BLM Nevada News
ELY DISTRICT OFFICE NO. 2009-004
FOR RELEASE:  Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008
CONTACT:  Chris Hanefeld, (775) 289-1842; chris_hanefeld@nv.blm.gov

BLM Seeks Public Input on Ash Springs Recreation Area Management Plan

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Caliente Field Office is asking for public input on the Ash Springs Recreation Area Management Plan.  The plan would provide BLM management guidance for future planning and development of the Ash Springs Recreation Site, located about 110 miles north of Las Vegas, Nev.

The BLM has scheduled three public scoping meetings in Nevada.  Times, dates and locations are: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 16, Ash Springs Recreation Site, U.S. Highway 93 at Ash Springs; 6-8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 17, BLM Las Vegas District Office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Dr., Las Vegas; and 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18, BLM Caliente Field Office, 1400 S. Front Street, Caliente.

The Ash Springs Recreation Site receives about 65,000 visitors a year.  Heavy use at the increasingly popular one-acre site is resulting in numerous unauthorized access points to the natural pools, trampled sensitive vegetation, accelerated stream bank erosion and increased incidences of falling trees, and increased littering and vandalism.  Existing improvements are insufficient to meet current and future public demands.

The deadline to provide input on the Ash Springs Recreation Area Management Plan is close of business, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008.  Written comments should be addressed to the Caliente Field Office, PO Box 237, Caliente, NV 89008.

The BLM anticipates completing a draft plan and making it available for public comment in July 2009.  The final plan is scheduled for completion in October 2009.

For more information, contact Chris Linehan, BLM Caliente Field Office outdoor recreation planner, at (775) 726-8126 or chris_linehan@blm.nv.gov.

-BLM-