The BLM is currently seeking public input on motorized vehicle access in the Book Cliffs area. The BLM is looking to decide where motorized vehicles can be used on a wide swath of eastern Utah. The motorized access plan will cover 813,000 acres in Uintah County and 5,518 in Grand County. Likewise, the plan will control 1,906 miles of roads and routes. The plan will also include information regarding each route. This information will include things like the resource impact of each route, how often the route is used, and information about the area that each route accesses.
The BLM Planning Process
The BLM planning process will start with a 30-day public input period. This input period started on June 8th and will run until July 8th. Likewise, the BLM will have two open house meetings. Those open houses will take place Wednesday, June 23 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday, June 24 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Both these open housing will take place online.
“We look forward to hearing from the public during the Book Cliffs Travel Management Plan scoping period. Information submitted at this stage will help inform the initial draft of the travel management plan and environmental assessment. The most helpful comments are specific in nature and provide new information.” – Vernal BLM Field Manager Roger Bankert
As stated above, the plan will set each route in the area to certain groups. The groupings will be Open, Limited, or Closed to Public Motorized Use. The Book Cliffs is a unique area that thousands of people visit and recreate on each year. Likewise, the Book Cliffs area already has sections that are deemed roadless and people must hike, bike, or ride horses into those areas.
For more information regarding the plan about the Book Cliffs, maps of the area, and the meetings you can check out the BLM planning website by clicking here. The BLM asks that individuals please reference ‘Book Cliffs TMP’ when submitting comments on the website.
So, what are your thoughts on access in the Book Cliffs? Do you plan on leaving a comment with the BLM? Let us know in the comments!
