BLM Designates Off-Leash Dog Areas for Fort Ord National Monument
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MARINA, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management has released a Decision Record on a management plan for dog use on the Fort Ord National Monument. Under the plan, dogs will have established off-leash opportunities on clearly marked roads. Dogs must be on leash in all other areas at all times.
"We believe this plan strikes a balance with the requests by dog owners for some off-leash opportunities while reducing safety hazards, impacts to wildlife and conflicts with other uses," said Monument Manager Eric Morgan.
Interim dog leash requirements went into effect last year to keep visitors and their pets outside areas where the Army performs munitions cleanup. These interim requirements were designed to protect the wildlife and livestock from dog attacks, and reduce conflicts between off-leash dogs and the growing number of visitors. Visitation has increased from 250,000 annual visits in 2012 to over 400,000 annual visits in 2014.
"The plan considers issues such as munitions hazards, visitation, vegetation, wildlife, and dog codes and ordinances of adjacent jurisdictions," concluded Eric Morgan.
Maps showing the areas for off-leash and on-leash dog use and more detailed information are available on the web at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/61702/510
For more information, contact Eric Morgan at (831) 582-2212.
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.