BLM extends public comment period on draft Dominguez-Escalante NCA plan
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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management announced today it will extend the public comment period on the on the Draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area and the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness through Sept. 23.
The plan will provide a framework to guide subsequent management decisions on approximately 210,000 acres administered by the BLM in Delta, Mesa and Montrose counties of western Colorado.
The Draft RMP analyzes five alternatives covering all aspects of BLM resource management within the National Conservation Area boundaries, including recreation, travel management, resource protection, wildlife habitat, special designations and livestock grazing. The National Conservation Area and Wilderness were designated by Congress in 2009 in recognition of their unique and important resources and values.
The 90-day public comment period was set to close Aug. 22. In response to requests from the Delta and Mesa county commissions and others, BLM will extend the comment period another 30 days.
“We want to ensure the public has enough time to provide specific comments to BLM and our Dominguez-Escalante advisory council about this plan,” said Collin Ewing, manager of the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. “These documents cover all aspects of our management of this special area, so this is a really important opportunity to make your voice heard about how the BLM will manage these lands.”
The BLM will use the public comments to help develop a Proposed RMP/Final EIS, which is scheduled for release in 2013.
For additional information, including how to provide comments or obtain a copy of the Draft RMP, visit http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/nca/denca/denca_rmp.html.
Before including address, phone number, email-address, or any other personal identifying information in your comments, be advised that your entire comment, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While individuals may request that the BLM withhold personal identifying information from public view, the BLM cannot guarantee it will be able to do so. If you wish us to withhold your personal information you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. We will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, available for public disclosure in their entirety.
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.