FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will host a virtual public meeting within the coming weeks to give residents and visitors the opportunity to learn more about the ongoing Oak Creek Canyon subsurface withdrawal.
As part of the public meeting, forest and BLM representatives will give updates on the withdrawal submission and the proposed 20-year extension of the withdrawal. Representatives will also share information regarding the planned Draft Environmental Assessment required under the National Environmental Policy Act.
The meeting will also give interested parties a chance to ask questions about the withdrawal.
The Coconino National Forest recently submitted a subsurface withdrawal application for 10,024 acres in Oak Creek Canyon to continue protecting Oak Creek Canyon from the potential adverse impacts of mining.
Based on the withdrawal application, the Bureau of Land Management published a notice on July 25, 2024, to create a 2-year segregation which would prohibit new mineral claims or leases.
The purpose of the withdrawal is to prevent the establishment of new subsurface claims or leases on the protected portion of Oak Creek Canyon for a period of 20 years.
The next meeting will be held:
- Nov. 6: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: https://tinyurl.com/22sfezyu
The ongoing withdrawal will not affect visitation to any of the areas located within the withdrawal footprint.
More information about the Oak Creek Canyon subsurface withdrawal can be accessed online via the Coconino National Forest’s website.