News Release

For Release: August 2, 2002
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 257-5381; Rich Burns (707) 468-4000
CA-N-02-78

BLM WILL INCREASE VISITOR CONTACTS AT KNOXVILLE RECREATION AREA

Visitors to the Knoxville Recreation Area along the Lake-Napa county line can expect to see more staff from the Bureau of Land Management during the weekend of August 10 and 11 and the Labor Day weekend.

Rich Burns, manager of the BLM's Ukiah field office, said the agency will assign more law enforcement rangers and other staff to patrol the 17,000-acre off-highway vehicle area to spread the word about allowable uses, and what types of activities are not allowed.

"Our primary emphasis will be on visitor information," Burns said. "We want to encourage all visitors to work with us to control litter, prevent fires, and to keep the area safe. Our rangers will issue citations, when they deem appropriate, for violations of off-highway vehicle, shooting and other regulations."

Burns said the special emphasis weekend also coincides with the opening of deer hunting season in the area, and staff will be alerting hunters about limitations on campfires.

The increased attention at the recreation area north of Lake Berryessa is in response to growing problems including trash dumping, unsafe shooting, improper off-highway vehicle use, and private land trespassing.

Burns explained the increased information and enforcement efforts are part of wide range of BLM actions designed to improve the area. The BLM is working to create looped trails to reduce vehicle use on sensitive soils and near sensitive plants, and installing new signs to help keep vehicle riders on authorized routes. New maps are also being developed.

-BLM-

Ukiah Field Office 2550 North State Street, Ukiah, CA 95482