West Mojave Vehicle Access Update

BLM - Barstow, CA: 27 July 2000

Over the past few weeks, the BLM Office in Barstow, CA has been preparing detailed 1:24,000 scale maps of the proposed public lands vehicle access network suggested by BLM staff, together with write-ups which explain the reasons underlying the staff's suggested network. BLM has stated these maps and write-ups would be available for a 90-day field check, during which the public would have an opportunity to submit thoughts and comments.

The first sets of maps and write-ups, including those covering BLM-administered lands within the El Paso Mountains, are nearing completion.  The BLM goal is to kick off the field check by holding workshops shortly after Labor Day. This means that the field review would take place during the fall.  The proposed network could then be changed to reflect reasonable comments.

This is only the first phase of the public scoping process for this effort. Additional public meetings will be held just prior to the writing of the Draft EIS/R for the West Mojave Plan, and during next year's 90-day public review of the draft EIS/R. Only after the final EIS/R is completed late next year will a decision be made regarding the network. BLM believes that they have a network that balances Congress's mandates both to preserve and conserve public lands, and to provide for the public's right to use and access those lands.

BLM has received a number of suggestions from the public, including offers by two agencies to help print maps, and a suggestion that a copy of the maps be made available at Jawbone. If you have any other suggestions to make this a profitable review, please don't hesitate to send them to Bill Haigh, Project Manager, BLM - Barstow.