BLM releases proposed improvements to Table Mesa Recreation Area
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PHOENIX – The Bureau of Land Management’s Phoenix District Office finalized the Table Mesa Environmental Assessment of enhanced recreational facilities at the Table Mesa area north of Phoenix. The assessment designates appropriate recreational uses in specific areas to avoid user conflict, ensure visitor safety, and protect natural and cultural resources.
Planned improvements include developed recreational target shooting areas, camping areas, interpretive sites, and non-motorized trails. The plan also establishes a developed recreation area boundary around 14,262 acres of the Table Mesa area, which is on the west side of Interstate 17 between New River and Black Canyon City.
“We are seeing an increased demand for expanded recreational opportunities around the Phoenix metro area,” said BLM Phoenix District Manager Leon Thomas. “We hope the improvements to facilities at Table Mesa will enhance the recreational experience for area residents and visitors.”
In 2010, BLM approved a recreation and travel management plan for Table Mesa designating an 85-mile travel network of roads and trails. That plan also identified primitive camping areas and buffer zones for recreational target shooting away from roads and recreation facilities. This new environmental assessment updates the recreation features of the 2010 plan. The travel management portion of the 2010 plan remains in effect and was not evaluated under this project.
The completed environmental assessment and a finding of no significant impact are available on the National NEPA Register. In addition to existing rules associated with developed recreation areas and supplementary rules for recreational shooting sites in the Phoenix District, additional rules for recreation in the Table Mesa area may be developed.
BLM strives to balance appropriate recreational opportunities, such as camping, recreational target shooting, hiking, mountain biking, off-highway vehicle use, equestrian use, and more. Public lands also support economic uses such as grazing, mining, and energy infrastructure.
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.