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For Immediate Release: November 30, 2001 CA-610-01-14
Contact: Doran Sanchez (909) 697-5220 or Jan Bedrosian (916) 978-4616
Two Routes Temporarily Closed in Imperial County
to Protect Bighorn Sheep
In an effort to protect the endangered Peninsular Ranges bighorn sheep, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will temporarily close two routes on public lands in the vicinity of the Coyote Mountains in western Imperial County to vehicle use from January 1 to June 30 each year.
The Peninsular Ranges bighorn sheep was listed as an endangered species in 1998. The current population of bighorn sheep in the Peninsular Ranges, which extends from the San Jacinto Mountains to the Mexican border, is approximately 335 animals. The temporary closure is designed to reduce disturbances to the sheep during the critical lambing season.
BLM is implementing the seasonal 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 two routes are T670130 and T670214, which extend from the end of Painted Gorge Road, a county-maintained road stretching from Evan Hewes Highway, to the foothills of Coyote Mountain and up to Carrizo Peak. Other BLM routes that will become inaccessible due to closure of these routes include T670121, T670128 and T670129.
Authority for this closure is 43 Code of Federal Regulations 8364.1. A barrier will be erected, and signs will be installed describing the purpose of the closure and its effective dates. Non-motorized uses (e.g., hiking, bicycling, horseback riding) of closed sections on any of the routes described above are not affected by the proposed order. Trails developed primarily for non-motorized use are also not affected.
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, El Centro Field Office, 1661 S. 4th Street 92243; (760) 337-4400. 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 Friday, January 11, 2002. 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 El Centro Field Office.
For more information contact BLM's El Centro Field Office at (760) 337-4400.
-BLM-
California Desert District Office - 6221 Box Springs Blvd.
Riverside, California - (909) 697-5220 |
