Preliminary Proposed Action Announced for Little Ash Springs

LCR file photo
The BLM released the long-awaited preliminary environmental assessment for Little Ash Springs. The document includes a proposed action to offer land and water-based recreation uses at the site. An open house is scheduled for Aug. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at PVHS.

The Bureau of Land Management Ely District, Caliente Field Office, is asking the public to review and provide comment on a preliminary environmental assessment for managing the Little Ash Springs Recreation Site seven miles north of Alamo. The 30-day public comment period concludes Monday, Aug. 20, 2018.

The EA includes a proposed action to offer land and water-based recreation uses at the site. Land-based recreation include “a four-acre expansion to public lands north of the established recreation site for parking, day-use area, restrooms, picnic areas, shade structures, walkways, and informational kiosks,” the document states.

Water-based recreation includes “repairs to, or reconstruction of, the damaged man-made soaker pool. Soaking in the man-made structure would be allowed subject to supplemental rules as needed to protect public safety, water quality, and sensitive resources.”

However, “the natural riparian area would be fenced to protect sensitive aquatic habitat” and “the BLM would implement a water quality monitoring program to ensure compliance with Nevada water quality standards.”

The Caliente Field Office will host an open house on the preliminary EA from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, in the Pahranagat Valley High School multipurpose room, 151 S. Main St., in Alamo.

The preliminary EA addresses visitor usage and public safety; endangered and sensitive species habitat; water quality; and compliance with existing local, state, and federal laws on the 1.18-acre BLM-administered site. The preliminary EA is available online at https://go.usa.gov/xUXY3.

Interested individuals should address all written comments to the BLM Caliente Field Office, P.O. Box 237, Caliente, NV 89008, Attn: 2018 Ash Springs. Comments may also be submitted electronically with the subject, “ATTN: Ash Springs” to blm_nv_ash_springs@blm.gov.