The BLM is developing a travel management plan (TMP) for non-Wilderness public lands in Owyhee County west of the Bruneau River, as directed by Congress in Section 1507 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-11).

The plan will address all motorized routes on public lands outside of the six Wilderness areas designated in the Act.  Decisions previously issued for travel management in the Wilson Creek, Hemingway and Murphy subregions of the Owyhee Front will carry forward into this plan. 

Common Interests

Developing this travel management plan is not an exercise in closing access.  Rather, it's about compiling an inventory of routes, as specified in the Act, that will then be used to manage motorized transportation on public lands in Owyhee County in a multiple use context.

The Omnibus Act itself resulted from a local initiative — people taking an active role in managing their public lands.  Developing the Owyhee County TMP will extend this initiative by continuing to involve and listen to interested participants at the local and national levels to establish accurate, specific route locations, the uses and needs associated with routes, and other information about travel in Owyhee County.

Reviewing maps showing all existing linear features used for motorized access was the first step and the first of several opportunities for public involvement in the process.

This TMP will not address access needs within Wilderness areas.  While the Omnibus Act designated six Wilderness areas within Owyhee County, the BLM is not taking up travel routes inside wilderness boundaries at this time. The TMP will address access to trailheads that lead into wilderness and access to other locations of interest associated with the wilderness areas.

The Owyhee County Wilderness Management Plan (WMP) addresses access within Wilderness areas.  For more information and to comment, please visit our website.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Secretary shall, in consultation with the Tribes, State and County, prepare 1 or more travel management plans for motorized and mechanized off-highway vehicle recreation for the land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in the County.

Before preparing the plan, the Secretary shall conduct resource and route inventories of the area covered by the plan.

Except [for snowmobiles], the plan shall limit recreational motorized and mechanized off-highway vehicle use to a system of designated roads and trails established by the plan.

            — Omnibus Public Land 
                Management Act, § 1507 (a)-(d)

CONTACT  TJ Clifford, BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner with questions or concerns | (208) 384-3300.