The Colorado River Valley Field Office (CRVFO) of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is completing an environmental assessment to consider implementation of management actions, including targeted seasonal closures at cave and abandoned mine sites that contain hibernating bats, to reduce the risk of spread of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats. The scoping notice and comment period provides an opportunity for public participation on proposed management actions prior to a decision being made by the BLM Field Manager.
The proposed action is to identify and establish targeted, seasonal closures at sites located on BLM lands in the CRVFO with significant populations of hibernating bats that remain physically accessible to the public during the bats’ hibernation period. For features having important bat resources the closures are proposed include exemptions for persons conducting search-and-rescue operations, approved WNS related monitoring, research, under-ground abandoned mine surveys and closures, and those authorized for activities granted by the Mining Law. Additionally, recreational caving permits may be made available in some areas where bat hibernation disturbance can be demonstrated to be minimal. BLM proposes to require decontamination procedures of all parties (following the latest U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protocols).
Please submit comments by June 3, 2011
http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/crvfo/scoping.html