< All Press Releases

LAS VEGAS — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Southern Nevada District announces the availability of a draft environmental assessment to address potential environmental consequences associated with a proposal by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to construct a multi-use trail in sections of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (RRCNCA). The proposed trail would start from the intersection of Charleston Boulevard and Sky Vista Drive in Summerlin and ending at the RRCNCA fee station approximately 5.5 miles to the southwest in Clark County, Nevada.

The FHWA is proposing to build a paved recreational trail through undeveloped land across the RRCNCA. The trail will provide pedestrians new and safe opportunities to enjoy the countryside away from the noise and safety hazards of a heavily traveled section of Nevada State Route 159 (SR 159). The trail will be designed for multiple uses including walking/jogging, bicycling and rollerblading. It will conform to Americans with Disabilities Act design standards for accessibility.

Prior to construction, the FHWA must conduct a geotechnical investigation along the proposed trail alignment to aid in their design. The FHWA’s preliminary geotechnical survey requires track-mounted drill rigs to traverse the proposed trail alignments and bore up to 25 holes at various locations to extract soil samples. If approved, this field investigation will inform the design team of the most suitable alignment options and appropriate construction techniques for the trail. The draft environmental assessment analyzes the environmental effects of this preliminary investigation.  It will be available for public review and comment for a period of 30 days.

Currently there are no approved trails between Summerlin and the RRCNCA Scenic Drive, which encourages pedestrians to travel along the shoulders of SR 159.  Heavy vehicular traffic creates health and safety concerns for these people. This geotechnical survey enables the design of a new trail for multiple forms of recreational use away from the highway, providing the public a healthier and safer recreational environment.

Maps and information on the proposed project are available at the project ePlanning web page at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2001497/510. Questions about the project can be emailed to BLM_NV_LV_RedRock_TrailsDesign@blm.gov to be answered by BLM and FHWA staff.

A 30-day public comment period on the draft environmental assessment is March 12, 2021 through April 12, 2021. The public is encouraged to review the EA, located at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2001497/510, and provide substantive comments or concerns prior to 4:30 p.m. PST on April 12, 2021. All comments received will be fully considered and evaluated for preparation of the final EA.

Comments and concerns may be submitted by emailing to BLM_NV_LV_RedRock_TrailsDesign@blm.gov or sent in writing to the BLM Red Rock/Sloan Field Office, ATTN: FLAP Geotech EA, 4701 N. Torrey Pines, Las Vegas, NV 89130. Hardcopies of the environmental assessment are available upon request from the BLM Southern Nevada District Office.

Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be publicly available at any time. While you can ask that your personal identifying information be withheld from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Anonymity is not allowed for submissions from organizations or businesses and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses.