HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Trail Request Ltr
November 21, 2013
Jerry Perez, State Director
BLM Oregon
1220 S.W. 3rd Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
Robyn Thorson, Director
Pacific Region
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
911 N.E. 11th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97232-4181
Brent Fenty, Executive Director
Oregon Natural Desert Association
50 SW Bond Street, Suite 4,
Bend, OR 97702
RE: Oregon Desert Trail
Dear Mr. Perez, Ms. Thorson, and Mr. Fenty,
On November 15, 2013 the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) in coordination
with several conservation organizations submitted a formal request to the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to establish an
800 mile trail system across multiple counties in Central and Eastern Oregon. ONDA
specifically requested BLM and USFWS consider the route as a “connecting trail” under
the National Trails Act.
As proposed, the route encompasses portions of Deschutes, Harney, Lake, and
Malheur counties. It is being promoted as a “great way to get people to parts of Eastern
Oregon,” and “create an awareness of the high desert to permanently protect some of
the places and match the conservation steps some other places have taken .”1 Local
governments within the proposed trail system desire to be engaged in an open dialogue
with ONDA, its partners, BLM and USFWS. A regional trail network on federal lands
raises several questions that should be discussed with elected officials, state and
federal agencies and local residents. County commissioners and courts representing
the four affected counties respectfully request convening public forums in Bend, Burns,
Lakeview, and Vale so affected stakeholders can understand:
1 http://seattletimes.com/html/outdoors/2021500664_oregondeserttrailxml.html
If a trail system of this scale is recognized in BLM’s various resource management
and land use plans.
If not, is a National Environmental Policy Act process required?
Who manages signage for an Oregon Desert Trail?
How is information conveyed during the fire season of the threat of wildfires, or in the
circumstances of a drought, no open fires?
How is public life and safety addressed in a regional trail?
Where are the logical points of access for emergency medical service?
How are conflicting uses managed, recognizing that grazing and irrigation may be
proximate to the proposed route?
How have communities along the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and
Appalachian Trail adapted to summer visitation?
What are their success stories? What are their challenges and lessons learned?
If you have questions related to this request, please contact Steve Grasty, Harney
County Court Judge (Steve.grasty@co.harney.or.us, 541-573-6356), who is also
coordinating with Deschutes, Lake and Malheur counties.
Sincerely,
____________________________________, ____________________
Representing Deschutes County Date
____________________________________, ____________________
Representing Harney County Date
____________________________________, ____________________
Representing Lake County Date
____________________________________, ____________________
Representing Malheur County Date