Public Land Use
Unfortunately, the exaggerated image of off-roaders as redneck environmental vandals raping the land is still frequently promoted by some environmental advocates in order to provide justification for closing primitive roads and trails in areas of historic interest and scenic beauty. As anyone who has explored them first hand can testify, use of these remote and primitive roads actually increases the traveler's appreciation of the backcountry and has no real environmental impact.
U4WDA Volunteers remove junk cars from American Fork Canyon
In fact, any disruptive effect of a modern, low polluting, light-treading 4X4 passing along a primitive road pales into insignificance beside such massive natural forces as flash floods, fires, rain and even winds. In spite of this, dirt roads and trails are currently being closed in record numbers in the name of environmental protection.
If you use a vehicle of any kind to explore the backcountry, make sure you are a low impact user who leaves the area better than you found it. Follow the Tread Lightly rules.. Specifically, drive only on established roads and trails. Pick up trash if you see any. Be courteous to other backcountry users whether they are on foot or in vehicles. Keep in mind that you are an ambassador for us all and should act the part.
If you would like to get involved and help protect your rights to enjoy motorized recreation on public lands, join us today!
U4WDA Open Access Fund
Unfortunately, it takes a lot of money to defend motorized access on public lands. U4WDA supports legal groups like Utah Shared Access Alliance, Blue Ribbon Coalition, United Four Wheel Drive Association, and others with financial donations to conduct specific legal action. Money donated or allocated for the U4WDA Open Access Fund is reserved for support of legal action in Utah that is intended to protect 4x4 access to public lands. Donate to the U4WDA Open Access Fund now.
Upcoming Projects
U4WDA 2010 National Public Lands Day - September 25, 2010
More info coming soon.
Current Land Use Issues
BRC Action Alert
Obama National Monument Update
On Wednesday, May 5, 2010, the House Natural Resources Committee voted down (by a margin of 20-22) a motion offered by Ranking Member Doc Hastings (WA) to favorably report H. Res. 1245 out of Committee. The Resolution is an attempt by Congress to require the Secretary of the Interior to turn over specific information related to potential National Monument designations.
Interestingly, the Department of the Interior (DOI) delivered nearly 400 pages of emails to the Committee less than 24 hours before it was scheduled to vote on the Resolution. However, the agency withheld some 2,016 pages of additional documents directly related to potential Monument designations.
The controversy began with the discovery of an internal DOI document labeled "NOT FOR RELEASE" which details plans for 14 new or expanded national monument designations, totaling some 13 million acres of public and private land.
Rep. Hastings, who has led a bi-partisan effort to require the DOI to disclose information said: “When the federal government is discussing the lockup of 13 million acres of public lands with the stroke of the President’s pen, the American people have a right to know what their government is doing. I encourage my Democrat colleagues to help the Obama Administration adhere to their claims of openness and transparency by bringing this resolution to a vote on the floor of the full House,” said Hastings. “If this Resolution is not brought to the House floor in a timely manner, I promise this Committee will see plenty of similar Resolutions until the Department of Interior reveals what they are hiding.”
House rules provide that the Democrat Majority on the Committee had 14 legislative days to report the Resolution of Inquiry or it would have been eligible to be brought to the Floor of the House of Representatives for a vote as a Privileged Resolution. A future Floor vote on the Resolution is now entirely subject to the will of the Majority.
Meanwhile, legislation that would remove a President's unilateral authority to designate National Monuments is moving slowly. The bill is titled the Preserve Land Freedom For Americans Act of 2010 (HR 4996) is sponsored by North Carolina Rep. Virginia Foxx. HR 4996 was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources on April 13, 2010. BRC is encouraging our members to contact their Representatives and encourage them to co-sponsor HR 4996 and work for its passage into law.
We will continue to keep you updated on this and other important issues.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.
Brian Hawthorne Ric Foster
Public Lands Policy Director Public Lands Department Manager
208-237-1008 ext 102 208-237-1008 ext 107
Travel Management Plans
Due to federal mandates, every BLM Field Office and Forest Service Unit will be revising their travel management plans and maps over the next two years. Now is the time to get involved if you want to protect 4x4 access on public lands! Find out about volunteer activities with U4WDA, or contribute to our legal defense fund.
In addition to our ongoing service and education activities, U4WDA is working on the following long-term land use issues affecting 4x4 access to public lands in Utah. Check this page often for the latest updates.
Grand Junction, CO BLM RMP TMP comments needed
Five Mile Pass Motorized Travel Plan
Canaan Mountain Sawmill Road Closure
The Grand Junction Field Office is looking for comments specific to travel management, mainly specific comments on specific routes. They want to hear which routes you use and for what purposes.
Click the following link to read the news release, comments form and Q&A: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gjfo/rmp/Travel_Management.html
The BLM Salt Lake Field Office manages a huge portion of land in northwest
Utah.
As of now, we are not sure if the popular
rock-crawling trails known as Rattlesnake and Constrictor will remain
open under the new plan. Tooele County has expressed interest in claiming
several roads to protect OHV access, and might be a valuable allie in
preserving the current access.
The special recreation area known as Five Mile Pass will be undergoing several changes. First, the open travel designation will be removed, and a new policy of designated routes only will be enforced. Second, many of the spider web of trails will be closed for future travel.
If you would like to help U4WDA work on preserving access in this area, we would like to hear from you. Please contact us.
The Canaan Mountain Sawmill Road is a historic route in Southern Utah. Canaan Mountain is east of Hurricane, and north of Hildale. The road has been in use by motorized users since the 1950's. The road was originally established to serve a sawmill built on the mountain.
In the mid-70's the BLM closed the road by declaring the surrounding land a Wilderness Study Area. However, the road has seen continuous use up to this day.
In 2006, Dan Jessop of Apple Valley was issued a citation for driving on the road. Rather than just pay the fine, Dan has decided to fight the premise of the roads closure. Washington County claims the road under RS 2477, and a victory in the case would be a major benefit to the motorized community across the West. The law is on our side, but we can only win the case if Dan receives the financial support to keep fighting and pay legal costs.
To donate to the Canaan Mountain Defense fund via credit card or Pay-Pal, click here. To donate via check, send your donation to: Dan Jessop, 6890 E Apple Valley Dr, Apple Valley, UT 84737. Make checks payable to attorneys "Jones Waldo."
A detailed article on this land use issue appeared in the Summer 2007 edition of The Compass. The article can be downloaded here.
