WASHINGTON—The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on Jan. 17 issued a record of decision and final resource management plan covering 3.2 million acres in the relatively sparsely populated high desert country of southeastern Oregon, often called “Oregon’s Outback.” The plan includes key management provisions that will conserve roughly 415,000 acres of important lands in BLM’s Lakeview District, including one of the longest pronghorn migration corridors in North America.
The newly protected landscape includes part of the Greater Hart-Sheldon region, which straddles the Oregon-Nevada border. Thousands of pronghorn make their way across the land here, traveling up to 100 miles during their seasonal migrations. Other important wildlife such as mule deer, sage grouse, and pygmy rabbits also rely on these lands for their habitat. Additionally, the area lies within the homelands for the Yahooskin and Northern Paiute, whose ancestors lived along the shores of lakes at the base of Hart Mountain, Abert Rim, and Winter Ridge. The Burns Paiute Tribe, Klamath Tribes, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, and other Tribes maintain connections to this landscape today.
Recently, a portion of the planning area was named as the largest dark sky sanctuary in the world, adding to its allure.
Lake County, where the plan is located, is a popular destination for hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, and hunting and fishing. These activities in Lake County contributed to the $16 billion in outdoor recreation spending in Oregon in 2022 (the most recent year for which official state figures are available). The outdoor recreation industry also generated $8.2 billion in wages and supported 192,000 jobs throughout the state.
Laurel Williams, a manager with the U.S. conservation project at The Pew Charitable Trusts, issued this statement:
“Pew applauds the Bureau of Land Management for finalizing the plan to protect more than 400,000 acres in southeastern Oregon. Given the area’s biodiversity, abundant wildlife habitat, outdoor recreational opportunities, and intact landscapes, we’re pleased that the BLM worked with local communities and the state; followed the science; and produced a balanced final plan that’s a win for nature, people, and Oregon’s economy.”