BLM
The Bureau of Land Management is presently conducting four separate but interrelated elements of the Wilderness Review of all lands it manages in California. BLM is seeking the widest possible public involvement in this review.

WILDERNESS INVENTORY--CALIFORNIA DESERT CONSERVATION AREA

The Wilderness Review has three phases: Inventory, study, and report to Congress. The first of these is nearing completion in the CDCA. It began in May 1978, with a series of 17 information briefings for the public.

Subsequently, an Interim Inventory Map was published and distributed for additional public review and comment. Twelve open-house workshops followed. November 1 marked the mailing of a Draft Inventory Map, accompanied by narratives describing each of 336 potential study areas within the 25 million acres involved. A series of public hearings was held during December at which time interested citizens went on permanent record with their comments.

The Final Desert Wilderness Inventory Map, along with revised descriptive narratives, will be published in March. Wilderness Study Areas selected by the BLM California State Director for further study by the Bureau's Desert Planning Staff will be revealed.

STATEWIDE WILDERNESS INVENTORY (PUBLIC LANDS OUTSIDE THE CDCA)

The initial inventory of approximately 4 million acres of public lands throughout the state, exclusive the CDCA, began in October 1978. These comprise potential Wilderness Study Areas which will be shown on an Initial Wilderness Inventory Map scheduled for publication in February 1979. Again, a booklet containing descriptive narratives of all areas involved will be distributed, and a 90-day review and comment period will be initiated. A schedule of public meetings pertaining to these areas is being prepared, and will be available by mid-February.

Wilderness inventory teams are looking closely at areas that clearly do not have wilderness characteristics, contain less then 5,000 acres, or are not roadless. These will be designated to remain under multiple-use management. and the teams will commence the intensive inventory of remaining areas in March 1979.

PUBLIC REVIEW OF PROPOSED MINERAL REGULATIONS DURING WILDERNESS REVIEW

Regulations proposed to ensure that mining activities do not impair wilderness suitability of lands under wilderness review have been issued by the Secretary of the Interior for public review and comment.

BLM's State Office has mailed copies of the proposed regulations to thousands of individuals, organizations, and agencies throughout the state, and has scheduled a public meeting to be held at the Sacramento Community Center, 14th and K Streets at 7 p.m., February 13, 1979.

The proposed rules would require an approved plan of operations for certain mining-related activities within potential and identified wilderness study areas.

DRAFT INTERIM MANAGEMENT POLICY FOR WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS

Proposed rules for managing wilderness study areas have been set forth in a draft policy document published by BLM and issued for public review and comment.

The purpose of the interim management policy is to maintain the potential of lands under study for possible wilderness designation by Congress, while at the same time assuring that other land uses are allowed to the fullest possible extent. A "grandfather clause" of FLPMA provides that existing mineral and grazing uses be allowed to continue in the same manner and degree as existed on October 21, 1976, even if these do somewhat impair wilderness suitability.

The interim management policy will be discussed along with the proposed mineral regulations at the February 13 meeting in Sacramento.
 
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