Trail restrictions implemented at Sand Mountain by BLM

The Bureau of Land Management has implemented route restrictions at the Sand Mountain Recreation Area in conjunction with the Sand Mountain Conservation Plan adopted last year by various government agencies and user groups.

"Nothing is being closed," said Desna Young, planning and environmental coordinator at the BLM's Carson City office. "We're just implementing the conservation strategy. We will be indicating where it's permissible to ride."

A press released issued Monday states the main sand dunes, where 95 percent of vehicle use occurs, will remain open for travel. The restricted routes are located near the vegetated portions of the dune system.

Maps detailing the restricted routes will be posted at a bulletin board located near the restrooms at Sand Mountain, "unless they've been ripped off," Young said. Copies are also available at the BLM offices in Carson City and Reno, but haven't been produced for the public yet.

Young said nearly 2,000 people trekked to Sand Mountain this past weekend. Park rangers, who can act as law enforcement officers, were on site. But that's not the case every weekend.

"We don't man that (site) every weekend," Young said. "It's hit or miss."

She said the bureau won't consider just the upcoming Easter weekend, but will look at the weekend before and the weekend following as spring break weekends, which differ in California and Nevada communities. The Carson BLM office will decide later how to man those busy weekends.

The trail restrictions will remain in effect until the Resource Management Plan is updated, or until the field office manager determines restrictions are no longer needed. Young said the management plan considers the entire region, encompassing Churchill, Lyon, Storey, Washoe, Mineral, Nye, Carson and Douglas counties in Nevada and Alpine and Lassen counties in California.

Young said all areas under the BLM's jurisdiction go through a planning process to replace plans 25 to 30 years old. She said it's a lengthy process, usually taking three to five years, utilizing field studies and public input.