BLM to reinstate 14-day stay limit at Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area
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ST. GEORGE, Utah—In order to increase recreation opportunities at the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area (VRCRA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona Strip Field Office (ASFO) is finalizing a supplementary rule that reinstates a stay limit of 14 consecutive days at the site.
The change, which is consistent with camping limits for other BLM public lands, will allow more members of the public to enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, scenic viewing and boating from the popular site. The VRCRA provides recreational access to the colorful canyons and rugged cliffs of the Virgin River corridor, the Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness and Paiute Wilderness.
“It is a BLM priority to increase recreational opportunities so more Americans can enjoy our spectacular landscapes and create lasting memories from the resources available to us through our public lands and waters,” said Lorraine Christian, Arizona Strip Field Manager. “The change will have substantial, positive impacts for expanding existing recreational opportunities to members of the public who are seeking a variety of recreational opportunities.”
In 1994, the BLM, by notice in the Federal Register, established supplementary rules for the VRCRA which exempted the campground from the 14-day camping limitation. As a result, visitors paid either a daily fee or a reduced monthly fee to occupy a site. Because of the low cost, some visitors have used the site as a long-term residence, making recreation sites unavailable to other members of the public and resulting in cleanliness and sanitation issues.
The BLM prepared an environmental assessment of the proposed change, which included announcing scoping and public comment periods through mail, news releases, posts on the ePlanning web page, and announcements posted at the VRCRA. The BLM analyzed the public comments received, issued a Finding of No Significant Impact, and published a Decision Record on February 6, 2019. The documents are available for review at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/112524/510.
In addition, the BLM published a notice of the proposed change in the Federal Register on June 15, 2021, providing a 60-day public comment period. Five email comments were received, all in support of the change.
The BLM will begin enforcing the final supplementary rule when it becomes effective 30-days after the January 6, 2022, publication date when the campground reopens once scheduled renovations are completed. For more information, please contact Lorraine Christian, Field Manager, Arizona Strip Field Office, at 435-688-3323 or by email at BLM_AZ_ASDO Comments@ blm.gov.
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.