Wildlife Inventory Update: November 2021
Welcome to the Wildlife Inventory Update project mailing list!
 
If you’re receiving this email, it’s because you signed up for updates and/or submitted comments to the Board of County Commissioners or Planning staff concerning this project. We promise we won’t overload you with email, but you may unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of the page. All project updates will also be posted on our website.
What’s happening with the project now?

After completion of the preliminary phase of data gathering and initial public input, staff presented those results to the Board of County Commissioners on September 29 and November 1, including the Public Outreach Report, which summarized the project efforts to date.
  
On November 1, the Board of County Commissioners directed staff to pursue a pilot project of updating the mule deer winter range inventory. Staff will be working to draft legislation and create robust, structured findings per state statute to support this inventory update and the accompanying land uses that will either be prohibited, limited, or permitted. We hope that this first update effort will allow the County to perfect a complex process so as to pave the way for future updates. 
How do I participate?

Beginning in 2022, there will be multiple opportunities for public input, whether via open houses or more formal public hearings. These opportunities will be shared far and wide with the public and with stakeholders. We want to hear from you!
 
How long will this update take?

Due to the complexity of the project, we anticipate the whole endeavor will likely take between 9 and 12 months.
 
Where can I look at the proposed inventories?

The proposed inventories, which were developed by an Interagency Working Group consisting of experts from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and a wildlife biologist consultant (Mason, Bruce & Girard), are outlined in the project StoryMap.
Next Steps

Please bookmark our project website and stay tuned for future email updates.
Photo credits: Andrew Walch, ODFW