Big Rocks Wilderness

Mount Irish Wilderness

South Pahroc Range Wilderness

Final

Wilderness Management Plan

and

Environmental Assessment

U.S Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management

Nevada State Office

Ely District Office

December 13, 2007
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Table of Contents

Wilderness Management Plan............................................................................................. 3

Introduction..................................................................................................................... 3

Scope of the Wilderness Management Plan................................................................ 3

Wilderness Overview.............................................................................................. 6

Wilderness Characteristics...................................................................................... 8

Wilderness-Specific Issues ................................................................................... 13

Wilderness Management Goals and Objectives ................................................... 14

Current Situation and Assumptions.......................................................................... 16

Management Strategy ................................................................................................... 17

Wilderness Management Actions............................................................................. 21

Monitoring ............................................................................................................... 47

Plan Evaluation ............................................................................................................. 51

Plan Implementation Sequence..................................................................................... 51

Environmental Assessment............................................................................................... 53

Introduction................................................................................................................... 54

Need for Proposal ..................................................................................................... 54

Location .................................................................................................................... 54

Relationship to Planning........................................................................................... 55

Relationship to Statues, Regulations, or Other Plans ............................................... 55

Issues......................................................................................................................... 56

Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives ........................................................ 56

Alternative 1 (Proposed Action)............................................................................... 56

Alternative 2 (Human Activity Most Evident) ......................................................... 81

Alternative 3 (No Action)......................................................................................... 90

Affected Environment................................................................................................... 93

Environmental Consequences..................................................................................... 103

Alternative 1 (Proposed Action)............................................................................. 104

Alternative 2 (Human Activity Most Evident) ....................................................... 109

Alternative 3 (No Action)....................................................................................... 114

Cumulative Impacts.................................................................................................... 116

Monitoring .................................................................................................................. 118

Consultation and Coordination ................................................................................... 122

Acronyms and Abbreviations ......................................................................................... 124

Glossary .......................................................................................................................... 125
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Maps

WMP Map 1. Overview of Wilderness Areas.................................................................... 5

WMP Map 2. Current Condition of Big Rocks Wilderness Area..................................... 10

WMP Map 3. Current Condition of Mount Irish Wilderness Area .................................. 11

WMP Map 4. Current Condition of South Pahroc Range Wilderness Area..................... 12

WMP Map 5. Big Rocks Wilderness Site-Specific Actions............................................. 18

WMP Map 6. Mount Irish Wilderness Site-Specific Actions........................................... 19

WMP Map 7. South Pahroc Range Range Wilderness Site-Specific Actions.................. 20

WMP Map 8. Fire Management Units and Archeological Issues .................................... 25

WMP Map 9. The Mecca Climbing Area......................................................................... 32

WMP Map 10. Boundary Signs and Informational Kiosks.............................................. 35

WMP Map 11. The Mecca Staging Area.......................................................................... 38

WMP Map 12. Grazing Allotments, Range Developments, Other Existing Structures... 41

WMP Map 13. Illegal Routes to be Rehabilitated ............................................................ 45

EA Map 1. Overview of Wilderness Areas ...................................................................... 55

EA Map 2. Proposed Action for the Big Rocks Wilderness............................................. 57

EA Map 3. Proposed Action for the Mount Irish Wilderness........................................... 58

EA Map 4. Proposed Action for the South Pahroc Range Wilderness............................. 59

EA Map 5. Fire Management Units and Archeological Issues......................................... 63

EA Map 6. The Mecca Climbing Area ............................................................................. 69

EA Map 7. Boundary Signs and Informational Kiosks .................................................... 71

EA Map 8. The Mecca Staging Area ................................................................................ 74

EA Map 9. Grazing Allotments and Range Improvements.............................................. 77

EA Map 10. Illegal Routes to be Rehabilitated ................................................................ 80

EA Map 11. Alternative 2 for Big Rocks Wilderness (same as Proposed Action) .......... 82

EA Map 12. Alternative 2 for Mount Irish Wilderness.................................................... 83

EA Map 13. Alternative Trails in the South Pahroc Range Wilderness........................... 84

EA Map 14. The Mecca Climbing Area ........................................................................... 87

EA Map 15. Grazing Allotments and Range Developments............................................ 98

EA Map 16. Archaeological District Sites and Fire Management Units.......................... 99
3

Wilderness Management Plan

Introduction

Scope of the Wilderness Management Plan

This plan provides the primary management guidance for the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and 

South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas. This plan also addresses actions immediately 

adjacent to the wilderness areas including access to wilderness boundaries and 

information provided to the public. While no buffer zones are created around wilderness 

to protect them from the influence of activities on adjacent land, the impacts of any 

proposed activities on adjacent lands to the wilderness resource must be addressed in an 

environmental assessment. Due to their proximity and similar management issues these 

three wilderness areas are being addressed in a single management plan. The plan 

addresses management over the next ten years.

Wilderness management is based on protecting wilderness character, which encompasses 

a combination of elements as described by four principle qualities defined in the 

Wilderness Act of 1964. The combination of these qualities distinguishes wilderness 

from all other lands. These four qualities are of equal importance and are defined as:

Untrammeled – wilderness is unhindered and free from modern human control 

or manipulation

Outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of 

recreation – wilderness provides opportunities for people to experience solitude 

or primitive and unconfined recreation, including the values of inspiration and 

physical and mental challenge

Undeveloped – wilderness is substantially lacking permanent developments or 

modern human occupation

Natural – wilderness ecological systems, being affected primarily by the forces 

of nature, retain their primeval character and influence substantially free from the 

effects of modern human civilization

The Plan: 

Preserves the areas’ wilderness characteristics cumulatively identified by the 

Wilderness Act of 1964 as untrammeled quality, outstanding opportunities for 

solitude or a primitive, unconfined form of recreation, undeveloped character, 

naturalness and primeval character, and may include ecological, geological, or 

other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value

Identifies the conditions and opportunities for which the wilderness areas would 

be managed 

Creates specific guidance for managing the resources and activities existing in the 

wilderness
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Identifies management needs outside and immediately adjacent to the wilderness 

areas such as signing, staging areas and access points

The first part of the Wilderness Management Plan is a comprehensive description of the 

wilderness areas and management. The second part is an Environmental Assessment 

(EA) which fully describes and analyzes the potential impacts of the proposed action and 

alternatives.

This Plan is in conformance with the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and 

Development Act of 2004, the Wilderness Act of 1964, Grazing Guidelines (House 

Report No. 101-405, Appendix B), and Wildlife Management Guidelines (House Report 

No. 101-405, Appendix B). The plan is also in conformance with Code of Federal 

Regulations 43 Part 6300, BLM Manuals 8560 (Management of Designated Wilderness 

Areas) and 8561 (Wilderness Management Plans), the Caliente Management Framework 

Plan (USDOI 198), the Caliente Management Framework Plan Amendment for the 

Management of Desert Tortoise Habitat (USDOI 2000), and the Memorandum of 

Understanding with the Nevada Department of Wildlife Concerning Wildlife 

Management in Nevada Bureau of Land Management Wilderness Areas (BLM MOU 

6300-NV930-0402, December, 2003).

This Plan is not consistent with the Lincoln County Public Land and Natural Resource 

Management Plan of 1997 which states, “No additional wilderness areas shall be 

designated in Lincoln County.”
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Wilderness Overview

The Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas were added to 

the National Wilderness Preservation System by the Lincoln County Conservation, 

Recreation, and Development Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-424 November 30, 2004). 

The Big Rocks Wilderness is approximately 12,997 acres, the Mount Irish Wilderness is

approximately 28,334 acres and the South Pahroc Range Wilderness is approximately 

25,800 acres. These three wilderness areas are managed entirely by the Bureau of Land 

Management, Ely District Office. No private in-holdings are present, though several 

private parcels are located in proximity to the Big Rocks and Mount Irish Wilderness 

Areas.

These three wilderness areas are located in close proximity to one another and are 

between 25& 50 miles west of Caliente in Lincoln County, Nevada. The elevations in 

these wilderness areas range from 4,000 to 8,000 feet. 

Predominant vegetation communities across the three wilderness areas include Great 

Basin pinyon-juniper woodlands, Great Basin xeric mixed sagebrush shrubland, and 

Intermountain Basin big sagebrush shrublands. These communities are composed 

primarily of single leaf pinyon pine, Utah juniper with an understory of mixed sagebrush 

and perennial bunch grasses. Large areas of mature big sagebrush are mixed with black 

sagebrush, low sage, shadscale, ephedra and rubber rabbit brush with a sparse understory 

of perennial bunch grasses and forbs such as Indian ricegrass and desert needlegrass. All 

three wilderness areas have widespread occurrences of the invasive annuals cheatgrass 

and red brome.

The remote location, steep terrain, varied vegetation and springs near the South Pahroc 

Range and Big Rocks Wilderness Areas support a variety of wildlife including desert 

bighorn sheep. The mountain range and canyons of the Mount Irish Wilderness project 

out into the long sloping bajadas providing important habitat for desert bighorn sheep and 

pronghorn antelope. No specific wildlife species inventories have been completed for 

these three areas, though wildlife observations include portions of the areas or nearby 

localities. According to Ely BLM District databases, no federally listed threatened or

endangered species are known to occur in these wilderness areas. Desert tortoises, a 

threatened species, have been sighted near the South Pahroc Range Wilderness but

exhibit a low potential for occurrence due to the area’s elevation of over 4,200 feet. 

Several BLM sensitive species, including the banded Gila monster, chuckwalla and 

golden eagle, have been sighted on suitable habitat near the wilderness areas and 

potentially occur within them. The nearest Area of Critical Environmental Concern

(ACEC) occurs approximately 14 miles south of the South Pahroc Range Wilderness. 

ACECs were created to protect desert tortoise habitat. 

The Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas provide habitat 

for small mammals including desert cottontail rabbits, black tailed jackrabbits, the desert 

valley kangaroo mouse as well as a variety of bat species that may roost in the rocky 

terrain found throughout the three areas. No known bat surveys have been conducted 
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within these areas. Mule deer can also be found in these areas. Predators such as 

coyotes, bobcats and mountain lions have been sighted or have left signs of their 

presence.

Springs in or near the Big Rocks and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas are known to 

support Great Basin spadefoot toads and are thought to support red-spotted toads.

Known natural perennial springs in the three areas include Little Boulder Spring, Pahroc 

Spring, Sixmile Spring, Eightmile Spring, Reid Springs and Twin Springs. The volcanic 

tuff formations common in the Pahroc Range include many potholes where periodic

water can be found following rain and snowstorms. There are several springs that have 

been developed for livestock grazing including Twin Springs on the eastern boundary of 

the South Pahroc Range. Other spring developments were excluded from the wilderness 

boundaries. There are no existing wildlife water developments within these wilderness 

areas.

Several human-caused developments and disturbances occur within the areas, including 

the spring development at Twin Springs, a seismic monitoring station in the southwest 

area of the South Pahroc Range, several miles of fence line across all three areas and 

approximately 18 miles of unauthorized motorized vehicle routes.

No areas of high mineral resource potential have been identified in the wilderness areas.

The Big Rocks Wilderness
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Wilderness Characteristics

The Big Rocks Wilderness lies in the southernmost portion of the North Pahroc Range. 

The topography of the area includes steep-sided mountains, several steep-walled canyons 

and a section of large, jumbled boulders known as Mecca by the rock climbing 

community. Recreational opportunities include climbing, bouldering, camping, hiking, 

backpacking, horseback riding, heritage tourism and hunting.

The entire area provides excellent opportunities for solitude among the boulder fields, 

along the steep ridgeline or within one of the canyons draining off of the mountain range. 

The ruggedness of the terrain prevents access by motorized vehicles and leaves the 

majority of the land pristine.

Vegetation ranges from desert brush and grasses at the lower elevations to pinyon and 

juniper stands at the middle and upper elevations. The area is composed of large boulder 

fields and varying colored layers of welded tuff that have weathered into unusual rock 

formations. Special features in this area include rock art.

The mountain range, canyons, and sloping bajadas of the Mount Irish Wilderness provide 

important habitat for desert bighorn sheep, pronghorn and a variety of bird species. 

Opportunities for recreation in this area include hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, 

photography, heritage tourism, nature study and hunting. The Mount Irish 

Archaeological District and historic Logan City are outside the northern boundary of the 

wilderness area, though prehistoric resources, especially rock art, occur throughout the 

entire region.

The Mount Irish Wilderness
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The South Pahroc Range Wilderness is extremely rugged with deeply cut canyons, high 

ridges, large rounded boulders and heavily forested expanses. Much of the range is 

composed of varying colored layers of welded tuff that have weathered into unusual 

pockets, columns and stone faces. The lower elevations are gently rolling bajada with the 

volcanic tuff boulders more scattered. The mountain range creates an “island in the sky" 

effect. Moderately deep, steep-walled drainages cut across the mountain from east to 

west. Differential weathering of welded tuff layers has created numerous pockets, holes, 

columns and the ubiquitous, large rounded boulders.

The South Pahroc Range Wilderness

The rugged geologic features are interlaced with stands of pinyon-juniper, white fir, 

aspen and relic stands of Ponderosa Pine that form isolated glades of shady solitude. 

Mule deer, mountain lions, reintroduced bighorn sheep, golden eagles and prairie falcons 

can be found in the area. Opportunities for recreation include hiking, backpacking, and 

camping. Climbers and rock scramblers would find challenging routes that culminate in 

scenic overlooks atop gargantuan geologic features. Vantage points for hikers provide a 

view of huge, empty desert valleys interrupted by intervening chains of more distant 

mountains.
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WMP Map 2. Current Condition of Big Rocks Wilderness Area
11

WMP Map 3. Current Condition of Mount Irish Wilderness Area
12

WMP Map 4. Current Condition of South Pahroc Range Wilderness Area
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Wilderness-Specific Issues

Issues to be addressed in the Wilderness Management Plan were identified through public 

scoping in the form of written letters and email, by BLM staff and by a Technical Review 

Team set up by the Lincoln County Coordinated Resource Management Steering 

Committee. A Public Scoping meeting was held at the Caliente Field Station on 

November 9, 2005. A letter requesting public input was sent to the Ely District Office

wilderness mailing list on October 4, 2005. The Technical Review Team had meetings to 

generate issues on October 13, 2005 and December 8, 2005. The issues summarized 

below apply to all three of the wilderness areas unless specifically stated otherwise.

1. Opportunities for solitude and primitive, unconfined recreation:

Recreational uses including bouldering, rock climbing, heritage tourism, 

hunting, camping, hiking and horseback riding

Monitoring of the Silver State Off Highway Vehicle(OHV) trail which 

creates the west and north wilderness boundary to prevent OHV trespass 

within the Big Rocks Wilderness

Defining maintenance levels for boundary roads and cherry stemmed 

vehicle access routes

Monitoring of visitor use levels

Establishment, maintenance, signing and management of designated or 

visitor-developed trails

Designation of vehicle access points

Maps, brochures and kiosks providing information to the public

Management and protection of archeological resources, especially rock art

2. Protecting and enhancing the undeveloped and natural appearance of the 

wilderness areas:

Restoration of surface disturbances, including former vehicle routes and 

mining disturbances

Removal of unnecessary facilities and trash

Posting wilderness boundaries

3. Preserving naturalness, primeval character and influence of the wilderness 

areas:

Trapping, transplanting and relocating wildlife

Management of fire

Emergency stabilization and rehabilitation following fire or other 

disturbing actions in wilderness

Management of exotic and invasive plant species

Inventory, monitoring and research of flora, fauna, paleontological and 

archeological resources, especially rock art

Management of threatened or endangered species, and other species of 

special interest or concern
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4. Management of special non-wilderness land uses allowed by the Wilderness 

Act:

Management of the existing seismic monitoring station within the South 

Pahroc Range Wilderness

Access for maintenance of the power line at the southern boundary of the 

Mount Irish Wilderness

Managing access and necessary maintenance of existing authorized range 

facilities inside wilderness

Process for emergency operations, including retrieval of downed military 

aircraft inside wilderness

Wildlife water developments when essential to preserve the wilderness 

resource and to correct unnatural conditions resulting from human 

influence, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between 

the Bureau of Land Management and the Nevada Department of Wildlife, 

Wildlife Management in Nevada BLM Wilderness Areas (BLM MOU 

6300-NV930-0402, henceforth referred to as the BLM-NDOW MOU) 

Fire plan to consider communication towers north of Mount Irish 

Wilderness

5. Wilderness Management:

Using monitoring to adjust management actions

Issues identified during the public scoping and comment period that are already 

addressed in existing planning documents or policy, and are out of the scope of this plan

are listed below:

Opening closed routes in wilderness to motorized travel

Managing airspace above wilderness

Amending wilderness boundaries

Use of volunteers in the marking of wilderness boundaries

Not restricting, or putting very little restriction upon, fire suppression 

activities

Wilderness Management Goals and Objectives

Goal 1:

To provide for the long-term protection and preservation of the areas’ wilderness 

character under a principle of non-degradation. The areas’ natural condition, 

opportunities for solitude, opportunities for primitive and unconfined types of recreation

and any ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic or 

historical value present would be managed so that they would remain unimpaired.

Objectives:

Preserve the primeval character and influence of the wilderness areas by 

reducing non-native plants in favor of native plants
15

Manage for healthy, viable, and naturally distributed wildlife populations 

with the least amount of disturbance to natural conditions and solitude

Preserve the primeval character and influence of the wilderness, allow fire 

as a natural process to create disturbance followed by natural succession in 

the wilderness where fire is a natural effect in the ecosystem

Prevent fire where fire is not a natural effect in the ecosystem or where 

human life or property is threatened

Protect and preserve the outstanding archeological and historic resources 

of these areas while allowing for visitor enjoyment of those resources with 

the least amount of disturbance to natural conditions and solitude

Goal 2: 

To manage the wilderness areas for the use and enjoyment of visitors in a manner that 

would leave the areas unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness. 

Management would seek to preserve spontaneity of use and as much freedom from 

regulation as possible. The wilderness resource would be dominant in all management 

decisions where a choice must be made between preservation of wilderness character and 

visitor use.

Objectives:

Provide outstanding opportunities for primitive recreation with minimal 

on-the-ground developments

Maintain existing opportunities for solitude by managing visitor use 

patterns if monitoring indicates a need

Provide for the use and enjoyment of the wilderness in such a way that 

protects natural conditions through minimal regulation of visitor activities

Provide for vehicle access to the boundaries of the wilderness areas while 

also deterring vehicles from entering into the wilderness areas

Emphasize education and interpretation to manage visitor activities over 

regulations

Goal 3: 

To manage the wilderness areas using the minimum tool, equipment, or structure 

necessary to successfully and safely accomplish the objective. The chosen tool, 

equipment or structure should be the one that least degrades wilderness values 

temporarily or permanently. 

Objective:

Implement actions as necessary to meet minimum requirements for the 

administration of the areas as wilderness and to have the least impact to 

wilderness characteristics

Goal 4: 

To manage non-conforming but accepted uses permitted by the Wilderness Act and 

subsequent laws in a manner that would prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of the 
16

areas’ wilderness character. Non-conforming uses are the exception rather than the rule; 

therefore emphasis is placed on maintaining wilderness character.

Objectives:

Allow for special provision land uses provided by the Wilderness Act of 

1964 or Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation and Development Act

of 2004 while minimizing developments, degradation to naturalness and 

other impacts to wilderness resources

Maintain or enhance the natural appearance of the wilderness areas by 

removing unnecessary facilities and minimizing or rehabilitating humancaused surface disturbances

Current Situation and Assumptions

In order to appropriately develop management actions necessary to meet the above plan 

objectives, the current situation and assumptions of changes expected to occur during the 

ten year life of the plan are considered first. Inventory, monitoring and research would

be important aspects to meet the objectives of the plan.

1. Current Situation

Recreational visitor use of these wilderness areas is minimal and concentrated 

primarily around two locations: the Mecca bouldering area located in the Big 

Rocks Wilderness and the Mount Irish Archaeological District, on the north 

side of the Mount Irish Wilderness. A section of the Silver State OHV Trail

creates the west and north boundary of the Big Rocks Wilderness Area.

Assumption

Recreational visitor use of the wilderness areas is likely to increase over the 

life of this plan. It is likely that recreation would require increased 

management to preserve the opportunities for solitude and for the future use 

and enjoyment of these wilderness areas.

Rationale for Assumption

We anticipate an increase in recreation demand based on the Big Rocks, 

Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas being within 100 

miles of Las Vegas. In addition, these areas are within 50 miles of proposed 

residential developments at Coyote Springs on the Clark County - Lincoln 

County line. The Mecca bouldering area within and adjacent to the Big Rocks 

Wilderness and the Mount Irish Archeological District are likely to continue 

to be the most commonly visited points for these wilderness areas.

Use of the designated Silver State OHV Trail is likely to increase and require 

additional management to prevent OHV trespasses within the Big Rocks 

Wilderness.

There is likely to be an increase in demand for public information about these 

wilderness areas in the form of website pages, maps, brochures, signs and 

guidebooks.

It is likely that recreational activities would continue to be heritage tourism, 

rock climbing, bouldering, hiking, hunting, trapping and horseback riding. 
17

There is the possibility that new recreational pursuits may require additional 

management actions to preserve wilderness characteristics.

2. Current Situation

All three areas are known to have extensive prehistoric archeological 

resources that are a prime attraction to the recreating public. There has been 

several known occurrences of unauthorized digging occurring in and adjacent 

to the Big Rocks and Mount Irish Wilderness Areas.

Assumption

As visitation increases, and the demand for illegally collected artifacts 

continues, it is likely that vandalism and theft of prehistoric resources would

occur inside wilderness as well as in adjacent access zones.

Rationale for Assumption

Growing public awareness of these areas and the cultural resources in them 

could lead to increased impacts to those resources.

3. Current Situation

There are minimal surface disturbances and permanent facilities existing 

inside all three wilderness areas. Existing disturbances are primarily 

unauthorized motorized routes. 

Assumption

Preserving the natural appearance of the wilderness areas would require some 

limited management.

Rationale for Assumption

The continued growth in demand for motorized recreation opportunities may 

result in additional surface disturbances within the wilderness boundaries 

caused by illegal motorized use within the wilderness.

Existing and potential future surface disturbances would likely require some 

work to remove or reclaim them.

4. Current Situation

Livestock grazing occurs in all three wilderness areas.

Assumption

Livestock grazing is compatible with the wilderness designation. Wilderness 

would not preclude livestock grazing from continuing over the life of this 

plan.

Rationale for Assumption

Management of livestock grazing within wilderness is addressed in the 

Congressional Grazing Guidelines House Report 101-405, Appendix A.

Management Strategy

The management strategy is based on the wilderness management objectives and the 

current situation and assumptions. The strategy for the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South 

Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas is to maintain or improve the natural, near-pristine 

conditions present today while rehabilitating existing and future disturbances. The 

following maps graphically present the desired management strategy. 
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WMP Map 5. Big Rocks Wilderness Site-Specific Actions
19

WMP Map 6. Mount Irish Wilderness Site-Specific Actions
20

WMP Map 7. South Pahroc Range Wilderness Site-Specific Actions
21

Wilderness Management Actions

The following site-specific actions would be implemented in the Big Rocks, Mount Irish 

and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas unless otherwise specified. These actions 

meet the wilderness management objectives and respond to those wilderness-specific 

issues that were identified through scoping. All actions are supplemental to and 

consistent with wilderness laws, regulations and policies, which must be further 

consulted in the event of future and unforeseen issues. 

Objective: Preserve the primeval character and influence of the wilderness 

areas by reducing non-native plants in favor of native plants.

Noxious and Invasive Weeds

The management ideal is to sustain only native species in wilderness areas. Noxious 

weeds are designated by the Nevada Department of Agriculture. Monitoring for noxious 

weeds would occur on an annual basis. Where noxious weeds are found, emphasis would

be placed on controlling small infestations, plants likely to spread and displace native 

plants or plants that may disrupt ecosystem function. If effective control or eradication is 

possible, control practices would be prioritized in the following order:

Grubbing with hand tools if plants would not re-sprout, where grubbing would not 

encourage additional noxious or invasive species and where infestations are of a 

size manageable by hand crews

Herbicides applied by backpack and pack stock equipment where grubbing is not 

effective. Any herbicide applications would require site-specific NEPA analysis

Biological control agents approved by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 

Service (APHIS) where infestations are of such size that eradication by grubbing 

or herbicides is not feasible

Herbicides applied aerially or with motorized equipment where control is feasible, 

where control impacts are quickly and readily rehabilitated and where the 

infestation is of such size that herbicide cannot be effectively applied without 

motorized equipment. Any herbicide applications would require site-specific 

NEPA analysis

Selection of the control method would be based on its effectiveness as determined by 

plant biology, the minimum tool objective and impact to the wilderness resource. If 

herbicides are necessary, those approved for use on BLM lands may be used according to 

other existing requirements. Reseeding control areas with native species would be 

incorporated where local seed sources are not adequate for natural recruitment. 

Invasive weeds present in the three areas include the annual grasses cheatgrass and red 

brome. If reliable cost effective methods for eradication of these invasive grasses are 

developed in the future, they could be considered for application in these three wilderness 

areas based on the minimum tool objective and impact to wilderness qualities.
22

Objective: Manage for healthy, viable and naturally-distributed wildlife 

populations with the least amount of action necessary.

Wildlife Management Activities

Wildlife management activities within these designated wilderness areas would be in 

conformance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the Bureau of Land 

Management and the Nevada Department of Wildlife (BLM MOU 6300-NV930-0402).

Bighorn Sheep in the South Pahroc Range Wilderness

In furtherance of the purposes and principles of the Wilderness Act of 1964, management 

activities to maintain or restore wildlife populations and the habitats to support such 

populations may be carried out within wilderness areas designated by the Lincoln County 

Conservation, Recreation and Development Act of 2004. Management activities could 

include the occasional and temporary use of motorized vehicles if such use, as 

determined by the Secretary of Interior, authorized officer or district manager, would

promote healthy, viable and more naturally distributed wildlife populations that would 

enhance wilderness values and accomplish those purposes with the minimum impact 

necessary to reasonably accomplish the task.

Wildlife Relocation

Transplants (i.e., removal, augmentation or reintroduction of wildlife species) may be 

permitted if necessary: 1) to perpetuate or recover a threatened or endangered species; or 
23

2) to restore the population of indigenous species eliminated or reduced by human 

influence. Sites and locations outside of the wilderness areas would be utilized first, and 

if not available, transplants may be made to or from the wilderness areas in a manner 

compatible with the wilderness character of the area. 

Only species whose indigenous range includes the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South 

Pahroc Range Wilderness areas would be considered for relocation into the wilderness 

areas. When a species is in need of augmentation in the wilderness areas, and until such 

time as the population is thriving on its own, the BLM would confer with the Nevada 

Department of Wildlife in taking actions to suspend or reduce activities contributing to 

the condition until such time as the population is self-sustainable. 

In furtherance of the values of these wilderness areas to the larger region, and when a 

species is sufficiently in excess of its viable population level in the wilderness areas, 

wildlife relocation from the wilderness areas may be approved to restore the population 

of the species at indigenous habitat elsewhere.

Relocation activities may be supported by motorized equipment or transport where it is 

necessary to meet the minimum requirements for the administration of the area as 

wilderness. Staging would occur outside the wilderness boundary. Timing would

consider visitor use of the area and would normally be scheduled during periods when 

visitor use is low (for example, weekdays). In order to inform visitors of impending 

activity, relocation days would be posted on the Ely District Office website two weeks in 

advance of activity. 

Wildlife Water Developments

New water developments may be permitted only when:

Essential to preserve the wilderness resource 

When necessary to maintain the indigenous wildlife population where human 

activity has caused loss of water within the local population’s indigenous range

And an artificial water source cannot be located outside the wilderness areas to 

achieve the same purpose. 

Construction, maintenance and water replenishment activities may be supported by 

motorized equipment or transport where it is necessary to meet the minimum 

requirements for the administration of wilderness. If approved, developments would be

visually minimized and should not utilize trucked-in water. Inspection and maintenance 

of facilities would take place by non-motorized and non-mechanized means except for 

major maintenance requiring large parts or tools which cannot be transported by foot or 

pack stock.

Wildlife water developments would not be approved in the Mecca area of the Big Rocks 

Wilderness where bouldering is a current known use and conflicts between wildlife and 

bouldering may occur.
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Objective: Allow fire as a natural process to create disturbance followed 

by natural succession in the wilderness where fire is a natural effect in the

ecosystem, in order to preserve the primeval character and influence of the 

wilderness.

Objective: Prevent fire where fire is not a natural effect in the ecosystem or 

where human life or property is threatened.

Fire Management

Fire management objectives in the Big Rocks Wilderness, Mount Irish Wilderness and 

South Pahroc Range Wilderness would be structured in accordance with the most current 

Ely District Office Fire Management Plan. In the North Pahroc and Pahranagat Fire 

Management Unit (FMU) including the Big Rocks Wilderness and the Mount Irish 

Wilderness, 90 percent of individual fires would be held to 300 acres or less and no more 

than 10,000 acres burned in a ten year period. In the Clover, Delamar, South Pahroc, 

Irish FMU, including the South Pahroc Range Wilderness, 90 percent of individual fires 

would be held to 1,000 acres or less and no more than 50,000 acres burned in a ten year 

period.

Appropriate Management Responses (AMR) for both FMUs would be developed for all 

wildland fires in the planning area and would include a range of specific actions from 

monitoring, confinement, initial attack and suppression/extinguishment or wildfire 

suppression with multiple strategies. AMR would be determined for each wildland fire 

based on site factors, including fuel loading and fire behavior, while ensuring the safety 

of firefighters and the public; the protection of private property would also be considered. 

Fire may be fought aggressively, but utilizing techniques that employ suppression 

standards necessary to stop the fire with the minimum adverse impact on wilderness 

characteristics. Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) and a policy of no motor

vehicles would be used unless necessary to protect human life, property or wilderness 

characteristics. Motorized vehicles, including earth-moving equipment and aircraft, may 

be used with the District Manager’s approval to protect natural resources by stopping 

large, escaped fires that threaten to convert the native plant community from native 

vegetation to a dominance of non-native vegetation. Wildfire management priorities 

include maintaining native vegetation diversity by managing fire size to minimize the 

spread and density of annual invasive grasses, such as cheatgrass and red brome, and 

noxious weed species such as spotted knapweed, Russian knapweed, hoary cress and 

tamarisk, where they are known to occur.

Prescribed fire may be allowed within these wilderness areas under an approved Fire 

Management Plan for the following purposes: 1) to reintroduce or maintain the natural 

condition of a fire-dependent ecosystem; 2) to restore fire where past strict fire control 

measures have interfered with natural ecological processes; or 3) where a primary value 

of these three wilderness areas would be perpetuated as a result of the burning. 
25

Any actions deemed necessary by the Incident Commander for public and firefighter 

safety would be authorized.

WMP Map 8. Fire Management Units and Archeological Issues 

Suppression Guidelines for Wilderness:

All fire suppression activities in wilderness would use Minimum Impact 

Suppression Techniques (MIST) unless a higher degree or level of fire 

suppression is required

A Wilderness Specialist would be dispatched to all fires occurring in or 

threatening a wilderness area as a resource advisor

Use of any motorized equipment must be approved by the District Manager

Heavy equipment (bulldozers, etc.) would only be used in wilderness if the fire is 

threatening human life, property or wilderness characteristics. The District 

Manager must approve the use of heavy equipment in all cases

It is preferable to locate helibases and helispots outside wilderness boundaries. 

However, if helibases and helispots cannot be located outside wilderness 

boundaries, they may be approved within wilderness boundaries by the District 
26

Manager. The use of helibases and helispots should meet the minimum tool 

objective

Sling loading materials into or out of wilderness using a helicopter must be 

approved by the District Manager and should meet the minimum required tool 

objective

Helicopters or other aircraft may be used for aerial reconnaissance work

Staging areas and fire camps requiring motorized access would be located outside 

of wilderness unless authorized by the District Manager

Staging areas and fire camps that only require non-motorized access may be 

located in wilderness areas if authorized by the Wilderness Specialist and 

Resource Advisor

The Ely District Office Noxious Weed Prevention Schedule which identifies best 

management practices would be utilized. Suppression resources would be 

inspected and washed to prevent the spread of noxious weeds. If possible, washdown sites would be recorded using a GPS unit and reported to the Ely District

Office Weeds Coordinator. Camps and other assembly points would not be 

located in noxious weed infestation areas

Use of retardant must be approved by the District Manager; if retardant is not 

approved, water may be dropped from retardant aircraft as ordered by the Incident 

Commander without additional authorization required

Leave No Trace principles would be used in wilderness areas. All evidence of 

human activity should be removed to the maximum extent possible

Burn Area in the South Pahroc Range Wilderness
27

Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation 

Active stabilization and rehabilitation work would occur in situations necessary to 

stabilize soil to prevent damage to downstream human life or property, or to prevent the 

site from becoming dominated by non-native species. Active rehabilitation with hand 

tools would also occur to obscure fire lines with rock or brush. If motorized earthmoving equipment is used to construct fire lines, the same type of equipment may be 

needed for rehabilitation and recontouring before the equipment is released from the fire. 

When active rehabilitation is determined necessary, native species should be utilized, 

with a preference for local genetic stock if available. Where natural vegetation is 

expected to return, no rehabilitation work would be done.

Should a reliable method to control or eradicate annual invasive grasses be developed, 

including the potential use of non-native, non-invasive vegetation, it may be applied in 

these wilderness areas after site-specific analysis and State Director approval. 

Emergency stabilization and rehabilitation treatments would be monitored annually. All 

monitoring would be conducted without the use of motorized or mechanized equipment.

Objective: Protect and preserve the outstanding archeological and historic 

resources of these areas while allowing for visitor enjoyment of those 

resources.

Archaeological Resources and Historic Properties

For protection and enhancement of these supplemental values within the three wilderness 

areas, vegetation may be cut back or removed up to several feet from a resource or 

property to protect sensitive resources, such as prehistoric rock art, from wildland fire. 

This would be accomplished using tools such as pruning shears, pulaskis or other hand 

tools once annually in the spring, before fire season, and would be completed by trained 

cultural site stewards during routine monitoring visits.

Protection of archaeological resources from damage by wilderness visitors would be 

accomplished with the minimum necessary on-the-ground action. Resources would be 

monitored but not specifically identified for the public. If monitoring reveals that 

damage is occurring to archaeological resources, the BLM Ely District Wilderness 

Planner and Archaeologist would work together to develop a management strategy for 

preventing further damage, which may include, but is not limited to education, signage 

and natural barriers. 

Every attempt would be made for protection of artifacts in place. If artifacts are 

discovered in designated trails, foot-worn hiking paths or other areas of recreational use, 

they may be collected after consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office 

according to the standard process followed by the Ely District Archaeologist, as well as 

the Ely District Archaeologist and Wilderness Planner.
28

Rock Art in the Big Rocks Wilderness

A reconnaissance inventory for archeological resources would be completed at spring 

sites in proximity to or within the wilderness areas, along access routes and cherry 

stemmed routes to aid in management decisions for the protection of these resources.

Objective: Provide outstanding opportunities for primitive recreation with 

minimal on-the-ground developments.

Trails

The following existing trails would be designated and converted to hiking and equestrian 

trails and displayed on BLM maps: in the Big Rocks Wilderness, 1) the Mecca Trail; and 

2) the Little Boulder Trail (Refer to WMP Map 5. Big Rocks Site-Specific Actions).

These two designated trails would total approximately 2.5 miles in the Big Rocks 

Wilderness. A cultural inventory would be completed along these trails. The Mecca

Trail is approximately 0.5 miles in length and is the main access into the Big Rocks 

boulder fields within the designated wilderness. The Mecca Trail is currently a two-track 

route that turns into a single-track hiking trail and it would be converted to a single-track 

trail along its entire length. The Little Boulder Trail is an existing single-track trail that 
29

begins at Little Boulder Spring and accesses the higher plateau of the wilderness. The 

Little Boulder Trail would require a short reroute of approximately 0.75 miles to 

minimize impacts to grazing operations and wildlife use of water at Little Boulder 

Spring.

Little Boulder Trail

 

Designated trails would be regularly maintained by the BLM and displayed on BLM 

maps, brochures and the Ely District Office website. No other trails would be 

constructed or designated within the three wilderness areas. If not designated as a trail or 

retained as a foot-worn hiking path, any newly discovered trails would be rehabilitated.

The trail reroute would leave from below the existing corral outside the wilderness and 

follow the wash to the intersection with the existing trail. These trails would not be 

marked on the ground, but would be indicated on BLM maps. Foot-worn hiking paths 

may occur and may be available for use upon discovery by visitors. These informal paths 

would not be marked on the ground, displayed on BLM maps or brochures, or normally 

receive maintenance. 
30

Little Boulder Spring

No known foot-worn hiking paths exist within the three wilderness areas. Monitoring for

new foot-worn hiking paths would specifically occur in the Mecca area of the Big Rocks 

Wilderness, the southern drainage of the South Pahroc Range Wilderness, all vehicle 

access points and the 6.5 miles of unauthorized motorized routes closed at the time of 

wilderness designation. An inventory of new foot-worn hiking paths would be 

maintained and monitored for resource damage. Monitoring would identify paths with 

different levels of trampling, leading to primitive camping areas, cut vegetation or other 

evidence of use (see the Monitoring section at the end of the Management Strategy

Section).

As new foot-worn paths are discovered, they would be evaluated for impacts to 

wilderness character (including natural and cultural resources) and the management 

objectives of this plan. When appropriate and where possible, new foot-worn hiking 

paths may be rehabilitated (see guidelines for rehabilitation of disturbances later in this 

section) or retained. When a foot-worn hiking path is retained, it may be rerouted, 

improved or maintained to follow designated trail guidelines to make the trail compatible 

with protecting resources, while preserving the wilderness character of the area.

Both designated trails and, when determined appropriate, informal foot-worn paths may 

be maintained or rerouted where they are causing or anticipated to cause damage to 
31

wilderness character. Examples for when trail maintenance or rerouting would occur 

include: 

Slopes greater than 15 percent, beyond which potential for excessive soil erosion 

and trail deterioration is high. Very short, steep sections may be retained where 

reinforcement with native rock would prevent soil erosion. Rolling dips or rockenforced water bars would be utilized to reduce water-caused soil erosion. 

Where trail braiding or duplicate routes exist or are beginning to occur, the most 

appropriate trail would be selected and the duplicate route(s) blocked, barricaded 

or otherwise rehabilitated with rock or native vegetation. 

Trails would be limited to a width of 24 inches, not to exceed 36 inches except 

trail sections along precipices (where it may be wider for safety) or in washes. 

Tree limbs or fallen trees may be cleared within ten feet high and four feet to 

either side of the trail (cutting limbs at trunk) or, where practical, minor trail 

relocation may be done to avoid the tree. 

Trails may be rerouted to avoid damage to natural or cultural resources.

Manage Bouldering (climbing on small rock formations)

Bouldering would be permitted in these wilderness areas, and for the most part, is likely 

to occur only in the Mecca area of the Big Rocks Wilderness. 

Damaging practices, including chiseling or chipping rock, forcibly prying off rock, gluing 

or otherwise affixing artificial holds on rock and destroying vegetation to enhance a route 

would be prohibited. These prohibitions would be indicated on information kiosks for 

the area, BLM brochures and on the Ely District Office website. Climbing directly on, 

above or adjacent to rock art panels would also prohibited; this restriction would be in 

accordance with the Archaeological Resources Protection of 1979, which states that “no 

person may excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface or attempt to 

excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface any archaeological resource

located on public lands or Indian lands” (Section 6(a)).

It is likely that some foot-worn hiking paths connecting various boulders and other 

climbing-related surface disturbances would occur. This area would be specifically 

monitored for new foot-worn paths, disturbances and subsequent resource impacts. Footworn paths resulting from bouldering activities would be managed according to the above 

discussion. In addition, there is increased potential for trampling of soil and vegetation 

around boulders and staging areas. A staging area would be designated outside the Big 

Rocks Wilderness as described later. 

Bouldering and climbing activities, including route bolting, may be limited in smaller 

areas for the protection and preservation of archaeological and historic resources.
32

WMP Map 9. The Mecca Climbing Area
33

Bouldering in Mecca

Manage General Recreation Activities

A variety of recreation activities are likely to occur in all three wilderness areas. 

Management actions that may be initiated at signs of recreational impacts include but are 

not limited to:

Public outreach and education in Leave No Trace principles to encourage 

minimum impact practices

Provide information to the public on non-wilderness recreational opportunities in 

the region

Establishment of a protective area around sensitive resources where recreation 

activities may be restricted

Closure of areas to recreation activities

Hunting and trapping are permitted in wilderness, subject to applicable State and Federal 

laws and regulations. Shed antler collection would be permitted for personal use only. 

These activities are and would likely continue to be popular. Creation of hunting blinds 

would not be allowed, however, portable hunting blinds would be temporarily permitted

during the season of use if they are packed-in and do not involve soil, rock, or vegetation 

disturbance or destruction.
34

Recreational horseback riding and use of pack stock animals would be permitted in these 

three wilderness areas both on and off trail. Other than incidental browsing, riding and 

pack stock animals may only be fed with packed-in, certified weed-free feed.

Camping

Backcountry camping would be allowed. Occupying a campsite would be allowed for up 

to 14 days. Should a visitor wish to camp longer than 14 days, their camp must be 

relocated a minimum of 25 miles from the previous site. If monitoring shows that the 14-

day stay limit is leading to unacceptable resource impacts, site stay limits of less than 14 

days could be implemented. Campfires would be allowed except under fire hazard 

restrictions. Visitors would be allowed to collect dead and down fuelwood for personal 

campfires during their trip. Leave No Trace camping techniques would be encouraged 

through literature, BLM-sponsored Leave No Trace Trainer courses and public 

workshops. If more than two campsites (identified by the presence of a campfire rock 

ring) are identified within a quarter mile of each other, the least impacted site would be 

restored to a natural condition to minimize additional camping disturbance. Campsites 

closer than 300 feet to sole water sources, in compliance with state regulations, would

also be removed.

Signs

Wilderness boundaries would be identified by wilderness signs at key locations. 

Wilderness boundary signs at access points may be larger signs with the name of the 

wilderness. These larger signs would be placed specifically at the Mecca Trailhead to the 

Big Rocks Wilderness boundary, at the north access point of the Mount Irish Wilderness 

near the Archaeological District and the Logan Site, and at the Reed Spring access point 

in the Mount Irish Wilderness. These signboards would provide wilderness, natural and 

cultural resource interpretive information and other information as necessary. Other 

access points may have smaller signboards to provide additional information. No 

directional signs would be placed for trails within wilderness.

An information kiosk would be placed at the Mecca staging area that would provide 

information on natural and cultural resources, including information for climbers on 

avoiding archaeological resources, particularly rock art. A large information kiosk would

be placed south of the community of Hiko at the junction of Highway 93 and state routes 

318 and 375. This kiosk would provide information on wilderness in Lincoln County and 

the Silver State OHV Trail, including some information about natural and/or cultural 

resources in the area.
35

WMP Map 10. Boundary Signs and Informational Kiosks

Objective: Maintain existing opportunities for solitude by managing visitor 

use patterns if monitoring indicates a need.

Solitude

As baseline metrics, encounters with other groups more than 0.5 mile inside the 

wilderness boundary would be infrequent with no more than 12 encounters per day 

exceeded on no more than 12 days a year for the Mecca area of the Big Rocks

Wilderness.

In the remainder of the Big Rocks Wilderness, the entire Mount Irish Wilderness and 

South Pahroc Range Wilderness, encounters with other groups more than 0.5 mile inside 

the wilderness boundaries from access points would be rare, with no more than two 

encounters per day exceeded on no more than four days per year.
36

Sunset on the Big Rocks Wilderness

The following management actions, listed in order of priority, may be initiated if 

standards as identified above are exceeded: 

Educate visitors concerning Leave No Trace recreation ethics to reduce conflict 

with other visitors

Provide information to the public on non-wilderness recreational opportunities in 

the region

Establish a group size limit of 12

Increase difficulties of access (reduce maintenance levels on access points and 

boundary roads, limit available public information, limit parking availability, etc.)

A combination of the above methods

Plan revision with additional public input to reassess these standards and/or

implement more direct controls

Objective: Provide for the use and enjoyment of the wilderness in such a 

way that protects natural conditions through minimal regulation of visitor 

activities.

Guides and Outfitters

Section 4(d) of the Wilderness Act allows for some commercial services to the extent 

necessary for activities which are proper for realizing wilderness purposes of wilderness.
37

Commercial guiding would be permitted for:

 

Hunting

Academically-oriented organizations whose primary purpose is wilderness or 

environmental education

Organizations whose service is primarily for the support of people with 

disabilities

Guides would be subject to the same camping limitation as other visitors to the 

wilderness areas. Limits on the number of commercial hunting guides in wilderness may 

be implemented if monitoring identifies excessive impacts to wilderness character or 

other natural or cultural resources. 

Commercial Pine Nut Harvest Restrictions

Section 4(c) of the Wilderness Act prohibits commercial enterprises within wilderness. 

The three wilderness areas would be closed to commercial pine nut harvesting. The 

opportunities for commercial pine nut harvesting in non-wilderness areas remains large. 

Pine nut collecting for personal use within these three areas would continue to be allowed 

subject to land use planning decisions.

Objective: Provide for vehicle access to the boundaries of the wilderness 

areas while also deterring vehicles from entering into the wilderness areas.

Vehicle Access and Staging Areas

A staging area would be designated at the Mecca area of the Big Rocks Wilderness. This 

area would occur outside the wilderness, approximately 1.75 miles north of the private 

property at Pahroc Spring along the access route to Mecca. The staging area would 

accommodate several passenger vehicles. The area of disturbance for the staging area 

would be no more than two acres, and would remain within the 200-foot non-wilderness 

corridor. The staging area would be defined by a low profile wooden rail fence and 

interpretive panel.

A dispersed camping area occurs approximately 0.25 miles further along the route that 

would accommodate four additional passenger vehicles. The designated Mecca Trail 

continues on beyond the primitive camping area. For the most part, motorized or 

mechanized vehicle access to the wilderness periphery would be achieved where existing 

roads end at the wilderness boundary, which are not designated trailheads. These include 

five points at the Big Rocks Wilderness, eight points at the Mount Irish Wilderness and 

ten points at the South Pahroc Range Wilderness. Access routes would be maintained at 

their current condition. Wilderness access points would be defined by creating turnarounds at suitable locations at or before wilderness boundaries to prevent vehicles from 

continuing into wilderness.
38

WMP Map 11. The Mecca Staging Area

When a new turn-around must be created, it would occupy no more than 0.5 acres and 

leave adequate space for two vehicles to park parallel to the road without blocking the 

turn-around. Turn-arounds would not extend into the wilderness. They would be limited 

to the 100-foot boundary offset.

Vehicle barriers would be constructed outside the wilderness areas where natural barriers 

are not adequate to keep vehicles from traveling past the turn-around. Barriers would be 

prioritized as follows: 

Wilderness sign, berm associated with turn-around, small rocks and/or vegetation 

placement or restoration

Large boulders moved by heavy equipment

Posts

Fence or gates

Objective: Emphasize education and interpretation to manage visitor 

activities over regulations.
39

Environmental Education and Interpretation

General interpretive information for natural resources, cultural resources, wilderness and 

recreation would be located on kiosks, maps, brochures and the Ely District Office

website. There would be no interpretive trails designated.

Environmental Education in the Big Rocks Wilderness

Public outreach for Leave No Trace recreation ethics would be emphasized with both 

classes and workshops presented at local schools and in the field. A separate wilderness 

public education plan would be developed for programs related to all designated 

wilderness in Lincoln County.

Off-site Information

Basic information about the wilderness areas (for example, safety, Leave No Trace, 

sensitive resources and some location information) would be provided in brochures, on 

the Ely District Office website and on BLM Surface Management Edition maps. In 

addition, wilderness-specific maps would be produced with the designated trails, 

descriptions and interpretive information. Wilderness ethics and Leave No Trace 

principles would be included on maps.

The BLM would also coordinate with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to include 

wilderness boundaries on new USGS map printings, and remove from future USGS map 

printings vehicle routes depicted within wilderness boundaries. In addition, the BLM

would work with private map producers to include wilderness boundaries, trails and 

staging areas.
40

The BLM would collaborate with other agencies and non-government organizations in 

the presentation of basic information on these three wilderness areas when appropriate.

Information on these wilderness areas may also be made available by non-BLM sources 

such as guide books. 

Objective: Implement management actions as necessary to meet minimum 

requirements for the administration of the areas as wilderness and to have 

the least impact to wilderness characteristics.

Research 

The three wilderness areas would be identified as priority areas for conducting basic and

specific inventory, monitoring and research activities as they relate to the wilderness 

resource. Inventory, monitoring and research may generate the need for management 

action to preserve wilderness characteristics. Research on wildlife, their habitats and the 

recreational users of these resources is a legitimate activity in these wilderness areas 

when conducted in a manner compatible with the preservation of the wilderness 

environment. Research on archaeological resources for the preservation of these 

important supplemental values to wilderness is also a legitimate activity in these areas.

Research proposals that do not contribute to the improved management of the area as 

wilderness would not be permitted if they can be accomplished outside of the wilderness 

areas. Research conducted by NDOW should be accomplished in accordance with the 

BLM-NDOW MOU.

Research and other studies must be conducted without the use of motorized or 

mechanized equipment or construction of temporary or permanent structures. Exceptions 

may be approved for projects that are essential to managing the specific wilderness areas

when no other feasible alternatives exist. Such use must be necessary to meet the 

minimum requirements for administration of the area as wilderness and must not degrade 

wilderness character. A site-specific NEPA analysis would have to be prepared for the 

authorization of any exceptions.

Objective: Allow for special provision land uses provided by the

Wilderness Act or Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation and 

Development Act while minimizing developments, degradation to 

naturalness and other impacts to wilderness resources.

Livestock Grazing

Grazing would continue within the three wilderness areas under federal regulations to 

meet the Mojave – Southern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council Standards. 

The seven existing range developments within the Big Rocks and South Pahroc Range 

Wilderness Areas would be kept and maintained. These developments would be 

removed if deemed unnecessary by the BLM or permittee following periodic evaluations 

or when there is a grazing permit renewal or transfer.
41

WMP Map 12. Grazing Allotments, Range Developments, and Other 

Existing Structures

Routine livestock management and infrastructure inspections would be accomplished by 

foot or horseback as needed. Motorized vehicles may be authorized for major 

maintenance when transporting equipment or parts which cannot be accomplished by foot 

or pack stock. The Twin Springs water development in the South Pahroc Range would 

be the only infrastructure that may require motorized access for major maintenance. 

Motorized access to the Twin Springs water development may be permitted with written 

notification to the District Manager. This maintenance may include the use of a fourwheel drive vehicle and backhoe for a maximum of two days a year. The existing twotrack route accessing the development would be gated outside the wilderness boundary 

and not rehabilitated. This would be the only route permitted for motorized or 

mechanized access to the Twin Springs development. 

In the case of an emergency, such as rescuing sick animals or placement of feed during 

region-wide snow storms in all three wilderness areas, the permittee would be authorized 

to use motor vehicles. The permittee would be required to inform the District Manager 

after accessing wilderness by motorized means. This would be stated as a term or 

condition of the grazing permit.
42

Water rights

The BLM would seek to acquire additional water rights within the wilderness areas under

Nevada state water law. Existing water rights may be purchased from willing sellers or 

shared with other agencies through cooperative agreements. The BLM may also file 

application for additional water rights where water in excess of existing permitted rights 

can be shown to exist. Water rights would only be used to sustain riparian habitat, 

provide water to wildlife or support recreation.

Unnamed Spring in the South Pahroc Range Wilderness

Mine Claims

There are four active mine claims along the eastern boundary of the South Pahroc Range 

Wilderness. Validity exams on identified claims would be conducted where necessary 

according to wilderness management regulations. For any proposed disturbance, a plan 

of operations must be submitted and would be approved by the field manager.

Military Operations 

Military training exercises would not be located within the three wilderness areas. 

Guidelines for handling military operations would distinguish between emergency and 

non-emergency situations. Non-emergency incidents include release of low-level flares, 

recovery of aircraft parts or retrieval of non-operational ordinances. Emergency 

situations include downed aircraft or pilot and some classes of live ordinance. The 

following guidelines would apply to all military actions within wilderness:
43

Prior notification for non-emergency actions shall be made from 99 CES/CC 

(Commander of the Civil Engineering Squadron of the 99th Airbase Wing at 

Nellis Airforce Base) to the BLM Ely District Office, and a Wilderness Specialist 

may be dispatched for all incidents occurring in or threatening wilderness.

Helicopters or other aircraft may be used for aerial reconnaissance work.

Camps that only require non-motorized access may be located in wilderness areas 

if authorized by the Wilderness Specialist.

The Ely District Office Noxious Weed Prevention Schedule (which identifies best 

management practices) would be utilized. Equipment would be inspected and 

washed to prevent the spread of noxious weeds. Wash-down sites would be 

recorded using a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) unit if possible and reported 

to the Ely District Office Weeds Coordinator. Camps and other assembly points 

would not be located in noxious weed infestation areas.

Leave No Trace principles would be used in wilderness areas.

All evidence of human activity would be removed to the maximum extent 

possible.

In addition to the above guidelines, the following actions within wilderness may be 

approved on a case-by-case basis for non-emergency situations following MRDG 

analysis and authorization from the BLM Ely District Manager. In cases of emergency 

operations, the following actions may be allowed within wilderness, without prior 

analysis or authorization, however a military representative must provide notification to 

the BLM at the onset of the emergency or immediately thereafter.

Use of any motorized vehicles and mechanized equipment.

Use of helibases and helispots within wilderness.

Staging areas and camps requiring motorized access.

Sling loading materials into or out of wilderness using a helicopter.

Objective: Maintain or enhance the natural appearance of the wilderness 

areas by removing unnecessary facilities and minimizing or rehabilitating 

human-caused surface disturbances.

Structures, Installations and Other Human Effects or Disturbances

Structures and installations may be removed if they are not necessary to meet the 

minimum requirements for administration of the area as wilderness, or are not associated 

with a valid existing right.

The seismic monitoring station within the South Pahroc Range Wilderness would be kept 

and maintained. The station was granted a right of way in 1984 and was installed 

January 21, 1972 and has been collecting live seismic data from this location since that 

date. If the monitoring station was moved long term seismological data could be 

interrupted. Access to the monitoring station would remain non-motorized and nonmechanized. (Refer to WMP Map 7. South Pahroc Range Site-Specific Actions)
44

S

e

i

s

m

i

c

Seismic Monitoring Station

Wilderness staff and volunteer monitors would be given instructions on the identification 

of human effects that would be considered unattended personal property or refuse. 

Unattended personal property not associated with an active camp, including geocaches, 

would be removed by BLM personnel upon encountering it and temporarily held at the 

BLM Ely District Office or Caliente Field Station. If possible, the owner of the personal 

property would be contacted. In the case of a traditional geocache, the BLM would

request that it be removed. In the instance that a virtual geocache identifies a sensitive 

site, the sponsor will be asked to remove the site from the internet. Human effects for 

which questions of age exist would be photographed for further consideration by the 

archaeologist. Prehistoric artifacts would not be disturbed.

Rehabilitation of Illegal Motorized Routes

There are approximately 6.5 miles of unauthorized motorized vehicle routes throughout 

the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas that are largely 

denuded of vegetation, though some vegetation may occur along the center hump of the 

route. Soils in the routes are compacted and subject to increased erosion. These routes, 

as well as any future motorized trespasses, would be identified for rehabilitation using 

one or a combination of the following methods: decompaction, scarifying, recontouring, 

vertical mulching, erosion control, desert varnish colorant, and vegetative restoration 

with native species and seed mixes. These routes would be monitored for future 

unauthorized motorized traffic and may require repeat rehabilitation. Artificial barriers 

may be placed outside of wilderness boundaries for protection of rehabilitation actions, or 

as an alternative to unsuccessful rehabilitation measures.
45

WMP Map 13. Illegal Routes to be Rehabilitated

Note on WMP Map 13: For detailed maps showing illegal routes to be rehabilitated in each individual 

wilderness area, please refer to WMP Maps 5, 6 and 7 on pages 19-21.

Work would be completed by BLM staff and contractors with the assistance of volunteer 

hand crews. All actions in wilderness would be conducted with non-motorized

equipment and non-mechanized transport. Actions would include and generally be 

conducted in the following order as needed: 

1. Decompaction: Working the top few inches of the entire disturbed surface to 

relieve soil compaction. This action would be completed with the use of nonmotorized hand tools (soil spades, spading forks, McCloud rakes, pulaskis, 

shovels, horse-drawn implements, etc.).

2. Scarifying/Pitting: Loosening and texturizing the impacted, disturbed surface in 

random locations to better capture water, organic debris and wind-blown seeds, 

thereby stimulating natural revegetation. This would be done with non-motorized 

hand tools.

3. Recontouring: Reconfiguring/shaping the route to blend it with the adjacent,

relatively undisturbed desert. This would involve the creation of small hummocks 

and banks, where appropriate, to mimic the surrounding landscape. Berms would
46

be pulled in and the soil distributed across the disturbed surface. Vehicle tracks in 

sandy washes would be raked. This would lessen visual contrasts and provide a 

surface for natural revegetation. This action would be completed with nonmotorized hand tools.

4. Vertical Mulching: Dead and down vegetation is "planted" to obscure the 

visible portions of the disturbance. Additional dead vegetation, rock material and 

other organic matter may be distributed over the worked surface to decrease 

visual contrasts, create sheltered sites to aid in natural revegetation and add 

organic debris. Dead and down vegetation and other materials would be gathered 

from areas near to the disturbances by hand.

5. Erosion Control: Placing sterile weed-free straw bales or creating light 

terracing/berms to reduce erosion and create barriers to vehicles on steep slopes. 

This is especially effective on hill climbs. The straw bales break down over time 

and provide additional organic debris to the reclamation site. Bales would be 

brought in by hand or horseback to the worksite.

6. Desert varnish colorant: Spraying disturbed rock surfaces to simulate the 

coloration of the surrounding desert varnish. Desert varnish colorants are

chemical compounds comprised of manganese, salts and other ingredients used to 

simulate the natural desert varnish that occurs on rock surfaces in arid 

environments. This substance would be applied sparingly, with the use of a 

backpack sprayer, and only on disturbed rock surfaces that contrast sharply with 

the surrounding landscape.

7. Vegetative Restoration: This would involve planting, transplanting and/or 

seeding necessary to help stabilize soil, speed overall vegetative recovery and 

camouflage evidence of disturbances. All seed would be locally collected or 

native species scattered on reclaimed surfaces to accelerate natural revegetation. 

This action would be completed by non-motorized hand tools.

Illegal Route in the Big Rocks Wilderness
47

Monitoring

The monitoring section tracks the outcome of those management activities on the four 

qualities of wilderness character defined in the Wilderness Act, not just the quality of

wilderness the activity was primarily intended to address. 

A single activity is likely to affect several qualities of wilderness character. For 

example, an activity such as weed control is intended to restore natural conditions over 

the long term but may diminish the untrammeled condition of the wilderness in the short 

term. These two separate outcomes the improvement of “naturalness” and the decreased

“untrammeled,” will be monitored separately.

Since activities may affect several qualities, separate activities undertaken for different 

purposes may cumulatively diminish one of the same qualities of wilderness character. 

For example, a trail might be designated to control visitor impacts on vegetation. In the 

same vicinity, a fence or barrier may be in place to protect sensitive resources from 

recreational impacts. Though the two activities are unrelated, both activities have an 

effect on the “undeveloped” quality of wilderness character. Monitoring the effects of 

single activities to multiple qualities of wilderness character will improve our 

understanding of the effects upon wilderness character in combination and over time.

Effects of intentional, unintentional and unauthorized activities will all be captured under 

the monitoring system. The monitoring program will provide a greater understanding of 

the overall and specific condition of each wilderness area. Information generated in 

monitoring wilderness conditions will indicate: 1) the current state of wilderness 

character; 2) how wilderness character is changing over time; 3) how stewardship actions 

are affecting wilderness character; and 4) what stewardship priorities and decisions 

would best preserve and sustain wilderness character. Monitoring will also provide 

wilderness managers with more complete information which will improve the evaluation

of future proposed activities. The monitoring will not be used to compare these 

wilderness areas with other wilderness areas in the National Wilderness Preservation 

System, but to track the conditions and changes within the wilderness areas themselves.
48

The Mount Irish Wilderness

The following monitoring would assist the BLM in tracking and improving the 

untrammeled condition of the wilderness areas:

A log of all annual management and other activities that control or manipulate 

flora, fauna, soils, water or natural disturbance factors present in the wilderness 

would be maintained in each area’s permanent wilderness file. A description, 

location, purpose and expected outcome of each activity would be documented. 

Activities that may be tracked include:

o Rehabilitation projects

o Fire suppression activities

o Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation activities

o Treatments of noxious or invasive vegetation

o Wildlife management activities

o Periods of livestock grazing

The following monitoring would assist the BLM in preserving the outstanding 

opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation:

A log of sights and sounds of civilization would be maintained in each area’s 

permanent wilderness file. A description and location of the activity inside or 

outside the wilderness areas would be documented.
49

A log of all regulations or restrictions occurring in the wilderness areas will be 

maintained in each area’s permanent wilderness file. A description of the 

regulation and its purpose will be documented.

Visitor use encounters on designated trails and in the Mecca area of the Big Rocks

Wilderness would be monitored through one or more of the following methods:

o Visitor sign-in and comment forms at trailheads and access points

o Public comment received by mail or by e-mail

o Automated visitor counters may be located at trailheads or access points

o Wilderness Rangers or volunteer stewards would visit trailheads, access 

points and the Mecca area at least once every three months to record the 

number of vehicles and collect written comments or other trail data

o Wilderness Rangers or volunteer stewards would hike each trail at least 

twice a year to record the number of encounters and trail conditions. Trail 

conditions would be recorded using a Global Positioning System (GPS) 

and photos would be taken as needed

The wilderness areas would be monitored at boundary roads and access points at 

least once every three months by Wilderness Rangers, Law Enforcement Rangers

or volunteer stewards to detect any unauthorized uses. Over-flight and aerial 

surveillance monitoring will be used to assist in detecting unauthorized uses as 

well.

Campsites would be recorded by the Wilderness Ranger to assure compliance 

with plan standards. Campsites would be recorded by GPS and photos taken to 

track long-term trends.

Mecca would be monitored at least once every three months by Wilderness 

Rangers, Law Enforcement Rangers or volunteer stewards for foot-worn hiking 

trails, impacts to cultural resources and unauthorized methods such as chipping or 

gluing.

The following monitoring would assist the BLM to track and, where possible, improve 

the undeveloped and natural appearance of the wilderness:

A log of all the developments, structures and facilities present in the wilderness 

areas would be maintained in each area’s permanent wilderness file. A

description, location, purpose and expected outcome of the feature would be 

documented.

All former vehicle routes that are rehabilitated will be checked in the field at least 

twice a year to assure they are not continuing to receive motorized use. If 

unauthorized vehicle use continues, modifications as described in the plan would

be made to the closure.

The following monitoring would assist the BLM in preserving the primeval character and 

influence of the wilderness:

A log of all known human alterations to the ecosystem will be maintained in each 

area’s permanent wilderness file. A description and location will be documented 

or referenced. Conditions that may be tracked include:
50

o Non-native species

o Threatened, endangered and sensitive species

o Species no longer present in the wilderness

o Air quality

o Presence, abundance, and distribution of native species

A log of natural disturbances will be maintained in each area’s permanent 

wilderness file. A description and location will be documented or referenced. 

Activities that may be tracked include:

o Fire

o Flood

o Insect or disease outbreaks

Monitoring for noxious weeds will occur at least once a year, and will focus on

areas including springs, washes and areas receiving regular visitor use such as

trails and boundary roads.

Wildlife monitoring will be accomplished primarily by the Nevada Department of 

Wildlife, according to the agency’s established protocol. The BLM Wilderness 

Rangers will also record wildlife sightings, especially for nesting raptors, bighorn 

sheep and mule deer. Monitoring or research by other entities may occur 

according to protocol described in the plan.

Vegetation monitoring for livestock utilization will be done. Standards for 

protection of rangeland resources are identified in the Fundamentals of Rangeland 

Health and Standards and Guidelines for Grazing Administration in the BLM’s 

Grazing Regulations. On BLM lands in southern Nevada, the area-specific 

standards and guidelines are set in the Mojave – Southern Great Basin Standards 

and Guidelines. Monitoring for cattle presence will be incorporated into all other 

monitoring tasks.

Findings, or a reference to the findings, from inventory, monitoring and research 

projects completed in the wilderness areas will be included in each area’s

wilderness file. Other known research outside the wilderness but applicable to the 

understanding of the wilderness ecosystem may be referenced.

Monitoring to assess the effects of recreation on wildlife will occur where feasible 

monitoring methods are developed to track recreation-caused changes in wildlife 

use patterns within the three wilderness areas.

Monitoring will be included to account for changes to the natural fire cycle 

occurring from introduced annual grasses. This additional monitoring will aid fire 

management in determining Appropriate Management Response on an annual 

basis. For fires having greater potential to convert native vegetation to unnatural 

annual grass-dominated vegetation, fire management will have better information 

to adjust response to the most active suppression response compatible with the 

fire management objectives and procedures for the area.

Monitoring archaeological resources and historic properties will take place 

regularly by BLM staff and through the cultural site steward program. Known 

sites and resources in areas of high visitor use should be monitored frequently. 
51

Plan Evaluation

All field reports, photographs and monitoring data will be maintained in the official 

wilderness files at the BLM’s Ely District Office. The Plan will be revised when the 

management actions prescribed no longer meet the wilderness management objectives, or 

when a change in the existing situation warrants revised management. The need for 

revision will be reviewed every five years. If the decision is made to revise the plan, it 

will be accomplished with public participation. Minor revisions such as typographical or 

cartographical errors may be made by inserting an errata sheet.

Plan Implementation Sequence

Management of the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas 

will be carried out in accordance with this plan under the direction of the Ely BLM 

Wilderness Staff. Other BLM staff and volunteers may be called upon for support or 

subject expertise. Four types of management activities may occur. These types of 

management activities may be completed based upon the NEPA analysis done for this 

plan:

Ongoing activities carried out through the life of the Plan

Activities that will be implemented as special projects at the beginning of the 

plan. The second two types of management activities will require action-specific 

NEPA analysis before they can be completed

Management activities triggered by changes in conditions as detected through 

monitoring

Activities that may be proposed in the future for which general guidance exists in 

the plan, or that may not be addressed in the plan. 

The following list shows the priority sequence for accomplishing management activities 

of the plan. The actual implementation could be altered based on funding and staff 

availability outside the control of this plan.

Ongoing Activities

Maintenance of boundary signs

Trail and vehicle access point maintenance

Vegetation clearing around archaeological resources

Wilderness monitoring

o Visitor use monitoring

o Natural resource monitoring

o Trail condition monitoring

o All other wilderness character monitoring

Visitor information dissemination

Special Projects (Implementation would not require additional NEPA analysis)
52

Archaeological, botanical and threatened and endangered species clearances to 

support plan implementation

Write and publish supplemental rules for all visitor use standards established in 

the plan as specified under 43 CFR 8365.1-6

Rehabilitation

o Former vehicle routes

o Campsites 

o Prospecting disturbance

Vehicle access parking points established 

Trail designation

o Trail preparation (improvement of sections not currently within standards)

o Trailhead development

Signing

o Trailhead and vehicle access point wilderness information signs

o Off-site kiosks

Removal of unnecessary structures and installations

Livestock developments

o Construction, modification or removal of developments as appropriate

Fire management plan

Changing conditions requiring subsequent NEPA analysis

Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation

o New visitor impacts

o Fire rehabilitation

Trail reconstruction or stabilization

Management of social conditions

o Visitor use regulations

o Group size limits

Fire suppression

Non-native plant control

Potential future proposals requiring subsequent NEPA analysis

Guiding permits

Wildlife projects

Research on natural or cultural resources

Any future proposals not analyzed within this document will require a separate 

Environmental Assessment and 30-day public notification. 
53

Big Rocks Wilderness

Mount Irish Wilderness

South Pahroc Range Wilderness

Environmental Assessment

(EA) NV-040-06-003

December 13, 2007

U.S Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management

Nevada State Office

Ely District Office
54

Environmental Assessment

Introduction

The Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas were designated 

by the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation and Development Act of 2004 (Public 

Law 108-424 November 30, 2004). This environmental assessment covers actions 

described in the Wilderness Management Plan. Subsequent site-specific National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis will be prepared as necessary to address 

future actions.

Need for Proposal

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) policy is to manage wilderness areas under the 

guidance of a Wilderness Management Plan. This plan and the subsequent 

implementation would:

1. Identify the conditions and opportunities which will be managed for within 

the wilderness areas

2. Manage access to and in the wilderness areas

3. Mitigate potential impacts

The need for the plan is to create specific management guidance addressing resources and

activities in the wilderness to preserve the areas’ wilderness characteristics. Wilderness 

characteristics are cumulatively identified as the untrammeled quality, outstanding 

opportunities for solitude or a primitive form of recreation, undeveloped character, 

naturalness and primeval character, and special features of wilderness areas. The purpose 

is also to identify actions that would be implemented upon adoption of the plan and those 

that may be implemented in the future if changes in resource conditions occur.

Due to their proximity and similar management issues, these three wilderness areas are 

being addressed in a single management plan.

Location

The Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas are located 

approximately 25-50 miles west of Caliente in Lincoln County, Nevada and 

approximately 15 miles north of Alamo in Lincoln County, Nevada.
55

EA Map 1. Overview of Wilderness Areas

Relationship to Planning

The Wilderness Management Plan has been analyzed within the scope of the following 

land use plans and has been found to be in conformance with the goals, objectives and 

decisions of these documents (as required by 43 CFR 1610.5): Caliente Management 

Framework Plan (1983) and Schell Management Framework Plan (1981). The plan is 

also in conformance with the draft Ely Resource Management Plan released for public 

review in July of 2005.

 

The Wilderness Management Plan is not consistent with the Lincoln County Public Land 

& Natural Resource Management Plan of 1997. The Plan states “No additional 

wilderness areas shall be designated in Lincoln County.” The Lincoln County 

Commission did support the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation and Development 

Act of 2004.

Relationship to Statues, Regulations, or Other Plans

The plan conforms to the Wilderness Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-557), The Federal 

Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-579), The Lincoln County 

Conservation, Recreation and Development Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-424), the 

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-190), Grazing Guidelines 

(House Report No. 101-405, Appendix B), and Wildlife Management Guidelines (House 
56

Report No. 101-405, Appendix B). The plan is in conformance with 43 CFR Part 6300-

Management of Designated Wilderness Areas, and BLM Manuals 8560 – Management of 

Designated Wilderness Areas, and 8561 – Wilderness Management Plans. 

Issues

Issues of primary importance identified during the internal and external scoping process 

for this Wilderness Management Plan include:

Opportunities for solitude and primitive, unconfined recreation

Protecting and enhancing the undeveloped and natural appearance of the 

wilderness areas

Preserving naturalness, primeval character and influence of the wilderness 

areas

Management of special non-wilderness land uses allowed by the Wilderness 

Act

One issue identified during public scoping was considered out of scope of this plan: 

change to the boundaries of designated wilderness to allow motorized use within 

currently designated wilderness. The BLM manages wilderness boundaries as designated 

by Congress. It is not the purpose of a Wilderness Management Plan to adjust boundaries 

to meet management goals and objectives.

Some issues identified during public scoping and public comments are already addressed 

in existing planning documents or policy, and are out of the scope of this plan. These are 

listed below:

Opening closed routes in wilderness to motorized travel

Managing airspace above wilderness

Amending wilderness boundaries

Use of volunteers in the signing of wilderness boundaries

Not restricting, or putting very little restriction upon, fire suppression

Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives

Actions identified in all three alternatives would apply to the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and 

South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas unless otherwise specified.

Alternative 1 (Proposed Action)

The proposed action emphasizes the need to maintain and enhance the wilderness 

qualities of the three areas with the public’s increasing desire for recreational access. 

This alternative designates two short trails in the Big Rocks Wilderness to provide 

additional access and limit resource impacts. It also allows for greater proactive 

management methods across all three areas should monitoring show unacceptable 
57

impacts to wilderness qualities resulting from recreational use. This alternative would 

also allow for the rehabilitation of 6.5 miles of existing illegal motorized routes and any 

future illegal motorized routes within the three areas for the enhancement of the 

wilderness quality of naturalness. Under this alternative, wildland fire would be 

aggressively suppressed to maintain the natural fire intensity and frequency as well as to 

preserve a more natural vegetative community.

EA Map 2. Proposed Action for the Big Rocks Wilderness
58

EA Map 3. Proposed Action for the Mount Irish Wilderness
59

EA Map 4. Proposed Action for the South Pahroc Range Wilderness
60

Noxious and Invasive Weeds

The management ideal is to sustain only native species in wilderness areas. Noxious 

weeds are designated by the Nevada Department of Agriculture. Monitoring for noxious 

weeds would occur on an annual basis. Where noxious weeds are found, emphasis would

be placed on controlling small infestations, plants likely to spread and displace native 

plants or plants that may disrupt ecosystem function. If effective control or eradication is 

possible, control practices would be prioritized in the following order:

Grubbing with hand tools if plants would not re-sprout, where grubbing would not 

encourage additional noxious or invasive species and where infestations are of a 

size manageable by hand crews.

Herbicides applied by backpack and pack stock equipment where grubbing is not 

effective. Any herbicide applications would require site-specific NEPA analysis

Biological control agents approved by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 

Service (APHIS) where infestations are of such size that eradication by grubbing 

or herbicides is not feasible.

Herbicides applied aerially or with motorized equipment where control is feasible, 

where control impacts are quickly and readily rehabilitated and where the 

infestation is of such size that herbicides cannot be effectively applied without 

motorized equipment. Any herbicide applications would require site-specific 

NEPA analysis.

Selection of the control method would be based on its effectiveness as determined by 

plant biology, the minimum tool objective and impact to the wilderness resource. If 

herbicides are necessary, those approved for use on BLM lands may be used according to 

other existing requirements. Reseeding control areas with native species would be 

incorporated where local seed sources are not adequate for natural recruitment. 

Invasive weeds present in the three areas include the annual grasses cheatgrass and red 

brome. No reliable control or eradication methods have been identified for cheatgrass or 

red brome. If reliable methods are developed in the future, they could be considered for 

application in these three wilderness areas based on the minimum required tool objective 

and impact to wilderness qualities.

Wildlife Management Activities

Wildlife management activities within these designated wilderness areas would be in 

conformance with the current or future modified Memorandum of Understanding 

between the Bureau of Land Management and the Nevada Department of Wildlife, 

Wildlife Management in Nevada BLM Wilderness Areas 

(BLM MOU 6300-NV930-0402, henceforth referred to as the BLM-NDOW MOU). 

In furtherance of the purposes and principles of the Wilderness Act, management 

activities to maintain or restore wildlife populations and the habitats to support such 

populations may be carried out within wilderness areas designated by the Lincoln County 

Conservation, Recreation and Development Act. Activities could include the occasional 

and temporary use of motorized vehicles, if such use, as determined by the Secretary of 
61

Interior, authorized officer or district manager would promote healthy, viable and more 

naturally-distributed wildlife populations that would enhance wilderness values and 

accomplish those purposes with the minimum impact necessary to reasonably accomplish 

the task.

Bighorn Sheep in the South Pahroc Range Wilderness

Wildlife Relocation

Transplants (i.e., removal or reintroduction of wildlife species) may be permitted if 

necessary: 1) to perpetuate or recover a threatened or endangered species; or 2) to restore 

the population of indigenous species eliminated or reduced by human influence. Sites 

and locations outside of the wilderness areas would be utilized first, and if not available, 

transplants may be made to or from the wilderness areas in a manner compatible with the 

wilderness character of the area. 

Only species whose indigenous range includes the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South 

Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas would be considered for relocation into the wilderness 

areas. When a species is in need of augmentation in the wilderness areas, and until such 

time as the population is thriving on its own, the BLM would consult with the Nevada 

Department of Wildlife in taking actions to suspend or reduce activities contributing to 

the condition until such time as the population is self-sustainable. 
62

In furtherance of the values of these wilderness areas to the larger region, and when a 

species is sufficiently in excess of its viable population level in the wilderness areas, 

wildlife relocation from the wilderness areas may be approved to restore the population 

of the species at indigenous habitat elsewhere.

Relocation activities may be supported by motorized equipment or transport where it is 

necessary to meet the minimum requirements for the administration of the area as 

wilderness. Staging would occur outside the wilderness boundary. Timing would

consider visitor use of the area and would normally be scheduled during periods when 

visitor use is low (for example, weekdays). In order to inform visitors of impending 

activity, relocation days would be posted on the Ely District Office website two weeks in 

advance of activity.

Wildlife Water Developments

New water developments, such as guzzlers, may be permitted only when essential to 

preserve the wilderness resource and when necessary to maintain the local indigenous 

wildlife population where human activity has caused loss of water within the local 

population’s indigenous range, and an artificial water source cannot be located outside 

the wilderness areas to achieve the same purpose. Construction, maintenance and water 

replenishment activities may be supported by motorized equipment or transport where it 

is necessary to meet the minimum requirements for administration of wilderness. If 

approved, developments would be visually minimized and may not utilize trucked-in 

water. Inspection and maintenance of facilities would take place by non-motorized and 

non-mechanized means except for major maintenance requiring large parts or tools which 

cannot be transported by foot or pack stock.

Wildlife water developments would not be approved in the Mecca area of the Big Rocks 

Wilderness where bouldering is a current known use and conflicts between wildlife and 

bouldering may occur. 

Fire Management

Fire management objectives in the Big Rocks Wilderness, Mount Irish Wilderness and 

South Pahroc Range Wilderness would be structured in accordance with the most current 

Ely District Office Fire Management Plan. In the North Pahroc and Pahranagat Fire 

Management Unit (FMU), including the Big Rocks Wilderness and the Mount Irish 

Wilderness, 90 percent of individual fires would be held to 300 acres or less and no more 

than 10,000 acres burned in a ten year period. In the Clover, Delamar, South Pahroc, and

Irish FMU, including the South Pahroc Range Wilderness, 90 percent of individual fires 

would be held to 1,000 acres or less and no more than 50,000 acres burned in a ten year 

period.

Appropriate Management Response (AMR) for both FMUs would be developed for all 

wildland fires in the planning area and would include a range of specific actions from 

monitoring, confinement, initial attack and suppression/extinguishment or wildfire 

suppression with multiple strategies. AMR would be determined for each wildland fire 
63

based on site factors, including fuel loading and fire behavior, while ensuring the safety 

of firefighters and the public; the protection of private property would also be considered.

EA Map 5. Fire Management Units and Archaeological Issues

 

Fire may be fought aggressively, but utilizing techniques that employ suppression 

standards necessary to stop the fire with the minimum adverse impact on wilderness 

characteristics. Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) and a policy of no motor 

vehicles would be used unless necessary to protect human life, property or wilderness 

characteristics. Motorized vehicles, including earth-moving equipment and aircraft, may 

be used with the District Manager’s approval to protect natural resources by stopping 

large escaped fires that threaten to convert the native plant community from native 

vegetation to a dominance of non-native vegetation. Wildfire management priorities 

include maintaining native vegetation diversity by managing fire size to minimize the 

spread and density of: annual invasive grasses, cheatgrass and red brome; and noxious 

weed species such as: spotted knapweed, Russian knapweed, hoary cress and tamarisk, 

where they are known to occur.
64

Prescribed fire may be allowed within these wilderness areas under an approved Fire 

Management Plan for the following purposes: 1) to reintroduce or maintain the natural 

condition of a fire-dependent ecosystem; 2) to restore fire where past strict fire control

measures have interfered with natural ecological processes; or 3) where a primary value

of these wilderness areas would be perpetuated as a result of the burning. 

Any actions deemed necessary by the Incident Commander for public and firefighter 

safety would be authorized.

Suppression Guidelines for Wilderness:

A Wilderness Specialist would be dispatched to all fires occurring in or 

threatening a wilderness area.

Use of any motorized equipment must be approved by the District Manager.

Heavy equipment (bulldozers, etc.) would only be used in wilderness if the fire is 

threatening human life, property or wilderness characteristics. The District 

Manager must approve the use of heavy equipment in all cases.

It is preferable to locate helibases and helispots outside wilderness boundaries. 

However, if helibases and helispots cannot be located outside wilderness 

boundaries, they may be approved within wilderness boundaries by the District 

Manager. The use of helibases and helispots should meet the minimum required 

tool objective.

Sling loading materials into or out of wilderness using a helicopter must be 

approved by the District Manager and should meet the minimum required tool 

objective.

Helicopters or other aircraft may be used for aerial reconnaissance work.

Staging areas and fire camps requiring motorized access would be located outside 

of wilderness unless authorized by the District Manager.

Staging areas and fire camps that only require non-motorized access may be 

located in wilderness areas if authorized by the Resource Advisor.

The Ely District Office Noxious Weed Prevention Schedule which identifies best 

management practices would be utilized. Suppression resources would be 

inspected and washed to prevent the spread of noxious weeds. Wash-down sites 

would be recorded using a GPS unit if possible, and reported to the Ely District

Office Weeds Coordinator. Camps and other assembly points would not be 

located in noxious weed infestation areas.

Use of retardant must be approved by the District Manager; if retardant is not 

approved, water may be dropped from retardant aircraft as ordered by the Incident 

Commander without additional authorization required.

All fire suppression activities in wilderness would use Minimum Impact 

Suppression Techniques (MIST) unless a higher degree or level of fire 

suppression is required.

Leave No Trace principles would be used in wilderness areas. All evidence of 

human activity would be removed to the maximum extent possible.
65

Burn Area in the South Pahroc Range Wilderness

Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation 

Active stabilization and rehabilitation work would occur in situations necessary to 

stabilize soil to prevent damage to downstream human life or property, or to prevent the 

site from becoming dominated by non-native species. Active rehabilitation with hand 

tools would also occur to obscure fire lines with rock or brush. If motorized earthmoving equipment is used to construct fire lines, the same type of equipment may be 

needed for rehabilitation and recontouring before the equipment is released from the fire. 

When active rehabilitation is determined necessary, native species should be utilized, 

with a preference for local genetic stock if available. Where natural vegetation is 

expected to return in a reasonable time, no rehabilitation work would be done.

Should a reliable method to control or eradicate annual invasive grasses be developed, 

including the potential use of non-native, non-invasive vegetation, it may be applied in 

these wilderness areas after site-specific analysis and State Director approval. 

Emergency stabilization and rehabilitation treatments would be monitored annually. All 

monitoring would be conducted without the use of motorized or mechanized equipment.

Archaeological Resources and Historic Properties

For protection and enhancement of these supplemental values within the three wilderness 

areas, vegetation may be cut back or removed up to several feet from a resource or 

property to protect sensitive resources, such as prehistoric rock art, from wildland fire. 

This would be accomplished using tools such as pruning shears, pulaskis or other hand 
66

tools once annually in the spring, before fire season, and would be completed by trained 

cultural site stewards during routine monitoring visits.

Protection of archaeological resources from damage by wilderness visitors would be 

accomplished with the minimum necessary on-the-ground action. First, resources would 

be monitored but not specifically identified for the public. If monitoring reveals that 

damage is occurring to archaeological resources, the BLM Ely District Wilderness 

Planner and Archaeologist would work together to develop a management strategy for 

preventing further damage, which may include, but is not limited to education, signage 

and natural barriers.

Rock Art in the Big Rocks Wilderness

Every attempt would be made for protection of artifacts in place; if artifacts are 

discovered in designated trails, foot-worn hiking paths or other areas of recreational use, 

they may be collected after consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office 

according to the standard process followed by the Ely District Archaeologist, as well as 

the Ely District Archaeologist and Wilderness Planner.

A reconnaissance inventory for archeological resources would be completed at spring 

sites in proximity to or within the wilderness areas, along access routes and cherry

stemmed routes to aid in management decisions for the protection of these resources.

Trails

The following existing trails in the Big Rocks Wilderness would be designated, 

converted, and regularly maintained by the BLM as hiking and equestrian trails: 1) the 

Mecca Trail; and 2) the Little Boulder Trail. Designated trails would be displayed on 

BLM maps, brochures and the Ely District Office website. No other trails would be 
67

constructed or designated within the three wilderness areas. If not designated as a trail or 

retained as a foot-worn hiking path, any new trails would be rehabilitated.

These two designated trails would total approximately 2.5 miles in the Big Rocks 

Wilderness. A cultural inventory would be completed along these trails. The Mecca Trail 

is approximately 0.5 miles in length and is the main access into the Big Rocks boulder 

fields within the designated wilderness. The Mecca Trail is currently a two-track route

that turns into a single-track hiking trail; it would be converted to a single-track trail 

along its entire length. The Little Boulder Trail is an existing single-track trail that 

begins at Little Boulder Spring and accesses the higher plateau of the wilderness. The 

Little Boulder Trail would require a short reroute of approximately 0.75 miles to 

minimize impacts to grazing operations and wildlife use of water associated with Little 

Boulder Spring. The trail reroute would leave from below the existing corral outside the 

wilderness and follow the wash to the intersection with the existing trail. These trails 

would not be marked on the ground, but would be indicated on BLM maps. Foot-worn 

hiking paths may occur and may be available for use upon discovery by visitors. These 

informal paths would not be marked on the ground, displayed on BLM maps or 

brochures, or normally receive maintenance. 

No known foot-worn hiking paths exist within the three wilderness areas. Monitoring for 

new foot-worn hiking paths would specifically occur in the Mecca area of the Big Rocks 

Wilderness, the southern drainage of the South Pahroc Range Wilderness, all vehicle 

access points and those 6.5 miles of unauthorized motorized routes closed at the time of 

wilderness designation. An inventory of new foot-worn hiking paths would be 

maintained and monitored for resource damage. Monitoring would identify paths with 

different levels of trampling, leading to primitive camping areas, cut vegetation or other 

evidence of use (see the Monitoring section at the end of the Proposed Action).

As new foot-worn paths are discovered, they would be evaluated for impacts to 

wilderness character (including natural and cultural resources) and the management 

objectives of this plan. When appropriate and where possible, new foot-worn hiking

paths may be rehabilitated (see guidelines for rehabilitation of disturbances later in this 

section) or retained. When a foot-worn hiking path is retained, it may be rerouted, 

improved or maintained to follow designated trail guidelines to make the trail compatible 

with protecting resources while preserving the wilderness character of the area.

Both designated trails and, when determined appropriate, informal foot-worn paths may 

be maintained or rerouted where they are causing or anticipated to cause damage to 

wilderness character. Examples for when trail maintenance or rerouting would occur 

include: 

Slopes greater than 15 percent, beyond which potential for excessive soil erosion 

and trail deterioration is high. Very short, steep sections may be retained where 

reinforcement with native rock would prevent soil erosion. Rolling dips or rockenforced water bars would be utilized to reduce water-caused soil erosion. 
68

Where trail braiding or duplicate routes exist or are beginning to occur, the most 

appropriate trail would be selected and the duplicate route(s) blocked, barricaded 

or otherwise rehabilitated with rock or native vegetation. 

Trails would be limited to a width of 24 inches, not to exceed 36 inches, except 

trail sections along precipices (where it may be wider for safety) or in washes. 

Tree limbs or fallen trees may be cleared within ten feet high and four feet to 

either side of trail (cutting limbs at trunk) or, where practical, minor trail 

relocation may be done to avoid the tree. 

Trails may be rerouted to avoid damage to natural or cultural resources.

Manage Bouldering (climbing on small rock formations)

Bouldering would be permitted in these wilderness areas, and for the most part, is likely 

to occur only in the Mecca area of the Big Rocks Wilderness.

Bouldering in Mecca

Damaging practices, including chiseling or chipping rock, forcibly prying off rock, gluing 

or otherwise affixing artificial holds on rock and destroying vegetation to enhance a 

route, would be prohibited. These prohibitions would be indicated on information kiosks 

for the area, BLM brochures and on the Ely District Office website. Climbing directly 

on, above or adjacent to rock art panels would also prohibited; this restriction would be in 

accordance with the Archaeological Resources Protection of 1979, which states that “no 

person may excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface or attempt to 

excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface any archaeological resource 

located on public lands or Indian lands” (Section 6(a)).
69

It is likely that some foot-worn hiking paths connecting various boulders and other 

climbing-related surface disturbances would occur. This area would be specifically 

monitored for new foot-worn paths, disturbances and subsequent resource impacts. Footworn paths resulting from bouldering activities would be managed according to the above 

discussion. In addition, there is increased potential for trampling of soil and vegetation 

around boulders and staging areas. A staging area would be designated outside the Big 

Rocks Wilderness as described later. 

Bouldering and climbing activities, including route bolting, may be limited in smaller 

areas for the protection and preservation of archaeological and historic resources.

EA Map 6. The Mecca Climbing Area
70

Manage General Recreation Activities

A variety of recreation activities are likely to occur in all three wilderness areas. 

Management actions that may be initiated at signs of recreational impacts include, but are 

not limited to:

Public outreach and education in Leave No Trace principles to encourage 

minimum impact practices

Provide information to public on non-wilderness recreational opportunities in the 

region

Establishment of a protective area around sensitive resources where recreation 

activities may be restricted 

Closure of areas to recreation activities

Hunting and trapping are permitted in wilderness, subject to applicable State and Federal 

laws and regulations. Shed antler collection would be permitted for personal use only. 

These activities are and would likely continue to be popular. Creation of hunting blinds 

would not be allowed, however, portable hunting blinds would be temporarily permitted

during the season of use if they are packed-in and do not involve soil, rock, or vegetation 

disturbance or destruction. 

Recreational horseback riding and use of pack stock animals would be permitted in these 

three wilderness areas both on and off trail. Other than incidental browsing, riding and 

pack stock animals would only be fed with packed-in, certified weed-free feed.

Camping

Backcountry camping would be allowed. Occupying a campsite would be allowed for up 

to 14 days. Should a visitor wish to camp longer than 14 days, their camp must be 

relocated a minimum of 25 miles from the previous site. If monitoring shows that the 14-

day stay limit is leading to unacceptable resource impacts, site stay limits of less than 14 

days could be implemented. Campfires would be allowed except under fire hazard 

restrictions. Visitors would be allowed to collect dead and down fuelwood for personal 

campfires during their trip. Leave No Trace camping techniques would be encouraged 

through literature, BLM-sponsored Leave No Trace Trainer courses and public 

workshops. If more than two campsites (identified by the presence of a campfire rock 

ring) are identified within a quarter mile of each other, the least impacted site would be 

restored to a natural condition to minimize additional camping disturbance. Campfire 

rings closer than 300 feet to sole water sources, in compliance with state regulations, 

would also be removed.

Signs

Wilderness boundaries would be identified by wilderness signs at key locations. 

Wilderness boundary signs at access points may be larger signs with the name of the 

wilderness. These larger signs would be placed specifically at the Mecca Trailhead to the 

Big Rocks Wilderness boundary, at the North access point of the Mount Irish Wilderness 

near the Archaeological District and the Logan Site, and at the Reed Spring access point 

in the Mount Irish Wilderness. These signboards would provide wilderness, natural and 
71

cultural resource interpretive information. Other access points may have smaller 

signboards to provide additional information. No directional signs would be placed for 

trails within wilderness.

An information kiosk would be placed at the Mecca staging area that would provide 

information on natural and cultural resources, including information for climbers on 

avoiding archaeological resources, particularly rock art. A large information kiosk would

be placed at the junction of Highway 93, and state routes 318 and 375, south of the 

community of Hiko. This kiosk would provide information on wilderness in Lincoln 

County and the Silver State OHV Trail.

EA Map 7. Boundary Signs and Informational Kiosks

Solitude

In the Mecca area of the Big Rocks Wilderness, encounters with other groups more than 

0.5 miles inside the wilderness boundary would be infrequent with no more than 12 

encounters per day exceeded on no more than 12 days a year. 
72

In the remainder of the Big Rocks Wilderness and the entire Mount Irish Wilderness and 

South Pahroc Range Wilderness, encounters with other groups more than 0.5 miles inside 

the wilderness boundaries from access points would be rare, with no more than two 

encounters per day exceeded on no more than four days per year.

The following management actions, listed in order of priority, may be initiated if 

standards as identified above are exceeded: 

Educate visitors concerning Leave No Trace recreation ethics to reduce conflict 

with other visitors

Provide information to the public on non-wilderness recreational opportunities in 

the region

Establish a group size limit of 12

Increase difficulty of access (reduces maintenance levels on access points and

boundary roads, limit available public information, limit parking availability, etc.)

A combination of the above methods

Plan revision with additional public input to reassess these standards and/or

implement more direct controls

The Mount Irish Wilderness

Guides and Outfitters

Section 4(d) allows for some commercial services to the extent necessary for activities 

which are proper for realizing wilderness purposes of wilderness areas.
73

Commercial guiding would be permitted for: 

Hunting

Academically-oriented organizations whose primary purpose is wilderness or 

environmental education

Organizations whose service is primarily for the support of people with 

disabilities

Guides would be subject to the same camping limitation as other visitors to the 

wilderness areas. Limits on the number of commercial hunting guides in wilderness may 

be implemented if monitoring identifies excessive impacts to wilderness character or 

other natural or cultural resources. 

Commercial Pine Nut Harvest Restrictions

Section 4(c) of the Wilderness Act prohibits commercial enterprises within wilderness. 

The three wilderness areas would be closed to commercial pine nut harvesting. The 

opportunities for commercial pine nut harvesting in non-wilderness areas remains large. 

Pine nut collecting for personal use within these three areas would continue to be allowed 

subject to land use planning decisions.

Vehicle Access and Staging Areas

A staging area would be designated at the Mecca area of the Big Rocks Wilderness. This 

area would occur outside the wilderness, approximately 1.75 miles north of the private 

property at Pahroc Spring along the access route to Mecca, and would accommodate 

several passenger vehicles. The area of disturbance for the staging area would be no 

more than two acres and would remain within the 200-foot non-wilderness corridor. The 

staging area would be defined by a low profile wooden rail fence and interpretive panel. 

A dispersed camping area occurs approximately 0.25 miles further along the route that 

would accommodate four additional passenger vehicles. The designated Mecca Trail 

continues on beyond the primitive camping area.

For the most part, visitors would access the wilderness areas in motorized and 

mechanized vehicles at additional points not designated as trailheads, where existing 

roads end at the boundary. These include five points at the Big Rocks Wilderness, eight 

points at the Mount Irish Wilderness and ten points at the South Pahroc Range 

Wilderness. Access routes would be maintained at their current condition. Wilderness 

access points would be defined by creating turn-arounds at suitable locations at or before 

wilderness boundaries to prevent vehicles from continuing into wilderness.

When a new turn-around must be created, it would occupy no more than 0.5 acres and 

leave adequate space for two vehicles to park parallel to the road without blocking the 

turn-around. Turn-arounds would not extend into the wilderness. They would be limited 

to the 100-foot boundary offset.
74

EA Map 8. The Mecca Staging Area

Vehicle barriers would be constructed outside the wilderness areas where natural barriers 

are not adequate to keep vehicles from traveling past the turn-around. Barriers would be 

prioritized as follows: 

Wilderness sign, berm associated with turn-around, small rocks and/or vegetation 

placement or restoration

Large boulders moved by heavy equipment

Posts

Fence or gates

Environmental Education and Interpretation

General interpretive information for natural resources, cultural resources, wilderness and 

recreation would be located on kiosks, maps, brochures and the Ely District Office

website. There would be no interpretive trails designated.
75

Cultural Interpretation in the Big Rocks Wilderness

Public outreach for Leave No Trace recreation ethics would be emphasized with both 

classes and workshops presented at local schools and in the field. A separate wilderness 

public education plan would be developed for programs related to all designated 

wilderness in Lincoln County.

Off-site Information

Basic information about the wilderness areas (for example, safety, Leave No Trace, 

sensitive resources and some location information) would be provided in brochures, on 

the Ely District Office website and on BLM Surface Management Edition maps. In 

addition, wilderness-specific maps would be produced with the designated trails, 

descriptions and interpretive information. Wilderness ethics and Leave No Trace 

principles would be included on maps.

The BLM would also coordinate with the U.S. Geological Survey to include wilderness 

boundaries on new USGS map printings, and remove from future USGS map printings, 

vehicle routes depicted within wilderness boundaries. In addition, the BLM would work 

with private map producers to include wilderness boundaries, trails and staging areas.

The BLM would collaborate with other agencies and non-government organizations in 

the presentation of basic information on these three wilderness areas when appropriate.

Information on these wilderness areas may also be made available by non-BLM sources,

such as guide books. 

Research 

The three wilderness areas would be identified as priority areas for conducting basic and

specific inventory, monitoring and research activities as they relate to the wilderness 

resource. Inventory, monitoring and research may generate the need for management 

actions to preserve wilderness characteristics. Research on wildlife, their habitats and the 

recreational users of these resources is a legitimate activity in these wilderness areas 

when conducted in a manner compatible with the preservation of the wilderness 

environment. Research on archaeological resources for the preservation of these 

important supplemental values to wilderness is also a legitimate activity in these areas.
76

Research proposals that do not contribute to the improved management of the area as 

wilderness would not be permitted if they can be accomplished outside of the wilderness 

areas. Research conducted by NDOW should be accomplished in accordance with the 

BLM-NDOW MOU. 

Research and other studies must be conducted without use of motorized or mechanized

equipment or construction of temporary or permanent structures. Exceptions may be 

approved for projects that are essential to managing the specific wilderness areas when 

no other feasible alternatives exist. Such use must be necessary to meet the minimum 

requirements for administration of the area as wilderness and must not degrade 

wilderness character. A site-specific NEPA analysis would have to be prepared for the 

authorization of any exceptions.

Livestock Grazing

Grazing would continue within the three wilderness areas under federal regulations to 

meet the Mojave – Southern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council Standards. 

The seven existing range developments within the Big Rocks and South Pahroc Range 

Wilderness Areas would be kept and maintained. These developments would be 

removed if deemed unnecessary by the BLM or permittee following periodic evaluations 

or when there is a grazing permit renewal or transfer. 

Routine livestock management and infrastructure inspections would be accomplished by 

foot or horseback as needed. Motorized vehicles may be authorized for major 

maintenance when transporting equipment or parts which cannot be accomplished by foot 

or pack stock. The Twin Springs water development in the South Pahroc Range would 

be the only infrastructure that may require motorized access for major maintenance. 

Motorized access to the Twin Springs water development may be permitted with written 

notification to the District Manager. This maintenance may include the use of a fourwheel drive vehicle and backhoe for a maximum of 12 hours. The existing two-track 

route accessing the development would be gated outside the wilderness boundary and not 

rehabilitated. This would be the only route permitted for motorized or mechanized access 

to the Twin Springs Development.

In the case of an emergency such as rescuing sick animals or placement of feed during 

region-wide snow storms in all three wilderness areas, the permittee would be authorized 

to use motor vehicles. The permittee would be required to inform the District Manager 

after accessing wilderness by motorized means. This would be stated as a term or 

condition of the grazing permit.
77

EA Map 9. Grazing Allotments and Range Developments

 

Water rights

The BLM would seek to acquire additional water rights within the wilderness areas under 

Nevada state water law. Existing water rights may be purchased from willing sellers or 

shared with other agencies through cooperative agreements. The BLM may also file 

application for additional water rights where water in excess of existing permitted rights 

can be shown to exist. Water rights would only be used to sustain riparian habitat, 

provide water to wildlife or support recreation.

Mine Claims

There are four mine claims along the eastern boundary of the South Pahroc Range 

Wilderness. Validity exams on identified claims would be conducted where necessary 

according to wilderness management regulations. For any proposed disturbance, a plan 

of operations must be submitted and would be approved by the field manager.
78

Military Operations 

Military training exercises would not be located within the three wilderness areas. 

Guidelines for handling military operations would distinguish between emergency and 

non-emergency situations. Non-emergency incidents include release of low-level flares, 

recovery of aircraft parts or retrieval of non-operational ordinances. Emergency 

situations include downed aircraft or pilot and some classes of live ordinance. The 

following guidelines would apply to all military actions within wilderness:

Prior notification for non-emergency actions shall be made from 99 CES/CC 

(Commander of the Civil Engineering Squadron of the 99th Airbase Wing at 

Nellis Airforce Base) to the BLM Ely District Office, and a Wilderness Specialist 

may be dispatched for all incidents occurring in or threatening wilderness.

Helicopters or other aircraft may be used for aerial reconnaissance work.

Camps that only require non-motorized access may be located in wilderness areas 

if authorized by the Wilderness Specialist.

The Ely District Office Noxious Weed Prevention Schedule (which identifies best 

management practices) would be utilized. Equipment would be inspected and 

washed to prevent the spread of noxious weeds. Wash-down sites would be 

recorded using a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) unit if possible and reported 

to the Ely District Office Weeds Coordinator. Camps and other assembly points 

would not be located in noxious weed infestation areas.

Leave No Trace principles would be used in wilderness areas.

All evidence of human activity would be removed to the maximum extent 

possible.

In addition to the above guidelines, the following actions within wilderness may be 

approved on a case-by-case basis for non-emergency situations following MRDG 

analysis and authorization from the BLM Ely District Manager. In cases of emergency 

operations, the following actions may be allowed within wilderness, without prior 

analysis or authorization, however a military representative must provide notification to 

the BLM at the onset of the emergency or immediately thereafter.

Use of any motorized vehicles and mechanized equipment.

Use of helibases and helispots within wilderness.

Staging areas and camps requiring motorized access.

Sling loading materials into or out of wilderness using a helicopter.

Structures, Installations and Other Human Effects or Disturbances

Structures and installations may be removed if they are not necessary to meet the 

minimum requirements for administration of the area as wilderness, or are not associated 

with a valid existing right. 

The seismic monitoring station within the South Pahroc Range Wilderness would be kept 

and maintained. The station was granted a right of way in 1984 and installed January 21, 

1972 and has been collecting live seismic data from this location since that date. If the 
79

monitoring station was moved, long term seismological data could be interrupted. 

Access to the monitoring station would remain non-motorized and non-mechanized. 

Wilderness staff and volunteer monitors would be given instructions on the identification 

of human effects that would be considered unattended personal property or refuse. 

Unattended personal property not associated with an active camp, including geocaches, 

would be removed by BLM personnel upon encountering it and temporarily held at the 

BLM Ely District Office or Caliente Field Station. If possible, the owner of the personal 

property would be contacted. In the case of a traditional geocache, the BLM would 

request that it be removed. In the instance that a virtual geocache identifies a sensitive 

site, the sponsor will be asked to remove the site listing from the internet. Human effects 

for which questions of age exist would be photographed for further consideration by the 

archaeologist. Prehistoric artifacts would not be disrupted.

Rehabilitation of Illegal Motorized Routes

There are approximately 6.5 miles of unauthorized motorized vehicle routes throughout 

the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas that are largely 

denuded of vegetation, though some vegetation may occur along the center hump of the 

route. Soils in the routes are compacted and subject to increased erosion. These routes, 

as well as any future motorized trespasses, are identified for rehabilitation using one or a 

combination of the following methods: decompaction, scarifying, recontouring, vertical 

mulching, erosion control, desert varnish colorant, and vegetative restoration with native 

species and seed mixes. These routes would be monitored for future unauthorized 

motorized traffic and may require repeat rehabilitation. Artificial barriers may be placed 

outside of wilderness boundaries for protection of rehabilitation actions, or as an 

alternative to unsuccessful rehabilitation measures.

Illegal Route in the Mount Irish Wilderness
80

EA Map 10. Illegal Routes to be Rehabilitated

Note on Map 10: For detailed maps showing illegal routes to be rehabilitated in each individual 

wilderness area, please refer to EA Maps 2, 3 and 4 near the beginning of this Environmental 

Assessment.

Work would be completed by BLM staff and contractors with the assistance of volunteer 

hand crews. All actions in wilderness would be conducted with non-motorized 

equipment and non-mechanized transport. Actions would include and generally be 

conducted in the following order as needed:

1. Decompaction: Working the top few inches of the entire disturbed surface to 

relieve soil compaction. This action would be completed with the use of nonmotorized hand tools (soil spades, spading forks, McCloud rakes, pulaskis, 

shovels, horse-drawn implements, etc.).

2. Scarifying/Pitting: Loosening and texturizing the impacted, disturbed 

surface in random locations to better capture water, organic debris and windblown seeds, thereby stimulating natural revegetation. This would be done

with non-motorized hand tools.
81

3. Recontouring: Reconfiguring/shaping the route to blend it with the adjacent,

relatively undisturbed desert. This would involve the creation of small 

hummocks and banks, where appropriate, to mimic the surrounding landscape. 

Berms would be pulled in and the soil distributed across the disturbed surface. 

Vehicle tracks in sandy washes would be raked. This would lessen visual 

contrasts and provide a surface for natural revegetation. This action would be 

completed with non-motorized hand tools.

4. Vertical Mulching: Dead and down vegetation is "planted" to obscure the 

visible portions of the disturbance. Additional dead vegetation, rock material 

and other organic matter may be distributed over the worked surface to 

decrease visual contrasts, create sheltered sites to aid in natural revegetation 

and add organic debris. Dead and down vegetation and other materials would 

be gathered from areas near to the disturbances by hand.

5. Erosion Control: Placing sterile, weed-free straw bales or creating light

terracing/berms to reduce erosion and create barriers to vehicles on steep 

slopes. This is especially effective on hill climbs. The straw bales break 

down over time and provide additional organic debris to the reclamation site. 

Bales would be brought in by hand or horseback to the worksite.

6. Desert varnish colorant: Spraying disturbed rock surfaces to simulate the 

coloration of the surrounding desert varnish. Desert varnish colorants are 

chemical compounds comprised of manganese, salts and other ingredients 

used to simulate the natural desert varnish that occurs on rock surfaces in arid 

environments. This substance would be applied sparingly with the use of a 

backpack sprayer and only on disturbed rock surfaces that contrast sharply 

with the surrounding landscape.

7. Vegetative Restoration: This would involve planting, transplanting and/or 

seeding necessary to help stabilize soil, speed overall vegetative recovery and 

camouflage evidence of disturbances. All seed would be locally collected or 

native species scattered on reclaimed surfaces to accelerate natural 

revegetation. This action would be completed by non-motorized hand tools.

Alternative 2 (Human Activity Most Evident)

Alternative 2 emphasizes decisions to accommodate increasing desire for recreational 

access. This alternative designates twelve short trails throughout all three wilderness 

areas to provide additional access and limit resource impacts. It minimizes potential 

regulations on visitor use to provide for more unconfined recreational opportunities. For 

example, geocaching would be allowed to occur under site-specific stipulations. This 

alternative also allows a greater variety of commercial guide and outfitter operations,

including trail rides and heritage tourism. This alternative would also allow for some 

rehabilitation of future illegal motorized routes within the three areas for the 

enhancement of the wilderness quality of naturalness. 

The following actions would not vary from the proposed action: Noxious and Invasive 

Weeds, Wildlife Management Activities, Fire Management, Emergency Stabilization and 

Rehabilitation, Archaeological Resources and Historic Properties, Management of 
82

General Recreation Activities, Commercial Pine Nut Harvest Restrictions, Vehicle 

Access and Staging Areas, Research, Livestock Grazing, Water Rights, Mine Claims, and 

Military Operations.

EA MAP 11. Alternative 2 for Big Rocks Wilderness (same as Proposed 

Action)
83

EA Map 12. Alternative 2 for Mount Irish Wilderness
84

EA Map 13. Alternative Trails in the South Pahroc Range Wilderness
85

The following actions would vary from the proposed action:

Trails

The following existing trails would be designated and converted to hiking and equestrian 

trails and displayed on all BLM maps:

In the Big Rocks Wilderness:

Mecca Trail

Little Boulder Trail

In the Mount Irish Wilderness:

Logan Creek Trail

Unnamed Wash Trail

Southeast Saddle Trail

In the South Pahroc Range Wilderness:

There are seven unnamed existing trails accessing all sides of the wilderness. If not 

designated as a trail, or retained as a foot-worn hiking path, any new trails would be 

rehabilitated.

Designated trails would total approximately 1.75 miles in the Big Rocks Wilderness, 

three miles in the Mount Irish Wilderness, and 3.5 miles in the South Pahroc Range 

Wilderness. A cultural inventory of the trails would be completed. The Mecca Trail is 

approximately one mile in length and the main access into the Big Rocks boulder fields 

within the designated wilderness. The Mecca Trail is currently a two-track route and 

would be converted to a single-track trail. The Little Boulder Trail is an existing singletrack trail that begins at Little Boulder Spring and accesses the upper plateau of the 

wilderness. The Little Boulder Trail would require a short reroute of approximately 0.75 

miles to minimize impacts to grazing operations and wildlife use of water associated with 

Little Boulder Spring. The trail reroute would leave from below the existing corral 

outside the wilderness and follow the wash to the intersection with the existing trail. The 

three trails in the Mount Irish Wilderness and the seven trails in the South Pahroc Range 

Wilderness are currently two-track routes. Foot-worn hiking paths may occur and may 

be available for use upon discovery by visitors. These informal foot-worn hiking paths 

would not be marked on the ground, displayed on BLM maps or brochures, or normally 

receive maintenance. 

No known foot-worn hiking paths occur within the three wilderness areas. Monitoring

for new foot-worn hiking paths would specifically occur at the Mecca area of the Big 

Rocks Wilderness, the southern drainage of the South Pahroc Range Wilderness, all 

vehicle access points and those unauthorized motorized routes closed at the time of 

wilderness designation. An inventory of new foot-worn hiking paths would be 

maintained and monitored for resource damage. Monitoring would identify paths with 

different levels of trampling, leading to primitive camping areas, cut vegetation or other 

evidence of use. 
86

As new foot-worn paths are discovered, they would be evaluated for impacts to 

wilderness character (including archeological and biological resources) and the 

management objectives of this plan. When appropriate and where possible, new footworn hiking paths would be rehabilitated (see guidelines for rehabilitation of disturbances 

later in this section) or retained. When a foot-worn hiking path is retained, it may be 

rerouted, improved or maintained to follow designated trail guidelines to make the trail 

compatible with protecting resources while preserving the wilderness character of the 

area.

Both designated trails and, when determined appropriate, informal foot-worn paths may 

be maintained or rerouted where they are causing or anticipated to cause damage to 

wilderness character. Examples for when trail maintenance or rerouting would occur 

include:

Slopes greater than 15 percent, beyond which potential for excessive soil erosion 

and trail deterioration is high. Very short, steep sections may be retained where 

reinforcement with native rock would prevent soil erosion. Rolling dips or rockenforced water bars would be utilized to reduce water caused soil erosion.

Where trail braiding or duplicate routes exist or are beginning to occur, the most 

appropriate trail would be selected by improving its tread surface or trimming 

back vegetation. The alternate trail(s) would be obstructed and rehabilitated with 

rock or native vegetation.

Maintenance would strive to limit trail width to 24 inches, and not exceed 36 

inches, except trail sections along precipices (where it may be wider for safety) or 

in washes. Width standards are applied to continuous segments longer than 50 

feet. Tree limbs or fallen trees may be cleared within ten feet high and four feet 

to either side of trail (cutting limbs at trunk) or, where practical, minor trail 

relocation to avoid the tree.

Trails may be rerouted to avoid damage to natural or cultural resources. 

Manage Bouldering (climbing on small rock formations)

Bouldering would be permitted in these wilderness areas, and for the most part, is likely 

to occur only in the Mecca area of the Big Rocks Wilderness. 

Damaging practices, including chiseling or chipping rock, forcibly prying off rock, gluing 

or otherwise affixing artificial holds on rock, would be prohibited. These prohibitions 

would be indicated on information kiosks for the area, BLM brochures and on the Ely 

District Office website. Destroying vegetation and other natural resources would be 

discouraged through the same media as above.

It is likely that some foot-worn hiking paths connecting various boulders and other 

climbing-related surface disturbances would occur. This area would be specifically 

monitored for new foot-worn paths, disturbances and subsequent resource impacts. Footworn paths resulting from bouldering activities would be managed according to the above 

discussion. In addition, there is increased potential for trampling of soil and vegetation 
87

around boulders and staging areas. A staging area would be designated outside the Big 

Rocks Wilderness as described in the Proposed Action.

EA Map 14. The Mecca Climbing Area

Camping 

Camping would be allowed except within 300 feet of sole source springs or water 

troughs, according to state law. Campfires would be allowed except under regional fire 

danger restrictions. Low impact camping techniques would be encouraged. Camping 

would not be allowed for more than 14 days in one location.
88

Signs

The wilderness boundary would be signed at key access locations and at approximately 

one-mile intervals along boundary roads. Signboards would be placed at vehicle access 

points and trailheads. Large information kiosks would be placed at the Mecca staging 

area, in the vicinity of the junction of Highway 93 and state routes 318 and 375 and at

Oak Spring summit east of the wilderness areas.

Directional trail markers would be installed on all designated trails in the three areas, but

would not be installed on foot-worn hiking paths that are retained and maintained by the 

BLM.

Solitude

No management actions or restrictions to maintain opportunities for solitude would be 

enacted under this alternative.

Guides and Outfitters

Commercial guides and outfitters would be permitted for a variety of recreational and 

touring purposes including hunting, guided trail rides or hikes, and heritage tourism.

All permitted guides would be subject to the same 14-day camping limitation as other 

visitors to the wilderness. Limits on the number of commercial guides in wilderness may 

be implemented if monitoring identifies excessive impacts to wilderness character or 

other natural or cultural resources. 

Off-site Information

The BLM would promote and advertise recreational opportunities available in the Big 

Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas. Information about the 

wilderness areas (for example, safety, Leave No Trace, sensitive resources and some 

location information) would be provided in brochures, on the Ely District Office website 

and on BLM Surface Management Edition maps. In addition, wilderness-specific maps 

would be produced with the designated trails, descriptions and interpretive information. 

Wilderness ethics and Leave No Trace principles would be included on maps.

The BLM would also coordinate with the U.S. Geological Survey to include wilderness 

boundaries on new USGS map printings and remove from future USGS map printings

vehicle routes depicted within wilderness boundaries. In addition, the BLM would work 

with private map producers to include wilderness boundaries, trails and staging areas. 

Information on these wilderness areas may also be made available by non-BLM sources 

such as guide books. 

Structures, Installations and Other Human Effects or Disturbances

The seismic monitoring station within the South Pahroc Range Wilderness would be kept 

and maintained. Access to the monitoring station would remain non-motorized and nonmechanized.
89

Unattended personal property not associated with an active camp may be removed by 

BLM personnel after 14 days. 

Casual geocaching would be allowed through a letter of agreement with special 

stipulations to prevent damage to the wilderness resource. A separate environmental 

assessment would be prepared for each letter of agreement. Development of foot-worn 

hiking paths to and around the geocache or degradation of the wilderness character would 

be monitored. Should development of a foot-worn hiking path begin, or other resource 

damages occur, the letter of agreement would be revoked and the geocache removed. 

“Virtual” geocaching (no physical cache is present) may occur without a letter of 

agreement, but if site monitoring indicated development of foot-worn hiking paths, 

degradation of the wilderness character or damage to other resources, the geocache 

sponsor would be requested to remove any site postings from the internet.

Rehabilitation of Illegal Motorized Routes

Sections of motorized routes visible from points outside the wilderness that have been 

rehabilitated would be monitored and maintenance of the rehabilitation completed as 

necessary while the remaining section not visible would be left to rehabilitate naturally. 

This would be accomplished to minimize future motorized trespasses on these routes.

Work would be completed by BLM staff and contractors with the assistance of volunteer 

hand crews. All actions in wilderness would be conducted with non-motorized 

equipment and non-mechanized transport. Actions would include and generally be 

conducted in the following order as needed: 

1. Decompaction: Working the top few inches of the entire disturbed surface to 

relieve soil compaction. This action would be completed with the use of nonmotorized hand tools (soil spades, spading forks, McCloud rakes, pulaskis, 

shovels, horse-drawn implements, etc.).

2. Scarifying/Pitting: Loosening and texturizing the impacted, disturbed 

surface in random locations to better capture water, organic debris and windblown seeds, thereby stimulating natural revegetation. This would be done 

with non-motorized hand tools.

3. Recontouring: Reconfiguring/shaping the route to blend it with the adjacent 

relatively undisturbed desert. This would involve the creation of small 

hummocks and banks, where appropriate, to mimic the surrounding landscape. 

Berms would be pulled in and the soil distributed across the disturbed surface. 

Vehicle tracks in sandy washes would be raked. This would lessen visual 

contrasts and provide a surface for natural revegetation. This action would be 

completed with non-motorized hand tools.

4. Vertical Mulching: Dead and down vegetation is "planted" to obscure the 

visible portions of the disturbance. Additional dead vegetation, rock material 

and other organic matter may be distributed over the worked surface to 

decrease visual contrasts, create sheltered sites to aid in natural revegetation 

and add organic debris. Dead and down vegetation and other materials would 

be gathered from areas near to the disturbances by hand.
90

5. Erosion Control: Placing sterile, weed-free straw bales or creating light 

terracing/berms to reduce erosion and create barriers to vehicles on steep 

slopes. This is especially effective on hill climbs. The straw bales break 

down over time and provide additional organic debris to the reclamation site. 

Bales would be brought in by hand or horseback to the worksite.

6. Desert varnish colorant: Spraying disturbed rock surfaces to simulate the 

coloration of the surrounding desert varnish. Desert varnish colorants are 

chemical compounds comprised of manganese, salts and other ingredients 

used to simulate the natural desert varnish that occurs on rock surfaces in arid 

environments. These substances would be applied sparingly with the use of a 

backpack sprayer and only on disturbed rock surfaces that contrast sharply 

with the surrounding landscape.

7. Vegetative Restoration: This would involve planting, transplanting and/or 

seeding necessary to help stabilize soil, speed overall vegetative recovery and 

camouflage evidence of disturbances. All seed would be locally collected or 

native species scattered on reclaimed surfaces to accelerate natural 

revegetation. This action would be completed by non-motorized hand tools. 

Seeding or planting live vegetation may be utilized. Native species would be 

used exclusively, particularly local genetic stocks whenever possible, and 

would be designed to mimic the local species diversity.

Alternative 3 (No Action)

The No Action alternative is presented as a baseline of management action items for 

comparison of impacts with the Proposed Action. It represents management of the three 

wilderness areas that would occur without preparing a specific wilderness plan.

Noxious and Invasive Weeds

Noxious weeds would be treated on a case-by-case basis as per the District Noxious 

Weed Plan. The BLM’s noxious weed classification system would be consulted in 

setting priorities for weed control.

Wildlife Relocation

Wildlife removal, reintroduction or augmentation may be approved on a case-by-case 

basis according to existing policy to restore the population of an indigenous species 

eliminated or reduced by human influence.

Wildlife Water Developments

No wildlife water developments currently exist in these wilderness areas. Establishment 

of new wildlife water developments may be approved when essential to preserve the 

wilderness resource and to correct unnatural conditions resulting from human influence. 

Developments must promote healthy, viable and more naturally-distributed wildlife 

populations, and have minimal visual impact.
91

Fire Management

Fire Management objectives in the Big Rocks Wilderness, Mount Irish Wilderness and 

South Pahroc Range Wilderness would be structured in accordance with the most current 

Ely District Office Fire Management Plan. In the North Pahroc and Pahranagat Fire 

Management Unit (FMU), including the Big Rocks Wilderness and the Mount Irish 

Wilderness, 90 percent of individual fires would be held to 300 acres or less and no more 

than 10,000 acres burned in a ten year period. In the Clover, Delamar, South Pahroc, 

Irish FMU, including the South Pahroc Range Wilderness, 90 percent of individual fires 

would be held to 1,000 acres or less and no more than 50,000 acres burned in a ten year 

period.

Fire suppression measures and techniques must be used which achieve wilderness 

management objectives with the minimum adverse impact on the wilderness resources. 

Methods and equipment which least alter the landscape or disturb the land surfaces are 

best. Structures and improvements must be located outside the wilderness boundary, 

except those that are necessary to meet the minimum requirements for administration of 

the wilderness area. Temporary fire camps, helispots and other sites used for fire 

suppression or control activities must be removed upon completion of use and the site 

rehabilitated to as natural a state as possible.

Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation would be applied to restore visual character and native plant productivity 

to mimic the local species diversity.

Trails

No trails would be designated or constructed. Approximately 8.5 miles of former vehicle 

trails which currently exist, would be treated as foot-worn hiking paths. This includes: 

1.75 miles in the Big Rocks Wilderness, 3 miles in the Mount Irish Wilderness, and 3.5 

miles in the South Pahroc Range Wilderness. Cattle or game trails would also be treated 

as foot-worn paths. These paths may be available for use by visitors who come across 

them, but they would not be displayed or described on BLM maps or brochures. 

Camping 

Camping is allowed except within 300 feet of springs or water troughs according to state 

law. Campfires are allowed except under regional fire danger restrictions. Low impact 

camping techniques are encouraged. Camping is not allowed for more than 14 days in 

one location.

Signs

The wilderness boundary is signed at key access locations and at approximately one-mile 

intervals along boundary roads. Signs would be maintained through routine boundary 

monitoring.

Solitude

No management actions would be taken to maintain opportunities for solitude.
92

Vehicle Access and Staging Areas

No trailheads or vehicle access routes would be designated or defined. Vehicle access to 

the Big Rocks Wilderness would be anywhere along two boundary roads as well as five 

distinct points. Vehicle access to the Mount Irish Wilderness would be anywhere along

one boundary road as well as eight distinct points. Vehicle access to the South Pahroc 

Range Wilderness would be anywhere along four boundary roads and ten distinct points.

Off-site Information

Information about the wilderness areas would be presented in brochures, on the Ely 

District Office website and fact sheets/maps for each area. Information on these 

wilderness areas may also be made available by non-BLM sources such as guide books.

Research and Monitoring

Research, inventory, and monitoring of natural, cultural and recreational conditions may 

occur on a case-by-case basis when compatible with protecting wilderness resources.

Livestock Grazing

Grazing would continue within the three wilderness areas under the Mojave – Southern 

Great Basin Resource Advisory Council Standards and Guidelines. 

Routine livestock management and infrastructure inspections would be accomplished by 

foot or horseback as needed. Motorized vehicles may be authorized for major 

maintenance when transporting equipment or parts which cannot be accomplished by foot 

or pack stock. In the case of an emergency, the permittee would be authorized to use 

motor vehicles. These conditions would be stated as a term or condition of the grazing 

permit.

Water Rights

The BLM would seek to acquire additional water rights within the wilderness areas under 

Nevada state water law. Existing water rights may be purchased from willing sellers or 

shared with other agencies through cooperative agreements. The BLM may also file 

application for water rights where water in excess of existing permitted rights can be 

shown to exist. Water rights would only be used to sustain riparian habitat and general 

watershed health.

Mine Claims

There are four mine claims along the eastern boundary of the South Pahroc Range 

Wilderness. Validity exams on identified claims would be conducted where necessary 

according to wilderness management regulations.

Structures, Installations and Other Human Effects or Disturbances

The seven existing range developments within the Big Rocks and South Pahroc Range 

Wilderness Areas would be kept and maintained. The seismic monitoring station within 

the South Pahroc Range Wilderness would be kept and maintained. Access to the 

monitoring station would remain non-motorized and non-mechanized.
93

Unattended personal property not associated with an active camp, including geocaches, 

would be removed by BLM personnel upon encountering it and temporarily held at the 

BLM Ely District Office or Caliente Field Station. In the case of a geocache, the BLM 

would also request that the geocache or virtual geocache sponsor remove the site listing 

from the internet. 

Rehabilitation of Illegal Motorized Routes

Fifteen miles of pre-existing motorized routes have been reclaimed in the three 

wilderness areas. The reclamation may be successful if the routes are not used by 

visitors. 

Seeding or planting live vegetation may be utilized. Native species would be used 

exclusively, particularly local genetic stocks whenever possible, and would be designed 

to mimic the local species diversity.

Private Property

Unattended personal property may be removed by BLM personnel after 14 days.

Private Land

No private land in-holdings exist. Acquisition of the 40-acre private parcel at Pahroc 

Spring would not be pursued.

Affected Environment

The three wilderness areas covered by the proposed action are located in Lincoln County 

in the Great Basin and Mojave Transition ecoregion. The critical elements of the human 

environment, as identified by the BLM Manual 1790-1, are listed in Table 1. Elements 

that may be affected are further described in this Environmental Assessment. Rationales 

for those elements that would not be adversely affected are also listed in the following 

table. These critical elements would not be considered further in this document.

In addition to the Critical Elements of the Human Environment, the BLM considers other 

resources that occur on public lands, or issues that may result from the implementation of 

the Proposed Action. The potential resources, uses and issues that may be affected are 

listed in Table 2. A brief rationale for either considering or not considering the issue or 

resource further is provided. The resources and issues that are considered in the 

Environmental Assessment are described in the Affected Environment section of this 

document and are analyzed in the Environmental Consequences section.
94

Table 1: Critical Elements of the Human Environment and Rationale for Detailed 

Analysis for the Proposed Action

Critical Element No 

Effect

May 

Affect

Not 

Present

Rationale

Air Quality X Activities proposed within the 

three wilderness areas would not 

create increases in air pollutant 

concentrations. 

Areas of Critical 

Environmental Concern

X Resource is not present.

Cultural Resources X Proposed Action may enhance 

preservation of cultural resources.

Environmental Justice X No minority or low-income 

groups would be affected by 

disproportionately high and 

adverse health or environmental 

effects.

Farm Lands (prime or 

unique)

X Resource is not present.

Flood Plains X Resource is not present.

Migratory Birds X No disturbances would occur 

between May 15 and July 15.

Native American 

Religious Concerns

X There are no known issues of 

concern to local tribes. 

Non-Native, Invasive 

Species

X Surface disturbances for route 

rehabilitation may increase risk of 

non-native, invasive species 

establishment. Control measures 

may reduce noxious species.

Threatened and 

Endangered Species

X No known threatened or 

endangered species occur in the 

planning area.

Special Status Species X Climbing, designation of trails, 

trailheads and access points may 

impact some individual animals 

and plants.

Wastes (hazardous or 

solid)

X No wastes would be generated by 

the Proposed Action.

Water Quality 

(drinking)

X Drinking water sources would not 

be encountered.

Water Quality (ground) X Ground water sources would not 

be encountered.

Wetlands/Riparian X Control measures on Tamarisk 

may enhance riparian areas.

Wild Horses and Burros X Resource is not present.

Wild and Scenic Rivers X Resource is not present.

Wilderness X Proposed actions are for the 

management of wilderness areas.
95

Table 2: Other Resources and Issues, and Rationale for Detailed Analysis for the 

Proposed Wilderness Management Plan

Resource or 

Issue

No 

Effect

May Affect Not 

Present

Rationale

Fire 

Management

X Wildland fire may be managed 

differently within wilderness 

than outside.

Livestock 

Grazing/Range

X Visitor use may disturb livestock 

movement.

Recreation X Potential for additional 

regulations may affect 

recreational use of these areas.

Vegetation X Access point work and route 

rehabilitation would affect small 

areas of vegetation. 

Wildlife X Designation of trails, trailheads 

and access points may impact 

some individual animals.

Noxious and Invasive Weeds

Cheatgrass and red brome are non-native annual grasses present throughout the Big 

Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas. These annual invasive 

grasses are widely adapted and grow on all exposures and all types of topography. They 

are adapted to soil associations present in the three wilderness areas and thrive where 

there is weak competition from native perennial and annual plants. They often become 

dominant following disturbances such as fire. When occurring at high density, they may 

alter the natural fire regime to increase fire intensity, rate of spread and frequency of fire 

return intervals than native plants are adapted to. 

A risk assessment for noxious weeds was conducted for all three wilderness areas. For 

this project, the risk factor is low. The areas are partially within the BLM weed surveyed 

area. Some additional field reconnaissance was conducted as well as consulting noxious 

weed maps.

A risk factor of low means noxious weed species are present in areas adjacent to but not 

within the project area. Activities can be implemented and prevent the spread of noxious 

weeds into the areas.

Tamarisk is known to occur in proximity to Twin Springs, Sixmile Spring, and Eightmile 

Spring in the South Pahroc Range Wilderness Area. Tall Whitetop is known to occur in 

Little Boulder Wash of the Big Rocks Wilderness. Spotted Knapweed, Hoary Cress, 

Russian Knapweed, and Sahara Mustard have been recorded in proximity to all three 

wilderness areas.
96

Vegetation

The Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas are located 

within the Mojave transition and Great Basin ecoregions. Predominant vegetation 

communities across the three wilderness areas include Great Basin pinyon-juniper 

woodlands, Great Basin xeric mixed sagebrush shrubland and Intermountain Basins big 

sagebrush shrublands. 

The pinyon-juniper woodland community occurs predominantly between 4,500 and 7,500 

feet across all three areas. These communities are composed primarily of single leaf 

pinyon pine, Utah juniper with an understory of mixed sagebrush and perennial bunch 

grasses. 

The Mount Irish Wilderness

The Great Basin xeric sagebrush shrubland is a mix of sagebrush species found on the 

alluvial fans, rolling hills and rocky saddles and ridges typically found between 4,000 and 

7,000 feet in all three areas. These sites are often dry and exposed with shallow, rocky 

soils. Native perennial grasses and forbs are sparse. Joshua tree and banana yucca are 

common at this elevation in the South Pahroc Range and Big Rocks Wilderness Areas.

The Intermountain Basins big sagebrush shrublands are found in the deeper soils of the 

three areas. They are dominated by perennial grasses and forbs such as indian ricegrass 

and desert needlegrass, as well as large areas of mature big sagebrush mixed with black 

sagebrush, low sage, shadscale, ephedra and rubber rabbit brush. 

Relic stands of the Rocky Mountain variety of ponderosa pine occurs in the higher 

elevation of the South Pahroc Range Wilderness and along the higher plateau of the Big 

Rocks Wilderness. 
97

Livestock Grazing

The Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas are all open to 

livestock grazing. 

Portions of the Mustang and Pahroc allotments are located within the Big Rocks 

Wilderness. Portions of the Wildhorse, Crescent N-4, Pahranagat West, Pine Cone and 

Bald Mountain Allotments occur within the Mount Irish Wilderness. Portions of the Six 

Mile, Pahroc and Buckhorn Allotments occur within the South Pahroc Range Wilderness. 

All nine allotments listed above are classified as perennial. Grazing in all above-listed 

allotments is in accordance with federal regulations as identified on existing permits. The 

grazing permit information listed in Table 3 are for those allotments overlapping with 

wilderness boundaries.

Existing range developments within the wilderness areas include spring developments, 

pipelines and fences as shown in Table 4. There are no existing range developments 

within the Mount Irish Wilderness.

The grazing permittee is responsible for maintenance of all livestock grazing facilities in 

the wilderness areas by cooperative agreements. Although access by motor vehicles may 

occur on a case-by-case basis after contacting the BLM Ely District Office, no scheduled

access by motor vehicles for facility maintenance or livestock operations has been 

established.

Table 3: Grazing Allotment Information

Allotment Livestock # Grazing Period AUMs

Mustang 95 cattle 03/01 to 02/28 1140

Pahroc 399 cattle 03/01 to 02/28 4788

Six Mile 72 cattle 03/01 to 02/28 864

Pine Cone 121 cattle 08/01 to 02/28 843

Crescent N-4 353 Sheep 10/01 to 02/28 350

Crescent N-4 50 cattle 03/01 to 02/28 600

Buckhorn 281 cattle 03/01 to 02/28 3372

Bald Mountain 480 cattle

5 horse

03/01 to 02/28 5760

60

Pahranagat 

West

28 cattle 10/01 to 05/31 224

Pahranagat 

West

119 cattle 10/01 to 05/31 951

Pahranagat 

West

61 cattle 10/01 to 02/28 303

Pahranagat 

West

61 cattle 03/01 to 05/31 185

Pahranagat 

West

61 cattle 10/01 to 02/28 303

Pahranagat 

West

61 cattle 03/01 to 05/31 185
98

Table 4: Range Developments

Allotment Development Location Description

Mustang Mustang Spring Pipeline Big Rocks Water Pipeline

Mustang Mustang Allotment Fence Big Rocks Fence

Six Mile Gardner Valley Allotment 

Fence

South Pahroc 

Range

Allotment Fence

Pahroc Twin Springs Trough South Pahroc 

Range

Watering Trough

Pahroc Twin Springs Reservoir South Pahroc 

Range

Water Reservoir

Pahroc Twin Springs Pipeline South Pahroc 

Range

Water Pipeline

Pahroc/Buckhorn Alamo Canyon Fence South Pahroc 

Range

Allotment Fence

EA Map 15. Grazing Allotments and Range Developments
99

Archaeological Resources and Historic Properties

Archaeological resources are defined as any physical evidence of former human presence 

that is older than 100 years. Archaeological resources include prehistoric and historic 

period sites, features and artifacts which may range in complexity from a single stone 

tool or bottle fragment to a large prehistoric village or historic-period town site. 

Archaeological sites are the locations of past human activity, occupation or use, 

identifiable through inventory, historical documentation or oral history.

Archaeological Resource Inventories have been conducted within portions of all three 

wilderness areas, with an in-depth inventory only completed for the Big Rocks 

Wilderness. Site types that are known to occur within the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and 

South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas include prehistoric rock art, artifact scatters, signs 

of historic mining and historic ranching.

EA Map 16. Archaeological District Sites and Fire Management Units
100

Along the northern boundary of the Mount Irish Wilderness is the Mount Irish 

Archaeological District, where historic and prehistoric artifacts can be discovered and 

rock art panels abound. The Crystal Wash and Ash Springs Rock Art Sites are public 

sites located along Highway 93, west of the South Pahroc Range Wilderness and 

southeast of the Mount Irish Wilderness. The Crystal Wash Rock Art Site contains 

petroglyphs, pictographs and cupules, while the Ash Springs Rock Art Site contains only 

petroglyphs.

Recreation

Primitive and unconfined recreational opportunities are outstanding throughout all three 

wilderness areas because of their size, topography, scenery, diverse wildlife, varied 

vegetation and opportunities for solitude. Visitor use may occur year round, though snow 

and colder temperatures in the winter may limit some visitation. Actual visitor use is 

unknown at this time. Visitation has never been specifically monitored for in these areas. 

Types of recreational use known to occur across all the areas include but are not limited 

to hunting, trapping, rock climbing, bouldering, heritage tourism, other types of 

sightseeing and hiking.

Overnight horse packing or backpacking is not known to occur in any of the three areas. 

The limited availability of water adds challenge to any overnight camping opportunities. 

Car camping is known to occur along the periphery of all three areas, particularly at 

vehicle access points to the wilderness areas. The greatest number of primitive campsites 

occur around the Big Rocks Wilderness. In addition, there are 3 miles of existing trails in 

the Big Rocks Wilderness, 3.5 miles of existing trails in the Mount Irish Wilderness and 

3.8 miles of existing trails in the South Pahroc Range Wilderness.

Current information in the form of maps and fact sheets on these wilderness areas is 

available from the BLM. Additional information has been published in field guides or 

posted on the internet. A majority of the privately posted information has been on the 

bouldering opportunities in the Mecca area of the Big Rocks Wilderness.

No permits are required to visit these areas, and there are no group size limits. The only 

commercial permits that have been issued to operate within these areas are hunting 

outfitter and guide permits which include the wilderness areas as part of a larger 

permitted region. No other commercial recreation permits have been issued to operate 

within the wilderness areas. 

Off-highway vehicle use is an activity that occurs adjacent to the Big Rocks Wilderness. 

The Silver State OHV Trail forms the western boundary of the Big Rocks Wilderness. 

Both racing and casual motorized use occur on this trail. In addition, unauthorized 

motorized access has occurred in all three areas.

Wilderness

The Wilderness Management Plan addresses management of the 12,997-acre Big Rocks, 

28,334-acre Mount Irish and 25,800-acre South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas. 
101

Wilderness characteristics are described under five categories: untrammeled, naturalness 

and primeval character, undeveloped, outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive 

unconfined form of recreation and other features of scientific, educational, scenic or 

historical value.

These three areas have few trammeling activities. Trammeling activities include various 

measures in the management of wildland fire and weeds, and in the Big Rocks and South 

Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas, the presence of authorized allotment fences, pipelines 

and water troughs. 

The naturalness and primeval character of the three areas is mostly preserved. Some 

changes to the native vegetation composition have occurred, including the introduction of 

the non-native annuals cheatgrass and red brome. Large wildfires occurred in both the 

Big Rocks and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas during the summer of 2006. 

Extensive acreage in both wilderness areas was burned during several different fires 

leaving no live vegetation. Most of the springs inside and adjacent to the wilderness 

areas have been developed as well. In addition, 3 miles of trails are present in the Big 

Rocks Wilderness, 3.5 miles in the Mount Irish Wilderness and 3.8 miles in the South 

Pahroc Range Wilderness, as well as a pre-existing seismic monitoring station just inside 

the southwest boundary of the South Pahroc Range Wilderness.

Outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive, unconfined recreation are present in 

all three wilderness areas. The boulder fields and steep rocky ridgelines of the Big Rocks 

and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas in particular provide excellent opportunities 

for solitude. The Big Rocks and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas provide 

outstanding recreation opportunities for bouldering, hiking, hunting, heritage tourism, 

exploration and camping throughout the entire area. The remote areas of the Mount Irish 

Wilderness provide outstanding opportunities to escape and explore, as well as to enjoy 

hunting, hiking, horseback riding, camping, nature study and photography. Only the 14-

day stay limit for camping in all three areas confines recreational opportunities.

Other special features found in both the Big Rocks and South Pahroc Range Wilderness 

Areas include outstanding cultural resources and the presence of bighorn sheep. The 

South Pahroc Range Wilderness also has a relic stand of Ponderosa Pine. Special 

features found in Mount Irish include cultural resources; the Mount Irish Archaeological 

District is just to the north of the wilderness. 

Riparian or Wetlands

No creeks are present, but approximately six springs have been recorded within or in 

close proximity to the three wilderness areas. Twin Springs is a perennial spring located 

within the South Pahroc Range Wilderness Area. Sixmile Spring and Eightmile Spring 

are large perennial springs located just outside the boundary of the South Pahroc Range 

Wilderness. Pahroc Spring and Little Boulder Spring are located just outside the 

boundary of the Big Rocks Wilderness. Reed Spring is located just outside the boundary 

of the Mount Irish Wilderness. All six of these springs have been developed for livestock 
102

use. All six of these springs also support limited riparian vegetation extending into the 

wilderness boundaries. 

Wildlife

The remote location, steep terrain, varied vegetation and springs near the South Pahroc 

Range and Big Rocks Wilderness Areas support a variety of wildlife, including desert 

bighorn sheep. The mountain range and canyons of the Mount Irish Wilderness project 

out into the long sloping bajadas, providing important habitat for desert bighorn sheep 

and pronghorn antelope. No specific wildlife species inventories have been completed 

for these three areas, though wildlife observations include portions of the areas or nearby 

localities. Desert tortoises have been sighted near the South Pahroc Range. According to 

Ely BLM District databases, no federally-listed threatened or endangered species are 

known to occur in these wilderness areas. Several BLM sensitive species have been 

sighted near the wilderness areas and potentially occur within them. The nearest Area of 

Critical Environmental Concern occurs approximately 14 miles south of the South Pahroc 

Range Wilderness to protect the desert tortoise. 

The Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas provide habitat 

for small mammals including desert cottontail rabbits, black tailed jackrabbits, the desert 

valley kangaroo mouse as well as a variety of bat species that may roost in the rocky 

terrain found throughout the three areas. No known bat surveys have been conducted 

within these areas. Mule deer can also be found in these areas. Predators such as 

coyotes, bobcats and mountain lions have been sighted or have left signs of their 

presence.

Springs in or near the Big Rocks and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas are known to 

support Great Basin spadefoot toads and are predicted to support red-spotted toads.

Migratory Birds

The variety of habitats within the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range 

Wilderness Areas support a wide range of bird species. Raptors that have been sighted in 

proximity to the wilderness areas include red-tailed hawks, golden eagles and kestrels. 

Game birds include chukars, mourning doves and Gambel’s quail. 

Special Status Species

According to Ely BLM District databases, no known threatened or endangered species 

occur within the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas. 

Desert tortoises, a threatened species, have been sighted near the South Pahroc Range 

Wilderness and could occur in the wilderness, but are not known to. The bald eagle is 

known to forage throughout Lincoln County. In addition to federally and state listed 

species, the BLM manages sensitive species as if they are candidates for listing. Based 

on existing habitat and previously collected data, several sensitive species may occur 

within the wilderness areas. Phainopeplas, loggerhead shrikes and golden eagles have 

been sighted in close proximity to the three wilderness areas, and a pair of nesting golden 

eagles has been observed in the Mount Irish Wilderness. Banded Gila monsters have 

been sighted near the wilderness areas, and may potentially occur on the lower-elevation 

washes within the wilderness areas. Chuckwallas potentially occupy lower-elevation 
103

rocky areas near or within the wilderness areas. The following bat species have been 

recorded in proximity to the three wilderness areas: California myotis, Long-legged 

myotis and western pipistrelle. Rock crevices in the cliff faces of the Pahroc Range, 

forested areas and springs throughout the wilderness areas are habitats these bats may 

occupy. 

Desert bighorn sheep are known to occur in all three wilderness areas. Desert bighorn are 

a state-protected species. Typical desert bighorn sheep habitat consists of rough, rocky 

and steep terrain, broken by canyons and washes. Bighorn sheep require access to 

freestanding water during the summer months and throughout the year during drought 

conditions. The diet of desert bighorn sheep consists primarily of grasses, shrubs and 

forbs. Aerial surveys completed by the Nevada Department of Wildlife in September of 

2004 in the Pahranagat and Mount Irish Range, which includes the Mount Irish 

Wilderness, led to a population estimate of 80 sheep for that area. Aerial surveys 

completed by the Nevada Department of Wildlife in September of 2005 for the Hiko, 

Pahroc and Delamar Ranges, which includes the Big Rocks and South Pahroc Range 

Wilderness Areas led to a population estimate of 130 sheep.

Fire Management

The three wilderness areas include two Fire Management Units (FMUs): the North 

Pahroc and Pahranagat FMU (NV-0040-17), including the Big Rocks Wilderness and the 

Mount Irish Wilderness, and the Clover, Delamar, South Pahroc, Irish FMU (NV-040-

20), including the South Pahroc Range Wilderness.

Wildland fires have increased in frequency and intensity from the historical fire regime in 

these wilderness areas. There is an increased risk of losing key ecosystem components 

from increased fire impacts. 

The fire season begins approximately in May and generally ends in October. The main 

cause of fire is lightning. Fires in these FMUs are wind-driven, and live fuel moisture 

plays a very small role in variability of fire size. Most lightning-caused fires are 

associated with monsoonal activity occurring in the summer months. (See EA Map 16)

Environmental Consequences

Assumptions for Analysis

The impact analysis is based on the following reasonable assumptions for the foreseeable 

future:

A slow increase in visitation is expected to occur in the foreseeable future.

Increased visitation would result in increased impacts to resources. 

Vehicle access to the three wilderness areas would remain unimproved.
104

Alternative 1 (Proposed Action)

Noxious and Invasive Weeds

The ability to detect invasive and non-native species would be enhanced over the No 

Action alternative through a greater emphasis on monitoring. Weed treatment procedures 

within the three wilderness areas would be clearly defined and compatible with limiting 

or eliminating noxious weeds. This may enhance the ability of the BLM to control, 

contain or eliminate certain noxious species within these areas. Rehabilitation of 

informal foot-worn paths would include methods such as decompaction, scarifying and 

pitting soil that may stimulate the growth of invasive annual grasses.

The continued presence and anticipated increase of recreational activities in the three 

wilderness areas, including camping, hiking, bouldering and horse packing, may 

contribute to the spread of invasive and non-native species as a result of trampling of 

native species and the possibility of carrying invasive and non-native seeds into the 

wilderness areas. The continued presence of livestock in the wilderness areas may also 

contribute to the spread of invasive and non-native species through trampling of 

vegetation and seed dispersal.

Vegetation

Alternative 1 (the Proposed Action) provides rehabilitation of 6.5 miles of existing but 

closed trails in the Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas. In the Big 

Rocks Wilderness, 1.75 miles of designated trails would be maintained or rerouted to 

reduce degradation to vegetation. Informal foot-worn paths causing unacceptable 

resource damage as well as redundant campsites would be rehabilitated to prevent 

additional impacts to vegetation.

Illegal Route in the Mount Irish Wilderness
105

The continued use of the Big Rocks Wilderness for bouldering would result in informal 

foot-worn paths connecting and surrounding boulders used for climbing. Additionally, 

the use of crash pads for safety in bouldering landing zones would lead to the disturbance 

of vegetation around boulders, known as pad halos.

Vehicle turn-around areas would be constructed at motorized access points outside all 

three wilderness areas. Turn-around construction would result in the disturbance of no 

more than 0.5 acres per turn-around. This would result in 2.5 acres of disturbance at the

Big Rocks Wilderness, four acres of disturbance at the Mount Irish Wilderness, and five 

acres of disturbance at the South Pahroc Range Wilderness. This would also focus 

impacts to these 11.5 acres and limit new impacts to vegetation at other locations. In 

addition, vehicle barriers would be constructed outside of wilderness to prevent vehicles 

from cross-country travel inside the wilderness. This action would limit impacts to 

vegetation from unauthorized cross-country vehicle travel.

Research and monitoring would improve long-term tracking of vegetative condition 

within the wilderness areas.

Livestock Grazing

The designation of the Little Boulder Trail and the Mecca staging area, as well as use in 

some parts of the Mecca climbing area, may impact cattle movement at these locations by 

attracting additional recreational visitation to these locations. 

Motorized access to grazing facilities within designated wilderness would be impacted by 

the designation. Use of motorized equipment for access to the Twin Springs grazing 

development would require prior notification and be limited to maintenance needs subject 

to approval of the District Manager. 

Archaeological Resources and Historic Properties

Any surface disturbing activities as part of the implementation of this plan would be 

evaluated for effects to cultural resources. This would include the 23 motorized access 

points and 1.75 miles of designated trail.

The two designated trails in the Big Rocks Wilderness would be situated to avoid direct 

and indirect impacts to known archaeological resources. Bouldering and climbing 

activities in Big Rocks and the South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas may lead to 

impacts to cultural resources. Any impacts to archaeological resources would be 

evaluated, and management actions may be taken as described in the Proposed Action. 

New foot-worn hiking paths would be evaluated for impacts to archaeological resources 

and rehabilitated when appropriate. 

Rehabilitation of small site disturbances would be designed to avoid impacts to cultural 

resources. An archaeological inventory would be completed before completing any 

rehabilitation projects. 

The removal of some vegetation from areas surrounding archaeological resources for fire 

pre-suppression may enhance and protect these resources.
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As public information on these areas increases, potential impacts to archaeological sites 

within these wilderness areas may include direct and indirect damage from increased foot 

traffic, removal of artifacts, vandalism and illegal excavations.

General interpretive information on wilderness resources, including archaeological 

resources, would help reduce impacts to archaeological sites. Continuing volunteer site 

stewardship efforts and increased patrol by law enforcement officers and other BLM staff 

would help reduce impacts to cultural sites. Regular monitoring of visitor use would 

trigger mitigation efforts if impacts to archaeological resources are detected.

Recreation

1.75 miles of trail would be designated in the Big Rocks Wilderness. The majority of the 

Big Rocks Wilderness and all of the Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness 

Areas would not be accessed by designated trails. Cross-country travel on foot and by 

horse would not be affected, and the experience of visitors seeking a more primitive and 

unconfined form of recreation would be enhanced. A monitoring system would be 

established to prevent or respond to degradation of trails, campsites, solitude, additional 

foot-worn paths, bouldering opportunities and recreational impacts to other resources. 

Bouldering and rock climbing in the Big Rocks Wilderness would have some constraints 

in place for the protection of natural and cultural resources. These constraints may 

displace some bouldering and rock climbing activities to alternate locations outside the 

wilderness.

Geocaching would not be allowed in any of the wilderness areas. Geocaches would be 

removed when encountered. Visitors wishing to participate in geocaching would be 

required to find locations outside of the wilderness areas.

Wilderness

Untrammeled – Under Alternative 1 (the Proposed Action), trammeling activities would 

continue in the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas. 

Activities may continue for the management and suppression of wildland fire. Activities 

may continue in the control of invasive and non-native species. Future wildlife relocation 

activities and future wildlife water developments may occur under the plan guidelines. 

Emergency stabilization activities following wildland fires may occur as well. Removal 

of vegetation surrounding archaeological sites for protection from wildland fire would be 

a trammeling impact, but would enhance and protect these supplemental values.

Bouldering activities would have a trammeling impact in the Mecca climbing area. 

Chalk, used by climbers to dry their hands and increase friction, would be left on the 

boulders where they have been climbed. Camping may cause a trammeling impact in all 

three wilderness areas where campfire rings are left by site users.
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Effects of Chalk Use from Bouldering in Mecca

The approved use of motorized equipment for access to the Twin Springs grazing 

development and rehabilitation activities on small site disturbances would have 

trammeling effects in the short term.

Naturalness and primeval character – The naturalness and primeval character of the Big 

Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas would remain mostly 

intact. Non-native plants, such as cheatgrass, would continue in portions of all three 

wilderness areas, but most noxious weeds would be removed to restore and preserve the 

natural character of the wilderness areas. Actions may be taken in fire management to 

prevent further unnatural conversion of vegetative communities to non-native annual 

grasslands. 

Undeveloped – Five range developments in the South Pahroc Range Wilderness and two 

range developments in the Big Rocks Wilderness would remain in use for livestock 

grazing. Range developments in these wilderness areas would not be removed except 

with agreement between the permittee and the BLM. Maintaining the existing 

developments would have minimal impacts to the undeveloped nature of the Big Rocks 

and South Pahroc Range. In addition, the existing two-track route that accesses the Twin 

Springs range development would remain and would impact the undeveloped character of 

the South Pahroc Range Wilderness. In the Big Rocks Wilderness, three miles of trail 

would be designated and maintained; in the South Pahroc Wilderness, 3.8 miles of trail 

would be reclaimed; in the Mount Irish Wilderness, 3.5 miles of trail would be reclaimed. 

In the South Pahroc Range Wilderness, the long-term seismic monitoring station would 

remain.

Removal of personal property not associated with legitimate campsites or less than 50 

years old would enhance the undeveloped character of all three areas.

Outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined form of 

recreation – Visitor encounters in the Mecca area of the Big Rocks Wilderness would 

regularly occur. Visitor encounters in the rest of the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South 
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Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas would be infrequent. No additional regulations would 

be put in place to confine or restrict recreational activities. Management actions that 

confine use may be implemented if visitor use and encounters increase.

Outstanding opportunities for navigating and traversing difficult terrain would remain 

throughout all three areas.

Riparian or Wetlands

Actions to remove or control tamarisk in springs around the South Pahroc Range 

Wilderness would enhance riparian areas. Rerouting the Little Boulder Trail in the Big 

Rocks Wilderness to avoid Little Boulder Spring would enhance riparian conditions.

Wildlife and Migratory Birds

No known important wildlife use areas occur in the three wilderness areas. The 

rehabilitation of 3.5 miles of trail in the Mount Irish Wilderness and 3.8 miles of trail in 

South Pahroc Range Wilderness would enhance wildlife habitat along those narrow 

corridors. Ground-disturbing rehabilitation actions may have impacts on individual 

animals in the area of disturbance. Individual animals may be displaced while 

rehabilitation occurs; actions would take a maximum of two days. The designation of 

two trails over 1.75 miles in the Big Rocks Wilderness may result in impacts to 

individual animals from increased visitor use along those corridors. Other grounddisturbing actions include development of vehicle pullouts and turn-around points which

may result in impacts to individual burrowing animals. 

The 0.75-mile reroute of the Little Boulder Trail in the Big Rocks Wilderness to avoid 

Little Boulder Spring would reduce impacts to wildlife as they seek water at the spring. 

There would be no other new trail construction.

The designation of the Mecca staging area and the use of the Mecca climbing area may 

impact movement of individual animals in those specific areas by attracting and focusing 

visitor use to those points.

Informal foot-worn paths that occur in all three wilderness areas may be rehabilitated or 

modified if they are determined to have a negative impact on wildlife.

Special Status Species

The 0.75-mile reroute of the Little Boulder Trail to avoid Little Boulder Spring, as well 

as removal of campsites closer than 300 feet to any spring would enhance opportunities 

for special status species such as bats and desert bighorn sheep to utilize these natural 

water sources. 

Maintenance of designated trails in the Big Rocks Wilderness may result in the 

temporary displacement of desert bighorn sheep. Maintenance and repairs would only 

take one to two days to complete and would not result in long-term impacts to bighorn 

behavior. Increased visitor use associated with bouldering activities in the Mecca 

climbing area may also impact movement of desert bighorn sheep within that specific 

area.
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Fire Management

Minimum Impact Suppression Techniques (MIST) would limit the use of motorized 

vehicles and equipment as well as certain suppression techniques that may impact 

wilderness characteristics. The use of motorized equipment and other techniques may be 

approved when necessary to stop any large-scale conversion of native vegetation 

communities to invasive annual grasslands. The use of aerial suppression techniques 

such as retardants would create a short-term impact to visual resources within the 

wilderness areas, but would reduce surface impacts from ground-disturbing suppression 

activities such as line construction.

Where appropriate, in the higher elevation pinyon-juniper woodlands of all three areas, 

wildland fire may be managed to play a more natural role in the ecosystem.

Alternative 2 (Human Activity Most Evident)

Noxious and Invasive Weeds

Weed introduction along designated trails in all three wilderness areas is likely to be 

greater under Alternative 2 than the Proposed Action. Weed treatment would occur on a 

case-by-case basis according to the District Noxious Weed Plan. Weed treatment 

procedures in the wilderness setting are clearly defined and compatible with limiting 

noxious weeds. 

The continued presence and anticipated increase of recreational activities in the three 

wilderness areas, including camping, hiking, bouldering and horse packing, may 

contribute to the spread of invasive and non-native species as a result of trampling of 

native species and the possibility of carrying invasive and non-native seeds into the 

wilderness areas. The continued presence of livestock in the wilderness areas may also 

contribute to the spread of invasive and non-native species through trampling of 

vegetation and seed dispersal.

Vegetation

Alternative 2 would leave 10.3 miles of existing trails open for non-motorized use in the 

three wilderness areas. Additional new trails may be designated in the future to meet 

growing demands. This increased number of designated trails over the other alternatives 

may result in additional impacts to native vegetation along trail corridors. Further, 

redundant campsites would not be rehabilitated, which would result in greater impacts to 

vegetation than in Alternative 1 (the Proposed Action).

The continued use of the Big Rocks Wilderness for bouldering would result in informal 

foot-worn paths connecting and surrounding boulders used for climbing. Additionally, 

the use of crash pads for safety in bouldering landing zones would lead to the disturbance 

of vegetation around boulders, known as pad halos.

Vehicle turn-around areas would be constructed at motorized access points outside all 

three wilderness areas. Turn-around construction would result in the disturbance of no 

more than one acre per turn-around. This would result in five acres of disturbance at the 
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Big Rocks Wilderness, eight acres of disturbance at the Mount Irish Wilderness and ten 

acres of disturbance at the South Pahroc Range Wilderness. This would also focus 

impacts to these 23 sites and limit new impacts from occurring at other locations. In 

addition, vehicle barriers would be constructed outside of wilderness to prevent vehicles 

from cross-country travel inside the wilderness.

Research and monitoring would improve long-term tracking of vegetative condition 

within the wilderness areas.

Livestock Grazing

The designation of 8.25 miles of trail in the three wilderness areas may result in greater 

disturbance to movement of livestock than the proposed action by attracting additional 

recreational visitation to these locations. The designation of the Mecca staging area and 

use in some parts of the Mecca climbing area may similarly impact livestock.

Motorized access to grazing facilities within designated wilderness would be impacted by 

the designation. Use of motorized equipment for access to the Twin Springs grazing 

development would require prior notification and be limited to major maintenance needs 

subject to approval of the District Manager. 

Archaeological Resources and Historic Properties

Any surface-disturbing activities as part of the implementation of this plan would be 

evaluated for effects to cultural resources. This would include the 23 motorized access 

points.

Designated trails in the three wilderness areas would be situated to avoid direct and 

indirect impacts to known archaeological resources. Bouldering and climbing activities 

in the Big Rocks and the South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas would be evaluated for 

effects to archaeological resources, and management actions may be taken. New footworn hiking paths would be evaluated for impacts to archaeological resources and 

rehabilitated when appropriate. The additional trails designated under this alternative 

may attract greater visitor use than the Proposed Action and may result in impacts to 

archaeological resources, including direct and indirect damage from increased foot 

traffic, removal of artifacts, vandalism and illegal excavations. 

Rehabilitation of small site disturbances would be designed to avoid impacts to cultural 

resources. An archaeological inventory would be completed before completing any 

rehabilitation projects. If archaeological resources are present, the rehabilitation proposal 

may not be implemented, or the sites would be mitigated after consultation with the 

Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the development of a treatment 

plan.

General interpretive information on wilderness resources, including archaeological 

resources, would help reduce impacts to cultural sites, as would continuing volunteer site 

stewardship efforts. Increased patrol by law enforcement officers and other BLM staff on 

designated trails, near spring sources, at known archaeological sites and along the 
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perimeter of all three wilderness areas would also help reduce impacts to cultural sites. 

Regular monitoring of visitor use would trigger mitigation efforts if impacts to cultural 

resources are detected.

Recreation

Three miles of trail would be designated in the Big Rocks Wilderness, 3.5 miles of trail 

would be designated in the Mount Irish Wilderness and 3.8 miles of trail would be 

designated in the South Pahroc Range Wilderness. Alternative 2 designates the most 

existing trails and would provide the most visitor support by making information 

available through maps, interpretive kiosks and signing. The additional trail designations 

may result in fewer opportunities for primitive and unconfined forms of recreation. 

The majority of the three wilderness areas would not be accessed by trails. This would 

enhance opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation. Cross-country travel on 

foot and by horse would be the main form of access into the heart of all three wilderness 

areas.

A monitoring system would be established to prevent or respond to degradation of trails, 

campsites, solitude, additional foot-worn paths, bouldering opportunities and recreational 

impacts to other resources. 

No management of visitor use encounters would occur under Alternative 2. The 

increased number of designated trails may result in visitor encounters greater than the 

Proposed Action. There would be no limitations confining recreational use in the three 

areas.

All forms of outfitter and guide services would be permitted after subsequent site-specific 

NEPA analysis was completed. An increase in commercially-guided activities within the 

three wilderness areas, such as heritage tourism, may result in an increase in informal 

foot-worn hiking paths, campfire impacts and increased visitor encounters. 

Physical geocaches would be allowed after subsequent site-specific NEPA analysis was 

completed. Virtual geocaches would not require additional NEPA analysis. Both forms 

of casual geocaching may result in increased foot-worn hiking paths and increased visitor 

encounters within the three wilderness areas. 

Wilderness

Untrammeled – Under Alternative 2, trammeling activities would continue in the Big 

Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas. Activities may continue 

for the management and suppression of wildland fire. Activities may continue in the 

control of invasive and non-native species. Future wildlife relocation activities and 

future wildlife water developments may occur under the plan guidelines. Emergency 

stabilization activities following wildland fires may occur as well.

Bouldering activities would have a trammeling impact in the Mecca climbing area. 

Chalk, used by climbers to dry their hands and increase friction, would be left on the 
112

boulders where they have been climbed. Camping may cause a trammeling impact in all 

three wilderness areas where campfire rings are left by site users.

The approved use of motorized equipment for access to the Twin Springs grazing 

development and rehabilitation activities on small site disturbances would have 

trammeling effects in the short term.

Naturalness and primeval character – The naturalness and primeval character of the Big 

Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas would remain mostly 

intact. Non-native plants such as cheatgrass would continue in portions of all three 

wilderness areas, but most noxious weeds would be removed to restore and preserve the 

natural character of the wilderness areas. Actions may be taken in fire management to 

prevent further unnatural conversion of vegetative communities to non-native annual 

grasslands. 

Undeveloped – Five range developments in the South Pahroc Range Wilderness and two 

range developments in the Big Rocks Wilderness would remain in use for livestock 

grazing. Range developments in these wilderness areas would not be removed except 

with agreement by the permittee and the BLM. 

In the Big Rocks Wilderness, 3 miles of trail would be designated and maintained; in the 

South Pahroc Range Wilderness, 3.8 miles of trail would be designated and maintained; 

in the Mount Irish Wilderness, 3.5 miles of trail would be designated and maintained. 

New trails may be developed and designated under Alternative 2 to meet future demands. 

The presence of these trails and the associated directional signs would impact the 

undeveloped character of the Big Rocks Wilderness. 

In the South Pahroc Range Wilderness, the long-term seismic monitoring station would 

remain. The presence of this valid existing development would impact the undeveloped 

character of the wilderness area.

In all three areas, personal property, unauthorized structures or installations would be 

removed as encountered as long as they are not historically significant. Geocaches would 

be allowed after completing site-specific analysis for each geocache. Removal of 

personal property, unauthorized structures or installations would enhance the 

undeveloped quality of these areas. The presence of physical geocaches would impact 

the undeveloped quality of these areas. The presence of virtual geocaches would have 

impacts to the undeveloped character by increasing the potential for foot-worn hiking 

paths to occur in the three areas.

Outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined form of 

recreation – Visitor encounters in the Mecca area of the Big Rocks Wilderness would 

regularly occur. Visitor encounters in the rest of the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South 

Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas would be infrequent. No additional regulations would 

be put in place to confine or restrict recreational activities. The increase in trail 

designations over the Proposed Action would result in increased visitor encounters and 

impacts to solitude.
113

Outstanding opportunities for navigating and traversing difficult terrain would remain 

throughout all three areas.

Having fewer regulations and potential management actions in place than the Proposed 

Action would enhance opportunities for a more unconfined, unregulated experience. 

Riparian or Wetlands

Actions to remove or control tamarisk in springs around the South Pahroc Range 

Wilderness would enhance riparian areas. Rerouting the Little Boulder Trail in the Big 

Rocks Wilderness to avoid Little Boulder Spring would enhance riparian conditions.

Wildlife and Migratory Birds

No important wildlife use areas have been identified in these three areas. The 

designation of 3.5 miles of trail in the Mount Irish Wilderness, 3.8 miles of trail in the 

South Pahroc Range Wilderness and 3 miles in the Big Rocks Wilderness may result in 

impacts to individual animals from increased visitor use along those corridors. Other 

ground-disturbing actions include development of vehicle pullouts and turn-around points 

which may result in impacts to individual burrowing animals. The designation of the 

Mecca staging area and the use of the Mecca climbing area may also impact movement 

of individual animals in those specific areas by attracting and focusing visitor use to those 

points. 

The 0.75-mile reroute of the Little Boulder Trail in the Big Rocks Wilderness to avoid 

Little Boulder Spring would reduce impacts to wildlife as they seek water at the spring.

Informal foot-worn paths that occur in all three wilderness areas may be rehabilitated or 

modified if they are determined to have unacceptable impacts on wildlife.

Special Status Species

The 0.75-mile reroute of the Little Boulder Trail to avoid Little Boulder Spring would 

enhance opportunities for special status species such as bats and desert bighorn sheep to 

utilize the spring. 

Maintenance of designated trails in the three wilderness areas may result in the temporary 

displacement of desert bighorn sheep. Maintenance and repairs would only take one to 

two days to complete and would not result in long-term impacts to bighorn behavior. 

Increased visitor use associated with bouldering activities in the Mecca climbing area 

may also impact movement of desert bighorn sheep within that area.

Fire Management

Minimum Impact Suppression Techniques (MIST) would limit the use of motorized 

vehicles and equipment as well as certain suppression techniques that may impact 

wilderness characteristics. The use of motorized equipment and other techniques may be 

approved when necessary to stop any large-scale conversion of native vegetation 

communities to invasive annual grasslands. The use of aerial suppression techniques, 

such as retardants, would create a short-term impact to visual resources within the 
114

wilderness areas, but would reduce surface impacts from ground-disturbing suppression 

activities such as line construction.

Where appropriate, in the higher elevation pinyon-juniper woodlands of all three areas, 

wildland fire may be managed and allowed to play a more natural role in the ecosystem.

Alternative 3 (No Action)

Noxious and Invasive Weeds

Weed introduction along existing, undesignated trails in all three wilderness areas is 

likely to occur. Weed treatment would occur on a case-by-case basis according to the 

District Noxious Weed Plan. Weed treatment procedures in the wilderness setting are not 

clearly defined in the No Action Alternative and would require further NEPA analysis.

The continued presence and anticipated increase of recreational activities in the three 

wilderness areas, including camping, hiking, bouldering and horse packing, may 

contribute to the spread of invasive and non-native species as a result of trampling of 

native species and the possibility of carrying invasive and non-native seeds into the 

wilderness areas. The continued presence of livestock in the wilderness areas may also 

contribute to the spread of invasive and non-native species through trampling of 

vegetation and seed dispersal.

Vegetation

Under the No Action Alternative, rehabilitation of small site disturbances would be 

restricted. Continued recreational use of the wilderness areas would result in continuing 

impacts to vegetation on foot-worn paths, at campsites and between and around boulders 

where climbing activity occurs. Limited improvements and barriers to restrict 

unauthorized vehicle access would result in continuing impacts to vegetation from illegal 

motorized use of existing trails. A lack of designated, clearly-defined access points may 

result in greater impacts to vegetation occurring than the Proposed Action.

Livestock Grazing

Grazing would continue within the three wilderness areas under the Mojave – Southern 

Great Basin Resource Advisory Council Standards and Guidelines. All existing range 

developments within the wilderness areas would be kept and maintained. Continued 

recreational use of the wilderness areas may impact the movement of cattle.

Archaeological Resources and Historic Properties

Potential impacts to archaeological sites within these wilderness areas would include 

direct and indirect damage from increased foot traffic, removal of artifacts, vandalism 

and illegal excavations. The No Action Alternative would do nothing to direct visitation 

and avoid potential impacts to archaeological sites.
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Recreation

There would be no designated trails under the No Action Alternative. 8.25 miles of 

existing routes would be left open as foot-worn paths. This would not affect 

opportunities for cross-country hiking or horse packing within the areas.

All forms of outfitter and guide services would be permitted after subsequent site-specific 

NEPA analysis was completed. The potential for more commercially-guided activities in 

the wilderness areas may result in fewer opportunities for solitude and unconfined 

recreation than the Proposed Action.

There would be fewer limitations confining recreational use in the three areas than the 

Proposed Action. No additional restrictions would be placed on bouldering or rock 

climbing activities. This would enhance the unconfined, unregulated experience over the 

Proposed Action. Geocaching would not be allowed in any of the wilderness areas. 

Geocaches would be removed when encountered. Individuals wishing to geocache would 

be displaced to locations outside the wilderness.

Wilderness

Untrammeled – Under the No Action Alternative, no new actions are proposed that 

would trammel the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas. 

Current management activities that may continue include the management and 

suppression of wildland fire. New trammeling activities would be considered on a caseby-case basis. 

Naturalness and primeval character – The naturalness and primeval character of the Big 

Rocks, Mount Irish and South Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas would remain mostly 

intact. Non-native plants such as cheatgrass would continue in portions of all three 

wilderness areas. Actions may be taken in fire management to prevent further unnatural 

conversion of vegetative communities to non-native annual grasslands. 

Undeveloped – Five range developments in the South Pahroc Range Wilderness and two 

range developments in the Big Rocks Wilderness would remain in use for livestock 

grazing. No range developments in these wilderness areas would be removed. 

In the South Pahroc Range Wilderness, the long-term seismic monitoring station would 

remain.

The presence of these authorized developments would have an impact to the undeveloped 

quality of the South Pahroc Range and Big Rocks Wilderness Areas.

In all three areas, personal property, unauthorized structures or installations would be 

removed as encountered as long as they are not historically significant. Removal of these 

items would maintain the existing undeveloped quality of all three areas.

Outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined form of 

recreation – Visitor encounters in the Mecca area of the Big Rocks Wilderness would 
116

regularly occur. Visitor encounters in the rest of the Big Rocks, Mount Irish and South 

Pahroc Range Wilderness Areas would be infrequent. No additional regulations would 

be put in place to confine or restrict recreational activities. Management actions 

confining use may be implemented if visitor use and encounters increase.

Under the No Action Alternative, there would less public information available on these 

three areas. This may result in greater opportunities for solitude than the other action 

alternatives.

Outstanding opportunities for navigating and traversing difficult terrain would remain 

throughout all three areas.

Wildlife, Migratory Birds and Special Status Species

Actions may be authorized to support healthy, viable and naturally-distributed wildlife 

populations under the BLM-NDOW MOU. Any actions authorized to support healthy, 

viable and naturally-distributed wildlife populations would have a beneficial impact to 

wildlife.

Under the No Action Alternative, there would be less management activity and 

education, which may lead to increased disturbance of wildlife and wildlife habitat by 

visitors.

Fire Management

Minimum Impact Suppression Techniques (MIST) would limit the use of motorized 

vehicles and equipment as well as certain suppression techniques that may impact 

wilderness characteristics. The use of motorized equipment and other techniques may be 

approved when necessary to stop any large-scale conversion of native vegetation 

communities to invasive annual grasslands, or unless necessary for the protection of 

human life or private property. The use of aerial suppression techniques such as 

retardants would create a short-term impact to visual resources within the wilderness 

areas, but would reduce surface impacts from ground-disturbing suppression activities 

such as line construction.

Where appropriate, in the higher elevation pinyon-juniper woodlands of all three areas, 

wildland fire may be managed and allowed to play a more natural role in the ecosystem.

Cumulative Impacts

According to the 1994 BLM Handbook Guidelines for Assessing and Documenting 

Cumulative Impacts, the cumulative analysis should be limited to those issues and 

resource values identified during scoping that are of major importance. Issues of major 

importance identified during internal and external scoping include:

Opportunities for solitude and primitive, unconfined recreation

Protecting and enhancing the undeveloped and natural appearance of the 

wilderness areas
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Preserving naturalness, primeval character and influence of the wilderness areas

Management of special non-wilderness land uses allowed by the Wilderness Act

The cumulative impacts are common to all alternatives. A general discussion of past, 

present and reasonably foreseeable future actions follows:

Past Actions

These three wilderness areas were designated in November of 2004. Prior to designation, 

opportunities for solitude and primitive, unconfined recreation were outstanding. 

Developments were limited to those seven range developments authorized for livestock 

use and a long-term seismic monitoring station in the South Pahroc Range Wilderness. 

There were 10.5 miles of unauthorized vehicle routes across all three areas. 

Approximately 2.25 miles of routes have been actively reclaimed. There are large 

portions of the three areas that have become infested with the annual invasive cheatgrass. 

Livestock grazing has been an authorized acceptable use. Only one of the three areas was 

managed under the Interim Management Policy for Lands under Wilderness Review: the

South Pahroc Range Wilderness Study Area. The Big Rocks and Mount Irish Wilderness 

Areas were citizen-proposed areas not managed as Wilderness Study Areas by the BLM.

Present Actions

Current actions include increased educational programs on wilderness and Leave No 

Trace principles, increased signing efforts, as well as BLM staff and volunteer 

monitoring patrols. There has been a small increase in public interest in these wilderness 

areas for their recreational opportunities. 

Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions

The population of southern Nevada continues to grow and expand. Residential 

developments are expected in Coyote Springs, an area in Lincoln and Clark counties that 

is within 50 miles of the three wilderness areas. It is expected that opportunities for 

solitude in these three areas would diminish in the future as the result of increased 

population growth. Other anticipated results of population growth and subsequent 

increased use of these wilderness areas include increased impacts to vegetation, wildlife 

and cultural resources, as well as the possibility that more cultural resources may be 

discovered. It is expected that the invasive annual cheatgrass would continue to expand 

within these wilderness areas. It is expected that wildland fire would continue to require 

some trammeling management actions to prevent excessive spread of cheatgrass. 

Livestock grazing would also continue to be an authorized use in these wilderness areas, 

and maintenance of the existing seven range developments would be required over time. 

No new range developments are likely to be authorized.

Conclusion

The cumulative impacts of a wilderness management plan for these areas when 

considered in combination with past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions 

would result in the maintenance of wilderness qualities with minimal user regulations.
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Mitigating Measures

Mitigating measures incorporated into the proposed action are sufficient. Based on the 

analysis of environmental consequences no additional mitigation is proposed.

Monitoring

The monitoring section tracks the outcome of those proposed activities on four qualities 

of wilderness character, not just the quality of wilderness the activity was primarily 

intended to address. 

Wilderness character encompasses a combination of elements as described by four 

principle qualities defined in the Wilderness Act. The combination of these qualities 

distinguish wilderness from all other lands. These four qualities are of equal importance 

to one another and are defined as:

Untrammeled – wilderness is unhindered and free from modern human control or 

manipulation.

Outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of 

recreation – wilderness provides opportunities for people to experience solitude or 

primitive and unconfined recreation, including the values of inspiration and 

physical and mental challenge.

Undeveloped – wilderness is substantially without permanent developments or 

modern human occupation.

Natural – wilderness ecological systems, being affected primarily by the forces of 

nature, retain their primeval character and influence substantially free from the 

effects of modern human civilization.

A single activity is likely to affect several qualities of wilderness character. For 

example, an activity such as weed control is intended to restore natural conditions over 

the long term but may diminish the untrammeled condition of the wilderness in the short 

term. These two separate outcomes (the improvement of “naturalness” and the decreased 

“untrammeled”), will be monitored separately.

Since activities may affect several qualities, separate activities undertaken for different 

purposes may cumulatively diminish one of the same qualities of wilderness character. 

For example, a trail might be designated to control visitor impacts on vegetation. In the 

same vicinity, a fence or barrier may be in place to protect sensitive resources from 

recreational impacts. Though the two activities are unrelated, both activities have an 

effect on the “undeveloped” quality of wilderness character. Monitoring the effects of 

single activities to multiple qualities of wilderness character would improve our 

understanding of wilderness character, in combination and over time.

Effects of intentional, unintentional and unauthorized activities would all be captured 

under the monitoring system. The monitoring program will provide a greater 

understanding of the overall and specific condition of each wilderness area. Information 
119

generated in monitoring wilderness condition would indicate: 1) the current state of 

wilderness character; 2) how wilderness character is changing over time; 3) how 

stewardship actions are affecting wilderness character; and 4) what stewardship priorities 

and decisions would best preserve and sustain wilderness character. Monitoring would 

also provide Wilderness Managers with more complete information which would 

improve the evaluation of future proposed activities. 

The following monitoring would assist the BLM in tracking and improving the 

untrammeled condition of the wilderness areas:

A log of all annual management and other activities that control or manipulate 

flora, fauna, soils, water or natural disturbance factors present in the wilderness 

would be maintained in each area’s permanent wilderness file. A description, 

location, purpose, and expected outcome of each activity would be documented. 

Activities that may be tracked include:

o Rehabilitation projects

o Fire suppression activities

o Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation activities

o Treatments of noxious or invasive vegetation

o Wildlife management activities

o Periods of livestock grazing

The following monitoring would assist the BLM in preserving the outstanding 

opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation:

A log of sights and sounds of civilization would be maintained in each area’s 

permanent wilderness file. A description and location of the activity inside or 

outside the wilderness areas would be documented.

A log of all regulations or restrictions occurring in the wilderness areas would be 

maintained in each area’s permanent wilderness file. A description of the 

regulation and its purpose would be documented.

Visitor use encounters on designated trails and in the Mecca area of the Big Rocks 

Wilderness would be monitored through one or more of the following methods:

o Visitor sign-in and comment forms at trailheads and access points

o Public comment received by mail or by e-mail

o Automated visitor counters may be located at trailheads or access points

o Wilderness Rangers or volunteer stewards would visit trailheads, access 

points and the Mecca area at least once every two months to record the 

number of vehicles and collect written comments or other trail data

o Wilderness Rangers or volunteer stewards would hike each trail at least 

twice a year to record the number of encounters and trail conditions. Trail 

conditions would be recorded using a Global Positioning System (GPS) 

and photos would be taken as needed

The wilderness areas would be monitored at boundary roads and access points at 

least once every two months by Wilderness Rangers, Law Enforcement Rangers

or volunteer stewards to detect any unauthorized uses. Over-flight monitoring 
120

and aerial surveillance would be used to assist in detecting unauthorized uses as 

well.

Campsites would be recorded by the Wilderness Ranger to assure compliance 

with plan standards. Campsites would be recorded by GPS and photos taken to 

track long-term trends.

Mecca would be monitored at least once every two months by Wilderness 

Rangers, Law Enforcement Rangers or volunteer stewards for foot-worn hiking 

trails, impacts to cultural resources and unauthorized methods such as chipping or 

gluing.

The following monitoring would assist the BLM to track and, where possible, improve 

the undeveloped and natural appearance of the wilderness:

A log of all the developments, structures and facilities present in the wilderness 

areas would be maintained in each area’s permanent wilderness file. A

description, location, purpose and expected outcome of the feature would be 

documented.

All former vehicle routes that are rehabilitated would be checked in the field at 

least twice a year to assure they are not continuing to receive motorized use. If 

unauthorized vehicle use continues, modifications as described in the plan would 

be made to the closure.

The following monitoring would assist the BLM in preserving the primeval character and 

influence of the wilderness:

A log of all known human alterations to the ecosystem would be maintained in 

each area’s permanent wilderness file. A description and location would be 

documented or referenced. Conditions that may be tracked include:

o Non-native species

o Threatened, endangered and sensitive species

o Species no longer present in the wilderness

o Air quality

o Presence, abundance and distribution of native species

A log of natural disturbances would be maintained in each area’s permanent 

wilderness file. A description and location would be documented or referenced. 

Activities that may be tracked include:

o Fire

o Flood

o Insect or disease outbreaks

Monitoring for noxious weeds will occur at least once a year, and will focus on 

areas including springs, washes and areas receiving regular visitor use such as 

trails and boundary roads.

Wildlife monitoring would be accomplished primarily by the Nevada Department 

of Wildlife according to the agency’s established protocol. The BLM Wilderness 

Rangers would also record wildlife sightings, especially for nesting raptors, 
121

bighorn sheep and mule deer. Monitoring or research by other entities may occur 

according to protocol described in the plan.

Vegetation monitoring for livestock utilization would be done. Standards for 

protection of rangeland resources are identified in the Fundamentals of Rangeland 

Health and Standards and Guidelines for Grazing Administration in the BLM’s 

Grazing Regulations. On BLM lands in southern Nevada, the area-specific 

standards and guidelines are set in the Mojave – Southern Great Basin Standards 

and Guidelines. Monitoring for cattle presence would be incorporated into all 

other monitoring tasks.

Findings, or a reference to the findings, from inventory, monitoring and research 

projects completed in the wilderness areas would be included in each area’s

wilderness file. Other known research outside the wilderness but applicable to the 

understanding of the wilderness ecosystem may be referenced.

Monitoring to assess the effects of recreation on wildlife would occur where 

feasible monitoring methods are developed to track recreation-caused changes in 

wildlife use patterns within the three wilderness areas. 

Monitoring would be included to account for changes to the natural fire cycle 

occurring from introduced annual grasses. This additional monitoring would aid 

fire management in determining Appropriate Management Response on an annual 

basis. For fires having greater potential to convert native vegetation to unnatural 

annual grass-dominated vegetation, fire management would have better

information to adjust response to the most active suppression response compatible 

with the fire management objectives and procedures for the area.

Monitoring archaeological resources and historic properties regularly by BLM 

staff and through the cultural site steward program. Known sites and resources in 

areas of high visitor use would be monitored frequently.
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Consultation and Coordination

Intensity of Public Interest and Record of Contacts

The public will be notified on the Ely District Office website when the Environmental 

Assessment is completed, Decision Record /Finding Of No Significant Impact signed and 

45-day appeal period initiated.

The Ely District Office mails a Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination Letter to 

individuals and organizations that have expressed an interest in recreation/wilderness 

related actions. Those receiving the Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination Letter 

have the opportunity to request from the Ely District Office more information regarding 

specific actions. Those requesting notification of recreation/wilderness actions are 

requested to respond if they want a copy of the final Environmental Assessment and 

signed Decision Record/Finding of No Significant Impact. Two written responses and a 

verbal response were received during the 60-day comment period.

The Lincoln County Coordinated Resource Management Steering Committee established 

a Technical Review Team to provide scoping comments and review of the Wilderness 

Management Plan. The Technical Review Team met three times between September of 

2005 and July of 2006 and provided input into issues and management direction.

The Proposed Wilderness Management Plan was presented at a Tribal Coordination 

Meeting in the Ely BLM District Office on November 17, 2005. No comments or 

concerns were raised.

List of Preparers

BLM employees who formed the interdisciplinary team preparing and reviewing 

this plan:

Steve Leslie, Wilderness Planner

Jake Rajala, Planning and Environmental Coordinator

Mark Henderson, Archaeologist

Domenic Bolognani, Rangeland Management Specialist

Paul Podborny, Wildlife Biologist

Karen Prentice, Weed Specialist

Kyle Teel, Fire Ecologist

BLM employees who provided periodic contributions or expertise:

Jeff Weeks, Assistant District Manager, Non-Renewable Resources

Jack Tribble, Deputy Assistant District Manager, Non-Renewable Resources

Dave Jacobson, Wilderness Ranger

William Wagers, Law Enforcement

Jared Bybee, Wild Horse and Burro Specialist

Steve Smith, Nevada State Office Wilderness Coordinator

Elvis Wall, Native American Coordination
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Other Agencies consulted with:

Craig Stevenson, Wildlife Biologist, Nevada Department of Wildlife

Bill Richardson, Civil Engineer, Nellis Air Force Base

Lincoln County Commission

Lincoln County Coordinated Resource Management Steering Committee

Edited by:

John Wilson, NEPA Specialist, Great Basin Institute

Sendi Kalcic, NEPA Specialist, Great Basin Institute
124

Acronyms and Abbreviations

AML Appropriate Management Level (Wild Horses)

AMR Appropriate Management Response (Fire)

APHIS Animal Plan Health Inspection Service

ARPA Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979

BLM Bureau of Land Management

BLM-NDOW MOU Memorandum of Understanding between the Bureau of Land 

Management and the Nevada Department of Wildlife, Wildlife 

Management in Nevada BLM Wilderness Areas (BLM MOU 

6300-NV930-0402)

FMP Fire Management Plan

FMU Fire Management Unit

GPS Global Positioning System

HMA Herd Management Area (Wild Horses)

LCCRDA Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation and Development Act of

2004

MIST Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (Fire)

NDOW Nevada Department of Wildlife

OHV Off-Highway Vehicle

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

NHPA National Historic Preservation Act of 1966

SHPO State Historic Preservation Office

USGS United States Geological Service
125

GLOSSARY

Archaeological Resource. Any material remains of past human life or activities which 

are of archaeological interest. 

Bouldering. The term given to climbing that concentrates on short, sequential moves on

rock usually no more than 15 feet off the ground.

Cherry-stem. A dead-end road or feature that forms a portion of a Wilderness boundary 

and that remains outside the Wilderness.

Chipping. The process of creating or enhancing holds in rock for the purpose of 

bouldering.

Gluing. The practice of reinforcing the stability or strength of loose rock holds with 

some type of epoxy for the purpose of bouldering.

Invasive. Describes a species which takes over a new habitat where it was not previously 

found, often to the detriment of species which were there before.

Minimum Requirement. The concept of minimum requirement comes from Section 4 

(c) of the Wilderness Act of 1964. “Except as specifically provided for in this Act, and 

subject to existing private rights, there shall be no commercial enterprise and no 

permanent road within any wilderness area designated by this Act and except as 

necessary to meet minimum requirements for the administration of the area for the 

purpose of this Act...”

Noxious Weed. Any plant designated by a federal, state, or county government as 

injurious to public health, agriculture, recreation, wildlife, or property.

Perennial. Active throughout the year, or living for many years, such as a perennial 

plant.

Threatened Species. Any plant or animal species defined under the Endangered Species 

Act as likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a 

significant portion of its range; listings are published in the Federal Register.

Untrammeled. Not limited or restricted; unrestrained.
United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Ely Field Office

HC33 Box 33500 (702 N. Industrial Way) 

Ely, Nevada 89301-9408

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en.html

 

In Reply Refer to:

NV040-8560

Decision Record

Decision: I have reviewed Environmental Assessment (EA) NV-040-06-003, dated 

December 13, 2007. I have determined the proposed action is in conformance with the 

approved Schell and Caliente Management Framework Plans. The proposed action is 

also in conformance with the Proposed Ely Resource Management Plan of November 

2007.

Rationale: Wilderness Management Plans must be prepared for all wilderness areas on 

public lands. Management direction must be based on the pertinent objectives of the 

BLM Wilderness Management Policy - 8560. The proposed plan would meet the 

objectives of the above policy. The proposed plan will guide management so that the 

preservation objectives of the Wilderness Act can be met.

Finding of No Significant Impact for 

Wilderness Disturbance Reclamation

Finding of No Significant Impact: I have reviewed Environmental Assessment (EA) NV040-06-003, dated December 13, 2007. After consideration of the environmental impacts 

as described in the EA, and incorporated herein, I have determined that the proposed 

actions of the Wilderness Management Plan as described in the EA will not significantly 

affect the quality of the human environment and that an Environmental Impact Statement 

(EIS) is not required to be prepared. This finding and conclusion is based on my 

consideration of the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) criteria for significance 

(40 Code of Federal Regulations 1508.27), both with regard to the context and the 

intensity of impacts described in the EA.

Rationale: 

I have determined the proposed action is in conformance with the approved Schell and 

Caliente Management Framework Plan and the Proposed Ely Resource Management Plan 

of November 2007.

Intensity:

1) Impacts that may be both beneficial and adverse.
The environmental assessment has considered both beneficial and adverse 

impacts of the Wilderness Management Plan. On the whole, the project 

will result in enhancements to the wilderness characteristics of 

naturalness, opportunities for primitive recreation, and various special 

features including cultural resources. Preserving a more natural system is 

considered as merely improving the quality of the human environment 

through proactive management, and is not considered a significant effect 

both in the short or long term.

2) The degree to which the proposed action affects public health or safety.

Implementation components of the proposed wilderness management plan 

will not result in potentially substantial or adverse impacts to public health 

and safety.

3) Unique characteristics of the geographic area such as proximity to historic or 

cultural resources, park lands, prime farmlands, wetlands, wild and scenic rivers, 

or ecologically critical areas.

The action areas are within designated wilderness. These three areas were 

designated for their unique characteristics including high scenic qualities, 

diverse cultural resources, important wildlife habitat, and opportunities for 

solitude and primitive recreational pursuits.

4) The degree to which the effects on the quality of the human environment are 

likely to be highly controversial.

The effects of implementing decisions of the wilderness management plan 

are well known and documented and not highly controversial in that 

wilderness management plans are essential to maintaining the natural 

condition of wilderness as required by the Wilderness Act. The methods 

chosen to complete implementation actions are accepted methods to meet 

resource and management objectives and are not considered highly 

controversial.

5) The degree to which the possible effects on the human environment are highly 

uncertain or involve unique or unknown risks.

There are no effects of the proposed action identified in the EA which are 

considered uncertain or involve unknown risks. All actions proposed to be 

employed are accepted standard practices.

6) The degree to which the action may establish a precedent for future actions with 

significant effects or represents a decision in principle about a future 

consideration.

The proposed action does not establish a precedent for future actions with 

significant effects and does not represent a decision in principle about a 

future consideration.

7) Whether the action is related to other actions with individually insignificant but 

cumulatively significant impacts.
No significant cumulative impacts have been identified in the EA. 

8) The degree to which the action may adversely affect districts, sites, highways, 

structures, or objects listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of 

Historic Places or may cause loss or destruction of significant scientific, cultural, 

or historical resources.

The Mount Irish Archaeological District overlaps with the project area. 

The proposed action will not cause the loss or destruction of significant 

scientific, cultural or historical resources.

9) The degree to which the action may adversely affect an endangered or threatened 

species or its habitat that has been determined to be critical under the Endangered 

Species Act of 1973.

No endangered or threatened species have been identified within the 

project area. The EA has identified that no significant or adverse impacts 

would result to these species from implementing the proposed action.

10) Whether the action threatens a violation of Federal, State, or local law or 

requirement imposed for the protection of the environment.

The proposed action will not violate or threaten to violate any Federal, 

State, or 

local law or requirement imposed for the protection of the environment.