For Immediate Release: October 19, 2001            CA-610-02-08
Contact:  Doran Sanchez (909) 697-5220
                 or Jan Bedrosian (916) 978-4616

BLM Issues Decision Record Implementing Interim Closures of Certain Routes in West Mojave

 To provide additional protection to the desert tortoise and its habitat, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a decision record today temporarily closing specified routes of travel to motorized vehicle use in the Newberry-Rodman, Red Mountain, Superior, and Helendale subregions within the West Mojave Planning area.  All the routes are on public lands within the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA).

These interim closures are effective immediately, and will provide additional protection to the threatened desert tortoise (a Federally listed species) and its habitat.  Authority for the closure is found in 43 Code of Federal Regulations 8341.2(a).

BLM is implementing the closures 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 Newberry-Rodman, Red Mountain, Superior, and Helendale subregions are four of 21 regions into which the western Mojave desert has been subdivided for purposes of developing a network of vehicle access routes.  When completed, the network will provide recreational and other access to public lands while at the same time protecting sensitive natural and cultural resources.

Based upon the public comments received during a 90-day public review for each subregion, BLM will develop a modified route network, which will be used as the preferred alternative in the West Mojave Plan.  An interim route network has been developed based on public comments received.  This interim network will be subject to additional public review and is being developed by the BLM to comply with the terms of an agreement to settle a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity. 

As specified in the settlement agreement, all these temporary closures will remain in effect until BLM consults with the Fish and Wildlife Service as required by the Endangered Species Act and completes the West Mojave Plan now being developed with full public participation.

The affected areas include:  

• Newberry-Rodman subregion includes public lands in San Bernardino County east of Barstow and south of Interstate 40 surrounding the Newberry and Rodman Mountains Wilderness.
• Red Mountain subregion encompasses public lands southeast of the City of Ridgecrest.  
• Superior subregion includes public lands north of the City of Barstow and south of Superior Valley.
• Helendale subregion encompasses public lands south of Barstow.

Fire, emergency, or law enforcement vehicles during official use are exempt from the closures.  In addition, on certain specific routes, valid mining claim holders are exempt from the closure to access their claims.  

The decision may be appealed through Monday, November 26, 2001, to the Interior Board of Land Appeals, Office of the Secretary, in accordance with regulations contained in 43 CFR Part 4.  The decision records, maps and supporting environmental documents are available from each BLM office as described.  The documents also are available online at www.ca.blm.gov/cdd/lawsuit.html.

For information regarding the Newberry-Rodman, Superior, and Helendale subregions contact BLM's Barstow Field Office at (760) 252-6000.   For information regarding the Red Mountain subregion contact BLM's Ridgecrest Field Office at (760) 384-6000.

-BLM-