Portland, Ore. — In order to further protect imperilled northern spotted owls in Oregon, the Bureau of Land Management today issued a final decision to implement a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service strategy to responsibly manage barred owl populations on BLM-managed lands. The strategy is the first comprehensive proposal to address the significant threat posed by inter-species competition.

Northern spotted owl populations are rapidly declining, and the species is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Its two biggest threats are competition from invasive barred owls, as well as fire and drought-related habitat loss. The BLM already limits habitat loss through its 2016 Resource Management Plans for Western Oregon.

Although barred owls are native to eastern North America, they moved west due to human activity. Their population now surpasses northern spotted owls across most of Washington, Oregon, and California. Barred owls are bigger and more aggressive and frequently outcompete native spotted owls for nesting spots and prey.

“Northern spotted owls are at a tipping point, and both barred owls and habitat have to be managed to save them,” said Barry Bushue, BLM Oregon/Washington state director. “If we act now, future generations will still be able to see and hear northern spotted owls in our Pacific Northwest forests.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s barred owl management plan resulted from significant public involvement and thorough environmental analysis. More information is available on the agency’s barred owl management website, including the final Environmental Impact Statement and strategy, record of decision, and frequently asked questions. BLM’s decision to implement the barred owl control plan is available online at [will insert web address before signing: DOI-BLM-ORWA-0000-2025-0001-EIS] and is posted in the Federal Register.

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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Hines, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management is taking public comments on the draft environmental impact statement for the Bridge Creek Area Allotment Management Plans in Southeast Oregon. The analysis proposes several alternatives for livestock management and related actions in the 26,420-acre project area on Steens Mountain, near the town of Frenchglen.

“There is a high level of interest in this project, and BLM welcomes public participation to reach a sound decision,” said Don Rotell, BLM Oregon/Washington’s Andrews/Steens Field Manager.

The project includes four allotments: Hammond, Mud Creek, Hardie Summer, and Hammond Fenced Federal Range allotments.

The alternatives in the draft analysis consider issuing 10-year grazing permits and the approval of four allotment management plans that outline seasonal grazing systems, grazing utilization thresholds, monitoring, and range developments, among other terms and conditions that could be required under a grazing authorization. The draft also considers options to address community concerns regarding fire danger and that respond to changing conditions on the landscape.

There is no grazing preference nor any grazing authorizations associated with the four allotments in the project area, all of which have been largely ungrazed since 2014. Following issuance of the final EIS, BLM would sign a record of decision. If the decision selects livestock grazing as an action, BLM would issue a separate decision allocating forage and grazing permits as required by the grazing regulations, including those applying to conflicting applications at 43 CFR 4130.1-2.

A Notice of Availability, [RP1] Eplanning Bridge Crk EIS, will publish in Friday’s Federal Register to begin a 45-day public comment period. Additional information is available at the BLM National NEPA Register. Please submit public comments no later than Feb. 24, 2025, through the “Participate Now” option at the BLM National NEPA Register (preferred), by email to LM_OR_BU_BCA_AMP@blm.gov">BLM_OR_BU_BCA_AMP@blm.gov, or mail to 28910 Hwy 20 W., Hines, Oregon, 97738. Please reference “BCA AMP” when submitting comments..

For more information, please contact the project lead at 541-573-4400.

-BLM-

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the 

nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.