West Mojave Plan FEIR/S - Desert Managers Group

OPENAREADoveSpringsElMirageJawboneCanyonJohnsonValleySIZEACRESTable 3-53Characteristics of BLM Open AreasVISITS VISITOR PRINCIPALDAYS RECREATIONACTIVITIES3,840 82,000 NotAvailableMotorcycle hill climbing,ATV/Quads, rails; camping,shooting and hunting.25,600 253,374 391,075 Unrestricted OHV recreation.Approximately 50% of theactivity is not classival OHVactivity (i.e. motorcycles,quads, jeeps). The dry lakebedattracts visitors withexperimental vehicles, aircraft,land wind-sailors, etc. Thepredominant OHV activity ismotorcycle use.188,160 NotAvailable60,000 NotAvailableNotAvailablePredominantly dirtbikemotorcycle use engaging in hillclimbing activities, as well asdual sport motorcycle and 4WDtouring/sightseeingUnrestricted OHV recreation.Predominantly dirt bikemotorcycle use, as well as dualsport motorcycle and 4WDtouring/sightseeing. Permittedevents, camping, and dispersedcamping occur in the area.Rasor 22,400 23,702 36,357 Unrestricted OHV recreation.Predominantly dirt bikemotorcycle use, as well as dualsport motorcycle and 4WDtouring/sightseeing. Camping,dispersed camping, andsightseeing occur in the area.SpanglerHills62,080 NotAvailableNotAvailablePredominantly dirtbikemotorcycle use, as well as dualsport motorcycle and 4WDtouring/sightseeing on gentlerolling desert terrain.OHV USE PATTERNSThe entire Dove Springs openarea is used for camping andOHV driving. OHV drivingcenters on riding up and downthe hillsides using all types ofOHVs.Most of the visitor use isconcentrated on and aroundthe dry lakebed. Significantmotorcycle use takes placeaway from the lakebedtowards the mountains to thenorthwest. Visitors generallystay on long-established preexistingroutes. Permittedevents, sightseeing, camping,and dispersed camping occursin the area.Camping areas are oncentratedalong three miles of theJawbone Canyon Road. OHVusers enjoy the challenge ofriding up and down hillsidesthroughout the canyon. Thesteepness of the hillsides thatthe riders use varies frommoderate to extremely steep.Primarily “Green Sticker”motorcycle use participating in“trail riding”. Approximately50% of the Open area’s totaluse occurs in this area.Approximately 50% of thatuse takes place in the form ofpermitted “organized” events(e.g. races).Dispersed OHV useThe area provides many OHVroutes through open, gentledesert terrain.. There are somemore challenging routesthrough hills along the sides ofChapter 3 3-243