For Release: September 17, 2003 CCal-03-36
Contact: Steve Larson 661-391-6099

BLM to host open house in Three Rivers

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will host an open house from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on Tuesday, September 30, at the Three Rivers Union Elementary School, 41932 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers. The meeting is an opportunity for members of the community to discuss their views and concerns about public lands with the BLM.

In the Three Rivers area, BLM manages several thousand acres of public land near to Sequoia National Park. These lands include several small parcels along the North Fork of the Kaweah River, portions of the Case Mountain giant sequoia groves, and wilderness study areas on Case Mountain and Sheep Ridge.

BLM is considering charging fees at recreation sites along the North Fork of the Kaweah. According to Steve Larson, assistant field manager for resources in BLM's Bakersfield office, fees are part of an ongoing effort to improve visitor safety and upgrade the facilities at these sites. Larson says no decision has been made on this issue, but BLM is very interested in the views of its neighbors in the Three Rivers area.

As part of its giant sequoia management efforts, BLM is considering a small, prescribed burn near the top of Case Mountain. The 50-acre test burn this fall would assist in making decisions about treating the remainder of the grove in subsequent years.

Following introductory comments, the BLM staff will answer questions and receive comments on these topics. Interested members of the public are encouraged to attend at some time during the open house. Additional information about the Bakersfield BLM and Case Mountain can be found on the Internet as www.ca.blm.gov/bakersfield/.

-BLM-

Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 Pegasus Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93308