BLM to Host Public Meeting to Discuss Point Arena-Stornetta Special Recreation Permits

Organization:

Bureau of Land Management, California

BLM Office:

Central California District Office

Media Contact:

Runners participate in the annual Waves to Whales Fun Run at the Point Arena. Photo by Sarah Mathews, BLm.UKIAH, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ukiah Field Office is seeking public comment and will host a scoping meeting to discuss recreation and commercial filming opportunities available through a special recreation permits for the Point Arena–Stornetta Unit of the California Coastal National Monument. Events or opportunities for consideration may include competitive trail runs, botanical hikes, group gatherings, events, professional filming or video.

The BLM will host a public meeting to discuss special permit opportunities from 5 to 7:30 p.m., June 5, 2017, at the Point Arena City Hall, 451 School Street, Point Arena. During the meeting, the public will have an opportunity to view maps and talk with the BLM staff to help better understand the unit’s priorities to help formulate comments to be considered in an environmental assessment (EA) that the BLM will prepare.

The purpose of the EA is to analyze how the activities may impact the unit’s wildlife, cultural and visual resources, recreation and livestock grazing, as well as what other alternatives should be considered. The BLM will be establishing locations, timing, and allowable uses by special recreation and commercial filming permits. Such permits are in high demand for events on the 1,665-acre unit.

The Point Arena—Stornetta Unit is rich in wildlife, coastal plants and offers spectacular views of coastal bluffs and prairies, sea arches, the estuary of the Garcia River, tide pools, sandy beaches and dunes with eight miles of marked paths.

Written comments should include supporting information and data that may be relevant to uses of the land. The BLM is extending the scoping period to June 20, 2017. Comments may be submitted via BLM_CA_PASRecreationscoping17@blm.gov with the subject: “Point Arena–Stornetta Special Recreation SCOPING,” or by mail to the Ukiah Field Office, Attn: Sarah Mathews, 2550 N. State Street, Ukiah, CA  95482. For specific questions, contact Outdoor Recreation Planner Sarah Mathews at (707) 468-4051.

Before including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or other personal identifying information in a comment, be aware that the entire comment—including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While someone can ask the BLM to withhold personal identifying information from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.

 


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.