BLM approves Case Mountain vegetation and forest health plan
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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office has approved the vegetation and forest health plan for the giant sequoia groves on Case Mountain, southeast of Three Rivers in Tulare County.
“We believe partnerships and inclusion are vital to managing sustainable, working public lands,” says Bakersfield Field Manager Gabe Garcia. “This 10-year phased approach is a collaborative effort between the BLM and our partners to implement treatments within the wildland urban interface near Three Rivers to ensure these magnificent giant sequoias remain vibrant for generations to come.”
The decision record signed today authorizes road work and roadside thinning; then mechanized extraction, logging and cable yarding in the 400-acre Giant Sequoia Complex, which is within the 18,500-acre Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area. The final step is using prescribed controlled burning to improve the vegetation and forest health. The complex supports six distinct giant sequoia groves, sensitive plants and animals, riverbank ecosystems and areas of cultural significance.
The public participated in scoping for this project in December 2017, and review of the environmental assessment in May.
Persons adversely affected by this decision may request a State Director Review within 30 days of the BLM’s decision. Requests can be mailed to: Bureau of Land Management, California State Director, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1623, Sacramento, CA 95825.
The environmental assessment, finding of no significant impact and decision record are available online at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/planAndProjectSite.do?methodName=dispatchToPatternPage¤tPageId=140514#. For specific questions, please contact the Bakersfield Field Office at 661-391-6000.
The BLM is committed to keeping public landscapes healthy and productive.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.