NRHP Elements

Ranch House: No repairs would be made to the ranch house. This would lead to continued deterioration of walls and windows due to extreme sunlight conditions and water infiltration, and continued deterioration of exterior wood elements leading to eventual collapse of porch roofs. The interior finishes and furnishings would be damaged due to the lack of environmental or climate control.

The loss of on-site security would result in increased potential for vandalism, fire, and theft.

Barn: In its present condition, the barn presents a structural hazard. Without repair and stabilization, it would continue to deteriorate and, ultimately, collapse. The loss of security on the site would result in increased potential for vandalism, fire, theft, and/or personal injury.

Ice House: The windowless ice house could be locked up and secured. However, without maintenance, its cladding and roof would degrade.

Water Tank: The harsh desert environment would continue to degrade the painted exterior of the water tank; ongoing maintenance must continue or the tank would cease to function. The temporary cover on the water tank has a limited lifespan. If it is not replaced by a permanent roof, the cover would deteriorate and the tank would again pose a hazard to wildlife (primarily raptors), and would also be vulnerable to vandalism and/or human injury.

Corrals: Lack of maintenance would result in continued deterioration of the corral fences, gates and equipment. Without on-site security, these elements would be subject to vandalism and theft.

Boundary Fences: Historic portions of the boundary fence that are not required elements of the present BLM -installed boundary fence would not be maintained and would continue to deteriorate. It is assumed that the BLM would maintain those historic portions required to complete the BLM -installed boundary fence.

Walking Box Ranch Road: It is assumed that the county would continue to maintain the Walking Box Ranch Road as it provides access to several mines southwest of the ranch.

Pathways: The site would be fenced and unoccupied. The pathways would remain similar to current conditions. However, without maintenance, there is potential for continued erosion and establishment by noxious weeds throughout the site.

Historic District: Because the No Action alternative would not satisfy the requirements of the SNPLMA grants, BLM funding for the project would likely be withdrawn. Likewise, Walking Box Ranch operations would not be consistent with the UNLV vision for the ranch and UNLV would not continue to support the facility. UNLV caretakers and security presence would be removed from the property. The expected deterioration would result in loss of National Register status for the Walking Box Ranch Historic District.

The spatial organization of the ranch stead would remain as it currently exists. Non-contributing buildings, structures and objects would not be removed from the site. The entire district would become vulnerable to fire, theft, and vandalism.

Summary

The No Action alternative would not require the expenditure of capital funds; would allow an adverse effect to a National Register-Listed Historic District; and would not meet the purpose and need of the proposed action. The indirect impacts on the individual historic structures identified above would be long-term and adverse. The intensity or severity of impacts would range from minor, in the case of the Walking Box Ranch Road and pathways, to potentially significant, in the case of the ranch house and barn. Collectively, the impact on the district as a whole would be adverse and long-term. Ultimately, the intensity or severity of the No Action alternative would be moderate or greater.

The geographic scope for this cultural resources cumulative effects analysis is limited to the Walking Box Ranch (40-acre parcel). However, past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future activities in the greater Piute-Eldorado Valley, extending west to the Mojave National Preserve, east to Lake Mojave, and north to the City of Boulder, may influence or affect cultural resources at the ranch.

The indirect effects of reduced or no human presence at the ranch would, when combined with the effects of an increasing population and reasonably foreseeable renewable energy projects and resident workforces in the region, contribute to unauthorized or trespass uses of the ranch, including vandalism, theft, or fire. Ultimately, these activities may accelerate the deterioration or destruction of the ranch’s NRHP structures and the integrity of the district as a whole.