BLM Releases Draft Plan for San Juan Islands National Monument

Lopez, WA – [On October 5th] the Bureau of Land Management announced the release of the Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the San Juan Islands National Monument (Monument).

This Draft RMP/EIS is available to review at https://go.usa.gov/xRphc and addresses a range of alternatives for the purposes of providing overarching goals and objectives for the management of the Monument to include the protection and restoration of historic and cultural resources, providing for recreation opportunities, and coordinating the management of these lands with local tribes and governmental organizations.

“It’s important to realize this plan will only apply to the 1,021 acres of public lands that make up the Monument,” said BLM Spokane District Manager Linda Clark. “While a relatively small area, the Monument includes landscapes of great beauty as well as sensitive cultural and ecological resources that should be protected for future generations to enjoy.”

The Draft RMP/EIS presents a full spectrum of different management alternatives, and analyzes the environmental effects of the alternatives. Based on this analysis and comments the agency receives on the Draft RMP/EIS, the BLM will prepare a Proposed RMP/Final EIS with the assistance of cooperating agencies.

Following publication of this Draft RMP/EIS, members of the public will have 90 days to provide written comments. The BLM encourages all interested members of the public to submit comments and participate in the upcoming open houses and workshops:

• Nov 5 – 6:00-8:00 PM, Woodman Hall, 4102 Fisherman Bay Rd, Lopez Island
• Nov 6 – 6:00-8:00 PM, San Juan Island Grange, 152 1st St N, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
• Nov 7 – 6:00-8:00 PM, Orcas Island Library, 500 Rose St, Eastsound, Orcas Island
• Nov 8 – 6:00-8:00 PM, Squalicum Boathouse, 2600 N Harbor Loop Dr, Bellingham
• Nov 9 – 6:00-8:00 PM, Anacortes Library, 1220 10th St, Anacortes

“The BLM prepared this document in coordination with cooperating agencies and consulting tribes and with input from the Monument Advisory Committee and the public,” said Monument Manager Marcia deChadenèdes. “This next step with the public is critical to ensure we heard everyone and that we haven’t missed anyone. I hope we’ll get plenty of constructive feedback and I hope to see everyone at the public meetings.”

The public is encouraged to submit comments through the internet, email, or postal mail:
Website: https://go.usa.gov/xRphc
Email: [email protected]
Postal:

San Juan Islands National Monument
BLM Lopez Island Office
PO Box 3
Lopez, WA 98261

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $96 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2017. These activities supported more than 468,000 jobs.

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