A Second Chance for Reopening Closures in the San Rafael Swell and Desert
A public comment period is now open for reconsideration of closed routes in the San Rafael Swell and San Rafael Desert where over 1,300 miles of routes were closed.This opportunity is the direct result of litigation led by the State of Utah and the BlueRibbon Coalition—supported financially by the Utah Public Lands Alliance (UPLA) and backed by persistent advocacy with the Administration.
And now—we need you.
What Trails are Open for reconsideration?
Trails in both the San Rafael Swell and San Rafael Desert are being reconsidered for reopening. Click on this link to go to BLM’s map tool where you can zoom in and see every route being reconsidered. If ones you have knowledge of, we need your comments.
Why This Matters
The San Rafael Swell and Desert Travel Management Plans closed over 1,300 miles of routes– These aren’t just lines on a map. They are:
- Family traditions
- Access to hunting and camping areas
- Connections to remote landscapes
- Economic lifelines for rural communities
Many of these closures included routes that were previously open and responsibly used for decades.
This upcoming comment period is our opportunity to put real-world grass roots comments with real voices back into the decision-making process.
What Happens Next
This reconsideration process follows the same path to the Gemini Bridges / Labyrinth Canyon review—where public input played a critical role in forcing agencies to take a second look.
At the same time, leadership from UPLA and the BlueRibbon Coalition will be in Washington, D.C., meeting with decision-makers across all branches of government.
We are pushing from every angle:
- Administrative-BLM, Forest Service and the White House
- Legislative
- Legal
But none of it works without public engagement.
We Need Your Support in Two Critical Ways
1) Submit Detailed, Substantive Comments using our Easy Comment Tool
This is the most important thing you can do.
We need detailed, route-specific input—not form letters.
BLM is required to respond to substantive comments—not general opinions. Our New Comment Tool will just ask you a few questions about your route and will transform it into a substantive comment that BLM must consider. It only takes a couple minutes to answer a few easy questions and you’ll get a comment that is ready to edit or post directly to BLM. If you have photos or gpx files, you can add those when you post to the BLM site.
Once you’re ready to submit your comments you can simply email them to BLM_UT_PR_comments@blm.gov
If you’ve ever said, “Someone should do something about this—this is your moment.
2) Help Fund the Fight
Litigation is what got us here—and it’s what will keep us in the fight. UPLA is raising another $50,000 to support BlueRibbon Coalition’s legal efforts to defend and reopen our access.
These cases are complex, time-intensive, and very expensive to pay teams or lawyers and lobbyists.
Every dollar goes directly toward:
- Legal representation
- Court challenges
- Defending your access to public lands
Please give what you can to fund the fight!
All Donations of $75 or more will receive one of our new Safety Flags to display your support on your machine.
What Comes Next
We’re not stopping here.
The same effort is already underway to push for reconsideration of closures in the Henry Mountains Travel Management Plan.
This is how we win:
- One plan at a time
- One trail at a time
- One voice at a time
Final Thought
Access isn’t lost all at once.
It’s lost quietly—route by route, decision by decision.
And it’s only restored when people show up.
👉 Show up. Speak up. Stand with us.
Together, we can protect—and reclaim—the access that belongs to all of us.
Sincerely,
Loren Campbell
Send email to President@UtahPLA.com with any comments or questions
Utah Public Lands Alliance
Defending Access • Preserving Freedom