The Bureau of Land Management has announced a proposed plan for the management and protection of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in Southern Oregon and Northern California.
If approved, the plan will guide management of the monument's approximately 113,500 acres by protecting its exceptional biodiversity while ensuring continued stewardship of historical, archaeological and natural resources as well as opportunities for public access and recreation.
BLM Oregon/Washington State Director Barry Bushue said the plan is a combined effort of communities, local governments, Tribes and other partners. He said they have developed a plan that reflects shared values and effective conservation.
The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument was established by Presidential Proclamation 7318 in 2000 and expanded through Presidential Proclamation 9564 in 2017. The area provides habitat for an array of rare plant and animal species across its three ecoregions -- Cascade, Klamath and Siskiyou. Native American occupancy of the area dates back thousands of years as visible in dwellings and gathering sites. The monument is home to exceptional natural features including Pilot Rock.
The BLM is responsible for managing the monument's natural resources and the integrity of its diverse ecosystems as well as preserving its cultural and historical legacy for the benefit of all Americans. Currently operating under three separate plans, the BLM's new consolidated plan will ensure more consistent management.
The Notice of Availability has been published in the Federal Register and it will begin a 30-day protest period for the Proposed Resource Management Plan and the associated Final Environmental Impact Statement. Protest period ends November 12th.
