| Contacts: | Contact: Joanna Wilson, 208-524-7550 |
Stinking Springs Area Closure Starts December 1st
IDAHO FALLS – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Upper Snake Field Office reminds the public that starting December 1, 2009, the Stinking Springs area near the popular South Fork of the Snake River will be closed to all motorized vehicles and human entry. The closure is scheduled to remain in effect through April 30, 2010, depending on weather conditions.
Increasing human activity in the Stinking Springs area is creating additional stress on the fragile mule deer population that winters in the area, requiring them to use up their supply of stored winter fat more quickly than normal. “We appreciate the public’s help in staying away from the closure area to help protect these sensitive animals,” said Monica Zimmerman, BLM Upper Snake Outdoor Recreation Planner.
The BLM manages more land - over 245 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.