For Release: August 22, 2002
Contact: Doran Sanchez (909) 697-5220; E-MAIL: dasanche@ca.blm.gov
CA-610-02-74

BLM Publishes Final Northern and Eastern Mojave Environmental Impact Statement

The Northern and Eastern Mojave (NEMO) proposed Plan Amendments and Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) has been released by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The planning area encompasses 2.7 million acres of BLM-managed public lands in the southeastern California desert.

The FEIS describes and analyzes alternatives for managing species and habitats on public lands administered by the BLM. When finalized, the NEMO plan will amend BLM's 1980 California Desert Conservation Area plan, and fulfill the BLM's responsibilities under the 1976 Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the 1969 National Environmental Act, and the 1973 Federal Endangered Species Act.

The draft NEMO Plan Amendments and Environmental Impact Statement was released for public review and comment April 13, 2001. The FEIS includes public comments received by BLM in writing or at public hearings, along with the BLM responses to those comments.

Copies of the final document have been mailed to those who submitted comments during public scoping and development of the draft EIS. Printed or electronic copies are available upon request from the Barstow Field Office at (760) 252-6000. The plan also is available online at http://www.ca.blm.gov/cdd/landuseplanning.html.

Reading copies are available at most local libraries, and BLM's California Desert District Office, 6221 Box Springs Blvd., Riverside, CA (909) 697-5200; Needles Field Office, 101 West Spikes Road, Needles, CA (760) 326-7000; Ridgecrest Field Office, 300 South Richmond Road, Ridgecrest, CA (760) 384-5400; and Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA., (760) 252-6000.

Notice of availability of the NEMO proposed amendments and FEIS will be published in the Federal Register Friday, August, 23, 2002. The 30-day public protest period will end Friday, September 27, 2002. Protests should be submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Director, Bureau of Land Management (210), Attn: Brenda Williams, P.O. Box 66538, Washington, D.C. 20035 (regular mail) or 1620 L Street, NW, Room 1075, Washington, D.C. 20036. Procedures for filing a protest are clearly outlined in the front of the NEMO document.

For more information or to request a copy of the Northern and Eastern Mojave proposed Plan Amendments and Final Environmental Impact Statement contact BLM Project Manager Edythe Seehafer at (760) 252-6021.

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