Craters of the Moon National Monument is pushing for MORE road closures?
Years ago, when he quadrupled the size of Idaho’s Craters of the Moon National Monument, President Clinton directed that a new land use plan should be created for the newly expanded Monument.
Through that process, the Snake River Trail Machine Association worked with BRC and other OHV groups to keep the existing roads and trails open. Except for one trail within a Wilderness Study Area, we were pretty successful.
Now, just 2 years after the Monument Plan was signed into law, the National Park Service is coming back for more closures!
Apparently driven by the BLM and NPS’s mandate to formulate a “comprehensive” trail plan (comprehensive means designated routes for both motorized and non-motorized use), the agencies are proposing closing several historic roads. Some of these roads are historic travel ways used even before European settlement. Others were practically hand-carved into the hard volcanic rock by livestock grazers and settlers.
Today, these roads are used by residents of small towns for family-based recreation. On any Sunday you are likely to see entire families enjoying this remarkable and remote area.
Fred Spence with the Snake River gang has asked us to forward an action alert on the situation. The local folks can’t understand why the federal agencies have to close these roads.
Please take a minute to send the BLM a quick email and help Fred’s group keep these historic roads open.
Thanks in advance for your support,
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102
Action Alert:
Craters of the Moon National Monument is pushing for MORE road closures.
SITUATION:
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Park Service (NPS) have announced the availability of the proposed Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve Comprehensive Travel Management Plan (Travel Plan). The BLM is asking for your comments during a 30-day comment period, which will end September 18, 2009.
A copy of the proposed Travel Plan, maps and appendixes is available by visiting the BLM’s website at http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/shoshone/travel_management.html. For further information about the travel management plan process contact the Shoshone Field Office at 208-732-7200 or the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve headquarters at 208-527-1300.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Please submit comments to the Travel Plan Team: via email to ID_Craters_Plan@blm.gov, by fax to (208) 732-7317 (Attn: Monument Travel Plan); by phone to (208)732-7200; or mail/hand deliver comments to the following address:
Monument Travel Plan Project Manager
BLM Shoshone Field Office
400 West F Street
Shoshone ID 83352
Suggested Comments:
1. I am opposed to additional motorized closures on the National Monument and Preserve.
2. Given that motorized recreation is a valid use of these lands, and motorized recreation is increasingly popular with the American public, the Environmental Assessment must disclose a compelling need to eliminate any motorized route.
3. Closing motorized routes limits the human use and enjoyment of the Monument.
4. I strongly object to the proposal to close Road 3417, Road 768 and Road 785. These roads have been in existence for many decades and have historical significance to the local population. Traveling these routes is a valuable recreation experience and helps residents teach their children about the human and natural history of this remote area.
Category: Access Issues, Action Alerts, Land Access
Something needs to be done to reduce the damage caused by over-use. Too many riders on too few trails. Report violators and police them up…or someone will do it for us.
Yes, we need more trails and better policing of ourselves as a whole. Because like you said it only takes a few bad apples to ruin it for everyone.