BLM Richfield Office Designates Motorized Routes at Factory Butte

Contact: Davida Carnahan (435) 896-1070
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Richfield, Utah—September 20, 2006—To protect endangered species in the Factory Butte area of Wayne County, the Bureau of Land Management's Richfield Field Office announced today that it is limiting some motorized travel to designated routes while keeping a popular off-highway recreational area open to cross-country travel. BLM officials in Richfield, who formally announced the action in a notice published in today's Federal Register, said motorized users will have access to more than 220 miles of designated routes at Factory Butte that provide scenic loops and challenges for all skill levels. The popular off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreational area called Swing Arm City will remain open to cross-country travel.

The travel designations announced today will not only protect two endangered species of cacti from recreational impacts, but will also ensure that Factory Butte can remain open to OHV users in the years to come, the Richfield Field Office said. BLM officials noted that those riding off-highway vehicles in Factory Butte will still be able to enjoy diverse activities over a wide area, from challenging terrain to easy-riding scenic loops to the 2,600-acre "open play area" at Swing Arm City.

OHV riders will be able to access points throughout the 148,500-acre Factory Butte area on the extensive network of designated routes that run from the Emery County line in the north to the Garfield County line to the south, and from Capitol Reef National Park on the west to Skyline Rim on the east. Other motorized opportunities exist at Factory Butte for everything from passenger car touring to single-track motorcyling.

The BLM is emphasizing public education and awareness in connection with the newly designated route system, which will be identified during an on-the-ground implementation process with appropriate signs and fencing. The new travel restrictions, which take effect immediately, do not affect dispersed camping, so long as the camping does not create impacts on areas with endangered cacti. Popular camping areas like Coal Mine Wash are still available for camping; OHV users, however, will not be allowed to ride their vehicles in the surrounding hills.

In recognition of Factory Butte's recreational values, the BLM has plans in place to upgrade amenities in the area to enhance visitors’ experiences. The amenities include interpretive kiosks displaying maps of open areas, designated routes, observation points, and staging areas. The BLM welcomes suggestions for other improvements to enhance the recreational experience at Factory Butte. For more information, please call the public affairs number of the Richfield Field Office at (435) 896-1070.