BLM Closes Stuart Ranch to Everyone Except Hunters

(Press Release) 05-07-2009

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has closed the Stuart Ranch area on a temporary emergency basis to target shooting, vehicle traffic and camping.

The area is now open to pedestrian day use only.
The closure does not apply to hunting under the laws and regulation of the State of Nevada.

The emergency closure will be in effect up to two years while BLM completes a management plan for the ranch.

The BLM printed the notice of emergency closure in the May 4, 2009 Federal Register.

The closure is necessary to prevent further environmental damage and to ensure public health and safety at the ranch.

Stuart Ranch is a 278-acre property in northern Clark County northeast of Moapa that BLM acquired through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, acquisition of environmentally sensitive land category in Round 5.

BLM purchased the property to protect and restore an extensive riparian corridor along a perennial reach of Meadow Valley Wash and protect significant cultural resources.

The corridor is habitat to several Federally-listed endangered and state listed sensitive plant and animal species.
Closure signs will be posted at main entry points.

Maps of the closure area are available at the BLM Southern Nevada and Ely district offices and are posted on their websites at www.blm.gov/nv.

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