BLM plans improvement work at Ma-le’l South access road
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ARCATA, Calif. – Access to the Bureau of Land Management’s Ma-le’l Dunes South area will be temporarily closed, while a project is underway to improve the access road. Work is expected take place Thursday and Friday, Sept. 23 and 24. The closure will be in effect only during working hours, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Ma-le’l South is a popular area, and this road project will improve coastal access for visitors,” said Tom Bickauskas, acting manager of the BLM Arcata Field Office. “The project will improve safety and reduce our ongoing maintenance needs.”
Those who want to experience the coastal dunes and beaches during the project can visit the adjacent Ma-le’l North area, which will be open during construction. The site is open to vehicles Friday through Monday and limited to pedestrians only Tuesday through Thursday. Other nearby trails and beach access may be found at the Friends of the Dunes, Humboldt Coastal Nature Center or at the Manila Community Center.
Ma-le’l Dunes North and South are managed cooperatively by the BLM and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is a remarkably undisturbed, yet easily accessible, natural area with an outstanding variety of dune habitats and associated wetlands. These habitats contain excellent examples of native plant communities typical of dune systems in northern California and southern Oregon. The National Park Service has designated the site a National Natural Landmark.
More information including driving directions and visitor information is available at www.blm.gov/visit/ma-lel-dunes-cma.
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.