BLM initiates planning amendments in Eastern Utah to implement the Dingell Act
Public scoping begins on resource management plan amendments for the Moab, Price, and Vernal Field Offices
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VERNAL, Utah — The Bureau of Land Management invites the public to begin involvement in amendments to three resource management plans to implement new wilderness, national monument, national conservation area, recreation areas, and Wild and Scenic River designations in accordance with Public Law 116-9, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Dingell Act). Green River District has published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register to initiate public scoping for up to six amendments and associated environmental assessments affecting the Moab, Price, and Vernal Resource Management Plans and 10 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.
Each Resource Management Plan amendment and associated environmental assessment will focus on specific issues and include a range of alternatives. Comments provided during scoping help the BLM to identify planning issues that should be considered in the land management plan. The BLM analyzes these issues and uses them to develop a range of alternative management strategies.
“This is a great opportunity for the public to help the BLM identify what issues should be analyzed during the planning process, and to play an active role in the future management of the remarkable areas designated by Congress in the Dingell Act,” said Lance Porter, Green River District Manager.
The BLM will be hosting public meetings to learn more about the planning process for amending resource management plans to align with the new land designations established in the Dingell Act. Meetings will be held online via Zoom on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, from 3-5 p.m. MST and Nov. 18, 2021, from 5-7 p.m. MST.
- To attend the Nov. 17 public meeting please register in advance via: https://blm.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_TXIP7d_cS2OS0UD0BymTLg.
- To attend the Nov. 18 public meeting please register in advance via: https://blm.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_ehXqI8DSR2W3ImpmJXqWdQ
Interested parties are encouraged to submit comments via mail, email, or through the BLM’s ePlanning website by Nov. 27, 2021.
Mail: BLM Green River District, 170 South 500 East Vernal, Utah 84078
Email: blm_ut_vernal_comments@blm.gov
ePlanning: http://go.usa.gov/xV7yu
Additional project updates can be found on the BLM’s planning website at:
https://www.blm.gov/programs/planning-and-nepa/plans-in-development/utah/green-river-dingell-act.
Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable information in any comments, be aware that the entire comment—including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. Requests to withhold personal identifying information from public review can be submitted, but the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.
For additional information and/or to have your name added to the mailing list, contact Amber Koski, BLM Planning and Environmental Coordinator, at (435) 781-4465 or by mail or email at the addresses listed above. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for the above individual. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
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.