BLM Seeks Input for Travel Management Planning near Vernal, Utah
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
VERNAL, Utah— The Bureau of Land Management invites the public to participate in the development of the Book Cliffs Travel Management Area Plan and Environmental Assessment (TMP/EA). BLM will host two public meetings to provide information and hear public comments and concerns. There will be opportunities to provide written comments as well. A map, comment form, and other information is available on BLM’s ePlanning project page at the following internet address: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/home.
Public Meeting Information:
- June 7, 6 - 8 p.m. Vernal City Hall, 374 East Main Street, Vernal, Utah.
- June 8, 6 - 8 p.m. Uintah Basin Applied Technology College (Main Conference Room), 1100 East Lagoon Street, Roosevelt, Utah.
During the two open house-style meetings, maps of the current and potential travel network will be available for review. BLM staff will be available to answer questions and receive comments. Information or concerns related to specific roads, routes, or trails will be most helpful. The goal of the travel management plan is to establish a network of roads for travel and transportation including areas for both motorized and non-motorized uses. Public input is essential to designate a travel system that provides appropriate access to and across public lands for a variety of uses including recreation, hunting, grazing, mineral exploration and energy development.
At this early stage of the process, public input will help the BLM identify issues and concerns for consideration in developing the travel management plan and assessing potential impacts to natural resources. Public scoping is the first part of the planning process. Scoping comments will be accepted June 7- July 7, 2017. There will be additional opportunity for public review and comment.
People are encouraged to submit comments online through BLM’s ePlanning project page. If you have route specific comments, a helpful form can be found by selecting “Documents” from the left sidebar menu. The form can be directly uploaded through the ePlanning online comment process. Comments may also be submitted by email to BLM_UT_Vernal_Comments@blm.gov or by mail to the following address: BLM-Vernal Field Office, Attn: Book Cliffs Travel Management, 170 South 500 East, Vernal, UT 84078. Comments submitted by mail must be post marked by July 7, 2017.
For further project information, please contact Kelly Buckner at (435) 781-4400. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. 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.