Administrative action challenging BLM decision to develop a remote natural spring within the Blitzen River Wilderness Study Area on Steens Mountain.

Sept. 11, '09 - BLM agrees to vacate and withdraw its decision, as part of a stipulation filed in ONDA's related legal challenge of BLM's illegal road construction on the Burnt Car and other routes on Steens Mountain.

Mar. 5, '09 - ONDA files supplemental statement of reasons, arguing BLM's proposal would require agency to use motorized vehicles on an "Obscure Route," which IBLA recently ruled violates the Steens Act and FLPMA's non-impairment standard for Wilderness Study Areas.

Mar. 2, '09 - ONDA appeals BLM decision authorizing spring development project within the Blitzen River WSA, near its border with the Steens Mountain Wilderness, No Livestock Grazing Area, and Donner und Blitzen Wild and Scenic River corridor. Agency seeks to implement project by amending a 2001 decision that implemented certain Steens Act provisions.

Burnt Car Road FT-42 (Blitzen River WSA)

Click above for a larger view of the actual condition of the "Burnt Car Road" several miles short of the project site. BLM could not get the required vehicles and heavy equipment to the spring without mechanically improving this route -- a violation of its FLPMA duty to not "impair the suitability" of the Blitzen River WSA for preservation by Congress as wilderness.

Related items:  See also the closely related South Steens AMP water development projects proposal, which BLM dropped the day before the IBLA appeal deadline.