For Immediate Release: November 21, 2001          CA-610-01-12
Contact:  Doran Sanchez (909) 697-5220; E-MAIL: dasanche@ca.blm.gov

BLM Establishes Temporary Route Network on Public Lands in Western San Bernardino County

 The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued a decision record implementing a temporary motorized vehicle closure and establishing an interim route access network encompassing 222,750 acres of BLM-managed public lands in the Fremont subregion, within the West Mojave Planning area in western San Bernardino County.  All the routes are on public lands within the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA).

This temporary closure and interim route access network is 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 (CFR) 8341.2(a).

BLM is implementing the closure 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.  As specified in the settlement agreement, the temporary closure will remain in effect until BLM consults with the Fish and Wildlife Service as required by the Endangered Species Act and a Record of Decision is signed on the West Mojave Plan, which is expected to be signed June 2003.  When completed, the West Mojave Plan will amend and update the 1980 CDCA Plan.

The Fremont area is one 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 and protect sensitive natural and cultural resources.

The 90-day public comment period for the proposed Fremont subregion route network closed Monday, October 15, 2001.  BLM developed the temporary route network based upon the comments received.  The public will have additional opportunity to comment on this interim route network throughout the development of the West Mojave Plan.

Government vehicles conducting official business, including public service emergencies, resource monitoring/research, management activities, and other actions authorized by BLM are exempt for this closure.

The decision record, map and environmental assessment are available upon request from the Bureau of Land Management, Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow Road, Barstow, California 92311; (760) 252-6000.  The documents also are available online at www.ca.blm.gov/cdd/lawsuit.html.

The decision may be appealed  in accordance with regulations contained in 43 CFR Part 4, and must be received on or before December 31, 2001.  Appeals must be sent to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Board of Land Appeals, 4015 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203, the Regional Solicitor, U.S. Department of the Interior, 2800 Cottage Way, Room E-1712, Sacramento, CA 92825, and the BLM Barstow Field Office.

For more information contact Harold Johnson at (760) 252-6000.

-BLM-