OMRA Legal News

Issues raised will affect the final management plan, and we need as many OHV Enthusiasts as can make it to come to one of these meetings. If you are going to travel to the Rogue Valley for this meeting, then by all means go riding at Johns Peak before you make your comments! BLM badly needs to hear the specific concerns of both OHV users and OHV recreation in overwhelming numbers if we are to help them understand the issues involved and how important skillful management by a professional team that understands and enjoys working with recreational OHV users will be. We want to see BLM successfully manage the Johns Peak/Timber Mountain OHV Recreation Area, and your input will help that happen.

Please send your written comments requesting you be notified of any actions involving the Timber Mountain/Johns Peak OHV Recreation Area, and a summary of your specific desires for the management of this area to: Richard J. Drehobl, Ashland Field Manager, Medford District Bureau of Land Management, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford Oregon, 97504; or E-mail them to Kristi_Mastrofini@or.blm.gov

I have included a copy below of the latest BLM letter, it lists all the contact information for you, or you can see it at:

http://www.or.blm.gov/Medford/newsreleases/MedJohnsPeak_Input.htm

Thank you for helping, and we'll see some of you there!

Will HisleBeard

President, Motorcycle Riders Association

www.motorcycleridersassoc.org

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BLM logo

Release No. OR110-03-12

US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management

Bureau of Land Management
Medford District
3040 Biddle Road, Medford OR

Jeanne Klein, Public Affairs Officer
(541) 618-2424
(541) 734-4586 FAX
Jeanne_Klein@blm.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:
Kristi Mastrofini, (541) 618-2384
Don Ferguson (541) 618-2292

BLM Seeking Public Input for Johns Peak Off-Highway Vehicle Management Plan

Medford, Oregon, February 14, 2003- The Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is beginning the development of the Johns Peak Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The Johns Peak OHV Area is generally situated to the west of the City of Jacksonville in southwestern Oregon. OHV enthusiasts have recreated in the Johns Peak area for over 40 years, and use has increased in recent years. The Johns Peak OHV area involves approximately 13,865 acres of BLM administered lands.

The Johns Peak OHV Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is needed to guide activities within the designated Johns Peak OHV Area. Through development of this plan:

A system of OHV use areas would be identified for management;
Trail design features would be established for stabilizing, reconstructing, or relocating existing trails;
A sign plan would be developed to mark designated use areas;
Trailheads would be identified and trailhead design features would be established.

Two informational meetings have been scheduled. The purpose of these meetings is to provide the public with information about the planning process, and to receive input from those who are interested or affected. Both meetings are designed to present the same information.

Date: March 3, 2003
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Location: Jackson County Fairgrounds/Exposition Park
1 Peninger Road (Exit 33 – just off of I-5)
Central Point, OR 97502

Date: March 6, 2003
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Location: Southern Oregon Research & Extension Center
569 Hanley Road
Central Point, OR 97502

These meetings are designed to provide an informal setting for information sharing; they are not designed as formal public hearings. BLM specialists will be available to discuss your ideas and concerns, and will assist you with providing your input to the process. BLM specialists will consider information gathered through this scoping process in the development of the Johns Peak OHV Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement.