BLM invites public input on emergency stabilization, rehabilitation program
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CEDAR CITY, Utah — The Bureau of Land Management invites public review and comment on the Cedar City Field Office Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation Program Environmental Assessment. If approved, the program would enable the agency to maximize the effectiveness of its response to time-sensitive, post-wildfire public safety and resources concerns across 2.1-million acres of BLM-administered public lands in Iron, Beaver, and parts of Washington counties.
“Diverse perspectives are critical to ensuring that all potential impacts to communities, public lands, and resources from our post-wildfire responses are thoughtfully considered,” said Acting Color Country District Manager Randy Peterson. “The public’s participation is vital to ensuring our post-wildfire actions promote resilient landscapes and responsible stewardship of public lands.”
Approximately 213,000 acres burned from wildfires across the Cedar City Field Office between 2001 and 2021 with 49 site-specific emergency stabilization and rehabilitation plans completed during that time. This environmental assessment considers a programmatic approach that would allow for more timely efforts and treatments to minimize threats to life and private property due to erosion or flooding, repair infrastructure, minimize or prevent degradation of natural and cultural resources, and rehabilitate affected resources. Post-wildfire efforts and treatments include prevention of invasive species and retention of native seed “islands,” broadcast seeding, hand planting of native seedlings, drill seeding, aerial seeding, mulch application for erosion control, and fence repair.
This 30-day comment period is an opportunity for the public and stakeholders to provide feedback on the environmental assessment. Comments will be accepted until May 30, 2023.
To review the environmental assessment visit https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2019368/510.
Comments may be submitted in the following ways:
• U.S. mail to:
Attn: Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation Program
Bureau of Land Management
Callie Goff, Planning and Environmental Coordinator
176 E DL Sargent Dr
Cedar City, UT 8472, or
• Online via the “participate now” feature on the National NEPA Register at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2019368/510.
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.