Kelso Dunes Wilderness Sahara Mustard Removal
Notice of Proposed Action (NOPA)

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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is informing all affected or interested public about any proposed action, specific emergencies, or unauthorized activity occurring within BLM Wilderness areas. The following information is about an emergency invasive weed issue, which occurred on public lands administered by the Needles Field Office (NFO). 

In January 2008, while the National Park Service (NPS) was mapping Sahara Mustard, an invasive weed and catalyst for desert wild fire, a dense population of plants were discovered. This population is located on the east side of the Bristol Mountains, south of the Union Pacific railroad track, near the BLM and NPS boundary and within the Kelso Dunes Wilderness . In an effort to stop the spread of the Sahara Mustard, inside the NPS Mojave National Preserve, nine volunteers and Preserve staff on March 11, 2008 harvested and bagged several thousand mature plants within the Kelso Dunes Wilderness.

 During the service project within wilderness, approximately 80 bags were left behind due to their weight and distance (500 m) from a non-wilderness road-access point. The retrieval of the bags before the plastic deteriorates in the sun is imperative; damage to the plastic could ultimately release an estimated 25 million viable seeds into the environment. The NPS proposes to retrieve the bags in the most environmentally benign manner.  

Your questions are welcome concerning this or any other actions reviewed by the NFO. Should you have any questions regarding this action please contact the Needles Field Office at 760-326-7066, by E-Mail or at the address listed below.  

REVIEW NOPA

 Bureau of Land Management
Needles Field Office
1303 S. Hwy 95
Needles, CA 92363
Phone: (760) 326-7000
Fax: (760) 326-7099
Contact us by Email