BLM implements additional regulations at Escalante Potholes

MONTROSE, CO—Supplementary Federal regulations have been implemented by the Bureau of Land Management Uncompahgre Field Office at the Escalante Potholes Recreation Area to protect natural resources, educate the public and improve public safety. A key component of those regulations no longer allows jumping or diving in the Potholes. The Escalante Potholes is located roughly 12 miles up Escalante Canyon in remote southwestern Delta County.

“We are seeking to ensure a positive and safe outdoor recreation experience for all visitors to the Escalante Potholes,” said Delta County Sheriff Fred McKee. “Two youths from surrounding communities have drowned in the Potholes area within the past two years.”

“Escalante Potholes is a popular year-round recreation area,” added Uncompahgre Field Office Manager Barb Sharrow. “Recreation improvements have recently been made by BLM to promote public safety and education, address sanitation problems and contain visitor parking.”

Historically used for swimming, visitors dive and jump from heights of 15 to 60 ft. off surrounding cliffs into the Escalante Potholes, resulting in numerous accidents and at least 5 deaths over the last 12 years. Adding to public safety concerns and BLM compliance problems at this day use only area are underage drinking and drug-related activity, bonfires, broken glass, improper OHV use and public nudity. Unrestricted overnight camping is also contributing to significant resource damage in the area.

The Delta County Sheriff’s Office is working closely with the BLM and increasing patrols to enforce compliance, particularly with regard to the use of alcohol, in the area. New recreation rules also apply to the Escalante Bridge boat launch site and Escalante Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern, which includes sensitive riparian areas and threatened and rare plant species and habitat. For additional information, contact Barb Sharrow at (970) 240-5300.

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Editor’s Note: Fact sheet attached with supplemental information.

Fact Sheet

· The Notice of Final Supplementary Rules for the Escalante Potholes Recreation Area, Escalante Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern and Escalante Bridge boat launch site was published in the Federal Register, Vol. 70, No. 44, on Mar. 8, 2005. Those rules are:
o No diving and/or jumping from rocks, shore or any other means into the water.
o No discharge of firearms of any kind, including those used for target shooting or paintball weapons. Hunting is still allowed.
o No glass containers for beverages, food or other items.
o No public nudity.
o No overnight camping at swimming area; camping is allowed only in designated sites adjacent to Potholes area.
o No cutting of live or dead trees.
o No wood collecting.
o No wood fires or bonfires.
o No person shall use or possess to use as firewood, any materials containing nails, screws or other metal hardware to include, but not limited to, wood pallets and/or construction debris.
o All picnickers, and all other persons using public lands, shall keep their sites free of trash, litter and debris during the period of occupancy and shall remove all personal equipment and clean their sites upon departure.

· The Escalante Potholes Recreation Area is located roughly 12 miles up Escalante Canyon in remote southwestern Delta County.

· The Escalante Potholes Recreation Area covers just over 3 acres.

· The Potholes area is known for cliff jumping and swimming.

· Escalante Creek waters in the Potholes are dangerous, especially during high water season.

· Cliff jumping and diving into the Potholes has resulted in numerous accidents and at least 5 deaths over the last 12 years.

· Two youths from surrounding communities have drowned in the Potholes area within the past two years.

· Emergency assistance for visitors at Escalante Potholes is approximately 45 minutes away.

· Escalante Potholes is a popular year-round recreation area.

· BLM recreation improvements at the Potholes total $67,000.

· Improved facilities, such as toilets and contained parking areas, assist in correcting sanitation issues, as well as preventing damage to sensitive riparian resources holding threatened and rare plant species and habitat.

· Three new kiosks and additional signing inform and educate the public on outdoor recreation-related safety issues and desired behavior while visiting Escalante Potholes.

· The BLM collaborates with surrounding County Sheriff’s Offices and Search and Rescue organizations.