News.bytes Extra, issue 284 Comments sought, plans continue for Carrizo Plain National Monument
When you think of the Carrizo plain, you think of:
- Solitude
- Night sky
- Preservation and respect for Native American culture and history
- A desire to preserve natural resources and bring back indigenous species.
Those were some of the characteristics members of the Carrizo Plain Monument Advisory Committee mentioned at their recent meeting in California Valley. The committee made plans to continue the planning process, and scoping comments are being accepted through June 12.
Asking the questions:
Notes and comments fill several flip charts:
Before the MAC meeting, BLM held a scoping meeting to gather input on issues to be addressed in the Carrizo Plain National Monument draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement.
Written scoping comments should be sent by June 12 to: Monument Manager Johna Hurl, Carrizo Plain National Monument, Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, Calif. 93308.
The Committee heard comments from the public
MAC members heard comments from the public on how the monument should be managed and the importance of the varied resources. Public comments included the importance of wildlife, the need to work with the Native American community and how neighboring communities can work with monument managers.
Participants enjoy a bit of levity
A number of next steps were scheduled at the meeting:
- BLM will try to have a summary of the scoping comments received posted on the web in early July
- A meeting was scheduled for July 21 to discuss scoping results and possibly a MAC mission statement.
- A field trip to look at vegetation management was scheduled for 9 a.m. on August 11.
- A September 22 meeting was tentatively set to discuss draft alternatives.
- D. Christie, 5/07
BLM California News.bytes, issue 284
 |