting is open to
the public. Participation during all but the public comment portion of the
meeting will be limited to members of the Issue Team.  A period for public
comments will be provided.  Activities at the meeting will include:
1. Distributing a summary of public comments.
2. Identifying the issues that the Issue Team will address.
3. Reviewing the process the Issue Team will follow to address issues from
the public comments.
4. Selecting members of the subcommittee that will have primary
responsibility for addressing the issues.
5. Establishing a meeting schedule for the subcommittee (April-May).


More Information.

Drafts of the plan and other information are available on the Prineville
BLM web page at: http://www.or.blm.gov/Prineville/Deschutes_RMP/Home.htm).


Questions and Contacts

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us by mail, phone or
e-mail:
Upper Deschutes Resource Management Plan C/0  Prineville BLM
3050 NE Third Street
Prineville, OR 97754
(541) 416-6700
upper_deschutes_RMP|removethispart|@or.blm.gov.

Contact members of the BLM IDT (phone numbers listed below

                                 Team Leads


                 Land Ownership, Transportation and Access
                          Ron Wortman 541-416-6709

                                 Land Uses
                        Teal Purrington 541-416-6772

                        Ecosystem Health & Diversity
                        Steve Castillo 541-416-6765

                                 Recreation
                          Greg Currie 541-416-6711

                          Archaeological Resources
                          Ron Gregory 541-416-6792

                          Public Health and Safety
                          Keith Brown 541-416-6779

               Social & Economic Values (and project manager)
                        Mollie Chaudet 541-416-6872