News Release

For Release: November 10, 2005
Contact: Sharon Wilson, (202) 452-5130 Brian Amme, (775) 861-6645, Gina Ramos, (202) 452-5084

BLM Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Treatments of Vegetation on BLM Public Lands in Western U.S.

The Bureau of Land Management today released its extensive environmental analysis of proposed vegetation treatments that will combat the spread of noxious and invasive plants and reduce the amount of highly flammable forest and rangeland fuels, such as stands of pinyon and juniper trees or dead and down woody materials, on BLM-managed public lands. The BLM invites public comment through January 9, 2006, on the proposed methods for treating and managing vegetation.

A public meeting is being held in Sacramento on November 29 at the Clarion Hotel, 2600 Auburn Blvd. to provide information for the public and to offer an opportunity for public comment. The meeting is one of ten being held throughout the West to solicit public input.

"Our management of the public lands today will determine their health tomorrow," said BLM Director Kathleen Clarke. "This analysis will help us make the right management decisions for the health and safety of people and wildlife, the future health of the land, and the economic stability of our communities."

"I invite concerned citizens to share their comments on these proposals to reduce hazardous fuels and wildfire risks," added Director Clarke. "I also invite everyone to partner with us in combating noxious and invasive weeds that threaten the economic productivity of millions of acres of public land across the West."

The BLM documents are national in scope and contain supporting analysis and evaluation data. The Draft Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides on Bureau of Land Management Lands in 17 Western States Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) will address the BLM's use of herbicides, and the Draft Vegetation Treatments on Bureau of Land Management Lands in 17 Western States Programmatic Environmental Report (PER) describes the environmental impacts of using non-herbicide treatment methods, including fire and mechanical, manual, or biological controls. The documents and associated material are available at www.blm.gov.

Hazardous woodland and rangeland fuels contribute to more frequent and often more devastating wildfires that threaten lives, homes, and wildlife habitat in the West. The president's National Fire Plan targeted these hazardous fuels for treatment and removal.

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