For Release: November 14, 2005
Contact: Sky Murphy, 831-630-5039
CCal- 06-11

BLM to Host Public Meetings for Hollister Draft Resource Management Plan & Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Hollister Field Office will host three public meetings to accept comments on the "Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Southern Diablo Mountain Range and the Central Coast of California."

All public meetings will take place from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The date and location of each meeting are listed below:

The draft RMP and draft EIS would affect approximately 274,000 acres of public lands in Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties, and portions of Fresno, Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin counties. Once final, the documents will provide management guidance for use and protection of the resources managed by the Hollister Field Office. The scope of this project does not include the Clear Creek Management Area. The draft RMP and draft EIS have been developed through a collaborative planning process which considers four alternatives. The primary issues addressed are recreation, protection of sensitive natural and cultural resources, livestock grazing, guidance for energy and mineral development, land tenure adjustments and other planning issues raised during the scoping process.

Prior to each meeting, the site will have several stations where the public can gather information, talk with BLM specialists, and provide written comments. After a brief formal introduction, the meeting will open for questions and verbal comments on the draft plan.

Public comments will be accepted until January 12, 2006. The public is encouraged to attend the public meetings to gather information and provide comments on the draft RMP and draft EIS.

For additional information contact the Hollister Field Office at 831-630-5000.

-BLM-