Part I. INTRODUCTION

A. Background

The first intensive planning effort for the 300 acre Samoa Dunes public land parcel occurred in 1982 with the completion of the Samoa Peninsula Off-Road Vehicle Recreation Area Environmental Assessment. The primary objective of this plan was to regulate and manage off-highway vehicle use by segregating recreational uses into geographical zones to limit user conflicts, and to provide proper facilities and control in the area that exhibited indiscriminate and incompatible use of the public land. Management actions identified in this document included several off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail systems, an OHV staging area, two campgrounds, fencing of endangered plant and wetland habitats, debris removal and signing . In 1989, facilities were constructed and other improvements made to provide the public with a high quality recreation area. Funds for these improvements were provided by the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division (the Green Sticker Program)

Since the development of the original plan, several temporary management actions were implemented to protect resource values and provide for public safety. These included closing the area to overnight camping, prohibiting public use inside the endangered plant protection area, increased resource monitoring, cultural resource excavations, improved signing, road paving, installation of a Surfer shower, development of the caretaker residence and visitor use surveys. Maintenance of the area continues to be funded by both the BLM and Green Sticker Program.

In 1992, the Record of Decision, Arcata Resource Area Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement was written to provide a broad framework for multiple-use management in accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) for land use planning (43 CFR 1600). This decision document identified resource condition objectives, land use allocations, and refined many of the management actions that were included in the 1982 Environmental Assessment. Decisions rel evan t to this pi anning document include:

  1. Forty acres are available for temporary use on a periodic basis by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for jetty construction and maintenance.
  2. The area is divided into zones that are designated as either open, limited or closed to vehicle use.
  3. Approximately 50 acres will remain under a withdrawal to the U.S. Coast Guard for the administration of their facilities and operations.
  4. The area is not available for disposal, mineral material sales or livestock grazing.

In July, 1995 the Decision Record. Arcata Resource Area Resource Management Plan Amendment was written to address the changes in management direction that occurred after the 1992 plan was adopted. The only substantial changes in this plan were:
  1. The nightly closure to vehicles 1/2 hour after sunset to incoming traffic and one hour after sunset to outgoing traffic, and reopening the area to vehicle use one hour before sunrise, and
  2. a commitment to improve OHV riding opportunities.


B. Purpose

The purpose of the Samoa Dunes Visitor Services Plan (VSP) is to organize, list and explain the management actions the BLM should take to implement the 1995 Arcata Resource Area Resource Management Plan Amendment. The VSP states the visitor management objectives, identifies the recreation activity and setting opportunities to be managed for, recreation experiences to be provided, and interpretive themes, recreation facilities, administrative and staffing needs required to meet the management objectives. The plan also addresses the visitor service actions required to enhance the recreation experience and manage visitor use consistent with the management objectives and sound ecological principles.


C. Method of Plan Preparation

The VSP preparation relied primarily on existing information, the assistance of Resource Area staff, two OHV Master Performers, input received from the public during two scoping sessions held on November 12th and 13th, 1996, and an informal advisory group called "Friends of Samoa Dunes". Information was gathered and evaluated to determine the current recreation management situation, identify visitor management issues and recommend appropriate management actions. A separate Environmental Assessment addresses the environmental impacts of plan implementation (Appendix A)


D. Location and Setting

Samoa Dunes is located just five miles southwest of Eureka, CA on the southern tip of the Samoa Peninsula. The primary ground transportation route accessing Samoa Dunes is U.S. Highway 101. From U.S. 101, the area can be reached by travelling across the Samoa Bridge (Highway 255) and turning south onto New Navy Base Road for approximately four miles (Map 1)

Samoa Dunes encompasses approximately 300 acres of public land. A multitude of resource values and recreation opportunities attract an estimated 150,000 visitors annually to this popular public beach area. It is considered by many to be an urban park because of its relatively small size compared to the large number of people who frequent the area.

Approximately 140 acres are intensively managed for off-highway vehicle use and other compatible recreation pursuits. The remaining 160 acres include endangered plant and wetland habitats that are delineated with post and cable barriers.

E. Recreation Use

A wide variety of'recreation uses occur at Samoa Dunes. They include off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding (20%), surfing (20%), fishing (15%), picnicking (15%), beachcombing/sightseeing (15%) and several other activities that make up 15% of the total use, which is estimated to be 150,000 visits each year. It is anticipated that OHV use will continue to increase significantly during the next several years due to the vehicle closure along most of the remaining portions of the Samoa Peninsula. Surfing continues to be a popular activity, and is projected to increase slightly during the next several years and then level off. The other recreation activities are anticipated to decline slightly each year as trails, parking areas and information kiosks are developed along the Samoa Peninsula north of Samoa Dunes.


F. Planning Goals and Objectives

The planning goals and objectives for the VSP include:
  1. All management actions must be consistent with the RMP Amendment .
  2. Improve management of Samoa Dunes, with primary emphasis being given to expanding OHV opportunities.
  3. Improve public safety.
  4. Improve cooperative management between government agencies and local user groups.
  5. Educate visitors of resource values.
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