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BCCE
What is the Boulder City Conservation Easement?
BCCE Brochure [[class: button default]]
About the BCCE - Video [[class: button default]]
OHV Recreation - Story Map [[class: button default]]
BCCE Management Plan [[class: button default]]
BCCE Quarterly Report [[class: button default]]
Easement Agreement July 1994 [[class: button default]]
Easement Agreement Amendment August 2010 [[class: button default]]
Amended and Restated Easement Agreement June2019 [[class: button default]]
The Boulder City Conservation easement (BCCE) was established in 1995 by a partnership between Clark County and the City of Boulder City. Managed by the Clark County Desert Conservation Program, the BCCE was created to protect habitat for desert tortoises and other species covered by the Clark County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Program (MSHCP). The BCCE conserves 87,268 acres of desert tortoise habitat and serves as mitigation for impacts to desert tortoises resulting from private-land development activities within the County.
Where is the BCCE?
The BCCE is within the city limits of Boulder City and is located approximately 2 miles south and west of the residential area of Boulder City. The BCCE begins approximately 2 miles south of the intersection between US 95 and I11, and extends for approximately 22 miles along US 95. The BCCE is split by US 95 into a North Section, consisting of 39,114 acres, and a South Section consisting of 48,154 acres. Excluded from the South Section is the Energy Zone, an area of 4,207 acres designated by the City for energy development.
What will I encounter when I visit the Easement?
The BCCE conserves 87,268 acres of Mojave Desert habitat primarily for the benefit of desert tortoises. However, upon your travel through the BCCE you may also come upon a wide assortment of desert wildlife including lizards, snakes, birds, and a variety of plant species. MSHCP Covered, Evaluation, and Watch List species that may be found in the BCCE include:
Covered Species
Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus)
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)
Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii)
Mojave Green Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus)
Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)
Large-spotted Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii wislizenii)
Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus californiae)
Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens)
Arizona Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii arizonae)
Evaluation Species
Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugea)
Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum cinctum)
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)
LeConte's Thrasher (Toxostoma lecontei)
Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotus arsipus)
Watch List Species
Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)
Zebra-tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides draconoides)
Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus var. lecontei)
Rosy Two-toned Beardtongue (Penstemon bicolor ssp. bicolor)
Please do not touch wildlife. Never take wildlife from the desert and never release anything in the desert.
How do I know if I am actually in the Easement?
BCCE land is designated with limited use signs in green lettering with Boulder City and DCP logos. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS) and private lands are also adjacent to the Easement. Responsible behavior should be exhibited when traveling anywhere in the desert.
How do I know which roads are open for use?
Only roads designated by an "Open Designated Road" sign can be legally used within the Easement. Open roads are marked by signs with green arrows showing the travel route. "Private Road" signs are open for BLM right-of-way (ROW) holders only and are not open to the public.
What are the laws regarding the Easement?
Boulder City Ordinance #972, Title 7, Chapter 5 (7-5-8) lists the following as prohibited activities within the Easement.
SECTION
VIOLATION
A
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
Traveling on a closed road
Commercial Harvesting (Flora/Fauna)
Non-Commercial Harvesting (Flora/Fauna)
Non-Commercial Collection of Biological Specimens
Dumping
Depositing a Desert Tortoise or other animal
Uncontrolled dogs outside of a vehicle
Construction
Discharge of Firearms
Camping
Unauthorized Research
[[The fine for each violation is $400.00]]
State and Federal laws protecting wildlife also apply when using the Easement. Contact the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) or Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) for more information on these regulations.
- USFWS: (702) 515-5230 www.fws.gov
- NDOW: (702) 486-5127 www.ndow.org
Where can I learn more about recreation on other public lands in Clark County?
Check out this map of public lands and this guide to motorized travel rules, and see the Southern Nevada Agency Partnership website for more information.