SALEM (AP) — Gov. Ted Kulongoski and a Bureau of Land Management official signed a deal intended to give Oregon more say in how federal lands in the state are managed.

It is called the first agreement of its kind between a state and the BLM, which owns millions of acres of Western forest and range lands.

Kulongoski has been trying to get Oregon a stronger role in management of federal lands, which make up more than half of Oregon’s forest acreage.

“I wanted to be at the table when the decisions are made, and I think we’re getting to that position,” Kulongoski said.

BLM Regional Director Elaine Brong, who also signed the agreement, said it could set a precedent for similar deals elsewhere.

The BLM is revising its resource management plans in Western Oregon, which determine how much logging, recreational use and preservation is allowed.

Under Thursday’s agreement the Oregon Department of Forestry will represent the state in those plans, said Dan Postrel, agency affairs director.

“The state would actually have a role in the planning processes and the management of those lands ... rather than just being another voice in the crowd of commentators and special interests,” he said.

Kulongoski has been a vocal opponent of the Bush administration’s natural resources policies and reiterated his displeasure with Bush’s decision to overturn President Clinton’s creation of roadless areas on federal forest areas.

The decision prompted Kulongoski to sue the federal government, which he said didn’t make reaching Thursday’s agreement any easier.

“It makes it very, very tough to sit down and have another agreement when in fact you’ve got a case in federal court,” he said.

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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com