Interim Flat Rock Policy
Effective May 6, 2002
BACKGROUND
Historically, the Alturas Field Office has permitted flat rock collection on public land under its jurisdiction. However, the permitting process has grown increasingly unmanageable over the last few years, leading to a suspension of the program in 2001.
We are faced with the following dilemma:
Commercial and personal flat rock collection are legitimate uses of the public land. By issuing permits, the BLM is providing a service to the public and contributing to local economies. However, the permitting process is labor intensive and time consuming. Due to limited staffing, permitting of flat rock collection has a low priority in the Field Office. And, issuing permits with inadequate oversight leads to increased resource theft and damage. Illegal operators use the cover of legitimate operations to become less noticeable. There is also increasing concern that flat rock collection is a vector for the spread of noxious weeds.
Balancing the benefits and costs of flat rock collection on public land is a difficult proposition. In response to the continuing demand for flat rock, we hereby initiate testing of a process whereby much of the clearance and assessment work for commercial operations is the responsibility of the flat rock collector. The following information outlines the Interim Policy.
COMMERCIAL FLAT ROCK COLLECTION PROCESS AND POLICY
1. Applicant determines an area of proposed operations on the ground.
- There must be legal access to the area.
- Boundaries of proposed areas should be easily recognizable such as drainages, roads or fences.
2. Applicant prepares a topographic map delineating the boundaries of the area of proposed operations along with an estimate of the tonnage proposed for removal.
3. Applicant delivers the map and estimate to the Alturas Field Office.
4. Once the map and estimate are received in the Field Office, the staff has 14 days to review the proposal, notify potential interested parties, and make recommendations on, or adjustments to, the area of proposed operations. The Field Manager makes an initial determination of proposal feasibility and notifies applicant.
5. If the applicant receives the initial go-ahead from the Field Manager, the applicant must then flag the boundaries of the area with pink flagging to the extent that all flagging is visible from adjacent flags.
6. The applicant will then contract with a consultant acceptable to the Field Office to complete archaeological and threatened or endangered species clearances and an Environmental Assessment (EA) on the proposal. Botanical clearances will be completed between April and July when plants are most identifiable and will include identification of prevalent mosses and lichens. The environmental assessment must be completed on the approved Field Office template. The clearances and environmental assessment are then to be delivered to the Alturas Field Office.
7. Once the clearances and EA are received in the Field Office, the staff has 30 days to review the documents and provide comments back to the applicant.
8. The applicant/consultant then finalize the clearances and environmental assessment and returns the completed documents to the Field Office.
9. Depending on the level of public interest, the staff prepares a FONSI or FONSI/DR for public review.
10. Permit may be issued following the review/appeal period (minimum of 30 days). The permit will include stipulations: a) Limiting collection season (eg. 5/15-10/15). b) Trucks must be washed and free of noxious weeds and weed seed prior to entering public land. Certification required from County Agricultural Department, BLM Botanist/Noxious Weed Coordinator or other qualified botanist. c) Permittee must present copies of weight slips for material removed from public lands. d) A minimum $1,000.00 reclamation bond shall be in place before rock collection occurs.
Due to previous planning decisions, there is no flat rock collection authorized in the Cinder Cone Planning Area. This unit includes all areas of Shasta County administered by the Alturas Field Office. Other areas, such as Wilderness Study Areas and Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, are also closed to flat rock collection.
A list of potential consultants is available upon request from the Alturas Field Office. This list does not constitute a recommendation.
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PERSONAL USE FLAT ROCK COLLECTION POLICY
Previously approved and worked flat rock collection areas will remain open to personal use only. Authorized personal use will not exceed 3 tons per calendar year per collector. Permits and maps may be obtained at the Alturas Field Office.
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ALL FLAT ROCK IS CURRENTLY OFFERED AT $12 PER TON
