For Release: January 25, 2005 #CCal-05-34
Contact: John Scull (916) 985-4474/Lorna Dobrovolny (530) 272-0298

Preliminary Draft of South Yuba Plan Available for Comment

The public agencies responsible for managing the South Yuba River announced today that a preliminary draft comprehensive management plan is now available to the public for a 30-day review and comment period, ending March 1.

The California State Parks Department, the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Nevada County Planning Department have been have been working on a comprehensive management plan for the South Yuba River for the past several years, using the community-based planning process. Since July, 2003, more than 40 public meetings and other events were held, with participants discussing issues, and then reaching agreement on various plan components.

There will be an open-house public meeting on February 15 in the L.O.V.E. Building in Grass Valley's Condon Park from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. where interested persons will be able to discuss the preliminary draft plan with agency specialists.

Comments received on the preliminary draft will be used to prepare the preferred alternative of the plan, as well as several other alternatives. All alternatives will be subjected to a formal environmental review under both Federal and State guidelines. After the environmental review process, final decisions on the plan will be made.

The South Yuba River is a popular outdoor recreation destination for many Nevada County residents as well as people from outside the region who enjoy the opportunities for swimming, hiking, sunbathing, and nature appreciation in the highly scenic river canyon. It is a state-designated Wild and Scenic River, and has been recommended for the same status on the federal level.

For more information, or to obtain a copy of the preliminary draft plan, call the South Yuba Hotline at (530) 272-6356, or e-mail at syrplan@sbcglobal.net. The preliminary plan is also available at the South Yuba River website: www.southyubariverplan.com.

-BLM-

Folsom Field Office, 63 Natoma Street, Folsom, CA 95630
Visit our web site: www.ca.blm.gov/folsom