BLM Releases Draft South Coast Resource Management Plan Revision for Public Review

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today released for public comment a Draft South Coast Resource Management Plan (RMP) Revision and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that provides guidance for the management of approximately 300,000 acres of BLM administered public lands in portions of five highly urbanized Southern California counties: San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles.
   
The existing South Coast RMP was completed and signed in 1994.  Since that time there have been significant changes in the patterns of urban growth, increased demands on the resources of the public lands,  changing policies and emphasis on the management of public lands and local land use planning, and new data that has led to the listing of additional threatened or endangered species.
 
Today’s publication of the notice of availability initiates a public comment period of 90 days.  During the comment period, BLM will solicit public comment on issues, concerns, potential impacts, alternatives, and mitigation measures that were addressed in the document. The Notice of Intent to prepare a land use plan revision and associated EIS published in the Federal Register on Aug. 7, 2007.
 
Between August 2007 and May 2009, the BLM held public scoping meetings in the cities of Campo, San Diego, Temecula, and Santa Clarita and also developed a scoping report, invited agencies to participate as cooperating agencies, and developed an Administrative Draft RMP Revision.  The Draft RMP Revision includes four alternatives, including a no-action alternative, and an agency preferred alternative.  These alternatives have been analyzed in the Draft EIS.
  
Comments on issues and planning criteria related to the project may be submitted by any of the following methods:
1)  Web Site: http://www.blm.gov/ca/palmsprings
2)  Email: capsscrmp@blm.gov
3)  Fax: (760) 833-7199
4)  Mail: BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Copies of the Draft South Coast RMP Revision and Draft EIS are available for review at the Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office (address above); the California Desert District Office, 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553; and the California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA  95825,  and via the Internet at www.blm.gov/ca/palmsprings.   Electronic (on CD-ROM) or paper copies and further information may also be obtained by contacting Greg Hill, BLM  Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262; (760) 833-7140; or Greg_Hill@blm.gov.  

California Desert District   22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553