Dear Friend,
As the mornings start to cool and the leaves start to change, adventurers converge on southern Utah’s stunning public lands. While it is a great time to explore, it is also a busy time for off-road vehicle travel planning!
Right now, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is actively working on travel management plans for much of eastern and southern Utah’s incredible public lands, including the Henry Mountains and Dirty Devil area. Stretching from Capitol Reef National Park to Canyonlands National Park and down to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, these rugged public lands are the heart of redrock country. This travel plan will determine where motorized vehicles are allowed to drive in this remote area for decades to come.
Take action to Defend the Dirty Devil: Submit comments on the BLM's draft management plan today!
The varied topography of the Henry Mountains and Dirty Devil area—complete with winding canyons, sweeping badlands, and lush alpine peaks—provides countless opportunities for hiking, canyoneering, camping, seasonal boating, and exploring with family and friends. It’s critical that the BLM strike the right balance between motorized and non-motorized users. The future of the Dirty Devil region hangs in the balance!
Dirty Devil proposed wilderness. © Ray Bloxham/SUWA |
The BLM is currently accepting comments on a draft travel management plan and environmental assessment, which analyzes the varying impacts of four different off-road vehicle travel networks. Only Alternative B complies with the BLM’s legal duties to minimize damage to natural and cultural resources and minimize conflicts between motorized and non-motorized visitors. Alternative B removes redundant routes and routes that do not exist on the ground, reduces routes that damage cultural sites and desert waterways, and minimizes the number and mileage of routes in wilderness-quality lands.
But the BLM is under tremendous pressure to expand damaging off-road vehicle routes. Some of the proposals the BLM is considering would substantially expand the number and mileage of motorized routes, especially in proposed wilderness. Comments are due on October 26; as a redrock advocate, it’s critical that you get involved and make your voice heard.
Click here to submit your comments now.
Personalized comments are often the most effective. If you've spent time in the Henry Mountains and Dirty Devil area, please highlight your experience and how you were impacted by off-road vehicle use or off-road vehicle damage. If you would like assistance in writing more specific comments, email SUWA’s Utah Organizer, Nicole Milavetz, at nicole@suwa.org. Thank you for helping to Defend the Dirty Devil!
For the redrock,
Laura Peterson
Staff Attorney
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance |
