National Conservation Lands Sign Strategy

January 26, 2015

In Reply Refer To:
6100 (CA310) P

EMS TRANSMISSION:  01/26/2015
Instruction Memorandum No. CA-2015-012
Expires:  09/30/18

To:          All District Managers and Field Managers

From:      State Director

Subject:  National Conservation Lands Sign Strategy                                   DD:  2/13/2015

The BLM is undergoing a major effort in 2015 to install or replace signs in National Conservation Lands (NCL) units.  New national sign templates and requirements have been developed to ensure a consistent look and feel to our NCL units and what they represent.

The NOC has already contacted NCL managers to determine what their sign needs are, and have in many cases already prepared the art work.  The NOC will also produce the signs.  However, each state will still have to fund these new or replaced signs.  Therefore, BLM California must determine what and where our sign needs are, and then prioritize these requests statewide based on the amount of funding available, which at this time is about $100,000.

A sign strategy committee has been established to facilitate this effort.  The first step is to determine our sign needs.  Toward that end, I have included an inventory sheet that you will need to complete for your NCL or other high visibility units (for example Outstanding Natural Areas).  Priority will be given to signage for NCL units in California (excluding wilderness areas and wilderness study areas as they may be considered as part of a long-term strategy).

The committee developed several factors to help determine the priority sign listing.  These include:  NCL unit, portal/primary, visitation, proximity to travel routes and population centers, upcoming events, no sign currently in place, dilapidated or outdated sign, and installation costs.

Please complete the attached spreadsheet for your NCL unit(s).  Managers of Alabama Hills, Piedras Blancas, Sacramento River Bend and Headwaters Forest Reserve need to complete this inventory as well.  Depending on the amount of funding allocated and costs of signs overall, we may be able to sign these high visibility areas as well.

Please complete and submit this inventory to Nancy Haug (nhaug@blm.gov) by February 13, 2015.  If you have any questions, please contact Nancy or others on the sign committee.  The committee includes Josh Hammari, Rick Cooper, Becca Brooke, Jeff Fontana, Jonna Hildenbrand, Tom Meagher, Mark Conley, Sandra McGinnis and Wilma Kominek. Josh can help you with question related to design; Tom can help with questions related to installation.

Signed by:                                                                                          
Karen Barnette                                                                                   
Acting State Director                                                                         

Authenticated by:
Michelle DiPinto
Executive Assistant

Attachment - 1
1 - Inventory Sheet Template (1 p)