When I spoke with the BLM folks a few weeks ago, they sounded willing to work with us on building a road into the lakebed. The shortest entrance on the lakebed is along the West side. Fossett had already paid
for an environmental study and the BLM had no problems with endangered species or historical crossings
that needed protection. If we can get a road built into the lakebed, it woud be a good surface to run on.
We worked out all of these issues during the Fossett LSR program, some were easy and some not. The road was one of the simplist, although the solution is not obvious on first (or second or third...) inspection. There
are wildlife considerations and seasonal restrictions to any LSR operating plan. A new course survey would have to be conducted with licensed archeologists. This is the single largest cost, although not the most complex.
The county airport is 15 miles south, and the couple that runs the airport are great people. The town of Eureka, NV is less than 20 miles further and has all necessary support services. It is a small town, (larger than Gerlach and Empire) it includes the county seat and police department. We had the privalidge of meeting with the county commissioners and the principal of the high school before we shut down. Everyone was very enthusiastic and helpful. It would still be my first choice.
I have offered this information to all 3 LSR teams, although no one has asked for the details.
