Safford Field Office
| Contacts: | Diane Drobka | , 928-348-4403 | , Diane_Drobka@blm.gov | |
| Deb Morris | , 928-348-4417 | , Deborah_Morris@blm.gov |
Safford Extends Comment Period for the Gila Unit Travel Management Plan
Safford, Ariz. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Safford Field Office is extending its public comment period for route designations for the Gila Unit Travel Management Plan for an additional 30 days. Comments are now due in writing by October 30, 2009, and can be submitted by mail, email, or fax.
“We received several requests for additional time to comment,” said Deb Morris, the BLM outdoor recreation planner who is leading this effort. “We want to ensure that everyone has plenty of time to review the maps of the three alternatives, so we are adding 30 days to our comment period.” There will be another opportunity to comment next year after the BLM completes the draft Travel Management Plan.
The Gila Unit Travel Management Plan process identified and evaluated 900 miles of maintained and primitive roads covering more than 467,000 acres of public lands in Graham and Greenlee counties. The Gila Unit includes public lands north of U.S. Highway 70 from the Arizona-New Mexico state line to boundary of the San Carlos Apache Nation, as well as public lands south of the highway between Pima and reservation boundary. Maps have been developed for the area, which includes the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, as a preliminary step to writing the Plan.
Detailed information is posted at http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/travel_mgmt/gila_unit.html where maps can be viewed and downloaded. Printed copies of the large maps can also be viewed at the Safford Field Office, located at 711 14th Avenue in Safford, and the Safford City-Graham County Library (ask at desk for location).
The goal of the project is to complete a Travel Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) that will determine route designations. Public comments will be considered during development of the alternatives for the EA; specific suggestions will be incorporated into the action items within the Travel Management Plan where appropriate.
Comments on the maps can be submitted to the BLM by email to AZ_SFO_Routes@blm.gov, by fax to 928-348-4450, or by mail to 711 14th Avenue, Safford, AZ 85546. If you would like to discuss the plan or have any questions, or you would like to schedule a presentation about this project at your organization’s next meeting, please contact Deb Morris at 928-348-4417.
The BLM manages more land - 253 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
Safford Field Office 711 14th Avenue Safford, AZ 85546