For Release: Jan. 23, 2004
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332
CA-N-04-32

BLM WILL HOLD MEETINGS ON LAND USE PLAN ALTERNATIVES

Development of land use planning alternatives for public lands in the Northeast California region will be discussed in three public meetings to be hosted by the U. S. Bureau of Land Management in early February.

The workshop-format meetings will be held as follows:

• Tuesday, Feb. 10, BLM Eagle Lake Field Office, 2950 Riverside Dr., Susanville
• Wednesday, Feb. 11, BLM Alturas Field Office, 708 W. 12th St., Alturas
• Thursday, Feb. 12, BLM Surprise Field Office, 602 Cressler St., Cedarville

All sessions begin at 6 p.m.

"During these workshops anyone interested can get an early look at the planning alternatives being developed as part of the planning process," said Sue Noggles, the BLM's planning team leader. "We hope to get some ideas about whether we are heading in the right direction, and whether there is more information we should be considering."

When completed, the alternatives will become part of draft Resource Management Plans (RMPs) for BLM-managed public lands in Northeast California and extreme Northwest Nevada. These plans will guide land use decision making for the next 20 years. Environmental impacts of the planning alternatives will be analyzed in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

In September, the BLM in September plans to release draft management plans and a draft EIS for public review and comment. Public comment meetings will be held in December, with release of the proposed management plans and EIS scheduled for March of 2005. The final plans, supported by BLM records of decision, are expected to be in place by October 2005.

The management plans now under development will replace 18 BLM land use plans and amendments that now guide public land use in the region. Some of the current plans are more than 20 years old, and in some cases do not reflect current resource management law, regulations, policies and issues. The new plans will carry forward applicable provisions of the current land use plans.

For more information on the planning process or upcoming meetings, contact BLM Public Affairs Officer Jeff Fontana at (530) 252-5332.

-BLM-

Northern California Support Team 2950 Riverside Dr. Susanville, CA 96130