"Drilling is killing the world itself by taking the liver, the heart, the nerves, taking everything from Mother Earth." -Haman Wise, Shoshone Elder Council member

National Conservation Area

Unlike other areas that the BLM manages, the primary management objective for National Conservation Areas is conservation, restoration of the landscape and its biological diversity.

One option to protect portions of the Northern Red Desert is a National Conservation Area. Most people are not familiar with this unique designation. Read more to discover: What is a National Conservation Area?

According to the Sonoran Institute, “The 26 million-acre National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) (which National Conservation Areas are under) brings together the crown jewels of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) under a stronger conservation mandate than most BLM lands”.

National Conservation Areas (NCA) are created by Congress to protect the outstanding cultural, ecological and scientific values of specific landscapes for the benefit of current and future generations. They are tailored to meet the specific needs of an area and the concerns of local citizens; they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each NCA is protected for unique reasons and the BLM is mandated to manage these landscapes to be “healthy, open and wild.” Unlike other areas that the BLM manages, the primary management objective for National Conservation Areas is conservation, restoration of the landscape and its biological diversity.

Currently 12 NCAs exist within the western United States including: Red Rock Canyon NCA (Nevada), Snake Rivers Birds of Prey NCA (Idaho), Gunnison Gorge NCA (Colorado), California Desert NCA (California) and Steese NCA (Alaska). For more information on National Conservation Areas click here.

A Northern Red Desert NCA may mean:

Management priorities will seek to maintain the Red Desert’s remote and wild character, to safeguard habitat for plants and animals, and to protect historic, cultural and archeological sites.
Off-road vehicle use will continue on designated roads, trails and in existing motorized-use areas.
The state of Wyoming will continue to manage wildlife and hunting.
Native American people will continue to exercise their tribal rights to pursue spiritual, cultural and food-gathering activities.
Livestock grazing will continue under BLM management.
Active access roads will remain open to public use and visitor facilities may be provided to enhance recreation opportunities.
Future oil, gas and coalbed methane leasing and new large scale mining activities will be prohibited, which are the biggest threats to the natural qualities of the Red Desert.
The BLM will acquire all existing mineral leases on public lands within the National Conservation Area using funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The current management of Wilderness Study Areas, contained within the National Conservation Area, will remain unchanged.
Within three years of designation the BLM, in conjunction with the public, will develop a comprehensive plan for the long-term protection and management of the conservation area.