Crowdog
08-17-2003, 10:01 AM
http://www.nv.blm.gov/carson/News_Releases/2003/news_release_2003_30.htm
For Immediate Release: July 21, 2003 CC2003-30
BLM Making Changes at Sand Mountain Recreation Area
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City Field Office, is taking emergency action pursuant to existing authority to protect and restore the sand dune ecosystem at Sand Mountain Recreation Area (SMRA) in Churchill County, Nevada, while allowing for the continued enjoyment by the public.
“While the Sand Mountain Recreation Area is not being closed, changes are being implemented due to increased disturbance of vegetation in the dune ecosystem from off-highway vehicle use,” said John Singlaub, BLM’s Carson City Field Office Manager. “The Sierra Front-Northwest Great Basin Resource Advisory Council, a 15-member, interdisciplinary group, unanimously passed a resolution last week that spells out short-term management actions and long-term planning efforts they would recommend that BLM implement at Sand Mountain.” We’re going to work on the ground with the Friends of Sand Mountain, Blue Ribbon Coalition, and other groups to make this work for everyone.”
Highlights of BLM’s actions will be to:
Continue to manage the Sand Mountain Recreation Area (SMRA) under the existing off road vehicle designations.
Develop programs and practices that encourage OHV users to prevent disturbance of Kearny Buckwheat habitat within and outside the SMRA. These actions will be implemented no later than August 30, 2003.
Begin efforts to restore and rehabilitate disturbed Kearny Buckwheat habitat within and outside the SMRA.
Identify existing disturbed travel routes through the Kearny Buckwheat habitat to connect OHV use areas within and outside the SMRA. Discourage OHV use in the habitat area outside these travel routes.
Continue scientific investigations into the Sand Mountain ecosystem, including studies of the natural history of the plants and animals, restoration techniques and monitoring technology.
Initiate a revised management plan for the Sand Mountain landscape to update the current Recreation Area Management Plan, reflecting the increasing amount and variety of uses and demands of the area.
Working closely with the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, develop management strategies for Sand Mountain that honor the spiritual values associated with the area, and that allow for appropriate uses of Sand Mountain by the Tribe consistent with their traditions. These strategies will be identified and implemented in the revised SMRA Management Plan.
These actions and the effects of these actions will be monitored by BLM and additional actions taken as needed to achieve these goals. The complete text of the Decision Document and RAC Resolution is attached, below.
For more information, please contact Elayn Briggs, BLM-Associate Field Manager, or Mark Struble, BLM-Public Affairs Officer, at (775) 885-6000.
Sand Mountain Recreation Area
DECISION DOCUMENT
In light of increased off-highway vehicle use in and around the Sand Mountain Recreation Area (SMRA), and the resulting disturbance of vegetation in the dune ecosystem, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is taking emergency action pursuant to existing authority. These actions are intended to protect and restore the sand dune ecosystem, while allowing for the continued enjoyment of the SMRA by the public. These actions and the effects of these actions will be monitored by BLM and additional actions taken as needed to achieve these goals. The action steps identified below are summarized with some modification by BLM from the resolution unanimously recommended to BLM by the Sierra Front/Northwest Great Basin Resource Advisory Council on July 16, 2003. The full text of the RAC resolution follows this Decision Document, and is incorporated into this decision by reference. Since these actions are taken on an emergency basis to protect natural resources, additional analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act is not required.
Continue to manage the Sand Mountain Recreation Area (SMRA) under the existing off road vehicle designations.
Develop programs and practices that encourage OHV users to prevent disturbance of Kearny Buckwheat habitat within and outside the SMRA. These actions will be implemented no later than August 30, 2003.
Begin efforts to restore and rehabilitate disturbed Kearny Buckwheat habitat within and outside the SMRA.
Identify existing disturbed travel routes through the Kearny Buckwheat habitat to connect OHV use areas within and outside the SMRA. Discourage OHV use in the habitat area outside these travel routes.
Continue scientific investigations into the Sand Mountain ecosystem, including studies of the natural history of the plants and animals, restoration techniques and monitoring technology.
Initiate a revised management plan for the Sand Mountain landscape to update the current Recreation Area Management Plan, reflecting the increasing amount and variety of uses and demands of the area.
Working closely with the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, develop management strategies for Sand Mountain that honor the spiritual values associated with the area, and that allow for appropriate uses of Sand Mountain by the Tribe consistent with their traditions. These strategies will be identified and implemented in the revised SMRA Management Plan.
Follow the recommendations for short and long term actions identified in detail in the RAC resolution which follows
John Singlaub, Manager, Carson City Field Office July 19, 2003
Sierra Front/Northwest Great Basin RAC Resolution
July 16, 2003
Background:
Sand Mountain Recreation Area (SMRA) is located in the high desert of west center Nevada, 25 miles east of Fallon. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the sand dunes of the 4,795 acre recreation area provide challenge and excitement for many types of off-highway-vehicle use. Many people visiting the area also take time to explore the historic 1860 Pony Express station and learn about the plants and animals of the Great Basin at the Sand Springs Desert Study Area.
Visitor use at SMRA has increased dramatically over the past five years with approximately 5,000 people present during the Memorial Day holiday in 2003.
Concern for endemic plant and wildlife species at SMRA has been expressed for many years. In 1994, concern about endemic species was raised again; however, it was hoped that sufficient habitat existed outside the high OHV use area, which was, at the time, relatively unused by OHV enthusiasts. The Nature Conservancy reviewed Sand Mountain biota in 2002, and BLM plant ecologist Dean Tonenna has surveyed Sand Mountain. Sixteen species endemic to Sand Mountain have been identified. BLM has documented both the increasing number of OHV visitors and an expanding trail system jeopardizing the Kearny buckwheat and the Sand Mountain blue butterfly.
A subgroup of the RAC was formed. Members included representatives from both national and local environmental groups, national and local OHV groups, Fallon Convention and Visitors Authority, the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe and the RAC. This group initially toured the SMRA, and met three times to develop a consensus recommendation to the full RAC. While the group was unable to reach a consensus agreement, all members did agree on the importance of an educational program which would include signs, interpretive handouts and one on one information dissemination to the public on the importance of protecting the Sand Mountain ecosystem.
For Immediate Release: July 21, 2003 CC2003-30
BLM Making Changes at Sand Mountain Recreation Area
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City Field Office, is taking emergency action pursuant to existing authority to protect and restore the sand dune ecosystem at Sand Mountain Recreation Area (SMRA) in Churchill County, Nevada, while allowing for the continued enjoyment by the public.
“While the Sand Mountain Recreation Area is not being closed, changes are being implemented due to increased disturbance of vegetation in the dune ecosystem from off-highway vehicle use,” said John Singlaub, BLM’s Carson City Field Office Manager. “The Sierra Front-Northwest Great Basin Resource Advisory Council, a 15-member, interdisciplinary group, unanimously passed a resolution last week that spells out short-term management actions and long-term planning efforts they would recommend that BLM implement at Sand Mountain.” We’re going to work on the ground with the Friends of Sand Mountain, Blue Ribbon Coalition, and other groups to make this work for everyone.”
Highlights of BLM’s actions will be to:
Continue to manage the Sand Mountain Recreation Area (SMRA) under the existing off road vehicle designations.
Develop programs and practices that encourage OHV users to prevent disturbance of Kearny Buckwheat habitat within and outside the SMRA. These actions will be implemented no later than August 30, 2003.
Begin efforts to restore and rehabilitate disturbed Kearny Buckwheat habitat within and outside the SMRA.
Identify existing disturbed travel routes through the Kearny Buckwheat habitat to connect OHV use areas within and outside the SMRA. Discourage OHV use in the habitat area outside these travel routes.
Continue scientific investigations into the Sand Mountain ecosystem, including studies of the natural history of the plants and animals, restoration techniques and monitoring technology.
Initiate a revised management plan for the Sand Mountain landscape to update the current Recreation Area Management Plan, reflecting the increasing amount and variety of uses and demands of the area.
Working closely with the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, develop management strategies for Sand Mountain that honor the spiritual values associated with the area, and that allow for appropriate uses of Sand Mountain by the Tribe consistent with their traditions. These strategies will be identified and implemented in the revised SMRA Management Plan.
These actions and the effects of these actions will be monitored by BLM and additional actions taken as needed to achieve these goals. The complete text of the Decision Document and RAC Resolution is attached, below.
For more information, please contact Elayn Briggs, BLM-Associate Field Manager, or Mark Struble, BLM-Public Affairs Officer, at (775) 885-6000.
Sand Mountain Recreation Area
DECISION DOCUMENT
In light of increased off-highway vehicle use in and around the Sand Mountain Recreation Area (SMRA), and the resulting disturbance of vegetation in the dune ecosystem, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is taking emergency action pursuant to existing authority. These actions are intended to protect and restore the sand dune ecosystem, while allowing for the continued enjoyment of the SMRA by the public. These actions and the effects of these actions will be monitored by BLM and additional actions taken as needed to achieve these goals. The action steps identified below are summarized with some modification by BLM from the resolution unanimously recommended to BLM by the Sierra Front/Northwest Great Basin Resource Advisory Council on July 16, 2003. The full text of the RAC resolution follows this Decision Document, and is incorporated into this decision by reference. Since these actions are taken on an emergency basis to protect natural resources, additional analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act is not required.
Continue to manage the Sand Mountain Recreation Area (SMRA) under the existing off road vehicle designations.
Develop programs and practices that encourage OHV users to prevent disturbance of Kearny Buckwheat habitat within and outside the SMRA. These actions will be implemented no later than August 30, 2003.
Begin efforts to restore and rehabilitate disturbed Kearny Buckwheat habitat within and outside the SMRA.
Identify existing disturbed travel routes through the Kearny Buckwheat habitat to connect OHV use areas within and outside the SMRA. Discourage OHV use in the habitat area outside these travel routes.
Continue scientific investigations into the Sand Mountain ecosystem, including studies of the natural history of the plants and animals, restoration techniques and monitoring technology.
Initiate a revised management plan for the Sand Mountain landscape to update the current Recreation Area Management Plan, reflecting the increasing amount and variety of uses and demands of the area.
Working closely with the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, develop management strategies for Sand Mountain that honor the spiritual values associated with the area, and that allow for appropriate uses of Sand Mountain by the Tribe consistent with their traditions. These strategies will be identified and implemented in the revised SMRA Management Plan.
Follow the recommendations for short and long term actions identified in detail in the RAC resolution which follows
John Singlaub, Manager, Carson City Field Office July 19, 2003
Sierra Front/Northwest Great Basin RAC Resolution
July 16, 2003
Background:
Sand Mountain Recreation Area (SMRA) is located in the high desert of west center Nevada, 25 miles east of Fallon. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the sand dunes of the 4,795 acre recreation area provide challenge and excitement for many types of off-highway-vehicle use. Many people visiting the area also take time to explore the historic 1860 Pony Express station and learn about the plants and animals of the Great Basin at the Sand Springs Desert Study Area.
Visitor use at SMRA has increased dramatically over the past five years with approximately 5,000 people present during the Memorial Day holiday in 2003.
Concern for endemic plant and wildlife species at SMRA has been expressed for many years. In 1994, concern about endemic species was raised again; however, it was hoped that sufficient habitat existed outside the high OHV use area, which was, at the time, relatively unused by OHV enthusiasts. The Nature Conservancy reviewed Sand Mountain biota in 2002, and BLM plant ecologist Dean Tonenna has surveyed Sand Mountain. Sixteen species endemic to Sand Mountain have been identified. BLM has documented both the increasing number of OHV visitors and an expanding trail system jeopardizing the Kearny buckwheat and the Sand Mountain blue butterfly.
A subgroup of the RAC was formed. Members included representatives from both national and local environmental groups, national and local OHV groups, Fallon Convention and Visitors Authority, the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe and the RAC. This group initially toured the SMRA, and met three times to develop a consensus recommendation to the full RAC. While the group was unable to reach a consensus agreement, all members did agree on the importance of an educational program which would include signs, interpretive handouts and one on one information dissemination to the public on the importance of protecting the Sand Mountain ecosystem.