240 ACRES IN THE SODA MOUNTAINS READY TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SURROUNDING PROTECTED AREA
View of protected parcel in the Soda Mountain WSA
In early November 2006, the Trust purchased two inholdings comprising 240 acres within the Soda Mountains Wilderness Study Area (WSA) near Baker, California.
A transmission line corridor and graded dirt roads that parallel the utility right-of-way provide easy access to both parcels and therefore increased the threat of uses incompatible with the wilderness values of the area. Nearby Afton Canyon is known for its recreational opportunities, including bird and wildlife viewing, hiking, hunting, camping, rock hounding, horseback riding, and vehicle touring. The now protected parcels within the Soda Mountain WSA share the same exit off I-15 as Afton Canyon thereby increasing the threat of the development of these inholdings.
The Trust is in the process of transferring the recently protected 240 acres to the Bureau of Land Management so that they may become part of the surrounding Soda Mountain WSA. The WSA contains multicolored canyons, cultural sites including salt and hunting camps used by Chemehuevi Native Americans, and intermittent lakes that provide habitat for wintering and migrating waterfowl and endangered shorebirds. The Mojave Desert habitat of the WSA is dominated by creosote scrub. Barrel cactus, cholla, yuccas, and the rare crucifixion thorn (Castela emoryi) can also be found in the area.
