Rawlins Field Office
| Contacts: | Beverly Gorny, | |||
| 307-775-6158 |
BLM Rawlins Field Office Alerts Public to Changes to Road Use
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in cooperation with private landowners, has been removing BLM road signs in a portion of the “checkerboard” area located in western Carbon and eastern Sweetwater counties in the Rawlins Field Office (RFO). These roads have been experiencing an increase in use and the BLM and affected property owners wish to correct the perception that these are public roads. Future access through these private roads will require an agreement with the private landowner prior to using the roads.
According to RFO Field Manager Patrick Madigan, “Roads in this area have experienced large increases in use. The BLM and concerned landowners wish to correct the misperception that these roads cross public lands.”
Because there has been BLM signage along certain roads, travelers have believed that the road is available for the public to use. “These roads are intended for BLM administrative access and not for general public use,” said Madigan. “In fact, the traveling public has been trespassing on private land when using these roads. By removing these signs, the BLM hopes to ensure that private land owner rights are respected.”
Future access though private lands in this area will require an agreement with the private landowner prior to using the roads. The BLM asks that anyone traveling these roads respect the property rights of these landowners and observe all road signage.
The public may cross private lands to access public lands only when a public road or right-of-way (easement) for public access exists across the private lands. In the absence of such a right-of-way, the public has no right to cross private lands without first obtaining permission from the landowner. The landowner is under no obligation to grant such permission. Additionally, there is no specific state or federal law regarding corner crossing. Corner crossings are not considered legal public access. Finally, a wounded animal may be pursued onto private land only with the permission of the private landowner.
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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. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2012, activities on public lands generated $4.6 billion in revenue, much of which was shared with the States where the activities occurred. In addition, public lands contributed more than $112 billion to the U.S. economy and helped support more than 500,000 jobs.
Rawlins Field Office 1300 North Third PO Box 2407 Rawlins, WY 82301