For Release: December 1, 2005
Contact: Doran Sanchez (951) 697-5220; E-mail: Doran_Sanchez@ca.blm.gov
CA-CDD-06-17

BLM Approves Trails Action Plan to Protect Peninsular Bighorn Sheep

In an effort to further protect the endangered Peninsular Ranges bighorn sheep the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today signed the decision record to construct new trails and close segments of existing trails on public lands within the Coachella Valley.

The decision follows public review and comment on a draft environmental assessment (EA) addressing potential impacts of the proposed actions. Public comments were analyzed and incorporated into a final EA, and considered in the decision.

The proposed actions addressed in the final EA apply to trails just west of California Highway 74 on BLM-managed public lands, city of Palm Desert lands, state lands within Magnesia Spring Ecological Reserve, and private property within the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. BLM's decision is applicable only 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 were addressed in a separate document prepared by the city of Palm Desert in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.

BLM's decision record and final EA are 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, P.O. Box 581260, North Palm Springs, CA 92258, or requested by telephone at (760) 251-4800, facsimile message at (760) 251-4899, or email at jfoote@ca.blm.gov.

As specified in the decision record, BLM has approved the following actions on public lands to protect bighorn 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 fences in Dead Indian and Carrizo Canyons to restrict access to trails.

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