News Release

Road rehabilitation project at Mojave National Preserve will not have significant environmental impacts

Date: August 27, 2025
Contact: Public Affairs

BARSTOW, Calif. — The National Park Service (NPS) has concluded that the South Kelbaker and Kelso-Cima Roads rehabilitation project in Mojave National Preserve will not have significant environmental impacts. The project, which the park anticipates will take three years to complete, includes major rehabilitation and visitor improvements on 42 miles of the main roads.

The project will repair roadways and help reduce accidents and vehicle damage in the park. In addition to restoring the road surface, the project includes new scenic pullouts, expanded parking areas, wider driving lanes and improved shoulders. The NPS will also install features along both roads to reduce wildlife mortalities, especially for the federally listed threatened desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii).

The Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) confirms the decision of the NPS to rehabilitate the roads as described in Alternative 2 in the Environmental Assessment (EA) released for public review in April 2025. The EA and associated documents, including the non-impairment determination, are available on the NPS Planning, Environment & Public Comment website at ParkPlanning - Rehabilitation of South Kelbaker and Kelso-Cima Road and at ParkPlanning - FONSI for Rehabilitation of South Kelbaker and Kelso-Cima Roads.

For more information about Mojave National Preserve, please visit www.nps.gov/moja or call 760-252-6100.

www.nps.gov

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