A celebration of the donation of Cedar Hill to the Bureau of Land Management will be 11:30 a.m. Sept. 8. The program, which starts at the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center, Lee Vining, will feature remarks by representatives of the parties involved in the donation. Light refreshments will be served.
Cedar Hill includes nearly 4,000 acres in Mono County. Portions of these new public lands may be accessed from State Highway 167 via existing, primitive roads and on foot or horseback.
Long ago an island in prehistoric Mono Lake, Cedar Hill is located northeast of Lee Vining and borders BLM-managed lands and wilderness study areas in the Bodie Hills and eastern Mono Basin. The west side of the property adjoins the Toiyabe National Forest.
The Wilderness Land Trust acquired the 3,748-acre property from Mel Arthur in 2006 and recently donated it to the BLM, said Bill Dunkelberger, BLM Bishop Field Office manager. While Arthur had originally planned to develop the property, he was excited to find a solution to create a lasting legacy of conservation.
BLM's management theme for the area, which now includes Cedar Hill, prescribes protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat and scenic values and providing opportunities for dispersed recreation.
