releases: https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-urges-changes-blue-mountains-forest-plan-better-meet-needs
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-urges-changes-blue-mountains-forest-plan-better-meet-needs | Greg Walden urges changes to Blue Mountains Forest Plan to better meet the needs of Eastern Oregon communities | 2014-08-25 | 2014 | 2014-08 | Republican | House | OR | Greg Walden | W000791 | walden.house.gov | legacy | Greg Walden urges changes to Blue Mountains Forest Plan to better meet the needs of Eastern Oregon communities Walden writes to Forest Service about strong concerns he heard at town hall meetings in Eastern Oregon this month HOOD RIVER U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today wrote to the U.S. Forest Service to urge changes to the controversial Blue Mountains Forest Plan revision. At town hall meetings in Eastern Oregon this month, Walden heard strong concerns from local communities that their needs and wishes were ignored in this plan. In a letter to Regional Forester Jim Pea, Walden wrote, The federally managed forests that span throughout Eastern Oregon provide significant economic and cultural benefits to local communities. In addition to the economic value these forests hold, accessing and utilizing these lands is a way of life for area residents. However, these forests are in poor condition and dire need of proper management that will restore forest health, reduce catastrophic wildfire, and sustain the economies in these rural communities. Unfortunately, it seems that this plan falls short of meeting these needs of the forest and the communities. Click here to read the full letter. Over the past year, communities surrounded by the Malheur, Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests have expressed deep concerns with the direction of this plan. At all of my recent town halls and other public meetings in these communities,I heard from a variety of constituents and local elected officials who have found that this plan not only fails to meet the needs of their communities, but also fails to achieve the desired conditions for the forest as well,Walden continued. In concluding the letter, Walden urged the agency to work with local communities to make changes to the plan, and invited the Regional Forester to Eastern Oregon to discuss the plan. I hope that you will reassess the proposal and engage with these local communities to develop a plan that accurately reflects existing forest conditions and outlines objectives that will reach the needed environmental and economic outcomes. I look forward to having you join me on the ground in Eastern Oregon to discuss this plan and other issues on our National Forests that so greatly impact Oregon's rural communities,Walden wrote. Earlier this month, Walden heard strong opposition to the plan at town halls and other public meetings in Harney, Grant, Union, Umatilla, and Wallowa counties. For example, concerns have been voiced that the plan doesn't provide adequate timber production for the region and fails to restore forest health by allowing active management on more land. Last month, the Eastern Oregon Counties Association unanimously rejected the proposed plan. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |