The National Park Service has prepared an environmental assessment for the proposed construction and operation of the Anthony C. Beilenson Visitor Center at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas.

The public comment period is open through Mon., March 15. The National Park Service seeks public input in reviewing the assessment. The environmental assessment describes the proposed visitor center facilities and development, and analyzes potential impacts on a variety of environmental conditions, including natural and cultural resources, visitor experience, accessibility, traffic, aesthetics and other topics.

Copies of the document are available for review at the Agoura Hills Library, 29901 Ladyface Court; Calabasas Public Library, 200 Civic Center Way; Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road; and online at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/samo.

Comments can be e-mailed to SAMO_KGR_Planning@nps.gov, submitted online at the website above or mailed to Superintendent Woody Smeck, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360.

Establishing an environmental and cultural education center at King Gillette Ranch in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has been discussed for many years. The proposed visitor center would fulfill the long-running need of the area to have a central, full-service visitor center similar to facilities at other national parks.

King Gillette Ranch was purchased from Soka University in 2005 with funds from 11 different funding sources in a partnership of federal, state and local government agencies and private donors. The ranch is now owned by Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, National Park Service and California Department of Parks and Recreation.

The biologically diverse parkland contains broad meadows and low ridgelines, valley and coast live oak savannah, grassland, coastal sage scrub, chaparral and riparian woodland. The park is used daily by hikers, birders, picnickers and schoolchildren. Public interpretive programs are offered regularly.