From: jnichol@blm.gov <jnichol@blm.gov> On Behalf Of MD_IVM, BLM_OR
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2019 5:52 PM

Subject: Public Comment Notice: Draft Chapters 1 & 2 of the Medford BLM Integrated Vegetation Management Programmatic EA are available for public comment

Integrated Vegetation Management for Resilient Lands
Programmatic Environmental Assessment

DOI-BLM-ORWA-M000-2020-0001-EA

DRAFT Chapters 1 & 2

Dear Reader,

In July of this year, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sent a scoping notice for the above referenced environmental assessment (“EA”).  The BLM is releasing draft versions of Chapter 1 (Purpose and Need) and Chapter 2 (Alternatives) of this EA for public comment.  The documents are available on the BLM’s ePlanning website at:

https://go.usa.gov/xmuJV               NEPA #: DOI-BLM-ORWA-M000-2020-0001-EA

You may also view hard copies at the Medford or Grants Pass Interagency offices, during business hours.

Your input will be most beneficial if received by Monday, November 18, 2019.  Information on how to submit your input, how to get more information, and details on a public open house to be held Thursday, November 14, from 4:30 to 7:00 PM, and are at the end of this letter.

Since releasing the scoping notice, the BLM has continued to evaluate the needs, purposes, scope, and practical elements of this effort. The BLM considered the analytical and logistical complexityof including the Roseburg and Medford Districts as well as the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument in a single EA (for example, the Monument is currently managed under two separate Resource Management Plans and has unique objects of special or scientific interest). We considered the range of land use allocations the BLM could most effectively include in the EA. The BLM also considered external feedback, including the approximately 39 public scoping comment letters the BLM received.

Taking these considerations together, the BLM has narrowed the scope of the EA and developed a range of alternatives to analyze.  Of particular note, the alternatives in the EA will:

·         Include only Medford District BLM managed lands

·         Exclude lands within the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument

·         Exclude Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas

·         Exclude commercial treatments within the Harvest Land Base land use allocation

·         Consider a smaller maximum annual commercial treatment acres than originally scoped

·         Consider a smaller maximum miles of road that could be built than originally scoped

How can you provide comments?

You may submit your written comments* through one of the following methods:

Online at:                             https://go.usa.gov/xmuJV

By email:                             blm_or_md_ivm@blm.gov

By mail or delivery:             Attn: IVM-RL EA
Medford District Bureau of Land Management
3040 Biddle Road
Medford, Oregon 97504

Public comments will be most helpful if they are specific and:

·         assist in identifying reasonable alternatives, project design features, or analytical issues and considerations that have not been included in Chapters 1 and 2;

·         note where additional clarity is needed; or

·         identify new information relevant to analysis of effects that are potentially significant.

We recognize people place a wide range of values on various resource uses of public lands. Federal law mandates the Medford BLM manage the lands it administers according to its current Resource Management Plan.  This environmental assessment will not amend or modify the current Resource Management Plan.  Opinions agreeing or disagreeing with current laws, policies, or decisions already established in land use plans do not help in refining actions or analysis for this environmental assessment.

How can you get more information?

The BLM will hold a public open house on November 14 from 4:30 to 7:00 PM at the Mace Building of the Jackson County Expo. At this open house, the BLM will have displays to help explain the draft chapters, and BLM staff specialists will be available to answer questions. You may also submit written comments at this open house. Directions, a map of the Expo, and information on parking can be found online at https://www.attheexpo.com/Page.asp?NavID=73.

If you are unable to attend this open house, or have additional questions, you may contact Christina Beslin, Community Outreach Specialist, at (541) 618-2371.  Ms. Beslin can direct questions to appropriate BLM staff, or as time and schedules allow, may be able to arrange for smaller group meetings.

We appreciate your interest in the management of your public lands.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Burghard

District Manager

Medford District BLM