Infrastructure improvements at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Designated in 1982, the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a BLM-managed area comprised of 198,000 acres of nationally significant geological, archaeological, ecological, cultural, scenic, scientific, wildlife, riparian, wilderness, endangered species, and recreation resources. Since 1982, visitation to the area has increased fourfold. Increasing visitation manifested into a deteriorated roadway, disturbance to sensitive roadside vegetation, unsafe pedestrian-vehicle interaction, and stranded vehicles during flash flood events.

To address the transportation needs, the Central Federal Lands Division of the Federal Highway Administration (CFL) in partnership with the BLM proposed a multi-phased suite of infrastructure improvements, such as the creation of two new low water crossing bridges completed in 2016, a state-of-the-art flood control system; repaving the entire Scenic Drive at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, plus a redesign and expansion of four parking areas (increasing parking capacity by about 200 spaces) in 2017; and addition of new restrooms, interpretive signage, landscaping and benches; and installation of a new fee station at Red Rock Campground.

Improving the infrastructure of America’s public lands

Across the nation, the BLM works every day to carry out projects that maintain access to public lands, increase broadband infrastructure in rural and undeveloped areas, improve the recreation experience, and ensure the safety of visitors to public lands. If you’ve visited BLM-managed public lands, you’ve likely benefited from these efforts. Improving roads, bridges, dams, trails, OHV areas, communication facilities are just some of the BLM’s goals when it comes to infrastructure improvements. These infrastructure improvements are a lasting and essential part of BLM’s mission to serve the American public for present and future generations.

Infrastructure improvements in California

In an effort to increase the deployment of broadband infrastructure in rural and undeveloped areas, the BLM has recently permitted a communications facility in a rural part of southeastern California, approximately 100 miles northeast of Victorville. Once construction of the facility is complete, the site will have the capacity to house multiple wireless carriers that would be able to provide cellular and internet service to the popular Dumont Dunes OHV area, a primary access route to the Death Valley National Park and an area that previously had very limited access to wireless service. Reliable wireless service in this area is expected to greatly increase safety in the area by providing an increased capacity to call for emergency services in an area that sees numerous ATV related accidents each year. It is locations like this one in southeastern California that BLM is making great strides to open up to wireless development.