The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is soliciting public participation in the development of a vehicle access network for the Newberry and Rodman Mountains. BLM has prepared detailed maps and a written report that describe a preliminary access network.

An open house will be held Thursday, March 29, 2001, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the BLM's Barstow Field Office located at 2601 Barstow Road, and BLM staff will be available to discuss the suggested network. The public is invited to "field check" the suggested network and provide their comments to BLM during the 90-day field review.

Development of a vehicle access network will implement a decision reached by the BLM in 1980 when it completed the California Desert Conservation Area Plan. The plan directed BLM to design and designate such a network on public lands throughout the deserts of southern California. This "route designation process" is now being implemented through the new West Mojave Plan, an interagency wildlife conservation plan currently being developed by a consortium of desert cities, counties and agencies. Based upon the public comments received during the 90-day public review, BLM will develop a modified proposed route network, which will be used as the preferred alternative in the West Mojave Plan.

The Newberry-Rodman area is one of 22 regions into which the western Mojave desert has been subdivided for purposes of developing a network of vehicle access routes. When completed, the network will provide recreational and other access to public lands while at the same time protecting sensitive natural and cultural resources.

Subregion reports are not a decision documents, nor does the route network suggested by this report constitute a formal proposal by the BLM. The written report provides an overview of the subregion, its current uses, natural and cultural resources and management goals. It describes the effectiveness of the suggested network in meeting those goals. It is a preliminary assessment prepared to assist staff and public as they cooperatively develop a formal proposal for a route network.

Once a proposed network is developed, it will be discussed at public meetings to be held during the summer of 2001. Following publication of a draft environmental impact statement on the West Mojave Plan late in 2001, additional public hearings will be held. This field review, therefore, is but the first of several opportunities for public involvement in the route designation process.

Comments regarding the proposed Newberry-Rodman route network must be received by no later than Friday, May 18, 2001. Copies of the report and 1:25,000 scale maps are available upon request from BLM. For more information contact the West Mojave Team at (909) 697-5294. BLM California Desert District Office - 6221 Box Springs Blvd, Riverside, California - (909) 697-5220