West Mojave Plan FEIR/S - Desert Managers Group

The BLM is an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior with responsibility formanaging more than 264 million surface acres of America's public lands, and also administers700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM accomplishesthis by planning and managing such resources as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing andmineral development, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on thepublic lands. Most of the public lands managed by BLM are located in 12 Western states, whichincludes California. The 25-million-acre California Desert Conservation Area contains over 12million acres of public lands, which BLM manages.3.5.1.2 Executive Order No. 11644In 1971, Presidential Executive Order No. 11644 established the first uniform policiesregarding OHV use on public lands. Each land management agency was directed by this Orderto issue directions as to which trails and areas were open for OHV use and which were not. TheOrder required that OHV use be monitored to assess and minimize associated impacts.3.5.1.3 Federal Regulations (43 CFR 8342.1)The CDCA Plan’s motorized-vehicle access element was amended (1982 PlanAmendment Three, approved May 17, 1983) to conform with 43 CFR 8342.1 which requiresroute approval to be based on the following criteria:• Areas and trails would be located to minimize damage to soil, watershed, vegetation, air,or other resources of the public lands, and to prevent impairment of wildernesssuitability.• Areas and trails would be located to minimize harassment of wildlife or significantdisruption of wildlife habitats. Special attention would be given to protect endangered orthreatened species and their habitats.• Areas and trails would be located to minimize conflicts between off-road vehicle use andother existing or proposed recreational uses of the same or neighboring public lands, andto ensure the compatibility of such uses with existing conditions in populated areas,taking into account noise and other factors.• Areas and trails would not be located in officially designated wilderness areas orprimitive areas.• Areas and trails would be located in natural areas only if the authorized officerdetermines that vehicle use in such locations would not adversely affect their natural,esthetic, scenic, or other values for which such areas are established.3.5.1.4 California Desert Conservation Area PlanSection 601 of FLPMA was included by Congress to give direction about the CaliforniaDesert Conservation Area. In section 601, Congress required the preparation of acomprehensive, long-range plan for the CDCA. The purpose of the CDCA Plan is to establishguidance for the management of the public lands located in the California Desert by BLM inclear accordance with the Congressional intent as stated in the law.Chapter 3 3-265