BLM Needs Our Input on Management of San Juan Lands

The Bureau of Land Management is in the process of creating a Resource Management Plan that will review the management of the 1000+ acres it holds in San Juan County. Historical landmarks Turn Point and Patos Light are among their holdings, as well as many ecologically significant and beautiful areas, including Iceberg Point, Watmough, and small reefs and rocks that provide nesting and resting sites for wildlife.

BLM manages different properties for different uses, ranging from ecological and cultural preservation to livestock grazing or energy development. Although so far they have focused on ecological protection of their San Juan holdings, the level of protection is not permanent and doesn't cover all their properties.

The management plan review process, currently underway, offers a unique opportunity for SJI citizens to have input into the writing of the plan. It is important that we educate ourselves on the location and nature of these significant properties, and particularly that we let BLM know that we want their preservation focus to be continued and strengthened.

As part of the review process, a public "scoping" meeting will take place on Saturday, June 5, at the Friday Harbor Mullis Center, from 12 p.m.to 4 p.m. This is a "drop-in" meeting - come when you can during the afternoon and share your enthusiasm for these properties with BLM regional and national staff. This is your opportunity to tell the BLM what you value in these lands and how you would like to see them protected and conserved for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

A series of five articles, currently appearing in our local papers, provides more information. The BLM Spokane Office website further explains the process and timetable, and includes contact information for you to write to them. Letters are important! The deadline for public comment is June 25, 2010.

http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/spokane/plans/ewsjrmp/index.php

Nick Teague, BLM Manager for the islands, has worked tirelessly to maintain and protect these areas that we all love and appreciate. But the management plan decisions will be made by others, and a show of support for their preservation is critical during the next several weeks.

The final newspaper article, which will appear in next week's papers, discusses the desirability of bestowing "NCA" status on these lands. This stands for National Conservation Area, and is a way of protecting the areas more securely than the current status. The request for NCA status has to come from the public, and requires an act of Congress. But this is something that most people interested in protecting the BLM properties feel can be done. Educate yourself on the process, and add your voice to a grass-roots effort to accomplish this goal.