Input Sought On Final Draft Of Open Space Plan

A report on the final draft of the Moapa Valley Open Space plan was given to the local town advisory boards in meetings held last week. The plan will set the general parameters for land use in the 11,000 acres of BLM disposal land along the east bench of the Moapa Valley and in areas just south of Glendale.

The presentations were made by Jeremy Call, project manager from EDAW, the company contracted to complete the study.

In his presentation, Call reviewed the general components of the plan.

The document takes a detailed inventory of the 11,000 acres of disposal land. It accounts for elements like slope, drainage, habitat, utility rights of way, scenic quality, existing trails and more. The plan then makes recommendations based on these observations.

The plan begins by suggesting that a large portion of the land be taken out of the disposal boundary. The mountainous areas along State Highway 169 between the I-15 exit and Logandale were considered by the plan to be less suitable for development.

The plan also preserves other areas as open space and recreation areas. It establishes a half mile setback all along the foothills of the Mormon Mesa to preserve the scenic resources there. It also would preserve the hilly area just east of the Moapa Valley High School to be used as an open space trails and recreation area. The plan recommends limited recreational use of the Bowman Reservoir area with access through a non-motorized trail network.

The plan also works to maintain access for motorized use. It establishes several motorized access trails through the BLM disposal area leading to the open lands beyond. It also recommends the designation of an OHV play area in the clay hills region just north of the Bowman Reservoir.

Only about 3600 acres of the total 11,000 are deemed suitable by the plan for development. Most of this is located in the southern portion of the disposal boundaries. The plan sets general parameters of development within these areas including recommendations on parks and open space, the use of minor washes as open space and non-motorized trail systems and the designation of certain streets as ATV routes to access main ATV trails.

Call told the Board that the goal of the plan was to set the bar for the eventual development of the disposal area. “It also acts as an advisory document for the BLM in their management plans,” he said.

BLM Las Vegas Field Manager, Bob Ross, who was in attendance at the meetings, agreed. Ross pointed out that in coming months, his office would begin the process of reviewing its Resource Management Plan for the region. “This document will be important to us in that process,” Ross said. “We are required to be consistent with plans and programs of local communities. It is up to you to provide the vision for what should happen on public lands.”

Call said that his team would be welcoming public feedback on the draft plan until November 6. The draft plan document is available at the Clark County Northeast Office in Overton or online atwww.moapavalleyopenspace.org.

The final plan will be presented to the Town Advisory Boards for final recommendation in meetings held November 10 and 12. It will then be presented to the County Commission.