We’ll help you put it in writing
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The Forest Service is accepting public comments on the Austin Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Malheur National Forest.
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This project covers Bridge Creek, Clear Creek, Dry Fork, Squaw Creek, Summit Creek, Idaho Creek, Crawford Creek, Twin Ponds, Sixteen Gulch, Crawford Meadow, and Taylor Siding. It targets the removal of hundreds of roads for the removal of public motorized access while granting exclusive motorized access to federal employees and it's contractors.
Link to Project Area Map -> Click here
Link to Northern Closure Map (anything in red will be closed to public motorized access) -> Click here
Link to Southern Closure Map (anything in red will be closed to public motorized access) -> Click here
​Link to the Draft EIS that you are commenting on -> Click here
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Public comments matter — but only if they clearly explain what you’re seeing, where it affects you, and what you want changed.
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This tool helps you turn your own words into a clear, effective public comment that the agency is required to consider.
FAFA does not write comments for you and does not submit comments on your behalf. You stay in control from start to finish.
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How this works
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You answer a few questions about the area you’re concerned about and how the Austin Project affects you.
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The tool helps clean up your wording for clarity — without changing your meaning or adding new ideas.
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You review the final comment, and make changes.
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You submit your comment directly to the Forest Service using their official system.
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What makes a strong comment
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Public comments carry more weight when they:
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Identify a specific area you’re talking about
(examples: Summit Creek, Idaho Creek, Crawford Creek, Bridge Creek, Dry Fork, ect. Specific roads, gates, trailheads, drainages, ridgelines, or other locally known places) -
Explain how you personally use or access that area
(firewood gathering, hunting, camping, family access, snowmobiling, scouting, checking water, etc.) -
Describe what in the DEIS concerns you
(road “stored” designations, barriers or gates, access reliability, road relocations, decommissioning, haul routes, safety or emergency access impacts) -
Clearly state what you want the Forest Service to reconsider, change, or clarify
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You do not need legal or technical language. You just need to be clear, specific, and honest about your experience.
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Important notes
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This tool provides technical assistance only.
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All comments reflect the views of the individual submitting them.
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FAFA does not collect or submit comments on your behalf.
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To be counted, comments must be submitted through the Forest Service’s official comment system during the open comment period.
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Comment period
February 2 through March 4, 2026
Comments received outside this window will not be considered.
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How you will submit your comment
After drafting your comment with this tool, you will submit it directly through the Forest Service’s official comment system, called CARA.
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The submission link will be provided at the final step, once your comment is ready.​
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Other ways to submit comments
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If you prefer not to use CARA, written comments may also be submitted by:
Mail:
Blue Mountain District Ranger
c/o Bethany Parker
P.O. Box 909
John Day, OR 97845
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Hand delivery:
Business hours only, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday (excluding holidays)​
Fax:
541-575-3319​
Questions?
For project-specific questions, contact:
Bethany Parker
bethany.parker@usda.gov
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Ready to get started?
Click below to begin drafting your comment. You’ll be guided step by step, and you can review everything before submitting.
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