Administrative action challenging BLM's Travel Management Plan decision for Steens Mountain, seeking to ensure that BLM properly considers non- motorized uses, closes resource- damaging routes, and does not open new motorized routes in existing Wilderness Study Areas.

Apr. 2, '08 - IBLA grants partial stay of BLM's Steens TMP decision, agreeing with ONDA that agency's decision to allow motorized use on "Obscure Routes" on Steens Mountain is likely illegal and would cause irreparable harm to the environment. The stay order helps ensure against the threat of cross-country travel in Wilderness Study Areas.

Jan. 30, '08 - ONDA files notice of factual correction in response to BLM's answering brief on appeal. See also related ONDA scoping comments on Steens Mountain "Comprehensive Recreation Plan."

Jan. 4, '08 - ONDA appeals BLM's final decision adopting Steens Travel Management Plan EA, arguing TMP violates Steens Act, FLPMA and NEPA because it:  (1) fails to include or analyze non-motorized travel and recreation opportunities; (2) designates new routes in existing WSAs; (3) fails to reconsider closures on routes on Steens Mountain shown to be obsolete, redundant or causing resource damage; and (4) leaves open to motorized use more than 500 miles of motorized vehicle routes on Steens Mountain. See also Marlett Declaration & Miller Declaration, and an example of an ONDA route closure recommendation for a BLM-designated "Obscure Route" that should not be opened to motorized vehicles. 

View ONDA's full route inventory and closure recommendations. (The username is ondaftp and the password is desert (all lowercase)).

See press release.

June 13, '07 - BLM rescinds its Travel Management Plan decision, based on Court's ruling in ONDA's favor.

June 8, '07 - Court rules in ONDA v. Shuford that BLM's Transportation Plan violates the Steens Act because it is not "comprehensive" or "integral"; rules against ONDA on other wilderness and grazing claims. See press release.

May 21, '07 - ONDA submits comments on BLM's Travel Management Plan EA, focusing on impacts to Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, and on EA's failure to consider non-motorized recreation and uses on Steens Mountain. ONDA's TMP route closures report, submitted to BLM at the Steens Mountain Advisory Council meeting, recommends that BLM close hundreds of miles of overgrown, obsolete, redundant, impassable, and resource-damaging routes on Steens Mountain.

Jan. 19, '07 - ONDA submits scoping comments and map on BLM's "Travel Management Plan" EA for Steens Mountain.

Feb. 21, '06 - ONDA files suit challenging Andrews-Steens RMP; allegations include failure to consider wilderness inventory information and failure to complete Steens transportation plan. See ONDA v. Shuford on Cases page.

Jan. 22, '03 - ONDA submits route closure recommendations to BLM for Steens Mountain transportation plan being prepared as part of the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area Resource Management Plan.