BLM’s reopening of the devastating Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges Travel Management Plan is a monumental opportunity, but our success will depend on our ability to submit massive numbers of public comments to BLM on the Action. We know it’s tedious to ask, but we’ve all been asking for this, and we must act to ensure our success on future plans.

Here’s What You Should Do:

• Go to this BLM Interactive Map to see which routes they have proposed reopening. When you get on the map, the Green lines mark the routes BLM proposed for  reopening. The Pink indicates routes they are proposing to open seasonally. Black lines indicate single track routes they are proposing to open to 50” width or less. If you need to see more detail on the map, click on the 4 squares at the upper right and pick a different basemap for more details on the map. When you click on a line, it will give you additional information about the trail.
• Optional: Research UPLA Files to help identify routes and give you more information on them. We have added some of the most requested information for you to see as follows:
  • Click Here if you’d like to see a list of the BLM Route Numbers with Common Names for the Trails
  • Click Here if you’d like to see rationale from the 2023 Decision Record including common names, and highlighting the routes that BLM designated for reconsideration
  • Click Here if you’d like to look up the Route Report for a specific route number. These can be very useful, as the last pages (Alternative D in green) show the conditions BLM identified that the route could be opened. These can be mentioned in your comments
  • Click Here if you’d like to read the 2023 Final EA. You probably won’t need this unless you’re just curious about a detail.
• Draft your detailed comments about trails you are familiar with. Include personal experiences, how you’ve used it, how often, who you’ve been there with; in other words, why it’s important that it be reopened. Use as much of the factual information from one of the sources as you can.
• Submit your Comments using any of three ways
  • A. If you feel comfortable submitting them directly to BLM, you can do so at the BLM EPlanning Website  Use the Participate Now button there, you can type comments in, or upload a word or pdf document, and can attach photos if you have them.
    OR
  • B. If you want help formatting your comments, Email your draft to our Comments Coach. Rose will help you format them so they are ready to submit, and will return it to you to submit to BLM. Rose is also working on UPLA’s formal comments, so to get a response you must send them no later than Sunday, October 19. You will then need to submit them to BLM or through BlueRibbon Coalition’s Action Tool.
  • OR
  • C. Submit the comments using BlueRibbon Coalition’s Action Tool. This method will submit comments directly to BLM, but will also provide them to BlueRibbon Coalition so they know hear directly from you. This method will not allow you to attach items.

Q&A

• If you want to comment on a route that is not in the reconsideration list, can you? Yes, go ahead and submit comments on any closed trail you would like reconsidered.
• When must comments be received by BLM? October 24, 2025
• Where is the announcement from BLM? BLM Announcement
• How did this come about? This action has been the result of many different organizations and individuals that filed lawsuits for  reconsideration, among them BlueRibbon Coalition, the State of Utah, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Colorado Offroad Trail Defenders, Ride with Respect, and everyone that has filed comments or made donations to support their efforts.
• What trails are being reconsidered? Nearly 50% of the 2023 closures are being reconsidered, including popular routes like Hey Joe Canyon, Deadman Point, Dead Cow Loop, Day Canyon Point, Hell Roaring Canyon, Mineral Canyon, several key Green River overlooks, and many other backcountry access routes. Click Here for a Complete List
• Are the routes open now? No, they are not reopened at this point, the existing Travel Management Plan will remain in effect until a final decision is made.
• Will these all be reopened? That depends a lot on you, we need your comments to make this happen.
• What about other Travel Plans that resulted in closures like San Rafael Swell and Henry Mountains? Trust us that we’re continuing to work on those, but don’t let this opportunity pass us by.

Submit Your Comments On Every Route You Know About

Comments are Due Tonight September 19 to Support Recission of the Forest Service Roadless Rule

Submit Your Comments Here

UPLA – USDA Proposal to Rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule FINAL COMMENT

UPLA has been proud of being an all volunteer effort, but to effectively compete against the well funded and staffed organizations, we decided we need to hire a Full Time Executive Director, who will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of OHV access advocacy in Utah. While we have been very successful in following and commenting on public land access issues and more recently legislatively, we recognize that our biggest opportunity is gaining more support from our 300,000 OHV users and the many clubs and organizations in our state, which will require a full time effort and much travel, which will be the focus of our ED to travel the state to attend club meetings, events, projects, and developing relationships with land managers.

Apply At This Link

Position Summary

The Executive Director will serve as the public face of UPLA, responsible for advancing our mission through relationship-building, education, program development, and statewide outreach. This position is ideal for someone who is passionate about Off Highway Vehicles, and knowledgeable in nonprofit or advocacy work.

Key Responsibilities

Advocacy & Outreach

– Represent UPLA in NEPA processes, public meetings, and stakeholder forums.
– Build relationships with federal, state, and local land managers across Utah.
– Attend and speak at OHV club meetings, public events, and user-group summits.
– Coordinate with trail crews and volunteers for stewardship projects.

Program Development

– Expand UPLA’s TrailSaver and Comment Coach programs.
– Develop educational materials and training resources.
– Engage and

grow our volunteer base across regions and trail user types.

– Educate and Support OHV Club Members

Fundraising & Grant Support

– Support membership development and donor engagement.
– Coordinate with the Board on strategic funding initiatives.

Organizational Leadership

– Collaborate with the UPLA Board of Directors to execute strategic plans
– Maintain regular reporting including monthly logs and oral briefings to Board
– Manage my schedule to maximize travel for multiple events

Minimum Qualifications
– Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in public land management at a federal or state agency, environmental policy, nonprofit leadership, or related fields.
– Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience, ideally in public lands, OHV advocacy, or OHV related nonprofit administration.
– Proven success in public engagement, partnership building, and program execution.
– Strong understanding of Utah’s public land policy landscape.
– Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
– Must reside in Utah and be willing to travel across the state.
– Must have reliable personal vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications

– Master’

s degree in a relevant field.

– Experience working with a nonprofit Board of Directors, BLM, or Forest Service
– Experience working remotely
– Familiarity with OHV recreation and ownership of an off-highway vehicle.
– Proficiency in digital tools for outreach, volunteer coordination, and media.

Compensation

– Salary Range $60-72,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
– Travel and expenses reimbursed based on GSA Rates
– Flexible work schedule based on average 40-hour week.

How to Apply

Apply at this link. You can attach your resume, cover letter, and any other relevant documents.

Applications will be accepted until October 10, 2025

Funding for this position was made possible in part by the Utah OHVR Grant Program, which is fully supported by contributions from your OHV registrations.

UPLA was asked to prepare a briefing for Congress on the importance of volunteerism in helping with the management of our public lands. I shared a personal experience from working with the San Bernardino National Forest through their Adopt a Trail Program to encourage them to expand AAT within National Forests and to implement a similar program within BLM.

UPLA Congressional Hearing Briefing on Volunteerism

UPLA reviewed Scoping documents for the Beas Lewis Flat Improved Campground near Torrey, UT and submitted comments. Generally, we are in support of adding camping capacity, but we want to be sure it does not impact OHV or current disbursed campsites.

You can read our comments here.

UPLA – Beas Lewis Flat Campground (Scoping Comment) Final

On July 3, 2025, both the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI, through the Bureau of Land Management) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (via the U.S. Forest Service) released interim final rules to govern their implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These rules replace the now-vacated CEQ regulations following the U.S. Supreme Court’s determination that CEQ lacked regulatory authority under NEPA.

While the stated goals of the new rules include reducing complexity, shortening review timelines, and minimizing litigation, the Utah Public Lands Alliance (UPLA) has significant concerns about their impact on recreation access—especially for off-highway vehicle (OHV) users.

Key Issues Raised by UPLA:

– Elimination of scoping participation – The public would no longer be guaranteed a voice during the crucial scoping phase.
– Discretionary comment periods – The “Responsible Official” may choose whether to allow public comment at all.
– Drastically shortened timelines – Comment windows are as short as 14 days for Environmental Assessments and 10 days for EISs.
– Weak notification requirements – Fewer public notices make it harder to track and respond to proposals.
– Return of “substantive comment” filter – Previously eliminated in April 2025, this barrier excludes voices not couched in legal or technical language.
– Expanded use of Categorical Exclusions – These allow significant changes without public notice or comment.
– Reduced opportunity for legal challenge – Discretionary decisions may evade judicial review.

UPLA Natural Resource Consultant Rose Winn observed:
“For now, these changes might accelerate decisions under a friendly administration—but they also hand sweeping discretionary power to future officials who may not value recreational access.”

Our Path Forward:
Rather than recommend tweaks to a deeply flawed rule, UPLA has urged the agencies to create a separate NEPA framework tailored to recreational access and travel planning. A one-size-fits-all model built around energy and infrastructure projects fails to protect the millions of Americans who rely on public lands for outdoor recreation.
UPLA has submitted our formal comments to both DOI and USDA.

UPLA’s full DOI NEPA Comments
UPLA’s full USDA NEPA Comments

Department of the Interior Interim Rules
USDA Interim Rules

These actions will require ongoing followup, we welcome your input and support. Email us or connect via our social media accounts.