King Gillette Ranch input requested

The National Park Service, California State Parks, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority are looking for public input about an upcoming design plan and environmental assessment for King Gillette Ranch.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tues., Nov. 18 in the main auditorium in the dormitory building at King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Hwy., Calabasas.

The ranch is in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area adjacent to Malibu Creek State Park. The 588acre scenic parkland is managed by the four agencies through a cooperative management agreement. All four agencies are working together to draft the land use plan. Public involvement is critical for the plan's success.

The ranch design concept plan may include ecological restoration zones, parking and circulation improvements, trails, and use of existing buildings for visitor service improvements, including a visitor center, an environmental education facility and agency administrative offices.

Most of the park will remain natural. Wildlife and stream corridors and previously disturbed areas will be considered for habitat restoration.

After the plan is completed, the agencies will continue with design development and implementation as funding becomes available.

Written comments will be accepted through Dec. 2 and may be sent to King Gillette Ranch Planning Project, Attn: Project Manager, 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360.

Comments may be e-mailed to SAMO_KGR_Planning@nps.gov or submitted online at www.smmc.ca.gov/KGRP.