For Release: April 1, 2004
Contact: George Hill 831-630-5036
CCal-04-20

Hollister seeks public input to develop revised resource management plan

BLM's Hollister Field Office is asking the pubic to participate in the development of a revised resource management plan for the central coast region. The public is encouraged to help identify issues, questions, and concerns during the scoping phase, which begins May 3 and continues until August 2, 2004.

The management plan revision and associated environmental impact statement are for approximately 278 thousand acres of public land managed by the Hollister Field Office in portions of Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Stanislaus counties.

The BLM will work closely with interested parties to develop management actions that are best suited to the management of the resources and the needs of the public. Planning criteria will be developed during public scoping to help guide the planning effort. This collaborative process will take into account local, regional, and national concerns. Early participation by all interested parties is encouraged and will help guide the planning process and determine the future management of public lands. The BLM Hollister Field Office is presently managed under a 1984 plan.

Opportunities to participate will occur throughout the planning process. To ensure local community participation and input, public scoping meetings will be held in at least three locations near the planning area. Meetings, public comment periods and comment closing dates will be announced through local news media, newsletters, and the BLM Web site, http://www.ca.blm.gov.

Written comments should be sent to "RMP COMMENTS," BLM, Hollister Field Office, 20 Hamilton Court, Hollister, CA, 95023. Fax: 831-630-5055.

To have your name added to our mailing list, contact Lesly Smith, outdoor recreation planner, 831-630-5015; or e-mail, Lesly_Smith@ca.blm.gov.

For further information contact George E. Hill, assistant field manager, 831-630-5036; or e-mail, George_Hill@ca.blm.gov.

-BLM-