Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building 1220 S.W. 3rd Avenue Portland, OR 97204 www.fs.usda.gov/r6 Contact: Shoni Pilip-Florea – 503-758-6119 Glen Sachet – 503-808-2790 March 19, 2015 Focus turns to Forest Plan Revision public engagement as Travel Management [Subpart B] paused in the Blue Mountains PORTLAND, Ore. As a result of discussions with Counties and members of the public, the Pacific Northwest Region of the USDA Forest Service sent a letter to the Counties within the Blue Mountains this week advising them of direction sent to the three National Forests to defer any additional work required under Subpart B of the Travel Management Rule until after the Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision is completed. Subpart B (36 CFR Part 212) requires the designation of roads, trails, and areas for motor vehicle use. The Wallowa-Whitman and Malheur National Forests are most impacted by this direction, as the Umatilla National Forest previously completed Subpart B. “After speaking with Forest Supervisors Steve Beverlin [Malheur] and Tom Montoya [Wallowa-Whitman] as well as impacted Counties and members of the public, we believe this pause will provide enhanced opportunity to focus on the Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision re-engagement,” said Jim Peña, Pacific Northwest Regional Forester. “It is my expectation that all three Forests [including the Umatilla] will continue to address natural resource concerns and public access need as part of ongoing project-level decisions and forest restoration efforts.” Close coordination with the Regional Office is expected during completion of all three subparts of the National Travel Management Rule. ### USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.