BLM Balances Access with Need to Protect Area Burned in 2015 Fire
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BOISE, ID – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is temporarily limiting motorized use of one mile of road on public lands in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA), located approximately five miles northeast of Murphy, Idaho, to allow protective vegetative cover to re-establish on lands burned in the 2015 Celebration Fire. The road remains open to non-motorized use.
“Remaining plants need time to recover from the effects of the fire,” said BLM Four Rivers Field Manager Tate Fischer. “Keeping motorized vehicles off the road will aid their natural recovery and ensure the long-term viability of important wildlife habitat.”
Signs will be posted in the affected roadway, and a map of the area is also available at the BLM’s Boise District Office located at 3948 S. Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705, and at the Owyhee Field Office, 20 First Ave. West, Marsing, ID 83639.
Contractors hired by the BLM to work in the area; search and rescue personnel; Federal, State, or local officials and employees in the performance of their official duties; and persons with written authorization from the BLM may still use the road. The Owyhee County sheriff and BLM law enforcement will monitor compliance in the area.
The limit on motorized use will remain in effect until vegetation has sufficiently recovered, up to 24 months from today.
The Celebration Fire burned 6,900 acres on June 6 to 9, 2015, near Murphy, south of the Snake River.
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.