In 2007, the Bureau of Land Management released a draft proposal called the Western Oregon Plan Revisions, also known as WOPR, which would guide the management of 2.5 million acres of public forests in western Oregon. The WOPR would remove these forests from the scientific framework of the Northwest Forest Plan. The agency’s preferred alternative calls for widespread clearcutting, reduced stream and salmon buffers and a sevenfold increase in logging old-growth trees. In addition, the plan proposes 13 OHV “emphasis areas” for southwest Oregon where motorized recreation would take priority over other uses. Join KS Wild for a hike to Medford District BLM public lands in our region that would be affected by this plan. June 21: Little Applegate Valley Sterling Mine Ditch Trail, south of Jacksonville. This historic trail offers scenic views of the eastern Siskiyou Mountains. This area was designated as an Adaptive Management Area under the Northwest Forest Plan, and under WOPR it is proposed as a Timber Management Area. The trail is also in the proposed Anderson Butte Off-Highway Vehicle Emphasis Area. Moderate-difficult, 7 miles roundtrip. Meet at the Ruch Market at 9am. August 16: Moon Prairie, Indian Plateau Visit a relic stand of old-growth east of Ashland. Moon Prairie is currently designated as an “Area of Critical Environmental Concern” for its fish, wildlife, scenic and educational values. The BLM would eliminate this designation under all proposed WOPR alternatives. Moderate, 4-5 miles. Meet at Shop ‘n Kart in Ashland at 9am. September 20: Long Gulch, Applegate Valley A one-way hike off-trail from the top of Long Gulch down the drainage of this trellised watershed that is home to one of the largest blocks of low elevation old-growth in the Applegate. Local residents submitted a proposal under WOPR to have the area designated as an “Area of Critical Environmental Concern,” but it was rejected. This area was designated as an Adaptive Management Area under the Northwest Forest Plan, and under WOPR it is proposed as a Timber Management Area, as well as an OHV Emphasis Area. Difficult, 7 miles. Meet at the Ruch Market at 9am. Bring good hiking shoes, water, food and clothing layers. For more information, call 488-5789 or email lesley@kswild.org.