BLM seeks public comment on proposed public land sale in San Bernardino County
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MORENO VALLEY, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on a proposed direct sale of 70 acres of public land in San Bernardino County to OMYA Inc., a global producer of calcium carbonate and distributor of specialty chemicals. Publication of the Environmental Assessment and draft Land Use Plan Amendment today in the Federal Register provides for 60-day public review and comment.
The proposed land sale, which fulfills a 2011 settlement agreement between the BLM and OMYA, would allow the company to continue mining the high-calcium limestone deposits in the area through 2055. This proposal would also be consistent with the Amended Mining and Reclamation Plan approved by the county of San Bernardino. Located in the vicinity of Lucerne Valley, OMYA Inc.’s mining operation generates more than $800,000 per year in county taxes and provides jobs for more than 50 employees from the surrounding communities.
“The BLM strives to be a good neighbor in the communities we serve, and part of that is listening to what the public has to say about this proposed land sale and what it could mean for the area,” said Beth Ransel, BLM California Desert District Manager.
In 2012, the BLM published a Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental assessment and a draft LUPA to the California Desert Conservation Area Plan. The BLM did not receive public comments for the initial proposal.
The environmental analysis analyzes three alternatives and discloses the potential environmental impacts of a direct sale of public land associated with the mining operation. A LUPA is required to make the public land available for disposal and modify the boundary of the Area of Critical Environmental Concern in order to accommodate the proposed action under the CDCA Plan.
An open-house public meeting will take place at the Lucerne Valley Community Center to allow the public an opportunity to learn more about the proposed action. The meeting details are below:
- Dec. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m., Lucerne Valley Community Center, 33187 Highway 247 East, Lucerne Valley, CA 92356.
The public may also review the environmental assessment and LUPA at the BLM’s ePlanning website. Comments on the proposed project must be submitted in writing following the date of this notice. Submit public comments to the BLM, Barstow Field Office, Attn: OMYA Land Sale Project Manager, 2601 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311.
Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifying information in a public comment, please be aware that the entire comment—including personally identifiable information—may be made available publicly at any time. While someone can ask the BLM in the comment to withhold personally identifiable information from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.
For more information about the Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment and Draft Land Use Plan Amendment for the OMYA Direct Land Sale Project, California, contact the BLM via email: blm_ca_omya_project@blm.gov.
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.