LAKEVIEW, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management released a Final Environmental Impact Statement and proposed resource management plan amendment for the Lakeview planning area, covering 3.2 million acres of public lands in Lake and Harney counties. The amendment, which would update the existing 2003 plan, will preserve natural landscapes, manage off-highway vehicle use to protect important landscapes while providing continued public access, livestock grazing management, and protect 415,000 acres of lands with wilderness characteristics.
“These expansive, natural landscapes are special places that provide outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive, unconfined recreation,” said Lakeview District Manager Todd Forbes. “This plan update will help shape BLM’s management of these lands and resources for the next two decades.”
Tribal governments, wildlife agencies, the Southeast Oregon Resource Advisory Council, and members of the public provided valuable input and feedback during the planning process. The BLM considered approximately 1,300 comments while developing the plan amendment. The BLM’s updated analysis also responds to requirements of a 2010 settlement agreement on the Bureau’s management of lands with wilderness characteristics, as well as off-highway vehicle and grazing management.
To preserve unique and special landscapes, cross-country off-highway vehicle use will be limited to about 70,000 acres within the Christmas Valley Sand Dunes and other areas scattered across the planning area where cross country use is already occurring. Vehicular use will be allowed on existing or designated routes across nearly 3 million acres in the planning area.
The amendment also provides additional guidance on the implementation of Standards for Rangeland Health and processing of voluntarily surrendered livestock grazing permits.
The proposed resource management plan and associated final environmental impact statement is available at the BLM National NEPA Register. A Notice of Availability will publish in tomorrow’s Federal Register, opening a 30-day protest period for the proposed Plan Amendment and associated FEIS. The protest period ends Dec. 9, 2024.
Those who participated in the planning process and have an interest that may be adversely affected by the proposed amendment may file a plan protest electronically via the BLM National NEPA Register (preferred) or deliver it to: BLM Director, Attention: Protest Coordinator (HQ210), Denver Federal Center, Building 40 (Door W-4), Lakewood, CO 80215. Please visit the BLM Filing a Plan Protest page for instructions.
Spokane, Washington – On October 18, 2024, A federal grand jury for the Eastern District of Washington returned an indictment charging John Wesley Owens, of Manson, Washington; Joshua Wesley Owens, of Mapleton, Utah; their companies Diesel Truck Products, Inc. d/b/ DPF Delete Shop Inc., and Fulfillment Solutions & More, LLC; Kevin Paul Dodd, of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada; his companies Evolution Auto Performance and Evo Tunes Inc.; and Philip John Sweeney, of Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada; and his company KX Wheels, for a scheme to smuggle and illegally import tens of millions of dollars in contraband emissions defeat devices from Canada into the United States and to sell and distribute them throughout the United States, in violation of the Clean Air Act.
Under the Clean Air Act, diesel trucks are required to maintain systems and components that limit harmful emissions of dangerous pollutants such as diesel particulates. Exposure to diesel exhaust can lead to serious health conditions like asthma and respiratory illnesses and can worsen existing heart and lung disease, especially in children and the elderly. Heavy-duty diesel trucks are also required under the Clean Air Act to maintain an onboard-diagnostic system which monitors the functionality of the hardware emissions control components. In order to ensure that the required emissions control systems are functioning properly, if the system detects that an emissions control component is not working, or has been removed, it will ultimately put the truck into what is known as “limp mode,” which limits the top speed to as low as 5 miles per hour. Hardware and software designed to disable these emissions controls, commonly known as “defeat devices”, can greatly increase the emissions of these dangerous pollutants into the atmosphere, particularly impacting communities that are close to arterial roads and highways.
The indictment alleges that the Owens, Sweeney, Dodd, and their companies conspired to violate the Clean Air Act and to smuggle contraband and illegal defeat devices into the United States. The indictment also charges the Owens and their companies with money laundering. According to the indictment, between December 2015 and November 2023, the Owens purchased more than $33 million dollars in illegal emissions defeat devices from Dodd, Sweeney, and their companies. The indictment alleges that Dodd, Sweeney, and the Owens smuggled and illegally imported these emissions defeat devices from Canada into Eastern Washington and then sold and distributed them to customers throughout the United States.
According to the indictment, in the Summer of 2020, the Owens, following requests for information about their business from the Environmental Protection Agency, decided to shut down their business website and re-launch under a new name. In May 2020, Joshua Owens sent an email to Dodd and said, “In June I’m winding down this ‘legal entity’ and staring up another one. Feels like I’m on borrowed time with the EPA.” According to the indictment, in July 2020, Joshua Owens then started a new website, www.dpfdeleteshop.com, and new business name “DPF Delete Shop, Inc.” listing a business address in the Cayman Islands, and continued to use this website to import, sell, and distribute illegal defeat devices, despite repeated warnings that they were illegal. The indictment alleges that in February 2023, when a customer complained by email and threatened to report Josh Owens and DPF Delete Shop Inc. to the EPA, Josh Owens responded by email “We have all your info. You’ll be the guy we serve up on a silver platter to the EPA if it comes down to that.”
The indictment further alleges that the Owens and Sweeney conspired to disguise the shipments of illegal emission control devices from Canada into Eastern Washington. In May 2022, Sweeney emailed John Owens and wrote, “John We have lots of ways that we can get stuff across the border, I will give you a call later I just need you to be complacent and how we do it and I don’t wanna do it over email.”
According to the indictment, between 2017 and 2023, based on online sales data, the Owens and their businesses received more than $74 million in revenue through their online sales of emissions defeat devices to customers in the United States.
“Safe and healthy air quality is critical for a thriving community. The Clean Air Act provides important safeguards that limit the amount of harmful emissions from diesel vehicles. Attempting to profit from evading pollution control systems puts the health and safety of everyone in our community at risk, especially children and individuals who suffer from asthma and respiratory illnesses,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Strong and fair enforcement of environmental and public health laws ensures a safer community for all families to live, learn, play, and work.”
The conspiracy charges carry a maximum sentence of up to 5 years in federal prison, while the smuggling and money laundering charges have a maximum sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Jacob E. Brooks, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Gwendolyn Russell, are prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney also released a video statement that can be found here.
2:24-CR-00140-TOR
Salem, Ore. -- Bureau of Land Management recreation managers are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to fill host positions at six unique locations for the 2025 summer recreation season.
Volunteer hosts play a critical role at BLM recreation sites. They are the primary, daily connection between public land users and BLM staff.
“Our volunteer hosts really help us create a positive, enjoyable recreational experience for our visitors,” said Dennis Teitzel, Northwest Oregon District Manager.
The BLM seeks to fill volunteer positions at
Hosts also assist BLM staff to open and close sites each day, manage campground and shelter reservations, answer visitor questions, encourage visitor rule adherence, and generally maintain the sites.
A paved RV pad is provided at each site for host volunteers. Sites have varying degrees of amenities from full electric, water, and sewer hook-ups to completely primitive sites with only public potable water access. The selected volunteer(s) must provide their own trailer, motorhome, RV, or tent set-up. Each host will receive a modest daily stipend to off-set some living costs and incidental expenses.
Hosts are expected to live on site during the region’s busiest recreation season, typically from April through September.
(The start date for the selected host at Sharps Creek will likely be earlier in the year.)
For more information and to apply for these volunteer opportunities, please visit Volunteer.gov. If you have further questions, contact Kendra Barat at arat@blm.gov">kbarat@blm.gov or (720) 591-6847. For information about each site, browse blm.gov or Recreation.gov
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Clarkston, WA—On November 6, 2024, Clarkston DECA, FCCLA, and Gear-Up will host a College Fair for Clarkston High School students from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the Clarkston High School cafeteria with many significant post-secondary opportunities.
Area colleges: Walla Walla Community College, Washington State University, Boise State University, Eastern Oregon University, Lewis Clark State College, University of Idaho, Eastern Washington University, Idaho State University, Central Washington University, and military branches and others will have representatives available to provide information and answer any questions about the school, courses offered, and future opportunities. The College Fair also holds multiple breakout sessions on financial aid and financial planning, FAFSA, and budgeting to help students manage their money and plan their future.
Clarkston DECA will host the Race for Your Future booth, manned by Keegan Heath, Jesse Delane, and Jacob Rinard, fourth-year DECA members. Students who visit the DECA booth will have the opportunity to participate in financial literacy trivia and win prizes. Gear-Up will also provide pizza and refreshments.
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