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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: October 19, 2001
CA-610-02-04
Contact: Doran Sanchez (909) 697-5220 or
Jan Bedrosian (916) 978-4616
BLM Issues Decision Record for Interim Closure at Imperial Sand Dunes
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released the Decision Record (DR) authorizing the interim closure of 49,300 acres in five selected areas within the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA). The DR replaces BLM's previous decision issued November 2000 now in effect.
BLM implemented the closures under 43 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 8341 to protect essential habitat of the Peirson's milk-vetch (a Federally listed plant species) 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 in 1998. The continued survival of this plant relies on the protection of its dune habitat.
The interim restrictions will be in effect until BLM completes consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan. These restrictions are part of an overall legal settlement intended to reduce the effects of BLM's implementation of the CDCA Plan on threatened and endangered species throughout the California Desert.
The five closures areas encompass approximately 49,300 acres of the 134,300-acre ISDRA, which include the northern closure (3,800 acres), central closure #1 (2,000 acres) central closure #2 (43,345, acres), Patton Valley area (310 acres), and southern closure (160 acres). The closures are being strictly enforced and citations will be issued to violators. Violations of the closures could result in the expansion of the boundaries of the closure areas through further legal action.
All closures are marked with red posts and "No Motorized Vehicle" signs. These posts have been 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 based on monitoring data gathered by the BLM, and are placed around known populations of the milk-vetch while avoiding the most popular riding areas.
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. Copies of the DR are available at the BLM El Centro Field Office, 1661 4th Street, El Centro, CA 92258 or call (760) 337-4400. The DR also is available online at www. ca.blm.gov/elcentro.
For more information contact BLM at (760) 337-4400. Information and a map of the closure areas also re available on BLM's webpage at www.ca.blm.gov/cdd/lawsuit.html.
-BLM-
California Desert District Office - 6221 Box Springs Blvd, Riverside, California - (909) 697-5220
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