Contact: David Boyd, Public Affairs Specialist 970-947-2832

Nov. 6, 2008

BLM Grand Junction begins public scoping for plan revision

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office is asking the public to help identify issues to be addressed as it begins revising its Resource Management Plan for 1.2-million-acres of BLM lands primarily in Mesa and western Garfield counties.

This “scoping” period, which runs through Jan. 9, 2009, gives the public the opportunity to identify issues to be addressed in the plan revision before BLM begins drafting it.

“This Resource Management Plan will guide the management of 1.2 million acres for the next two decades,” said Grand Junction BLM Field Manager Catherine Robertson. “This scoping period gives the public a great opportunity to become involved early in the process.”

The public is encouraged to stop by one of three open house meetings anytime between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to talk to BLM specialists, learn more about the revision, and provide comments. An informal presentation will be given at 6 p.m. each night. Open houses will be:

· Dec. 02, Whitewater/Kannah room at Two Rivers Convention Center, 159 Main St., Grand Junction
· Dec. 03, Grand Center, 182 N 500 W, Moab, Utah
· Dec. 04, Collbran Auditorium, 102 Main St., Collbran, Colo.

 “It’s very important to hear from the public before we begin drafting these plan revisions,” Robertson said.  “We want to address their concerns in the revision from the outset, and we want to ensure we have the most complete information.” 

Attendance at these open houses is not required to submit scoping comments to BLM.  For further information about this plan revision and how to provide scoping comments, log on to www.blm.gov/co (select Grand Junction from the map), or contact Matt Anderson, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, at (970) 244-3027.

Scoping comments may be mailed to BLM GJFO RMP, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506, faxed to 1-866-625-0707, or e-mailed to GJFO_RMP@blm.gov.  Scoping comments will be most helpful if they are specific and received by BLM before January 9, 2009.

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