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Mining and Mineral Extraction

The development of the area's resources, began with the collection of clay, obsidian and other stones by Native Americans. Past and present mining production includes gold, silver, borates, decorative stone, tungsten, barite, clay, limestone, wollastonite, zeolite, and sand and gravel. 

Late 1700s:  Production of gold and silver in the West Mojave

Early 1800s:  Mining of limestone deposits for the production of cement in the West Mojave

1860s:  Growing number of mining camps and townsites in NEMO and West Mojave Plan(WMP) areas.

Late 1800s - early 1900s: Mining and production of Iron ore deposits and Borates from lake deposits at Boron, Death Valley, and Searle Lake

Livestock Grazing

Grazing began in the late 1800's and was first regulated in 1935, with the establishment of the Mojave Grazing District under the Taylor Grazing Act (1934).  Since the passage of that law, grazing management has been an ongoing program administered by the BLM.  The public rangelands established under the Taylor Grazing Act include all unfenced lands, public and private, within allotment bounderies. 

Early 1900s: Ranching, farming, and homesteads in areas such as Lanfair Valley are prevalent.  Dry farming is practiced in these areas leading to water rights conflicts.

1900s - 1950s:  Livestock numbers steadily decline reflecting general demographic trends in southern California as well as changes in quality and quantity of forage resources 

Recreation

1920s - early 1930s: Increase in the number of roads, highway-oriented services, visitors  and recreation

Alternative Energy

There are several sites that produce electricity from geothermal steam, solar radiation, and wind. This includes the largest wind energy field in the world located in the Tehachapi Pass area, which produces 650 megawatts of power.

Military Presence

1940:  War Department withdraws land for the Mojave Army antiaircraft range which becomes Fort Irwin in 1961

1941: U.S. Marine Corps Ground Center; Twenty-nine Palms, CA established

1942:  General Patton conducting military maneuvers in the desert

Urbanization

Increase in population and development in the desert

Legislation

1970s to the present - Congressional legislation affecting the desert: