News Release

For Release:  Sept. 7, 2007            
Contact:  David Christy, (916) 985-4474
CA-CC-07-71

BLM Releases Management Plan for Southern Diablo Mountains and Central Coast of California

The Bureau of Land Management has approved the Record of Decision (ROD) implementing the Hollister Field Office’s Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Southern Diablo Mountain Range and Central Coast of California. The plan covers approximately 274,000 acres of public lands in Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties, and portions of Fresno, Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin counties.

Hollister Field Office Manager Rick Cooper said the plan provides management guidance for use and protection of the resources managed by the BLM. The Hollister RMP for the Southern Diablo Mountain Range and Central Coast of California was developed through a collaborative planning process and reflects public review and comments on the proposed RMP and final EIS released in June 2006.

The BLM determined that the Preferred Alternative, as described in the proposed RMP and final EIS, with a few minor changes identified in the ROD, best meets the purpose and need for the project.

“This plan is the result of extensive public input and we appreciate all the advice provided to us at meetings and in writing through this process,” said Cooper.  “The plan addresses a number of issues, including the protection of special plants and animals, designation of special management areas, fire management, recreation management and others.”

The ROD for the Hollister RMP is now available for public review on the Hollister Field Office webpage on-line at: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/hollister.html

For additional information, contact Sky Murphy at the Hollister Field Office, (831) 630-5039.

-BLM-