For Immediate Release: April 9, 2003
Contact: Steven Hall, 970-244-3052

Billings Canyon Jeep Trail to replace closed routes in Bangs Canyon

GRAND JUNCTION—the Bureau of Land Management has released a finding of "no significant impact" for the Billings Canyon Jeep Trail. The March 31 decision was the result of a supplemental environmental assessment to determine the impacts of developing the trail. No motorized use of the route will be allowed until the trail is built and officially open.

The Billings Canyon Jeep Trail is located one mile west of Little Park Road and follows a side drainage of Billings Canyon along 1.2 miles of challenging terrain. The route was recommended by the Grand Mesa Jeep Club, which will be involved in maintaining the trail. The jeep club has agreed to weekly monitoring as a condition for approval.

"The creation of this trail is not without controversy, since some people believe no motorized use is appropriate while others feel that motorized use is a valuable recreation activity," said Grand Junction Field Office Manager Catherine Robertson. "This trail provides an appropriate setting for motorized users who have lost access to other routes and trails where motorized use was not appropriate in the Bangs Canyon area."

The Billings Canyon Jeep Trail will be similar to routes that were closed to protect natural and cultural resources, particularly in the Rough Canyon area, under the 1999 Bangs Canyon Management Plan. The rocky terrain of this new route will minimize motorized impacts to natural resources, according to the environmental assessment. The Bangs Canyon area is increasingly popular for all forms of recreation, due in part to its proximity to Grand Junction.

The Grand Junction Field Office manages 1.25 million acres of public land, including the 122,300-acre Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area.

-BLM-