BLM and partners finalize travel management plan in southwestern Idaho
Plan expected to reduce user conflicts and protect natural resources
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BOISE, Idaho—After extensive work with local partners, the Bureau of Land Management today finalized a decision to create a comprehensive system of existing motorized routes through eastern Owyhee County in southwestern Idaho. The Canyonlands East Travel Management Plan allows the public access to hunting, hiking, biking, and off-highway vehicles, while also supporting working rangelands.
The plan is a collaboration with the local community, including Owyhee County Commissioners, motorized user groups, Tribes, state and federal agencies, and many other stakeholders to designate 1,493 miles of routes. Of those, 1,226 miles are authorized as motorized for public use, providing access to approximately 663,000 acres of BLM-managed public land. Roughly 187 miles will be closed and returned to their natural state. The BLM and partners collaboratively inventoried and decided on these routes.
“We appreciate our partners and the public helping BLM analyze these routes to ensure we maintain access and provide areas for motorized and non-motorized use, while still protecting from overuse,” said BLM Boise District Manager Tanya Thrift. “Collectively, we created a sound, sustainable travel management plan that reduces user conflicts, all while supporting multiple use on public lands for generations to come.”
The BLM divided Owyhee County into five segments to analyze travel management planning. Canyonlands East is the first plan reviewed, and will be followed by Canyonlands West, National Conservation Area South, Silver City, and Grand View. The goal is to complete all plans by spring 2024.
The BLM allowed the public a chance to review and weigh in on alternatives to the plan during a 45-day public comment period this past summer. The final plan and decision record are available on the BLM National NEPA Register.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.