BLM OR FY2018 Good Neighbor Forest and Rangeland Restoration and Monitoring

Currently, in many of Oregons public forests and rangelands, tree density has increased, invasive weeds have been introduced, and forest stand and rangeland health has decreased compared to historic conditions due to fire suppression, lack of management, or past management practices. Accumulations of surface and ladder fuels have increased fuel continuity resulting in forests and rangelands that are less structurally and biologically diverse and more prone to large, more frequent stand replacing fires. These conditions also make the public lands less resilient to damange from forest pathogens. In addition to the ecological impacts of these changes, there is an increased risk to firefighters, public safety and private property due to these conditions. The BLM is promoting forest and rangeland restoration treatments, assessments, and monitoring across multiple watersheds in Oregon to improve forest and rangeland health and support sustainable timber harvest on BLM lands. Concurrently, state agencies are seeking an opportunity to work across jurisdictional boundaries where efficiencies can be achieved to restore forests, rangelands, and watersheds. The BLM has funding to support Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) agreements to allow the BLM and state agencies to collaboratively implement forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration treatments on public lands across Oregon.