Public Engagement and Participation
You are an important part of the revision process. Your input matters! Forest plans should reflect the diverse interests and desires of the people who use the forest - even when they don't agree. The revision team is committed to providing numerous engagement opportunities at every stage of the revision process. Find out how you can be involved below.
We want to engage with you and get your feedback on ways you would like to get information or collaborate with us. Please complete this Public Engagement Survey.
Public Input and Comment Periods
Feedback and formal comment periods will be advertised well in advance to ensure the public has ample time to participate. To sign up for periodic updates, including upcoming comment periods, please email the plan revision inbox or call 541-278-3716.
Feedback and formal comment periods will be advertised well in advance to ensure the public has ample time to participate. To sign up for periodic updates, including upcoming comment periods, please click this link or call 541-278-3716.
The best way to submit your feedback is through our online database, Comment Analysis and Response Application (CARA). CARA allows us to collect, organize, and consider public feedback efficiently. We welcome public feedback during this process and would appreciate the following:
- While we accept comments via mail, our preferred method is the CARA webform.
- You can write comments into the field provided in CARA or attach a document. If you attach a document, please convert it to a PDF format if possible.
- Please refrain from using italic, bold, highlighted, or underlined text. This formatting is often removed in the upload process.
If CARA does not work for you, please mail your feedback to us at:
Umatilla National Forest Supervisor's Office
Attn: Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision
72510 Coyote Road Pendleton, OR 97801
For assistance, please email: sm.fs.bluesforests@usda.gov or call 541-278-3716.
The content of each letter, message, or file is coded by theme and topic. This allows the Revision team to efficiently review submitted input. The Revision team will work to reflect public input throughout the final document
Outside formal comment periods, engagement opportunities to consult, involve, and collaborate with you will be offered. The team and responsible official will consider this input when developing planning documents.
An opportunity to provide informal feedback on the draft Preliminary Need to Change was provided from October 8 - November 7, 2024.
An opportunity to provide informal feedback on the draft assessment, Potential Species of Conservation Concern (SCC) list, Lands that May Have Wilderness Character draft inventory, and Wild and Scenic Rivers draft inventory was provided from March 25 - May 26, 2024.
Formal comment periods will be offered as required by regulation at key milestones in the process and will be advertised in advance. Comments submitted during these periods give parties standing to participate in the objections process. Below is a list of key milestones, and the anticipated timing and length of the comment period. Milestones that align with formal comment periods include:
- Scoping on Proposed Action.
- The scoping package will include a draft plan and need to change. Comments will be used to develop alternatives and the draft environmental impact statement (EIS).
- Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Plan.
- The review package will include a draft plan, revised based on scoping comments, as well as a draft environmental impact statement with alternatives and effects analysis. Comments will be incorporated into a content analysis and reflected in the final environmental impact statement and plan.
- Final Environmental Impact Statement and Plan, Draft Record of Decision Objection Process.
- The release of the final environmental impact statement and revised plan will begin the objections process. Those that have commented previously during formal comment periods will have standing to object. Following the period to file objections, the process includes an administrative review and response as well as objection resolution meetings. Following the completion of the objections process, the Final Decision and Plan will be released.
Public Meeting Schedule
Winter 2025 Public Meetings - All Public Meetings scheduled for the end of February and early March have been postponed in order to better align them with the upcoming Federal Register Notice of Intent (NOI). The new schedule will be provided soon.
In April 2024, the Blue Mountains National Forests offered eight hybrid public meetings, which offered an opportunity for the public to hear presentations and submit feedback regarding the draft Assessment, Species of Conservation Concern, Lands that May Have Wilderness Characteristics, and Wild and Scenic Rivers. Additionally, a Q&A session and one-on-one discussion with Forest Service staff was offered.
Throughout the Summer and Fall of 2023, the Forest Service offered Open Houses across the Blue Mountains. These were unstructured information sessions designed to offer an opportunity for the public to learn about the revision process and assessment phase through conversations and informational materials, provide one-on-one discussion between participants and Forest Service staff, and venues for the public to submit input.
Resources
- A Citizens' Guide to National Forest Planning
- We want to engage with you and get your feedback on ways you would like to get information or collaborate with us. Please complete this Public Engagement Survey.
- Assessment Fact Sheet
- Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision - Story Map
- 2012 Planning Rule Assessment Directives
- 2012 Planning Rule FAQs
- Public Meeting Informational Fact Sheets
Get in Touch!
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.