Public Meetings Set To Provide Information, Input

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department will hold a series of meetings across the state to provide the public with information about federal land-management planning efforts in Arizona and how people can provide input.

The USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are revising land-use management plans and travel-management plans statewide. These plans include updated guidelines and rules on how public lands are to be managed, including what activities are permitted, and how and where motorized travel should occur.

The different Forest Service districts and BLM field offices are in various phases of the planning efforts.

The plans could potentially include alternatives that change the way outdoor recreationists currently enjoy public lands, particularly with regard to vehicular access and transportation, designation of open and closed roads, dispersed camping and/or recreation, and motorized retrieval of lawfully taken big game by hunters.

The Game and Fish meetings will include information on the Forest Service and BLM planning processes, information about the new policies and direction — both from a statewide and local standpoint — how members of the public can become involved in the process, and resources for obtaining more information.

Remaining meetings are scheduled for the following dates:

• Monday, May 7, 6-9 p.m., Yuma, Arizona Game and Fish Department Yuma regional office, 9140 E. 28th St.
• Saturday, May 12, 9 a.m. to noon, Tucson, Arizona Game and Fish Department Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road.

Additional meetings are planned for Sierra Vista, Kingman and Prescott and will be announced as soon as the dates are finalized. For more information, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department Web site at azgfd.gov.