UTAH – Email BLM today: Alternative Formation Key in BLM’s St. George Travel Plan

Shawn Tabb | July 19, 2010 | 0 Comments

IMPORTANT ACTION ALERT
Email BLM today: Alternative Formation Key in BLM’s St. George Travel Plan

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber in Utah,

As we alerted you previously, the St. George office of the BLM is formulating a Travel Plan. Today is the comment deadline, and we thought we’d blast a quick sample comment letter for folks to email.

We apologize for being late on these comment suggestions. Please forgive. There is a lot going on in Utah.

BUT WAIT!! I need to give a heartfelt MUCHO APPRECIADO AMIGOS to several Utah clubs who are organizing for action in Southern Utah.

I know I’ll miss someone, so apologies in advance, but Tri County OHV Association, Sage Riders/Buzzards MC and the Utah Four Wheel Drive Association. Also a hat tip to Mike Swenson over at USA-ALL.

As noted above, the deadline for comments on the Scoping phase of BLM’s planning process is today. At its essence, scoping is about Issues and Alternatives. We’ve put together some talking points for folks who may not be familiar with the area but still want to help the local OHVers. It’s super easy and won’t take you more than a couple of minutes (literally).

Thanks in advance for your effort.

Brian Hawthorne                                  Ric Foster
Public Lands Policy Director              Public Lands Department Manager
208-237-1008 ext 102                         208-237-1008 ext 107

PS: These folks I mentioned above, especially individuals with the valued “local knowledge,” are taking time from work and family to meet with the BLM’s planning team as well as other stakeholders regarding OHV opportunities. They are doing their best to see that the BLM ends up with a adequate OHV opportunity and have certainly earned your support. As Alan Peterson puts it: Join – Participate – Donate:

Utah Shared Access Alliance http://www.usaall.org/
Tri State ATV Club http://www.atvutah.com/tristateohv/
Utah Four Wheel Drive Association http://www.u4wda.org/
Sage Riders MC http://www.sageridersmc.com/

ACTION ALERT:
BLM AMENDING MANAGEMENT AND TRAVEL PLAN FOR ST. GEORGE FIELD OFFICE
COMMENTS NEEDED TODAY

SITUATION:
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) St. George Field Office has formally kicked off the planning process that will result in a Comprehensive Travel and Transportation Management Plan. This plan will include specific route designations for motorized and mountain bike use. Meaning – if it’s not on the map – it’s closed! To learn more, visit the new St. George Field Office website at: www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/st__george.html

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Send a short email to the BLM. The BLM is in the “Scoping” phase of the planning process. At its essence, scoping is about Issues and Alternatives. We’ve put some key comment suggestions below.

NOTE: PLEASE STILL SEND AN EMAIL EVEN IF YOU MISSED THE JULY 19 DEADLINE (BLM allows, but does not require, comments to be considered after the deadline)

Send your email to:
St. George RMP and Travel Plan Planning Team at: utsgrmp@blm.gov

Take just a minute to add a bit about where you live, where you like to ride and how much trail-based recreation means to you. If you can add any trail-specific information or personal testimony about your experiences enjoying this spectacular area, please take a minute to add that to your comments

SAMPLE COMMENTS

Dear BLM St. George RMP and Travel Planning Team,

Other BLM units in Utah have shown that OHV use can be sustainably managed with existing resources available through agency budget, Utah’s State OHV Program and cooperative working relationships with user groups and local governments. The end result of this plan should include an enjoyable and sustainable road and trail system that provides adequate opportunity for existing and future use.

I do NOT support being presented with a “range” of Alternatives in which all represent a reduction in OHV opportunity. Neither the letter nor spirit of the BLM’s planning policies, BLM’s existing Resource Management Plan or the Washington County Growth and Conservation Act suggests, let alone mandates, an aggressive closure plan.

The agency must develop a wide range of Alternatives, including an Alternative that enhances motorized and mountain bike trail-based recreation.

I would like to suggest two Planning Issues: I suggest that the cumulative loss of motorized recreational opportunity be brought in as a formal Planning Issue. Motorized recreational opportunities have been reduced throughout the region. Recent planning efforts in all management areas surrounding the planning area have closed thousands of miles of roads and trails. Additional future closures can be expected on the Arizona Strip. The amount of closures has reached a critical mass. Every single mile of motorized route that is open today is extremely important. Further closures will have a larger impact than those in the past. This issue should be brought into the analysis and incorporated into the decision making process.

The second Planning Issue I suggest is “trail experience distinct from road experience” issue. It is important to recognize the distinction between “trails” and “roads” during this planning process. Providing an arguably adequate road system does not in any way begin to address the demand for motorized single track, full sized 4×4 and ATV trails.

Thank you for considering my comments,

YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS

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