releases: https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-approves-greg-waldens-proposal-delay-flawed-forest-management
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-approves-greg-waldens-proposal-delay-flawed-forest-management | U.S. House approves Greg Walden's proposal to delay flawed forest management plan on Oregon's O&C lands | 2015-07-08 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Republican | House | OR | Greg Walden | W000791 | walden.house.gov | legacy | U.S. House approves Greg Walden's proposal to delay flawed forest management plan on Oregon's O&C lands ***Click here or on the image below to watch Walden's remarks in support of his plan*** WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. House of Representatives today approved a proposal by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to put a stop to the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) new proposed management plan for Oregon's O&C federal forest lands. Recently, the BLM released a proposed update to their two decade old management plan in western Oregon. Despite the clear mandate in law, the BLM's proposal would harvest timber on just 22 percent of the land base, locking the remainder up in various reserves.' Oregon's forested counties, some of which have over 70 percent of their land controlled by the federal government, rely on receipts from federal timber projects to fund law enforcement, schools and other essential services. Unfortunately, under the BLM's proposal, these counties would only receive an estimated 27 percent of the historical average in receipts. While the BLM's proposed plans seems to fall far short of meeting these communities' needs, it seems the agency is determined to push forward with these plans, Walden said during debate on the measure. This amendment would simply delay the BLM's implementation of these plans, giving time for counties and interested parties to thoroughly review the more than 1,500 pages of analysis. It also gives the agency time to consider additional alternatives that better incorporate the clear mandates of the O&C Act. With Oregon's wildfire season well off to a terrible start, we need time to review these plans to get active management on these forest lands. By passing this amendment, we'll give the taxpayersthe people who live therea better opportunity to weigh in. Walden's proposal would delay implementation of the BLM's proposed resource management plan for the O&C forest lands. The BLM continues to push forward with this plan in the face of numerous concerns expressed by local counties about the planning direction throughout the process. Recently, the Oregon Congressional Delegation requested a 120 day extension of the comment period so that the counties and other interested parties have time to thoroughly review the more than 1,500 pages of analysis and provide useful input and comment. Community leaders in southern Oregon praised the amendment. By simply placing more land into reserve, these plans put our communities and forests at even higher risk of catastrophic fire and that is unacceptable. The BLM continues forward with these plans despite our repeated concerns that these plan fails to meet the needs of Josephine County residents. Delaying implementation of these plans will allow for time to find a better path for our forests and communities, said Josephine County Commissioner Simon Hare. With smoke choking our valley each summer, hurting people's health and hampering our recreation and tourism economies, it is unfortunate the BLM has released a plan that misses mark when it comes to the management our forests. Our communities deserve better and this delay will give time to start over with a different approach on these plans, said Jackson County Commissioner Doug Breidenthal. Walden's plan came as an amendment to a bill pending in the House to fund the Department of the Interior (including the BLM) for the coming fiscal year. The House is expected to pass the underlying bill later this week. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |