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For Immediate Release: June 18, 2001 CA-610-01-52
Contact: Doran Sanchez (909) 697-5220 or Jan Bedrosian (916) 978-4616
BLM issues proposed closure order regarding Imperial Sand Dunes
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued a proposed closure order and environmental assessment (EA) regarding interim vehicle closures of portions of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area to protect essential habitat of the Peirson's milk-vetch (a federally listed plant species).
BLM implemented interim restrictions on vehicle use in the dunes in November 2000 as part of a settlement agreement reached in response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, the Sierra Club, and the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility regarding the Endangered Species Act.
The proposed order does not expand or reduce the interim restrictions affecting 49,300 acres of the 134,300-acre Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. The interim restrictions protect essential habitat of the Peirson's milk-vetch while allowing off-highway vehicle recreation to continue in the heavily used areas of the dunes. The Peirson's milk-vetch was listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in 1998. The vehicle closures in the dunes will remain in effect until BLM consults with the FWS on the necessary amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) plan.
BLM has been gathering data on the Peirson's milk-vetch and other sensitive plant species in the dunes for several years in preparation for developing the CDCA plan amendment. Information on the data collected is available online at www.ca.blm.gov/elcentro/algdunesmonitorstudy.html
The authority for this proposed closure is 43 Code of Federal Regulations 8364.1. The proposed order was published in the June 15, 2001, Federal Register. The EA, available for public review through July 9, 2001, is being distributed to interested parties and is available online at www.ca.blm.gov/cdd/lawsuit.htm. The closure will become effective under this authority when published in the Federal Register at a later date, but no earlier than 30 days from the date of this proposed order.
The four affected areas are located in the northern, central and southern portions of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. The closed areas are currently marked with red posts and "No Motorized Vehicle" signs. These posts are placed at intervals of 1/10 to 1/4 of a mile depending on the terrain and use patterns. The boundaries of the closures are placed around known populations of the milk-vetch while avoiding the most popular riding areas.
- Northern Closure
(3,800 acres): The western boundary is located along the New Coachella Canal. The southern boundary of the closure is common with the northern boundary of the North Algodones Wilderness Area. The eastern boundary follows along the Ted Kipf Road for several hundred yards north of the wilderness boundary. The northern boundary follows a section line across the dunes to the canal.
- Central Closure #1 (2,000 acres): This circular shaped closure is located approximately one mile east of Gecko Road, between Gecko and Roadrunner Campgrounds.
- Central Closure #2 (43,035 acres): The western boundary begins 1/4 mile south of Roadrunner campground and follows the Sand Highway to "5 mile drop" on the New Coachella Canal. The road into Patton Valley from the "5 mile drop" will remain open, but the dunes directly to the south of the road will be closed. The southern boundary is located directly north of Patton Valley and the Olgilby Camp Area. The eastern boundary follows the wash road. The northern boundary starts about 9 miles south of the Glamis Store and follows a section line across the dunes to the Sand Highway.
- Patton Valley Closure Area (310 acres): Located southwest of the Sand Highway and northwest of the Patton Valley Road.
- Southern Closure (160 acres): Located just east of Midway Campground and south of Grays Well Road.
For further information, including a map of the closed area, contact the BLM's El Centro Field Office located at 1661 S. 4th Street, El Centro, Calif. 92363, telephone (760) 337-4400.
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