West Mojave Plan FEIR/S - Desert Managers Group

all of the Rudnick Common Grazing Allotment and the vehicle management boundaryagreement between the BLM and the Rudnick Estate Trust. Motorized vehicle routes of travelwere designated within the ACEC, which includes both designated wilderness and the JawboneCanyon Open Area. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses the ACEC as well.The ACEC was established to manage and protect significant cultural and wildlife valuesof this transition zone between the mountains and the northwestern Mojave Desert. Among thewildlife habitats present are Butterbredt Springs, an important migratory bird stopover site,habitat for the yellow-eared pocket mouse in Kelso Valley, and the raptor and vulture migratorycorridor between the Kern River Valley and the Mojave River. Nearly the entire range of a WestMojave endemic, the Kelso Creek monkeyflower, is located within the ACEC.Juniper Flats (2,528 acres): An ACEC was established for the Juniper Flats CulturalArea in 1980, and a management plan was prepared in 1988. The foothill area south of AppleValley containing springs and riparian habitat in a dense stand of junipers was an importantNative American habitation and special use site. Juniper Flats also provides important habitatfor the San Diego horned lizard and the gray vireo. The Willow fire in 2000 burned over theentire ACEC, leading to a temporary closure of the area until vegetative recovery had begun.Juniper Flats is an important equestrian riding area and provides access to the Deep Creek hotsprings in the San Bernardino National Forest.Last Chance Canyon (5,913 acres): The CDCA Plan designated Last Chance Canyonin the El Paso Mountains as an ACEC in 1980. A Plan Amendment in 1984 adjusted theboundaries to include additional prehistoric sites. This amendment implemented arecommendation of the ACEC management plan, which was completed in 1982. Thearchaeological sites are part of a larger archaeological district placed on the National Register ofHistoric Places in 1971.Manix (2,897 acres): The Manix ACEC, located 20 miles northeast of Barstow alongthe Mojave River, was established in 1990 to protect paleontological and cultural resources.This site contains blowsand habitat for the Mojave fringe-toed lizard. No management plan hasbeen prepared.Mojave Fishhook Cactus (628acres): A CDCA Plan Amendment established theMojave fishhook cactus ACEC in 1984. The ACEC is composed of two separate parcels in theBrisbane Valley. The purpose of the ACEC is to protect the yellow-spined form of the Mojavefishhook cactus. Subsequent studies have shown that this area may be important to the Mohavemonkeyflower as well. A management plan was completed in 1990, which designated motorizedvehicle routes within the ACEC.Rainbow Basin (4,087 acres): This ACEC, established in 1980, lies ten miles north ofBarstow. It includes two campgrounds, a scenic loop drive, hiking trails and an interpretive trail.The area is popular with visitors who come to see the colored geological formations. The ACECprotects two nest sites for the prairie falcon. The ACEC management plan, completed in 1991,addressed both the ACEC and a larger surrounding area where route designation wasaccomplished and recommendations were made for campground and trail improvements andChapter 3 3-6