BLM releases draft plan for San Juan Islands National Monument

October 9, 2018 1:30 am
BLM releases draft plan for San Juan Islands National Monument

Submitted by the Bureau of Land Management

The Bureau of Land Management staff released their draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the San Juan Islands National Monument.

This draft RMP and EIS is available to review at https://go.usa.gov/xRphc. The plan addresses a range of alternative goals to manage the monument, including protecting and restoring historic and cultural resources, providing 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 and EIS presents different management alternatives and analyzes the environmental effects of the alternatives. Based on this analysis and comments the agency receives on the draft, the BLM will prepare a proposed RMP and final EIS with cooperating agencies.

Following the publication of this draft RMP and EIS, members of the public will have 90 days to provide written comments. BLM staff encourages members of the public to submit comments and participate in the upcoming open houses and workshops held at:

  • 6-8 p.m., Nov. 5, Woodman Hall, 4102 Fisherman Bay Road, Lopez Island.
  • 6-8 p.m., Nov. 6, San Juan Island Grange, 152 1st St. N., Friday Harbor, San Juan Island.
  • 6-8 p.m., Nov. 7, Orcas Island Library, 500 Rose St., Eastsound, Orcas Island.
  • 6-8 p.m., Nov. 8, Squalicum Boathouse, 2600 N Harbor Loop Dr., Bellingham.
  • 6-8 p.m., Nov 9, 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 at https://go.usa.gov/xRphc; email at blm_or_sanjuanislandsnm@blm.gov; or mail to San Juan Islands National Monument, BLM Lopez Island Office, PO Box 3, Lopez, WA 98261.