At the start of the Master Planning process, in 2006, a series of nine stakeholder workshops were held at UNLV , in Searchlight, and at Walking Box Ranch. The purpose of the workshops was to involve the broadest range of potential users, as well as those with relevant knowledge and experience of similar facilities, in determining and planning a ‘vision’ for Walking Box Ranch and, subsequently, a program for its implementation.
The goal of the June 2006 stakeholder Master Plan ‘visioning’ workshop was to discuss the suggestions that had been put forward for future use of the ranch; examine the implications, potential general improvement/restoration concepts, and cost/benefits of the suggestions; and establish a consensus and a preferred general physical plan for future use. There were 34 attendees, including the ID Team .
In addition to the visioning workshop series, an email survey of UNLV faculty concerning research program needs was conducted in August 2006. This survey produced target square footages and equipment needs for the various research programs to take place at the ranch.
Concurrently with a ‘visioning’ process for the Walking Box Ranch, the ID Team began looking at how program elements could be accommodated on the site. Utilizing the aerial survey data, documentation of existing buildings, and site observations, a series of conceptual plans showing varying degrees of site development and new construction was prepared (Appendix B, Conceptual Plans).
Two additional stakeholder workshops were held in September 2006, in which the conceptual plans, with their corresponding range of program elements and site options, were presented.
Following the stakeholder workshops, additional meetings between BLM , UNLV , and TNC were held to refine the conceptual plans to meet the conditions of TNC ’s easements. TNC ’s concerns centered on limiting the new development footprint and confining it to previously impacted areas of the site.
Ultimately, in the 2008 Master Plan and Preservation Plan concept “Alternative 4A” was determined to have the most desirable program elements and site options. Alternative 4A was further described and developed in the 2009 Design Concept Plan.
For the purposes of this EA , the Proposed Action alternative includes the desired program elements from the 2009 Design Concept Plan, as well as several additional program elements and site options identified in the 2008 Master Plan and Preservation Plan. These additional elements and options have been included to expand BLM decision space as well as to account for final design, site conditions, and market conditions at the time of implementation.
This EA analyzes the effects of a No Action alternative and a Proposed Action alternative as there are no other reasonable alternatives to this Proposed Action that would substantially differ in design or effect and still fulfill the Purpose and Need for the project ( BLM NEPA Handbook 8.3.4.2). Other alternatives considered but eliminated are described in Section 2.5, “Alternatives or Elements Considered but Eliminated from Further Analysis”.
Table 2.1, “Summary of Site-Specific Elements by Alternative” provides a summary of the key elements of the No Action and Proposed Action alternatives.
Table 2.1. Summary of Site-Specific Elements by Alternative
| Element | No Action | Proposed Action | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL REGISTER ELEMENTS | ||||
| Historic Buildings | ||||
| Ranch House | No changes to the existing structure | Preserved and rehabilitated; portions of the first floor would be used for interpretive and administrative purposes | ||
| Barn | No changes to the existing structure | Upgraded and reconstructed, including climate control and new concrete foundation; barn would serve as the gateway to the ranch and primary visitor contact station | ||
| Historic Structures | ||||
| Ice House Interpretive Exhibit | No changes to the existing structure; original ice house exists in non-historic location | Relocated elsewhere within the barn area, but not to historic location; used for interpretation or storage | ||
| Water Tank | No changes to the existing structure | Existing water tank to remain in use for fire suppression water storage; to be interpreted | ||
| Corrals | No changes to the existing structure | Existing corrals to remain and to be interpreted; would also serve as expanded exhibit space, group gathering areas, picnicking areas, and special event space; amphitheater-style seating for up to 25 people on haybales; southernmost corral used for event/overflow parking | ||
| Historic Site Features | ||||
| Walking Box Ranch Road / Site Entry | No changes to the ranch entry way | Ranch entry road improvements to include partial paving, development of turning lanes, and additional signage | ||
| Boundary Fences | No changes to the existing structure | Existing corrals, fences, water tank, shed ruins, and wagon artifacts to remain and to be interpreted; minor modification, including removal or repair of some sections, as necessary, to ensure ranch security, delineate property boundaries, etc. | ||
| Pathways | No changes to the existing pathways | Circulation through the interior of the site, connecting points of interest, gathering areas, parking areas, and other essential amenities; patterns to take advantage of existing / historic ’corridors’ | ||
| OTHER EXISTING RANCH ELEMENTS | ||||
| Bunkhouse | No changes to the existing structure; currently accommodates up to 12 guests in double-occupancy rooms | Completely remodeled for interpretive exhibits and/or support space; would not serve any overnight guests | ||
| Guest Cottages | (None existing) | One ~800 sq. ft. two-story duplex style guest cottage to accommodate faculty and VIP guests; located south and west of the historic core | ||
| Reconstructed ‘Shop String’ | (None existing, no interpretation) | ‘Shop string’ is interpreted through exhibits, but would not be reconstructed | ||
| Reconstructed Blacksmith’s Shop | (None existing, no interpretation) | Blacksmith’s shop would be reconstructed in a new (non-historic) location; the reconstructed shop would be used for interpretive purposes | ||
| Reconstructed Guest House | (None existing, no interpretation) | (None proposed.) | ||
| Pumphouse and Water Treatment System | No changes to existing structure | The existing pumphouse and treatment facility would be demolished and a new pressurized system and pumphouse would be constructed; potable and non-potable water would be separated into different pipe systems | ||
| NEW ELEMENTS | ||||
| Maintenance Area | (None existing) | New ~1,650 sq. ft. maintenance building south of the historic core with workshop, ‘dirty lab’, and enclosed maintenance yard. Adjacent to the new research facility; covered parking area | ||
| New Concession Structure | (None existing) | A new concession structure would not be necessary if the bunkhouse were remodeled to fit these needs. | ||
| New Research Facility | (None existing) | New 2,500-5,000 sq. ft. research facility to include classrooms, offices, laboratories, observation/interpretation area and storage space; located south of the historic core | ||
| New Bunkhouse | (None existing) | New ~3,700 sq. ft. bunkhouse facility to consist of several buildings connected by covered porches; double-occupancy rooms, including ADA accessible rooms, and common/shared living space and kitchen. | ||
| Manager’s Residence | (None existing) | Permanent housing for a ranch manager south the ranch house; 800-1,000 sq. ft. | ||
| Caretaker’s Residence | Temporary double-wide mobile home | Permanent housing for a caretaker south the ranch house; 800-1,000 sq. ft. | ||
| Interpretive center | (None existing) | None, existing barn would serve as primary visitor contact station | ||
| Parking | Ad hoc parking in existing disturbed areas | Paved visitor drop-off area capable of accommodating buses; drop-off and main parking areas would be adjacent but not connected; overnight and long-term guest parking located central to the new group camping area and new bunkhouse addition; event parking would be available in the southernmost corral, immediately west of the pumphouse | ||
| Group and RV Camping | (None existing) | New designated group (35-40 guests) and RV camping (3 full hook-up sites) areas for researchers, students, and official guests located south of the historic core; not open for public or recreational use; one new 400 sq. ft. shower/restroom building would be constructed. | ||
| SUMMARY | ||||
| Total new development footprint | n/a | 4 acres | ||
| Existing disturbed areas that would be restored with native plantings | n/a | 5 acres | ||
| Short-term disturbance footprint (in addition to the total new development footprint) | n/a | 3 acres (primarily for pipeline trenches; where possible, these pipelines would be routed through existing disturbed areas) | ||
| Total net change | n/a | Negligible; difference is approximately 1 acre, restored | ||