BLM seeking public help in protecting sensitive plant sites on public lands
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ALTURAS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management is asking for the public's help in protecting sensitive plants on public land sites near the community of Alturas in Modoc County.
BLM crews have fenced and signed sites in an area known as the Westside Allotment, where more than a dozen plants, listed as BLM special status species, grow.
"There have been increasing problems with fence cutting and sign vandalism that will be expensive to repair", said BLM Applegate Field Manager Craig Drake. "Public land users could help protect these plants by driving only on roads and trails, and keeping their vehicles out of areas that are fenced and signed", he added.
"These plants have adapted to the specific environments found in the Westside area," Drake said. "We hope to work as partners with public land users to protect these environments to avoid declines in the populations of these plants or even localized extinction. We can do this and still provide access for activities, including livestock grazing, wood cutting and recreation."
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.