What is the difference between the NCA and wilderness areas

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Nevada

Winnemucca Field Office

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What is the difference between National Conservation Areas (NCAs) and Wilderness Areas?

The difference between an NCA and Wilderness is found in the laws that determine how they are managed. Wilderness areas are administered under authority of the Wilderness Act of 1964, and the key difference in on-the-ground management between a Wilderness and an NCA is how access is controlled. The Wilderness Act emphasizes management for wilderness values such as solitude and preservation, and therefore restricts motorized vehicle access.

Each NCA is administered under authority of the specific act that created it. In the portions of the Black Rock Desert – High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails NCA that are not also designated as Wilderness areas, mechanized travel and use of other mechanized equipment may be regulated by BLM in a manner consistent with the spirit and intent of the Act, but they are not specifically restricted by the Act. The RMP completed in 2004 restricts OHV travel to about 800 miles designated roads and trails. The playa of the Black Rock Desert remains open to OHV use.

There are approximately 752,000 acres in the Wilderness areas within or near the Black Rock Desert – High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails NCA, and, of that amount, about 380,000 acres are included in the NCA itself. The NCA, including the Wilderness areas it contains, constitutes approximately 815,000 acres. In total, there are 1.2 million acres contained in the NCA and associated Wilderness areas.

Comparison of Allowable or Not Allowable Activities

	NCA	Wilderness Areas
Vehicle access and OHV use	Yes, OHV use limited to about 800 miles of designated roads and trails . The road through High Rock Canyon is open to motorized use.	No. Motor vehicle and mechanical transport are prohibited. Roads separating wilderness areas and some dead-end roads are open.
Mountain biking	Yes, throughout the NCA	No. Mountain bikes are considered mechanical transport.
Wheelchair use	Yes	Yes. Persons requiring the use of a wheelchair may use one in a wilderness. Improvements will not be made within a wilderness area to provide for wheelchair use.
Aircraft (BLM does not regulate airspace)	Yes. Aircraft may land within the NCA.	No. Aircraft generally will not land in wilderness, nor may aircraft be used to drop or pickup materials, supplies or persons.
Livestock grazing	Yes, Previously permitted grazing may continue.	Yes, Previously permitted grazing may continue.
Maintenance of existing wildlife and range developments	Yes.	Yes. Includes repair and replacement.
Construction of new wildlife and range developments	Yes, as approved by BLM.	Usually No. Except in rare instances to protect and improve management of wilderness resources.
Mining, mineral leasing, including geothermal	Yes, existing operations may continue. No new claims may be filed.	Yes, existing operations may continue. No new claims may be filed.
Special recreation permits	Yes, approved by BLM, and consistent with the intent of the legislation and the NCA Management Plan.	Yes. Special recreation permits are more restrictive in wilderness areas, and may not involve mechanized equipment.
Hunting and fishing	Yes. Hunting and fishing are allowed according to state regulations.	Yes. Hunting and fishing are allowed according to state regulations.
Rockhounding and similar non-commercial collection activities	Yes.	Yes. Activities must be conducted in a manner that preserves the wilderness environment.
Rock climbing	Yes, except in High Rock Canyon.	Yes. No power drills or new fixed anchors.
Hand-held or portable equipment such as metal detectors, Geiger counters, cell phones, radios, camp stoves and global positioning systems	Yes.	Yes.
Wheeled game carriers, chainsaws and other kinds of motorized or mechanized equipment	Yes.	No. Motorized and mechanized equipment is prohibited.
Tent camping and campfires	Yes. Campfires on the playa require fire pan or other protective devices.	Yes. Dead and down fuelwood only. Portable campstove use is encouraged.
Fight wildland fire	Yes.	Yes. Equipment and tactics used must minimize impacts to wilderness values.
Respond to emergencies	Yes.	Yes. Motorized vehicles and equipment may be used for emergencies as approved by authorizing officer.
Control noxious weeds	Yes.	Yes. Methods used will cause least impact to wilderness resources.
Hiking, horseback riding, backpacking, nature study, photography	Yes.	Yes.

Last updated: 02-11-2008