For Release: June 30, 2006
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332
CA-N-06-79

BLM Releases Proposed Management Plan for Ukiah Area Public Lands

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a proposed resource management plan (RMP) and final environmental impact statement for about 270,000 acres of public lands administered by the agency's Ukiah Field Office. The proposed RMP provides management guidance for public lands in Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Yolo, Colusa, Marin and Contra Costa counties.

BLM Ukiah Field Manager Rich Burns said the plan focuses on management direction for public lands at Cow Mountain, Cache Creek, the Stornetta Public Lands, Knoxville, Indian Valley, Cedar Roughs, the Berryessa area, the Geysers area, and for scattered tracts of public lands.

"This plan is the result of extensive public involvement and we appreciate all the advice provided to us in meetings and in writing over the last two years," said Rich Burns, BLM Ukiah field manager. The plan addresses a number of issues, including protection of special status plants and animals, designation of special management areas, such as wild and scenic rivers, fire management and fuels reduction, recreation management and others.

A 30-day public protest period is expected to begin July 7 and end August 7, said Burns. The 30-day period officially begins with a notice of availability published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, due to flooding problems at EPA's Washington headquarters this week, the publication date could change. If so, BLM will notify the public, he said.