Development of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement

What is a Draft Environmental Impact Statement?

Following the scoping period, the Forest Service reviewed comments and feedback provided to develop a range of alternatives to the preliminary plan. The environmental effects of the alternatives and proposed draft land management plan have been analyzed in a detailed document called a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS).

A draft environmental impact statement describes the purpose of and need for action, the proposed action and alternatives considered. It also compares and analyzes how each alternative would influence ecological integrity, landscape resilience, local economies, and community and resource protections. The draft environmental impact statement has been prepared in accordance with the National Forest Management Act and the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219), and includes information related to Species of Conservation Concern, Wild & Scenic Rivers, and Wilderness.

It will also include information that explains what laws and regulations apply and provide rationale that demonstrates compliance with these laws/regulation. This includes, but is not limited to the:

• National Environmental Policy Act;
• National Forest Management Act and the associated 2012 Planning Rule;
• Endangered Species Act;
• National Historic Preservation Act; and
• Clean Water Act.

What is an Alternative?

An alternative is a different management option the Forest Service can consider to meet a project’s purpose and need that is practical to implement. Alternatives are developed around substantive issues that reflect how available resources may be used. Each alternative is designed to avoid or reduce potential adverse impacts and improve landscape conditions when possible.

The Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision team analyzed feedback from the scoping period to help inform and develop the following alternatives.

• Alternative 1: No Action, Continues the 1990s Plans
• Alternative 2: Proposed Action, Active Management
• Alternative 3: Active Management with Additional Resource Considerations

Why Your Feedback is Important

Public participation remains a critical element of the planning process, and feedback gathered during this effort helps ensure community perspectives are incorporated as the plan continues to develop.

The Blue Mountains anticipate releasing a Notice of Availability (NOA), that will initiate a 90-day formal comment period, mid-2026. Commenting during the formal period may establish an individual’s eligibility to object to the eventual draft decision.

Next steps. The Forest Service will use comments to consider recommendations for revising the draft environmental impact statement. Once the 90-day formal comment period has concluded, the Forest Service will issue a final environmental impact statement and each forest supervisor would produce a draft record of decision (ROD) and a specific land management plan for their respective forest. People who have standing in the revision process will have 60 days to object to the Forest Service’s proposed decision.

With some of the larger files, particularly the maps and species overviews, we recommend downloading the content rather than trying to scroll through them in the browser. Thank you for your patience! Please reach out by email or by giving us a call, (541) 278-3716, if you have any trouble accessing these documents. 

We want to hear from you! You can sign up for our mailing list to receive periodic updates about the plan revision process. Have questions for us?  Send a message to our plan revision inbox or call 541-278-3716 and a team member will get back to you. Learn more about public participation opportunities here.