Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service seek public input on off-highway vehicle recreation on public lands
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management will hold three virtual public meetings to solicit input for grant applications to support off-highway vehicle recreation on public lands within the jurisdictions of the Bakersfield and Ukiah field offices, as well as within the boundaries of the Bishop Field Office in conjunction with the Inyo National Forest. The BLM and Forest Service intend to use the public input to help craft their grant applications for law enforcement, operations and maintenance and planning efforts to the California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program.
“Public input is key to informing agency grant applications and fostering continued management of a sustainable program that benefits OHV enthusiasts and protects resources,” said BLM Central California District Manager Chris Heppe. “These virtual meetings are a chance for the public to tell us what improvements they would like to see in their OHV experience on public lands.”
The virtual public meetings will be held via Zoom. Click on the registration link below to receive the meeting details. Please contact the BLM or USFS for reasonable accommodations to participate. Comment may also be submitted electronically using the email addresses below.
Bishop Field Office/Inyo National Forest: Feb. 17 at 5 p.m.
- Zoom registration link: https://blm.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsc-qorz4rEuMc13vyERHSZQpJ5G90h-0
Comment by email: BLM_CA_Web_BI@blm.gov or Jeremy.decell@usda.gov.
For specific questions, call Jeff Starosta, BLM at 760-872-5000 or Jeremy DeCell, USFS at 760-924-5536.
Ukiah Field Office: Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m.
- Zoom registration link: https://blm.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItdu-qrjsrH8c_XVzMOE_p5yiX37Cc1WA
Comment by email: BLM_CA_UK_OHV_Grants@blm.gov.
For specific questions, call Ashley Poggio, BLM at 707-468-4000
Bakersfield Field Office: Feb. 23 at 6 p.m.
- Zoom registration link: https://blm.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItf-irqz8rHgeBK9tcbMvH3GxIZFOdPFU
Comment by email: BLM_CA_Web_BK@blm.gov
For specific questions, call Brie Chartier, BLM at 661-391-6089.
The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program supports well-managed off-highway vehicle recreation in California by distributing more than $35 million annually collected from gas tax, entrance fees and OHV sticker registrations. Cities, counties, districts, federal and state agencies, educational institutions, federally recognized Native American Tribes and non-profit entities can apply for funds to develop, maintain and restore trails; provide law enforcement; and offer safety and training for riders.
Preliminary applications must be submitted to OHMVR Division no later than March 1, and will be available on the OHMVR Division’s website at www.ohv.parks.ca.gov/ for additional public review and comment, March 2-May 3. The website will provide detailed instructions for accessing the preliminary applications and submitting comments. Public comments should be submitted to both the OHMVR Division and to the appropriate BLM field office by May 3, 2021.
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.