The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holds several thousand acres of prime forested land on the south side of the South Yuba River just outside Nevada City. Neighbors in the area have long been concerned about the future use of the land. Thanks to the organizational efforts of Janaia Donaldson and Steve Smalley, a neighborhood group was formed to open a dialog with BLM. NCLT was a partner and interested party in the process from the beginning due to holding an easement on 160 acres adjacent to the BLM holdings.

For the last several years, the planning group has been wrestling with community concerns relating to fire, recreation and habitat issues. At a public meeting November 19, 2001, the group voted to accept the draft and forward it to BLM.

John Scull, BLM Community Planner and project liaison, remarked, “The public/private collaboration on management plans is not a quick or easy process, but the results are worth the effort. This plan reflects the values of local citizens. BLM is delighted.” The plan sets out management goals and objectives for the property. The first priority of the plan is to effect a reduction of the fire hazard to be accomplished through the establishment of an old-growth forest wherever possible. Next, BLM will draft an implementation plan which will spell out the details of how the objectives will be addressed.

The draft Management Plan will be subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis followed by a public review and comment period. This will involve a formal public hearing which will be announced. Mr. Scull expects this whole process of review to be completed within six months.

A draft copy of the Round Mountain / Rock Creek Land Management Plan is available in PDF format:

Draft Plan
Plan Appendices