UPLA Analysis Shows Major Improvements—But Many Miles of Existing Routes Are Still Proposed for Closure or Missing in Dolores River
The Bureau of Land Management has released preliminary alternatives for the Dolores River Travel Management Plan. UPLA completed a detailed comparison of the current alternatives with the original 2021 route inventory and our 2024 scoping comments. The results are encouraging.
UPLA warned BLM during scoping that the Dolores River route inventory was significantly incomplete. The preliminary alternatives now evaluate 196 routes—78 more unique routes than appeared in the 2024 data. While this alone cannot prove that UPLA’s comments caused the change, the expanded inventory directly addresses one of UPLA’s primary scoping concerns. That represents real progress and demonstrates that substantive public participation can influence the planning process.
We Still Have Two big concerns that represent even greater opportunity:
- The majority (62 routes/39 miles) of those added routes are designated in Alternative B for closure. We need to revisit these and they can be identified in the Detailed Analysis Report that follows
- We still believe there are substantial routes missing from the inventory, we need your help in finding them.
Click for our Detailed Analysis
Why This Matters
The preliminary alternatives suggest the BLM took a closer look at its route inventory after the scoping process. That is exactly why public participation matters. But the job isn’t finished.
Many of the proposed closures remain unsupported by the available information and deserve careful review before any final decisions are made.
UPLA Makes Commenting Easier
At this stage of the process, there is no formal comment period, but UPLA will consolidate your reports submitted through TrailSaver and provide them to BLM for evaluation before they finalize their Draft EA. TrailSaver will again help you write detailed, route-specific comments that we need.
Identify the routes that matter to you, then use TrailSaver to help you prepare substantive comments that explain:
- Why you use the route
- What access it provides
- Why closure is unnecessary
- Why the route should remain open
UPLA will consolidate comments submitted through TrailSaver and deliver them to the BLM outside the formal comment period.
Read the Complete Analysis
Download the complete UPLA Dolores River TMP Analysis to review:
- Alternative comparisons
- Mileage summaries
- Priority closure routes
Here’s other Useful Links to Assist You
BLM’s Interactive Map with New Features Requested by UPLA that include a Route Locator on the Map
Improved BLM Route Reports in Easy to Read Format
BLM Dolores River TMP Project Home Page
Includes PDF Maps and Monitoring Reports on Routes
Stay Involved
This is one example that demonstrates public participation works. Now we need to ensure the remaining proposed closures receive the same level of careful public review.
Together, we can help keep responsible access open for future generations.
Loren Campbell
President
Utah Public Lands Alliance
