Crowdog
11-07-2002, 05:54 PM
BLM to fence off section outside Kiavah Wilderness
The Bureau of Land Management proposes to construct approximately one mile of fence outside of wilderness and parallel to the Kiavah Wilderness boundary to stop the continuing illegal vehicle incursions into the wilderness area north of Bird Springs Pass.
There is a 30-day public review period for this action, starting from Oct. 23.
The earliest start date for the proposed fence construction would be Nov. 25.
The fence will be composed of wood braces, T-posts, and three to four strands of smooth and barbed wire.
The barbed wire will be necessary to protect the fence from damage from cows, as the proposed fence lies within an active grazing allotment.
Vehicle routes crossing the fence line into wilderness will be signed as closed and marked with reflective panels to warn the motoring public.
These routes will also be restored by hand crews, using standard minimum tool Student Conservation Association techniques of pitting and vertically mulching to disguise closed routes, decompact soils and encourage seedling recruitment.
Pedestrian-equestrian gates will be constructed across some routes. These routes will be restored only along half of their present width.
Half of the routes will remain open as horse and foot trails to allow access and to encourage non-motorized use of the wilderness area by the public.
This area has been the focus of repeated attempts by the BLM to restore illegal routes, using a variety of techniques that have failed to stop vehicle incursions into wilderness.
It is hoped a long fence will provide the hard barrier needed to enforce compliance and allow restoration efforts to finally succeed.
If you would like a copy of the completed environmental assessment for this action, contact the Ridgecrest Field Office at 300 S. Richmond Road, telephone 384-5400.
The BLM welcomes comments and questions. For further information about this action, contact Marty Dickes, Wilderness Specialist, at 384-5444, or via e-mail at Martha-Dickes@ca.blm.gov.
http://www.ridgecrestca.com/articles/2002/11/03/news/local_news/news06.txt
The Bureau of Land Management proposes to construct approximately one mile of fence outside of wilderness and parallel to the Kiavah Wilderness boundary to stop the continuing illegal vehicle incursions into the wilderness area north of Bird Springs Pass.
There is a 30-day public review period for this action, starting from Oct. 23.
The earliest start date for the proposed fence construction would be Nov. 25.
The fence will be composed of wood braces, T-posts, and three to four strands of smooth and barbed wire.
The barbed wire will be necessary to protect the fence from damage from cows, as the proposed fence lies within an active grazing allotment.
Vehicle routes crossing the fence line into wilderness will be signed as closed and marked with reflective panels to warn the motoring public.
These routes will also be restored by hand crews, using standard minimum tool Student Conservation Association techniques of pitting and vertically mulching to disguise closed routes, decompact soils and encourage seedling recruitment.
Pedestrian-equestrian gates will be constructed across some routes. These routes will be restored only along half of their present width.
Half of the routes will remain open as horse and foot trails to allow access and to encourage non-motorized use of the wilderness area by the public.
This area has been the focus of repeated attempts by the BLM to restore illegal routes, using a variety of techniques that have failed to stop vehicle incursions into wilderness.
It is hoped a long fence will provide the hard barrier needed to enforce compliance and allow restoration efforts to finally succeed.
If you would like a copy of the completed environmental assessment for this action, contact the Ridgecrest Field Office at 300 S. Richmond Road, telephone 384-5400.
The BLM welcomes comments and questions. For further information about this action, contact Marty Dickes, Wilderness Specialist, at 384-5444, or via e-mail at Martha-Dickes@ca.blm.gov.
http://www.ridgecrestca.com/articles/2002/11/03/news/local_news/news06.txt