Overview
Title
Public Land Order No. 7957; Withdrawal of Public Land for the Protection of Three Recreation Sites; Oregon
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government is making sure that pieces of land in Oregon stay nice for people to enjoy by stopping people from digging for treasure there for 20 years, but they can still search underground for cool stuff like heat or gas. If they get more land later, those places will also be protected.
Summary AI
The Bureau of Land Management, part of the Interior Department, has issued an order to protect certain public lands in Douglas County, Oregon, from mining for 20 years. This order affects approximately 103.92 acres of lands managed by the Bureau, safeguarding the recreational value of three sites: Island Creek Recreation Area, Iron Mountain Recreation Area, and Olalla-Thompson Day Use Recreation Area. While these lands are withdrawn from mining activities, they remain open for mineral and geothermal leasing. Moreover, if the government acquires additional non-Federal lands or mineral interests in this area in the future, those will also be protected under this order.
Abstract
Subject to valid existing rights, this order withdraws 103.92 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-administered public lands in Douglas County, Oregon from location and entry under the United States mining laws, but not from leasing under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws, for a period of 20 years to protect the unique recreational values at three public recreation sites. This Public Land Order (PLO) would also withdraw an additional 38.5 acres of non-Federal lands and an additional 21.20 acres of non-Federal subsurface mineral interests in the same manner described in the PLO, should the United States acquire such lands or interests in land in the future.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), under the Interior Department, has implemented a public land order to preserve certain public lands in Douglas County, Oregon. This order, lasting for 20 years, withdraws approximately 103.92 acres from mining activities to protect recreational values in three key sites: Island Creek Recreation Area, Iron Mountain Recreation Area, and Olalla-Thompson Day Use Recreation Area. The lands remain open for mineral and geothermal leasing. Additionally, the order covers potential future acquisitions of non-Federal lands or mineral interests in these areas.
Significant Issues and Concerns
There are several issues present in this order:
Lack of Detail on Recreational Values: The document refers to "unique recreational values" but fails to elaborate on what these are or why the protection period is set at 20 years. Understanding these aspects would clarify why these protections are significant.
Financial and Administrative Clarity: The order does not outline the financial implications, including potential costs or budget allocations, which leaves the risk of unforeseen expenses or inefficient use of resources.
Vagueness on Future Acquisitions: While the document mentions that future acquisitions of non-Federal lands or mineral interests would fall under this order, it lacks detail on the procedural and impact aspects of such acquisitions.
Legal and Technical Language: The document includes references to historical acts and legal land descriptions. These could confuse the general public and warrant clearer explanations or accompanying visual aids.
Public Engagement: There is no mention of public feedback processes, which might concern stakeholders who are interested in how the decision could affect their community or recreational activities.
Broader Public Impact
For the public, this order aims to ensure the preservation of recreational sites for potential enjoyment by locals and visitors alike, maintaining the areas for leisure activities such as hiking, picnicking, and exploring nature. However, the withdrawal from mining activities could impact regional economic interests, potentially affecting those involved in mining-related jobs or industries seeking to invest in these lands.
Stakeholder Impacts
Positive Impacts:
- Environmental and Recreational Stakeholders: This order benefits those advocating for environmental preservation and public recreation, as it ensures that the designated areas remain undisturbed by mining operations. It also supports current and future improvements to recreational facilities.
Negative Impacts:
- Mining Industry and Economic Stakeholders: Withdrawing lands from mining may limit opportunities for mining companies and weaken job prospects within this sector, potentially affecting the local economy of Douglas County.
The order establishes long-term protections to maintain the integrity of these recreational spaces. Stakeholders directly involved in land management, environmental conservation, and the mining industry may wish to engage with the BLM and provide input or express concerns about the implications of this 20-year withdrawal. The public might benefit from further clarification and involvement in discussions around the stewardship of these natural resources.
Issues
• The document does not provide a detailed explanation of what constitutes 'unique recreational values' and why the specified areas need protection for 20 years.
• There is no information about the financial implications or budgetary allocations related to this withdrawal, making it unclear if there is any potential for wasteful spending.
• The statement regarding non-Federal lands and mineral rights being subject to the terms and conditions of the withdrawal once acquired by the United States is somewhat vague, lacking details about the process and potential impacts.
• The legal references (e.g., the Act of July 25, 1866) are mentioned but not elaborated upon, which might be unclear to readers unfamiliar with these statutes.
• The document refers to large tracts of land using legal land description (e.g., T. 31 S., R. 7 W.), which might be difficult for the general public to interpret without geographic context or maps.
• There is no mention of how public feedback or concerns regarding this order will be addressed, which could be of interest to stakeholders.
• The language is technical and may be complex for individuals who are not familiar with land management and legal terms.