Oregon Public Broadcasting

Eight hunting and fishing groups announced their opposition Thursday to all the suggested ways to modify federal plans for large swaths of western Oregon forest. Rob Manning reports.

Groups such as the Oregon Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and the Northwest Steelheaders say that the Bureau of Land Management’s revised plan for Western Oregon poses major risks to wildlife.

Mike Beagle with Trout Unlimited says the BLM options all have the same problems. One is opening more land to off-road vehicles.

Mike Beagle: “Simply stated, the BLM, Forest Service, whoever, can not manage off-highway vehicle abuse. So we don’t think it’s wise to create more emphasis areas, when they can’t manage the ones they’ve already designated.”

The outdoor groups also object to proposed increases in logging and road building.

The Bureau of Land Management produced the plan because Western Oregon's federal forests were not hitting timber production targets.

The public comment period closes this Friday.