Las Vegas Bicycling Community Website

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Southern Nevada District Office (SNDO), has developed the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Business Plan and would like the public’s view on the proposed fees/plan.

According to the plan, “The draft business plan demonstrates the functional responsibilities, operational standards and financial picture of Red Rock. Its goal is to provide comprehensive information about Red Rock’s operations and finances. It seeks to clearly analyze where revenue shortfalls exist and to address strategies for addressing these shortfalls. Comments will be accepted on the draft business plan from August 14 to November 16, 2009.”

As you can see, the newly proposed fees in their draft business plan is to charge bicyclists and pedestrians a $3 day fee to access the scenic loop. What’s more interesting is they actually have a line item for accessing the Red Rock Overlook on SR-159!   Wow…they may not charge a fee to visit the overlook on this draft, but it must be something they are thinking of doing in the future.

Why do they want to charge these fees? According to their plan, “The additional revenue will be used to meet project goals in three categories: provide for public enjoyment and visitor experience, enhance recreational opportunities and Red Rock resource protection. The proposed fee increase will cover 100 percent of these costs.

Projects that would be accomplished with the additional funding include: maintenaince for the 13-Mile Scenic Drive, parking lots, new and original visitor centers and Mojave Discovery Center; road signs and informational kiosks, treatment of dirt roads, law enforcement patrols, expanded visitor service hours, rehabilitate present high-use recreation areas, add recreational vehicle dumping station at the campground, rehabilitate Oliver Ranch area to remove public safety hazards and enable public use, plan and develop Ash Springs area, complete a comprehensive trail plan, include graffiti removal program, restore plant productivity on disturbed areas, eradicate non-native species with an emphasis on tamarisk removal, create and implement a comprehensive cultural Resource Management Plan, protect and rehabilitate Garland in-holding.”

Send in your comments and let the BLM know how you feel about the new fees.
You need to send your comments to the BLM and let them know what you think.  They are asking for our public comments in the form of mail, email & fax letters.  Here’s how you should submit your comments if you are interested:

You may submit your comments in writing in the following ways:

• Mail or hand-deliver comments to:

BLM Southern Nevada District Office
Attn: Mark Tanaka-Sanders
4701 North Torrey Pines
Las Vegas, Nevada 89130

• Submit comments via email to redrockbp@blm.gov

Remember, they are only accepting public comments until November 16th, 2009.  So if you want to address your concern for the newly proposed fees in this draft business plan, now is the time to do it!

Read the entire Red Rock Canyon Business Plan on the BLM Website here:
http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.html

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo/blm_programs/blm_special_areas/red_rock_canyon_business.html