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FEATURED ARTICLE: 2012 Finalized nSRMA Route Inventory Data for the Travel Management Plan

Familiar tools make it easy for the public to view data and submit comments for the travel management plan

Collected route inventory data supports informed decision making in the next route identification and designation step in the travel management plan. The widely adopted Google mapping tools provide an accessible and efficient method for the 2-way communication of map data. Interactive maps facilitate the viewing of detailed route data and the submission of the public's comments for the travel management plan being developed by Winnemucca BLM. This project focuses on the publication of the collected routes in the Nightingale Special Recreation Management Area (nSRMA), an area described in the draft Resource Management Plan (RMP).

nSRMA Routes in Google Earth

Objective

The dataset is intended to assist in the route designation process for the travel management planning. It store routes exclusively captured by resource grade GPS receivers.

Winnemucca BLM has devoted field staff to route inventories and assessments since 2005. A district-wide database was compiled in 2010. This data collected by multiple teams and field sessions over 6 seasons, not surprisingly, some route segments duplicate and/or overlap each other. This 2012 update finalizes this database. Over 3,000 miles of GPS segments were edited to eliminate duplicate and overlapping routes, distinct routes were created, route classifications, names and numbers were assigned, and geodatabase topology enforced.

Also see 2011 nSRMA Route Inventory for additional details

The project area focuses on the Nightingale Special Recreation Management Area (nSRMA). The area is bounded by NV447 on the west, BLM2048 (the “High Road”) on the north and I-80 from northwest to southwest. The adjacent checkerboard lands have been included as they must be traversed reach major, paved accessed routes. The public and special recreation permitees (SRPs) heavily access this area by all vehicle types (i.e. car, OHV, motorcycle). For this reason, the nSRMA is the first prioritized area for a travel management plan.

While fairly complete, it is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory of every route. While the field team expended their best efforts to cover the entire project area, inevitably, gaps exist in the data. Please reference corporate transportation layers to view missing routes and segments.

ANSWER

The playa was pretty wet with water reaching the Burning Man sites as late as June 24th.

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THE PROOF

MODIS Satellite imagery overlain with the Burning Man 2006-10 sites gives some insight.

This satellite imagery enhanced to detect water are shown for approximately every day of 2011 (very cloudy days have been excluded). Note, the Julian calendar measures the Nth day of each year. i.e. Day 1 = Jan 1, Day 365 = Dec 31.

SEE FOR YOURSELF

Live imagery can be viewed daily on the Friends of the Black Rocksite

Imagery details: 250m resolution Terra bands 7-2-1, please see the Modis FAQ for more details.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN ?

Please see our concerns for long-term, cumulative effects on the playa caused by increased use.

Our observations from July 2011 to be posted here soon.

FEATURED ARTICLE: Facilitating Race Permits with Google Mapping Tools (2011)

An interactive map to communicate route location proposals and facilitate the race permitting process

When only previous permitted route segments were to be considered for future race routes, an efficient method was needed for race organizers identify previous route segments to create new route proposals based on segments that have already passed environmental review. The method also needed integrate with BLM's GIS sytem to compare those routes with reference background data for analysis and documentation. The previous race routes dataset was originally created to identify general route locations and areas in the Winnemucca BLM district. It has now been published as a KMZ file makes use of Google mapping tools. This allows the exchange of race data and comments directly via an interactive map containing not only documented, approved routes but reference data essential to race organizers and BLM staff alike. The electronic submission of routes for a Special Recreation Permit (SRP) is now reality. Race_Routes_2011_map

Objectives

This dataset was initiated ten years ago, to describe general route locations and identify areas by which races would be permitted rather than specific linear routes. While those programmatic EA efforts might again be revived, the dataset has found multiple purposes throughout the years. GIS routes allow for the overlay of administrative (i.e. legal land descriptions, surface ownership) and resource (wildlife habitats, hydrology) data layers. When new routes were to be compromised of already permitted segments, the dataset became invaluable. Maps were printed, marked with ink and then re-digitized back into GIS. Google mapping tools provides solutions that integrate both recreational and professional level GIS and GPS systems. The electronic submission of prpposed routes will allow for the efficient 2-way communication of spatial data and ease the permitting process.