U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NEWS RELEASE
Southern Nevada District Office
Southern Nevada District Office
| Contacts: | Kirsten Cannon | , 702-515-5057 | , kirsten_cannon@blm.gov |
BLM to Host Meetings on Draft Red Rock Business Plan and Fee Proposal
Las Vegas – The Bureau Land Management (BLM) will hold two public meetings on October 22 to provide information, answer questions and solicit public comments on the draft Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Business Plan. A court reporter will present to record all comments.
The meetings will be held at the BLM Southern Nevada District Office, located at 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive in Conference Rooms A, B and C. The first meeting will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and the second will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.
This draft document provides the public with the opportunity to review the functional responsibilities, operational standards and financial picture of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The draft business plan addresses proposed changes in the fee schedule and complies with changes in the federal authorities that authorize the BLM to collect recreation fees.
The standard amenity fee charged at the 13-Mile Scenic Drive has not increased in more than 10 years. During that time, BLM has added numerous amenities, activities and services to improve visitor experiences.
The proposed additional revenue will be used to meet project goals in three categories: provide for public enjoyment and visitor experience, enhance recreational opportunities and preserve Red Rock resources.
- Public enjoyment and visitor experience projects include 13-Mile Scenic Drive and parking lots annual and deferred maintenance, long-term building deferred maintenance fund for new and original visitor centers and Mojave Discovery Center, road signs and informational kiosks, treatment of dirt roads, law enforcement patrols and expanded visitor service hours. BLM estimates it will need the equivalent of $598,612 annually for each of the next 10 years to achieve this goal.
- Enhance recreational opportunities projects include rehabilitate present high-use recreation areas, add recreational vehicle dumping station at the campground, rehabilitate Oliver Ranch area to remove public safety hazards and enable public use, plan and develop Ash Springs area and complete a comprehensive trail plan. BLM estimates it will need the equivalent of $178,287 annually for each of the next 10 years to achieve this goal.
- Red Rock resource protection projects include graffiti removal program, restore plant productivity on disturbed areas, eradicate non-native species with an emphasis on tamarisk removal, create and implement a comprehensive cultural Resource Management Plan, protect and rehabilitate Garland in-holding. BLM estimates it will need the equivalent of $208,695 annually for each of the next 10 years to achieve this goal.
In total, BLM estimates it will need the equivalent $985,594 annually for each of the next 10 years to achieve all three goals. The proposed fee increase will cover 100 percent of these costs.
Proposed changes to the amenity recreation fee schedule are outlined in the table below.
Type Current Fee Proposed Fee Change Scenic Drive - Day Pass (car) $5 $7 + $2 Scenic Drive - Day Pass (motorcycle) $2 $3 + $1 Scenic Drive - Day Pass (bicycle) $0 $3 + $3 Scenic Drive - Day Pass (pedestrian) $0 $3 + $3 Scenic Drive - Commercial Tour Bus (per person) $2 $5 + $3 Scenic Drive - Red Rock Annual Pass $20 $30 + $10 Red Spring - Reserved Group Picnic Area w/ Permit $0 $40 + $40 Red Rock Overlook on State Route 159 $0 $0 No change Campground - Individual Campsite $10 $15 + $5 Campground - Group Campsite $25 $40 + $15
The draft Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Business Plan and information on how to comment before the November 16 deadline can be found online at www.nv.blm.gov/vegas and CD and/or hard copies are available at the BLM Southern Nevada District Office and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Visitor Center.
The BLM manages more land - 253 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.
Southern Nevada District Office 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive Las Vegas, NV 89130