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.
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, 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
There are no upcoming projects at this time
Land Use Issues
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.
Moab Resource Management Plan (RMP)
Utah BLM Resource Management Plans (RMPs)
Uinta National Forest Motorized Travel Plan
Dump Bump and Lion's Back Closure
Five Mile Pass Motorized Travel Plan
Canaan Mountain Sawmill Road Closure
Moab Resource Management Plan (RMP), Moab BLM Field Office
The Moab Draft Resource Management Plan (DRMP) is out, and the public comment period is over! Many thanks to everyone who took the time to review the analysis and submit a comment. Also, thanks to Blueribbon Coalition, Red Rock 4 Wheelers, and Moab Friends-For-Wheelin' for contributing analysis for the DRMP.
Click here to view U4WDA's official comment letter to the BLM regarding the Moab Draft Resource Management Plan.
View our map comparisons here to see how different alternatives affect your favorite routes.
Visit the BLM's Moab Field Office DRMP/DEIS website:
http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/moab/planning/draft_rmp_eia.html
Blueribbon Coalition (BRC) worked with U4WDA, RR4W, MFFW, and other groups to analyze the new RMP, and provide information to the motorized community for comments when the time is right. Their analysis and input was invaluable in getting the right information out to the public.
BRC has setup a special way for concerned users to get involved called the "Moab Access Partner" program. For a monthly pledge of $10 for one one year, you'll receive a Moab Access Partner t-shirt, bumper sticker, and quarterly updates on the process. It's a great way to get involved and keep Moab open for the enjoyment of everyone. Although the comment period is closed, there will still be a lot of work to do. Contribute today!
Click here to become a Moab Access Partner today!
Utah BLM Resource Management Plans (RMPs), Multiple Locations
Along with the Moab Draft Resource Management plan, there are 5 other Utah BLM RMPs in the public comment phase right now! Please review the information below, and submit your comments to the BLM before the deadlines listed.
Price Field Office: Comment Period Ended December 13, 2007
Vernal Field Office: Comment Period Ended January 3, 2008
Kanab Field Office: Comment Period Ended January 10, 2008
View the U4WDA Kanab RMP Fact Sheet, or the detailed Alternative B maps by USGS Quandrangle. Examine U4WDA's official comment letter here. Download the U4WDA Kanab RMP Talking Points to assist you in submitting your comment to the BLM.
Richfield Field Office: Comment Period Ends January 24, 2008
View the U4WDA Richfield RMP Talking Points to assist you in submitting your comment to the BLM. The Richfield Field Office contains some popular OHV destinations that are in danger of being closed permanently under this RMP. Please take time to review the information and submit comments!
Monticello Field Office: Comment Period Ends February 4, 2008
Blueribbon Coalition (BRC) has built a Utah RMP website with information and analysis regarding these five RMPs.
Visit the site here: http://www.sharetrails.org/public_lands/?section=MoabUpdate
Uinta National Forest Motorized Travel Plan, Uinta National Forest
The Uinta National Forest will be publishing a new motorized travel plan in the summer of 2007. Details of the new travel plan are not available at this time. U4WDA will review the travel plan when it becomes available.
Dump Bump and Lion's Back Closure, Utah Trust Lands
The Moab icons of Dump Bump and Lion's Back have been closed, forever. These obstacles, along with a portion of the Hells Revenge trail, are situated on land owned by the State of Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA). The land had been under lease by a campground operator, but it was recently sold to a developer planning to build condominiums on the property. There was no right-of-way established with the state or county, so there is little to be done about this issue. What happened here will someday happen to "Little Moab" as it is also owned by SITLA.
A detailed article on this land use issue appeared in the Summer 2007 edition of The Compass.
Five Mile Pass Motorized Travel Plan, Salt Lake BLM Field Office
The BLM Salt Lake Field Office manages a huge portion of land in northwest Utah. They plan on releasing their draft management plan in the summer of 2007.
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.
Canaan Mountain Sawmill Road Closure, Cedar City BLM Field Office
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. |
