BLM Statement Regarding Proposed Illegal ATV Ride in Recapture Canyon
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Today, Bureau of Land Management Utah State Director Juan Palma issued the following statement regarding the illegal ride planned through Recapture Canyon near Monticello, Utah on Saturday, May 10:“We regret that the illegal ATV ride planned for tomorrow appears to be going forward. Recapture Canyon is public land belonging to all Americans and contains ancient cultural sites and artifacts that are at serious risk of being destroyed or damaged. "“The BLM's multiple-use and sustained yield mission is to ensure the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. However, multiple-use does not mean every use on every acre, and the limited closures help protect these sensitive resources from further damage and shows respect to those whose final resting place is in the canyon.“The BLM-Utah will seek appropriate penalties against anyone who willfully violates the law. As always, our first and most important priority will be the safety of the public and our employees, and our actions will reflect that."There are more than 2,800 miles of trails on public lands that are open to ATV use within a short-drive of Blanding -- in other words, the approximate distance between New York City and Los Angeles. This extensive trail system offers OHV riders vast and diverse opportunities to ride and recreate on public lands in southeastern Utah. In order to protect the rich archaeological record left by the Ancestral Puebloans who once called this area home for nearly two millennial, the trail was closed to motorized access in 2007. The BLM is committed to constructively addressing competing resource demands on public lands in the area and will continue to engage with the county and other stakeholders.Public lands managed by the BLM in Utah contribute significantly to the State's economy and have a positive impact on nearby communities. Diverse recreational activities on BLM-managed lands in Utah provided $490 million in local and national economic benefits in 2012.
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.