BLM approves Imperial Hills Transportation Plan

YUMA, Ariz.  – The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Yuma Field Office has finalized the Imperial Hills Travel and Transportation Management Plan Environmental Assessment for BLM-managed public lands in the area around Imperial Dam and Martinez Lake, north of Yuma.

The plan analyzed the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative effects associated with access and transportation route management designations for existing public land access routes on approximately 8,704 acres of BLM-managed land in the planning area. The plan identifies access routes important for vehicle access to support multiple land uses and a variety of motorized and non-motorized recreational activities such as off-highway vehicle riding; hiking; horseback riding; mountain biking; and camping.

“We appreciate the involvement and the patience of our partners and the public in the development of this plan,” said Ray Castro, Field Manager of the Yuma Field Office. “The final plan will guide management of roads, primitive roads and trails to provide access for multiple land uses and conserve important resources, and we look forward to working with user groups, local and county governments, and state agencies to implementing the management plan over the next few years.”

The decision record, maps and supporting documents for this Travel Management Plan are available on the BLM National NEPA Register at:  https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/105249/510

During the public planning process, the BLM identified and evaluated approximately 117 miles of routes using input on access needs and resource values identified in public comments received during public scoping, stakeholder outreach and public meetings during several public comment periods. The plan identifies approximately 66.8 miles of motorized vehicle access routes open to public use and 50.4 miles of routes closed to public use to protect resource values and safety and/or to avoid use conflicts. It also proposes maintenance guidelines to ensure the routes are suitable for the type of access needed and a visitor information and education program to promote awareness of available access, responsible public use and resource protection concerns. In addition, the plan proposes several new access routes to provide public access connections to landlocked public land areas, subject to pre-construction project survey and design and compliance with management requirements.