May 2011 | Big Willow Creek, Payette Co.

37 miles of roads and trails on public lands north of Big Willow Creek in Payette Co. are closed to motorized OHV recreational travel to protect habitat for Packard’s milkvetch.  Motorized travel on lands adjacent to these roads and trails is also restricted.  Packard’s milkvetch was recently listed as a candidate species for protection under the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  The closure affects approximately 7,100 acres northwest of Emmett.  Lands affected by the restriction will remain open to other uses, including non-motorized activities.  There are opportunities for OHV riding without an admission charge at the Clay Peak Motorcycle Park, located less than ten miles west of the Big Willow area on public lands leased to Payette County.  Another option is the Little Gem Cycle Park, 2 miles east of Emmett.

The BLM will host two public meetings and take public comment to gather public input on long-term management the public lands where the plant is found.  An environmental assessment (EA) will analyze alternatives for long-term protection and restoration of the plant and its habitat and will include activity planning and route designation to address OHV use.  Management of the area and the plant is also part of the Four Rivers RMP environmental impact statement.

NEWS release | Map - closure area | Map - closed routes | PHOTOS | COMMENT

January 2011 | Big & Hot Tea Fire Restoration, Ada & Elmore Cos.

Nearly 1,920 acres of public land three miles northwest of Eagle, Idaho, and 6,900 acres 12 miles northeast of Mountain Home, Idaho, are closed to all motorized vehicle use after wildland fires in summer 2010.  In July 2010, the Big Fire ignited near the town of Eagle, burning 4,675 acres, of which 1,880 acres are managed by the BLM.   On August 27, the Hot Tea fire ignited 12 miles northeast of Mountain Home, burning 5,409 acres of State, and private lands, of which 3,956 acres are BLM-managed.

The BLM replanted native vegetation in the burned areas and closed the two areas to allow it time to recover after the fires.  If recently burned areas are regularly disturbed by off-road vehicles, native plants struggle to grow, allowing invasive weeds to establish and erosion to occur.  Enabling the recently burned areas to rest will help ensure the long-term viability of habitat for wildlife populations, including elk, mule deer and sage-grouse.  The two areas remain open to non-motorized recreation access. 

NEWS release | Map - Hot Tea closure | Map - Big Fire closure