The Bureau of Land Management has issued its approved resource management plan and Record of Decision for the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.
The plan will guide management of the monument's 113,500 acres in southwest Oregon to protect its biodiversity and important historic resources while providing for public access and recreational opportunities.
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 eco-regions -- Cascade, Klamath and Siskiyou. These include ancient sugar and Ponderosa pine, rock buckwheat, tall bugbane, the threatened northern spotted owl, endangered gray wolves, Lost River sucker and more.
Native American occupancy of the area dates back thousands of years and the monument is home to exceptional natural features including Pilot Rock.
Currently operating under three separate plans, the BLM's new consolidated plan will ensure more consistent management of the entire monument. It incorporates public input received through a 90-day public comment period and multiple public meetings, using the best available science to protect the monument's objects of scientific and historic interest.
The BLM received nearly 4,000 comments on the draft management plan.
