The Bureau of Land Management’s Prineville District completed a major cleanup effort near La Pine at several long-term camps. The effort required a coordinated response from the BLM and Deschutes County officials before the BLM implemented a cleanup. The clean-up was necessary to address hazardous materials, trash and abandoned vehicles remaining in the area.
The BLM worked closely with the City of La Pine and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office to carry out the cleanup, with direct involvement from the La Pine City Manager and Mayor. Partnering with the City provided the BLM with important local insight, helping ensure the response reflected the specific needs and priorities of the community and connected individuals in the camps with appropriate social services.
“As the Mayor of La Pine, I have listened to my community both within city limits and outside. I want our residents of South Deschutes County to know that we hear you, we are responsive, and we live here too. I am proud of the measurable progress that has been made, and I am committed to our regional needs going forward,” added La Pine Mayor Jeannine Earls.
As the final piece of the effort, BLM staff decommissioned and barricaded illegal routes leading into the sites to help prevent future long-term use. The total cost of the cleanup is expected to exceed $200,000, including staff time and materials from the BLM, Deschutes County and the City of La Pine.
“This kind of response requires participation from many agencies,” said Lisa Clark, BLM Deschutes Field Manager. “The BLM is tasked with managing public lands but has no resources to address the human component of the houseless issue. With support from the City of La Pine and Deschutes County, we’ve been able to develop a partnership that can take action to protect both the citizens and the environment.”
The BLM and Deschutes County have identified public safety concerns in several camp areas, including incidents that required coordination with local law enforcement. These efforts align with the President’s Executive Order on reducing crime and reflect the BLM’s commitment to maintaining safe, accessible public lands through responsible stewardship and collaboration with community partners
“Collaborative efforts like this do not happen in a vacuum, and this project represents a clear commitment from all parties involved in responding to public health and safety concerns of the larger La Pine area. We could not be more pleased with the relationships and the subsequent outcomes of this initiative. Hopefully, we have collectively provided a baseline for other communities and districts to tackle similar challenges,” said Geoff Wullschlager, La Pine City Manager.
The BLM, the City of La Pine, and Deschutes County remain committed to ongoing collaboration to address public safety and community needs. All three partners look forward to continuing their work together to support the region and its residents.
