News.bytes Extra, issue 440

ARRA funds improve recreation, habitat at National Monument

Road improvements on the Carrizo Plain National Monument in Central California will provide better public access to popular recreation areas while preserving natural resources. (text continues below)

The $150,000 project was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. A crew of six to 10 workers from a firm based in San Luis Obispo County spent about three weeks grading and graveling roads, including Selby Road and Soda Lake Overlook.

“This project improves the surface of the dirt road so that visitors are able to access the campground during the winter months, which is the high-use season,” said Johna Hurl, monument manager.

Before the road improvements, visitors would often drive out into a field and get stuck, causing damage to the surounding habitat. With the new road surface visitors will be able to access the campground and reduce impacts to the natural resources.

- David Christy, BLM Central California District, July 2010

BLM-California News.bytes, issue 440