For Release: June 11, 2002
Contact: Doran Sanchez (909) 697-5220; E-MAIL: dasanche@ca.blm.gov
CA-610-02-60

BLM Invites Public to Attend West Mojave Plan "Scoping" Meetings

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has scheduled seven public meetings to discuss the scope of the environmental impact statement (EIS) it is preparing for the proposed West Mojave Habitat Conservation Plan. At these "scoping" meetings, the public will be asked to help BLM identify the issues and concerns which should be analyzed by the EIS, and ensure that an adequate range of alternatives is addressed.

The meetings will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the following dates and locations:

The BLM is one of 29 state and federal agencies and local jurisdictions collaboratively preparing the West Mojave Plan. The Plan is intended to conserve more than 100 threatened, endangered and sensitive species in the western Mojave Desert and streamline state and federal permitting procedures.

As federal lead agency, BLM has the primary responsibility for preparing an EIS that will analyze the effects of implementing the proposed plan, and evaluate a full range of alternatives that will address wildlife conservation strategies and procedures for complying with the State and Federal Endangered Specie Acts. It will consider the effects on the western Mojave Desert ecosystem and species, public land uses, urban growth and development in the high desert, motorized vehicle access and recreation.

Upon completion of the EIS and decision processes, in addition to any decisions or approvals necessary for other participating agencies, BLM will issue a Record of Decision that will amend the 1980 California Desert Conservation Area Plan.

Written comments will be accepted through July 19, 2002. Comments should be mailed to William Haigh, Project Manager, West Mojave Interagency Planning Team, 6221 Box Springs Blvd, Riverside, CA 92507. For more information contact the BLM at (909) 697-5294.

-BLM-