BLM seeks public input for Paunsaugunt Travel Management Plan
Input critical to decision-making policies for roads, access to public lands
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KANAB, Utah — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Kanab Field Office, invites the public to comment beginning today, Feb. 23, 2022, through March 25, 2022, on travel management planning for the Paunsaugunt Travel Management Area. The Paunsaugunt Travel Management Area is comprised of approximately 185,950-acres of BLM managed lands in Kane County, Utah.
“The BLM recognizes the importance of public participation and encourages the public to submit scoping input,” said Kanab Field Office Manager Whit Bunting. “To provide meaningful input, the BLM has made maps available to the public of all inventoried routes being considered for designation within the Travel Management Area. The maps show individual routes and include the BLM route number/identifier, the Kane County Road number, and any common route name known to BLM.”
This 30-day public scoping period is intended to provide the BLM with an inclusive process for gathering input from the public, government agencies, Tribal governments, and other interested stakeholders on the issues and environmental impacts to be addressed during travel management planning for the Paunsaugunt Travel Management Area. The proposed plan will designate existing off-highway vehicle (OHV) motorized routes only. It will neither include construction of new routes nor designate non-motorized routes, such as equestrian, hiking, or mountain biking trails.
“This travel management plan will provide certainty for future access and management of resource infrastructure such as wildlife waters, erosion control structures, and other authorized range improvements,” said Bunting. “It will also protect resources by clearly identifying motorized routes in the Paunsaugunt Travel Management Area by analyzing existing routes and by applying management techniques that would minimize resource impacts, while encouraging recreation access where appropriate.”
Information about the project is available on the BLM’s ePlanning website via NEPA # DOI-BLM-UT-P020-2022-0005-EA. Substantive feedback including new information or issues to be considered regarding specific routes within the Paunsaugunt Travel Management Area will be most helpful as this process continues. Input may be mailed, emailed, or submitted through ePlanning:
- ePlanning: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2017395/510
- Email: blm_ut_kn_mail@blm.gov
- Mail: BLM Paria River District, Attn: Paunsaugunt TMP, 669 S. Hwy 89A, Kanab, UT 84741.
For specific questions, contact Ade’ Nelson, Project Manager at aknelson@blm.gov or (435) 819-0048; or contact the BLM office at (435) 644-1200.
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 aknelson@blm.gov 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.
More information about travel planning can be found on the BLM Utah’s Travel Management website at www.blm.gov/travel-and-transportation/utah.
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the hearing impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question. 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.