With the Exception of Four Routes in the Sid’s Mountain WSA, BLM
To Restrict Motorized Travel in Seven Wilderness Study Areas in
San Rafael Area
Citing significant damage to soils, vegetation, and other resources, which have resulted in impairment to wilderness values, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced today that it will restrict motorized travel in wilderness study areas (WSAs) in the San Rafael Swell Region.
An emergency closure order, scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on March 21, will
restrict motorized travel on public lands in seven WSAs with the exception of four identified vehicle ways located in the Sid’s Mountain wilderness study area that will remain open on a conditional basis.
Price Field Office Manager Dick Manus traces the majority of the problems to cross-country travel and vehicle play by all-terrain vehicles. "Hill climbing and tracking around popular campsites and in the back-country is causing soil erosion and the trampling of vegetation to a degree that natural values have been compromised."
"In our eyes, the San Rafael Swell is a treasure, a rare and priceless gem–like a magnificent diamond in the rough—and therefore it should be managed as such. This treasure is our inheritance, to be placed in a trust, a legacy to be passed on to our children and grandchildren." said Emery County Commissioner Randy Johnson. "We want to help the BLM protect these resources, and we are pleased they are working with us and the public by maintaining OHV use on four important recreation routes in the Sid’s Mountain wilderness study area. It is also important for us to work together, to resolve resource protection issues and develop a plan that prescribes appropriate OHV use in this popular recreation area."
When wilderness study areas were originally established in the early 1980s relatively few vehicle ways were identified, and use along those identified ways was not a problem.
"Unfortunately, on-the-ground conditions have changed in some areas due to a combination of increased growth in ATV use, and the discovery of the San Rafael Swell region as a prime recreation destination," said Manus.
"While the Swell was, and still is, a great place to ride with thousands of miles of open roads and trails providing access to some of the most spectacular desert back-country in the world, too much use has spilled over into WSAs that must be protected."
Under the emergency order, all public lands, including vehicle ways, are closed to OHVs in the Muddy Creek, Devil’s Canyon, Crack Canyon, San Rafael Reef, Horseshoe Canyon and Mexican Mountain WSAs. All public lands in the Sid’s Mountain WSA are closed to OHVs with the exception of four identified ways: 1) the wash bottom of Coal Wash, including the short dugway from the west which enters this wash, and North Fork Coal Wash south until it exits the WSA over "Fix-It-Pass", 2) the wash bottom of South Fork Coal Wash from its junction with the North Fork to and including the "Eva Conover" way, 3) the "Devil’s Racetrack" way and 4) the Justensen Flat access way, including lower Eagle Canyon southeast from the junction of this way.
These routes will be signed. The BLM feels that motorized travel on these ways, most of which combine to form a popular loop trail, can continue in a manner that is compatible with resource protection as long as travel is restricted to the identified routes. Continued use however, is contingent upon the curtailment of motorized travel off these ways, and the completion of rehabilitation efforts to restore areas. Over the next few weeks, the BLM’s Price Office will
develop a set of standards and a monitoring protocol laying out what needs to happen to keep these vehicle ways open.
"I’m optimistic that this can work, if we all work together," said Manus. "But a lot depends on the OHV community. Local groups have stated that they want to be part of the solution."
Manus said his office is quickly gearing up for implementation. Increased signing and additional law enforcement patrols, particularly during the Easter break and other high use periods, are some of the near-term actions that are planned.
"We want to send out a clear message that OHV regulations will be strictly enforced and the users need to know what the rules are before they unload the trailer and head out on the trails," said Manus.
Utah BLM State Director Sally Wisely called today’s announcement an important start on getting a
better handle on inappropriate OHV use off inventoried ways. "Congress has given us additional
responsibilities in WSAs and we know there are trouble spots which we must address," said Wisely.
And while better controls are important, she also stressed that improved information about existing riding trails and continuing to work with partners to set aside appropriate places to ride–including well-managed open areas and trail systems–are a large part of the solution.
"Now more than ever, the public is turning to BLM-managed lands as a sanctuary from urban life. The extensive network of back-country roads and trails found on the 23-million acres of BLM lands in Utah are an invaluable asset. The tricky part of course, is striking the proper balance of use and protection, " Wisely said.
Wisely also stressed the need for better user cooperation and compliance. "We’ve put up a lot of signs and erected many barricades only to see them ignored or torn down. Responsible users need to help with this problem. There’s too much at stake, for everyone involved, to do otherwise."
The BLM’s Price Field Office manages 2.5 million acres of public land in Carbon and Emery Counties. With this most recent action, 24% of those lands are open to unrestricted travel, 58% restricted to existing roads and trails or seasonal use periods, and 18% of the area is closed to OHV travel.
A wilderness study area is a BLM title for an area that has been inventoried and found to have
wilderness characteristics as described in the Wilderness Act. These areas are managed under the Bureau’s Interim Management Policy (IMP) to prevent impairment of their suitability for Congressional designation as wilderness. Except for emergency and other specific conditions, the IMP prohibits cross-country travel off existing vehicle ways in wilderness study areas.
Detailed maps are available at the
BLM Price Field Office
125 South 600 West
Price, UT 84501
Phone: 435-636-3600
BLM Salt Lake Field Office
2370 South 2300 West
Salt Lake City, Utah 84119
Phone: (801)977-4300
Fax: (801)977-4397
Utah State Office
Public Room
440 West 200 South
Suite 500
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
P.O. Box 45155
Salt Lake City, Utah 84145-0155
Phone: (801) 539-4001
Fax: (801) 539-4013
For more information on this vehicle closure contact Dick Manus at the BLM Price Field Office.
