U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NEWS RELEASE
Boise BLM
Boise BLM
| Contacts: | T.J. Clifford, (208) 384-3459 | |||
| Max Yingst, (208) 736-2362 |
Public Invited to Discuss Wilderness and Wild & Scenic River Management Plan at Public Meetings in June
BOISE - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Boise and Twin Falls district offices are beginning the process of developing a Wilderness and Wild & Scenic River Management Plan (WMP) for the six wilderness areas and sixteen wild and scenic river segments recently designated in Owyhee County by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. The WMP proposes to protect and preserve the areas’ wilderness character and wild and scenic river values through BLM management objectives.
As we begin this planning process, BLM wants to hear from the public about issues and concerns they may have regarding wilderness and wild & scenic river management. Therefore, BLM is hosting public meetings during the month of June, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the following locations:
· June 15, 2011-Owyhee County Historical Museum, Basey St., Murphy 83650
· June 21, 2011–BLM Boise District Office, 3948 S. Development Ave., Boise 83705
· June 22, 2011–Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd St. S., Nampa 83651
· June 28, 2011-Red Lion Canyon Springs Hotel, 1357 Blue Lakes Blvd., Twin Falls 83301
· June 29, 2011-Rimrock Jr. & Sr. High School, 39678 State Hwy 78, Bruneau, ID 83604
In addition to these public meetings, comments can be e-mailed to BLM at: oma_trans_wild@blm.gov , or mailed to: Bureau of Land Management, Boise District, 3948 Development Avenue, Boise, ID 83705 (Attn: TJ Clifford). Comments will be incorporated into the draft management alternatives for the plan.
Additional information about the wilderness areas and wild & scenic rivers in Owyhee County can be found on line at: http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/wilderness.html.
If you have questions about the upcoming meetings or the planning process, contact T.J. Clifford, Boise District outdoor recreation planner, at 208-384-3300, or Max Yingst, Jarbidge outdoor recreation planner, at 208-736-2362.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.