Working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), CSRM developed an Integrated Resource and Recreation Area Management Plan (IRRAMP) for the Logandale Trails System, located in Moapa Valley, Nevada. The IRRAMP is a framework to provide a variety of safe recreation experiences within approximately 45,000 acres of public lands 45 miles northeast of Las Vegas. At the same time, the plan offers strategies to protect the sensitive natural and cultural resources found in the LTS.

CSRM complied with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), writing an accompanying Environmental Assessment (EA).

Planning Approach

In order to address the issues of inadequate funding, motorized vehicle use off of existing trails, and potential hazards, CSRM developed the following strategies:

• Innovative management practices to foster a public-private partnership.
• Create zones to address multiple recreation uses.
• Designation of trails to limit new user-created trails.
• Monitoring to measure impacts on sensitive resources, using Limits of Acceptable Change.
• Interpretation to inform users about the LTS and change attitudes toward recreation.

Methodology

CSRM used a variety of data to inform its plan, ranging from existing resource inventories to hosting numerous stakeholder meetings to receive input. CSRM also focused on monitoring and interpretation as important ways to manage the area.

• Included stakeholder involvement from the other land management agencies within the LTS (Bureau of Reclamation, Nevada State Parks), Moapa Band of Paiute, user groups (primarily ATV and 4x4), conservation organizations, local government, and civic organizations.
• Used existing Class III cultural resources inventory and natural resources inventories.
• Created and maintained administrative record system for all project data.
• Developed a specific Monitoring Plan to measure changes in specific resources.
• Produced a specific Interpretive Plan to provide strategies to inform visitors and encourage changes in behavior.

IRRAMP Implementation

Building on the IRRAMP, CSRM worked to implement the strategies outlined in the plan. The implementation services provided by CSRM focus on the management, interpretation, and monitoring of the LTS.

Management

In order to best manage the LTS with limited financial resources, the IRRAMP determined that a non-profit organization should be designated to manage the day-to-day operations of the LTS. In support of this CSRM:

• Prepared an organizational chart and job descriptions for the non-profit organization.
• Drafted RFP to identify appropriate non-profit organization.
• Provided technical assistance to non-profit organization for implementation of the IRRAMP.

Interpretation

Encouraging people to recreate responsibly is one of the most important elements of the IRRAMP. Providing appropriate interpretive services will inform visitors of their responsibility and role in the LTS.

• Developed a trail numbering system and a series of accompanying maps.
• Built a website to give visitors appropriate information before their visit.
• Created design and text for interpretive signs.
• Worked with non-profit organization and stakeholders to install trail markers.

Monitoring

Monitoring specific aspects of resources, known as indicators, identifies changes over time to the LTS. The indicators track not just the natural and cultural resources found in the recreation area, but also the quality of the recreation experience itself.

• Wrote monitoring protocols with specific directions for how to conduct necessary tasks.
• Provided baseline data for indicators.