LA GRANDE–The Blues Intergovernmental Council (BIC) will host a series of public engagement sessions this fall. The public is invited to attend and learn about the BIC’s purpose, hear updates on the BIC’s work products, hear updates on the Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision process, and ask questions or share concerns.

The BIC was formed in 2019 and consists of government leaders from counties, states, federal and Tribal entities surrounding the Blue Mountains. The diverse membership of the BIC ensures numerous perspectives and interests are represented in discussions around forest management issues. The BIC has worked with the Forest Service over the past two years on key issues from the withdrawn Forest Plans. Through these discussions, the BIC provided recommendations on several forest management issues, including riparian livestock grazing, fisheries, hydrology, forest health, and access. The BIC also commissioned and oversaw the completion of a socioeconomic analysis that identifies potential community impacts from forest management decisions. These discussions and products offer important context from diverse perspectives to serve as a baseline for an improved Forest Plan revision process moving forward.

The public’s participation in the Forest Plan Revision process is crucial for ensuring local interests are incorporated into the Revised Forest Plans. The BIC is hosting the public engagement sessions to introduce the BIC members and the group’s purpose, summarize the BIC’s recommended desired conditions provided to the Forest Service, gain feedback from the public that can be carried forward to the Forest Service, and help the public understand the upcoming Forest Plan Revision process. These are not formal comment opportunities, but public input from these sessions will help the BIC and the Forest Service understand issues and potential community impacts to inform the process as the Forest Service prepares to reinitiate plan revision. Various BIC members and the Forest Service will participate in each of the sessions.

The public will also have numerous opportunities to provide feedback directly to the Forest Service during the Forest Plan Revision process through various public engagements and specified formal comment periods. Information regarding these opportunities will be shared by the Forest Service once plan revision is initiated.

The BIC’s public engagement sessions are scheduled for the following dates and locations. All meetings will also be livestreamed via Zoom.