http://www.azgfd.gov/artman/publish/article_480.shtml


"PHOENIX - Maybe you're one of the people who enjoy using the Arizona Strip or the Agua Fria National Monument for outdoor recreation. If so, you may want to give your input on drafts of the new 15- to 20-year Arizona Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans for those popular areas and also the Bradshaw-Harquahala planning area.

"Hunters and wildlife watchers are among those who frequently use these public lands, and they should have a say in how the areas are managed in the future," says Bob Broscheid, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's habitat branch. "Some substantial changes to recreation may be included. We want to encourage anyone who uses these areas to take a long, hard look at the plans and make sure their needs are being addressed."

The BLM has released draft Resource Management Plans and Environmental Impact Statements for all of these public lands, and the drafts are each open for a 90-day comment period. Those interested can view the documents at the bureau's Web site, http://www.blm.gov/az/

"The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been working with the BLM as a cooperating agency for more than three years in developing these plans, but we believe that our constituents' input will help make them better," says Rebecca Davidson of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's habitat branch. "For example, the documents will determine where you can camp, how much firewood you can collect, where you can shoot a firearm, and much more. We need assistance from the people who will have to follow the new rules."

Some other issues that will be affected by the new plans: access to certain areas, including potential road closures; ability to create wildlife water and habitat restoration projects in various places; and possible hunting restrictions in certain areas. Overall, wildlife and resource management could be significantly impacted.

The Arizona Strip planning area encompasses more than 2.8 million acres in northern Arizona, including the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument and 1.7 million acres in between them. Comments on the plans regarding those areas must be received by March 17. You can get copies and more information about the plans by e-mailing Arizona_Strip@blm.gov or by calling (435) 688-3200. Provide comments by e-mail to Arizona_Strip@blm.gov, by FAX to (435) 688-3388, or by mail to BLM Arizona Strip District Office, Attn: Planning Team, 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, UT 84790.

The Agua Fria National Monument and Bradshaw-Harquahala Management Plans for areas of central Arizona are open for comment until April 5. The computerized version of these plans at blm.gov/az/ includes maps with layers that allow viewers to zoom in closer to geographic areas of interest. Get more information and copies of these plans by e-mailing az_afnm_bradshaw@blm.gov or calling (623) 580-5500. Send e-mail comments to az_afnm_bradshaw@blm.gov or written comments to Chris Horyza, RMP Project Manager, 21605 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027. "

thanks for the links.

AZ peeps, get involved! It's our backcountry.