Notice of re-opening portions of Public Lands within Las Cienegas National Conservation Area

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1 News Release Gila District Office, Arizona For Immediate Release Date: May 3, 7 Media Contact: June Lowery / Notice of re-opening portions of Public Lands within Las Cienegas National Conservation Area TUCSON, Ariz. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Gila District is re-opening portions of the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (NCA) that were closed due to the recent Sawmill fire. Areas south and west of the road are now open. The public may access the Empire Ranch Headquarters through the main entrances off highways 8 and. However, the Heritage Discovery Trail, all parts of the Empire Gulch, and all other burned areas remain closed for further emergency stabilization and rehabilitation. The BLM issued an emergency closure on April 8 for public safety. A post-fire assessment revealed burned cottonwood trees weakened by the fire and numerous ash sinkholes in the Empire Gulch and Heritage Discovery Trail areas near the Empire Ranch Headquarters. In addition, hazards were found along portions of Cienega Creek and connected streams. The BLM is continuing to stabilize and make repairs in the remaining closed areas to ensure public safety, said Las Cienegas Manager Karen Simms. Once the areas are deemed safe, we will notify the public and our partners and stakeholders. This process will take some time, but our goal is to provide access to the entire NCA as soon as possible. Gates and signage have been placed in the remaining closed areas and BLM Law Enforcement will make periodic patrols in the areas to ensure public safety. The Sawmill Fire was reported on Sunday, April 3, off Highway, near Sonoita, Ariz. The fire burned approximately 7, acres, including over, acres on the NCA. Additional information on the Sawmill Fire is available at # # #

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3 Las Cienegas NCA - Public Lands Closure Update Effective May 7 Legend Surface Management BLM Area Remaining Under Use Restriction Private Road Closure (Locked Gate) ± Miles Kilometers State Existing Control Gate USFS Major Routes Open to Public Major Routes Closed to Public Sawmill Fire Perimeter Las Cienegas NCA Boundary Pipe lin e 7 S See Empire Ranch Detail Map TUCSON 9 Las Cienegas NCA 8 Sonoita Map Location Map Prepared: 3 May 7 Coordinate System: NAD 9 UTM Zone N U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Tucson Field Office Sierra Vista No warranty is made by the BLM for the use of this map for purposes not intended by the BLM.

4 Empire Ranch - Public Lands Closure Update Effective May 7 Legend Legend BLM Area Under Use Restriction AreaRemaining Remaining Under Use Restriction e P ipe lin e Private all other values> Road Closure (Locked Gate) 5 5 Feet State Road Control Gate Heritage Discovery Trail Closure (Locked Gate)USFS Trail Control Gate Major Routes Open to Public Major Routes Open to Public Major Routes Closed to Public Major Routes Closed to Public 7 Heritage Discovery Trail (Closed) Heritage Discovery Trail (Closed) Pip elin e e Pip eline Pipe lin B 9 - -B "? 3 -B -B Pip el ine Las Cienegas NCA Boundary Sawmill Fire Perimeter Pip elin ± Surface Management 8 TUCSON 9 U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Tucson Field Office 8 Sonoita Map Location Map Prepared: 3 May 7 Coordinate System: NAD 9 UTM Zone N Las Cienegas NCA Sierra Vista No warranty is made by the BLM for the use of this map for purposes not intended by the BLM.

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6 The BLM manages more than 5 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 7 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America's public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 5, the BLM generated $. billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.