May 19, 2007

Preserve to House Employees at Kessler Springs

The National Park Study finds no Significant Impact for Employee Housing at Kessler Springs Ranch

Mojave National Preserve Press Release
Contact: Danette Woo, (760) 252-6107

The National Park Service (NPS) has concluded a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed construction of permanent employee housing at Kessler Springs Ranch in Mojave National Preserve.


Under the National Park Service Trailer Replacement Program, three existing trailers in the Park will be removed and replaced with one single family dwelling and one two-unit duplex at Kessler Springs. Utilities will be replaced and upgraded to correlate with the new structures.

The Selected Alternative addresses the need for employee housing at Mojave National Preserve, and provides for protection of the cultural and natural resources at Kessler Springs. It also incorporates sustainable design and materials into the proposed housing units, such as solar-generated power, certified wood products, high energy efficient windows, maximum insulation, fluorescent lighting, low-flow fixtures, natural landscaping, and nontoxic finishes. The Selected Alternative was also identified as the Environmentally Preferred alternative in the Environmental Assessment.

The FONSI has been posted on the National Park Service’s Planning & Environmental Public Comment database, at
http://parkplanning.nps.gov, at on Mojave National Preserve’s website at www.nps.gov/moja/. Inquiries and requests for copies of the FONSI may be directed to:

Superintendent
Mojave National Preserve
2701 Barstow Road
Barstow, CA 92311