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Board approves draft letter supporting BLM/Western Rivers LWCF request for Paulina Meadows acquisition; staff to omit chair signature
Summary
The Board voted to approve a draft letter supporting a $5 million Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) request tied to a proposed BLM acquisition of approximately 674 acres at Paulina Meadows. The board asked staff to revise the draft to omit the chair’s signature; the record shows at least one commissioner would abstain from signing.
The Board voted to approve a draft letter of support for a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) application to acquire a 674‑acre property at Paulina Meadows and convey it to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The proposed acquisition would add roughly 2.3 miles of Paulina Creek frontage and provide habitat and dispersed recreation opportunities while allowing BLM to manage fuels reduction and public access.
Jen Patterson of Deschutes County Strategic Initiatives presented the draft support letter and explained Western Rivers Conservancy had negotiated a willing‑seller purchase to preserve river frontage and habitat and to convey it to the BLM for public ownership and management. Lisa Clark, BLM field manager for the district, described management priorities if the acquisition proceeds: riparian vegetation improvement, primitive day‑use access, potential launch/float access, and fuels treatments and long‑term maintenance. Western Rivers and BLM said they intend to include the property in an environmental assessment now underway that covers southern Deschutes County.
Commissioners asked about wildfire risk and potential for unauthorized camping. BLM staff said the property is fenced and that active management, explicit day‑use rules and fuels‑reduction work help reduce the risk of unsanctioned long‑term occupation. Western Rivers and BLM representatives said grazing would remain part of management and that initial fuels treatments are planned.
The board voted to approve the draft support letter. One commissioner indicated during deliberations they would abstain from signing the letter; staff said they would revise the letter to remove the chair’s signature when publishing the county’s support.
Why it matters: The LWCF is a competitive federal program used to acquire and protect recreation and habitat lands. A successful application would place the Paulina Meadows property in public ownership where BLM officials say they can conduct fuels reduction, habitat restoration and managed public access.
What’s next: Staff will publish a revised letter of support per the board’s direction and Western Rivers/BLM will pursue the LWCF application process.
