Thanks Bob, for the link, which I added below. That explains it a little more. The first post was a little misleading. When I read it, I was under the impression that only 94 miles of trails would be open and the rest would be closed. Instead, there is approximately 812 miles open and 94 miles closed. BIG difference!! Still sad to see us lose more trails though.
BLM Nevada News
LAS VEGAS FIELD OFFICE NO. 08-12
FOR RELEASE: July 31, 2008
CONTACT: Kirsten Cannon, 702-515-5057
BLM to Limit Motorized Use in 11 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern in Northeast Clark County
Las Vegas – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced that it will limit motorized use to designated routes on approximately 553,000 acres in 11 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) on BLM-managed public lands in the Northeast portion of Clark County.
Of the 906 miles of identified routes,
approximately 812 miles will be designated as open and
94 miles will be designated as closed to motorized use. Approximately 10 percent of identified routes will be impacted. Routes will be monitored over time to determine if future changes to the designated routes need to be made and the BLM will involve the public in monitoring efforts.
Due to population growth in the Las Vegas Valley and surrounding communities and the growing popularity of off-highway and all-terrain vehicles, proliferation of new routes within the ACECs has increased. As a result of increased road proliferation, habitat for sensitive and endangered plant and animal species is being fragmented, historic and prehistoric cultural resource sites are being destroyed and noxious and invasive weeds are being spread throughout these areas.
The decision will allow responsible motorized vehicle use within these areas, while protecting critical habitat for the threatened desert tortoise, fragile cultural resources and other resource values. The decision for route designations in the ACECs is supported in the Las Vegas Resource Management Plan, the Desert Tortoise Recovery Plan and the Clark County Multiple Species Habitat Management Plan.
The public has until August 31, 2008 to appeal this decision to the Interior Board of Land Appeals, Office of the Secretary, in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations 43 CFR, part 4.
Additional information can be found at
http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.html-BLM-