Temporary Closure in Northeastern Clark County During Trespass Cattle Impoundment
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Las Vegas – Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Southern Nevada District Office and National Park Service (NPS) Lake Mead National Recreation Area will resolve a long-standing cattle trespass in northeast Clark County during an impoundment that starts today.
As BLM and NPS remove cattle that are in trespass on federal lands, temporary closures will be restricted to those geographic areas within the overall closure boundary where closure is necessary to ensure the safety of the public, federal employees, and contractor personnel. Areas temporarily closed to public access will be posted with signs, barricades, if appropriate, and copies of the temporary closure notice. BLM and NPS will also provide daily updated information about the impoundment and closure areas on their websites at http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo/blm_programs/more/trespass_cattle.html and http://www.nps.gov/lake/parknews/2014impoundment.htm
Two options are available for members of the public to express their First Amendment rights: I-15 and Exit 112 for Riverside and State Route 170 and White Rock Road. Only one area will be available at a time; Incident Command staff will determine daily location and it will be posted on BLM and NPS websites.
A media information and interview area will be located at the Intersection of I-15 and Toquap Wash (between mile marker 114 and 115). This location will serve as the primary point for media to conduct in-person interviews during the impoundment operation and temporary closure. Staffed times will be flexible based on media interest and return times of media from observation tours.
Within the closure area, escorted media viewing opportunities will be made available for BLM/NPS credentialed media during the impoundment operation. In order to gain media access during the impound, media representatives must be BLM/NPS credentialed and RSVP by calling (702) 515-5226 the day before they wish to observe so guidelines and logistical details may be provided.
Cattle have been grazing in trespass on public lands in Southern Nevada for more than two decades. The BLM and the NPS have made repeated attempts to resolve this matter administratively and judicially. An impoundment of cattle illegally grazing on public lands is now being conducted as a last resort. The BLM and NPS are working closely with local, state and federal officials to ensure the impoundment occurs in a safe and orderly manner.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.