LAS VEGAS BLM range management plan revisions

[snoreracer]

The Las Vegas RMP revision is starting back up again . Please send in comments, Like I would like to see more open areas in the Las Vegas district for OHV use. This RMP plan will decide where and when racing is going to happen and govern OHV use for the next 30 years in the Las Vegas area.


John Asselin (702) 515-5046; jasselin@blm.gov
Public input requested for Revised Draft Resource Management Plan LAS VEGAS – The Bureau of Land Management requests public input for a Revised Draft Southern Nevada District Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement. The BLM has determined that a Revised Draft RMP/EIS should be developed and an opportunity for public input is needed to gather additional information on the areas of renewable energy, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, lands with wilderness characteristics, land tenure adjustments (land disposals), Gold Butte National Monument, and socio-economics.
Opportunity to provide input is offered from now until February 2, 2018. During this period, the BLM will conduct public meetings to present information and provide for the opportunity for public input. The Revised Draft RMP/EIS will incorporate substantive comments received from the initial Draft RMP/EIS and information received from the public input period and meetings. Public meetings are scheduled as follows:

January 9, 2018 – Old Overton Gym, 179 S Andersen St, Overton, Nevada 89040
January 10, 2018 – Mesquite City Council Chambers, 10 E Mesquite Blvd, Mesquite, Nevada 89027 ,
January 11, 2018 – Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino, 4949 N Rancho Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130
, January 16, 2018 – Pahrump Nugget Hotel and Casino, 681 S Hwy 160, Pahrump, Nevada 89048
January 17, 2018 – Heritage Park Senior Facility, 300 S. Racetrack Road, Henderson, Nevada 89015
January 18, 2018 – Searchlight Community Center, 200 Michael Wendell Way, Searchlight, Nevada 89046

The public information meetings will be held from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. on the day of each scheduled meeting. The meetings will begin with an open house format where participants can ask questions and visit various resource stations, with formal presentations at 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. The public will be able to verbally provide information beginning at 7 p.m. with a three-minute time limit. Court reporters will be available to record verbally-provided information. In addition to the public meetings, through one of the methods listed below: • E-mail: sndo_rmp_revision@blm.gov • Fax: (702) 515-5023 • Mail: BLM Southern Nevada District Office, Southern Nevada District RMP Revision, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130 Updated information on the Revised Draft RMP will be available at Nevada - Las Vegas FO - RMP Revision for the Las Vegas and Pahrump field offices. In 2008, the BLM initiated a revision to the 1998 Las Vegas Resource Management Plan (RMP). A Draft RMP/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was released for public review in October 2014. Following the public comment period, work began on development of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS. While working on the Proposed RMP/Final EIS, new information gathered in response to public comments and concerns from cooperating agencies, as well as rapidly changing issues, contributed to a pause in development and initiated a BLM internal review in July 2016. As a result of the BLM internal review, the BLM determined that Revised Draft RMP/EIS should be developed.

 

[Vegasphotoman]

WOW Im kinda blown away no one has chimed in that they're going to attend...this is likely one of THE most important things to come up in years regarding land use! in one swipe of a pen the BLM can shut all this sh%t down....

Ill be attending the Pahrump meeting Jan 16th THANKS OP...SnoreRacer

I Highly recommend anyone that has the time PLEASE do attend one of these meetings and state your input to the BLM, we need to be vocal regarding OHV uses and the BLM.... they're (BLM) already armed to the teeth and wear bullet proof vests, react to people like threats....since the Bundy/Rory Reid debacle... (Harry Reids son)
I recent called Vegas area BLM regarding a possible meth lab trailer & a creeper van abandoned out in the desert near my home in Pahrump (southside trail system area..near the chicken ranch brothels on Homestead Rd) the BLM ranger (a female) was extremely wary! and I was the caller...and she met me at my home (front driveway) amazing...how much things have changed, not necessarily for the better!
She showed up armed to the teeth and ready for war....

remember BLM is NATIONAL....not just regional....(but mostly out west here) so bring up anything for any locale...in USA

most of their concerns are "Endangered" species and habitat concerns......

I don't know about you....but when I run through the desert...I always have a 30 gallon trash bag in my tool kit....when I run across an area where "partying" or something like littering has occurred...I stop....take a pic...clean it up best I can...and pack out the trash.... if I can find any papers among the trash with a name or address....I may even take the trash to the address and talk with the people about the situation.

I may sound a little psycho....('Im not) but I'm very protective about MY DESERT....this is MY DESERT..... visitors and partiers don't get to trash it as far as I am concerned...I might sound like a nazi but I don't care.....trashing the pretty mojave desert is NOT COOL what so ever

I've lived in southern NV for 30 years...seen what the BLM has done in regards to wild horse and burro populations...REMOVED...DELETED....now it's 100 miles out of Vegas before I see a wild horse...in the past, I would see wild horse herds @ Red Rock canyon or Goodsprings NV south of Vegas etc....what a sight! --->now GONE!....

The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers more than 247.3 million acres of public lands in the United States which constitutes one-eighth of the landmass of the country

 

[vegasloki]

Before you go make sure you read the draft RMP at Nevada - Las Vegas FO - RMP Revision for the Las Vegas and Pahrump field offices - Draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement The main page was linked above but you have to click through some things to find it. This is your chance to go and be heard. Be informed though. If you sound like a cable news host or mouth breathing RDC poster and rant about OHV use your statements won't help.

Check out Appendix F in the report for info on recreational areas including OHV. From what I see OHV is in pretty much the same general areas as now though the final implementation decisions (in gov speak RAMPS) haven't been issued. In that appendix you can see specific areas listed and the general plans as well as a map.

This map gives a set of alternatives for proposed OHV use.
https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front...35/55233/Off_Highway_Vehicle_Designations.pdf

Alternative 1 is the current use. Alternative 3 is the BLM proposal. The alternatives primarily change the balance between riding on any existing road, trail or wash to be able to ride on any designated route. What I take that to say is that in many areas you won't need to be confined to an existing road, trail, wash but the total area will be expanded to allow travel on designated areas set aside to use for OHV. Potentially that means that some existing trails or washes may disallow OHV but the area that could potentially be used is greater than it is now. It's difficult to say without knowing how many and where the trails are or designated areas are.

Is Jean/Roach West open to racing now? In the docs it states a plan to allow racing on designated routes with rally racing specifically mentioned.

 

[Ol' Curmudgeon]

Restricting travel to "designated routes" has not opened any land that I'm aware of in the history of BLM Travel Management Plans.

Many historical and heavily used routes have been closed by this process.

IMHO, the plan is already a done deal by the time the bureaucracy calls for public input.

Lawsuits have had effects, but CBD is most often the prevailing party.

Please disabuse me of my cynicism with factual rebuttal, if you can.

 

[GBRACER]

I sent an e mail because I live 1200 miles away, hope things go well
I did notice one thing while attending the Rage a couple weeks back, when there is an organized event things are clamped down tight as far as axcess it was pretty pathetic no body was even allowed to stand in some area's.
When pre running the track I did notice several area's up behind the school that there were old cars dumped garbage dumped and trails going everywhere, seems like on any normal day the desert is open to do what you like, and ( fuk it up) is it a bit two faced
The amaount of trash left behind by several hundred if not thousand racers and spectators was almost nil, it's like the racers are being blamed for the general publics misuse of lands.

 

[snoreracer]

WOW Im kinda blown away no one has chimed in that they're going to attend...this is likely one of THE most important things to come up in years regarding land use! in one swipe of a pen the BLM can shut all this sh%t down....

Ill be attending the Pahrump meeting Jan 16th THANKS OP...SnoreRacer

I Highly recommend anyone that has the time PLEASE do attend one of these meetings and state your input to the BLM, we need to be vocal regarding OHV uses and the BLM.... they're (BLM) already armed to the teeth and wear bullet proof vests, react to people like threats....since the Bundy/Rory Reid debacle... (Harry Reids son)
I recent called Vegas area BLM regarding a possible meth lab trailer & a creeper van abandoned out in the desert near my home in Pahrump (southside trail system area..near the chicken ranch brothels on Homestead Rd) the BLM ranger (a female) was extremely wary! and I was the caller...and she met me at my home (front driveway) amazing...how much things have changed, not necessarily for the better!
She showed up armed to the teeth and ready for war....

remember BLM is NATIONAL....not just regional....(but mostly out west here) so bring up anything for any locale...in USA

most of their concerns are "Endangered" species and habitat concerns......

I don't know about you....but when I run through the desert...I always have a 30 gallon trash bag in my tool kit....when I run across an area where "partying" or something like littering has occurred...I stop....take a pic...clean it up best I can...and pack out the trash.... if I can find any papers among the trash with a name or address....I may even take the trash to the address and talk with the people about the situation.

I may sound a little psycho....('Im not) but I'm very protective about MY DESERT....this is MY DESERT..... visitors and partiers don't get to trash it as far as I am concerned...I might sound like a nazi but I don't care.....trashing the pretty mojave desert is NOT COOL what so ever

I've lived in southern NV for 30 years...seen what the BLM has done in regards to wild horse and burro populations...REMOVED...DELETED....now it's 100 miles out of Vegas before I see a wild horse...in the past, I would see wild horse herds @ Red Rock canyon or Goodsprings NV south of Vegas etc....what a sight! --->now GONE!....

The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers more than 247.3 million acres of public lands in the United States which constitutes one-eighth of the landmass of the country

Funny thing is racers will not show up and 5 years from now they will say " why don't we race at plaster city, Red mountains , boulder city , the north mint track, fill in the blank _______ anymore. Plan 3 was some very questionable (ACECs) area critical environmental concern that close areas that have been raced and are being raced. I have worked with the BLM for 30 years and when the old guys started retiring 25 years ago they told me " apply for anything you want to run before I retire because the new guys want no desert racing on BLM land " . At the time I was thinking disgruntled government employee but there is truth to his statement. I would like to invite everyone to show up jan 10 at the public meeting , I will have a free race shirt for the 1st 250 that show up . They say Public lands for all the public and the public wants plan 1. And on the other side a race car. Hope to see 300 Off road enthusiasts at this meeting and we will make the news like the last RMP meeting

 

[snoreracer]

Subject: NEVADA - Federal Plan Threatens OHV Access In Nevada Desert

Join and Support The Fight To Protect OHV Use Today!

NEVADA - Federal Plan Threatens OHV Access In Nevada Desert





Important Sand Wash Trail at Risk for Closure.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Las Vegas area is currently fronting a draft plan that could eliminate or greatly restrict both casual and event-based OHV recreation on approximately 3 million areas in Southern Nevada. The draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) creates an unjustified risk that might preclude "dry washes" from being designated as OHV routes.

The elimination of dry or sand washes from subsequent project level travel management plans could functionally close the desert if they are not capable of being designated as routes, because motorized travel would be "limited to designated roads and trails."

As OHVers know, washes are often the historic backbone of any desert-based route network. Washes can either function as a trail or trails traverse them.

BRC's Don Amador spent February 17-21 touring popular OHV recreation sites with representatives from the Southern Nevada Off-road Enthusiasts (SNORE), Motorcycle Racing Association of Nevada (MRAN), American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), and Partners in Conservation (PIC). BRC and partners also attended a meeting convened by Clark County Commissioner Tim Collins' office, where the BLM was an invitee as well.

BRC and OHV groups are not the only users concerned about the clear and present danger that is casting a dark shadow over the future of motorized access in Southern Nevada. Off-road champions and business leaders are also weighing on this important issue.

Adam M. Bosch, President of MGI/Mid America Underground, LLC, states,"The high risk currently threatening motorized recreation in Southern Nevada should be a clarion call to action for all of us who enjoy OHV recreation on public lands. We all remember the thousands of miles of roads and trails that were closed by the U.S. Forest Service during their travel management process."

"We can't let the same thing happen to desert-based OHV use as the BLM starts its sister version of FS travel management. Now is the time for powersports enthusiasts to gird for the fight by joining BRC's effort to preserve and protect managed OHV recreation in the deserts of Nevada," Bosch concludes.

JOIN BRC TODAY
YOUR MEMBERSHIP GIVES US A STRONGER VOICE

Jimmy Lewis, ISDE Gold Medalist and Dakar Champion states, "I moved from California to Nevada to get away from land closures and now the BLM is looking to shut us out of most if not all of my favorite riding trails. It's time to stand up and fight back. Please send in a comment letter today!"

BRC has prepared an easy to use action alert where you can select issues that are important to you and then send those comments to the BLM at the Las Vegas Field Office before the March 9, 2015 public comment period deadline.

DONATE $25, $50,$100, $500, or $1,000
TO THE “SOUTHERN NEVADA OHV DEFENSE FUND”

GO TO THE
BRC LETTER GENERATOR

 

[snoreracer]

Casey , on the left at the Last BLM RMP meeting . This was a meeting that 200 off roaders showed up and made a statement , the BLM cancelled the next meeting

 

[snoreracer]

Lots of good info in this BLM las vegas new rules

 

[Team Todo En]

Thanks for posting snoreracer. This thread should be over in the Save the Desert forum as well. That's where I usually look for this kind of info.
It's important we voice our opinion. Those who want the entire desert closed certainly are.

 

[green787]

Where is the deregulation Trump promised???

 

[vegasloki]

Restricting travel to "designated routes" has not opened any land that I'm aware of in the history of BLM Travel Management Plans.

Many historical and heavily used routes have been closed by this process.

IMHO, the plan is already a done deal by the time the bureaucracy calls for public input.

Lawsuits have had effects, but CBD is most often the prevailing party.

Please disabuse me of my cynicism with factual rebuttal, if you can.

Under the current plan the routes are restricted in all but the dunes and dry lake areas. Except for the beetle habitat at NV Dunes all those stay the same. It's misleading to suggest otherwise. The current restrictions are for existing roads (which a plated vehicle would be allowed regardless) trails (which could be closed at any time under current regs) or an existing wash. A wash is the most open of all the trails as there are plenty out there. As stated in the BRC post it's the washes that stand the chance of the most restriction. Particularly if they aren't replaced by other trails.

While there are changes a sky is falling approach isn't reasonable. Under the regs they will be compelled, by statute to open trails for OHV use. The state or others with standing can challenge if they don't. While technically it's not a "done deal", this is how the BLM wish to proceed. At this point I think the best we can do is guide this in a way that benefits all off road users, not just racers. I think you're right in the sense it's not going to significantly change.

The best hand you can play here is not the Cliven Bundy hand, but the proactive measure of making sure trails get open, specifically more trails as more areas are open and preserving current trails and washes. Be ready to ask about timetables. Plans for opening trails. Plans for turning existing washes into trails. Plans for trails in the newly open areas. Plans for new areas open to racing. Changes to the permitting process for allowing events, racing or otherwise. Keep a full court press on getting new trails open in both existing and new areas.

I'd like to see Clark County buy the areas at state line and turn them into county OHV parks. I think that adding that as a tourist component would add to the variety of things to do in the area. The county has the funds but there's been no movement in that area. I'd like to see the same happen in Nye County but they're not near as well off. They simply don't have the means.

 

[vegasloki]

Where is the deregulation Trump promised???

It's there. In spades to the tune of over 1000. Unless you are a commercial entity you aren't going to see any benefit. Think rescinding Bear's Ears or Gold Butte is about public use? It's about using the land in a commercial manner. Those that think the administration is about and for the little guy have been conned.

 

[snoreracer]

Here is a overlay of proposed ACECs in the Jean area in black on to of this years midnight special in red . These ACECs would eliminate miles of track and make it imposible to have a track over 40 miles in the area.

 

[R. Gross]

Kenny,
Thanks for staying on top of this. I cannot make the 10th in Mesquite, but I will be coming to the meeting on the 11th at Santa Fe.

 

[Vegasphotoman]

I sent an e mail because I live 1200 miles away, hope things go well
I did notice one thing while attending the Rage a couple weeks back, when there is an organized event things are clamped down tight as far as axcess it was pretty pathetic no body was even allowed to stand in some area's.
When pre running the track I did notice several area's up behind the school that there were old cars dumped garbage dumped and trails going everywhere, seems like on any normal day the desert is open to do what you like, and ( fuk it up) is it a bit two faced
The amaount of trash left behind by several hundred if not thousand racers and spectators was almost nil, it's like the racers are being blamed for the general publics misuse of lands.

Thanks GBracer, SnoreRacer and Vegasloki....great info! and I agree...the spectators @ the races aren't the litterers... its the lazy ones that cant make the effort to take their junk to the dump, quite a shame! not much we can do about those lazy a$$es......except do local cleanups once a year etc...

wash closures.....that would be the worst as far as I'm concerned....I personally LOVE washes....funnest to explore, swerving alot....blind corners...interesting geography....

the crazy thing, is NONE of these trails should be closed....once trail are established, in some areas at-least...it is literally 100+ years before existence of that trail is gone.....so closing it up....doesn't really do diddily...

as far as OHV Park / Parks....that is a grand idea! AZ has loads of em.... and the BLM can pretty much give land away to entities for $1...such as for schools....so why not to NYE or CLARK county for a designated OHV park?

JEAN area sees SOME OHV traffic...but in my guess mostly the MINT track or Henderson 250 race etc... either way the area needs to remain open....the UTV and off roading is growing @ a massive rate...and Vegas is going balls to the walls as far as building...so its fair to say OHV and jeeping etc...will do nothing but grow and grow

Off roading is a multi million dollar thing for Las Vegas and Nevada.... it needs to have open desert to keep the market open and prosperous.

Im going to try and rally people for the Pahrump meeting in Jan....May do a sign on 160 fwy letting people know about the meeting...., will see if I can get the local papers or the local news to do a piece about the meeting

as Im sure there will be slim to no local notice of this meeting which Im sure the BLM would LOVE (no one showing up)


I luckily have some time so Ill be reading up on all the info you guys posted....try to be knowledgeable as possible

 

[snoreracer]

Thanks GBracer, SnoreRacer and Vegasloki....great info! and I agree...the spectators @ the races aren't the litterers... its the lazy ones that cant make the effort to take their junk to the dump, quite a shame! not much we can do about those lazy a$$es......except do local cleanups once a year etc...

wash closures.....that would be the worst as far as I'm concerned....I personally LOVE washes....funnest to explore, swerving alot....blind corners...interesting geography....

the crazy thing, is NONE of these trails should be closed....once trail are established, in some areas at-least...it is literally 100+ years before existence of that trail is gone.....so closing it up....doesn't really do diddily...

as far as OHV Park / Parks....that is a grand idea! AZ has loads of em.... and the BLM can pretty much give land away to entities for $1...such as for schools....so why not to NYE or CLARK county for a designated OHV park?

JEAN area sees SOME OHV traffic...but in my guess mostly the MINT track or Henderson 250 race etc... either way the area needs to remain open....the UTV and off roading is growing @ a massive rate...and Vegas is going balls to the walls as far as building...so its fair to say OHV and jeeping etc...will do nothing but grow and grow

Off roading is a multi million dollar thing for Las Vegas and Nevada.... it needs to have open desert to keep the market open and prosperous.

Im going to try and rally people for the Pahrump meeting in Jan....May do a sign on 160 fwy letting people know about the meeting...., will see if I can get the local papers or the local news to do a piece about the meeting

as Im sure there will be slim to no local notice of this meeting which Im sure the BLM would LOVE (no one showing up)


I luckily have some time so Ill be reading up on all the info you guys posted....try to be knowledgeable as possible

The issue with Clark county getting any land is they don't like OHVs, just look at their track record. Jean airport turned over to the county 7 years ago and once they took ownership the land was closed up even though nothing has happened on the land. The county leased the boulder city land and even though it was set up for BLM permitted events has closed it to racing by the county. The county took over the land north of the AVI in Laughlin and will not allow any racing. The county will not approve a dust permit for racing in Clark county.

 

[vegasloki]

The airport in Jean was purchased by the county for the airport expansion. And they'll be buying more down there from the BLM. It was on track until the crash then delayed. It will happen, probably in the next few years. We've only got another 4-5 years before we max out McCarren if the growth rate continues. The additional airport is happening and that's where it will be. The convention center expansion has started, the new stadium will bring more events (and increase the size/impact of the events that are out at Boyd right now) and on the Strip we've ramping up entertainment and special events. Anything that can put butts in beds has leverage.

Have you guys gone before the county and presented an economic impact? Has there ever been an impact report generated? Right now the marketing is moving to emphasize experiences and entertainment as well as a gigantic push in meetings and conventions. If you can tie recreational tourism into OHV and show there's tourism money in it you won't have a problem selling the idea that OHV is good for southern Nevada.

 

[Vegasphotoman]

The airport in Jean was purchased by the county for the airport expansion. And they'll be buying more down there from the BLM. It was on track until the crash then delayed. It will happen, probably in the next few years. We've only got another 4-5 years before we max out McCarren if the growth rate continues. The additional airport is happening and that's where it will be. The convention center expansion has started, the new stadium will bring more events (and increase the size/impact of the events that are out at Boyd right now) and on the Strip we've ramping up entertainment and special events. Anything that can put butts in beds has leverage.

Have you guys gone before the county and presented an economic impact? Has there ever been an impact report generated? Right now the marketing is moving to emphasize experiences and entertainment as well as a gigantic push in meetings and conventions. If you can tie recreational tourism into OHV and show there's tourism money in it you won't have a problem selling the idea that OHV is good for southern Nevada.

yup! ALL ABOUT DA money!.....

I work on the strip almost every day.....sunbuggy and pink jeep are about the only options for OHV experiences that I know of ...or at-least that are doing ok and making a few bucks... then you have VORE in hendertucky... $$$$ but AWESOME!

there's a couple small rental joints up in Logandale trails (including sunbuggy)....that rent rzrs and such...
there's just alot of hoops to jump through to get things rollin...on OHV experiences for toursits...etc and it takes big bux...
need vehicles....vans....marketing, employees...etc....insurance etc etc

my European clients would love the whole off roading experience......they dont have ANYTHING... like that in Europe.... right now the closest thing to an OHV park we have is Nellis Dunes..... that's near to Vegas / tourism close by.... freaking house builders are swamping the valley with a trillion homes filling every crevice and using up water that doesnt exist..... (large stacks of cash in brown paper envelopes passed below the table @ a lunch meeting....go a long way apparently!)

 

[snoreracer]

yup! ALL ABOUT DA money!.....

I work on the strip almost every day.....sunbuggy and pink jeep are about the only options for OHV experiences that I know of ...or at-least that are doing ok and making a few bucks... then you have VORE in hendertucky... $$$$ but AWESOME!

there's a couple small rental joints up in Logandale trails (including sunbuggy)....that rent rzrs and such...
there's just alot of hoops to jump through to get things rollin...on OHV experiences for toursits...etc and it takes big bux...
need vehicles....vans....marketing, employees...etc....insurance etc etc

my European clients would love the whole off roading experience......they dont have ANYTHING... like that in Europe.... right now the closest thing to an OHV park we have is Nellis Dunes..... that's near to Vegas / tourism close by.... freaking house builders are swamping the valley with a trillion homes filling every crevice and using up water that doesnt exist..... (large stacks of cash in brown paper envelopes passed below the table @ a lunch meeting....go a long way apparently!)

Economic impact for rural Clark county is no issue for off road racing as it generates 6 to 9 million for a race . Take that to Las Vegas and it does not add up to the money that comes in from most conventions . Just look at past desert races to this day the largest single day sporting event is the 1985 mint 400 and for 12 years the busiest road in Nevada was I-15 and Sahara Friday mint 400 tech. But did that stop the county from jumping in and telling the BLM not to restrict the race , no it didn't and in fact half on the casinos downtown n the 80's really didn't want the mint 400 on Fremont st they said it made it hard for the gamblers to park.