Public scoping meetings scheduled on proposals covering nearly 18,000 permits, leases on 155 million acres

WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management has published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement to consider proposed revisions to the agency’s grazing regulations. The BLM currently manages livestock grazing on 155 million of the 245 million acres of public land and administers nearly 18,000 grazing permits and leases.

“Administration of sustainable livestock grazing on public lands is a key part of the Bureau of Land Management’s multiple-use mission. We continue to seek ways to improve and streamline the grazing permit process to achieve greater efficiencies and service to permittees,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management Casey B. Hammond. “This rulemaking effort is designed to strengthen and improve our administration of grazing permits across the West, and we welcome public and stakeholder ideas and perspectives.”

The proposed revisions will update, modernize and streamline the grazing regulations and provide greater flexibility for land and resource management. Through this rulemaking, the BLM seeks to improve existing land-use planning and grazing permitting procedures, while simultaneously promoting public lands conservation. The BLM hopes to improve its stewardship of the nation’s rangeland resources by strengthening controls to prevent unauthorized grazing, enhancing environmental protections across various non-grazing land-use programs, and improving public input opportunities.

The BLM is currently managing 11 demonstration projects in six states as part of our outcome-based grazing authorizations initiative. These demonstration projects provide BLM, working in partnership with ranchers and other partners, with opportunities to improve our guidance and best management practices to use when issuing grazing permits. Lessons learned from developing cooperative monitoring plans and land health evaluations under this initiative may also be incorporated into this regulatory process.

By publishing this Notice of Intent, the BLM is informing the public about the proposed revisions and how interested parties can comment. Public scoping meetings will be held in in February to further inform the public about this project. These meetings include:

• Miles City, Montana: February 6, at the Sleep Inn and Suites, 1006 S. Haynes Ave., from 4:30-7:30 p.m.;
• Las Cruces, New Mexico: February 11 at the Las Palmas Grill, 201 East University Ave., from 4:30-7:30 p.m.;
• Elko, Nevada: February 18 at the Elko Convention Center, 700 Moren Way, from 4:30-7:30 p.m.; and
• Casper, Wyoming: February 20, at the Casper Events Center, 1 Events Dr., from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Comments on the proposed regulation revisions may be submitted in writing until Feb. 28, 2020. Meeting information, announcements, instructions on how to provide comments, and pertinent documents can be found at the BLM website at https://go.usa.gov/xyMqb.

For more information, contact Seth Flanigan, BLM Project Manager, at 208-384-3450 or sflanigan@blm.gov.

-BLM-

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $96 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2017. These activities supported more than 468,000 jobs. 

WASHINGTON – To encourage visitation and appreciation for America’s public lands, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that it will waive recreation-related visitor’s fees during five 2020 Fee-Free Days. On these five days, recreation-related fees for all visitors to agency-managed public lands across the nation will be waived.

“One of the greatest assets we have in this country is our public lands,” says Deputy Director of Policy and Programs for the BLM, William Perry Pendley, exercising the authority of the BLM Director. “With our fee-free days, we hope that Americans will get outside to enjoy these national treasures – the 245 million acres of public lands across our nation, most of which are in the West and Alaska.”   

The Fee-Free Days for 2020 are: January 20 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day), February 17 (President’s Day),   June 13 (National Get Outdoors Day), September 26 (National Public Lands Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day).

BLM-managed public lands offer a wide array of recreational opportunities, including hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, boating, whitewater rafting, off-highway vehicle driving, rock climbing, and more. Americans make approximately 67 million visits annually to BLM-managed lands, supporting approximately 48,000 jobs nationwide and contributing almost $7 billion to the U.S. economy.

On fee-free days, site-specific standard amenity and day-use fees at BLM recreation sites and areas will be waived for the specified dates. Other fees, such as overnight camping, cabin rentals, group day use, and use of special areas, will remain in effect.

For more information on recreation opportunities on BLM-managed public lands, visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation or www.recreation.gov

Clarkston, WA – Aaron Bunce, a junior Air Force Junior ROTC cadet at Charles Francis Adams High School has received a scholarship to attend an accredited aviation university participating in a private pilot license training program in the summer of 2020.

Cadet Bunce is one of 200 Air Force Junior ROTC cadets nationwide to be selected for the Chief of Staff Private Pilot Scholarship Program. He will choose from eleven program sites throughout the country in determining where he will attend this summer.  Cadets will be expected to represent every aspect of positive citizenship AFJROTC espouses to uphold while traveling and attending this program.  Upon graduation, Cadet Bunce will be receiving his private pilot’s certification.

Clarkston School District congratulates Cadet Aaron Bunce for this outstanding achievement!

###

Clarkston, WA - Friday, January 17, 2020 - All schools in the Clarkston School District will open on time today. Buses will be running snow routes.

January 16, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Announces Record Year of Giving

Foundation invested more than $66 million in nonprofits serving the Pacific Northwest in 2019, including nearly $5 million in Idaho

Vancouver, WA – Today, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust announced a record year of giving with the publication of the foundation’s Fall 2019 Grants Report. As highlighted in the report:

• The Murdock Trust invested $66.3 million in capacity building grants to nonprofits serving Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington throughout 2019.
• This includes more than $4.9 million to nonprofits serving Idaho communities.
• In addition, the Murdock Trust set a new record for giving in a single quarter, awarding 93 grants totaling $18.7 million at the foundation’s Fall 2019 Grants Meeting.

“We are grateful to have the opportunity to partner with these organization that serve the diverse needs of communities across the Pacific Northwest in innovative ways,” said Steve Moore, executive director, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. “As we prepare to mark our 45th year of service to Pacific Northwest communities, we are excited to continue to identify programs and projects that help ensure every individual and family in our region has the opportunity to flourish and thrive.”

The Murdock Trust was founded in 1975 by the estate of Melvin J. “Jack” Murdock. The Murdock Trust awards grants four times annually to nonprofits serving Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Vancouver B.C. and Washington in the areas of Arts and Culture, Scientific Research, Health, Education and Human Services.

2019 was a banner year for the Murdock Trust in several areas. In addition to setting a new record for grants invested in the local community, the foundation also crossed the milestone of awarding $1 billion in cumulative grants since opening its doors.

“These are exciting moments for the Murdock Trust and our history. But, for our staff, it is a testament to the incredible spirit of service and generosity that is thriving in the Pacific Northwest,” added Moore. “We are able to celebrate these milestones only because there is a flourishing ecosystem of tens of thousands of individuals and nonprofit organizations inspiring one another and collaborating on innovative solutions to help uplift and support every individual and family in our community.”

In addition to grantmaking, the Murdock Trust also supports nonprofit organizations through a series of educational enrichment programs and by gathering diverse voices and community leaders for convenings on a variety of subjects throughout the year. To learn more, visit murdocktrust.org.

About M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust

The Murdock Trust, created by the will of the late Melvin J. “Jack” Murdock, provides grants to organizations in five states of the Pacific Northwest—Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington—that seek to strengthen the region’s educational, spiritual and cultural base in creative and sustainable ways. Since its inception in 1975, the Trust has awarded more than 6,800 grants totaling more than $1 billion. For more information, find the Murdock Trust on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and on our website.

###

January 16, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Announces Record Year of Giving

Foundation invested more than $66 million in nonprofits serving the Pacific Northwest in 2019, including more than $20 million in Washington

Vancouver, WA – Today, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust announced a record year of giving with the publication of the foundation’s Fall 2019 Grants Report. As highlighted in the report:

• The Murdock Trust invested $66.3 million in capacity building grants to nonprofits serving Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington throughout 2019.
• This includes more than $20 million for nonprofits serving Washington communities.
• In addition, the Murdock Trust set a new record for giving in a single quarter, awarding 93 grants totaling $18.7 million at the foundation’s Fall 2019 Grants Meeting.

“We are grateful to have the opportunity to partner with these organization that serve the diverse needs of communities across the Pacific Northwest in innovative ways,” said Steve Moore, executive director, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. “As we prepare to mark our 45th year of service to Pacific Northwest communities, we are excited to continue to identify programs and projects that help ensure every individual and family in our region has the opportunity to flourish and thrive.”

The Murdock Trust was founded in 1975 by the estate of Melvin J. “Jack” Murdock. The Murdock Trust awards grants four times annually to nonprofits serving Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Vancouver B.C. and Washington in the areas of Arts and Culture, Scientific Research, Health, Education and Human Services.

2019 was a banner year for the Murdock Trust in several areas. In addition to setting a new record for grants invested in the local community, the foundation also crossed the milestone of awarding $1 billion in cumulative grants since opening its doors.

“These are exciting moments for the Murdock Trust and our history. But, for our staff, it is a testament to the incredible spirit of service and generosity that is thriving in the Pacific Northwest,” added Moore. “We are able to celebrate these milestones only because there is a flourishing ecosystem of tens of thousands of individuals and nonprofit organizations inspiring one another and collaborating on innovative solutions to help uplift and support every individual and family in our community.”

In addition to grantmaking, the Murdock Trust also supports nonprofit organizations through a series of educational enrichment programs and by gathering diverse voices and community leaders for convenings on a variety of subjects throughout the year. To learn more, visit murdocktrust.org.

About M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust

The Murdock Trust, created by the will of the late Melvin J. “Jack” Murdock, provides grants to organizations in five states of the Pacific Northwest—Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington—that seek to strengthen the region’s educational, spiritual and cultural base in creative and sustainable ways. Since its inception in 1975, the Trust has awarded more than 6,800 grants totaling more than $1 billion. For more information, find the Murdock Trust on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and on our website.

###