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Comments sought on draft White Mountains and Steese travel management plans

BLM schedules virtual public meetings prior to Aug. 20 comment deadline

Organization:

BLM

BLM Office:

Fairbanks District Office

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FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is holding virtual public meetings Aug. 4 and 5 and seeks public comment by Aug. 20 on its proposals and associated environmental assessment to manage travel and transportation in the White Mountains National Recreation Area and Steese National Conservation Area.

“These new plans seek to increase and improve access to public lands while protecting resources and minimizing conflicts among various users,” said acting Eastern Interior Field Manager Tim Hammond. “Public input has been essential throughout development of these plans, and it remains so now during our 30-day public comment period.”

The BLM’s travel and transportation management involves coordination with the public and local partners to evaluate public access and travel activities on BLM-managed public lands. Travel management planning addresses all forms of transportation, including travel by foot, skis, dogsled and bicycle, as well as the numerous forms of motorized vehicles.

In developing the proposed plans, the BLM held a series of public open houses in 2019 and evaluated natural resource management needs, road and trail design and conditions, and recreation and non-recreation uses of roads and trails.

Virtual Public Meetings Registration and Subsistence Hearings

A virtual public meeting is scheduled for each of the two draft plans, and registration is required. Direct meeting links are below and on the project web page.

  • Aug. 4, 5:30-7:30p | White Mountains NRA | Register at [expired Zoom link removed]
  • Aug. 5, 5:30-7:30p  Steese NCA | Register at [expired Zoom link removed]

Each meeting will be followed by an Alaska National Interest Conservation Lands Act (ANILCA) Section 810 subsistence hearing. Although each meeting focuses on a particular plan, questions are welcome concerning both plans at either meeting.

Comment on the Draft White Mountains and Steese Travel Management Plans and Environmental Assessment

The BLM encourages the public to provide comments, particularly concerning the adequacy and accuracy of the proposed alternatives, the analysis of its respective management decisions, and any new information that would help develop the final plan.

Comments must be received by Aug 20, 2021, and can be submitted: 

Before including personal identifying information (address, email, phone number), commenters should be aware that their entire comment – including their personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While those commenting can ask in their comments to have this information withheld from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so. 

Find a link to this and all current BLM Alaska projects, and learn how to make a substantive comment in 3 Easy Steps at www.blm.gov/alaska/comment123.

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.