BLM plans to protect Douglas County recreation areas from mining

ROSEBURG, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management invites public comment on a proposed 20-year withdrawal to protect up to 163.62 acres across Olalla-Thompson Creek Day Use Area and Island Creek and Iron Mountain recreation areas south of Camas Valley and west of Riddle in Douglas County. The proposed withdrawal includes 21.2 acres of public lands with non-Federal mineral interest and 38.5 acres of non-Federal lands if acquired by the United States.

The proposed withdrawal would prevent potential impacts from new mining (but not from oil, gas, and geothermal development) subject to valid existing rights, and protect current and future site improvements for recreational opportunities including picnicking, hiking, swimming, wildlife watching, recreational gold panning and disbursed recreation.

A Notice of Proposed Withdrawal  published today in the Federal Register which temporarily protects the lands for up to two years from location or entry under the United States mining laws and initiates a 90-day public comment period.

The full Federal Register Notice is available at: Notice of Proposed Withdrawal and Opportunity for Public Meeting; Oregon
 

The Federal Register Notice is also available in PDF format at the following link: 2023-15684.pdf (govinfo.gov)
 

The document can also be referenced by number: 2023-15684 
 

The public may submit comments and requests for a public meeting on the proposed withdrawal until October 23, 2023, Comments may be emailed to [email protected] or sent by mail to:  

Bureau of Land Management
Attn: Luke Poff
BLM Oregon/Washington State Office 936.1
   P.O. Box 2965
Portland, OR  97208

For more information on the proposal please contact Luke Poff at [email protected] or 503-808–6001.

-BLM-