***The following is from BLM documentation at the Barstow Field Office. It highlights the Moss Mill occupany trespass, hot springs access issues, Mike Castro's controversial OHV event in September 93 and the escalating OHV non-compliance and looting of cultural sites. It states BLM's commitment to development of an area plan as a condition of allowing the OHV event.****

An occupancy trespass of public lands at another mining mill site where no mining activities are actually occurring has also been a source of controversy. This site has become the focal point of concerns among some users and residents about public access through this site in particular and through public lands in the area in general. The unresolved access issues associated with this site have also fueled personal enmities among some area residents. Another of the controversial activities occurred in 1993, when an 0HV event was proposed on routes through the southern portion of the area to connect to a Forest Service OHV network further south. Discussions with area residents and users at that time brought to the foreground the increasing proliferation of illegal and inappropriate OHV use. This route proliferation was confirmed by subsequent on-the-ground route surveys. Intermittent, ongoing looting of cultural sites in the area was also identified as an issue needing more attention. While the event was permitted in 1993, one of the elements of that decision was that an area plan would be developed in conjunction with all interested parties. The plan would address access and appropriate activities for the area in light of the need to protect sensitive resource values.