BLM announces temporary closure of Virgin River Corridor for invasive fish treatment
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ST. GEORGE, Utah — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona Strip Field Office announces the temporary closure of the Virgin River corridor from June 16 through July 3 each year in 2021 and 2022. Notice of the temporary, short-term closure was published in the Federal Register on April 19, 2021.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department requested the temporary closure of this 15-mile stretch of public land along the Virgin River in Arizona, in order to implement a rotenone treatment to eliminate invasive fish in the river that are threatening two federally listed native fish species (Virgin River chub and woundfin).
This closure will not affect normal public travel along Interstate 15 or the construction work underway along Interstate 15 by Arizona Department of Transportation employees and contractors. Restrictions do not apply to emergency or law enforcement vehicles or those authorized to participate in the treatment effort.
The BLM, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and other authorized staff will post closure signs, notices, and maps at main access points to this area. A map of the closure area and other documents associated with this temporary closure are available at the Arizona Strip Field Office, 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George UT 84790 and at the BLM website https://go.usa.gov/xskCt.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.