BLM seeks public input on proposed route designations in San Bernardino County
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MORENO VALLEY, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Barstow Field Office, has scheduled three public open house meetings to gather public input on a route designation proposal affecting 148 miles of routes located on BLM public lands currently maintained by the County of San Bernardino Public Works Department. Segments of these routes are under county maintenance and are limited to street legal only vehicles, as defined by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
This route designation proposal will allow the BLM to analyze and determine if the consistent management of these routes across the two jurisdictions is in the public interest. This process is temporary until a final decision on the West Mojave (WEMO) Route Network Project is issued.
The open house meetings will allow the public an opportunity to learn how the proposed actions may affect the use of these routes, as well as the overall recreational experience on public lands. The three currently scheduled meetings will be held on:
Wednesday, April 19, 2017 (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.)
Yucca Valley Community Center
(Yucca Conference Room)
57090 Twentynine Palms Highway
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Thursday, April 20, 2017 (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.)
Barstow Field Office
(Main Conference Room)
2601 Barstow Rd, Barstow, CA 92311
Wednesday, May 3, 2017 (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.)
Barstow Field Office
(Main Conference Room)
2601 Barstow Rd, Barstow, CA 92311
Representatives from the BLM will be available to answer questions regarding location of routes, and maps will be available for viewing. Representatives will also explain the process involved in proposing the route designations and how the public can formally participate.
This initial public review and comment period closes May 12, 2017, and written comments can be submitted at the meeting or via email to Matt Toedtli at mtoedtli@blm.gov.
This proposed action stems from the January 19, 2017 stipulation for additional interim remedies related to the 2006 WEMO litigation. In the stipulation, the BLM agreed to initiate a process to determine whether a temporary public land order should be issued for the 148 miles of routes pending a final decision in the WEMO Route Network Project.
For more information, to submit your input through other means, or if you have special needs for accommodation to participate in the open house meetings, please contact Barstow Field Office, Planning and Environmental Coordinator Matt Toedtli at (760) 979-7564, or email mtoedtli@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.