For Release: November 2, 2005
Contact: Doran Sanchez (951) 697-5220; E-mail: Doran_Sanchez@ca.blm.gov
CA-CDD-06-10

Draft EA for Proposed Trail Actions to Protect Peninsular Bighorn Sheep Available for Public Comment

A draft environmental assessment (EA) analyzing proposed rerouting/closure of several hiking trails on public lands within the Coachella Valley to protect the endangered Peninsular Ranges bighorn sheep has been released by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for public review and comment.

The proposed actions would apply to trails within the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, on BLM-managed public lands just west of California Highway 74, city of Palm Desert lands, state lands within Magnesia Spring Ecological Reserve, and private property. BLM's proposed actions only apply to federal lands administered by BLM, as BLM has no jurisdiction on private, city, or state lands. Environmental impacts of the proposed actions on nonfederal lands are addressed in a separate document prepared by the city of Palm Desert in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. The public should contact the city for information regarding its environmental document.

As outlined in the EA, BLM, in cooperation with the city of Palm Desert, proposes the following actions to protect the sheep and minimize human impacts:

- reroute the eastern segment of the Art Smith Trail;
- year-round closure of the bypassed segment of the Art Smith Trail;
- seasonal closure of trails in Dead Indian Canyon from January 1 through September 30;
- construction of the Hopalong Cassidy Trail from the Art Smith Trailhead to Homme-Adams Park;
- year-round closure of a segment of the Schey Trail; and
- install a fence on the canyon floor to restrict access to trails in Dead Indian Canyon, and in Carrizo Canyon near the Art Smith Trailhead to restrict access to Carrizo Canyon Ecological Reserve in accordance with existing regulations for state lands.

BLM's draft EA is available online at www.ca.blm.gov/palmsprings. Written copies may be obtained from the BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, located at 690 West Garnet Avenue, North Palm Springs, CA 92258, or requested by telephone (760) 251-4800, facsimile message (760) 251-4899, or email jfoote@ca.blm.gov.

To be considered by BLM, all written comments must be received no later than November 21, to ensure consistency with the city's schedule. Comments may be submitted by mail to the Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, P.O. Box 581260, North Palm Springs, CA 92258, ATTN: Jim Foote, FAX (760) 251-4899, or email: jfoote@ca.blm.gov.

Public comments will be analyzed and incorporated into a final environmental assessment and decision record, which is tentatively scheduled for completion by late November. For additional information contact Jim Foote in the BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office at (760) 251-4836, or by email at jfoote@ca.blm.gov.

-BLM-

California Desert District Office
22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos
Moreno Valley, California
(951) 697-5220