U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NEWS RELEASE
Idaho Falls BLM
Idaho Falls BLM
| Contacts: | Sarah Wheeler, 208-524-7550 |
Big Southern Butte Road Closed for Maintenance
IDAHO FALLS, ID – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Upper Snake Field Office will close the road to the top of Big Southern Butte, Monday, October 1, 2012 as they complete road improvements. “Public safety is always our first priority,” said Upper Snake Recreation Planner Shannon Bassista. “The road to Big Southern Butte is extremely hazardous due to its steep grade and sharp switch backs. We expect this maintenance to provide long-term accessibility for the public.”
Large boulders and other materials have been knocked loose as the excavators widen the switchbacks. The rolling material is extremely hazardous for individuals trying to access the Butte, either by motorized vehicle or foot. BLM officials expect the road to be closed for maintenance until late October 2012. For more information, please contact BLM Upper Snake Field Office at 208-524-7500.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.